What does it take toproduce feature-length documentaries on a micro-budget without Hollywoodgatekeepers, and why is building an off-grid life the ultimate test ofresilience?

Jake Green is an independent documentary filmmaker,podcast host, and the founder of Peaceful Sea Network.After career-ending knee injuries crushed his childhood NBA aspirations and the2020 lockdowns disrupted his debut film premiere, Jake embraced the versatilityof being a self-reliant "jack-of-all-trades." Today, he producesfeature films on shoestring budgets and is building a 90% self-sufficient,off-grid homestead community in the Montana mountains. In this episode of FailCraft, Jake joins Ezekiel to discuss breaking freefrom centralized systems, navigating repeated setbacks through faith, and whypreparing for failure enables rapid adaptation.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        Pivotingfrom Setbacks: Rebuilding aftercareer-ending sports injuries and film delays [02:08 / 04:21].

·        GainingResilience: Leaning on faith,marriage, and mental adaptability to move forward [04:58 / 06:26].

·        ShoestringFilmmaking: Producing featuredocumentaries without studio millions [06:46 / 09:18].

·        TheMontana Off-Grid Vision:Building a self-sufficient community with solar and Starlink [09:40 / 12:03].

·        BreakingCentralized Dependence:Why 2020 sparked a rapid timeline to autonomy [12:03 / 13:05].

·        TheJack-of-All-Trades Edge:Why broad, practical skill sets outperform narrow specialization [13:31 /14:37].

·        Preparingfor Failure: Proactive mentalframing that turns losses into stepping stones [15:30 / 18:26].

·        RedefiningSuccess: Prioritizing familypeace, mountain living, and close-knit community [18:46 / 19:38].

Connect With Jake Green:

·        Streaming& Media Platform: Discover independentshows, films, and skills at peacefulsea.network.

·        PitchProjects: Submit your unmadescripts, series, or documentaries via the website.

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with an independent filmmaker, creator, orhomesteader!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Jake Green & The Independent Mindset

02:08 Surviving EarlyCollapse: From NBA Dreams to Movie Setbacks

04:58 OvercomingSelf-Pity: Finding Strength in Faith and Marriage

06:46 IndependentFilmmaking: Producing Documentaries on a Shoestring Budget

09:40 The Off-GridVision: Building a Self-Sustaining Community in Montana

12:03 RejectingCentralized Systems: The 2020 Awakening

13:31 Jack of AllTrades: Why Broad Skills Outlast Hyper-Specialization

15:30 Preparing vs.Expecting Failure: The Mental Switch for Fast Recovery

18:46 RedefiningSuccess as Peace, Mountain Living & Family

20:01 Connect withJake Green & Peaceful Sea Network

Why do moderneducational systems and corporate structures strip away the innate creativegenius we all possess as children, and how can entrepreneurs sitting in thetension of a creative block turn collapse into a powerful metamorphosis?

Patrick Williams is an award-winning artist, TEDx speaker,visionary educator of over four decades, and founder of Satori Innovation. Holding black belts in Karate-Dō andAikidō, Patrick bridges the somatic discipline of the martial arts dojo with thepsychology of innovation to help leaders, founders, and creatives escape mentalburnout. In this episode of FailCraft, Patrickjoins Ezekiel to discuss dismantling the "creative colonization" ofthe modern mind, why sitting in the creative void is a necessary stage ofgrowth, and how daily analog journaling unlocks original problem-solving.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        TheCreative Colonization Crisis: How rigid schooling suppresses childhood imagination [01:58 /06:44].

·        TheNecessity of Unstructured Play: Why genuine learning requires free exploration [07:18 / 09:29].

·        Navigatingthe Creative Void: Reframing feelingstuck into an active winter thaw [10:06 / 13:29].

·        PatternInterruption Techniques:Using unexpected music, nature, and random reading to spark ideas [10:58 /13:29].

·        TheAnalog Storage Device:Daily reflective journaling as an intentional discipline [14:13 / 18:46].

·        MartialArts Lessons on Failure:Embracing constant imperfection on the dojo mat [19:14 / 22:13].

·        TheInternal Sensei: Pacing your personalgrowth and calming mental panic [22:43 / 26:51].

Connect With Patrick Williams:

·        InnovationConsulting: Explore programs at patrickwilliamsstaycreative.com.

·        SubstackPublication: Read How to Make a Painting on Substack.

·        DirectEmail: Inquire about privatementoring at [email protected].

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with an entrepreneur, artist, or creator facinga creative block!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Patrick Williams & The Creative Superpower

01:58 CreativeColonization: How Standardized Systems Strip Imagination

07:18 UnstructuredPlay: Why Learning Demands Open Space

10:06 Befriending theCreative Void: Shifting Out of Being Stuck

14:13 The AnalogAnchor: Journaling as a Transformational Practice

19:14 The Dojo ofFailure: Black Belt Lessons on Continuous Repetition

22:43 The InnerSensei: Breathing Through Creative Resistance

27:26 Connect withPatrick Williams & Satori Innovation

How do you findcreative validation and purpose when your projects face constant rejection orremain unproduced, and what does it take to rebuild your life when the economicand social systems around you break down?

Douglas Cole is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter,and author of eight poetry collections, including The Cabin at the End of theWorld and The White Field. Known for blendinggritty "dirty realism" with dreamlike surrealism, Douglas won BestUnproduced Screenplay for The White Fieldbefore penning his speculative novel, The Invisible Hand.In this episode of FailCraft, Douglas joins Ezekiel todiscuss navigating societal dread, the creative power of rebooting aftercatastrophic failure, and why the joy of the artistic process matters far morethan external publishing metrics.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        TheUnproduced Masterpiece:Finding deep validation in the blueprint even before execution [01:35 / 02:22].

·        DirtyRealism Meets Surrealism:Crafting speculative fiction about systemic collapse [02:44 / 04:37].

·        RebootingAfter Failure: The Shiva-likenecessity of destroying the past to build the new [04:37 / 06:42].

·        ManagingMultiple Storylines: Weaving the journeyfrom innocence to hard-won wisdom [07:07 / 09:19].

·        EmbracingLight and Dark: Blending beauty andterror on the page [09:33 / 11:04].

·        OvercomingCreative Rejection: Why falling in lovewith the act of creation beats chasing outcomes [13:04 / 14:39].

·        RedefiningSuccess: Finding fulfillmentwhen your art resonates with the people you love [16:22 / 17:03].

Connect With Douglas Cole:

·        WebsiteHub: Explore novels,poetry collections, and essays at douglastcole.com.

·        Collaborations: Check out poetry and music recordings on Jerry Jazz Musician.

·        Book: The Invisible Hand(Published by Sea Crow Press, available on Amazon and major book retailers).

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with any writer, creative artist, or readernavigating life's unexpected transitions!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Douglas Cole & The Invisible Hand

01:35 The Paradox ofthe Unproduced Masterpiece: Celebrating the Blueprint

02:44 Dirty Realism& Surrealism: Imagining Systemic Collapse

04:37 SymbolicDestruction: Burning Down the Past to Reboot the Future

07:07 Weaving ComplexNarratives: From Innocence to Experience

09:33 Balancing Beautyand Terror: Themes of Trauma and Freedom

13:04 Finding StrengthThrough Rejection: Loving the Process Over the Product

16:22 RedefiningSuccess as Personal Connection & Authentic Creation

17:16 Connect withDouglas Cole & DouglasTCole.com

Why do the vastmajority of new creators quit podcasting before ever reaching their 20thepisode, and how do you transform a struggling hobby show into an engaged,community-driven movement?

Wendy Brant is the Director of PodfestExpo—the longest-running annual podcasting conference in the UnitedStates—as well as a seasoned podcast strategist and creator whose own showgarnered over 1.3 million downloads and charted in Apple's top 150. Havingexperienced the reality of creator burnout, shifting ad formats, and audiencediscovery hurdles firsthand, Wendy specializes in helping audio and videocreators build sustainable production habits, avoid isolation, and transitionpassive listeners into loyal superfans.

In this episode of FailCraft, Wendy joins Ezekiel to unpack why"publish and pray" distribution strategies fail and how to buildcommunity before launching your show. She shares tacticalsolutions to avoid running out of content, reveals how to monetize naturallythrough clear calls-to-action, debunks the myth of overnight podcast wealth,and explains why real-world connections (from URL to IRL) are the ultimateantidote to creator exhaustion.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        The2-Year Pivot: Transitioning from acasual passion project to structured monetization [02:20 / 04:22].

·        Formattingfor Revenue: Building naturalbreaks and clear calls-to-action early [04:22 / 06:30].

·        WhyCreators Quit (Podfade):Overcoming creative isolation and planning 52-week content buckets [07:42 /11:25].

·        Community-FirstLaunches: Engaging niche forumson Reddit and Facebook before hitting record [12:07 / 15:28].

·        BrainstormingSystems: Using AI and keyworddiscovery tools to answer real listener questions [16:21 / 18:49].

·        TheOvernight Success Myth:Why defining your core "why" prevents burnout and metric obsession[23:43 / 26:43].

·        GoingURL to IRL: Bringing digitalcommunities into in-person meetups and events [27:18 / 28:56].

·        ThePodcaster's Spark: Reigniting yourcreative drive through local creator groups [29:43 / 32:36].

Connect With Wendy Brant &Podfest Expo:

·        PodfestExpo & PodTours: Grab conferencetickets and RSVP for nationwide meetups at podfestexpo.com (Use promo code Wendy20 for 20% off tickets).

·        CommunityGroup: Join the Podfest Expo Community on Facebook.

·        DirectContact: Connect with Wendy onLinkedIn (Wendy Brant)

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with any content creator, podcaster, orentrepreneur building a brand!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Wendy Brant & The Reality of Podcasting

02:20 The 2-YearTurning Point: Shifting from Hobby to Structured Show

04:22 MonetizationStrategy: Formatting, Sponsorships & Strong CTAs

07:42 The PodfadeTrap: Why Most Creators Quit Before Episode 20

12:07 Finding YourAudience First: Engaging Niche Communities Pre-Launch

16:21 Sustainable ContentStrategy: Brainstorming 52 Episodes Without Burnout

19:19 Inside PodfestExpo: 13 Years of Community-Driven Creator Education

23:43 The Myth ofOvernight Success: Metrics vs. Authentic Mission

27:18 URL to IRL:Transitioning Digital Listeners into Real-World Communities

29:43 Rekindling theSpark: Practical Steps for the Burned-Out Creator

33:56 Connect withWendy Brant & Podfest Expo Discounts

Why does the realestate industry publish thousands of resources for landlords and propertyinvestors while leaving the renters—who contribute over half a trillion dollarsannually—completely uneducated on the rules of negotiation, and how doesunderstanding a landlord’s hidden fear of vacancy give tenants total leverage?

Justin Pogue is a real estate consultant, propertymanagement veteran, and the author of Rental Secrets.Holding an Economics degree from The Wharton School at the University ofPennsylvania and an MBA from The Darden School at the University of Virginia,Justin has spent over two decades developing and managing apartments, studenthousing, and residential communities across the United States. Having navigatedeverything from zoning battles and catastrophic floods to managing hundreds ofmulti-family units in the San Francisco Bay Area, Justin bridges theinformation gap between property owners and tenants to empower renters withactionable, market-based negotiation strategies.

In this episode of FailCraft, Justin joins Ezekiel to pull back thecurtain on the multi-family rental market. He explains why a vacant unit is alandlord’s worst financial nightmare, breaks down the hidden turnover costs(cleaning, repairs, marketing, and screening risks) that give existing tenantsimmense bargaining power at lease renewal, exposes the subtle sales tacticsleasing agents use to create false urgency, and shares how to inspect both thebuilding community and the surrounding neighborhood before signing a lease.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        TheInformation Gap in Real Estate: Why tenants funding half a trillion dollars lack educationalresources [02:01 / 03:46].

·        TheOrigin of Rental Secrets: Leveling the playing field between property managers andtenants [04:07 / 07:19].

·        ThePower of Vacancy Costs:Why landlords cannot recover lost time and fear empty units [07:41 / 10:25].

·        The$25 Rent Increase Mistake:How chasing tiny price hikes cost six months of lost income [10:47 / 12:09].

·        TheReality Beyond Seminars:Navigating property floods, repairs, and erratic tenant incidents [12:43 /16:07].

·        DeconstructingFalse Urgency: How leasing agentsand websites manipulate availability to create FOMO [16:24 / 20:19].

·        NeighborhoodDue Diligence: The criticalquestions to ask neighbors before signing an apartment lease [16:24 / 20:19].

Connect With Justin Pogue:

·        WebsiteHub: Access tenant tips,resources, and direct contact at rentalsecrets.net.

·        Book: Rental Secrets: Reduce YourRent, Save Money, and Live in the Communities You Want (Available onAmazon).

·        SocialMedia: Follow Rental Secrets on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X(Twitter).

·        DirectInquiries: Email Justin directlyat [email protected].

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with anyone renting an apartment or preparingfor lease renewals!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Justin Pogue & The Renter's Advantage

02:01 The RenterInformation Gap: Why Capitalism Overlooked Tenants

04:07 The Spark Behind"Rental Secrets": Decades in Multi-Family Management

07:41 The Renter'sSecret Leverage: The Brutal Economics of Vacancy

10:47 The Kim KiyosakiCautionary Tale: Losing 6 Months of Rent for $25

12:43 The Myth ofPassive Income: Floods, Broken Mains & Hands-On Operations

16:24 Spotting theLeasing Office Playbook: False Scarcity & Neighborhood Due Diligence

20:46 Connect withJustin Pogue & RentalSecrets.net

What happens when asingle 24-hour window abruptly forces you to step into the roles of CEO, widow,single mother, and pastor all at once—and how does learning to lead whilegrieving reveal why control is an illusion and vulnerability is true executivestrength?

Sheyna James is a leadership strategist, speaker,bestselling author, and founder of Sheyna James Consulting.Having trained more than 30,000 leaders over 28 years, Sheyna’s understandingof crisis management was forged on a Sunday morning when her husband suddenlycollapsed and passed away. Overnight, she was appointed interim pastor of theirchurch and stepped up as CEO of their family business while raising two youngboys. Rather than collapsing under the weight of grief and responsibility, Sheynarebuilt her approach to leadership from the inside out, creating the RAIR™ Leadership Framework (Relational, Authentic,Innovative, Resilient) to help organizations resolve conflict, buildresilience, and lead through uncertainty.

In this episode of FailCraft, Sheyna joins Ezekiel to share how to leadwhen life pulls the rug from under you. She explains why you cannot leadeffectively from an empty emotional cup, how to silence imposter syndrome by"borrowing strength" from external trust, breaks down why mostleadership emergencies stem from unresolved internal avoidance, and offerspractical guidance for surviving your darkest 24 hours.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        The24-Hour Crucible: Becoming a CEO,widow, single mom, and pastor overnight [02:03 / 04:08].

·        TheMyth of Control: Why choosing yourattitude on the "roller coaster" changes everything [04:34 / 05:58].

·        Pouringfrom an Empty Cup: Why self-care andemotional processing prevent burnout and resentment [06:20 / 07:50].

·        Authenticityas Real Strength: Why showingvulnerability builds deeper team trust than a fake smile [08:20 / 10:25].

·        OvercomingImposter Syndrome: Borrowing externalbelief and acknowledging professional value [10:52 / 12:58].

·        TheLeadership Emergency Toolkit: Preparing for delegation bottlenecks and difficultconversations [13:26 / 15:03].

·        SurvivingYour Darkest Day: The very first breathand mindset shift to get through crisis [15:46 / 16:53].

·        RedefiningSuccess: Loving who you areand embracing leadership as an ongoing journey [17:18 / 19:09].

Connect With Sheyna James:

·        FreeLeadership Emergency Kit:Download 5 fast-action crisis tools at sheynajamesconsulting.com.

·        WebsiteHub: Explore corporateconsulting, speaking, and book a consultation at sheynajamesconsulting.com.

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with an executive, entrepreneur, or anyonenavigating unexpected grief or leadership pressure!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Sheyna James & The 24-Hour Reset

02:03 From NormalSunday to Tragedy: Becoming CEO, Widow & Pastor

04:34 The Illusion ofControl: Choosing How to Ride the Roller Coaster

06:20 Leading WhileBleeding: Why You Cannot Pour from an Empty Cup

08:20 The RAIR™Framework: Authentic Vulnerability vs. Fake Strength

10:52 Silencing theInner Critic: How to Interrupt Imposter Syndrome

13:26 ResolvingLeadership Emergencies Before They Spiral

15:46 How to SurviveYour Hardest 24 Hours: One Breath at a Time

17:18 RedefiningSuccess as Character, Self-Love & Resilience

19:36 Connect withSheyna James & Access the Free Emergency Toolkit

Samantha Kaye Harris is a workforce retention and confidencestrategist, author, host of the Rooted in Your Confidencepodcast, and founder of The SKH Solutions.With over 27 years of experience in male-dominated trades and a 32-year tenureat a major aviation maintenance enterprise, Samantha has lived the reality ofworking as the only woman on the job site. Having navigated microaggressions,isolation, and systemic double standards, she created the Brag Bag™ Strategy to help professional women buildunshakeable internal self-validation across their professional, personal,emotional, and social lives. Today, Samantha consults with organizations to fixcostly retention leaks and coaches women to step into leadership withoutshrinking.

In this episode of FailCraft, Samantha joins Ezekiel to unpack the realityof the trades and corporate workspaces. She provides immediate verbal scriptsto shut down meeting interruptions, breaks down the four core compartments ofthe Brag Bag™ to conquer imposter syndrome, explains why corporate checkboxinitiatives fail to retain top female talent, and shares how to ground yournervous system before stepping onto a challenging work site.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        25+Years in Aviation & Trades: Navigating microaggressions, doubt, and supervisory promotion[01:40 / 04:01].

·        TheRetention Breakdown: Why women leaving thetrades is an industry failure, not a resilience issue [04:29 / 05:53].

·        TacticalResponses to Interruptions:Stopping meeting talk-overs without fear of labels [06:23 / 07:48].

·        TheBrag Bag™ Framework: Categorizing winsacross professional, personal, emotional, and social pillars [08:03 / 09:30].

·        BeyondArmor: Embodying self-worthso external skepticism never knocks you down [09:41 / 11:23].

·        TheQuiet Signs of Shrinking:Recognizing withdrawal, silence, and isolation on job sites [11:44 / 12:07].

·        CorporateBlind Spots: Why surface-levelbanners and generic videos fail to retain women [12:26 / 15:15].

·        Car-DoorConfidence Grounding: Centering yourbreathing and value before stepping into the room [15:43 / 16:45].

·        RedefiningSuccess: Helping women claimtheir place and mentoring the next generation [17:01 / 17:52].

Connect With Samantha KayeHarris:

·        WebsiteHub & Coaching: Explore strategysessions, corporate consulting, and pre-order the book at theskhsolutions.com.

·        Podcast: Listen to Rooted in Your Confidenceon all major podcast platforms.

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with any woman working in male-dominated spacesor any leader dedicated to real workplace equity!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Samantha Kaye Harris & Breaking Barriers in the Trades

01:40 27 Years inMale-Dominated Aviation: Facing Microaggressions & Self-Doubt

04:29 The RetentionGap: Why the System—Not the Women—Is Broken

06:23 Reclaiming YourVoice: How to Handle Being Interrupted or Ignored

08:03 The Brag Bag™Strategy: Packing Your Personal and Professional Wins

09:41 Moving BeyondArmor: Becoming Rooted in Your Inherent Worth

11:44 The QuietShrink: Spotting Workplace Disconnection and Isolation

12:26 Where CorporateDEI Fails: The True Cost of Losing Skilled Women

15:43 Grounding YourConfidence: The 1-Minute Routine Before Any Meeting

17:01 Redefining Successas Elevating Other Women in the Trades

18:13 Connect withSamantha Kaye Harris & TheSKHSolutions.com

What happens when yougrow up surrounded by literary legends like Robert Ludlum and Truman Capote,write an award-winning MBA thesis on publishing marketing, but wait decadesbefore writing your debut thriller—and why is having industry connectionsuseless if you don't do the grueling work of typing the pages?

Michael Wendroff is a traditionally published thriller author,marketing executive, and creator of the debut novel What GoesAround. The son of a New York publishing editor and a prominentliterary agent, Michael was immersed in the publishing elite from childhood.However, rather than becoming a 20-something literary prodigy, he pursued adecades-long career running a global strategic marketing agency. When theCOVID-19 pandemic removed his final excuses, Michael sat down to craft thepsychological thriller he had dreamed of writing since birth. Today, What Goes Around is in its third printing, with audioand foreign translation rights sold in Italian, Hungarian, and Japanese.

In this episode of FailCraft, Michael joins Ezekiel to demystify thepublishing industry. He pulls back the curtain on the multi-tiered editorialgauntlet (from developmental edits to line-by-line proofreading), explains whymodern authors must treat their work as 50% writing and 50% aggressivemarketing, shares stories of watching Robert Ludlum write manuscripts by handon yellow legal pads, and gives practical advice to anyone worried it is toolate to launch their creative second act.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        The"Prodigy" Trap:Overcoming the pressure of literary expectations and delayed callings [02:02 /03:46].

·        LiteraryGiants Up Close: Watching RobertLudlum write 400-page thrillers by hand in St. Thomas [04:15 / 07:52].

·        TheNYU MBA Thesis & Truman Capote: Getting paid to write before entering corporate marketing[07:52 / 09:28].

·        DelayingGratification: Why waiting decadesto write is research, not failure [10:03 / 11:32].

·        TheBrutal Editorial Gauntlet:Navigating structural edits, copyediting, line edits, and proofreading [11:55 /15:24].

·        The50/50 Rule: Why moderntraditional publishers require authors to hustle their own marketing [15:44 /17:58].

·        Craftingthe Second Act: Joining writers'groups, studying masterclasses, and attending ThrillerFest [18:24 / 21:00].

Connect With Michael Wendroff:

·        WebsiteHub: Learn more about theauthor and his upcoming projects at michaelwendroff.com.

·        Book: What Goes Around(Available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook: https://amzn.to/43wg9Cz).

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with any writer, creative, or professionalbuilding a second career!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Michael Wendroff & The Prodigy Myth

02:02 The Impetus of"What Goes Around": A Lifelong Creative Seed

04:15 Growing UpAround Literary Giants: Robert Ludlum & Literary Agents

07:52 Meeting TrumanCapote & Writing an MBA Thesis on Publishing

10:03 The DelayedDream: Stepping into Marketing Before Writing Fiction

11:55 Surviving theEditorial Gauntlet: From Beta Readers to Proofs

15:44 The ModernPublishing Reality: 50% Writing, 50% Marketing

18:24 PracticalWriting Advice: Learning the Craft at Any Age

21:25 Connect withMichael Wendroff & What Goes Around

Why do modern familiessuffer from a collective amnesia regarding their ancestral roots—and how canancient folklore, mythical trickster characters, and genealogical researchtransform tragic family history into enduring cultural wisdom?

Joseph Bolton is an author, storyteller, and the creator ofthe acclaimed book series and platform Old Grandmother's Tree(oldgrandmotherstree.com). Using modern genealogical tools and DNA testing,Joseph traced his roots back to 17th-century Quebec and uncovered theextraordinary story of his Algonquin ancestor, Miteouamigoukoue (Marie MetteWih Awagwai). After losing her husband and children in a raid at age 22, sherebuilt her life with dignity and love, eventually marrying a French settler.Inspired by her resilience, Joseph blended historical records withFrench-Canadian and Native American folklore, creating an illustrated mythicworld featuring immortal trickster animal guides illustrated by NatashaPelley-Smith.

In this episode of FailCraft, Joseph joins Ezekiel to discuss the criticalimportance of preserving family stories before they disappear. He explains whymythical trickster characters serve as profound teachers of "what not todo," explores the mutual responsibility between elders and youth in oralstorytelling, and provides actionable advice for anyone looking to reconnectwith their ancestral heritage.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        FightingCollective Amnesia: UncoveringFrench-Canadian and Algonquin ancestry [01:50 / 04:48].

·        TheStory of Miteouamigoukoue:Rebuilding life with dignity after catastrophic loss [01:50 / 04:48].

·        Folktalesas a Universal Language:Reimagining historical memory through folklore and myth [04:49 / 05:49].

·        TheEducational Power of Tricksters: Why ancient stories teach wisdom through negative examples[06:19 / 08:11].

·        Bridgingthe Intergenerational Gap:Why families stop passing down oral history [08:46 / 10:30].

·        OvercomingArtificial Mental Blocks:Asking the right questions before elders are gone [11:22 / 13:00].

·        ReclaimingYour Roots Today: Practical first stepsto unearthing your family narrative [13:30 / 14:11].

·        RedefiningSuccess: Bringing ancestralstories to a wider audience through art and film [14:37 / 15:58].

Connect With Joseph Bolton:

·        WebsiteHub: Explore the characterWikipedia, art, and books at oldgrandmotherstree.com.

·        Books: Old Grandmother's TreeVolumes 1–3 (Available on Amazon in English and French).

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with anyone passionate about family history,storytelling, or cultural preservation!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Joseph Bolton & Preserving Cultural Memory

01:50 UncoveringAncestral Roots: The Story of Miteouamigoukoue

04:49 Using Folktales& Magic as a Universal Medium for History

06:19 The Wisdom ofTricksters: Learning Through Bad Examples

08:46 Why ModernFamilies Fail to Pass Down Oral History

11:22 Overcoming theGenerational Silence: What to Ask Your Elders

13:30 First Steps toReclaiming Your Cultural & Ancestral Identity

14:37 RedefiningSuccess as Passing on Stories Beyond Oneself

16:15 The MeaningBehind Algonquin Ancestral Names

17:23 Connect withJoseph Bolton & OldGrandmothersTree.com

Brandon Day is a two-time national college footballchampion, former All-American linebacker at Carroll College, Sports Illustrated cover athlete, and the founder ofthe Evolved Athlete Method. After reaching the pinnacle ofathletic success, Brandon faced a devastating breakdown when chronic pain,lingering injuries, and the mental toll of the athletic grind pushed him intodeep depression and suicidal ideation. Realizing that conventional medicine wasonly treating the mechanical "hardware" of muscles and joints whileignoring the neurological "software" of the brain, Brandon earned hisMaster’s degree in Kinesiology and immersed himself in applied neurology. Byretraining how his nervous system perceived environmental threat, he eradicatedhis own chronic pain within a month. Today, Brandon helps athletes, founders,and high performers eliminate pain, regulate the nervous system, and unlockflow states.

In this episode of FailCraft, Brandon joins Ezekiel to deconstruct why the"no pain, no gain" mentality leads to burnout and long-termdysfunction. He explains why pain is an output of the brain rather than alocalized joint defect, breaks down how the visual and vestibular (inner ear)systems trigger chronic tension, demonstrates the "opposing joints"drill to downregulate pain signals immediately, and shares practical breathingtechniques that restore neurological safety.

In this episode of FailCraft,you will discover:

·        TheFailure of "No Pain, No Gain": Why grinding through injuries produces short-sighted resultsand long-term burnout [02:22 / 03:27].

·        TheCircular Logic of Sports Medicine: Why conventional therapy fails chronic pain by ignoring thebrain [03:56 / 08:07].

·        Painas a Brain Output: Understandinginternal body maps and neurological threat responses [06:18 / 08:07].

·        TheIdentity Collapse: How chronic physicalpain silently deteriorates mental health [08:36 / 11:31].

·        TheEvolved Athlete Framework:Assessing vision, the vestibular system, and respiration to restore safety[12:23 / 14:20].

·        The"Opposing Joints" Technique: Using cross-body neurological mapping to reduce pain by up to50% [14:49 / 16:59].

·        Extended-ExhaleBreathing: Calming the nervoussystem through simple two-minute breathing drills [17:24 / 18:22].

·        RedefiningSuccess: Prioritizing flowstates and authentic presence over external trophies [18:52 / 19:35].

Connect With Brandon Day:

·        WebsiteHub: Explore performancecoaching programs at evolvedathlete.coach.

·        FreeCommunity: Access video drills,resources, and weekly coaching on Skool at skool.com/evolved.

·        Instagram: Follow Brandon for daily applied neurologytips https://www.instagram.com/iambrandonday/

Support the Show:

·        Fuel the FailCraftMission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme

·        Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with an athlete, coach, or anyone strugglingwith chronic pain!

Want to Be a Guest onFailCraft?

·        Connect with Ezekielon PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction:Brandon Day & From SI Cover to Chronic Pain

02:22 The Myth of theGrind: Why "No Pain, No Gain" Fails High Performers

03:56 The Root Cause:Why Pain Lives in the Brain, Not Just the Joint

08:36 The Mental Toll:Chronic Pain, Depression & Navigating Identity Loss

12:23 Inside theEvolved Athlete Method: Applied Neurology & Flow States

14:49 How to RewirePain Signals: The Opposing Joints Method Explained

17:24 Long-ExhaleRespiration: Signalling Neurological Safety in Real Time

18:52 RedefiningSuccess as Presence, Flow & Joy in Everyday Life

19:59 Connect withBrandon Day & Join the Free Skool Community