Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // Value Session 001 // Leoni Jane Kennedy

Learn about V13 Media Group's Values (our 13 V's) here: ⁠https://mediagroup.v13.net/values/

Summary

In this heartdea13r Value Session, singer, songwriter and guitarist Leoni Jane Kennedy opens up about the resilience, self-belief, and hard-earned lessons behind her debut album ‘Synthetic.’ Reflecting on more than a decade of navigating the music industry, she shares how setbacks, lost recordings, anxiety, and self-doubt ultimately strengthened her resolve to build a career on her own terms. Leoni discusses the importance of community, authenticity, and staying grounded while pursuing ambitious goals, emphasizing that success comes from persistence rather than recognition. Through the lens of the values of “Life” and “Truth,” she offers an honest look at creativity, mental well-being, and what it means to keep moving forward when the path gets difficult.

Key Topics

• The significance of 'Life' and 'Truth' in her album 'Synthetic'
• Challenges faced by independent artists in the music industry
• The importance of community, authenticity, and resilience
• Hardships in the industry build resilience and character.
• Authenticity and staying true to oneself are vital for long-term success.
• Community support is crucial for independent artists.
• Perseverance is key, even when faced with setbacks and industry challenges.

Heartdea13r theme song by William J. Sullivan

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Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // guest 2 guest #007 // Umraan Syed + Singer-Songwriter

Summary

Welcome to guest 2 guest, the Heartdea13r mini-series, where our latest podcast guest asks our next guest a question. Today, Chicago-based artist Umraan Syed asks Canadian singer-songwriter Noah Derksen: Were you inspired and creative or not when at your rock bottom?

Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // Episode 84 // Umraan Syed

Summary

In this deeply reflective conversation, Umraan Syed opens up about the creative journey behind ‘Zenith,’ his eclectic approach to music, and why artistic fulfilment matters more to him than streams or commercial success. He shares how faith, service, family, and community have shaped his purpose while discussing his experiences with depression, financial hardship, self-discovery, and the ongoing pursuit of personal growth. The conversation explores everything from resilience, creativity, and mental wellness to parenthood, cultural identity, and the power of music as both a healing tool and a means of connection. Through the metaphor of the “Spaceman” searching for a distant utopia, Umraan reveals that the answers we seek are often found within ourselves. It’s an honest and thoughtful discussion about meaning, ambition, faith, and learning how to build a life that feels true to who you are.

Key Topics

• Diverse musical influences and projects
• Balancing multiple creative outlets
• Faith, prayer, and mental health
• Overcoming adversity and rock bottoms
• Parenthood and life purpose

Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // guest 2 guest #006 // PINKNOISE (Kacey Foxx) + Umraan Syed

Summary

Welcome to guest 2 guest, the Heartdea13r mini-series, where our most recent podcast guest asks our next guest a question. Today, rad hard rocker PINKNOISE (Kacey Foxx) asks Chicago-based artist Umraan Syed: When have you ever thought in your career that you're happy how things are going and/or that you’re supposed to be doing what you are?

heartdea13r Podcast w/ chr1stoph3r g0nda // guest 2 guest #005 // ZouZou Mansour (Lead Vocalist, Soraia) + PINKNOISE (Kacey Foxx)

Summary

Welcome to guest 2 guest, the Heartdea13r mini-series, where our most recent podcast guest asks our next guest a question. Today, Soraia frontwoman ZouZou Mansour asks rad hard rocker PINKNOISE (Kacey Foxx): Is there a piece of art or literature that has changed your view or outlook of yourself or others?

heartdea13r Podcast w/ chr1stoph3r g0nda // Episode 83 // Kacey Foxx aka PINKNOISE

Summary

In this deeply honest conversation, Kacey Foxx opens up about identity, mental health, music and the journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming the fearless voice that is PINKNOISE. Hosted by Christopher Gonda, the episode explores everything from childhood bullying and navigating life as a non-binary artist in rock music to leaving a toxic band situation and rebuilding from the ground up with complete creative freedom. Kacey shares how music became both therapy and a means of survival, why kindness and grace matter more than labels, and how authentic art can create space for people who feel unseen. The conversation dives into self-awareness, human connection, modern culture and the importance of showing up unapologetically as yourself, even when the world doesn’t fully understand you. Equal parts vulnerable, inspiring and thought-provoking, this episode is a powerful reminder that being different can become your greatest strength.

Key Topics

• Kacey Foxx's musical evolution from band to solo artist
• The significance of the name Pink Noise and its meaning
• Challenges faced as a non-binary artist in a male-dominated industry
• The importance of authenticity and self-expression in music
• Building community and advocating for inclusivity in the industry
• Authenticity in art is crucial for connection and success
• Facing fears and making bold moves can lead to unexpected opportunities
• Supportive family and community are vital for personal growth
• Music serves as a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery
• Leading with love and kindness can transform industry and society

heartdea13r Podcast presents // MAKE HEart #002 // Lance Marwood & Christopher GondaSummary

Lance Marwood opens up to host Christopher Gonda about the crushing realities of raising two children with special needs, the strain it places on marriage and family, and the emotional exhaustion that comes from constantly having to “keep going.” What begins as a conversation about parenting quickly evolves into a raw exploration of burnout, resentment, mental health, self-awareness and the struggle to stay hopeful when life feels relentlessly heavy. Together, they unpack ideas about empathy, letting go, personal responsibility, and the search for peace amid chaos, while reflecting on how trauma, mindset, and expectations shape how we move through life. Lance speaks candidly about feeling isolated, misunderstood and emotionally overwhelmed, while Christopher shares hard-earned lessons from his own experiences with grief, loss and personal transformation. The result is an unfiltered, deeply human conversation about resilience, fatherhood and what it really means to survive difficult seasons of life.Key Topics

• Parenting children with special needs
• Emotional flow and letting go
• Empathy for others' struggles
• Reframing challenges for mental resilience

heartdea13r Podcast w/ chr1stoph3r g0nda // guest 2 guest #004 // Marcus Bridge (Northlane) + ZouZou Mansour (Soraia)

Summary

Welcome to guest 2 guest, the new Heartdea13r mini-series, where our most recent guest asks our next guest a question. Today, Northlane frontman, Marcus Bridge, asks Soraia frontwoman, ZouZou Mansour, if she’s ever been somewhere where there was a massive culture shock and changed her perspective of the world?

heartdea13r Podcast w/ chr1stoph3r g0nda // Episode 82 // ZouZou Mansour (Lead Vocalist, Soraia)

Summary

In this deeply honest conversation, ZouZou Mansour opens up about addiction, recovery, burnout, teaching, creativity and the long journey toward self-worth. She reflects on how literature, music and travel shaped her worldview, why she was drawn to darker art from a young age, and how sobriety ultimately led her back to singing and songwriting. ZouZou also shares the breaking point that forced her to step away from relentless touring and confront panic attacks, people pleasing and years of emotional survival mode. Throughout the episode, she and host Christopher Gonda explore mental health, critical thinking, vulnerability, artistic identity and the importance of learning to love yourself without external validation. It’s a raw and inspiring discussion about rebuilding your life, trusting your instincts and becoming who you were always meant to be.

Key Topics

• Self-awareness and personal growth
• The transformative power of art and music
• Overcoming mental health challenges and burnout
• Authenticity and vulnerability are key to artistic success.
• Self-awareness and self-care are essential for mental health.
• Community and mentorship play a vital role in growth.

heartdea13r Podcast w/ chr1stoph3r g0nda // guest 2 guest #003 // Liam Cormier (Cancer Bats) + Marcus Bridge (Northlane)

Summary

Welcome to guest 2 guest, the new Heartdea13r mini-series, where our most recent guest asks our next guest a question. Today, Cancer Bats lead vocalist Liam Cormier asks Northlane frontman, Marcus Bridge, what is the one lesson he would share with the teenage version of himself?