It's Your Break

Welcome Back to a Brand-New Episode of the It's Your Break Podcast!

Hosted by Jonathan Mertz, our mission is simple: to remind you to take a break from yourself, laugh, have fun, and just live in the moment. After a short hiatus while Jonathan finished his associate degree in business, the podcast is officially back with a fresh in-studio episode. Joined by co-host Casey Robinson, we are sitting down with Jonathan's nephew, Nick Mertz, to find out exactly who he is. Nick is a high schooler who loves basketball, hanging out with friends, and going on random "side quests" without needing a strict plan.

In this episode, we dive into topics that will inspire, entertain, and make you laugh out loud. Here is what you can expect:

Teen Entrepreneurship & Epic Side HustlesLooking for the best side hustle ideas? Nick shares his awesome money-making strategies, like flipping discounted clothes from Goodwill and Ross for massive profits. He also discusses his future entrepreneurial goals of running his dad's electrical business or starting his own multi-service company for pressure washing, lawn care, and car detailing. Plus, you won't want to miss his cautionary tale about a high school Walmart snack-selling business that ended with his business partner ripping him off!

Gen Z Relationship Advice & AccountabilityNick drops some incredibly mature relationship advice, emphasizing that open communication is the ultimate key to building trust. Hear the sweet story of how he and his girlfriend connected after he stayed on the phone with her for hours to help her safely navigate a wild party. The hosts also discuss the importance of accountability in teen dating, including their strict stance against underage drinking and driving.

Navigating College Tips & Dual CreditIf you are a student, you'll love this deep dive into education hacks. Nick reveals his smart strategy to take dual credit classes at BCTC to knock out his core classes and earn his associate degree while still in high school. Jonathan also gets real about his past college struggles at UofL, sharing how online classes, multiple assignment attempts, and writing consultants helped him bounce back to get straight A's in English.

Sneaker Customization & Graphic DesignCalling all sneakerheads and graphic artists! Nick talks about his passion for graphic design and details the incredibly cool custom Nike shoes he created for a Beta convention. Designed to fit a "Wired for Success" theme, the shoes featured a circuit board pattern, a lightning bolt swoosh, and a literal "button to success" on the back!

A Hilarious Family SecretStick around until the end for a laugh-out-loud family anecdote about Nick's dad entering an "ugly woman" crossdressing contest on a flatbed trailer during Defoe Days in Franklin County!

Tune In & Take a Break!Ready to laugh and learn? Listen to the full podcast episode of It's Your Break right now! Make sure to like, subscribe, and follow us on your favorite podcast app, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeart Radio. You can also find us across social media on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok at @itsyourbreak.

"It's Your Break" Podcast Episode: Ashlieya Mariano on Building a Better World

Episode Description:

Join host Jonathan Mertz on this inspiring episode of the "It's Your Break" podcast as he sits down with Ashlieya (Lieya) Mariano, the visionary founder of the nonprofit organization, Builders of a Better World. In this deep dive, Ashielya shares her unique journey—from growing up across Ireland and the UK to building a thriving therapeutic practice and dance studio in Southern California.

With an incredibly diverse background that includes six academic degrees, experience as a vocational job coach, and a decade as the owner of Dance Masters ballroom studio in Agoura Hills, Ashlieya has dedicated her life to helping others reach their full potential. Diagnosed with ADHD herself, she shares deeply personal insights into how discovering a "flow state" through the performing arts can captivate focus and help neurodivergent individuals thrive.

At the core of this engaging conversation is the transformative concept of Emotional Literacy. Ashlieya defines this as the vital ability to recognize, understand, express, and regulate emotions in oneself and others to communicate authentically and make wiser decisions. Through Builders of a Better World, she uses the performing arts to teach social-emotional learning to those who need it most.

Key Episode Highlights & SEO Takeaways:

• Empowering Marginalized Youth: Learn how Builders of a Better World provides performing arts education (including dance, theater, singing, and instrumental lessons) to socioeconomically disadvantaged youth, public school students, and children in the foster care system.
• Radical Accessibility: Discover the nonprofit's commitment to removing all barriers to entry by providing donated instruments like guitars and drum sets, computers for virtual learning, and even transportation for foster kids.
• Real Transformation: Hear the heartwarming success story of a debilitatingly anxious young girl who, through an eight-week singing class, found her voice, built immense confidence, and learned vital self-advocacy skills.
• Leadership Without Ego: Ashlieya shares her refreshing philosophy on nonprofit management—explaining what it means to "build the ship," relinquish control, and let a collaborative board of artists and directors sail it forward.
• Emotional Literacy for Leaders: Programs aren't just for children. The organization also provides tailored emotional regulation and clarity training for business owners, political figures, and corporate decision-makers.

Whether you are an educator, a business leader, or someone passionate about philanthropy, mental health, and the arts, this episode offers actionable insights on becoming the best version of yourself to truly build a better world.

Get Involved & Support the Mission:Builders of a Better World relies heavily on the generosity of the community. From corporate sponsorships and grant funding to donating musical equipment and volunteering time, every contribution makes an impact. Learn more, discover Ashlieya's upcoming iThrive authorship series, or get in touch by visiting buildersofabetterworld.org.

Listen & Subscribe!Don't miss an episode of "It's Your Break" with Jonathan Mertz. Be sure to subscribe and listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart, Audible, or YouTube!

We all love movie quotes and in recent years none of them

The movie Tombstone is considered one of the most iconic

In this episode of Audio Forensics, we'll take a deep dive

Follow us:

Instagram - @ItsYourBreak

Threads - @ItsYourBreak

X - @ItsYourBreak

TikTok - @ItsYourBreak

YouTube - @ItsYourBreak

 References:

Tombstone –Hollywood Pictures - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Sweetheart of the period – Rolla Herald -https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/131379796/

Chip Leach - TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@chipleach/video/7038788707889007878?lang=en

Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain - https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Sawyer-SeaWolf-Illustrated-Classic/dp/1953649904/ref=sr_1_20?keywords=book+for+tom+sawyer&qid=1704116855&sr=8-20

Adventures of Huck Finn – Mark Twain - https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Huckleberry-SeaWolf-Illustrated-Classic/dp/1953649807/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?keywords=book+for+tom+sawyer&qid=1704116881&sr=8-18-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dA&psc=1

I'm Your Huckleberry - Val Kilmer - https://valkilmer.com/im-your-huckleberry-a-memoir-signed-by-val-kilmer-paperback/

We all love movie quotes and in recent years none of them has made us question what was said as much as a classic line from Tombstone. The movie Tombstone is considered one of the most iconic westerns ever, and that’s not even up for debate. However, back in 2021, this movie had people convinced that a new Mandela effect had occurred, all because of a viral video claiming that we got it wrong about what Doc Holiday said.

#tombstone #docholiday #moviequotes #podcast #huckleberry #mystery

Narration by Jonathan Mertz (host)

In this episode we take a look at Black Friday and ask is it right for you?

If you don’t want to listen but would rather read what we say then continue reading.

Today is Black Friday, which means there is a lot of craziness going on and people are just looking for deals. Throughout the day, the deals sometimes get better, and sometimes they get worse. Items may sell out quickly or the deal just isn’t there on the item you are looking for.

After Black Friday comes Cyber Monday and it seems that a lot of people are starting to skip Black Friday sales for Cyber Monday. To compensate for that, many businesses are offering almost the same exact deals on Friday and then turn around and do it again on Monday. Or they may offer certain items on Friday and certain items on Monday, just so that they can drive traffic to their sites. Amazon has been trying to do this throughout the year with Amazon Prime days. They do it to either get rid of inventory or they do it to make you think you're getting a deal.

Let's be honest, that's what most advertising is, they make you think you're getting a real big deal when you're really not, (Not when it comes to their costs). There are exceptions, there are some that lower their prices in hopes that they will sell in volume to make up the profit. Certain gaming systems like PlayStation or Xboxes don’t make their money off the consoles, they make their money off the games. That's why you spend so much more money on games than the system over time.

The main reason people are taking advantage of these deals are due to corporations and society making us think that we have to as it is that time of season where they wrap a holiday around products to motivate us to buy.

People buy holiday and birthday gifts because they feel obligated to, not because they necessarily want to. If somebody close to you gave you a gift out of the blue with no holiday or birthday surrounding it, how would that make you feel? Would you appreciate that gift more because it wasn’t tied to an obligation?

I am willing to bet that gift would make you smile and enjoy it more because it was unexpected.

I think we miss the point of gift giving because we are in a consumerist world when it comes to gifts, and these Black Friday deals. This doesn't mean that we need to stop buying, no, no… I'm not trying to say that. What I'm saying is that we need to make sure when you do this stuff, you're doing it within reason and within a fixed budget. If you are shopping for the holidays, please make sure you have a fixed budget. Do not put yourself in tremendous debt for the holidays. Trust me, your little ones, will get over it if they don’t get everything. Older kids will understand, especially if you open up to them about what's going on financially. Make them understand the value of money, and that not everybody is able to buy what some others may get for the holidays.

Now, with that said, still shop at Amazon, Walmart, or Macy's. Go and shop anywhere you want to get the deal. If it's on sale and you've got it within your budget, get it.

Remember that nobody that truly matters and that understands will say that we have to get the top-notch stuff. We don’t truly need Gucci or Michael Kors bags. You don't have to get Tommy clothes. You don't have to get all of these big designer items that are way overpriced.

If you can get a $40 pair of jeans that looks and lasts just as long as a $150 pair of designer jeans, why would you waste your money? At that point you are only buying a name.

I know you have goals and plans so shop wisely and look for deals and take advantage of them if they are within your budget!

Here at It's Your Break we have dedicated the entire month of August to festivals. And in this episode, we are focusing on a local Kentucky festival, the Shelbyville Art and Craft Show. We speak with Sherry Kramer with ArtSpark Productions, the minds behind the festival.

This year marks their 3rd year and the show keeps growing. Listen to the episode and learn how the festival came to be.

For more info on the festival or ArtSpark Productions visit ⁠artsparkproductions.com⁠.

We are in the heart of the festival season, but why? In this quick break from It's Your Break you'll learn why!

Also, do festivals benefit small towns? The answer may surprise you in this episode!

Links Mentioned:

Festivals:

https://festivalguidesandreviews.com/kentucky-festivals/

University of Tenn. Paper: https://www.cis.tennessee.edu/sites/default/files/The%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20Festivals%20on%20Small%20Towns%20Gwen%20Shelton.pdf

In life, there always seems to be that one person you lean on the most. That person could be your best friend, spouse, partner, grandparents, your mom, or your dad. No matter who that person is you confide in them and you put your trust in them. Sometimes they have a way of seeing things with their wisdom and perception that makes us understand situations better.

In Reena Friedman Watt's case, her rock is her dad. He is the one she always turns to and is the inspiration behind her podcast Better Call Daddy. Why did she focus her podcast around him? Join host Jonathan Mertz to find out the answer to this question and more in this latest podcast episode of It's Your Break!

Reena Links -

Instagram: @bettercalldaddypodcast

@reenafriedmanwatts

Twitter: @BetterCallDadd1

LinkedIn:Reena Friedman Watts

Website: https://bettercalldaddy.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember to Subscribe and to tell your friends about our show.

Instagram: @itsyourbreak

Twitter: @itsyourbreak

Website: https://itsyourbreak.com/

This is It's Your Break's new information and news feature called Audio Forensics. It's where we break down some of the most iconic pieces of audio and/or music by getting the stories that surround them or finding out what makes them up. In this episode, we will take a look at the Doobie Brothers’ classic, What a Fool

Can this song be called a Doobie Brothers' song? Who are the superstars involved with the legends of this song? Was Michael McDonald a record label plant? We cover these questions and more in this episode.

This news and information piece used the following sound bites:

Song Clips:

Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes

Kenny Loggins - What A Fool Believes

Kenny Loggins - Footloose

Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’

Warren G – Regulate

News and Interview Clips:

Entertainment Tonight – Michael Jackson – What A Fool

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHDD6Ya-O7E⁠

The Big Interview with Dan Rather – Doobie Brothers Clip

⁠https://www.axs.tv/channel/the-big-interview-with-dan-rather/the-big-interview-with-dan-rather-season-5/video/the-doobie-brothers/⁠

Follow us:

Twitter: ⁠@itsyourbreak⁠

Instagram: ⁠@itsyourbreak⁠

Tiktok: ⁠@itsyourbreak⁠

Facebook: ⁠@itsyourbreak⁠

⁠https://itsyourbreak.com ⁠

Our host Jonathan Mertz reconnects with his friend and former co-worker Chris McGill (of McGill Media) to talk about his new internet radio station, "Crossroads La Grange - Classic Hits."

This station plays the classics like Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, and Doobie Brothers but the station does much more than that. 

So, why start a new internet radio station? Well, you can watch or listen to the episode on Spotify or listen to it on Apple, Amazon, Google or iHeart radio apps.

For more information on our guest:

http://www.mcgillmediaproductions.com/

https://crossroadslagrange.mcgillmediaproductions.com/

Facebook - McGillMedia

Crossroads La Grange

For more on our host, Jonathan Mertz click the links below:

http://www.jonathanmertz.com/

Twitter – @jonathanmertz

Instagram – @jonathanmertz

Tiktok – @jonathanmertz

YouTube – @jonathanmertz

Follow It’s Your Break:

Twitter – @itsyourbreak

Instagram – @itsyourbreak

Tiktok – @itsyourbreak

YouTube – @itsyourbreak