The Human Behind It

The Human Behind It

By Dr. Michelle Thompson & Stephaney ThompsonSociety & CultureEducationSelf-ImprovementMusicMusic Interviews
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The Human Behind It episodes

  • Love Is Blind, Real Talk, and the Human Behind the Music (Chad Bushnell)

    In Episode 4 of The Human Behind It, Dr. Meesh and Stephaney kick things off with a breakdown of Love Is Blind as a real-time human experiment: why it’s easier to go deep when you’re not sharing physical space, and what happens when the vulnerability disappears the moment the wall comes down. Then we sit down with Chad Bushnell, a Northern California country artist, just days away from becoming a first-time dad. Chad talks about building a music career the old-school way, staying grounded outside the spotlight, and what success looks like when you’re independent. We also get into the reality of the industry, social media pressure, and how he balances music with real life — including working as a farrier and running a jerky side business. We close with a Human Hotline submission about weight, self-judgment, motivation, and feeling better in your body — without turning the scale into your identity. It’s an honest conversation about starting small, staying kind, and focusing on habits that actually support you. Because beyond the show, the hustle, and the “shoulds”… this is the human behind it.

    1 hr 2 min
  • All the Bunnies: Super Bowl Takes, AI Music, and Staying Human with Marina City

    In Episode 3 of The Human Behind It, we kick things off fresh off the Super Bowl breaking down the Bad Bunny halftime conversation, why you can’t please everyone, and whether halftime shows should prioritize the in-stadium fans (not just the cameras at home). Also: The case for more variety, more genres, more artists, more “bunnies.”

    Then we’re joined by Ryan Argast, vocalist and songwriter for Marina City, for an honest, inside look at what it’s really like building a music career in the age of algorithms. We talk AI and creativity, why human connection still matters, the difference between American Idol and The Voice behind the scenes, and the emotional whiplash of “15 minutes of fame” when the internet moves on.

    We close with a Human Hotline submission from a self-employed listener who spirals when they’re not in the mindset to be productive, and our conversation on urgency vs. avoidance, how to reset, and how to stop turning one off-day into a multi-day shutdown.

    In this episode:

    • Super Bowl halftime: variety vs. one headliner
    • AI music and what can’t be replicated
    • Idol vs. Voice: what it’s actually like
    • Success, stamina, and staying grounded
    • Self-employed motivation and breaking the spiral 
    • If you want to submit a Human Hotline question, head to thehumanbehindit.com.

      Check out Marina City: https://www.instagram.com/marinacityband/

      47 min
    • The “It Factor” Isn’t What You Think with Lemmy Boi

      Episode 2 of The Human Behind It explores what it really means to “make it” — and what gets lost along the way.

      We start by unpacking the idea of the “it factor” in entertainment, looking at how authenticity, confidence, timing, and personality shape success. From singing competitions to celebrity culture, we ask a bigger question: what makes someone feel human and relatable in the public eye?

      Then we sit down with Afrobeat and Afro-pop artist Lemmy Boy, who shares his journey balancing music and pharmacy, the hustle culture of Nigeria, and how his sound blends tradition with modern influence. For him, being human comes down to one simple value: kindness.

      We close with a Human Hotline submission about political and social division, and how dehumanizing others quietly erodes connection. The conversation explores how empathy, local relationships, and seeing people beyond labels might be the only real bridge forward.

      This episode is about:

      • Authenticity vs. image

      • What success actually requires

      • Culture, music, and identity

      • Kindness as a human value

      • Bridging divides in a polarized world

        Because behind every label, persona, and opinion… there’s still a human.

        Want to understand yourself on a deeper level? Take the HUMAN™ assessment to discover what you actually need to feel grounded, connected, and more like yourself: https://www.cornholemeesh.com/humanframework

        Follow the hosts: @cornholemeesh and @big_john11

        44 min
      • "People Are Not Really F-in With AI" with YMTK

        This is our debut episode of The Human Behind It! Episode 2 will be released Feb. 10th.

        In this episode of The Human Behind It Podcast, we explore what it means to stay human in a world that’s moving faster than ever. We start with a real conversation about AI and music, how artists are using it, what it changes, and where creativity still belongs in the process. Is AI a tool, a threat, or something in between? We unpack the tension between technology and authenticity.

        Then we sit down with YMTK for an honest interview about his journey, his sound, and the mindset behind his music. We talk creativity, identity, and what it takes to stay grounded while building something meaningful.

        Check out his song on our episode of Now in Rotation (Drops Feb. 2nd)

        We close the episode with a Human Hotline submission that hits home: “Why do I struggle to meditate consistently when I know it makes me feel better?” If you’ve ever found yourself avoiding the very things that help you, this conversation will feel uncomfortably familiar, in the best way.

        This episode is about:

        • Creativity in the age of AI
        • The human side of making music
        • Discipline vs. resistance
        • Why “knowing better” doesn’t always mean “doing better”
        • And how to be more compassionate with yourself in the process
        • Because being human isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, honesty, and choosing connection over autopilot.

          Your Hosts: @CornholeMeesh | @Big_john11 

          Connect with YMTK: Spotify | Instagram | YouTube

          Want to understand yourself on a deeper level? Take the HUMAN™ assessment to discover what you actually need to feel grounded, connected, and more like yourself.

          1 hr

        About The Human Behind It

        From the publisher's feed

        Join Dr. Meesh and Steph each week to learn about the human behind it for a more connected world.