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Something happened during the Super Bowl halftime show that I can't stop thinking about — and it has nothing to do with the game.

I went in expecting the left to ruin it. I walked out realizing my own side was doing the exact same thing. For the first time in years, I felt genuine pride in my Puerto Rican identity — not because someone told me to, not wrapped in a political message, just pride. And that completely threw me off.

In this episode, I'm getting brutally honest about how political tribalism hijacked my identity, why being "too informed" might actually be a weapon against us, and what both sides don't want you to realize: they're running the same playbook.

This isn't left vs. right. This is about getting your mind back.

📊 Stats discussed:

• Americans consume 74GB of information daily — a 350-450% increase from 30 years ago

• 90% of Republicans say Democrats can't agree on basic facts (and vice versa)

• Political polarization has DOUBLED since 1994

• False news spreads 6x faster than true news on social media

• Trust in mass media hit an all-time low of 31% in 2024

🔗 Topics covered:

Political tribalism, identity politics, Puerto Rican pride, Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show, information overload, media manipulation, conservative perspective, cultural identity, political polarization, manufactured outrage

If you've ever felt caught between identities, exhausted by the outrage machine, or like you had to pick a lane before you were allowed to feel something — this one's for you.

Chapters:

0:00 Something happened at the Super Bowl that broke me

0:43 Full transparency: my political journey since 2018

1:28 I expected the left to ruin it — I was wrong

2:11 How I became convinced one party was the enemy

3:02 The lecture came from my OWN side

3:49 Feeling pride for the first time in years

4:15 Why I lost connection to my Puerto Rican identity

5:17 Being 'too informed' is a weapon in disguise

6:14 74GB of information daily — we're programming ourselves

7:13 90% of each side thinks the other can't agree on facts

7:59 We're fighting caricatures, not real people

8:48 Is political tribalism actually improving your life?

9:32 Why I started The Open Exchange in the first place

10:13 You can't agree with both sides without being called a traitor

11:04 We'd rather LOSE than let the other side win

11:50 Most of what we fight about only exists online

12:40 False news spreads 6x faster than truth

13:26 You wake up and immediately you're told what to believe

14:22 Then something simple happened — a halftime show

14:44 Growing up Black and Puerto Rican

15:28 Questioning whether I had the right to claim my identity

15:56 Bad Bunny's message: 'Believe in yourself'

16:18 'Love is more powerful than hate' — why it hit different

17:06 We've ALL been played — by BOTH sides

17:53 Identity doesn't need permission to be real

18:38 People are desperate for permission to just exist

19:32 I let politics rob me of something simple

20:33 Division is profitable

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Kenny Wildes has eaten pizza EVERY SINGLE DAY for 3,130+ days (over 8.5 years) in his quest to make the Guinness Book of World Records - and he's not stopping until he gets in.

What started as a simple challenge with a coworker turned into an incredible journey supporting local Connecticut pizza shops, raising money for charity, and inspiring thousands. In this episode, Kenny shares:

How a week-long bet turned into 8+ years of daily pizza
Why Guinness keeps denying him (and why he won't quit)
Supporting CT pizza shops through COVID and beyond
The nonprofit mission behind every slice
His favorite pizza style (New Haven coal-fired)
What it's really like to eat pizza 3,130+ days in a row
The mental game of staying consistent for 8.5 years

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro: Day 3,130 of Eating Pizza
1:04 - How It All Started: From Challenge to 8+ Years
2:22 - Why Keep Going? The Guinness Dream
3:43 - Guinness Application Process & Rejections
4:55 - There's NO Official Pizza Record
6:12 - The Nonprofit Mission Behind the Pizza
8:34 - Supporting Local CT Pizza Shops Through COVID
11:22 - Kenny's Favorite Pizza Style: New Haven
13:45 - How Many Slices? The Math Behind 3,130 Days
16:30 - The Mental Game: Staying Consistent
19:15 - Meeting Pizza Shop Owners & Their Stories
22:40 - Health Concerns & Eating Pizza Daily
25:18 - The Documentary Idea & Following the Journey
28:05 - Favorite Pizza Spots in Connecticut
31:22 - Social Media Strategy & Building Community
34:50 - The Hardest Days & Wanting to Quit
37:15 - When Will Guinness Say Yes?
39:37 - What's Next After the Record?
41:03 - Advice: Don't Listen to the Doubters
43:12 - How Kenny Tracks & Documents Everything
44:18 - Where to Follow Kenny's Journey
45:05 - Final Thoughts & Wrap Up



Follow Kenny's Journey:
📱 Instagram: @ctpizzaman
🌐 Website: ctpizzaman.com

Shout out to Two Brothers Pizza in Salem, CT for the amazing bacon pizza featured in this episode!



🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe:    / @paullyymm 

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

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When's the last time you made a REAL decision about your life?

Not what to eat for dinner. Not what to watch tonight. A real decision that required you to think, choose a direction, and commit to something that might actually change where you're headed.

If you can't answer that quickly, you're drifting—and you're not alone.

In 1938, Napoleon Hill wrote about "drifters" in his controversial book Outwitting the Devil. He saw exactly how people would be controlled through distraction, fear, and propaganda—and that was BEFORE smartphones, social media, 24-hour news, and algorithms designed to keep you scrolling.
In this episode, I break down:

How education, media, and politics have been redesigned to keep you compliant. Why your phone addiction isn't just a bad habit—it's theft of your life. The hypnotic rhythm that keeps you reacting instead of deciding.
How division keeps you distracted from the questions that actually matter.
The one thing you can do THIS WEEK to break free from drifting.

This isn't left vs. right. This isn't political. This is about recognizing the system that's working on ALL of us—and making the decision to stop letting it control you. I've been drifting through my faith, my career, my social media habits—and I'm done. If you feel the same way, this episode is for you.


Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: When Did You Last Make a Real Decision?
01:06 - Napoleon Hill's "Outwitting the Devil" (1938)
01:58 - You Are Being Trained to Drift
02:48 - How Education Taught You to Comply
03:38 - Media: Selling Fear, Outrage & Division
04:53 - The Phone Addiction Reality Check
06:22 - Politics: Keeping You Divided & Distracted
08:26 - The Hypnotic Rhythm of Propaganda
09:12 - My Confession: I've Been Drifting for Years
10:02 - How to Break the Hypnotic Rhythm
10:49 - Make One Real Decision This Week
11:33 - The Truth Napoleon Hill Discovered
12:08 - I'm Done Drifting

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe YouTube    / @paullyymm 

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'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

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When rapper Zebulon stormed Paul's For You page, it wasn't just another viral moment—it was a masterclass in storytelling through hip-hop. In this episode of The Open Exchange, Paul sits down with the Georgia-born, California-raised artist to explore the intersection of artistry, mental health, and the grind of building a creative career.

Zebulon's journey is anything but linear. From picking up drums at 14 to falling out of love with hip-hop during the underground vs. mainstream era, only to return harder at 16. From pursuing film directing in Ohio to realizing his true calling was always music. This conversation dives deep into:

The Evolution of an Artist

Growing up on MTV Raps, Criss Cross, and Naughty by Nature
Why he chose drums at 14 and how it expanded his musical horizons
The moment he realized he was "nice" at rapping (spoiler: it took years)
Winning Guitar Center's 2010 drum competition and where that led

Mental Health & Creative Validation

The dangerous cycle of dopamine hits from social media engagement
Dealing with impostor syndrome even while going viral
How therapy helped him understand his relationship with music
The hidden struggles behind creative success

Building a Multi-Disciplinary Career

Why being a "rapper who directs" opens more doors than "director who raps"
The reality of streaming revenue (hint: there isn't much)
How his production company Illuminati LLC fits into his artistic vision
Gary Vee's advice on building one cohesive personal brand

The Craft of Storytelling

What separates underground hip-hop from mainstream
Breaking down the RAZ Austin collaboration that went viral on TikTok
Why narrative-driven rap resonates in the algorithm era
Influences from Biggie, Nas, and J. Cole


0:00 - Intro: When Zebulon Stormed the Algorithm
1:22 - From Georgia to California: Zebulon's Origin Story
2:24 - The Musical Journey Begins: Why Drums at 14?
4:09 - Exploring Beyond Hip-Hop: Jazz, Funk & Afro-Cuban Rhythms
5:26 - Early Hip-Hop Memories: MTV Raps & Criss Cross
6:07 - When Did You Know You Could Rap?
7:15 - The 2014 Turning Point: "Oh, I've Improved"
11:30 - Guitar Center Drum Competition 2010
14:45 - The Mental Health Struggle Behind the Music
18:20 - Dopamine, Social Media & Creative Validation
22:10 - Film School and the Director Detour
26:35 - Underground vs. Mainstream: The Hip-Hop Divide
31:15 - Why TikTok Changed Everything for Independent Artists
35:40 - The RAZ Austin Collaboration: Breaking Down a Viral Hit
38:50 - Storytelling as the Core of Great Hip-Hop
42:20 - Influences: Biggie, Nas, J. Cole, Geto Boys
45:30 - The Production Company: Illuminati LLC
47:50 - Chasing Creativity: What Drives You?
50:24 - Being an Artist First, Everything Else Second
53:12 - Where to Find Zebulon & Final Thoughts
55:13 - RAZ Austin Freestyle Story
56:35 - Outro & Wrap-Up


Follow Zebulon:

YouTube:  @zebulonraps  
Instagram/TikTok: @ZebulonRaps
Website: https://www.columinati.com/musicvideos

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe:    / @paullyymm 

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'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
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In this episode of The Open Exchange, Paul sits down with Ruben Santiago for a raw conversation about identity, belonging, and the quiet reasons people make destructive choices.

Ruben opens up about growing up searching for acceptance, how hustling became a way to feel valued, and why selling drugs was never really about money. He walks through the consequences that followed, including prison, and the internal reckoning that forced him to confront who he was without the lifestyle that once defined him.

This isn’t a story about glorifying the past. It’s about understanding how unhealed wounds shape behavior, and what it takes to rebuild when everything familiar is stripped away.

If you’ve ever chased validation, identity, or love in places that left you emptier than before, this conversation will hit home.

Chapters:

00:00 — Meeting Ruben
Setting the tone, who he is today vs who he used to be.

04:12 — Growing Up Without Feeling Chosen
Early emotional gaps, environment, and the hunger for approval.

10:45 — When Hustling Beccomes Survival
How selling drugs wasn’t about money, but belonging.

18:30 — The Moment Everything Collapsed
Consequences, prison, and the cost of the lifestyle.

27:05 — Sitting With the Silence
What prison stripped away and what it forced him to face.

35:40 — Rebuilding Identity After Loss
Learning who you are when the hustle is gone.

45:10 — What Love Actually Looks Like Now
How Ruben defines love, purpose, and self-worth today.

54:30 — Advice to the Version of Himself Who Was Hurting
A message to anyone still chasing validation the wrong way.

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

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DJing isn’t just about the moment when everything clicks — it’s about everything that happens before it ever does.

In this episode of The Open Exchange, I sit down with Alex Walker to talk through his DJing journey — from early gigs and teaching himself equipment, to learning how to read a room, build confidence, and grow through repetition and trial and error.

Alex shares what it’s really like to develop as a DJ over time, how creativity fits into real life, and why staying consistent matters more than chasing attention. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the learning curve most people never see.

Whether you DJ, create on the side, or just appreciate the work behind the music, this episode speaks to the journey itself.

Chapters:

00:00 – Reconnecting and early DJ memories  
02:15 – The “Kanye” nickname and early identity  
05:40 – DJing in New London and first gigs  
09:20 – Wanting more after early sets  
12:30 – Teaching himself DJ equipment  
16:10 – Looking unpolished and doing it anyway  
20:45 – Learning to read the crowd  
26:30 – Confidence built through repetition  
32:10 – Creativity, branding, and growth  
37:40 – Trial and error as the real teacher  
42:10 – Advice for DJs on the journey  
46:30 – What makes the work worth it  
47:50 – Where to find Alex

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe:    / @paullyymm 

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'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

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Adulting isn’t real — and most of us feel behind because we were told it was supposed to look a certain way.

In this episode, I sit down with Zaga, co-host of the Adulthood Pending Podcast, for a real conversation about trauma, ADHD, identity, and the pressure millennials carry into adulthood without a blueprint.

Tony opens up about growing up in the Bronx, experiencing 9/11 firsthand, surviving a life-altering accident at 13, and how those moments shaped his outlook on responsibility, success, and what “being an adult” actually means.

We break down why so many people feel behind even when they’re doing fine, how social expectations distort reality, and why adulthood is less about rules and more about owning the choices you make.

If you’ve ever felt like you missed a memo on how life is supposed to work — this one’s for you.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ZAGA

Podcast: Adulthood Pending Podcast

Instagram: @adhpshow

TikTok: @adulthoodpending

YouTube  ⁨@ADHPshow⁩  

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Why “adulting” feels fake
02:10 – Meeting through podcasting & chasing the same vision
04:30 – Millennials, FOMO, and buying things we don’t need
07:15 – Growing up in the Bronx & early childhood trauma
10:45 – Hip hop, environment, and identity formation
13:30 – Experiencing 9/11 from the Bronx
17:45 – Curiosity over fear: learning instead of reacting
20:10 – Getting hit by an F-250 at 13 (the full story)
28:40 – Humor, trauma, and perspective
31:10 – “Adulting is relative” explained
34:20 – The biggest lie millennials were sold
37:10 – Why people feel behind even when they’re doing okay
40:15 – Awareness vs responsibility in adulthood
43:10 – Non-negotiables when you choose responsibility
46:20 – ADHD, discipline, and staying on track
49:30 – The evolution of Adulthood Pending Podcast
53:10 – Being yourself on camera vs real life
56:30 – Final thoughts: adulthood has no blueprint

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe:    / @paullyymm 

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
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In this episode, Rob Springer shares the story behind his discipline: surviving a violent assault as a teenager, navigating mental health struggles inside his family, building a career early, and learning when to carry responsibility — and when to let things go.

We talk about:

Growing up too fast

The cost of always saying yes

Trauma, resilience, and empathy

Why not every problem deserves your energy

Fatherhood, legacy, and his upcoming memoir told through meals

This is a grounded conversation about work, faith, pressure, and what actually matters over time.

Chapters:
00:00 – Meeting Rob & starting young
02:45 – Imposter syndrome at 18
05:10 – Trauma, assault, and losing two years
08:50 – Early sales instincts & money lessons
11:30 – Mental health, cynicism, and empathy
15:20 – Discipline, pressure, and responsibility
17:40 – Multitasking, burnout, and saying no
20:30 – “Will this matter in a year?”
23:10 – Career stress and emotional detachment
26:00 – The book: memoir through meals
30:45 – Cooking, travel, and culture
33:50 – Building a brand around yourself
37:40 – Faith, grounding, and resilience
41:30 – Where to find Rob & closing thoughts



🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe:    / @paullyymm 

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
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Send a text to suggest topics you’d like to hear!

Lauren Bergeron returns to the podcast nearly two years after being Episode 2 — and a lot has changed.

In her first appearance, Lauren shared her journey through massive weight loss, grief, addiction, miscarriage, and rebuilding her life through fitness. On the surface, she looked strong and disciplined. Internally, her body was breaking down.

In this conversation, Lauren opens up about what happened after the fitness success — when chronic stress, nervous system burnout, and survival mode finally caught up with her. We unpack why you can look physically healthy while mentally unraveling, how trauma lives in the body, and why discipline alone isn’t enough to heal.

We talk about:

• Central nervous system dysregulation
• Anxiety, brain fog, burnout, and gut health
• Why “doing more” often makes things worse
• Habit building versus discipline
• Healing as a lifelong process
• Social media, doomscrolling, and emotional overload
• How to slow down without falling behind

This episode is honest, grounded, and practical — especially for people who feel overwhelmed, scattered, burned out, or stuck in constant survival mode.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing all the right things” but still don’t feel okay, this conversation will resonate.

 Chapters 

00:00 – Lauren returns (Episode 2 → Now)
02:30 – Looking fit but not mentally healthy
04:05 – Hospitalization & discovering nervous system burnout
06:30 – Survival mode, trauma, and chronic stress
08:40 – Fitness vs healing: why discipline isn’t enough
10:45 – Anxiety, overwhelm, and slowing down
12:55 – Burnout signs most people ignore
15:15 – Doomscrolling, social media, and nervous system overload
18:45 – Habit building vs motivation
21:00 – Control what you can control
24:00 – Parenting, phones, and emotional modeling
27:00 – Healing as an ongoing process
30:00 – Journaling, trauma, and emotional release
33:00 – Why some people keep getting back up
36:40 – Small daily actions that actually help
39:25 – What evolution looks like in this season of life
41:00 – Loving yourself during chaotic times
42:00 – 90-Day Health Restore Challenge explained
46:00 – Final message on mental health & self-care

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

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What happens when the identity you’ve built your entire life suddenly disappears?

In this episode of The Open Exchange, Paul sits down with Mike Loudon, a former college baseball player and teammate who opens up about identity loss, body dysmorphia, alcohol, career uncertainty, and the long road to rebuilding himself.

Mike shares:

What it felt like when baseball ended

How weight gain, drinking, and depression crept in after college

The moment he realized something had to change

How nightclub promoting unexpectedly launched his career

The discipline required to lose 100+ pounds

Why people misunderstand who he really is

How he rose to become a Senior Video Marketing Manager at Rémy Cointreau

This is an honest conversation about masculinity, ambition, self-worth, and learning to peel back the layers of who you think you are.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Reunion, nicknames, and college memories
02:10 – Why this show focuses on people’s real stories
04:15 – How Mike ended up at Mitchell College unexpectedly
06:30 – Coaches, mental toughness, and being pushed hard
09:20 – Identity, popularity, and coping in college
10:55 – Body dysmorphia and insecurity behind the scenes
12:30 – Growing up with a single mother in Fairfield County
15:00 – “The obstacle is the way” and avoiding discomfort
18:35 – The final college baseball game and identity loss
20:15 – Post-college weight gain, drinking, and depression
21:55 – The stairway moment that forced a lifestyle change
24:00 – Losing 100+ pounds and rebuilding discipline
26:00 – Working in sports vs. the reality of low pay
28:30 – Nightlife promotion as an unexpected career pivot
31:00 – Entrepreneurship, flipping sneakers, and hustle
33:30 – Finding confidence and direction in his career
36:00 – Working with global brands and creative fulfillment
38:30 – Fashion Week, NBA players, and feeling “in the room”
41:00 – Misconceptions people have about Mike
44:00 – Depth, loneliness, and surface-level friendships
47:00 – Masculinity, fatherhood, and relationships
50:00 – Creativity, content, and staying connected to youth
53:00 – Why identity must evolve after sports
56:30 – Final reflections on growth and self-acceptance

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: [email protected]
Subscribe:    / @paullyymm 

Follow Mike: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twentydeucect/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Twentydeuceclothing/


🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Paullyymm (Paullyymm)