The Purpose Chasers

Brady Watt joins the Purpose Chasers Podcast to share his remarkable journey from playing bass in New England punk bands at 14 to performing with icons of the music industry.

Far from an overnight success, Brady spent years honing his craft and hustling in the New York City music scene. Over the years he has collaborated with legends like DJ Premier and Talib Kweli, and even toured with the rock band O.A.R. – proving that his rise is the result of passion and persistence, not luck.

In this episode, Brady unpacks the origin of his viral “Bass & Bars” series – the YouTube sensation where he lays down bass grooves while top MCs drop verses. He reveals how an idea from his team (including DJ Premier and Ian Schwartzman) to promote an album. By calling in favors from a network of rapper friends built over years, Brady created a simple, powerful formula: live bass + elite bars. The result? The first few episodes went viral, and the series has now surpassed 70 installments. Brady explains that when something works, you double-down rather than switch up – one of his key lessons for sustained success.

Brady also shares insights into his disciplined daily routine and mindset. He’s played bass literally every day since age 14, exemplifying the dedication behind his talent. He discusses integrating social media into his career while staying sane – from posting music content consistently to deleting the app off his phone to avoid the toxic scrolling habit. This unwavering discipline and focus have helped him prioritize creativity over distractions, ensuring his art always comes first.

Most importantly, Brady offers wisdom on building authentic relationships and trusting your craft for the long haul. He credits much of his success to genuine networking and collaboration – leveraging years of friendships to create new opportunities (the “path of least resistance,” as he calls it). He emphasizes sticking to what you do best and continuing to refine it, rather than chasing quick fame or bending to trends. In fact, Brady’s “overnight” success story was over 15 years in the making. From jamming in basements to jamming onstage at Red Rocks with 50,000 fans, his journey highlights the power of perseverance, consistency, and staying true to your vision. 

The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist

From Maine basements to producing tracks with Collie Buddz, Kabaka Pyramid, Chronixx, Jesse Royal, The Movement, & So many more. Zeke of Green Lion Crew shares his rise in reggae music.

In this Purpose Chasers Podcast episode, you’ll learn:

• How Green Lion Crew started and broke into reggae production.
• The 2009 Collie Buddz collab that opened doors to big names.
• Zeke’s creative process, from beat testing to live shows.
• Why networking, humility, and free work are essential to success.

The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist

The Brush Still Moves: Dennis Perrin's Energy Lives On Through His Son Produced by Nef

“You already have the power. You just need to believe.” — Dennis Perrin

Dennis Perrin wasn’t just a painter. He was a transformer of energy. The kind of artist who didn’t just capture light—he channeled it. And that same creative current is alive and pulsing through the work of his son, Jonas Perrin—better known in music circles as Produced by Nef.

In a heartfelt Purpose Chasers podcast episode, Dennis opened up about far more than paint strokes and palette knives. He invited us into a world where belief reshapes reality and energy is the raw material of both art and life. He spoke about The Perrin Method, a practice rooted in presence, intention, and expansion—an internal renaissance that’s accessible to anyone who dares to believe in their own growth.

A Legacy of More Than Art

Dennis’s method wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about alignment. He believed that our thoughts and energy could mold the future. That we each hold the brush to paint our own path.

Today, that same philosophy rings loud through the beats and bars of Nef’s work—an alchemy of rhythm and precision that mirrors his father’s devotion to mastery. While Dennis brought color to canvas, Jonas brings texture to sound, weaving emotion and clarity into every project he touches.

Whether you’re staring at a finished painting or vibing to a mastered track, one thing’s certain: you’re experiencing a frequency of the Perrin lineage.

🎧 Listen to the Full Conversation

In this episode, Dennis explored:

• How everything is energy, and how to shape that energy with intention
• The inner limits we place on ourselves, and how to dissolve them
• Why choice is the ultimate canvas—and growth is our brush
• The power of embracing self-belief to step into who we’re truly meant to become

“There’s no becoming the best version of yourself without shedding the small stories that tell you you’re not enough.” — Dennis Perrin

Honoring the Legacy

Though Dennis Perrin has passed on, his message and mission haven’t. 

Learn More About Dennis’ Work & Make a Donation If So Moved. 

https://venmo.com/u/Aimee-Perrin-2021

You can still immerse yourself in full episode on Spotify or YouTube.

https://www.dennisperrinshop.com/

http://dennisperrin.art/

https://dennisperrinfineart18.simplero.com/

And if you really want to feel how this legacy is evolving—visit @producedbynef on YouTube, where his son keeps the energy flowing, now through music.

Because legacy isn’t about what we leave behind.

It’s about what keeps ringing—long after we’re gone.

Keep Chasing YOUR Purpose! 

At just 27, Rachel “Money Honey” Richards quit her job and built over $15,000/month in passive income—but it wasn’t overnight. In this 2020 Purpose Chasers throwback, we dive into her strategy, mindset, and systems that created financial freedom.

⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Why quit without a plan is dangerous
01:30 Income safety: "100% dependent on one income isn't safe"
05:39 Diversification: "Other income streams kept us afloat"
09:29 Relationship insights: keeping money & values aligned

Why Watch:

• Learn Rachel’s step-by-step passive income plan
• Discover how she protected her’ money and her relationships
• Perfect for anyone wanting to own their path vs. chase someone else’s

The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist

In Episode 119 of the Purpose Chasers Podcast, host Mark Crandall sits down with Evan and Jon of Lightwork Exchange. They delve into their evolution from passionate pin collectors to influential creators within the jam band scene, particularly their collaboration with Dogs in a Pile.

Discover how their commitment to original designs and community engagement has fostered a vibrant fan culture. This episode offers insights into the intersection of art, music, and community building.

Mark Crandall interviews Scott Hannay, the multi-talented keyboardist known for 8-bit remixes, unforgettable sit-ins, and helping bring the Mihali Band to life.

Scott opens up about his early inspiration from video game music, his rise in the jam scene through humility and service, and how his journey has brought him full circle—from solo gigs to stage tech to headlining with Mihali.

This episode is for the Frends, the gamers, the dreamers, and anyone chasing purpose in the shadows of adversity.

The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist

What happens when you hand 6- to 14-year-olds a business plan template and a booth? You get 150+ confident kid-CEOs. Dr. Carolyn Colleen returns to Purpose Chasers to reveal:

• The Children’s Business Fair model (and why no participation trophies matter)

• “Peace-table” conflict skills that build lifelong leaders • How a song written for her became the anthem of the Fierce Foundation

• The profit-for-purpose loop funding scholarships and scaling impact

If this inspires you, subscribe to the show and share Dr. Carolyn’s story with one parent or educator today!

Episode 116 : Radio Days & Beyond: Bobby J from Rockaway

The Purpose Chasers Podcast with Mark Crandall @organicwordnerd

Nostalgia-drenched boom-bap meets Brooklyn precision. Bobby J from Rockaway and super-producer Nef have created a collection of work together. This episode we breakdown the in's and out's of Bobby J from Rockaway and Produced by Nef's work. Featuring: Radio Days EP, single “The Hangover,” and “From the Jump” (ft. J57) into underground staples—and why real, in-the-room collaboration still crushes template beats.

• Origins & Hustle – Bobby J’s Rockaway roots, Nef’s Maine-to-Brooklyn grind under DJ Premier & Statik Selektah

• Creative Chemistry – From a chance studio cleanup to a decade-long partnership

• Track Spotlights

  • Radio Days EP: golden-era textures, live strings, vinyl crackle

  • The Hangover: cinematic horns + raw lyricism

  • From the Jump: neck-snap drums, J57 synergy

• Nef’s Production Philosophy – Turning “good” into “legendary,” one mix tweak at a time

• Take-Home for Artists – How relationship-driven creation wins in an algorithm world

  
  

  The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

  Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

  
  

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist

Why is a shreddy, fan-favorite like One Time Weekend still stuck in the mid-day slots? In this punchy sit-down we unpack the “headliner conspiracy,” their DIY booking grind, and the studio marathon fueling their next drop.

The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist

What does it take to go from late-night bedroom sessions in New Hampshire to becoming the go-to audio engineer for DJ Premier and collaborating with legends like Nas? In this episode, host Mark Crandall sits down with Nef to deconstruct his incredible journey to the top of the hip-hop world.

Nef pulls back the curtain on the "art of the pivot," revealing how he transformed his creative passion into a scalable, sustainable business. This isn't just about making hits; it’s a masterclass in leveraging modern tools like SEO, digital asset management, and passive income models to retain control of your creative legacy. Whether you are an aspiring producer or a veteran artist, Nef’s blueprint for success offers the actionable strategies you need to thrive on your own terms.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Brooklyn Breakout: The real story behind becoming the right hand to DJ Premier.

• Music as a Business: How Nef uses SEO and digital assets to build wealth beyond the studio.

• Passive Income for Creators: Shifting from "gig to gig" to a sustainable revenue model.

• Protecting the Vision: Strategic advice on negotiating contracts and maintaining personal well-being in a fast paced industry.

The Purpose Chasers | Align. Scale. Thrive.

Don’t just listen, take action. Subscribe to the Purpose Chasers Podcast on your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an episode designed to help you break free from mediocrity and live extraordinarily.

Ready to turn your happy clients into your best marketing? Mark Crandall works with coaches, consultants, and trades businesses on testimonial marketing, content, and business growth. Book a consultation at TheHappyCheck.com

Free resource: Download The Happy Check List (the 3-Question Framework) at TheHappyCheck.com/checklist