Venom and Varsity

Sometimes you have to stop producing long enough to actually have something worth talking about.

After taking a week away from the podcast for wedding prep, a surprise engagement party, quality time with my fiancée, and reconnecting with some of my college friends, I came back thinking about how easy it is to get so busy building your life that you forget to make time for the people who helped shape it.

This week, we talk about maintaining friendships as adults, why distance doesn’t always mean disconnection, and the difference between following someone’s life on social media and actually being present in it.

The Venom Take: Social media has made us feel connected to people we don’t actually talk to.

The Faith Check: Sometimes God’s blessings have names.

And the Varsity Lesson of the Week: Make time for your people.

Send the text. Make the call. Show up. Life gets busy—but don’t get too busy for your people.

#VenomAndVarsity #AJ3WAYS #FaithAndCulture #Friendship #Relationships #PersonalGrowth

Season 2 — These Are the Good Days

Sometimes we get so focused on building the life we want that we forget to appreciate the life we already have.

After a weekend filled with running a 5K, celebrating my birthday surrounded by family and friends, spending time with my son at a comic convention, and getting out on the golf course, I had a realization: these might be the good days we’ll eventually look back on and miss.

This week, we talk about fatherhood, friendships, hobbies, gratitude, and learning to recognize God’s blessings while you’re still living in them.

The Venom Take: Adults need hobbies they’re allowed to suck at.

The Varsity Lesson: Don’t miss the good days.

Keep building. Keep growing. Keep chasing what’s next—but every once in a while, look around and appreciate what God has already given you.

#VenomAndVarsity #AJ3WAYS #TheseAreTheGoodDays #FaithAndCulture #Fatherhood #Gratitude #PersonalGrowth

For my 37th birthday, I’m taking a look back at the experiences that shaped the man I am today.

From fatherhood, faith, career wins and disappointments to relationships, personal growth, and betting on myself creatively, this episode is an honest reflection on the journey so far—and the man I want to become next.

No Venom Take this week. Just real stories, gratitude, testimony, and a special Varsity Lesson: Give yourself credit for how far you’ve come without getting comfortable with where you are.

Here’s to 37. 🎙️

#VenomAndVarsity #AJ3WAYS #BirthdayEpisode #FaithAndCulture #PersonalGrowth

Season 2, Episode 2 — Getting Back in the Groove

How do you regain momentum when life doesn’t go according to plan?

This week, I’m getting real about finding my rhythm again after vacation—from finally getting an answer about the promotion I pursued and preparing my son for life after high school to V&V gaining momentum while my fitness goals took a back seat.

We talk about why motivation is overrated and rhythm matters, staying faithful when God doesn’t give you the outcome you wanted, and whether we’re truly prepared for the new seasons we keep asking for.

The Varsity Lesson of the Week: You don’t have to restart perfectly. You just have to restart.

Progress isn’t never falling out of rhythm. Progress is learning how to find your rhythm again.

#VenomAndVarsity #AJ3WAYS #FaithAndCulture #PersonalGrowth #ChristianPodcast

Season 2 starts now.

AJ3WAYS returns from summer break with a lot to catch up on — preparing his son for senior year, navigating career uncertainty, returning from vacation, and stepping into a new chapter of Venom & Varsity.

AJ reflects on what it means to keep moving while you’re still waiting for answers, brings back the Culture Desk and Venom Take, and closes with a Varsity Lesson that sets the tone for the new season:

Control the controllables.

Real life. Real faith. Real conversations.

Welcome to Venom & Varsity Season 2: Moving Different.

Reset. Refocus. Return.

After a summer sabbatical, Venom & Varsity is back—and so are the Venom Takes and Varsity Lessons.

In this special midyear review, I reflect on what God has been teaching me through the first half of the year, the importance of investing in family, and the steady growth of V&V Media. This episode is about taking a step back to appreciate the progress, learning from the setbacks, and embracing the vision for what’s next.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is pause, reset, and come back with renewed purpose. That’s exactly what this episode is about.

Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or you’re just joining the journey, welcome back to the conversation where faith, culture, and ambition collide.

🎙️ Venom Takes are back. Varsity Lessons are back. And we’re just getting started.

This week, “The Fresh Prince of Podcasting” sits down with entrepreneur Andre’a McBride, founder and owner of Halo Luxe Co., for an inspiring conversation about business, purpose, and perseverance.

Originally from Sumter, South Carolina, and now serving clients throughout the Savannah, Georgia area, Andre’a shares her journey of building Halo Luxe Co. from the ground up, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to keep moving forward when pursuing a dream.

Together, we discuss the realities of starting a business, overcoming obstacles, remaining confident in your vision, and the importance of creating an impact within your community.

This episode also highlights our partnership through the Venom & Varsity Community Giveaway, demonstrating how collaboration and community can create opportunities for growth and connection.

Topics Covered:

• Building a business from the ground up

• The challenges of entrepreneurship

• Chasing dreams with purpose

• Confidence, consistency, and perseverance

• Community impact and collaboration

• The story behind Halo Luxe Co.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or someone working toward a goal, this conversation offers valuable insight and encouragement to keep pushing forward.

Tune in and join the conversation.

#VenomAndVarsity #HaloLuxeCo #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Podcast #Community #SmallBusiness #Growth #Mindset

For the first guest episode of Venom & Varsity, “The Fresh Prince of Podcasting” sits down with Aaron Simmons, MS, LPC — owner of Cultivate Within Counseling LLC — for an important mental health check-in and real conversation about growth, pressure, and purpose.

Together, we discuss the mental and emotional challenges that come with starting a business, chasing dreams, and continuing to push forward even when the journey gets difficult. From self-doubt and burnout to discipline and faith, this episode is a reminder that success isn’t just physical — it’s mental too.

This conversation brings honesty, perspective, and encouragement for anybody trying to build something meaningful while protecting their peace along the way.

Topics Covered:

* Mental health and entrepreneurship

* The pressure of chasing your dreams

* Challenges of building a business

* Staying motivated through difficult seasons

* The importance of self-awareness and support

Big shoutout to Aaron Simmons and Cultivate Within Counseling LLC for joining the show and helping bring real conversations to the platform.

#VenomAndVarsity #Podcast #MentalHealth #Entrepreneurship #Growth #Mindset #SelfAwareness

For the first guest episode of Venom & Varsity, “The Fresh Prince of Podcasting” sits down with Aaron Simmons, MS, LPC — owner of Cultivate Within Counseling LLC — for an important mental health check-in and real conversation about growth, pressure, and purpose.

Together, we discuss the mental and emotional challenges that come with starting a business, chasing dreams, and continuing to push forward even when the journey gets difficult. From self-doubt and burnout to discipline and faith, this episode is a reminder that success isn’t just physical — it’s mental too.

This conversation brings honesty, perspective, and encouragement for anybody trying to build something meaningful while protecting their peace along the way.

Topics Covered:

* Mental health and entrepreneurship

* The pressure of chasing your dreams

* Challenges of building a business

* Staying motivated through difficult seasons

* The importance of self-awareness and support

Big shoutout to Aaron Simmons and Cultivate Within Counseling LLC for joining the show and helping bring real conversations to the platform.

Episode 16 available now.

#VenomAndVarsity #Podcast #MentalHealth #Entrepreneurship #Growth #Mindset #SelfAwareness

In Episode 15, “The Fresh Prince of Podcasting” reflects on what happens when preparation, discipline, and habits finally catch up to reality. From personal growth to sports culture to business moves, this episode is all about the outcomes of what you repeatedly do.

We break down the Lakers getting swept, lessons that come from failure in the spotlight, and the importance of staying locked in even when things don’t go your way. The episode also looks ahead to the upcoming Podcast Summit in Atlanta and what it means to continue building the vision bigger than the city limits.

Special shoutout to the partners, supporters, and people continuing to believe in the journey and help elevate Venom & Varsity along the way.

Every habit produces something. The question is: what are your habits building.

Consistency always produces results - good or bad.

#VenomAndVarsity #Podcast #Consistency #Lakers #Atlanta #PodcastSummit #Mindset #Growth