Category: Embrace Your Storm

Get ready to meet the multitalented artist, Sanjini, as she shares her fascinating and inspired journey into the world of film. This dynamic lady discovered acting as a beacon of hope during a trying moment in her life, and embraced it, transforming her life completely. She shares with us how she started as a volunteer at the Miami Performing Arts Center, swiftly moved into acting, and eventually producing her own films. A twist in her tale is how she found herself completely consumed by martial arts, a passion that she seamlessly incorporated into her action-packed film series, I of the Empress. This film’s plotline, a journey to find a magical Empress Diamond, is as captivating as her personal journey into the film industry.

In part two of our chat, Sanjini gives us a guided tour of her creative process. As an accomplished author with 14 published books, she takes us into the world of her imaginative storytelling, and how it transcends from paper to the silver screen. Her versatility is her superpower that she has used to her advantage in her diverse projects. It’s intriguing to hear her talk about her children’s books and her film, Motel Patel. She wraps up with priceless advice for anyone wanting to make their mark in the film industry and teases us with a peek into her latest film project. This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration, expert insights, and a privileged glimpse into the life of Sanjini. Tune in and enjoy!

You can see the show notes here!

My journey through darkness began at 14, not just metaphorically but quite literally, when a car accident stole my sight but curiously, gave me a new vision for life. Grief further tested my resilience with the loss of both parents by the time I was 18, yet here I am, Johnny Nato, living proof that when life hits hard, creativity can be your shield and your sword. In Embrace Your Storm, I’m laying bare my soul’s symphony, from the thrash metal chords that echo my inner turmoil to the soothing rhythms of my victories. Discover how a love for Metallica and gangster rap evolved into a broader appreciation for the arts and how losing my sight never dimmed the light of my ambitions.

Strap in for a ride through my personal odyssey, where I transformed pain into purpose, turning to the guitar as my faithful companion in the aftermath of tragedy. My tale isn’t just about music; it’s a mosaic of creativity that spans the gamut from advocating open source software to organizing conferences at Harvard. We’ll explore the multifaceted world of creative expression, where organizing a festival, jamming in a band, or even podcasting since 2009 becomes a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable urge to create, share, and persist. No guests, no filters, just a raw session of passion-fueled storytelling that might just inspire you to pick up your own metaphorical guitar and play through the storms.

You can see the show notes here!

A car crash at 14 stole my sight but gifted me a second chance at life. Thrust into a rage-filled world blinded by darkness, I clung to the raw screams and cathartic distortion of death metal to nurse my seething anger—a rebellion against a fate that took my vision and my parents. This episode is a raw, vulnerable journey through the transformative chapters of my life, where the echoes of head trauma and the all-consuming emotions eventually give way to an unexpected sanctuary found within church walls.

For two decades, my playlist was a collection of hymns and spiritual verses, a stark contrast to the blasphemous tracks that once resonated with my turmoil. As I recount my ordeal, you will discover the inner conflict between my faith and personal taste in music. This isn’t just about a switch in genres, but a profound exploration of identity and authenticity amid the backdrop of life’s unpredictable symphony. Listen as I peel back the layers of my story, revealing how resilience and transformation play out in the ever-evolving soundtrack of my life.

You can see the show notes here!

Ever wondered what it’s like to hurdle through the music world blind, left-handed, and with a burning passion for heavy metal? Well, strap in for a wild ride as I recount my unique journey with guitars, from a hospital bed strumming a right-handed beater to wielding my first left-handed BC Rich Warlock. It’s a tale that zigzags from the aftermath of a car wreck to the serendipitous moments that shaped my musical path and the formation of my band. You’ll get a front-row seat to the inner workings of my mind as I muse on the instruments that have been faithful companions through thick and thin—and the quirky stories they carry with them.

Prepare for a raucous trip down memory lane to Webster Music in Massachusetts, a place inexplicably crammed with BC Rich guitars—it’s as if the store itself was a shrine to the brand. I’ll share the hilarious lengths I went to find a bass player for my band, dangling the carrot of a shiny new instrument, and the peculiar twists of fate that brought us all together. Each guitar has a story, and these stories are the lifeblood of my musical odyssey. So, come along and be ready to laugh, empathize, and perhaps walk away with a newfound appreciation for the soundtrack that punctuates our lives.

You can see the show notes here!