Best Calvin H Podcasts (2025)

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The Artist’s Responsibility to Lead – With Dr. Calvin H. Lawrence 21:11

Play Pause

26d ago21:11

21:11

What if leadership wasn’t about titles or power—but presence, purpose, and the way you carry your voice? In this episode, Dr. Calvin H. Lawrence, author of The Happy Leader, joins Tzayla to unpack the deep connection between artistry and leadership. Whether you’re an emerging musician or building a creative movement, this conversation will challeng…

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America…Assemble w/ Mike Gatto 55:10

4d ago55:10

55:10

America is facing deep political division. Republican vs. Democrat, Left vs. Right. But what will it truly take for us to come together as one nation again? On this episode, former California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto sits down with host and special guest co-host Joey for an honest conversation about America’s current political climate. From the…

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Struggling to Grow on Social Media? Here’s the Fix 10:11

4d ago10:11

10:11

Love it or hate it, social media isn’t optional for artists anymore—it’s the engine driving careers forward. In this episode, Tzayla gets real about the realities of building a platform and breaks down exactly how to use social media to grow your music, connect with fans, and actually get noticed. No fluff, no gimmicks—just a clear playbook you can…

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This Mindset Shift Could Open Every Door in Your Career 6:11

9d ago6:11

6:11

What’s the one skill that can transform your music career overnight? It’s not perfect pitch—it’s boldness. In this episode, Tzayla shares why asking for what you want is the fastest way to open doors in the music industry, how to handle “no” without losing momentum, and real-life stories of opportunities that only happened because she dared to ask.…

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Stop Waiting for Spotify to Pay You: How to Actually Make Money from Music 7:41

26d ago7:41

7:41

Making music is magic—but making it a career takes more than just streams and shows. In this episode, Tzayla breaks down the real income streams available to musicians today, how to start them, and which ones can turn your passion into a paycheck. From sync licensing to TikTok live streaming, you’ll learn exactly how to diversify your earnings so y…

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This Is for the Artist Who Feels Like Giving Up – With Orphan Prodigy 26:01

1M ago26:01

26:01

What if the thing that almost broke you…became the very thing that saved you? In this episode, Tzayla sits down with Orphan Prodigy to explore how music became his medicine during a mental health crisis—and how he’s now using his sound to heal others. From agoraphobia to charting at #78, this story is raw, inspiring, and deeply human. Key Takeaways…

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Turn Your Lyric Scraps Into a Finished EP – With Marli Delaney 39:45

2M ago39:45

39:45

If your Notes app is overflowing with half-written lyrics, scattered ideas, and dusty voice memos, this episode is your sign to start finishing. Tzayla sits down with singer, songwriter, producer, and creative coach Marli Delaney to talk about turning fragments into finished songs, building sustainable artistic momentum, and why mindset matters mor…

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South Park vs. Trump: Too Far or Fair Game? (Live Debate) 58:06

2M ago58:06

58:06

On this explosive episode of Str8Up, we host a live TikTok debate that dives into South Park’s most controversial episode yet, the one where they suggest Donald Trump made a deal with the devil. Trump supporters and critics go head-to-head as we unpack the satire, political commentary, and whether the show finally crossed a line. But that’s not all…

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The 3 Copyright Exceptions That Could Cost You Everything 9:25

2M ago9:25

9:25

In this follow-up to the “Copyrights Crash Course” episode, Tzayla reveals three major legal exceptions that could strip you of your rights—even if you wrote, recorded, and released the song yourself. Whether you’re doing work-for-hire, releasing covers, or writing with friends, this episode is your roadmap to protecting your music before it’s too …

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The Spotify Pitch Formula Every Indie Artist Needs to Know – With Sam Friske 27:30

2M ago27:30

27:30

Tired of pitch forms, playlist chaos, and all the backend stuff that takes time away from making music? In this game-changing episode, Tzayla talks with Sam Friske, founder of the music tech startup Cadence I.O., about how artists and teams can streamline their marketing—and write Spotify pitches that actually work. Whether you’re DIY or building a…

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The Copyright Crash Course Every Musician Needs 7:50

2M ago7:50

7:50

This one’s for every songwriter, producer, and creator who’s ever wondered, “Do I actually own my song?” In this must-hear episode, Tzayla breaks down everything you need to know about copyrights—what they are, how they’re created, how to protect them, and how to avoid getting ripped off. Whether you’re releasing your first single or building a cat…

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BBB: Borders, Birthright, and Banishment w/ Carla Casas 55:16

2M ago55:16

55:16

With the recent changes to birthright citizenship, naturalized citizens now facing possible deportation, and the “big, beautiful bill” now passed, what’s next for immigration in America? After a powerful and eye-opening first appearance, immigration attorney Carla Casas returns to break down the latest developments surrounding mass deportation and …

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What Every Artist Needs to Hear Before Moving to Nashville – With Daniel McCurdy 30:45

3M ago30:45

30:45

In this heartfelt episode, Tzayla sits down with Nashville-based artist, producer, and songwriter Daniel McCurdy to talk about his journey from producing behind the scenes to stepping into the spotlight with a fresh country-inspired artist project. They dive deep into community, calling, the spiritual journey of being “good clay,” and the messy bea…

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The Unfree Speech 58:54

3M ago58:54

58:54

June 11th and 12th, 2025, a night Las Vegas streamer Karlin Martinez will never forget. What began as a peaceful anti-ICE protest ended with flashing lights, handcuffs, and a viral TikTok Live that left viewers stunned. But what really happened that night? We sit down with Karlin’s attorney, Stephen Stubbs, who breaks down the shocking chain of eve…

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Music Business 101: What Every Artist Needs to Know to Protect Their Art and Build Their Career 10:16

3M ago10:16

10:16

In this solo episode, Tzayla breaks down the music business in plain language, covering everything from copyright to contracts to making money as an indie artist. If you want to protect your music, scale your artistry, and build a sustainable career without selling your soul, start here. No fluff. Just the truth, tools, and tough love you need. Key…

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Breaking the I.C.E.: Intimidation. Corruption. Eviction w/ Carla Casas 59:16

3M ago59:16

59:16

We dive into the Trump Administration’s renewed crackdown on undocumented immigrants. With ICE ramping up nationwide enforcement and families being torn apart, fear is rising and so are protests across the globe. Immigration Attorney Carla Casas joins us to unpack the chaos. She breaks down President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, explain…

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Networking Secrets Nobody Told You 10:31

3M ago10:31

10:31

“Networking” gets tossed around in every industry conversation — but what does it really mean, and how do you actually do it (without being awkward, fake, or annoying)? In this episode, Tzayla breaks down the art of building authentic, long-term relationships in music. From her own story of going from Berklee classrooms to music biz lobbies, to pra…

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From Broadway to TikTok - With Jordan Siwek 22:13

3M ago22:13

22:13

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Off Key and On Pitch, Tzayla talks with New York City-based singer, songwriter, and pianist Jordan Siwek. From Broadway stages to TikTok screens, Jordan shares how his music transforms darkness into light. They dive deep into authenticity, songwriting, going viral with intention, and using art as a force f…

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Under Pressure: The Reality of Black Manhood with Dr. Maurice Ball 1:05:48

3M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

Being a Black man in America isn’t just difficult, it’s a daily struggle often overlooked. But when life gets heavy, where can Black men turn? Where are the safe spaces that remind them they’re not alone? We sit down with Dr. Maurice Ball, community leader and life coach, for an honest conversation about the pressures Black men face, breaking gener…

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What Artists Get Wrong About the Industry (And What Actually Works) – With Dalton Lewis 48:34

3M ago48:34

48:34

In this episode, Tzayla sits down with cinematographer and content strategist Dalton Lewis to explore his journey from filming concerts for free to working with both indie and label artists. They dive into the realities of music video production, the pros and cons of working with labels, the power of authentic networking, and why artists should dro…

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She Had No Team, No Connections—Now She’s Playing Real Gigs. Here’s How. 15:09

4M ago15:09

15:09

Ready to go from bedroom performances to real-world stages? In this episode, Tzayla pulls back the curtain on exactly how she booked her first shows—without a manager, a label, or a clue. Learn how to craft a killer set list, build an EPK that gets you noticed, and actually land paying gigs. Whether you're a total beginner or looking to level up yo…

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Music Monday - Kuttup 31:18

4M ago31:18

31:18

If you’re a true music fan, you know the best songs are the ones that speak to your soul, and Las Vegas artist Kuttup is doing just that. On this electrifying episode of Music Monday, we sit down with Kuttup to uncover her journey into the music industry and what makes her style impossible to replicate. From her raw lyrics to her captivating stage …

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Songwriting Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide 10:42

4M ago10:42

10:42

Welcome back to Off Key and On Pitch, your backstage pass to the unfiltered world of music! In this episode, Tzayla breaks down the songwriting process, offering a step-by-step guide to crafting meaningful lyrics and melodies. Whether you're a seasoned songwriter or just starting out, this episode provides practical tips to help you bring your musi…

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Mind Over Media: Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Micco 41:41

5M ago41:41

41:41

Is social media silently impacting your mental health? Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Jamie Micco of The Concord Center joins us and breaks down how social media can influence your emotional well-being for better or worse. Tune in as Dr. Micco shares cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based strategies to help you manage screen time, reduce stre…

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The Hard Parts of Music Nobody Talks About – With Eva Rose and David Pippin 41:17

5M ago41:17

41:17

What does it take to make it in music—not just for a season, but for a lifetime? In this episode of Off Key and On Pitch, Tzayla sits down with acoustic duo Eva Rose and David Pippin, two artists who’ve shared the stage—and the struggle—for over 15 years. From playing for 20,000 fans at Springing the Blues to performing in dive bars, competitions, …

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Playlists Won’t Make You Famous But This Will – With Mike Warner 35:14

5M ago35:14

35:14

Many artists believe that landing on major playlists is the key to success, but is that really the case? In this episode of Off Key and On Pitch, Tzayla sits down with Mike Warner, a streaming expert, author of “Work Hard Playlist Hard”, and consultant to independent artists and major platforms. Mike shares insights into the biggest misconceptions …

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How to Stay Creative (Without Burning Out) in the Music Industry 8:30

5M ago8:30

8:30

In this episode of Off Key and On Pitch, Tzayla dives into the pressures that come with being an artist and how to overcome them without losing your love for making music. From battling perfectionism to navigating the chaos of deadlines and expectations, Tzayla shares valuable insights on how to stay creatively energized without falling into the tr…

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The Courage to Grow: Chasing Dreams and Success – With Alexandra Beck 21:11

5M ago21:11

21:11

In this episode of “Off Key and On Pitch”, host Tzayla sits down with Alexandra Beck, a rising dance-pop singer-songwriter originally from Canada and now making waves in Los Angeles. Known for her powerful vocals and high-energy performances, Beck has graced stages at Lincoln Center, Canadian Music Week, and the Viper Room. Inspired by icons like U…

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The Two Things That Will Change Your Music (and Your Life) Forever - With Jacob Graham 46:27

6M ago46:27

46:27

In this unfiltered and wildly fun episode, Tzayla sits down with guitarist Jacob Graham (plus unofficial appearances of Victoria Amaya and Isabel “Izzy” Osman) to talk about the magic of live music, the power of collaboration, and the unexpected moments that make it all worth it. From the story behind “Arachne” to writing a brand-new song (Crocodil…

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The Importance of Knowing Your Why in Music - With Dani Felt 29:31

6M ago29:31

29:31

In this episode, I sit down with indie pop artist Dani Felt to talk about music, branding, and empowerment. Dani’s bold, dark pop anthems blend theatrical storytelling with raw emotion, drawing inspiration from artists like Imagine Dragons, Adele, and Billie Eilish. We dive into her journey from music blogger to branding expert, the story behind he…

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Music Monday - Young Preach 1:08:00

6M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

It’s often said that we go through many tests so we can share powerful testimonies.On this Music Monday, we sit down with the incredibly talented gospel rapper Young Preach. He opens up about his troubled past, how it led him to God and music, and the biggest misconceptions about gospel rap. Then, Young Preach takes the stage to perform his anthem,…

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Studio Setup 101: High-Quality Music on a Budget 12:20

6M ago12:20

12:20

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Off Key and On Pitch! If you're aiming to elevate your music production but are working on a budget, this episode is for you. Join Tzayla as she takes you behind the scenes of her home studio setup, breaking down the essential gear for high-quality music production—without breaking the bank. From DAWs and…

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Torn Apart: The Real Stories of Deportation 1:16:21

6M ago1:16:21

1:16:21

In our Season 9 premiere, we dive into one of the most polarizing issues in America today, immigration and mass deportations. With families being torn apart, we hear firsthand accounts from those directly impacted: Jaclyn, whose spouse is currently detained; Meg, whose father was deported during Trump’s last presidency; Kev, who once unknowingly li…

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Middle School Us Would Be Screaming Right Now - With Pfifer Smith 40:26

6M ago40:26

40:26

In this nostalgic episode of Off Key and On Pitch, host Tzayla talks with her oldest friend, Pfifer Smith. Despite pursuing veterinary medicine at UTK, Pfifer has been a key supporter of Tzayla’s music journey since their middle school days—when they started their first podcast at 13 and sang original songs on scooters. Together, they share hilario…

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How Hard Work Beats Talent Every Time - With David Pippin 36:42

6M ago36:42

36:42

In this episode of “Off Key and On Pitch”, Tzayla sits down with David Pippin—guitarist, music instructor, and owner of Pippin Music Academy. David shares his journey from discovering the guitar as a teenager to becoming a full-time musician, mentor, and business owner. With years of experience in live performance, sound production, and teaching, D…

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Welcome to the Journey! 5:04

7M ago5:04

5:04

Welcome to Off Key and On Pitch, your backstage pass to the unfiltered world of music! In this very first episode, I introduce myself—Tzayla—and share my journey as an independent artist. From my early days running around with a Barbie guitar to teaching myself 14 instruments, studying music production, and reaching over 100k streams in 2024 alone,…

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BONUS | The presidents who’ve tried to win back the White House 44:03

11M ago44:03

44:03

This is the second of two special “Presidential” podcast episodes released in advance of the presidential election on Nov. 5. The episodes examine how the candidates, former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, could make history if they win. This episode focuses on the history and precedent surrounding Trump’s run, as a former …

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BONUS | Women, politics and the presidency 36:13

12M ago36:13

36:13

“Presidential” host Lillian Cunningham talks with Sharon McMahon, the creator behind Instagram’s @SharonSaysSo, about women’s ongoing fight for more political power — examining the arc of progress since 1920, when women across the nation first voted for president. They guide listeners through women’s initial efforts to gain the right to vote and ex…

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Introducing, "The Sports Moment" 0:59

1y ago0:59

0:59

Ava Wallace, sports reporter at The Washington Post, is in France to report on the Summer Games — and eat a lot of croissants. Join her through the entire run of the games, for several episodes a week as she captures the highs, the lows and the Paris of it all, along with other Post colleagues. Follow The Sports Moment podcast on Apple Podcasts, Sp…

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Psychophobia: I Need Help w/ Erin Johnston, LPC-S (Part 2) (Season 8 Finale) 42:02

1+ y ago42:02

42:02

In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, Erin Johnston, LPC-S of Healing Minds Counseling, discussed why so many are afraid to seek therapy. Erin returns to continue our groundbreaking conversation about why is much needed when going on your healing journey! Erin then gives tips to host, Calvin, about how he can overcome a previous toxic relationship. Hea…

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Psychophobia: I Need Help w/ Erin Johnston, LPC-S (Part 1) 1:27:24

1+ y ago1:27:24

1:27:24

Why do most of us have Psychophobia or a fear of going to therapy? Are we scared to face our own truths or just afraid to acknowledge the trauma we keep pushing away? We talk to Erin Johnston, LPC-S of Healing Minds, LLC about the importance of therapy. Erin analyzes our previous episode, "The Mermaid Effect" and breaks down how therapy would have …

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Music Monday - Edna Karr's Chris Herrero 55:35

1+ y ago55:35

55:35

If you're a football fan, you know that halftime IS game time for a lot of bands. But, if you're from New Orleans, Louisiana, being in a band is a way of life. We talk to Edna Karr High School's band director, Chris Herrero all about his award winning band. Chris joins us to talk about his unique style of leadership, his gifted students and how his…

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Music Monday - RōZY 1:01:46

1+ y ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Women in rock bands are often overshadowed by their male counterparts, but the female led band RōZY is quickly making a Texas size impact on the music industry. On this Music Monday we talk to sisters Zoe Molly, guitar players Brandon and Aris about how the RōZY was formed, their upcoming music projects and an announcement about their next tour!The…

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Music Monday- FIVE (The Return) 37:41

1+ y ago37:41

37:41

HE’S BACK!! The one and only Pen Assassin himself, FIVE ⁠returns to Music Monday! Listen as FIVE talks about where he’s been since he last came on the show, he’s recent run in with rapper Dave East ⁠and his upcoming projects. FIVE then performs his single, “Reps” from his new album “Nothing Personal But It’s Personal” available now on all streami…

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Cultural Conversations: Brazilians 1:17:10

1+ y ago1:17:10

1:17:10

It's a country full of love, music and pride. The Str8Up crew heads to Brazil. Join us as we talk to Marianna and Debbie, two Brazil natives, all about their home country. Our guest talk about the love of their culture and breakdown the misconnects the world has of Brazil and the Brazilian people.By Calvin

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Motivating Minds with Will Diggs 52:27

1+ y ago52:27

52:27

In this age of social media, it's easy to find yourself being discouraged due to a number of life issues. But how you handle your negative situation is a practice that many of us can use. We talk to viral motivational speaker Will Diggs aka @WillKeepItReal about the different ways of having a motivating mindset. Will then gives our listeners encour…

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Sh..Sh..Sh..Showtime in Shreveport 1:03:52

1+ y ago1:03:52

1:03:52

“All Roads Lead to Shreveport,” says Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson after his recent purchase of the old Millennium Studios in Shreveport, LA. But what does this mean for the area? We talk to Hollywood actors/stuntmen and longtime Shreveport-Bossier residents, Tim J. Smith and Dother Sykes IV about the impact G-Unit Film & Television Inc will have on nor…

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The Mermaid Effect: A Real Toxic Love Story 1:49:48

1+ y ago1:49:48

1:49:48

WE'RE BACK!! And boy, there is so much to talk about! On the Season 8 premiere, Calvin opens up about his personal love life by inviting two of his personal friends to the show. Tune in as they point out his flaws and help him cope with such a bad ending to a relationship/friendship/situationship. Where do you think he went wrong?…

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The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘Somebody knows’ 51:14

2y ago51:14

51:14

Every 19th of October, Grenadians mark a somber anniversary: the 1983 execution of the country’s former prime minister and revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, and others who died alongside him. The people of this Caribbean nation still have no closure 40 years later. The remains of Bishop and his supporters were never returned to their family mem…

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Introducing “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” 3:34

2y ago3:34

3:34

Grenada’s Black revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, was executed in a coup in 1983, along with seven others. The whereabouts of their remains are unknown. Now, The Washington Post’s Martine Powers uncovers new answers about how the U.S. fits into this 40-year-old Caribbean mystery. “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” is an investigative podcast t…