COVID Episodes

It's a New Year...but man did this last one (2021) kick my butt; to the point that I ran out of gas and am just now finally getting well. I talk through how to have your family or significant others support you when things get crazy then share 2 things that radically changed my year in 2021. Links to programs mentioned: https://thinkcoresmart.com http://www.thegeraldisaacstudio.com DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App.

For a lot of DJs, 2020 was a bad year. As COVID has started to get behind us and the world is opening up more and more, inquires for private events have been coming in hot! So the temptation is to raise your rates and make up for last year. In this episode, I make the case for why that's a terrible idea. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App.

In this episode, I share some revelations from traveling in a post-COViD world - from limited flights options, to rental car shortages and ride sharing gouging. I also give you some travel hacks to get around these things as well as contract and selling advice. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App.

In this episode, I share with you about having my own personal first REAL COVID scare at an event. Talk about nerve-racking. You'll hear how I handled it and what I'm doing going forward. Stay vigilant folks. We're still not out of the woods yet. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

The “Second Act” series is based on the fact that, in my mind, everything we did “pre-covid” was the First Act. The Second Act is what we’re in right now as states start to re-open and we get back to events. What I’ve come to realize as we’ve been going through this pandemic is that there are a lot of great stories out there – things of hope, things that are super raw for folks, and even stories of great loss. I wanted to get these stories out there because I think we can learn a little something from others that are going through it, just like we are. In this episode (volume 6), I interview some from the DJ Industry Media - Eddie Short with Pro Mobile in the UK, John Young with Disc Jockey News and DJNTV and Jim Tremayne with DJ Times in 3 separate mini interviews. Similar to the DJ Manufacturers/Service Providers, these outlets are so important to our industry because they get the scoop for all sectors of our business yet they have no outlet for sharing it in this type of context.…

The “Second Act” series is based on the fact that, in my mind, everything we did “pre-covid” was the First Act. The Second Act is what we’re in right now as states start to re-open and we get back to events. What I’ve come to realize as we’ve been going through this pandemic is that there are a lot of great stories out there – things of hope, things that are super raw for folks, and even stories of great loss. I wanted to get these stories out there because I think we can learn a little something from others that are going through it, just like we are. In this episode (volume 5), I interview Michael Mahler with Vibo, Hector Escobedo from Pioneer and Warren Peace from Direct Music Service in 3 separate mini interviews. These companies are so important to our industry yet they have no outlet for sharing how COVID has affected their businesses. Enjoy these candid conversations. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share yo…

The “Second Act” series is based on the fact that, in my mind, everything we did “pre-covid” was the First Act. The Second Act is what we’re in right now as states start to re-open and we get back to events. What I’ve come to realize as we’ve been going through this pandemic is that there are a lot of great stories out there – things of hope, things that are super raw for folks, and even stories of great loss. I wanted to get these stories out there because I think we can learn a little something from others that are going through it, just like we are. In this episode, I interview Ross B with Rock With U Entertainment. This dude is a ball of positivity and he gives some awesome nuggets about how's he built his business to gross $5 million a year and what he's done to assure his company makes it through this pandemic. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. …

The “Second Act” series is based on the fact that, in my mind, everything we did “pre-covid” was the First Act. The Second Act is what we’re in right now as states start to re-open and we get back to events. What I’ve come to realize as we’ve been going through this pandemic is that there are a lot of great stories out there – things of hope, things that are super raw for folks, and even stories of great loss. I wanted to get these stories out there because I think we can learn a little something from others that are going through it, just like we are. In this episode, I interview Jason Klock with Klock Entertainment. Some may assume it is easier to deal with tough business decisions the bigger you are - quite to the contrary. Jason talks through some of his strategies in getting through this crazy pandemic. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: …

The “Second Act” series is based on the fact that, in my mind, everything we did “pre-covid” was the First Act. The Second Act is what we’re in right now as states start to re-open and we get back to events. What I’ve come to realize as we’ve been going through this pandemic is that there are a lot of great stories out there – things of hope, things that are super raw for folks, and even stories of great loss. I wanted to get these stories out there because I think we can learn a little something from others that are going through it, just like we are. In this episode, I interview Cooper Brown with One Above Entertainment. He decided to go full-time with his DJ business in 2020 just before the pandemic turned this year upside down. How has and is he navigating this? Listen to his story in this episode. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interes…

This month for our travel tips episode, I interview Rob Ferre from Life Of The Party out of Salt Lake City, Utah. He gives us his top 3 essentials to bring on travel events during COVID. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

The “Second Act” series is based on the fact that, in my mind, everything we did “pre-covid” was the First Act. The Second Act is what we’re in right now as states start to re-open and we get back to events. What I’ve come to realize as we’ve been going through this pandemic is that there are a lot of great stories out there – things of hope, things that are super raw for folks, and even stories of great loss. I wanted to get these stories out there because I think we can learn a little something from others that are going through it, just like we are. In this episode, I wanted to start with a few people who are a part of “The BBC Collective” – a crowd-sourced learning environment of creative businesses with the mantra of becoming better creative businesses. We have 3 mini interviews with Sean Low, who runs the group, Maria Maxit who owns/operates Maxit Flower Design out of Houston, and Andrea Eppolito, a wedding planner extraordinaire out of Las Vegas. Have a topic you want c…

It's always bewildered me why collaboration is frowned upon...especially in the entertainment space. In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Steele and Lauren Brettell, co-owners of Lucy Black Entertainment out of Washington DC. They've really pushed the bar in the luxury market with this collaboration over competition mantra. We also cover running an entertainment business as women, partnerships, as well as a few lightning round questions at the end to get to know them better. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

I had my first exposure to being the target of some "cancel culture'esque" behavior this past week. In this episode, Digital Dave and I talk through not only how cancel culture has infiltrated the DJ and event industry but how we should handle it. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

I jump back into the physical events pool this weekend - over 4.5 months since my last physical event. A lot of has changed; especially as it pertains to event prep. It has added more cost and time to ensure I am protected both physically and financially. In this episode, I talk through some of the strategic changes I've had to make (spoiler: it's not just hand sanitizer and a mask). Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

In the last few weeks, I've had a major life shift with a new baby (first time parent here). I give a little update to that in this episode. Then I turn to what the entire world is grappling with - COVID. However, I want to address 2 things that don't seem to be getting a lot (if any) talk - that is hedging long and playing to your strengths. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

A lot of folks see those who have success and they think it's all gravy for them. However, successful people are human too. They deal with their share of adversity and setbacks (sometimes more than most). In this episode, I interview a good friend and colleague, Jason Jani. We talk through a little of his story and how he's dealt with adversity. This is raw, candid and not something that is IG safe. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

In this episode, I interview a long-time friend and colleague Tony So. We both are in the "destination" event business - him being a DJ located in a destination hot spot, Hawaii, and me, as a DJ, traveling to destinations. We talk through how we're walking through this pandemic both vocationally and personally. Tony is wise beyond his years. You'll pick up some great takeaways from this conversation. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

We are entering a new reality soon and events will never go back to the way they were. What that looks like POST-COVID is unknown. No one is an expert here. This has never happened before in our lifetime. We'll all have to adapt and pivot when that time comes. In this episode, Shawn Frady and I take our best educated guesses as to what destination events might look like. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

In this episode, we discuss from a 35,000 foot view what the landscape will look like in the COVID aftermath. It's my belief that your story and ability to pivot will be crucial to not just success but survival! Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

In this episode, I interview a good friend and colleague in the event space, Gurminder Banga. Generally speaking, most creative entrepreneurs focus on two things - general business and their skill-set. However, for those that seem to be the change makers, there's much more depth that we should be exploring. Enjoy this conversation. Have a topic you want covered? Drop me a DM at @thetraveldjblend. Has this podcast helped you? Share your thoughts by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast App. DJs: Interested in Heavy Hits Music Pool? Go to heavyhits.com For my podcast listeners only, enter promo code: BRIANB - it gets you a 30 day trial for $5. Try it now.

In this episode, I interview Chicago's DJ Megan Taylor from Fig Media. She's one of the most in-demand corporate event DJs in the US. Beyond her DJ skills, she is a sales assassin. She spills the tea on some selling tips, talks about the corporate event hustle, and we go through a few tracks together. Want a topic covered? DM me at @thetraveldjblend. Like this podcast? Leave a review on the Apple Podcast app.

This is a crazy thing we're going through right now. Luckily, I've been in a somewhat similar situation not just once but TWICE!!! It's no fun but in this episode, I share with you some things I learned through them that have made going through the Coronavirus a little easier to handle. Have a topic you want covered? DM me on Instagram at @thetraveldjblend. Like what you hear? Leave a review on the Apple podcast app.