The Prodigal Joe: Following Jesus With Authenticity, Christian Hip Hop and Faith | The Rooted in Christ Podcast Ep. 210

[2 Speakers Detected] [Total Utterances: 148]

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[0:00 -> 0:14] Speaker 1: when you realize that life is really bigger than you, you know, like, it's such a weird place. Like you said, it's a weird balance because it's like everything matters and nothing matters all at the same time, you know what I'm saying?

[0:14 -> 0:15] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[0:15 -> 0:41] Speaker 1: But when you realize that it's like, yo, God could really do so much with my yes, do so much with this much faith, like he says, a mustard seed size faith can move mountains is because ultimately it comes down to what he decides to do, what he wants to do. And as long as you're willing to do that, you could do the smallest thing in the whole world and it'd be the biggest thing ever, just because that's how God wants it.

[0:41 -> 1:04] Speaker 2: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Rooted in Christ podcast. With me on the show today, man, I'm excited about this because the turnaround time of this episode was quick. My brother in Christ, the Prodigal Joe, brother, welcome to the podcast. Jose Fontanez, my brother, welcome, welcome, welcome.

[1:04 -> 1:07] Speaker 1: Thank you for having me, bro. For sure, bro.

[1:07 -> 1:35] Speaker 2: Thank you for your, for your yes. Like, by the time this airs, you know, the Elevation, um, project, Elevation Conference, and the plug would have been, you know, months ago, but we You know, for us, we just recently met, we connected, you know, I gave you some tips with your jab. In fact, you know, that's, that's how God uses it. Yo, I saw you and KB sparring outside. I said, let me, let me, let me watch this video a little bit closer.

[1:35 -> 1:39] Speaker 1: He said, let me make sure his ribs is okay, bro. Snatched, snatched me, man.

[1:39 -> 2:09] Speaker 2: Got me. Bro, thank you again. I know I said it already, but I really appreciate you even taking the time to, to be on here. I know that you got a lot going on. Um, you're currently in Boston, you're getting ready to move down, down to Miami. But before we get into like everything you got, you got going on, I want to give the audience just a chance to, to get to know you. So for those who maybe now hearing your music for the first time, or maybe just getting to know you here, you know, tell us more about, um, your walk with the Lord and how you came to know Jesus.

[2:09 -> 2:25] Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely. Um, first and foremost, bro, like I said, I appreciate the invitation. Uh, thank you for inviting me onto your platform, and thank you for all the jab advice and the fighting advice, you know what I'm saying? Just know, he— you heard it from Eric first, man. That jab is crazy now, you know what I mean?

[2:26 -> 2:37] Speaker 2: So— Bro, I told you, I learned to fight southpaw so my jab hurts now. That was the whole reason I learned it, and to mess with people. Just anything I can do to take an advantage, I'm going to take it in a fight. Yeah, absolutely.

[2:37 -> 3:04] Speaker 1: Yeah, for sure, for sure. But, uh, yeah, man, a little bit about me. Um, I'm actually a pastor's kid, you know, so shout out to the pastor kids out there. Uh, born and raised in the gospel. Um, I'm 28 years old. I'm, uh, I'm from Worcester, Massachusetts. If you don't know where Worcester is, it's basically Boston. Um, I'm Puerto Rican. And yeah, I, I don't feel like I was really born again though until like 20—

[3:04 -> 3:04] Speaker 2: 20?

[3:05 -> 3:07] Speaker 1: I would say like 2016, 2017.

[3:07 -> 3:08] Speaker 2: Okay.

[3:08 -> 5:21] Speaker 1: And the reason why I say that is because I grew up Pentecostal, like very religious, traditional, and I didn't really feel like I was indoctrinated though, you know what I'm saying. Like I was born in the church and things like that, but my parents, they started off being very Pentecostal and then the Lord started to work in their theology, you you know, in their hearts, and they started to transition. Now we're like non-denominational. But, um, I felt like I was too young at that time to like really understand everything that was going on. So, um, I just understood that my parents are pastors, and I knew that, uh, if you didn't believe in Jesus, you were going to go to hell. Like, that was like my theology, you know. So because I grew up in church, I feel like I had a pretty sheltered lifestyle, you know what I'm saying? Like Parents were super strict. So no, you can't sleep over there. No, you can't go to the movies. No, you can't play basketball today. We have church. You know what I'm saying? So yeah, I grew up, I grew up at home. And so it wasn't really till high school where I really started to like rebel per se, you know what I'm saying? Where now I'm hanging around with certain kids, um, and just being influenced differently, you know what I'm saying? Because I lived such a sheltered life. I just was curious, you know, and so I didn't really feel like a sinner until like high school really, you know what I'm saying, where I started to make some pretty bad decisions and then after high school, just like summarizing as much as I could, after high school I went to Christian college. So it was like a— it was more like a program and I majored in youth leadership. It was like a 9-month course but we did systematic theology. I learned, you know, uh, doctrine and all these things, uh, church history, you know. So that's when I feel like my eyes were really open because now it's like, oh, like I believed in Jesus but like I never understood how much I needed the gospel, you know what I'm saying. Like I'm also a sinner even though I, I don't feel like my upbringing was as bad as this person. Like I need Jesus as much as this person needs Jesus, you know what I'm saying. So That's when I really felt like I actually had a real relationship with Jesus, and it's been up since then.

[5:21 -> 5:54] Speaker 2: Do you think, like, would you say now, like, looking back, like, more of your faith, you felt like it was more religious works? Or do you think, like, it was more so my parents and I was kind of going through the motions? Like, how, for somebody listening, like, how would you describe that? Because I think so often we make the mistake of saying, like, oh, this person's a powerful testimony, this person's a powerful testimony. Every testimony has power. Right. And it can speak to whoever God needs it and wants it to speak to. So, you know, who better than you to share that with somebody today?

[5:54 -> 6:54] Speaker 1: Absolutely. I always feel like I definitely, I never was forced to be in church, you know what I'm saying? So it wasn't like my parents were so strict and it was like, oh, you gotta be here. Like, you know what I'm saying? But definitely I would say like, I don't wanna sit here and say it wasn't real. I definitely had fear of God. I just didn't have that understanding of how personal God was, you know what I'm saying, and how important like your personal relationship with Jesus is, you know what I'm saying. So I felt like a lot of things that I did was just out of normal or religious, you know, like Sundays, like going to church on Sundays is non-negotiable, like, you know what I'm saying, there's Bibles, that's what I'm doing, you know what I'm saying. So it definitely didn't feel as personal until like God really revealed himself to me. And that's when I felt like, oh, like now I feel like this is really taking place in my heart. You know what I'm saying? Like now I, it was like a desire change, you know, if that makes any sense.

[6:54 -> 7:31] Speaker 2: Bro, that makes a lot of sense. Like for real, like bro, that is honestly one of my, even now, like even one of my consistent prayers, like Lord, the things that I'm desiring that are not of you, remove, like, remove the desire. I pray it loses his taste. I pray it loses enjoyment. And sometimes we talk about like, it's always drugs, alcohol, whatever, lust, pornography. It could be Netflix, it could be laziness, it could be overworking, bro. It could be like, like I could, heck, serving in the kingdom could end up becoming an idol. You know what I mean? If you're putting the, the gifts before the, the giver, you know what I'm saying?

[7:31 -> 7:31] Speaker 1: Mm-hmm.

[7:31 -> 7:43] Speaker 2: So like, no, I, I, I pray that, man, search my heart, know me, know any of my ways that are offensive to you, know my anxious thoughts. Like, I, I need you to know me because I cannot trust my own heart.

[7:43 -> 9:13] Speaker 1: Yeah, that's good. That's, that's exactly what it was. Like, I hit— I hit— after high school, it was kind of like, uh, it was like a pivotal moment because it was like, what am I gonna do for the rest of my life? You know, like, now that I'm outside of high school, I didn't— I didn't have a career path, you know what I'm saying. Like I didn't go to college. So it was like, you know, you're 18 years old, you're young, but it's like that's the time where you want to devote to something, you know what I'm saying. If I want to go to school, I know I'm gonna go to school for 4 to 6 years. Like you want to start early, you know. So I didn't know what I wanted to do. So it was like, shoot, I don't know what I want to do and I want to make sure that if, you know, if Christianity is really the way, like, I want to make sure I know that, you know what I'm saying. I know that and I understand it, and that's why, that's what really pushed me to go to, uh, like ministry school because it was like, let me study. And in ministry school, that's when I started to study other religions, you know what I'm saying, other things. And like I said, that's when like Jesus like really revealed himself to me, and I was just like, man, like now, like you said, the desire changed, you know. Now I want to pursue Jesus and I want to grow this relationship, not just because I know that it's right, but because that's something that is pivotal for me, you know what I'm saying? Like, even though I don't have anything else figured out, like, I have this figured out, you know what I'm saying? I know that if I, you know, if the word is true and it says seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else shall be added unto you, come on, that's what I did, you know what I'm saying? And it's working.

[9:13 -> 9:23] Speaker 2: So I know you said like you didn't really know the path and what you wanted to do. So when did music start to come into the picture and God start revealing that plan and purpose to you?

[9:23 -> 9:39] Speaker 1: Yeah, so that was like pandemic time, 2020. Um, so it's funny because like I said, I went to ministry school and like I grew up in church, so literally everybody's like, yeah, you're gonna be a pastor like your dad, you're gonna be a pastor. And that used to— yo, I used to get hot, bro, because like I love basketball.

[9:39 -> 9:41] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[9:41 -> 10:10] Speaker 1: And I'm like, man, I'm trying to go to the league, I'm trying to be like Brunson, bro. Like, you know what I'm saying? Uh, so I was like, bro, like I'm trying to play basketball. But like I said, having religious parents, Hispanic at that, like both my parents are Puerto Rican, so, uh, yeah, like they, they did not understand how none of that stuff worked. Like I played AAU, I was getting scouted, bro. They did not understand how none of that worked. My mom's like, we don't have time for that, we don't have money for that. So it was like, dang, like hoop dreams gone.

[10:10 -> 10:11] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[10:11 -> 12:47] Speaker 1: So other than that, like everybody's like, yeah, you're gonna be a pastor, you're gonna be a pastor like your dad. I'm just like, I don't want to be a pastor. Like, respectfully, like, I did not want to be a pastor. And it's because, like, I wouldn't say church hurt and stuff like that, but it's just, you know, just being involved in ministry my whole life, I was like, I do not want to do this, bro. Like, seeing what my parents go through, I was like, nah. Um, but at the same time, like, you know, I was immature, young, and obviously I'm not opposed to it now. If that's the Lord's will for my life, it is what it is. But Yeah, so I'm literally going to ministry school to be like a youth pastor, and then I finally get the youth ministry, and then pandemic, everything shuts down. So it's like, man, I did all this schooling, I was so ready to like take this on, and I finally accepted it for it to be shut down. And I've always grew up in music, like I literally have videos of me as a kid like singing to like kindergarten class. My dad would come to school with his guitar and like I'd be singing to my classmates, um, talent shows, things like that. I sang in church. So like music was so normal in my family. My parents actually, like before they got married, they used to travel together and worship and sing together. And so like it's just like in my blood, you know what I mean? So music was always one of those things that came easy, but I didn't want to pursue it because it was just so common. You know, like, and my cousins, like, they all play instruments and things like that. They was already pursuing, like, their artistry and things. So I was like, I don't want to be like nobody else, you know. So when the pandemic came, um, I was taking another leadership course, and the person that was teaching, he said, like, usually your purpose is tied to the gifts that God gives you, you know, like the things that come naturally to you. Those are the gifts that God gives you. Like, you'd be kind of foolish to, like, not use them, you know? So I was like, okay, started doing some like, you know, deep search. And I was like, all right, I like music. I don't want to perform. I'll be a producer. And so with my pandemic money, shout out to, you know what I'm saying? Shout out to bro. I got stimulated. And then with my pandemic money, bro, I bought a whole studio. Like I started buying, I bought my laptop, I bought my DAW, I bought my plugins, bro. I spent everything. You know what I'm saying? And I started producing, bro. So for 2020 to 2022, I was just making beats, making beats, making beats. And then finally when the— what's that called? Like when we finally could go outside again.

[12:47 -> 12:48] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[12:48 -> 15:28] Speaker 1: I started to hit the studios up and my uncle, who's— he's actually a music engineer. He's been a music engineer like his whole life. And so Yeah, like I started going to his studio. I started meeting with other artists and just being a producer. But like, I didn't have so much success with that, you know? Like I had so many beats and a lot of people, like they was coming to the studios, but they didn't want to buy beats. They just wanted to use YouTube beats. So it was just like, I have all these beats for no reason. And so one day just being at the studio, my boys was like, yo, get in it. Like get in the booth. Like we was waiting for some artists to pull up. And I just started freestyling. And ever since then, they was like, yo, what are you doing? Like, why aren't you dropping music? And I was like, I don't know. And it was history, you know. I started, I started writing music, and that's when I really fell in love with like music for real. Because, uh, I know I'm ranting right now, but, uh— No, you good, bro. I've always had a hard time communicating, like, you know what I'm saying, growing up, uh, seeing things that I didn't understand, like within the church. you know, like people leaving. And like I said, I've seen my parents, you know, go through a lot when it came to ministry and just like their personal lives. Like, I didn't feel like I knew how to communicate, you know what I'm saying. So a lot of pain that I would receive just watching my parents be hurt and, you know what I'm saying, and all these things, like, I didn't know how to communicate my emotions. I didn't know how to communicate what I was feeling. And at the same time, like, the devil would put in my head, like, you know, your opinion doesn't matter. You know what I'm saying? The way you feel doesn't matter. You just, you just have to do. And so, um, music actually became like a really powerful tool for me, you know what I'm saying? Even praying. Like, I had a hard time praying as a believer still to this day, and it's because I had a hard time just talking, you know what I'm saying? Like, uh, journaling was always easier for me than talking, you know? And so When I found like songwriting, like when I seen that, I was like, yo, I love writing. Because like I felt like I was just able to express myself. Even if the story's not real, whatever the case may be, like just being able to create a world, to be able to create a song, to create like a character that expresses themselves a certain way, like that to me was like me vicariously living through those people that I was creating and being able to voice what I had to say, you know? I'm saying? So yeah, that's when I took me— that's when I was like, yeah, nah, this is something I want to do forever. Like, because I understood the responsibility too, you know what I'm saying, that music has. And it made me feel free. I was making art that I loved, and I was seeing how I was impacting other people, and it was just a win, you know what I mean?

[15:28 -> 15:33] Speaker 2: It, you know, the, the pandemic time, obviously 2020 hits, we all know what happened.

[15:33 -> 15:33] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[15:33 -> 15:54] Speaker 2: And that was a hard time for a lot of people, and honestly, I know that is an understatement, but for the sake of time, we're just, we're parking it there. You know, I understand like a lot of, a lot went, a lot went like crazy in the world. Like it was, it was a hard time for a lot of people, but so many people on the other side of this have come on this show to talk about the things that got birthed during that season.

[15:54 -> 15:54] Speaker 1: That's right.

[15:54 -> 16:01] Speaker 2: That's something me and you didn't even talk about. This, the, the whole nonprofit that I'm doing, this podcast, that's when all this stuff started getting set up was in 2020.

[16:01 -> 16:02] Speaker 1: Wow.

[16:02 -> 16:49] Speaker 2: Which is crazy. I also took some of my stimulus money and bought some of this equipment, which is crazy that you just said that. I'm like, I'm like, I'm gonna take this money and put it to, to, to use. Now, whether I should have done that or not, I don't know, but it just seemed like a wise thing to do at the time with the money. Yeah. Like this just came in. Well, we'll use it in to do something that God had, had told me to do. And I, I love what you said because especially when you were talking about communication and, and prayer, and I'm just reminded, you know, Moses never thought he was good enough. Paul even said, like, I'm not coming with you with eloquent speech and all of these words to get you thinking. You know what I mean? Like, I'm not gonna come to you and just try to intellectually appeal to you this way.

[16:49 -> 16:49] Speaker 1: That's right.

[16:49 -> 17:24] Speaker 2: You know, Jesus is looking at our heart. You know, he's looking at the meaning behind the words and what we're saying. So a lot of times, man, sometimes I shouldn't say a lot of times. There's times that I'm sitting there and I'm talking to God the same way I'm talking to you right now. Yeah, you know, like, and I'm just giving him like the, just the rawness and the realness of, of my heart, you know. And I'm not, I'm not sitting here and I'm not trying to pray these like grandioso prayers so I sound some kind of way. It's like, Lord, I'm really just tired today. Like, I'm really just broken today. I need, I need your presence to get through today. What's the mission and plan for today?

[17:25 -> 17:26] Speaker 1: You know?

[17:26 -> 17:28] Speaker 2: Yeah. So, um, I feel you, man. I felt that.

[17:29 -> 17:56] Speaker 1: Absolutely. It was a crazy time, you know what I'm saying? Like, even thinking back, like, if you didn't process how crazy that time was, it's like, bro, we was in the house for so long. Everything changed after that, really. The whole world, the whole world as we knew it, like, really changed after the pandemic. And yeah, bro, I took my stimulus money, made a studio. I took the other half, tried to flip it, got caught in some pyramid schemes and lost it. You know what I'm saying? But we here. We here today.

[17:58 -> 18:02] Speaker 2: Bro, just call or text me anytime if you need prayer for something. Like, I got you. I promise you I got you.

[18:02 -> 18:07] Speaker 1: I learned. Hey, I learned, bro. Never again.

[18:07 -> 18:13] Speaker 2: I got you. If you ever, you ever just ever need somebody to bounce some idea off of, just call me. You know how to find me.

[18:13 -> 18:14] Speaker 1: I appreciate that, bro.

[18:14 -> 18:15] Speaker 2: You know how to find me, dog.

[18:15 -> 18:19] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[18:19 -> 18:31] Speaker 2: So just in that vein of just like communication, being able to express yourself, like your artist name, you know, The Prodigal Joe. You know, is there a story behind that? Like, how does, you know, does that connect to your faith journey? Like, how did you come up with that?

[18:31 -> 18:51] Speaker 1: Yeah, so I've always been like a real big dreamer, like growing up. And I like, I'm literally the black sheep of my family. And I say this is because my, my, my folks are like light-skinned. And, you know, I'm a little pale right now because I haven't been, you know, soaking the sun in. But like, I get pretty dark. Like, I get my mom's genes.

[18:51 -> 18:52] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[18:52 -> 19:35] Speaker 1: And so literally as a kid, like, my mom could tell you, like, there was a time where I was looking at my skin, I was looking at them, and I would be crying. And she's like, yo, why are you crying? And I'm like, because I'm not yours. I'm not your color, you know what I'm saying? Like, I don't feel like I belong, you know what I'm saying? So like, as a kid, I feel like the enemy always tried to attack like my identity. And so I've always just felt like a black sheep. Like, I've always questioned a lot of things. I've always like just want to know, you know what I'm saying? So I say all this to say this, like, I've always been a big dreamer. Like, there was nothing I could dream that you couldn't tell me I couldn't do. Like, at one point I wanted to be an astronaut. Like, if I could go to space, I would go to space.

[19:35 -> 19:36] Speaker 2: Hmm.

[19:36 -> 20:04] Speaker 1: And, and so, like, I say this, like, when it comes to the artistry, obviously God's will is, you know, whoever he allows me to be in front of, like, that's what, that's what it's gonna be. And I'm totally content with that. But like, if I'm gonna do something, I want to do it to the best of my ability, you know. I want to, I want to be at the top, you know. Like, I want to be remembered doing this, you know what I'm saying. So the Prodigal Joe— I've always felt like the prodigal son, you know.

[20:04 -> 20:04] Speaker 2: Mmhmm.

[20:04 -> 20:59] Speaker 1: And so because of like, like I said, the decisions I've made in my life just made me carry that guilt and shame where it's like, dang, you know, my parents are this, like, I was supposed to live up to this certain standard. And I know that those things aren't true now, but at the time, that's how I carried myself, you know what I'm saying? When I was in that time of like just bearing all this guilt and shame, like I just felt like this story resonated with me, you know what I'm saying? And so no matter how big the Lord, you know, allows me to be, I want to always just be the prodigal son. Like I always want to be the kid that, you know, you remember that I'm only this because I came back home. You know what I'm saying? So, and at the same time, practical reasons like the prodigal, the producer, like, you know, there's a little implication there. It kind of sounds similar. But, um, that was my mentality towards that. Like, I want, I want people to look at me and see themselves in me.

[20:59 -> 20:59] Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.

[20:59 -> 21:24] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying? Like, I don't want people to look up to me. I want people to see me and say, yo, I'm also a prodigal. You know what I'm saying? Because in essence, we all, we are all prodigals. You know what I'm saying? So whenever you try to say like, oh yo, the Prodigal Joe is this, the Prodigal Joe is that, like, I want you to remember that I'm just a prodigal son just like you. So if I'm able to do this, you can do this too. You know what I'm saying? So I created that name with like a community in mind. Like I want everybody to resonate. If that makes sense. Yeah.

[21:25 -> 21:37] Speaker 2: So that actually leads me to this then, just for anybody who's listening to follow up to that. So then what is your daily walk with Jesus then before we dive into the music then? What does your daily walk with Jesus look like outside of music?

[21:38 -> 22:57] Speaker 1: Yeah. Um, well, I wake up, I do my religious duties, you know, I pray, thank the Lord, uh, for, for another day. I, I aim to get at least an hour of like study time a day, whether I'm reading the Bible. My favorite author is C.S. Lewis, so like I'm, I'm reading a lot of his stuff all the time. Like Mere Christianity is one of my favorite books. Um, right now I'm reading through the Screwtape Letters again. Um, And so that's usually what my day looks like. I wake up, I'm not working right now like every single day, so I do have a lot of free time, but I wake up, thank the Lord, study, and then I have church on Mondays and Sundays. And every other day, like, I'm either just meeting up with the guys, we're doing discipleship, you know, like we'll meet up, do Bible studies and things like that. And yeah, just seeking the Lord in personal time. I feel like that's a big thing for me at least. Like, if you don't know the Lord personally, like, you could go to church, you could do the things, but if you're not spending that alone time with Him, then when are you really— when is He really showing Himself to you? You know what I'm saying? It's secret. And so obviously those things matter, but the way you love other people too, you know, like, you could seek the Lord and be a bad person.

[22:57 -> 22:57] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[22:58 -> 23:14] Speaker 1: And that doesn't, that doesn't mean anything. So, you know, so I try to seek the Lord in private as much as I can, and everything that I learn in private with him, I try to love others and serve them in any capacity that I can. You know what I'm saying? Whether it's church or just doing life, really.

[23:14 -> 23:23] Speaker 2: How have you been able to find that balance between like your private time with God, ministry, and then artistry? Like, how have you been able to find that balance?

[23:24 -> 23:45] Speaker 1: I feel like they kind of bleed into each other, you know, at least for artistry. Like usually when I'm spending time with the Lord, I'm just in my room and that's where my studio is. So like I really just study until I feel content and then— and that's another thing too, like you don't have to study for an hour. It's not about how long you do it, it's the intention.

[23:45 -> 23:46] Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.

[23:46 -> 24:07] Speaker 1: And so when I feel content with what I did, I'll start creating music, you know what I'm saying? Oh, if I work, then I'll go to work. Usually I'll create music at nighttime too. So like, I try to find pockets in the day where I'm able to do the music and not have it interrupt with anything else because I'm also really big on like being present, you know?

[24:07 -> 24:07] Speaker 2: So—

[24:07 -> 25:29] Speaker 1: That's good. Um, yeah. And so I feel like my most inspiring moments— I also don't try to force music. I know to each his own. I know a lot of people will try to do music even when they don't feel like doing it. But to me, I feel like I could be doing something else. You know, like usually when I don't feel inspired, I'll go to the gym or I'll just do something else. I just live life, really. And then I'll catch those moments when I feel inspired and then I'll capitalize on them. So like if I'm doing something and I like, let's say it's like lyrics are coming to me, I'll capitalize on that. I'll write them down or I'll do a voice memo or something. And I'll get back to it, you know what I'm saying? So yeah, I don't want to say like I don't have a structure, or I don't— I don't want to either say like I just go with the wind, because that's not what it is either. But I would say like I just don't force everything, you know? If today I have time to spend like with the Lord in the morning, I'll do it in the morning. If tomorrow I have time to spend with the Lord at night, I'll do it at night. So it's just being flexible. And, and not letting, you know, obstacles in your day like keep you stuck or like, oh dang, my day didn't go well, so I'm not gonna make music, or my day didn't go well, so I'm not gonna spend time with the Lord. It's like, nah, what is today? How do I, how do I be present today? How do I capitalize today? You know what I'm saying? That's, that's usually how my days go.

[25:29 -> 25:56] Speaker 2: Man, there's— no, that's solid because it, it kind of leads me in, into this because you know, there is a lot of— you can— anybody, not just in music, but you can see compromise in any area of, in other industry. So, or any area of someone's life, or any area in their, in their workplace, whatever, whatever that might be. So in music industry that often rewards compromise, how have you been able to stay committed to keeping Christ the center of your message?

[25:56 -> 27:30] Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, those are the non-negotiables, you know what I'm saying? To me, like I said, being present is super important. So if I can't, if I can't authenticity, like, I just feel like maybe just life and therapy. Like, I do have a therapist, shout out my therapist. She's helped me really like become emotionally intelligent. So I feel like being able to process my emotions, know what I need, like know what my soul needs, I feel like that's helped me not compromise things because now it's like if I'm not seeking the Lord, if I'm not truly spending time with him, then what am I gonna— what am I doing? You know what I'm saying? I can make songs all day, but what is that— what is that gonna mean if I'm not making something that he's gonna use? You know what I'm saying? Like, then it's just a song. And because I want to do music at a high level, I don't want to make just songs. I want to make music that's going to impact people. And so I know my source. My source is Jesus. So if I'm not spending time with him, how am I going to get that? That's just not realistic. You know what I'm saying? And the same thing with, with life and family. Like, you could be so goal-oriented, you could be so driven, and then miss out on the daily blessings that you have right in front of you. And to me, time is the most important, and family, you know what I'm saying? So that's why I'm horrible. I'm, I'm the worst to— like, excuse me, I'm the worst to get in touch with, like, when it comes to social media, posting content. Like, I'm the worst. Because like, to me, if there's a moment where I could sit down and have a conversation with somebody, I'm gonna do that 100%.

[27:30 -> 27:30] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[27:30 -> 27:51] Speaker 1: Like, you know what I'm saying? I'm not on my phone, and I'm trying to be better, you know? But yeah, just those are the non-negotiables for me. Like, if I'm with somebody doing life, like, I, I want to be intentional with my time. And so I'm not gonna waste it on an opportunity or, or, you know what I'm saying, just doing nonsense because All we have is time, really.

[27:51 -> 28:30] Speaker 2: Bro, I, I'm big on, on living life by— for memories and moments and, and time. Like, that's what— that's the main— that's one of the top reasons drew me out to, to Boston, you know what I mean? Like, like, sometimes I look at things and people question, like, how do you know? I said, one, this is where the prayer piece comes in. I am not okay with this moment in time passing me by. I'm not okay with it. So I'm gonna do everything I can to be in that moment and be present. I mean, you were at that conference. My phone was not out a lot. I took my phone out to get people's, to get the numbers to, to, so we, everybody could exchange kind of in social media. Like I wanted to be, to be there.

[28:30 -> 28:31] Speaker 1: Mm-hmm.

[28:31 -> 29:11] Speaker 2: Especially in my role of now booking for Christian hip hop and R&B artists of, of doing management and, and, and obviously promoting shows. I always want to sometimes, whenever I can be in that quote unquote consumer seat, be in the person who bought that ticket seat to, to understand like how do we create an experience for this person. I don't wanna miss those moments because generations change. You know what I'm saying? Like fan bases change, like needs and wants can change. And I don't wanna, I don't wanna miss like, oh man, when they come to Cleveland, we already gotta put our spin on it. Let's make sure we're, we are doing this unto God and making sure we are not missing anything because we're standing here with our phones out instead of just actually being present in the moment.

[29:11 -> 29:33] Speaker 1: Yeah. And, and it's funny because like, I remember when Instagram first started, like Snapchat, all these things. it was so normal, like, to take pictures of everything because that was just like, oh, like, this is a new platform, I want to upload it, you know what I'm saying? And I remember very early on, like, taking pictures of everything, of everything and everything. But then I'd go home and I'd be like, yo, I don't really remember that day.

[29:33 -> 29:34] Speaker 2: Mm.

[29:34 -> 30:04] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying? And I remember it only because of the memories that I have through pictures. But even then it didn't, like, do justice. Like, I was there and I don't remember that. And that was like a switch in my head where it's like, I want to live this moment and maybe not have no pictures of it, but I— it's rich in my heart though, you know what I'm saying? It's rich in my mind and my memory. And that to me was like a, like a one-and-done thing where it's like, now from this moment forward, if I'm somewhere, if I'm at a game, if I'm— I want to live that moment, you know what I'm saying? So for sure.

[30:04 -> 30:24] Speaker 2: I think when my grandmother passed away in 2010, that's when I started taking more, more photos because— and my wife and I were talking about this recently— like, I really do live life for those moments and for memories. And it's like, let's— so right after we— right after I met my wife and I'm taking a tour of Red Sox Stadium, you know, and I said, let's, let's take these photos.

[30:24 -> 30:25] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[30:25 -> 30:47] Speaker 2: You know what I didn't know was like, they, you know, they say, hey, we took these photos, but if you want to buy them, you can. I said, forget it, we may never— we might, if God willing, we get back to Boston next year, we might not have time to do this. So we bought the photos. Didn't know it, it was like 8 to 10 different pictures that they had, that they had took. And I'm like, these are good memories. I'm glad we were present in the moment. You know what I mean? Yeah.

[30:47 -> 30:48] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[30:48 -> 31:13] Speaker 2: I love that, bro. You know, so, but to your point, bro, I've actually started, I sat down, um, this past weekend, I literally scheduled out my content because I, I'm horrible at sitting there and just wanting to post. I'm terrible at it. I've just took the time to schedule it out and it, it is actually in the long run, it's saving me time. throughout the week. It's, it's helped me. It's helped me so much that it's just auto-posting now because I'm, I'm not good at it.

[31:13 -> 31:31] Speaker 1: Nah, nah, for real. And shout out, you know, shout out to the Elevation Project and Mike Mack. Like, uh, they definitely provided like a plan or a blueprint, I would say, to make content easier because I'm the worst at that, bro. Like, I don't want to set my phone up anywhere. I don't want to do— I'd rather make the music.

[31:31 -> 31:31] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[31:32 -> 32:01] Speaker 1: So, you know, but at the same time We're living in a day and age where it's like, it's a real blessing to be able to post your stuff and there's no middleman. Like, I could pop up on anybody's feed at any given moment if I just post, you know? So it's tedious, but it's about like, like you said, having a plan, a strategy. You could just make all the content out in one day, plan it, and have it drop whenever it drops, like scheduled, you know what I'm saying? So. That's a big gem, bro, for sure.

[32:01 -> 32:42] Speaker 2: You know, that, that actually, that actually brings me to this because this generation of artists, I would say, has something at their fingertips that previous generations didn't. You know, like you have access to every single statistic imaginable, like your streams, your followers, your, your likes, your comments, your monthly listeners, all of it. Like you know, they, they didn't have that, you know what I mean? Like back in, like even like early on, like, you know, you can go back to, you know, you go back to early on to Lecrae's career, for example. I'll go back to, which really, when you think about it, that really wasn't that long ago. You know, it was and it wasn't, I guess, depending on who you're talking to. You know what I mean?

[32:42 -> 32:42] Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah.

[32:42 -> 33:04] Speaker 2: He might even say it was that long ago. I don't know. But they didn't have all that at their, at their fingertips. So how do you keep your identity rooted in Christ instead of getting caught up in those numbers and are getting caught up in the fact I have to post or I'm, you know, I'm gonna have less viewers? Like, how do you not get caught up in that? Because it's literally in front of your face every single minute of the day. Yeah.

[33:05 -> 34:24] Speaker 1: Um, I was— I have a pretty— I think I'm gonna shout out my therapist again. Like I said, uh, just knowing what matters to you, you know, knowing yourself and what matters and, and just being authentic. I think being authentic frees you from a lot of pressures, you know, especially being an artist. Like, I'm not trying to convince you of anything, you know what I'm saying? I'll speak for myself. When I post, when I create, I'm not trying to do this to get something. I do this because I genuinely love doing this, you know what I'm saying? And so because of that, it frees me of a facade. It frees me of performance, like performance and doing all these things because I genuinely do not care. You know what I'm saying? Like, what you see 100% is what you get. Like, I don't act a certain way on social media. Like, what you see is literally who I am and I don't pretend to be something that I'm not. So with that type of like resolve, it frees you from everything because it's like, oh, you don't have these numbers? Who cares? I don't want those numbers. You know what I'm saying? Like, obviously we do things to do it at a great scale, you know? Like, I don't want to sound like I'm contradicting myself because—

[34:24 -> 34:25] Speaker 2: No, I know what you mean.

[34:25 -> 34:54] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying? I did say like I do want to do this at a high level, but I'm not doing this for the high level, you know what I'm saying? I believe that my art and the work that I put in can be at that high level, but I'm not doing it for that, you know what I'm saying? Like, I just, I do things from a real genuine place. And so I feel like, you know, any artist or anybody pursuing anything, if you're doing something and you know why you're doing it, all those, all those other factors shouldn't throw you off course, you know what I'm saying?

[34:54 -> 35:03] Speaker 2: If I'm doing it with excellence and I'm doing it unto the Lord and I'm being obedient, that's the, that's the priority.

[35:03 -> 35:04] Speaker 1: You're winning. You're already winning.

[35:04 -> 35:28] Speaker 2: That's, that's it. And the, the results are up to him. He didn't— he never said the Rooted in Christ podcast was going to reach hundreds of millions of people. He told me to do the podcast, so I have to do that podcast whether I have 1 view on YouTube that month or whether I have 2,000 views on that video in YouTube that month. And that's just, that's just the reality, you know what I mean?

[35:28 -> 35:29] Speaker 1: Like, sure.

[35:29 -> 35:51] Speaker 2: I can't, I can't really, because it's, it's such a slippery slope. It is such a slippery slope because as soon as you get online, man, you see people going viral for the dumbest stuff. You see people going viral for the lamest stuff, and then you're like, I'm giving you something life-giving here with this podcast. Like, we have people coming on here literally trying to help you not go the route we went, or this is what we did to avoid the route that other people went.

[35:51 -> 35:51] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[35:51 -> 36:11] Speaker 2: This is what we did to get on this journey. These are things that God has taught me. And then, you know, 3 likes, and then you see somebody doing some new dance or eating a cheeseburger, and it's like 1.4 million views, and they just got paid. Like, you know what I mean? Like, you, you have to check your heart when you're doing stuff like this daily to make sure, like, Lord, Don't let those things creep in on me, you know?

[36:11 -> 37:21] Speaker 1: Exactly. Exactly. And I agree 100%, you know, like, and you, like I said, it comes down to your resolve. Why are you doing what you're doing? You know, like, are you, are you doing this to be, to feel successful? You know what I'm saying? Like, and if, and if that's what you're doing, then you're never gonna find that, you're never gonna find that, that, uh, place, you know? Because what is success? You know what I'm saying? You, you say, well, my goal is $100,000. Okay, you get $100,000. Now what? you're not gonna feel satisfied. You're gonna go for another $100,000, you know what I'm saying? Now you can go for a million. And it's like, it's just a never-ending climb, you know? So I think like, like you said, finding that resolve now is, is what's gonna drive you to those numbers so that when you get to them, it's like, I've been, I've been fulfilled this whole time. I've been satisfied this whole time. You know what I'm saying? I don't care if I never pack out an arena. I've had people tell me, yo, your song is like, it keeps me going. I listen to it every day. That to me is like, yo, I'm winning, bro, you know what I'm saying? Like, because that's the purpose why I wanted to even create music, was for that, you know? So the fact that I'm getting that, if I get that at a larger scale, cool, you know what I'm saying? But I already feel good. I'm good, bro.

[37:21 -> 37:41] Speaker 2: It's crazy, you took the words out of my— if I'm not satisfied in Christ, if I'm not being fulfilled in Christ, I'm not finding my contentment in Christ, if I'm not face down, broken before the Father, if I'm not raising my hands joyfully, if he's not enough for me, nothing is gonna be. It's— you're gonna stay in the rat race, even in the Christian space.

[37:41 -> 37:41] Speaker 1: Mm-hmm.

[37:41 -> 37:51] Speaker 2: So if I'm not being fulfilled by Christ, if I'm not being satisfied by him, if I'm not seeking him, if he is not the, the sole center of it, nothing is gonna satisfy me.

[37:51 -> 37:51] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[37:51 -> 37:55] Speaker 2: I'm just gonna keep— I'm, I'm just gonna be chasing things over here, just like I was before I got saved.

[37:56 -> 38:12] Speaker 1: And I feel like that's, bro, that's scarier than like just serving the world. I feel like you doing something thinking that this is gonna make God happy, you know what I'm saying? Or doing something for God when it's like he doesn't need you to do any of that.

[38:12 -> 38:12] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[38:12 -> 38:37] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying? Everything he did was on the cross for you, you know what I'm saying? Everything he did was fulfilled in Jesus. So if you can't find that satisfaction now thinking that there's something more It's like you're better off just serving the world because now you're doing all these things for God, and then you're gonna get to God and God's gonna be like, I never knew you. That's scarier. I feel like that's, that's worse, bro.

[38:37 -> 38:50] Speaker 2: The, the part for me, I never knew you, that verse freaks me out. The you reap what you sow, that verse always scares me. Like, those, those two are always in the back and front of my head. Like, yeah. Check yourself today. Check yourself.

[38:50 -> 38:51] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying?

[38:51 -> 38:51] Speaker 2: Like, every day.

[38:51 -> 39:22] Speaker 1: Imagine living— okay, so like, this is why I say it's better for you to just serve the world, because it's like you get to the end and you know why you deserve the end, you know what I'm saying? But imagine living a lie the whole time, to be, to be like caught off guard, like, oh wait, I thought this whole time I was good. Like, that's, that's scary. That's literally the equivalent of like you going to a restaurant you go to pay the bill and then they, you know what I'm saying, they'd be like, yo, your card declined. That feeling sucks. You're like, what do you mean? I have money on that card.

[39:22 -> 39:22] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[39:22 -> 40:28] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying, like, yeah, that's crazy. So it's like, I refuse to live in service to God, do all these things for the Lord, and then to get hit with that news like, yeah, I never knew you. Like, nah, if everything I'm gonna do, I want it to be real, I want it to be genuine, and I want it to come from a real place. Because like I said, or like you were saying, whatever that result looks like is up to the Lord, bro. Like, it's like that Bible passage that, that's coming to memory now. It's like, you know, some plant, some water, but the Lord is the one that reaps the harvest, you know. And so we in this, we in this for the souls at the end of the day, you know. Music is just a tool. Music is literally just a tool to connect to people's hearts, you know. And so when I can, when I make that connection to your heart, what's the goal? Is the goal just the connection? No, the goal is to lead you to, to God, you know what I'm saying? And so if that's not happening, no success, no nothing, all that stuff doesn't even matter, bro. Like, we not here forever. No, you know, right?

[40:29 -> 41:01] Speaker 2: And I told— me and my wife talking about this too recently. I said, right now— and I told my head pastors, like, I'm focused on my legacy. That's what it's— that's what it is. Like, I made a lot of mistakes. I'm focused on moving forward in the here and the now and being a better version of, of myself, obviously through Jesus and following what he is saying. I know how, how basic and so cliché that sounds, but I've discovered the more and more I'm diving into theology, the more and more I'm studying the systematic theology, the more and more I'm doing these passage and these word studies, the more and more I'm learning and the more and more wisdom I'm gaining.

[41:01 -> 41:02] Speaker 1: Mm-hmm.

[41:02 -> 41:22] Speaker 2: the more I realize I don't know anything. Yeah, like the more, the more I'm learning, the less I know, you know what I mean? Like, it's so crazy. So for me right now, I'm in a space where I'm just like, I'm, I'm hungry and I'm trying to stay— keep the main thing the main thing and keep that legacy mindset of this is what we're gonna leave behind.

[41:22 -> 41:23] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[41:23 -> 41:25] Speaker 2: But realize we're turning back to dust.

[41:25 -> 41:26] Speaker 1: Yeah.

[41:26 -> 41:31] Speaker 2: You know, so but just hopefully we leave— hopefully we're leaving a greater impact for Christ than when we started.

[41:31 -> 41:32] Speaker 1: Exactly.

[41:32 -> 41:33] Speaker 2: That's where I'm at.

[41:33 -> 42:24] Speaker 1: And bro, that's— you're gonna see the fruit of that if you haven't already seen it, you know what I'm saying? You're gonna continue to see it, bro, because when you realize that life is really bigger than you, you know, like, it's, it's such a weird place. Like you said, it's a weird balance because it's like everything matters and nothing matters all at the same time, you know what I'm saying? But when you realize that it's like, yo, God could really do so much with my yes, do so much with, with this much faith. Like he says, a mustard seed-sized faith can move mountains. It's because ultimately it comes down to what he decides to do, what he wants to do. And as long as you're willing to do that, you could do the smallest thing in the whole world and it'd be the biggest thing ever, just because that's how God wanted it, right?

[42:24 -> 42:26] Speaker 2: Right.

[42:26 -> 43:02] Speaker 1: And I'm content with that, you know what I'm saying? So if I know the smallest thing for me to do as an artist is to do my best, I'm gonna do my best 100%. And whatever happens after that is up to God, and I'm content. I'm gonna go into the ground fulfilled because the whole time I did what he told me to do. I did it to the best of my ability, and I didn't let nothing stop me, nothing distract me, nothing. Like, I did my absolute best. And whatever happens after that is good because now we're gonna all be in heaven. We're gonna come back and be like, it was all worth it. You know what I'm saying? Come on, bro.

[43:02 -> 43:18] Speaker 2: We should have ended it right there. That, that was— that should have been a Let 'Em Know segment right there. Yo, we should just let it ride right there. But this is not the Let 'Em Know segment. It's the final segment of the podcast, bro. Thank you for being on here, man. It's gonna be the first time of many. Um, you know, I'm praying like for like we— me and you keep in touch, you know?

[43:18 -> 43:19] Speaker 1: So absolutely.

[43:19 -> 43:25] Speaker 2: anything you want to share, um, that God might have on your heart, where they can find your music, whatever you want to share, bro, let them know.

[43:25 -> 43:51] Speaker 1: Yeah, um, well, you can find me on every platform at The Prodigal Joe. Um, that's also my social media handles, so you could, you could follow if you, if you want to. Um, definitely, uh, stay tuned. I do have a lot of music dropping. Um, and anything that I would like to share, honestly Man, I would say don't waste your time.

[43:51 -> 43:52] Speaker 2: Come on.

[43:52 -> 45:42] Speaker 1: You know, don't waste your time doing what you think you should be doing. Like, if you are at a place right now in your life that you don't know what you're supposed to be doing, seek God. Like, he will reveal it to you. Like, God loves you so much that even, even if you're not sure of like what you're doing or where you're going, God is there with you, you know what I'm saying? So don't ever feel like, you know, you're at this midlife crisis where God isn't there. Like, God is there. And so as long as you put him first and you seek him, don't waste time doing what you think you should be doing. Like, spend all of your time doing what you should— what you know you should be doing, you know what I'm saying? And so that, you know, they say the gospel is loving God and loving loving people, you know what I'm saying? So if you, if you don't know where to start, start there, you know what I'm saying? Find out how you should love God and what that relationship means to you and how you could translate, translate that into loving people. And I promise you, if you do those 2 things, you can only reap good benefits from that. You love people well, that's gonna— that's a good networking tool right there. You don't have to have a crazy product, you don't have to be successful in anything. if you're just a genuine human being, God will place favor on you and he will put you in rooms that you'd be like, yo, I, I don't even know I'm here. And I feel like that's been my whole life, bro, you know what I'm saying? And, and I'm not perfect, bro. Like, like you said, you've done a lot of things where you feel like, dang, you reap what you sow. That's always gonna be back in my head. Like, we're all learning, you know what I'm saying? So I'm not the most perfect human being. I'm not the model, bro. Like— All I could tell you is be you. And when I say be you, that, that means like don't try to hide nothing, you know. And so I know I'm going off on a rant, but—

[45:42 -> 45:43] Speaker 2: Nah, bro, it's good.

[45:43 -> 46:08] Speaker 1: God knows exactly who you are. Even when you put up eloquent speech and you try to pray a certain way, God already knows what you want to say. He hears your heart, you know what I'm saying? Like, he hears and sees your heart. So save yourself the time of lying to God, thinking you're about to fool him, and get rid of that mask of like, this is what I want people to see. No, just be you.

[46:08 -> 46:09] Speaker 2: Yeah.

[46:09 -> 46:31] Speaker 1: Be you and show the true story, because when God intervenes and God takes you for who you was and, and remodels you, because he's the potter, you feel me, like we're just clay in his hands, he's gonna reshape you to whatever purpose he needs you, and that's way more valuable Uh, and way more beneficial than anything you could conjure, anything you could plan, anything you could waste your time doing.

[46:31 -> 46:31] Speaker 2: That's good.

[46:31 -> 46:48] Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying? So my biggest piece of advice is don't waste your time. Seek him and, and watch how he takes your life and makes it something beautiful, where not only is it beautiful to you, but it's beautiful to everybody around you. And that way you could leave something in this earth that is going to resemble him.

[46:48 -> 46:52] Speaker 2: Amen, brother. Amen. Can you pray us out before we get out of here?

[46:52 -> 48:06] Speaker 1: Absolutely. Let's get it. So Father God, Lord, we thank you. We thank you for this day. God, I thank you for my brother Eric and the platform that you have birthed through him, God. But I pray that this, uh, episode— and I pray for every episode after this— that it may bless those who are watching, listening, um, and just doing life, God. And so Lord, I just want to pray for those people listening, God. I pray that you encounter them in a special way. that they know that it's you, Lord. I pray that you speak to them on their way to work, on their way to church, or wherever they find themselves to be right now, Lord. But I pray that you touch their hearts, God, that you open their hearts and their mind, and that you just reveal to them your plans for them, God. And they could— that they could have the smallest faith in the world to trust you, uh, so that, that they could see that you are good and that you are faithful to your word and everything that you, that you do in our lives, God. And so we thank you We give you praise, we give you glory. And I pray for my brother Eric. I pray that you continue to bless him, Lord. I pray you continue to bless his, his marriage, God, that he can continue to make memories, God, and capture them, uh, so they can live a nice rich life. And I want to be like him when I grow up, you know what I'm saying? But God, Lord, I just thank you, uh, and we bless you. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, amen.

[48:06 -> 48:41] Speaker 2: And Father, I just thank you for this time right now, Lord. Lord, I thank you for my brother, Lord. I pray that you just continue to give him wisdom. I pray you continue to give him the grace to be obedient to the call you have have over his life, Lord. Father, I thank you that you are even now expanding his territory, Father. I thank you that you are even now opening up doors for him that no man can close, Lord. But I thank you for the doors you're closing that no man can open. So I pray that he continues to allow you to lead and guide his steps, Father. He doesn't try to move ahead of you. So I thank you for his heart posture. I thank you for his growth, his maturity, and the influence and impact he's having on so many, whether seen or unseen, known or unknown, Father.

[48:41 -> 48:42] Speaker 1: Yes.

[48:42 -> 49:03] Speaker 2: And Lord, for those people at the sound of my voice, Lord, I pray that they know that they're not too far gone. I pray that they know that they can just turn and come back to you, that they are not too addicted, they are not too, too, too lost, that they are, are not a mistake, Lord, that you don't make mistakes, Father. So I just pray healing over the people of the sound of my voice now, Lord. We just thank you for these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

[49:03 -> 49:04] Speaker 1: Amen.

[49:05 -> 49:27] Speaker 2: If you have been enjoying our content, please like, follow, share, subscribe to the Rooted in Christ Podcast. We are on all major podcast platforms. Listen, November 7th, the House of Blues in Cleveland is going down to One Way. We got KB, We have Brenno. Look, we have Taylor Wells. Portia Love's gonna be there. We got a few surprise artists. You never know who's gonna show up at Beyond the Walls. November 7th. Get your tickets now. They are going fast. Brother, we gotta get you back on here.

[49:27 -> 49:30] Speaker 1: Yeah, let me know. I'm free. You know what I'm saying?

[49:30 -> 49:35] Speaker 2: Let's do it. We'll have to wait till you get down to Miami. Do it on the beach. We'll, we'll, we'll take— we'll record on the beach or something.

[49:35 -> 49:40] Speaker 1: Yeah, I'll be at the beach for sure. My God, thank you, bro.

[49:40 -> 49:41] Speaker 2: Anytime, brother. Anytime.