What happens when creative power, marketing wisdom, and startup energy collide? In this episode, Jay sits down with Julie Matzen to explore the journey from agency leadership to startup empowerment. With honesty, laughter, and depth, they unpack the emotional architecture of business: the fear of becoming irrelevant, the power of validation, and the truth that failure isn’t a wall—it’s a lens.The conversation moves from the dangers of letting AI write your ad copy to the Gen X struggle of feeling unseen, all the way to the radical idea that access to wisdom should be affordable. Through shared metaphors, unapologetic insights, and unexpected childhood stories, Julie and Jay remind us that the real power in business—and in life—comes not from polish, but from presence."Don't let AI be your art. The paintbrush doesn't get the credit."Bio: Julie Matzen is the co-founder of Boarderline and founder of the MayDay Agency. With over 25 years in branding and digital strategy for top-tier brands, Julie now focuses on democratizing access to expert advisors for startups and mid-sized businesses. Through Boarderline, she's building a platform that empowers emerging entrepreneurs to gain real insights from the minds that helped build the world's biggest brands.📌 Key Takeaways✨ [00:14:00] – "AI can automate, but it can't validate."🧘 [00:20:00] – Insight without experience is dangerous—it’s just expensive noise.🔥 [00:36:00] – Gen X has the tools. It's time to show younger generations how to use them.🤖 [00:03:00] – AI is a mirror, not a muse.💭 [00:48:00] – Validation isn’t weakness. It’s water for the seed.📚 Chapter Timestamps🚢 [00:00] – Shifts and Ships in Business🧠 [05:00] – The Wisdom of Gen X and the Value of Lenses🪞 [10:00] – AI as Mirror, Not Muse🎭 [15:00] – The Fear of Aging Out💬 [21:00] – Validation, Vulnerability, and Starting Over📉 [30:00] – Marketing That Misses the Point🎯 [38:00] – Emotional Triggers and Human Branding📚 [48:00] – The Value of Experience🌀 [55:00] – Final Metaphors and MessagesCTA for the ShowIf this episode resonated, subscribe, review, and share it to help grow the Tree of Knowledge 🌳We explore the human experience through tragedy and triumph—with laughter, candor, and depth.🌟 Be cool and keep learning. 🌟CTA for the GuestLearn more about Julie Matzen at:https://theboarderline.cohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-matzen-1696aa52Support her mission to make expert advice accessible to small businesses and emerging founders.🚀 Welcome to The Tragedy Academy PodcastDiscover stories of resilience, redemption, and the human spirit.🎧 Podcasting Made Easy: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5📲 Riverside Recording Studio: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD👕 Grab Jay’s Gear: https://bit.ly/431MLD5📘 Bookshop Picks: https://bit.ly/42pPHcv✅ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg📱 Follow UsInstagram: https://instagram.com/tragedyacademystudios.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/tragedyacademystudiosTwitter: https://twitter.com/TragedyacademystudiosTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@tragedyacademystudios💖 Support UsPayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=YMU9L4TBWX6AGBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tragedyacademy
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What happens when creative power, marketing wisdom, and startup energy collide? In this episode, Jay sits down with Julie Matzen to explore the journey from agency leadership to startup empowerment. With honesty, laughter, and depth, they unpack the emotional architecture of business: the fear of becoming irrelevant, the power of validation, and the truth that failure isn’t a wall—it’s a lens.The conversation moves from the dangers of letting AI write your ad copy to the Gen X struggle of feeling unseen, all the way to the radical idea that access to wisdom should be affordable. Through shared metaphors, unapologetic insights, and unexpected childhood stories, Julie and Jay remind us that the real power in business—and in life—comes not from polish, but from presence."Don't let AI be your art. The paintbrush doesn't get the credit."Bio: Julie Matzen is the co-founder of Boarderline and founder of the MayDay Agency. With over 25 years in branding and digital strategy for top-tier brands, Julie now focuses on democratizing access to expert advisors for startups and mid-sized businesses. Through Boarderline, she's building a platform that empowers emerging entrepreneurs to gain real insights from the minds that helped build the world's biggest brands.📌 Key Takeaways✨ [00:14:00] – "AI can automate, but it can't validate."🧘 [00:20:00] – Insight without experience is dangerous—it’s just expensive noise.🔥 [00:36:00] – Gen X has the tools. It's time to show younger generations how to use them.🤖 [00:03:00] – AI is a mirror, not a muse.💭 [00:48:00] – Validation isn’t weakness. It’s water for the seed.📚 Chapter Timestamps🚢 [00:00] – Shifts and Ships in Business🧠 [05:00] – The Wisdom of Gen X and the Value of Lenses🪞 [10:00] – AI as Mirror, Not Muse🎭 [15:00] – The Fear of Aging Out💬 [21:00] – Validation, Vulnerability, and Starting Over📉 [30:00] – Marketing That Misses the Point🎯 [38:00] – Emotional Triggers and Human Branding📚 [48:00] – The Value of Experience🌀 [55:00] – Final Metaphors and MessagesCTA for the ShowIf this episode resonated, subscribe, review, and share it to help grow the Tree of Knowledge 🌳We explore the human experience through tragedy and triumph—with laughter, candor, and depth.🌟 Be cool and keep learning. 🌟CTA for the GuestLearn more about Julie Matzen at:https://theboarderline.cohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-matzen-1696aa52Support her mission to make expert advice accessible to small businesses and emerging founders.🚀 Welcome to The Tragedy Academy PodcastDiscover stories of resilience, redemption, and the human spirit.🎧 Podcasting Made Easy: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5📲 Riverside Recording Studio: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD👕 Grab Jay’s Gear: https://bit.ly/431MLD5📘 Bookshop Picks: https://bit.ly/42pPHcv✅ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg📱 Follow UsInstagram: https://instagram.com/tragedyacademystudios.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/tragedyacademystudiosTwitter: https://twitter.com/TragedyacademystudiosTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@tragedyacademystudios💖 Support UsPayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=YMU9L4TBWX6AGBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tragedyacademy
More Than Words: Jason Heffler on Stuttering and Self-Expression
The Tragedy Academy
1 hour 3 minutes
6 months ago
More Than Words: Jason Heffler on Stuttering and Self-Expression
🎙️ In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, Jay sits down with Jason Heffler—author, EDM journalist, DJ, and passionate advocate for self-acceptance. The conversation dives deep into Jason’s powerful story of growing up with a stutter, and how that challenge became the foundation for his mission to help kids rediscover their confidence and creativity through voice.What does it mean to find your voice when you’ve spent years afraid to use it? Jay and Jason explore the emotional weight of speech disorders, the trauma of bullying, and the healing power of being heard. It’s an honest, layered, and at times emotional conversation about identity, expression, and the beauty found in imperfection.Jason opens up about his children's book Tongue Tied, a heartfelt resource for kids (and parents) facing speech challenges. From there, the dialogue branches into themes of self-worth, creativity, empathy, and even the role of music and AI in self-expression. Jay’s thoughtful questions guide an authentic conversation rooted in growth and vulnerability.Whether you’ve struggled to speak your truth or simply want to better understand how voice shapes identity, this episode offers insight, hope, and inspiration. 💬🎧Key Takeaways: 🧠 [13:31] Jason shares the metaphor of the chameleon and how it shaped his early identity 🎤 [26:00] Music became Jason’s lifeline to self-expression when words fell short 🎶 [34:58] Music is not just an outlet — it’s therapy for unspoken emotions 🤖 [42:13] AI can support creativity and expression, but should never replace the soul 💡 [48:07] Embracing imperfections is the key to lasting confidenceGuest Bio: Jason Heffler is an author, DJ, and Managing Editor at EDM.com, where he’s interviewed some of music’s biggest names with a focus on human-first storytelling. Through his book Tongue Tied and personal advocacy, Jason helps children and adults turn speech challenges into sources of empowerment.If this episode resonates with you—or you know someone still learning to speak their truth—share it. 🙌 Subscribe to The Tragedy Academy Podcast, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, and help us amplify voices that matter.🌀 Be cool. And keep learning. 🐚🎧 Connect with Jason & Learn More: 📘 Tongue Tied — Buy the book 📱 Follow Jason on Instagram and LinkedInFrom silence to sound, shame to strength — Jason Heffler’s journey reminds us that what makes us different is often what makes us powerful.🎙️ The Tragedy Academy Podcast 🚀 Explore stories of redemption and the human spirit—hosted by Jay Hicks with empathy, humor, and a passion for learning.🎧 Podcasting Made Easy: Build your site 🎙️ Upgrade Your Recording: Riverside.FM 👕 Get the Gear: Jay’s T-shirt 📘 Expand Your Mind: Our favorite reads ✅ Subscribe: YouTube Channel📱 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok💖 Support Us: Donate via PayPal | Buy Me a Coffee
The Tragedy Academy
What happens when creative power, marketing wisdom, and startup energy collide? In this episode, Jay sits down with Julie Matzen to explore the journey from agency leadership to startup empowerment. With honesty, laughter, and depth, they unpack the emotional architecture of business: the fear of becoming irrelevant, the power of validation, and the truth that failure isn’t a wall—it’s a lens.The conversation moves from the dangers of letting AI write your ad copy to the Gen X struggle of feeling unseen, all the way to the radical idea that access to wisdom should be affordable. Through shared metaphors, unapologetic insights, and unexpected childhood stories, Julie and Jay remind us that the real power in business—and in life—comes not from polish, but from presence."Don't let AI be your art. The paintbrush doesn't get the credit."Bio: Julie Matzen is the co-founder of Boarderline and founder of the MayDay Agency. With over 25 years in branding and digital strategy for top-tier brands, Julie now focuses on democratizing access to expert advisors for startups and mid-sized businesses. Through Boarderline, she's building a platform that empowers emerging entrepreneurs to gain real insights from the minds that helped build the world's biggest brands.📌 Key Takeaways✨ [00:14:00] – "AI can automate, but it can't validate."🧘 [00:20:00] – Insight without experience is dangerous—it’s just expensive noise.🔥 [00:36:00] – Gen X has the tools. It's time to show younger generations how to use them.🤖 [00:03:00] – AI is a mirror, not a muse.💭 [00:48:00] – Validation isn’t weakness. It’s water for the seed.📚 Chapter Timestamps🚢 [00:00] – Shifts and Ships in Business🧠 [05:00] – The Wisdom of Gen X and the Value of Lenses🪞 [10:00] – AI as Mirror, Not Muse🎭 [15:00] – The Fear of Aging Out💬 [21:00] – Validation, Vulnerability, and Starting Over📉 [30:00] – Marketing That Misses the Point🎯 [38:00] – Emotional Triggers and Human Branding📚 [48:00] – The Value of Experience🌀 [55:00] – Final Metaphors and MessagesCTA for the ShowIf this episode resonated, subscribe, review, and share it to help grow the Tree of Knowledge 🌳We explore the human experience through tragedy and triumph—with laughter, candor, and depth.🌟 Be cool and keep learning. 🌟CTA for the GuestLearn more about Julie Matzen at:https://theboarderline.cohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-matzen-1696aa52Support her mission to make expert advice accessible to small businesses and emerging founders.🚀 Welcome to The Tragedy Academy PodcastDiscover stories of resilience, redemption, and the human spirit.🎧 Podcasting Made Easy: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5📲 Riverside Recording Studio: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD👕 Grab Jay’s Gear: https://bit.ly/431MLD5📘 Bookshop Picks: https://bit.ly/42pPHcv✅ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg📱 Follow UsInstagram: https://instagram.com/tragedyacademystudios.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/tragedyacademystudiosTwitter: https://twitter.com/TragedyacademystudiosTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@tragedyacademystudios💖 Support UsPayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=YMU9L4TBWX6AGBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tragedyacademy
