The SaltyMF GOAT

Indie folk duo Lace and Lee reveal the secret behind their shared songwriting chemistry, how deep sisterhood shapes their sound, why friendship must always come before the band, how to turn burnout into songwriting fuel, and what it takes to break through as an independent artist! Lace and Lee (Olivia Lee Ondrasik and Caroline Lace McPherson) are an emerging indie-folk duo who first connected whil...

Independent southern rock artist Nick Ray reveals the biggest mistakes that stall independent musicians, how to survive the relentless touring grind without burning out, the booking red flags every artist must spot, and how to build a lifelong career on your own terms. Nick Ray is a Southern rock singer-songwriter originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and currently based outside Talladega, Alaba...

Retired Air Force Colonel Michael Komorous exposes the silent mental health crisis veterans face upon returning to civilian life, why so many military veterans experience an identity crisis after transitioning, how to find purpose using the “20-20-20 rule,” and why letting down your guard feels impossible after time spent in combat. Michael Komorous is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, command pil...

Independent singer-songwriter Keri Edwards reveals the THREE factors that determine success in the music industry, why walking away from an early Nashville record deal was her best decision, how life experience elevates your songwriting, and the hard truths of making it as an independent artist! Keri Edwards is an Americana-country singer-songwriter from Central Pennsylvania currently recording he...

VaynerX Chief Heart Officer Claude Silver reveals why leaders who micromanage are hurting team performance, how to build genuine belonging without forcing employees to "fit in," how to stay authentic at work without losing your edge, and her ultimate playbook for effective modern leadership. Claude Silver is a bestselling author and the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she oversees...

Listening expert Bradley James Davies reveals the BIGGEST communication mistake ruining your personal and professional relationships, how to cure "Always Solving Syndrome," why your brain is built to be a lousy listener, and how speaking less can instantly give you more influence in any room! Bradley James Davies is a listening expert, author, speaker, and executive leadership coach trai...

Former NFL player and entrepreneur Kyle Auffray exposes the REAL reason modern men are facing an unprecedented identity crisis, how self-isolation and secret struggles lead to destructive vices, the 5 PILLARS every man needs to build a grounded life, and why brotherhood is the ultimate antidote to male loneliness! Kyle Auffray is a former NFL tight end (Cardinals, Patriots, Browns, Raiders), ventu...

Executive coach and author Mark Aylward reveals the TRUTH about modern masculinity, why high-performing men crumble under emotional stress, the critical errors men make when dealing with anger and the exact daily habits that build unshakeable mental toughness! Mark Aylward is a former 7-figure IT staffing founder, executive coach, and author of No One's Coming. After acting as his own attorne...

Independent rock artist Atticus Roness breaks down how to build a lasting music career, why good music isn't enough without a strong "visual voice," how major labels inflate overnight success, what he learned recording alongside Collective Soul’s Will Turpin and Ed Roland and how to stay motivated when the algorithm isn't giving you streams or views. Atticus Roness is an indepe...

In this episode, we sit down with singer-songwriter, American Idol alum, and TV/radio host Isaiah Grass. We take an honest look at what it takes to navigate life's unexpected pivots, grow your career as an indie artist, and how we are partnering to support independent musicians. Our conversation delivers a mix of industry reality checks and practical encouragement for independent artists tryi...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions, to uncover the 25-year journey behind building a $3 billion auto collision empire. Matt shares the gritty reality of spending decades on modest paychecks and reinvesting every dollar back into the company, before ultimately leveraging private equity to scale from eight regional shops to over 650 locations nationwide...

In this episode of SALTYmf GOAT Podcast, we sat down with Dari Arrington. Dari is a former professional basketball player, content creator, and modern sports media voice. We discuss what it truly means to step into "The Era of the Executive Athlete.” Long before NIL deals and sports marketing became industry buzzwords, Dari engineered the ultimate OG NIL blueprint utilizing early YouTube vide...

In this episode, we catch up with Griffin Baker from Open Heart Media to discuss the rapid evolution of digital marketing and why so many small business foundations are missing the mark. Griffin shares why a foolproof business foundation, from high-converting website design to a fully optimized digital presence is critical for modern brand growth. We break down current marketing trends, why aesthe...

In this episode, we sit down with legendary backcountry hunter Kurt Belding, founder of Western Obsessions TV. Kurt exposes the raw, unedited truth about what it really takes to survive remote hunts in the backcountry, why he chose to "burn the ships" at age 40 to make a career change to chase his passion, and the massive lie behind the "Hollywood version" of hunting media. Bra...

In this episode we sit down with speaker, author, entrepreneur, and real estate powerhouse John Gafford. Brad and John dive deep into John’s book, "Escaping the Drift," which serves as a practical, no-nonsense instruction manual for taking radical accountability, building self-awareness, and developing a bulletproof business strategy. From his days on NBC’s The Apprentice to building the...

In this episode, we sit down with independent country and Americana artist Levi Foster to break down his authentic, unique funky country sound. Levi shares the wild story behind his upcoming track "Circle K Sushi," growing up in the Appalachian bluegrass scene, and what it was like recording in LA with legendary producer Shooter Jennings. For independent artists navigating the modern mus...

In this episode, host Brad Banyas sits down with actor, director, screenwriter, and musician Steven Martini to pull back the curtain on his 30-year journey through Hollywood. Steven shares his entrance into the film industry as Cadet Alex Stone in 90s hit movie Major Payne and breaks down his newest, handmade indie film, Bittersweet, which has just been released in Brazil. Brad and Steven take a b...

We sat down with Tommy Dorfman, AKA “The Man Who Took On Live Nation,” to discuss the secret tactics Live Nation uses to control the live music industry. We dive deep into the ongoing Live Nation antitrust case and DOJ trial, revealing the predatory fees and rent-splitting that fuels Live Nation's control of ticket pricing.  Tommy also touches on recent whistleblower allegations of fraudulent...

We spent some time with emerging songwriter Keira King at the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival to hear about her journey from Wisconsin to Nashville’s music scene. Keira weaves us through her country-inspired songwriting process, offers advice for aspiring songwriters, and details how her authentic storytelling craft is shaping her career. About Keira King: Keira King is an emerging songwrite...

We sat down with singer-songwriter Aaron Lane at the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival to discuss his unique path into songwriting, choosing Asheville over Nashville, and his musical influences. Aaron provides his insights on creating meaningful lyrics, blending genres, and the importance of staying true to your artistic voice. About Aaron Lane: Originally from Waycross, Georgia, Aaron Lane is...

Join us for a conversation with Rob Ragosta at the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival to hear about his story from a young punk musician making the rounds on the Warped Tour to a prominent Nashville songwriter. Rob dives into the power of community in music, the resurgence of punk and country music, and the impact of AI on the music industry landscape. About Rob Ragosta: Born and raised in Long...

We sat down with singer-songwriter Macy Dot at the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival to discuss her path from child performer to attending Belmont University and entering the Nashville country music scene. Macy takes us through her insights on staying true to her artistic vision while navigating the complex music industry, the importance of support systems, and how she balances her passion wit...

We spent some time with Dawson Whitefield at the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival to hear about his music-obsessed upbringing and recent rise as a musician, songwriter, and performer. Dawson takes us through the importance of community and divine timing in the music world, balancing performance and behind-the-scenes work, and the influence of blues and rock on his craft. About Dawson Whitefie...

We sat down with distinguished Nashville songwriter Rachel Thibodeau at the Fernandina Beach Songwriter Festival. Rachel shares her 30-year journey in the Nashville music scene, her advice to young songwriters on co-writing and networking, the impacts of streaming on songwriter royalties, and the importance of chasing your dreams regardless of the immediate outcome. About Rachel Thibodeau: Rachel...

We caught some time with songwriter Stephanie Bentley at the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival to hear about her successes in songwriting, the impact of her hit records, and her advice for aspiring songwriters. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of staying authentic, adapting to industry changes, and the importance of persistence and passion in the creative process. About Stephanie Bentley: S...