Heartdea13r with Christopher Gonda

Episode 017 // Lanz Pierce - Entrepreneur, director, rapper & recording artist, Lanz Pierce, on the heartdea13r Podcast with chr1stoph3r g0nda. Keywords music, authenticity, independent artist, industry challenges, personal growth, support system, manifestation, branding, Luminary Agency, storytelling Summary In this episode of the Heart Dealer podcast, host Christopher Gonda interviews Lanz P...

Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // Episode 016 // Tiriq Rashad (Poet, Author, Musician, TEDx Speaker) Summary In this heartfelt conversation, Tiriq Rashad opens up about the grief of losing his mother, the spiritual awakening that transformed his life, and why vulnerability has become the foundation of his art. He shares how therapy, faith, fatherhood and creativity helped him heal, ins...

heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 015 // Annie Shapiro (Senior Director, Talent Booking at Vevo) Summary In this episode of Heartdea13r, Christopher Gonda sits down with Annie Shapiro of Vevo for a deep conversation about music discovery, artist development, creativity and the evolving future of music videos. Annie reflects on her journey from competitive figure skating and college radio to helping s...

Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // Episode 014 // Raheem Jarbo aka Mega Ran Summary In this episode of heartdea13r, Christopher Gonda sits down with Raheem “Mega Ran” Jarbo to explore the unlikely intersections of hip-hop, video games, teaching, fatherhood and personal growth. Mega Ran reflects on how his early love of gaming and music evolved into a unique career, why his years as an i...

Heartdea13r Podcast with Christopher Gonda // Episode 013 // Brocarde (musician and paranormal investigator) Summary In this candid conversation with Brocarde, host Christopher Gonda explores the journey behind the UK artist’s unique blend of music, horror, and storytelling. Brocarde opens up about overcoming bullying, finding confidence in her creative identity, and how a life-changing paranormal...

heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 012 // Adam Gonshor (Music Publicist & Owner Collabo PR) Summary: In this episode of heartdea13r, host Christopher Gonda sits down with music publicist and former AndPOP founder Adam Gonshor to unpack his journey from launching a music website in high school to working with Warner Music Canada and eventually founding Collabo PR. Adam reflects on interviewing arti...

Episode 011 // Fred LeBlanc, drummer/lead vocalist of Cowboy Mouth, on the heartdea13r Podcast with chr1stoph3r g0nda Summary: Fred LeBlanc discusses Cowboy Mouth, community over fame, live energy, and the music business. 👀 What you’ll hear Turn a fan base into a community you actively participate in, not just cater to Reverse-engineer festival slots using live chaos, wireless mic runs, and crowd...

heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 10 // Darren Moore (vocalist, frontman, Snake Oil, Ikons of Rock) Summary: In this episode of heartdea13r, Christopher Gonda sits down with Darren Moore for a deep dive into music, reinvention and the mindset behind a decades-long career in entertainment. Darren reflects on portraying Ozzy Osbourne with Ikons of Rock, his years with Harlequin, and the wild journey fr...

Episode 009 // Nathan Aurora on the heartdea13r Podcast with chr1stoph3r g0nda Summary: Nathan Aurora on Aurorawave, perspective, and building family-first momentum in the music business. 👀 What you’ll hear Build a family-first routine that protects creativity, from newborn chaos to late-night studio sprints Separate art from business so writing stays soul-first while strategy kicks in after the...

Episode 008 // Marshal Dutton on the heartdea13r Podcast with chr1stoph3r g0nda “You don’t need a record deal to be successful in the music industry.” 👀 What you’ll hear Marshal Dutton on fronting Hinder Surviving the music business with DIY production Debunk record-deal myths and embrace independence, including the extra responsibilities that actually sustain a career Build a back-lounge studio...

Episode 007 // Chrissy Spratt on the heartdea13r Podcast with chr1stoph3r g0nda Chrissy Spratt on TikTok megagrowth, EP debut, and turning nerves into next-level live shows. “Everybody's unique. Everybody has their own story.” 👀 What You’ll Hear Moving from shy Ottawa teen to 6 M-plus TikTok followers through ruthless consistency and zero expectations Shaping a first Canadian mini-tour while admi...

Episode 006 // RAWLE on the heartdea13r Podcast with chr1stoph3r g0nda Guyanese-Canadian genre-blender RAWLE breaks down the mindset, marketing moves and self-love rituals that keep indie artists thriving in 2025. “How often you show up—that’s what determines the success you have.” 👀 What you’ll hear Why “fame ≠ money”—and the simple marketing step that finally put a face to his 1 M+ streams Show...

Episode 005 – Danny O’Reilly | heartdea13r The Coronas  frontman,  Danny O’Reilly,  on live-first growth, staying indie, and why authenticity beats algorithms. “The only way you break through is if you have something authentic.” 👀 What you’ll hear: How The Coronas built a two-decade career by treating every gig like the main event The leverage of holding off on record deals and keeping your maste...

Episode 004 – Lexi Layne | heartdea13r A fearless deep-dive with hard rock dynamo Lexi Layne . From confronting childhood wounds to plotting waterfall releases, Lexi shows artists how to own their story and still dream bigger. “You have to take risks in life to get rewarded.” 👀 What you’ll hear “You have to take risks in life to get rewarded.” - Lexi Layne Trauma doesn’t define you: “It’s always...

Episode 003 // Luke Bentham “Focus on your craft and good things will happen.” The Dirty Nil frontman Luke Bentham on DIY grit, Juno wins, opening for The Who , and why craft always beats clout. 👀 What you'll hear: The Nirvana moment that lit the fuse—and annoyed his parents 15 years with publicist Adam Bentley: loyalty over label-hopping Spotting “serfdom” contracts thanks to lawyer parents Juno...

Episode 002 – Ryan McCombs | heartdea13r “If you’re gonna be stupid, be smart about being stupid.” SOiL & Drowning Pool front‑man Ryan McCombs reveals “Halo’s” pre‑deal rise, 9/11 album chaos, and survival tips for artists What you’ll hear: - How “Halo” lit up U.S. radio before SOiL had a label and triggered a bidding war  - Dropping Scars on 9/11: releasing an album on the worst‑timed day in...

The Music Industry’s Most Honest Voice - Jonathan Simkin Tells All | heartdea13r ep. 001 Welcome to heartdea13r - a new series featuring raw, unfiltered conversations with music industry insiders who dare to tell the truth. In this inaugural episode, 604 Records founder Jonathan Simkin breaks down what it really takes to survive in the music business. From his shocking transformation from criminal...