Awaken The Awesome

To say that my next guest, Max De La Cruz , and I hit it off from Day 1 is an understatement. You guys know this: save for the initial introduction and booking process leading to recording day, the conversations I have the honour of sharing on this podcast are oftentimes the first interaction I have with the guest, .  While I will admit there is some level of risk involved in such a process, I can tell you for a fact that there's a huge and resounding takeaway when you get to connect with someone who, in all honesty, truly happens to be on the same wavelength as you on so many levels. To keep things simple, let's draw up a checklist so you can see what I mean... Dedicated Father - check Loving Husband - check Fun-loving playfulness - check Content creator & vlogger - check Ferocious Entrepreneur - check Author - well, that's still an item I need to knock off my personal bucket list but you guys ...

The most honest thing one can do in terms of catering to your personal growth is admitting what you don't know. Having the vulnerability to approach things with both humility as well as curiosity is a big step. I did not know about ADHD. I'd heard about the condition and like everyone else, had my own pre-conceived notion of what it was. Parenting is about trial and error. When our daughter started displaying some particular character traits and noticeable signs such as absent-mindedness, hyperactivity, fidgeting...I can't say I picked up on it at first glance. My wife had her concerns but I was the one to brush things off as benign childish behaviour.  I had to admit there was more to it. I felt I had a responsibility to put in the time, patience and empathy not to judge, or throw my hands up in resignation but actually shift my perspective and hopefully give myself, and my daughter the necessary...

This episode was a long time coming. Recorded some months ago, at a time before the current pandemic threw all of us for a loop and social-political turmoil was not making such a resonating impact, I never fail to be reminded that everything happens in due time. I have a tremendous respect for my next guest and his many achievements.  Malik Shaheed is the personification of entrepreneurship and dedication.  A local icon of sorts, having been at the forefront of pioneering & championing the Quebec Rap movement for the over a decade, his notable contribution as an artist, producer and promoter cannot be understated. As a prominent celebrity reporter and interviewer, with a resumé featuring some of the top names in both music & entertainment the likes of Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, & Beyoncé just to name a few, you have to give it up for a young kid born in a low-income...