Behind the Scenes of MediaManDan: An Exclusive Interview with Dan

This interview is dedicated to the following family members of Dan: Regina Klein, Mary Ann, and Bob Bucek. (Disclaimer these Blog responses were written before the passing of Bob Bucek on 8/18/25 R.I.P. Grandpa I will never forget the impact you made on me and my personality)

I had the privilege of interviewing Dan from MediaManDan, a podcaster and content creator. During our discussion, we delved into his upbringing, his path into podcasting, and a range of other topics. I trust you will find this reading enjoyable.

Amit Ahuja: Tell us about where you grew up and what your hometown was like. What kind of atmosphere or community shaped your early years?

Dan: I grew up in the suburbs about an hour outside of Chicago. My hometown was full of similar housing architecture, perfectly placed trees and perfectly cut lawns, always uniform. I was surrounded by many parks and fields within walking distance. My hometown is still filled with lot of friendly neighbors that smile and wave even if they don't know you.

Amit Ahuja: Looking back, how has your upbringing influenced who you are today? We’d love to hear about how your early experiences shaped your values, beliefs, and perspective on the world.

Dan: My understanding and perspective have always been shaped by the optimism I was surrounded by, and I owe a lot of it to my humble spirit of my grandma: Regina Klein. I really formed a lot of my beliefs based on my upbringing in the Catholic Church. My faith in God has prevailed since birth. Unfortunately, my kindness was not always returned by others, especially from my classmates. I dealt with a lot of mental and verbal abuse from bullies that loved to single out people who were not as social as the "normal" kids. In my first 10 years of life, I was very shy as a result as an adult my perspective is a lot more nuanced. I gained a lot more confidence and no longer allow people to manipulate me or outcast me or my people. I decided to stop following the influence of others; and begin influencing others.

Amit Ahuja: Which forms of arts and crafts where you engaged in during your childhood, and in what ways did those early creative experiences contribute to your decision to pursue content creation.

Dan: The arts and crafts that really helped my imagination flow were definitely Legos and Play-Doh. The vibrant colors and the endless creative options really helped me as a child, and I can say it really distracted in all the best ways from stress and trauma. Distraction I learned was inevitable as I was later diagnosed with ADHD. I used to look at my ADHD as a setback or weakness but now I know it's one of my most unique tools. When it comes to my content creation, I set my mind up for "play" time and let my creativity and passion flow. Over time I've found that having ADHD enhances my passion and joy for basically anything I do. Most content creators plan 1 or 2 things at a time usually focused on a specific topic. With my time management skill I've accumulated throughout my life, I preplan 5-10 ideas and errands per week. I see all the time I have as a checklist to form something others see as hard work into a fun time with my "Legos."

Amit Ahuja: Can you take us back to the beginning of your content creation journey? What initially inspired you to start putting yourself out there creatively, and how did that evolve into the development of your brand, MediaManDan? I’d love to hear more about what motivated you to expand into various formats, such as podcasting, reaction videos, and other types of content. Was it a strategic decision, a creative impulse, or something else entirely that pushed you to branch out and build such a diverse portfolio?

Dan: I watched so many youtubers, but 2 channels really inspired me to get in front of the camera: Chris Stuckmann and PJ Mills. Chris Stuckmann is a very well-known Youtuber and Film Critic and now Director. His content is the most I've consumed on the platform spanning over Thousands of videos. I loved his way of reviewing a film and including clips to really point out specific moments he loved or hated. I also attempted a few film reviews in that format when I started uploading content in January of 2019. Along with film I had a love for music criticism and praise and PJ Mills older content consisted of some of the most entertaining and well worded reviews of albums or songs. I loved his style of discussing a song and then playing it to really show the power or problem he pointed out beforehand. As you can tell I wanted my content to mimic the value I felt watching theirs so on January 3rd, 2019, I decided to make my first you tube video "Why RED? Why Not?" based on one of my favorite bands: RED. Sidenote: RED was also what helped me find PJ Mills many years before because he was one of the only creators that reviewed and loved their music like me.

Dan: After realizing that talking to a phone was not normal, and the sound in your environment was hardly controlled I kept attempting to make more content. The original name I came up with was MusicManDan because the previous year in 2018 I decided to do something INSANE and listened to or at least sampled over 500 brand new albums in 3 months. I figured it would help my perspective grow but instead it made me less excited for new releases cause there's some BAD music that comes out each year. So along with music I decided to go full "Stuckmann" and include movie reviews which I attempted to make at least once a week in one take on my phone because I had no editing software or experience.

Dan: After a few months of struggling to gain confidence on the camera I posted my first update video as MediaManDan "Wake Up Review 3/1/19." That is the first *full* video on my channel to this day because it's the day I decided to break out of my shell and just make something. I also had a way of adding music in the background based on you tube's phone recording features at the time. The name stuck and so I continued focusing on unedited music and movie reviews. Unfortunately, most were deleted based on my harsh self-criticism but that would drive my mindset to only create the best I could. Flash forward to Summer of 2019. I made my first connection to a new band I was obsessing over called Seraphim. By coincidence they just so happened to come to a venue in the town I was working at. So, I of course go to this concert with My Fiancé, and this was her first experience with Deathcore, and it was WAY TOO MUCH; But I was able to have a full chat with the band on the side of the venue just based on my love and support for them in Instagram DM's. Seraphim really ignited my passion to talk to strangers I support, and they were so friendly they gave me 10 mins of conversation along with 3 CD's just for coming out to support them. The mental impact that experience left on me propelled me to keep chatting with musicians, another part of my content in the future.

Dan: Flash forward to August of 2019 my content is barely known but I discovered and began obsessing over a cover band: First To Eleven. They started a few videos promoting a karaoke app called "Smule" which allows you to sing by yourself or with other people's recordings. In August of 2019 I attempted my first Smule upload for MTV's "Making The Band." A collaborative experience based on the best uploads from vocalists to make a digital band. I attempted to cover Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." This video is a short on my channel and was the first time I received any feedback in the comments. In October of 2019 Audra of First To Eleven invited everyone to attempt to sing "Shallow" from A Star Is Born (2018) with her. Many people downloaded the app and attempted to sing with Audra, but I decided to add a bit more uniqueness to the recording. I created a harmony for the chorus and even sent Audra a sample on Instagram to confirm if it sounded good. She approved, so the following morning I made my 2nd Smule and felt so proud of what I created I decided to post it to YouTube. Within a month I went from 100 views to 300 views to 500 views and I finally hit 100 subscribers (This was not easy for most new youtubers to achieve in less than a year.) This level of success really boosted my ego and my confidence on camera. During that month following the success of "Hallelujah" and "Shallow" I decided to focus less on my original idea of reviews and plan out a few more covers. Thanks to Audra, another duet became available, and I sang my favorite Disney song from my childhood, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. After that cover also blew up to 500 views and my channel hit 300 subscribers, I decided to get my own editing software which turned out to be Wonder share Filmora. I made my first edited video reviewing the brand-new Streaming service "Disney+." I assumed the video would blow up as that was a current viral topic but to my surprise no one really cared besides my friends. After attempting a Christmas cover and a few more videos I decided to start 2020 incorporating everything I did in 2019 with more of a focus on weekly reviews to keep up with trends and popular topics. "Wake Up Review 2020" really showed a lot of maturity and confidence even though

Dan: I was still learning how to edit. I stuck with that theme for a few months and dropped another cover but didn't see much care or growth and then just when I was released an Eminem appreciation video and review of his new album "Music To Be Murdered By" the Pandemic in China began to cause immense fear in the USA. As an ex-conspiracy theorist, I questioned everything and even mocked the name Coronavirus claiming it was a marketing scheme to make people buy more Corona Light Beer. I quickly decided to switch direction from covers back ro movie reviews to see if that might help my channel grow. I started taking the pandemic a bit more seriously as things started getting much worse at work but in May of 2020 EVERYTHING changed. I found a new online escape thanks to Joseph Valentino (@jcv47music) on Instagram. He was live streaming almost daily just creating a fun and safe space for his music loving community to join in and let loose. Along with that First To Eleven hit 700,000 Subscribers and did a giveaway that I ended up winning. Based on that win I was invited to be in a group chat with all their super fans and the members of the band. I was beloved for my recent win and a lot of them supported me as a singer and creator and since Seraphim the previous year this was the second experience being able to let a band know directly what their music does to me. Joseph also had a group chat where I met a few amazing friends and one of them helped me create official intro music for my channel. His name is listed at the beginning of most of my videos.

Dan: After theaters closed and only reopened for a week I decided to try reviewing a new movie "Trolls World Tour" and as much as I loved making it I really hated how the final product came out. The First to Eleven group chat saw my content and suggested I try to make reactions instead. I made a few reactions in August (Poorly) but enjoyed it enough and had enough feedback to keep going for the next 3 years. During my reaction phase I was not only forming my time management I was managing my stress and anxiety. The only real escape I had from the shit the country was going through was the First To Eleven chat (F211 Bonkers) and the friend chat with Joseph (JCV47 Wolf Pack) but most people who watched my content had no idea what bonds I was forming with the artists I was promoting. Whether it was Pop like Little Mix or Rock like The Warning or Metal like LOVEBITES I was being shared around all types of communities helping the artists see my content. I felt like I finally had a purpose and put WAY too much time and energy into 700+ videos and really sacrificed my mental and physical health in order to keep pumping out content hoping for my big break like Alex Hefner or my friend Carlie Shea (SheaWhatNow); but in the long run it really took a toll on me and my relationship with the people closest to me especially my fiancé. I was editing anywhere I could basically anytime I could just hoping for a big break.

Dan: I think the most I spent editing in one day was 16 hours straight which I was very proud to commit to but also really disappointed to see everything I was missing out on. In August of 2022, I decided it was time to take a break and focus on my Fiance and family and friends and try to find my spark because making reactions started to feel more like a chore and less of a fun fruitful experience. In January of 2023 I decided to create a podcast that would incorporate interviews, news and reviews which were all I was consuming in my free time. As a Right leaning centrist pre pandemic i went full Far Right Conservative and tried to justify my stance on things even if it was morbid or extreme. The podcast I listened to "All American Savage Show" built a lot of confidence I was missing to brutally speak my mind in any way I wanted to. There are very few podcast episodes based on this because I believe politics overly inflated my super-ego to a monstrous level. Instead, my main focus was on promoting my guests or focusing on my reviews of multimedia. I feel the podcast is the peak of my content creation. I plan on Promoting People with Passion as long as I can unless one of my episodes goes viral then I'll figure out the next best step from there. I want to be successful but ironically, I don't want to be in the spotlight because I'm too humble and self-aware of my downfalls to believe I deserve it.

Amit Ahuja: What excites you the most about what you do?

Dan: The most exciting part of my content creation is forming bonds by networking with people that I support and in return support me. I love seeing likes on my posts from past guests or getting exclusive content sent in DM's or even free merch in the mail. It makes me feel like my purpose I believed as a kid can actually become reality the more, I learn and grow from each bond I create.

Amit Ahuja: Can you describe what initially sparked your interest in music and how that interest has evolved? Was there a particular moment, person, or experience that made you realize music was something meaningful to you?

Dan: Music has been a part of me from the first time I experienced it. The instruments and rhythm and vocal techniques have always enhanced my listening experience and it's truly my favorite distraction. I grew up on 4 genres: Motown/Disco, Classic Rock, CCM and whatever you call Television Themes. My first obsession with music came from my parents' taste in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I listened to "If You Leave Me Now" (The Greatest Hits of Chicago) every time we would clean up or have play time with my toys. That was a tradition for at least the first 7 years of my life. I also fell in love with Earth Wind & Fire and The Be Bee Gees which we had on Cassette and CD. The talents I naturally possess are singing and naming a song or remembering details about an artist, less than 3 seconds into a song I somehow remember so much. As for other music influences, I owe a lot to my mom as she was very involved in the Choir at church which I joined in Elementary School and remained in till I graduated High School. Choir really helped me shape my vocal abilities and understand a lot more of the traditional side of reading music and finding harmonies. I loved upbeat modern songs especially if they involved claps and I'll say "Witnesses" is living rent free in my head to this day.

Amit Ahuja: What’s a song or album that instantly takes you back to a specific moment in your life — a memory that plays in your head whenever that track comes on?

Dan: The song that ignited my taste in music is "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago based on the guitar riff pattern and the incredible voice of Peter Cetera. That song is the first song I remember being obsessed with and I love the feeling I get whenever I hear it played in public. Also, it's the "heavy" song that helped me appreciate distortion and the whammy. Another song I'm sure most people relate to is "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" by Journey. I'll never forget the first time I came across it on the radio. I was in the bus in 7th or 8th grade and had my portable CD player with headphones on, the moment the first chorus hit I got off the bus and sprinted inside my house to find the station with our brand new surround sound system and put it on full blast and just faded away from reality in absolute Awe of the heaviest riffs and catchiest chorus I'd ever heard. I asked my dad when he came home who sings it and when he said Journey I was like "No way! The "Don't Stop Believing" band is Metal?!" He was shocked I didn't hear it before that point as we had Journey's greatest hits on CD along with "Frontiers" which had that song. I was overjoyed to know we owned it and started playing it on repeat. Oh, and I'll never forget my first experience with High School Musical that movie and soundtrack was life changing!

Amit Ahuja: If you could swap lives with any music artist for one day — just one — who would it be and what would you want to experience from their world?

Dan: If I could swap lives with any artist for a day, I would definitely pick Eminem. Not only would it be amazing to be known as the greatest wordsmith in hip hop for a day he would see another reasonable "Stan". He in my dedication to own almost everything he's created or been a part of. Hopefully he would find my rap book from when I used to write and leave some notes to improve my word play. Eminem was my first obsession that had no connection to my musical upbringing. He also unknowingly was the mental therapy I needed to break away from a very toxic relationship. The amount of knowledge I've learned about Eminem isn't just nuts, it's INSANE. It would be an honor to walk in his footsteps for even a few hours.

Amit Ahuja: Imagine you’re invited to a dinner party with five pop culture icons — alive, fictional, or animated. Who’s sitting at that table and what’s the vibe of the night?

Dan: Damn good question! I would definitely say the vibe is laid back as I'm a pretty chill guy off camera. As for the guests, I'd have to have people that really shaped my childhood and inspired me. So first I would invite Christopher Khayman Lee (Red in Space Power Ranger.) He is one of the coolest people from Power Rangers as well as one of the most important characters in the franchise. Also, he's an independent thinker so not much fear of getting into political debates. The next guest I would invite would probably be Antonio Banderas and if you need to understand the context I highly recommend "The Mask of Zorro" review on the MediaDrome Podcast. Basically, he's my first theatrical superhero because he played Zorro. He's also got a great charm and sense of humor I think would really compliment the atmosphere. The next guest has already been mentioned, Eminem. He would bring even more humor to the table as well as fun and crazy stories. The only downside is I would have a hard time finishing the food because I would be too focused on the conversation. The next guest has to be Josh Groban. Not only is he my favorite vocalist, he;s also hilarious and would definitely make all the guests feel intentionally awkward which is great for breaking the ice. For my final guest I would invite Toby Maguire. Not only did his work in Spider-Man make me believe in heroes but he would bring so much comic book conversations to the table, and we could all partake in a MCU vs OG Marvel debate. Also, they would all make me feel a lot younger if they are almost twice my age lol.

Amit Ahuja: Are there any guilty pleasure songs you blast when no one’s around (or proudly when they are)? What’s your go-to karaoke anthem?

Dan: Definitely not! No shame in being Polyjamorous, Shoutout to Viktor Fellbrink for that term, I will never be ashamed for my variety of music tastes. My favorite Karaoke song is definitely "Piano Man" by Billy Joel. It's mostly in my range and it really excites the crowd when you hit all the notes correctly plus it's a great vibe everyone can sway to.

Amit Ahuja: What’s the weirdest thing you believed as a kid?

Dan: The strangest thing I believed as a kid is a little too optimistic for my current understanding of how the world works. I believed my purpose was to bring everyone together and befriend literally everyone I could. Reality set in as the mental and verbal abuse I received really caused me to question why no one liked me if all I wanted was to have friends.

Amit Ahuja: When did you first start to feel disillusioned with the government — was there a specific moment or issue that flipped the switch for you?

Dan: I started questioning the government in March of 2020. The rise of Covid-19 fear and propaganda really helped me see that the government is not here to help us and only pretends to if we align with a certain party or ideology. I can't stand the question of "Who did they vote for?" when I show someone a comedian or artist or actor I enjoy, and I think politics should have no effect on the regular US citizen in any capacity.

Amit Ahuja: Do you think your views have shifted over time, or have you always been skeptical of authority? What shaped that mindset?

Dan: As a Catholic I aligned with mostly Republican policy but thanks to the internet and actually honest podcasts I have shifted to a much more Centrist perspective. I hate division as I stated previously. I want everyone to get along but our government has no interest in that mindset or goal because it doesn't financially benefit them.

Amit Ahuja: Do you believe reform is possible from within the system, or does real change always come from the outside?

Dan: I believe change can only occur through a massive rise in unity against those in charge much like America did to break away from Britain. We need to stand in solidarity and refuse to let their propaganda influence how we feel about one another. I want to have a wonderful upbringing for my kids and I feel the only way for that to happen is to train them to question everything in society, especially our government and their stance on world affairs.

Amit Ahuja: Have you ever felt pressure to censor yourself — online or in real life — because of your views? What happened?

Dan: As a Free Speech absolutist I can proudly say I reject all censorship when it comes to my thoughts or my guests; however, if children are the audience I would hope that we all follow common sense and refuse to subject them to adult material. Whether that means War or Violence or Sex I resent the idea that it's okay for developing minds to partake in mature discussions or works of art. As an adult I believe in our right to Freely express ourselves as long as we are legal adults and all art forms are consensual.

Amit Ahuja: Do you think apathy is more dangerous than blind patriotism — or are they two sides of the same coin?

Dan: Apathy vs Blind Patriotism is an interesting argument as they both have to do with standing for or technically against the norms placed on us by society. Apathy is definitely something I align with these days as I believe when everyone seems to be full of shit, ignorance is bliss. Blind Patriotism on the other hand has not been as traditional Patriotism. We once knew it to be about God, Freedom and Independence from the oppressive power of the rigged Monarchy. Nowadays it seems to be purely focused on the bias of the party the individual aligns with which in my opinion is exactly what our "Melting Pot" of a country is supposed to stand against and what we fought to protect ourselves from. So I would conclude by saying bring back traditional love for the country and then I will gladly stand on that side instead of refusing to take part in either party. The danger always comes from the bias of the source. I don't trust most things without research but it's very challenging to make time to care when life is always distracting us.

Amit Ahuja: Can you describe three individuals who have had either a positive or negative impact on your life, whether personally or professionally, and explain why they influenced you?"

Dan: As previously stated, my Grandma Klein had a huge impact on my sense of morality and faith during my upbringing, but she also inspired my idea of collecting physical media. Her house was full of shelves holding various VHS tapes; whether it was a TV recording or a movie or Disney Sing-Along, I was always so impressed and I felt so special having the ability to choose from such a large variety of genres and eras of film and Television. I really build my momentum from the people that under their breath believe I will never make it. This is for them: I don't know who you are. I know what you want but if you expect to see my downfall, you will always be disappointed. I save the most important person for last and that is my Amazing Future Wife and Soulmate: Allison. Not only can she help me reach my best and lift me up when my worst but she can see the parts of me I struggle to see in myself. She's been my #1 supporter and my best friend and my EVERYTHING for over 14 years. She's the person I think of when I go to bed when I wake up and especially when I get off work. I love surprising her with tokens of love from small to large, cheap to expensive. She truly deserves the Universe in my eyes and I can't thank her enough for believing in me and my passions. She's a wonderful role model to me as she thrives with drive and passion and I'm so glad she's following her dream of teaching the next generation in all the best ways. I can't explain how much I love this woman and how much she has helped me change for the better, but I can say she has truly given me hope and I would be lost without her and her family's love and support.

Amit Ahuja If you could be a character in any pop culture universe (Marvel, Harry Potter, The Office, Bridgerton — your pick), which one would you jump into and what role would you play?

Dan: If I had to pick a pop culture icon that everyone knows I'd say Steve Harrington from Stranger Things is definitely most like me. Not only is his character arc one of the most relatable but his bravery for all the right reasons and genuine care for the kids is absolutely connected to my soul. As a man that has struggled with anger and abuse and mistreatment I can say the moment he became the hero was the moment I realized; I Am Steve Harrington. I also love David Harbor's "Hopper" though he is a little more irritating in later seasons which definitely downgraded his character from Season One.

Amit Ahuja: Have you ever been part of a fan community — for a band, a series, a character — and what was the wildest or most fun part of being in it?

Dan: Out of all the fanbases I have been part of, the most prominent is definitely Eminem's Stanbase (yes, I made that term up); however, if you are talking about being in an exclusive group chat for an artist, I will have to say the First To Eleven Bonkers. The craziest thing about that chat was the insane conversations that would take place while all members were fully aware it could be seen by the band at any time. The most iconic crazy chat consisted of the urban dictionary term for Snowman, and I'll leave it at that.

Amit Ahuja: What piece of pop culture — a movie, cartoon, toy, game, etc. — defined your childhood, and how do you think it shaped your personality today?

Dan: . The most impactful pop culture icons are Power Rangers. The show, the toys, the costumes, the stories and the FORMULA that almost barely was deviated from for almost every season for 30 years. I'd say I relate most to the first series I watched which was Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. The themes presented were fate and destiny and understanding how to relate to your inner spirit and bond with nature. Not a common theme for most seasons and a lot deeper than modern seasons. It's also the first season without the Comedic Duo of Bulk and Skull though they do have a few cameos. Something I loved about watching that series was how each episode barely gave you a hint of the big things that were coming besides "Next time on Power Rangers" at the end of each episode. If you want to know what really shaped my sense of humor from my childhood, I will definitely say it's a mix of Freakazoid, SpongeBob and Magic School Bus. All the dumb, dry or stupid jokes continue to live in my head, and I end up quoting at least one show daily.

Amit Ahuja: If you could bring back any trend, show, or pop culture moment from the past (even if it was cringey), what would it be and why?

Dan: If I could bring back any trend from my childhood I would say I miss pants that had zip off knees to become shorts. That style needs to come back especially if you run hot like I do. Also the superhero costume 2 piece Pajamas were the best and need to come back. Oh! and video games based on shows and movies why did that end? Just food for thought.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a character from pop culture (TV, movies, books, games) that you’ve always felt represented you in some unexpected way? What’s the connection?

Dan: The only character I truly feel I relate to the most is Baby (Miles) from my favorite film: Baby Driver. Music runs my day whether it's my mix or something preset or even a song I'm obsessed with I focus so much more when I have music in my ears. Driving is also a passion most people have no idea that I share with Baby, and I mean I LOVE DRIVING, and I drive at least 95 mins every day for work.

Amit Ahuja: Are you someone who considers gaming a significant part of your lifestyle?

If so, we’d love to learn more about the types of games that resonate most with you. Do you find yourself drawn to high-stakes competitive titles like first-person shooters or MOBAs? Or do you lean more toward immersive storytelling experiences in RPGs or indie narrative-driven games? What specific elements—such as gameplay mechanics, graphics, world-building, character development, or even community involvement—make those types of games especially compelling to you?

Dan: As a just for fun player gaming is something I love to do to pass time. As I just said music runs my life, so I usually try to binge playlists or albums or discographies while I play noncompetitively. My reaction time for shooting games is literally so bad that I choose not to care and just keep respawning and focusing on staying alive. My favorite game to play that I think really helps my coordination and reaction time is Rocket League and Tony Hawk remastered. If I'm looking for a game to just play to play, I always pick GTA V or a Lego game. By the way I LOVE Lego games and have collected almost all of them for when I play games with my kids (God willing.) The game that will always have my heart as an Xbox fan is Halo.

Amit Ahuja: Can you describe your current favorite game in detail?

Dan: My favorite video game outside of those listed is definitely Hitman: Blood Money. I have revisited that game recently and I'm obsessed with figuring out the best way to pass every mission without being noticed or killing the least amount of people. I also love the free reign the game has, so I can choose to be a complete psycho if something goes wrong. The main objective of the game is to take out bad people in the sneakiest way so no one catches you

Amit Ahuja: Take us on a journey through what makes it stand out. What initially caught your attention—was it a trailer, a recommendation, or a standout feature? Once you started playing, what aspects truly hooked you and kept you coming back—was it the storyline, the gameplay loop, the multiplayer experience, or perhaps something else entirely? Share what makes it special and why it holds the top spot for you right now.

Dan: The way I originally found the game was through a past friendship which I hold onto memories of more than the person themselves; however, I really appreciate learning about the Hitman series through them because I've now been told the new games have a lot of the same feeling and game style as Blood Money.

Amit Ahuja: How do you define happiness in your life, and how does that connect to your vision of success?

Dan: I define happiness based on the pride I have in what I'm doing and the outcome of what I create. That can be connections or content or even inspiration for others to pursue their passions or boost their confidence. The guests I bring on are not just my friends or people I support because they are on my show; I am their Stan. I want all my guests to know I wouldn't have found my true happiness without their contributions and conversations when it comes to my own passion for promotion. That being said I have found true happiness off camera and away from the microphone in almost every part of my life. My Fiancé really opened my heart and saw my vulnerable and sweet side I was afraid to show after being in an abusive relationship. My friends have stood by me every step of the way being my Stans for 10-20 years. My family even though we can have our differences accepts and loves me for who I am and the passions I pursue. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I'm no longer the outcast, I'm no longer alone in my struggles, and I'm not afraid to express myself because I know my supporters accept me for who I am 100%.

Amit Ahuja: Are there any particular hobbies, passions, or interests outside of your involvement with podcasting that really energize or excite you—things that you love to spend time on or that bring you a sense of purpose or joy when you're not immersed in your musical pursuits?"

Dan: Oh absolutely! I LOVE MOVIES. Most people have no idea how many movies I go out of my way to see in theaters. Before the pandemic I was at the theater at least 90 times a year. Now that we are back to normal, I shoot for 35-50. I love stories told visually instead of reading words I might not comprehend. Movies help me escape and form very constructive criticism. Seeing a movie to me is an extraordinary experience because I fully immerse myself in the main character or protagonist. As I mentioned previously, Chris Stuckmann is one of my biggest influences. It's not just because he's a great content creator or entertainer. He is a pure honest critic that opens his mind to the idea that any movie, no matter what age group it's for, can be amazing. His review of "The Lego Movie" is what I always think about when I review or critique a film made for younger audiences. His review "Baby Driver" fueled my interest to take a chance on a movie I knew nothing about, that's currently my favorite modern film because I connect with the character (Baby as stated before) and the music and the themes of redemption and freedom from being controlled in an environment you don't belong in. Also, there's comedy and sweet romance that really relates to my personality. Thank you to all the film critics that help normal movie fans find their faves. My high school film appreciation club taught me so much about analyzing a film with a big picture perspective as well as a critical and personal perspective. I am fascinated anytime I rewatch a movie and notice something I missed the first few times. Allison and I watch so many movies and our brother Ryan and I have built an enormous collection. I hope you will all be able to see and appreciate it one day.

Amit Ahuja: Let's talk about how you've dealt with mental health struggles. What strategies, coping tricks, or support systems have helped you? Additionally, what advice or insights would you like to share with others your age who are facing similar challenges?

Dan: This is a heavy subject for me because I usually do my best to help others through tough times and forget or ignore my own struggles. Being an outcast in school for the first 6 grades really took a toll on me. Most people have bullies that beat them up or physically challenge them which I wish I had; because that pain is temporary and I know I could defend myself. Experiencing mental and emotional abuse is SO MUCH WORSE because the pain is prolonged especially when you refuse to open up about it until your parents return home hours after you get back from school. I was a sensitive kid. There are things I will never understand even with the empathy I stated earlier. I just can't justify why I had to be left out or neglected by my classmates. Why when I finally grew out of my shy phase no one respected or acknowledged my friendly spirit. The things said about me over 20 years ago still play in my head especially when I make mistakes or don't know how to do something. My ADHD might be my strength now but when I was growing up no one knew how to respond to outbursts or random weird noises or phrases. I was labeled a freak in summer camps between school years, and I think as time passed, I believed I was one.

Dan: Before the abuse I experienced from my ex, I was a really pure good-hearted guy. Despite all the trauma I faced growing up. I wanted to be my best no matter what people said. I would take chances and found my love for singing outside of church. I would approach girls and make it clear I was interested instead of being too scared to look them in the eyes. I faced tons of rejection and teasing in my dating pursuits. But all of that changed when I was in a relationship that broke basically every good trait I carried with me in exchange for temporary pleasure and a false sense of love. After that experience everything changed. I became resentful, disrespectful, brutally honest, and abusive. Basically, following the rule book for getting bullied and in turn becoming one. Allison is the ultimate blessing in my life. She saw how damaged and truly fucked up I became from that relationship and all my past trauma and discovered that wasn't the real me and helped me return to the pure kid I've always been internally. I know I'm typing this right now so you can't see me, but just know

Dan: I'm holding back from breaking down on every click. The amount of hidden trauma I still hold is what really helps me cope with small things others see as impossible to overcome. I basically say, "Bring it on, there's nothing I haven't already encountered that can bring me any lower than I've felt in the past" and walk it off or take a drive to clear my head. Most recently I had to deal with a big loss in my family as my Grandma Mary Ann Bucek returned to Heaven this year. I had to not only hold back my emotions but also witness the toll it took on my family. I had to be the Rock that could hold everyone, and I had to deal with the final moments between my weekly work schedules. Something I realized is that no matter what I was going through nothing mattered. So as soon as I walked into the care facility carrying so much baggage and stress on my shoulders, I would instantly let it go when I saw her. Losing a loved one is tough but necessary to help you grow even more into your best self. I believe the longer the pain lasts the more opportunity you have to understand your coping mechanisms and prevail through it. I didn't cry the day she died. I didn't cry at the burial, but

Dan: I don't hold it against myself because I know my sorrow and fear was gone the moment, I sang to her the night she left the earth. She loved me and she remembered the best of our time together. She did not understand the extent of the internal conflicts I was facing, but she knew that no matter what I was going through I would figure it out. Helping her smile or entertaining her was my purpose. I didn't care what the timeline was. If it was 10 mins or 10 years I would walk in that room and pretend nothing was wrong. I would make jokes and help her feel like we were back home sitting around the kitchen table playing a game and eating cookies. I didn't want her to feel like she was missing out on anything. I love you Grandma, I miss you, and I hope that Heaven is beautiful, and the gates are wide open for when I see you and Grandma Klein again.

Amit Ahuja: What message would you share with humanity if you had the world’s attention for five minutes?

Dan: For anyone that just grabbed Kleenex like me. this is for you. You are not alone. You are not the problem. Your existence is not after mistake If you've been in a dark place and you're still here you are a superhero and you will be a guide for the people struggling in your life after you prevail through this time. I wholeheartedly believe in you. I also believe the challenges we face are temporary and are not supposed to bring us down but instead build us up to help others through similar experiences. I've talked people through stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and suicide and the only thing I care about in those moments is that you're still here the next morning. There's no judgement, no bias and no bullshit when I help people. I believe in God, and I believe we have moments where he speaks through us, and I know I've experienced it multiple times including now. I implore anyone reading this to reach out to someone you haven't talked to for a while or someone who just can't see how truly special they are. Lift their spirits with a compliment or even just exchange a joke. Our time is limited, and our purpose is eternal. We are loving caring people and will be rewarded when we help others. Also, if you're holding anything in, tell someone you trust and let them guide you back in the right direction. Love anyone reading this and I hope you have an Awesome day and stay safe out there. Peace!

Amit Ahuja: Thank So You Much, Dan for sharing your story with us today!

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