Back in January when I started Tuned In/Dropped out, I had some pretty big ambitions aside from the music reviews and lists. I'm someone who can't help but aim for the moon, even when I crash and burn time and time again. Such is the world of a creator, eh? Over the months I've tried gaining traction on the blog, the site, and more recently the video and audio content we have been putting out. Admittedly, it's been about as easy as gaining traction in the mud with racing slicks on your wheels. What started as an idea for play pretend as a radio DJ on MixCloud quickly evolved into a full fledged content network, pulled on by the fraile and thin shoestrings available to me.
If you have known me in any capacity, be it in the 'real world' or para-socially, for any amount of time, I have no doubt you've seen me try time and time again to get projects up and running. I'm a passionate and driven creative at heart; I've always longed to tell and share stories, touch hearts, and put smiles on faces. It may sound cliche and trite but it's true. I can't imagine my life any differently, creating is just a part of who I am.
First and foremost let me apologize for the endless flood of projects, videos, podcasts, and blogs shoved in your face for this past decade and a half plus. My Facebook memories alone are a graveyard for ideas past. Understandably, the law of diminishing returns (that were already minimal) has played out as time went on. I'm fiercely determined, sometimes to a fault. Sometimes it feels like I've been swimming upstream my entire adult life, and sometimes you have to know when it's time to pack it in and step aside.
All that to say, I've come to the realization that after all these years of trying to helm projects, I'm clearly not the person to be a face of such things. It might hurt, but I can draw no other conclusions. I'm not asking for sympathy, and I'm not pointing fingers, and this will all make sense as I wrap up, I promise.
The truth is that I'm just tired. I've given so much of myself to this pursuit and I have to recognize that not everyone is made to be at the forefront or in the spotlight. Even if it's a hard pill to swallow sometimes you gotta shove it down ya know?
I know it sounds like I'm quitting TI/DO and adding It to the graveyard of projects I've left behind. What I can tell you with full certainty is that I am NOT doing that. I believe in this brand and what I am trying to help produce, and I'm not ready to go down without a fight. That being said, I will be stepping away as the public facing figure to work mostly 'behind the scenes' as a show producer for the shows that will remain under the TI/DO umbrella. What this means is that Tuned In/Dropped Out Radio, as well as MixCloud as a whole, will be on the way out. Outlaw Mudshow may continue, but I just love chatting about wrestling so why not right?
The shows that will be sticking around will be switching to streaming over on their respective YouTube channels. So while you may not see or hear from me as much going forward, I'm still going to insist and make the plea for everyone reading this to give the shows a chance. If not for me, do it for Callie and do it for Alexis. Do it for hosts that may (or may not) jump on board in the future.
Yes We Cannabis is already shaping up to be a special show and I can't wait for everyone to see what Callie has planned for it. Unmasked, the newest project from Callie and Alexis, is as raw and real as it gets in the podcast space. I'm so proud of both shows, and I will continue to do everything I can to put them in front of as many eyes and ears as I can. Because I believe in them, and they deserve the recognition. To be honest, the shows are almost too good for what I can even help them deliver.
So to kinda wrap this all up, Yes We Cannabis is still happening on Tuesdays. Unmasked will happen on Thursdays. Outlaw Mudshow as it happens. And who knows what else we might take on in the future?
In the film industry, there's a phrase I often think about; 'killing your darlings.' Basically that means leaving things you might love on the cutting room floor if that's what is best for the finished product. Consider this the killing of my darlings. I'm passionate about what Tuned in/Dropped out could be, and I will keep putting all my production skills and knowledge into it.
If you're still reading this, thanks. I've asked for your attention a lot over the years, and I'm grateful for what I have gotten. I'm truly excited to keep the shows we have coming, and improving them in whatever ways I can. And props to Callie and Alexis, they are more than ready for this spotlight and the sky is really the limit for them. And if you wanna jump in, just toss me a line, yeah?
-Zach 🤙
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