Meet Damian “Big” Johnson | Podcast host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Damian “Big” Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Big Johnson, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
When it comes to certain crafts, sometimes it’s less of you being in the craft and more of the craft being in you. If you find yourself constantly doing that thing that is fulfilling to you even constantly thinking about it, then that’s going to always be your driver, even when/ if you put your craft on the back-burner or on the shelf for a while. That being said if your craft is in you it’s going to be difficult to give up, so don’t, but you can however always go back to the drawing board.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
‘Everybody’s Upset’ is a podcast that challenges everything! I can have a stance or an opinion on a matter and not take a side, which is difficult for people to wrap their heads around in a world that labels EVERYTHING. I challenge smothering political correctness because most times some terms are unnecessary. I challenge people’s way of thinking, because a lot of people simply don’t know better. The show is different because the only purpose is to simply change people’s minds by way of “stirring the pot”. The most exciting part of it all is understanding. I’ve always been the type to know about any particular thing from the surface all the way to its depths. When I have guests on it gives me and listeners the opportunity to observe whatever the topic is from any given perspective, which results in everyone learning something. Helping people turn their lightbulbs on is very fulfilling for me. Doing the show now wasn’t easy and it still isn’t, but i still consider this my “humble beginnings” stage. Getting the right equipment, having quality recording, and getting people to participate for interviews and other activities gets difficult, but its also a lesson every time. One very important overall lesson I’ve learned so far is that people will not share your vision. You may see your project as the Mona Lisa and they may see it as crayon scribbles on printer paper. But don’t let that deter you, believe in and depend on yourself fully. Understand that people don’t, and maybe even can’t, view things through the same scope that you do. Ultimately I want the world to know that ‘Everybody’s Upset’ is definitely going to be the next household name and the next go-to podcast for EVERYONE

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m really low key, nostalgic, and very nerdy. I’m also a country boy at heart, so I’m not real big on the whole 24/7 turn up that most Atlanta natives are on. I like to go to joystick in Edgewood and watch the smash bros tournaments. Some times I just scour old record shops, comic shops or bookstore. When it’s time to eat I like to go downtown to the ramen spots or the Hotdog factory. I like to observe things and people, so sometimes for me, a park bench or a busy street is entertaining enough.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a long list of mentors that have always pushed me in the direction of success, but one in particular would be my old workout coach Derrick Dunn. Before ‘Everybody’s upset’ became a podcast it was just conversations. These conversations later became witty short vine style videos. One day Derrick saw one or two videos and then told me “you really got sum’n baby boy, you make the people think!”. The idea of a podcast came from watching guys like Charlemagne The God and Deezus & Mero, and realizing how much effect a simple witty observation can have on people. So they’re solid inspiration. I also have a handful of friends that I seem to share somewhat of a “hive-mind” with at times, and they also challenge my viewpoints and help me refine my own thinking, so shout out to my bro’s Carson and Tae-white just to name a couple. And I can’t forget the people that are bothered by the things I say, which lets me know that I’m telling the truth and striking nerves.

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Image Credits
Admire Lexi photography