Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Carrillo.

Hi Jerry, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Last year in January, my partner Marlon and I decided to start a podcast. We sat down to brainstorm ideas and came up with the name “Wait, What Podcast?” Afterward, we began figuring out what we needed to get started. For recording, we had one good camera, one old video camera, and an iPhone. For microphones, we ordered some inexpensive wireless mics. A week later, we recorded our first episode.

However, after the recording, we ran into several issues. The microphones didn’t work well, and the difference in video quality between our equipment was noticeable. We decided not to post the video, and after that, we never talked about the podcast again.

When September came around, I discovered a podcast called “You Should Know Podcast.” The hosts were funny and authentic, which inspired me to show it to Marlon. After watching it, we both felt the same way: “Hey, we should try again and restart our podcast.” This time, we wanted to do it right. We did research to figure out exactly what we needed to improve.

Throughout September, we started purchasing better equipment. By the end of the month, we had three new cameras, better microphones, box lights, and even a couch. Everything was coming together. However, we decided not to use the old name we had come up with in January. Instead, Marlon suggested the name “HighTalksPodcast.” The concept was simple: two friends, one who smokes (Marlon) and one who loves to talk (me).

Marlon was clear about one thing: he didn’t want to encourage people to smoke. He wanted to challenge the stereotype that people who smoke are lazy or irresponsible. He aimed to show that, no matter what others might think, you can still achieve your goals if you work hard and stay determined. On the podcast, he always reminds listeners under 21 not to do drugs and encourages those who do to remain focused on their dreams and not let anything hold them back.

We both loved the new name and decided to create an account for the podcast. Even though we were nervous—wondering if we’d be good at it or if anyone would even like our content—we knew we wanted to make it work. We recorded our first video with the intention of being ourselves, making people’s days better, and bringing some laughs. Once Marlon finished editing the video, we were thrilled with how it turned out. We shared it with our friends to get their reactions, and they loved it.

On August 16th, we uploaded our first video. It performed well for a debut, and we reminded ourselves to stay patient, knowing we wouldn’t blow up overnight. By the time we released our fourth episode, we started seeing real progress. We continued working hard, and now we’re proud to be on our 16th episode.

We’re going to keep this journey going and aim to inspire others to pursue their dreams. Marlon and I are grateful that we gave our podcast idea another shot, and we’ll always remind our listeners: believe in yourself, work hard, and don’t let doubts or stereotypes hold you back.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

We faced many challenges while creating HighTalksPodcast. One major hurdle was figuring out how to balance our work schedules with the podcast schedule. For example, I had a lot on my plate—work, school, the gym, and being a father of two. It was tough, but I knew I had to treat the podcast like a second job, and that mindset helped me stay committed. Marlon faced similar challenges. He had to balance his job, gym, and his love for basketball. It was hard for him too, but he adopted the same mindset, and we kept reminding ourselves that this podcast was our second job.

It was especially challenging when our schedules didn’t align. Sometimes one of us was busy while the other was free, but we found a way to make it work. Since we both work at a dealership, we decided to record on Saturday nights after work or on our shared day off, which is Sunday. On days when that wasn’t possible, we would even use our lunch breaks to record.

At first, it was difficult, but we managed to make it a routine. No matter what, we ensured we recorded a video every week. Marlon worked hard to edit the videos, even with his busy schedule. Starting a podcast always comes with challenges, but with the right mindset and determination, you can overcome them and make it happen.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

For our careers, Marlon and I currently work at a car dealership as CSI porters. Our job involves tasks like fueling cars, retrieving vehicles from different dealerships, and picking up or dropping off customers. What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve learned while working there. Skills like communication and understanding how to sell cars to the right customers have been invaluable. These experiences have helped me prepare to become a salesperson, a goal I’m pursuing to create a better future for myself and my family.

What sets Marlon and me apart from others is our drive to improve our lives. We’re determined not to struggle with bills, food, or other challenges. We keep reminding ourselves that to achieve what we want, we have to work hard. No matter how difficult things get, we’ll continue pushing forward to accomplish the goals we’ve set for ourselves.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are bright. I plan to become a salesperson at my dealership while attending college to study ASL interpretation. ASL interpretation involves conveying meaning between people who use signed and/or spoken languages. I already know sign language because both of my parents are deaf, and since I’m skilled at signing, I want to turn it into a career. Additionally, I plan to keep working on our podcast for as long as we can.

In the long term, I hope to own my own businesses, invest in real estate, and keep myself busy until I’m ready to retire. As for Marlon, his future plans include continuing HighTalksPodcast for as long as possible. He also dreams of owning a dispensary, starting an apartment complex, investing in real estate, and launching a gaming channel to livestream content. Marlon has always wanted to be a content creator.

Together, we’re excited to see how far our podcast can go and how successful we can become in the future. We’re motivated to chase our dreams and achieve everything we’ve set out to accomplish.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hightalks_podcast/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hightalkspodcast42?si=trh6UevcXoILBNF-