We recently connected with Nemo and have shared our conversation below.

Nemo, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Starting Orange Cups Podcast has been a mission before the start of putting the podcast together in real time. I knew prior to recording my first interview that the podcast would be a something I wanted to create for all types of creatives and also highlight mental health. As a New Yorker I faced many various hardships. A lot of times people will be denied helping grow your platform for many reasons.

After many no’s I decided to take it into my own hands and give a YES to every small or big creator who has come my way, looking to share their work, art and ideas. Also, it is very important to me to speak on mental health because creativity and mental health come hand in hand. We all have a story that the world can relate with. Sometimes it takes seeing someone in a vulnerable space to understand that we all have things to handle, and we are all in together.

Creating my podcast platform for creatives and mental health was a journey fueled by passion and purpose. I started by identifying a gap in the conversation around mental health within creative communities. I noticed many artists and creators often struggled with mental health issues, but there weren’t many spaces where they could openly share their experiences and find support. To bring this vision to life, I began by researching existing podcasts and platforms to understand what worked and what didn’t. I wanted to create a space that felt authentic and welcoming. A place where we would have open conversations without being judge or dismissive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At 12 years old I started Djaying professionally. I would start off with small gigs from my middle schools. I started off with a prom and it turn into holiday parties that the school would throw for Halloween, Christmas and Valentines Day. I had a passion for music and my mom thought I was crazy for having a dream that big so young, but she supported me to the fullest. As a single mother she was able to purchase my first set of DJ equipment. This eventually turn into her spreading the word of mouth and her coworkers and friends allowing me to DJ their private parties. At a very young age I learn what running a business would be like and how to maintain it. Understanding that I had to carter to the crowd and be there early to set up. My mom would escort me to my gigs to make sure I got paid! Eventually as I got older, I was able to fend for myself because I was comfortable doing it on my own by the age of 16. The money grew and so did the gigs.

Fast forward years later the pandemic hit, and I was out of gigs because the world had shut down. I fought being a standstill not being able to be creative besides going live on online which suck because of all the restrictions social media has when it comes to copy rights. I was constantly being shut down. I wanted to find ways to create without having people around. We were restricted and I needed to find a way around it.

Thats when I pick up my first handheld camera and started recording vlogs and learning how to film and edit. This allowed me to get familiar with the video work and I started to love it. I knew that I wanted to get a more professional camera and expand my knowledge on creating videos. I also knew that I wanted to incorporate some way somehow people on film, I started to get hired to create small recaps for club promoters, but this wasn’t the only thing I wanted to create.

I started to watch podcast on YouTube also focusing on my mental health. I bump into one podcaster that was big on the mental health scene and it inspire me. From there it sparked a fire in me to create a platform for mental health and creatives. The passion for podcasting truly ignited during the global pandemic.

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of community and support, especially for those in creative fields. I felt compelled to provide a platform where people could express their experiences, share their art, and find comfort in shared struggles. This drive led me to research, plan, and eventually launch my podcast, creating a space for dialogue that was both healing and uplifting. From that moment I went into planning mode for over a year. Understanding what podcast platform needed, I knew for sure that I wanted a video platform because it would overall reach a bigger audience and connection in real time with raw emotions on the screen.

Overall, the pandemic transformed my passion for storytelling into a mission to foster connection and resilience through podcasting. It became a way to not only process my own experiences but also to uplift and support others navigating similar paths.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Fighting negativity and skepticism about my podcast has definitely been a challenge, but it’s also been a crucial part of my growth. When I first launched, not everyone believed in my vision. Some dismissed the idea. However, I learned to view this feedback as a steppingstone rather than a barrier. You learn that the people who you thought would support you are the furthest ones to believe in your vision. That a stranger sometimes would give you the courage you need to continue the process. Thats okay because the vision you had is meant for you to believe in, no one else.

I also leaned into my community of listeners and fellow creators. Their positive feedback and engagement became my motivation. Every message from someone who felt seen or inspired by an episode reinforced my belief in what I was doing. I realized that negativity often stems from fear or misunderstanding, and I chose to respond with perseverance and positivity. I understood that a lot of people don’t like to see people win or create a positive space due to their lack of knowledge or happiness. There’s a lot of people who rather see you stuck in a dark space because of what they have or are experiencing.

Over time, as I continued to produce content that resonated with my audience, the skeptics became less significant. I found strength in my authenticity and the impact I was making. I knew that staying positive and believing in myself is all I needed to continue to work towards the dreams.

I do have the support of my wife, family and close friends who understood that what I was trying to create was to make the world a better place. They all until this day support me to the fullest and inspire me to grow. This helps when the people closest to you believe in you. They see the vision and they understand that all it takes is one person to see you and understand that your project could be bigger than you ever imagine.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The rewards of podcasting, especially when it comes to helping people share their stories, are truly profound. One of the most fulfilling aspects is witnessing the transformation that occurs when guests open up about their experiences. Each episode becomes a powerful platform for vulnerability and authenticity, and it’s incredible to see how sharing can lead to healing, both for the storyteller and the listeners. It also helps the world cope with similar situations. For all the listeners who don’t have someone to speak to can relate and understand that we all have something we deal with.

Hearing feedback from my audience about how an episode resonated with them or provided comfort during difficult times is incredibly rewarding. It reinforces the idea that we’re not alone in our struggles, and that connection can be a catalyst for change. Many listeners have shared how hearing others’ stories encouraged them to reflect on their own experiences or even seek help, which is a testament to the impact of these conversations. It also aligns my mission with connecting with people behind the screen. It gives me the energy to continue my journey with podcasting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangecupspodcast/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrangeCupsPodcast
• Other: https://www.threads.net/@orangecupspodcast