445. Perseverance, Podcasts, and Going For the Brass Ring with Freddy Cruz

"What you want is never going to be the way you envisioned it." "Dreams don't always happen overnight, but if you keep plugging away, they do come true." I wanted to be Bo Jackson, but instead—I built my dream studio. Today, Freddy Cruz shows us how perseverance can turn detours into destinies. In this engaging episode of Better Call Daddy, hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman welcome Freddy Cruz, a dynamic radio veteran turned podcast host, who shares his journey of creating a new reality in the world of audio storytelling. Freddy opens up about his entrepreneurial spirit and how he visualized his dream studio long before it became a reality. He discusses the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the unexpected paths that lead to success, emphasizing that dreams don’t always materialize overnight but can come true with dedication and effort. Listeners will be captivated by Freddy’s insights into the podcasting landscape, his evolution from radio to producing podcasts, and the creative processes behind his writing. He reflects on his experiences with self-publishing and the challenges he faced along the way, including the emotional toll of losing an editor during a critical project. Throughout the episode, Freddy shares heartfelt anecdotes about his family, his passion for storytelling, and the lessons he imparts to his children about hard work and resilience. With humor and authenticity, this conversation serves as a reminder that life's journey is filled with peaks and valleys, and the key to success lies in embracing each moment. Join us for an inspiring discussion that encourages listeners to pursue their passions, navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, and find joy in the creative process. Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode that might just spark your own journey of self-discovery! (00:00) Reena Friedman Watts: Better Call Daddy is back with more daddy drama (01:30) Freddy Cruz hosts podcasts in studio and in person (02:03) The building where Speke podcasting is located was originally outfitted for only medical (06:44) How in the world did your books come to you (09:43) The book explores just how depraved people can be (13:06) How did you decide to self publish your first three novels (17:51) There was a secession movement in California years ago (19:50) How did you get involved with the animal community? So Zeke is your first dog (22:54) How can you tell if a dog is going to be a good match (27:02) Houston is a big city, but it's also a small town (31:46) How did you land the radio job? Yeah, uh, talk about that (35:53) Freddy says he never made any mistakes editing clients podcasts (40:32) Some of your best opportunities came from working shifts that other people wouldn't (44:03) How have you tried to show your kids that you can create opportunities (46:21) What are you proud of your kids for? I'm proud that they're not on social media (51:27) Is there anything that you've learned from your dad that you would like to share (53:55) Night of the Living Pod is scheduled for October at the National Museum of Funeral History (55:36) Freddy Cruz is putting his lifelong dream of being on television into action (01:00:17) How important is going to college versus having a trade or on the job Connect with Freddy: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/ Connect with Reena: https://bettercalldaddy.com https://linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts https://instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts https://www.youtube.com/c/bettercalldaddy Thank you for tuning in to Better Call Daddy—where wisdom and heart meet.