EP8: Exploring Grunge, Soul, and Authenticity with Ashaine White 🎸🎤 | Champ & Contender Podcast

🎉 Welcome to Episode 8 of The Champ & Contender Podcast! 🎙️ Join hosts Joseph J. Jones and Fabian Collymore as they sit down with the incredibly talented singer-songwriter Ashaine White 🌟 for an in-depth conversation about her unique fusion of grunge and soul, her musical journey 🎶, and how she crafts her authentic sound 💫. From her influences like Jeff Buckley 🎸 and Prince 👑 to her experiences as an independent artist navigating the music industry, Ashaine shares it all.

🔥 Don’t miss our popular Shotstopper' game 🥃, where Ashaine faces the ultimate challenge of choosing between iconic artists like Kurt Cobain 🤘 and Sam Cooke 🎵, or taking a shot! 🏆 Whether you're a music enthusiast 🎧 or just looking for an inspiring story, this episode has something for everyone. 💬✨

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 Welcome to the Champ & Contender Podcast

01:43 Meet Ashaine White: The Journey Begins 🌟

03:43 Developing a Unique Sound 🎶

05:59 Influences and Inspirations 🎸

09:28 The Grunge Soul Identity 🤘💜

18:34 Navigating the Music Industry 🚀

21:34 The Creative Process 🖋️🎹

30:14 Reflections and Future Aspirations 🌈

47:22 AI in Music: The Future or a Gimmick? 🤖🎵

47:53 The Authenticity of Music Creation 🎤

48:23 Writing for AI vs. Real Artists 💡

49:34 Finding Joy in Music 💕🎶

52:15 The Journey of 'Cause for Concern' 🎧

55:08 Favorite Songs and Songwriting Process 🖋️🎵

57:45 Influences and Inspirations 🎙️

59:27 Shotstopper: Grunge vs. Soul 🎸🎤

01:16:21 Upcoming Projects and Socials 📆✨

01:18:11 Live Performance: 'Hotel' by Ashaine White 🎤🎶

EP7: 🎙️ Cookster Star Craige Middleburg Opens Up About Family, Fame, and Following His Dreams

Champ & Contender Podcast Hosts Joseph J. Jones and Fabian Collymore sit down with the multi-talented Craig Middleburg 🎭✨—an actor, magician 🎩, and musician 🎵.

In this in-depth conversation, they explore Craig's journey from his early days in acting and music 🎸🎤 to starring in feature films 🎥.

They dive into his experience working on the set of 'The Batman' 🦇, how he prepares for roles 📝, the challenges he faces as an up-and-coming actor 🎭, and his ambitions for writing and directing 🎬✍️.

Craig also shares valuable advice for young actors 🌟 and opens up about the impact of social media 📱 on the industry.

Don’t miss this fascinating and inspiring episode, packed with insights 💡 and behind-the-scenes stories 🎞️ from one of today’s most promising talents in entertainment!

00:00 Welcome to the Champ and Contender Podcast

00:12 Introducing Craig Middleburg

02:01 Craig's Early Career and Breakthrough

04:12 The Journey into Writing and Storytelling

06:28 Acting Techniques and Character Development

09:11 Typecasting and Expanding Roles

14:19 Behind the Scenes of Batman

21:17 Future Aspirations and Youth Engagement

28:59 Landing the Role in Batman

29:38 Starring in Cookster: A True Story

30:57 Future of the Film Franchise

31:34 Meeting Jason and the Role of Roach

32:11 Challenges and Delays in Production

32:54 Portraying a Real Person

34:23 Immersing into the Character

36:18 Experiencing Success and Recognition

38:55 Navigating Fame and Relationships

41:54 Actor Showdown: Choosing the Best

56:07 Idris Elba vs. Tom Hardy: A Dream Collaboration

56:33 Anthony Hopkins vs. Jack Nicholson: The Ultimate Showdown

01:00:24 Samuel L. Jackson: The Iconic Choice

01:07:19 The Journey from Music to Acting

01:17:27 The Future of Acting in the Age of AI

01:22:17 Advice for Aspiring Actors

01:24:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell

🎙️ Welcome to the latest episode of the Champ & Contender Podcast! 🎧 In this captivating episode, hosts Joseph J. Jones and Fabian Collymore sit down with singer-songwriter David Sneddon to discuss his remarkable journey from winning Fame Academy in 2002 🏆 to becoming a renowned songwriter ✍️.

🎶 They delve into the transformative impact of his early fame, the challenges of navigating the music industry 🌍, and the unique experiences that shaped his career. David opens up about writing hits for artists like Lana Del Rey 🌹 and Louis Tomlinson 🎤, his creative process 🖌️, and how football ⚽ remains a grounding influence in his life.

✨ Don’t miss their insightful discussion on the pros and cons of reality TV fame, the evolving music landscape 📀, and a fun segment where they compare distinguished songwriters 🏅 and Rangers legends 🔵.

🎥 Hit play and join the conversation! 🚀

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:38 David Sneddon's Fame Academy Journey

02:26 Life After Fame Academy

06:19 Transition to Songwriting

09:19 Challenges and Breakthroughs

20:39 Working with Lana Del Rey

32:33 Songwriting Philosophy and Process

35:38 The Creative Process with Dave

37:22 The Value of Success and Money

39:47 Working with Louis Tomlinson

40:30 The Impact of Fame and Money

42:31 Navigating Social Media and Fame

57:09 AI in Music and the Future of Creativity

01:03:40 Reflecting on Personal Success

01:12:00 Reflecting on Fame Academy

01:12:14 Success Stories of Fellow Contestants

01:12:51 Reconnecting and Finding Closure

01:13:23 Rediscovering the Artist Within

01:13:40 Balancing Songwriting and Performing

01:16:03 The Power of Collaboration

01:22:19 Football: A Creative Escape

01:25:58 Rangers vs. Songwriters Game

01:41:24 Rangers in the Premier League?

01:44:52 Conclusion and Farew

🎙️ EP5: The Champ & Contender Podcast ft. UpIsNotJump | Fallout Fanatic & Shot Stopper

🎮🏆 In Episode 5 of The Champ & Contender Podcast, we sit down with the legendary YouTuber UpIsNotJump, the master of recreating iconic gaming moments and delivering laugh-out-loud commentary. Known for his viral Fallout content, UpIsNotJump talks about his creative process, his love for immersive storytelling, and how he became a go-to creator for gamers worldwide. But that’s not all—he also shares his experiences as a shot stopper in gaming, discussing the precision, focus, and skill required to excel in intense gaming scenarios.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode: How UpIsNotJump became a leading creator in the Fallout community. Insights into his viral recreations and the art of modding. The mental and technical skills behind being a gaming shot stopper. Hilarious anecdotes from the gaming world and tips for aspiring creators.

🔥 Whether you’re a Fallout superfan, an avid gamer, or a content creator looking for inspiration, this episode delivers everything from laughs to actionable insights.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Champ and Contender Podcast

00:16 Meet Our Special Guest: Up Is Not Jump

00:47 From Chemistry to YouTube Stardom

01:54 The Inspiration Behind the Career Shift

02:53 The Early Days of YouTube

07:00 The Role of Agents and Sponsorships

08:32 The Hustle and Marketing Strategies

11:02 The Importance of Quality Content

12:03 Challenges and Rewards of Content Creation

30:34 The Impact of Analytics and Viewer Engagement

31:47 The Story of Sid the Cat

35:59 The Fallout Series: A Deep Dive

44:49 Analysing the Fallout TV Show's Popularity

46:03 Discussing the Fallout TV Show and Its Characters

47:05 The Art and Legacy of Fallout

48:44 Gaming Masterpieces and Hidden Gems

50:24 Introducing the Game: Shotstopper

51:48 The YouTube Journey and Advice for Aspiring Creators

54:36 Balancing YouTube and Other Careers

55:57 Gaming Nostalgia and Personal Favorites

56:40 Minecraft: A Game for All Ages

01:10:11 The YouTube Community and Networking

01:13:35 Fame and Fan Encounters

01:18:04 What's Next for Up Is Not Jump?

01:19:05 Closing Remarks and Social Media

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more epic interviews and stories from creators, gamers, and champions turning their passions into careers. #UpIsNotJump #Fallout #ShotStopper #GamingYouTuber #FalloutMods #GamingPodcast #TheChampAndContenderPodcast #ContentCreation #GamingJourney #MotivationalPodcast #FalloutFans

🎙️⚽ Welcome to Episode 4 of The Champ & Contender Podcast, where we sit down with former England international and current football pundit, Dean Ashton, for an unforgettable conversation about his football career, the heartbreak of early retirement, and his new life in punditry. From career-defining moments to the pain of a devastating injury, this episode is packed with insight, emotion, and plenty of humour.

🏆 Career Highlights & Heartbreaks Dean recalls the moment he learned he was starting in a game that changed his career forever: “The best news I’d ever heard in my life.” The FA Cup Final: the pinnacle of his career, followed by the heartbreaking aftermath. A devastating injury: Dean shares the agony of thinking his football career was over after breaking through the middle of his joint. The grief of leaving football: “The thought of watching football would just make me upset.”

⚽ Iconic Moments on the Pitch Reliving his iconic overhead kick at Old Trafford, one of the greatest moments of his career, against Manchester United. Facing Rio Ferdinand: Dean breaks down why Rio Ferdinand was the toughest and most intelligent defender he ever played against.

🍺 Showstopper Segment The Showstopper Segment is back with a football twist! Dean Ashton faces the ultimate dilemma: choose between football legends like Shaka Hislop, Scott Parker, and Craig Bellamy—or take a shot. Who will he pick as the ultimate champ?

🏟️ Plus Dean shares his personal motto: “If Chris Wood can, I can” and what it means to keep the footballer’s spirit alive. Behind-the-scenes insight into the highs and lows of life as a football pundit, and what it’s like to analyze the game from a different perspective. This episode is packed with inspiration, raw emotion, and an honest look at life after professional sports. Whether you're a football fan, someone interested in sports punditry, or simply looking for stories of resilience, Dean Ashton’s journey will leave you inspired.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The Champ & Contender Podcast for more amazing guests, powerful sports stories, and a deep dive into the world of football and punditry! Click the link below for access to all of our socials.

https://linktr.ee/thechampandcontenderpodcast

00:00 Welcome to the Champ and Contender Podcast

00:29 Introducing Dean Ashton

01:42 Dean Ashton's Football Journey

07:45 Challenges and Realizations

18:00 Joining West Ham

31:22 FA Cup Final Memories

42:51 The Kickoff Confusion

43:04 Tensions on the Field

43:34 Post FA Cup Final Reflections

43:58 Preseason Vibes

45:13 Team Dynamics and Jokers

46:02 Beer Festival Mishaps

46:37 Funny Moments on the Pitch

48:52 The England Call-Up

53:28 The Career-Changing Injury

55:28 Coping with Career Setbacks

01:01:37 Mental Health in Football

01:07:35 Memorable Goals and Moments

01:12:45 Shotstopper Game: Norwich vs West Ham

01:18:29 Player Critiques and Comparisons

01:18:50 Yossi Benayoun vs. The Rest

01:22:29 Craig Bellamy Takes the Lead

01:25:57 Reflecting on Defenders and Striker Roles

01:40:34 Coaching and Media Career

01:46:02 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Welcome to Episode 3 of The Champ & Contender Podcast, where we sit down with comedian Alex Hayman for a hilarious and thought-provoking conversation about the highs and lows of stand-up comedy, navigating the chaos of social media, and the complexities of comedic rivalry. Whether you’re a comedy fan, a social media enthusiast, or just looking for a dose of laughter and inspiration, this episode has it all.

🎭 Comedy, Freedom, and Staying Real Why staying true to yourself as a comedian is non-negotiable in the world of stand-up. The fine line between freedom of speech and future controversy in comedy. Is improvisation the key to making comedy feel more authentic and raw?

📱 Social Media vs. Live Gigs TikTok comedy vs. the rush of live gigs: Can social media ever replace the real-life energy of stand-up comedy? The trap of fast growth on social media and why it might be fleeting. Can stand-up comedy thrive on TikTok Live? We break it down.

🤔 Rivalries & Connections in Comedy Is rivalry in comedy healthy or harmful? The challenges of building real connections in a competitive industry like comedy.

⚽ Football Hot Takes Lopetegui’s future and Bowen’s captaincy struggles—Alex Hayman shares his football insights. Are English managers doomed to never win big? Why Klopp outshines Pep Guardiola in the football world.

🍺 Showstopper Segment Our popular Showstopper Segment returns! Alex faces the ultimate challenge: choose between comedy legends like Kevin Bridges and Ricky Gervais, or take a shot! Who does Alex crown as the ultimate champ, and who sends him reaching for the glass?

🏗️ Bonus Content A mockumentary in the works based on the construction site. The secrets of winning over an audience, and how Kevin Bridges and Ricky Gervais do it with ease. Packed with laughs, controversial takes, and deep insights into both comedy and the online world, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about stand-up comedy, social media, and sports opinions.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The Champ & Contender Podcast for more amazing guests, powerful stories, and comedic insights that you won’t want to miss! Click the link below for access to all of our socials.

https://linktr.ee/thechampandcontenderpodcast

00:00 - Intro

02:40 - Tv and Film

04:08 - Future goals

06:35 - Do I Get Private Work

08:00 - What Inspires

09:00 - What’s on the cards in comedy

11:00 - Live standup

15:15 - Comparisons

17:42 - Drawing a blank

20:40 - Heckler moment

23:12 - Social Media Pro’s and Con’s

27:19 - Direction of Comedy

33:17 - Comedy Rivalries

35:55 - Up and coming comedians

37:00 - Shot Stopper

50:25 - West Ham

59:44 - Euro’s with England

01:05:36 - Next England manager

01:09:32 - kitchen ravers

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Champ & Contender Podcast! This emotional and inspiring episode features former professional boxer Kevin Mitchell, who takes us on a deep dive into his incredible boxing career and the personal struggles that shaped his journey. If you're a boxing fan or someone looking for a story of resilience and overcoming adversity, this episode is for you.

🥊 Kevin Mitchell shares his experience working with two of the biggest names in boxing—Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren—and provides an insider’s perspective on the business side of the sport. He also discusses the Saudi takeover of boxing and how it’s impacting sports globally. In a deeply personal moment, Kevin opens up about the tragic loss of his brother and how it changed his life. He reflects on the pain of that loss, the process of rebuilding himself, and how he found hope through supporting his son’s dream of following in his boxing footsteps. Kevin’s raw honesty and strength will leave you inspired and motivated to keep pushing through life’s toughest challenges.

🔑 Key Topics in This Episode: Kevin Mitchell’s boxing journey and career highlights Working with Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren in the world of professional boxing The impact of the Saudi takeover of boxing Overcoming personal tragedy and rebuilding after loss Supporting the next generation: Kevin Mitchell’s son and the future of boxing Resilience, family, and finding hope in the face of adversity

🥃 Plus, don’t miss our brand-new Showstopper Segment, where Kevin faces an impossible choice between two boxing legends—Roberto Duran and Manny Pacquiao—or else take a shot! This thrilling moment is just the beginning of exciting new features coming to the podcast! If you’re a fan of boxing, sports stories, or just need a dose of motivation, this episode will inspire you to keep going, no matter the obstacles.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The Champ & Contender Podcast for more stories of strength, perseverance, and triumph from champions and contenders shaping the world of sports and beyond! Just click the link below to access all of our platforms.

https://linktr.ee/thechampandcontenderpodcast

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

00:42 - Conversation with AJ

03:53 - Johnny Fisher

06:45 - How it all started

10:00 - Kevin talks about Conor McGregor

11:12 - First weigh cut at 18

16:05 - Social media boxers

18:12 - Meeting Gazza

19:28 - Repton boxing club

22:45 - Conor Mitchell my son

25:06 - Kevin’s thoughts on the Saudi takeover

26:54 - Frank Warren vs Eddie Hearn

29:40 - Teaching my son the in’s and out’s of boxing

31:51 - Conor Benn

33:05 - PT’ing in the West end stories

35:09 - Breidis Prescott

37:01 - Advice for AJ vs Daniel Dubois

41:04 - Plans to build a gym in honour of Vinnie

43:13 - What was Vinnie like ?

45:19 - The battle of losing my brother

47:07 - Depression

49:15 - Next up and coming star in boxing ?

51:33 - Conor Benn Situation

54:54 - Jorge Linares Training camp insight

57:47 - British Fighters

59:26 - Youtube boxers

1:02:23 - Frankenstein lightweight boxer

1:03:48 - Shot Stopper

1:09:52 - Autobiography

1:10:53 - What does West Ham mean to Kevin Mitchell

1:13:15 - Upton Park Sell out

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Champ & Contender Podcast—the ultimate podcast where sports, music, and personal growth collide! In this exciting debut episode, hosts Fabian Collymore, a former Great Britain athlete, and Joseph J. Jones, a rising music star and singer-songwriter, share their inspiring stories from the world of elite sports and the music industry.

🏆 Fabian Collymore takes us behind the scenes of his journey as a GB athlete, opening up about the highs and lows of competing at the top, the lessons he’s learned, and how he’s transitioned from the world of sport to becoming a mentor for others striving for greatness. Whether you're a sports fan or someone looking to build resilience, Fabian’s story is full of motivation.

🎤 Joseph J. Jones dives deep into his experience as a rising music star in the competitive world of music. He talks about the challenges of the music industry, his creative process, and how he stays passionate while chasing his dreams. If you’re a music lover or aspiring artist, Joseph’s insights are sure to inspire. This podcast is for anyone striving to reach their goals, whether you’re a sports fan, a music enthusiast, or someone on a journey of self-improvement. The Champ & Contender Podcast celebrates the journey of those who’ve achieved success (champions) and those who are still rising (contenders), proving that anyone can be a champion at any stage of life.

🔑 Key Topics in This Episode:

Fabian Collymore’s experiences as a Great Britain athlete

The mental toughness required to succeed in elite sports

Joseph J. Jones’ journey as a singer-songwriter and the challenges of the music industry Resilience, passion, and the power of personal growth

The deeper meaning behind being a champion and a contender

Whether you're chasing your dreams in sports, music, or simply looking for inspiration, this podcast will give you the tools and mindset you need to succeed.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The Champ & Contender Podcast for more stories of strength, perseverance, and triumph from champions and contenders shaping the world of sports and beyond! Follow the link below for access to all our platforms.

https://linktr.ee/thechampandcontenderpodcast

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

00:40 - About Us

01:14 - Idea of the Podcast

01:53 - Fabian's Athletics Career

05:00 - Linford Christie Story !!!

06:41 - Earning Money in Track And Field ?

08:50 - Peak Age As An Athlete ?

09:25 - Defining Moment in Career

11:03 - I wish my mentality was ...

11:38 - Believing in yourself

12:10 - When did the great Britain dream go

14:30 - Change of mindset

15:30 - Injuries

16:39 - Training

17:53 - The podcast that helps with running long distance

18:20 - Post Career Work

19:05 - Joseph J. Jones Career how it started

20:53 - Singing In Class

22:30 - Family Of Music

23:00 - Mr Ward introduction to the music industry

25:20 - Age of 14 playing in Ronnie Scott's

26:35 - The Sony Music Story

28:30 - Writing with simply Red

32:00 - How the name came about Joseph J Jones

34:00 - Getting signed

36:50 - Writing process

39:13 - New Music Coming Soon

43:29 - Feeling Like I Failed

44:41 - David Sneddon

48:00 - Advice For Artist

52:16 - Singing Live

53:42 - West Ham

57:10 - Arsenal