The pursuit of happiness is the central aim of human existence. In a world where we tend to steer away from discomfort, we often try to step into pleasure as the ultimate goal. Hedonism, a philosophy which focuses on maximizing pleasure, when intertwined with drugs, forms a very complex relationship. As society grapples with the repercussions of drug use, the intersection where hedonism meets substance abuse has become a viewpoint to scrutinize ideas of personal freedom and contentment. Renowned music veteran James Blunt, well-acquainted with pursuing life’s pleasures, has both indulged in hedonistic experiences and, regrettably, confronted the challenges of this intricate relationship. This exploration is part of an endeavour to ease suffering.

Don’t take life too seriously…

James Blunt, recording artist

“Just be there”

One of the hardest things to do as a man is to watch someone you care about battle an addiction. On the one hand, you want to be there for them. You don’t want to cast any judgment, but you also want to rid them of the addiction, which can put you between a rock and a hard place. It’s challenging because being that beacon of support is crucial. You cannot let them feel as if they’re alone, but you must also be able to set boundaries. Although you cannot help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves, sometimes, just letting them know that you’re there for them can make all the difference.

See also: Entrepreneurship & dealing with stress as a team: Nico Norena, The Succulent Bite

Episode 75 of the Gent’s Talk podcast

James Blunt (real name Blount), who lives in Ibiza, Spain, quickly stopped in Toronto and joined us on our most recent podcast episode! Episode 75, a milestone for us, could not be celebrated more luxuriously. James Blunt was a reconnaissance officer before becoming that guy who sings that song we all know and love. Known for the hit single “You’re Beautiful,” James talked about how fame doesn’t change you, but it changes everyone around you. It was a difficult shift for him from trying to stay incognito during reconnaissance missions to the world’s recognition of his face.

Being a product of the boarding school system, James Blunt attributed his success to the school’s ability to instill the belief that “whatever you want to be in life, you can.” Traditional schools only allow children to be this or that, but knowing that you can be anything or anyone you want is the greatest thing you can teach a child. We also spoke on his longevity in the daunting music industry, and his advice was simple: “Don’t take it too seriously.”

Gent’s Talk, powered by Gent’s Post

Bulova Canada presents the Gent’s Talk podcast. Season 5, episode 75 was filmed at the incredible Kimpton Epic Hotel in Miami, Florida and is available to stream on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple, Audible, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts! Seasons 1-3 are all on board Air Canada flights via the in-flight entertainment system. Please make sure to like, follow and subscribe. Your continued support throughout this journey is greatly appreciated.

The post James Blunt: Fame, Princess Leia & being emotionally stunted appeared first on GENT'S POST.

With everything going on in our lives, stress has become an omnipresent force. It impacts us both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, the demands of an overworked week, our relationships, and societal expectations often manifest into chronic stress. When we tackle life’s challenges, the presence of a supportive partner can serve as a beacon of solace and resilience. Such a supporting alliance not only acts as a buffer against the adverse effects of stress but also fosters personal growth and emotional well-being. Nico Norena, the creator of The Succulent Bite, believes that a dependable partner is a powerful catalyst for navigating life’s many stressors.

See also: Fatherhood, coaching and positive influence: OVO Sound recording artist Roy Wood$

Let’s talk about stress

Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a problematic situation. As a natural physiological response, it aims to prepare the body to face challenges. It triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which gear the body for a “fight or flight” response. While acute stress can enhance performance and alertness, chronic stress, often a result of prolonged challenges or unresolved issues, can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health.

As men, we’ve often been told we must “figure it out” ourselves, which is a hard battle to fight alone. The impacts of chronic stress are far-reaching. Physically, it can lead to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune function. It can also contribute to unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating or substance abuse. Mental health suffers, too, with chronic stress being linked to anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments.

Lean on your partner

To combat stress, having a supportive partner can act as a soothing balm to help relieve the strains of daily life. It’s known that successful couples navigate stress together. The shared laughter, open communication, and empathetic understanding become essential ingredients in the stress-relief recipe. A patient, understanding partner isn’t the only way to deal with stress, but it helps.

Episode 74 of the Gent’s Talk podcast

In this week’s episode of Gent’s Talk, host Samir Mourani sat down with Nico Norena. Nico, who started off working a corporate 9-5 job, turned his love for food and photography into one of the most successful content platforms globally. Nico Norena recently got married and shared his view on the importance of a supporting partner. He showed gratitude for how she has helped him in some of his most stressful situations.

Gent’s Talk, powered by Gent’s Post

Bulova Canada presents the Gent’s Talk podcast. Season 5, episode 74 was filmed at the incredible Kimpton Epic Hotel in Miami, Florida and is available to stream on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple, Audible, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts! Seasons 1-3 are all on board Air Canada flights via the in-flight entertainment system. Please make sure to like, follow and subscribe. Your continued support throughout this journey is greatly appreciated.

The post Entrepreneurship & dealing with stress as a team: Nico Norena, The Succulent Bite appeared first on GENT'S POST.

What it takes to be a man is a topic discussed quite often. How we became men however, is a topic that generally gets overlooked. We tend to go back and forth between what it takes to be a man: what actions one must assume, how we should react, etc. There is no singular formula, naturally, but as long as there’s a constant focus on becoming a better man, the needle will continue to move forward. According to OVO SOUND recording artist Roy Wood$, coaching youth sports has allowed him that luxury. The ability to be a positive role model for young men has also played a significant role in how he approaches fatherhood.

See also: From open mic to touring worldwide w/ comedian Kurtis Conner

A regular on the ‘Top Artists’ category on Spotify, Roy Wood$, born Denzel Spencer, is one of the many big names coming out of Brampton, Ontario. Roy is a rising star in the world of contemporary music. He is known for his distinctive sound and innovative approach to hip-hop music. He burst onto the music scene and caught Drake’s attention in 2015 with his unique style that defies traditional categorization. His music seamlessly fuses elements of R&B, hip-hop, and alternative music. This has created a dynamic and fresh sound that captivates audiences worldwide.

Living with schizophrenia

As a child of a parent with schizophrenia, Roy has a love/hate relationship with CamH. This stems from when he tried to check his mother into the hospital but was sent home after a few tests because she “appeared fine.” Schizophrenia is a condition where people interpret reality abnormally. While you suffer from hallucinations and delusions, that disconnection from reality also affects your ability to recognize your symptoms. It’s a severe condition, but it’s treatable.

It wasn’t until his mother luckily checked herself in, the eventual turning point in their relationship, that he better understood the condition.

Episode 73 of the Gent’s Talk podcast

The humble Roy Wood$ joined us on our newest Gent’s Talk podcast episode, where he apologized to his fans. He feels he hasn’t been able to give them the version of Roy they’ve become accustomed to for a long time. With that, he vows to give them something to remember with his newest album in six years, Mixed Emotions.

Although he ran away from home when he was 18, family has always been number one for Roy Wood$. He spoke on how it felt to leave a toxic home environment and how that affected his family dynamic. After carrying the burden of the household’s father from such a young age, he still prides himself on his ability to continue to provide for his family.

We also discussed the importance of having a positive role model in our lives and how vital it is for the youth. Because we cannot control what happens at home, Roy Wood$ does his part by coaching youth football (when he’s not touring the world). As his career continues to flourish, Roy Wood$ remains committed to pushing boundaries and exploring new territories. His artistry and dedication to his craft make him a promising talent to watch. Roy has an innovative approach to music that ensures he will continue to shape the industry’s future.

Gent’s Talk, powered by Gent’s Post

Bulova Canada presents the Gent’s Talk podcast. Season 5, episode 73 is available to stream on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple, Audible, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts! Seasons 1-3 are all on board Air Canada flights via the in-flight entertainment system. Please make sure to like, follow and subscribe. Your continued support throughout this journey is greatly appreciated.

The post Fatherhood, coaching and positive influence: OVO Sound recording artist Roy Woods appeared first on GENT'S POST.

When you walk into a room with a well-tailored suit on, heads will turn. There’s something special about a suit designed to fit you perfectly, exactly the way you want, that’ll make you want to slow your pace and walk with your chin held high. Clothing doesn’t make the man, but confidence in your appearance helps. If you’re searching for a boost in the confidence category, surely you’ll leave Atelier Munro with a bit of swag in your step.

See also: Ian Rosen: “Harry’s is no longer your father’s suit shop”

Personal touch

While pursuing the perfect suit, we were introduced to sartorialist Gaurav Suneja, the Store Leader of Atelier Munro House Toronto. AM House Toronto prides itself on modern tailoring and durable craftsmanship. Their made-to-order clothing showcases individual personalities with a focus on relationship building. When someone has a piece that is personal to them, it lasts longer. They’ve perfected this and accompanied it with an experience made to your taste, tailored to your form, and crafted with care.

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The first thing a well-dressed Gaurav illustrated was how client relationships must be built first to ensure a prosperous experience. “It’s not just about clothes; we are in the people business. Clothes are the outcome of the great relationships that we have with our clients.” AM House Toronto is situated in a Victorian house located in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood. With three floors of elegant decor and artistic pieces filled with stunning suits and fabrics – the experience begins when you step foot in the building. Not only is it a place to find the perfect fit, but the space is equipped with a bar and enough amenities to host a fancy soirée should you find yourself interested.

“We believe good things take time.”

Gaurav Suneja

The Experience

The entire process was thorough but effortless. As we walked in, we were greeted with a beverage of our choice, as one would when you enter someone’s home, and then we were treated to the grand tour. Fabric selection was step one. With thousands of materials and hundreds of colours/patterns to pick from, the fabric rolodex was something to marvel at. “We work with the finest fabric mills across the globe,” Gaurav explained, “creating a plethora of the finest fabric selection allows a client to create something extremely personal in their preferred price point.”

Next, Gaurav broke each component of our suits down to the last customizable detail. A process which included picking the size and location of pockets, button size and colour, jacket lining designs, and custom embroidery. All of which is updated in real-time.

Next was the measurement process. This is a crucial stеp that еnsurеs the suit will fit likе a glovе. Gaurav, with intricate precision, took mеasurеmеnts of the body, including the chеst, waist, hips, shouldеrs, and insеam lеngth. An outfit isn’t complete without shoes, and Gaurav knew exactly what to suggest. Last but not least, the delivery. After a few weeks, our suits were ready! With a final check to ensure everything fit exactly as it should, Gaurav packed our suits up.

With the ability to add custom embroidery from the insoles of shoes to the cuffs of a dress shirt, a suit from Atelier Munro is truly one-of-one. It’s yours and yours alone. Dawning a brand new custom-tailored suit with Italian-made precision and a newfound sense of self, we were ready to stand out in a crowd. Those turned heads are now seeing a confident man. Whether you prove them wrong is up to you.

The post Dress in confidence: Think style, think Atelier Munro appeared first on GENT'S POST.

Speaking in front of a crowd is high atop the list of common fears. It takes a lot of practice not to freeze up when all eyes are on you. Many avoid jumping into any profession that prides itself on the ability to speak in front of large crowds because it can be so daunting. Add in the ability to control said group and make them laugh, and it is even more difficult! Welcome to the life of a comedian. With an uncanny ability to deconstruct a topic and present it hilariously, Kurtis Conner has been perfecting his stage presence for nearly a decade.

Kurtis Conner grew up timid, as most comedians do, and never thought comedy was on his career path (until he was 19). The encouragement of a patron at a Starbucks he was working at convinced him to attend an open mic night, thus starting his comedy career.

See also: Ian Rosen: “Harry’s is no longer your father’s suit shop”

Open mic night

Many comedians have stated that open mic nights have been integral to their success. An open mic night allows audience members to perform on stage in front of a live crowd, often for the first time. If you’re looking to hop on stage or have a friend who doesn’t know how talented they indeed are, an open mic night may be just what they need. In the southern Ontario area, open mic nights are sprinkled all across the city. You just have to know where to look.

Keep Busy: A Kurtis Conner Comedy Special

Before TikTok, we go back to when videos only lasted six seconds. You remember Vine, right? Kurtis Conner, who gained widespread popularity with his Vine sketches, has come a long way since the app’s peak in the late 2010s. He’s become known for a style of humour that is absurd yet relatable. His consistency and witty commentary have helped him boost his YouTube channel and amass over 4.5 million subscribers. With his videos regularly hitting the Top 10 trending pages, the 29-year-old’s dedication to his craft has allowed him to tour worldwide.

November 10th will be the premier of Keep Busy: A Kurtis Conner Comedy Special! This will be Conner’s first-ever stand-up comedy special. The live event will be at 8 p.m. and available to stream through November 24th.

Episode 72 of the Gent’s Talk podcast

We sat down with Kurtis Conner on our newest episode of the Gent’s Talk podcast. With much of his fame coming via the YouTube route, Kurtis Conner talked about his uncharacteristic journey from an impromptu open mic night to having a comedy special and now touring worldwide. Although he understands why he has gotten some flack for not taking the traditional stand-up comedy route, he doesn’t let it affect his ability to make people laugh.

We were introduced to Kurtis through brothers Tyler and Braden Handley, founders of Inkbox. They spoke about how influential he was to their early success (from a marketing/content creation standpoint). Since then, we’ve been eager to talk with him about content creation and his life as a married comedian travelling the world.

Gent’s Talk, powered by Gent’s Post

Bulova Canada presents the Gent’s Talk podcast. Season 5, episode 72 is available to stream on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple, Audible, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts! Seasons 1-3 are all on board Air Canada flights via the in-flight entertainment system. Please make sure to like, follow and subscribe. Your continued support throughout this journey is greatly appreciated.

The post From open mic to touring worldwide w/ comedian Kurtis Conner appeared first on GENT'S POST.

This week, on Season 5 Episode 71, of the Gent’s Talk podcast, we chat with Ian Rosen of the iconic Rosen Family. Ian is the grandson of the namesake founder Harry Rosen, and son of the chairman and CEO, Larry Rosen. Harry Rosen Inc. has been a staple in Canadian menswear since its inauguration in 1954. When we sat down with Ian, the president and chief operating officer of Harry Rosen, we got to chat with him about how it’s been like to work with family, and joining the family business as a 3rd generation member and leader. While also detailing the processes he took with Harry Rosen to maintain its competitive advantage during the pandemic–what’s now, and what’s next.

Introducing, Ian Rosen

Ian Rosen, who was not pressured into the family business, was encouraged to pursue a career outside Harry Rosen. As an expert in vegetation management (which is not what one would expect from the COO of a menswear retailer), the urge to jump into the family business was not his intended destination. Instead, he mentioned how he consciously sought his MBA in the US to help him establish, and distance, himself from the Rosen legacy.

When he entered the e-commerce workforce, Ian Rosen realized his career path and the family business fit like a glove. It was the gap in Harry Rosen’s digital infrastructure that sparked his curiosity and a business model that was not prepared for online shopping that opened Ian with open arms. Ian Rosen explained how initially he did not want to work with his father. He mentioned that together, they learned how, and “it’s become an extremely rewarding experience.” The pandemic resulted in a rise in online shopping, and trends began to show the world was becoming more casual. There was a need for Harry Rosen to transition digitally to continue its legacy, and if Ian wanted to grow, they would need to lean on each other.

Money and blood can mix.

There have been countless unsuccessful examples of what can happen when business and family intertwine. It can be challenging, as we’ve been led to believe not to mix family and business. The Rosens have pulled it off successfully. Ian let us in on some of the processes they have implemented to do it successfully. Listen as Ian breaks down the “3 pillars of a family enterprise”.

See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep. 71 – A Sit-Down w/ Sandi Treliving.

Above everything else, Ian Rosen emphasized that it cannot be possible without proper planning and admitted that they brought experts to help them navigate things. “There are too many examples of [working with family] going wrong, but when you can get it right, it’s so valuable,” he mentioned. Here are some questions to consider when setting a family business up for success:

• When do you not talk about certain things?
• What norms are going to be created to maintain a typical family dinner?
• How does a business conversation not become a “father vs son” or “brother vs brother” conversation?
• How do you divide family/business time?
• Are there established roles?

A story, a legacy

We all search for our voice to be heard, and many equate that to writing our own story. Ian’s beautiful perspective on the subject is eye-opening. “If I’m looking to write my novel, this is the wrong path,” he stated, “I’m looking to continue this unfinished novel.” He pointed out how it gets increasingly tricky from generation to generation; you start to live in two generations of shadows. Ian’s resume speaks for itself, but because of his last name, the distinction can get overlooked. “When you enter a family business, you have to accept that you’re probably not going to get full credit for anything you do. And you have to be comfortable with that.”

Today’s, Harry Rosen

When thinking of Harry Rosen, one would expect a wall of dress shirts and a lot of blue blazers and grey suits. Ian quickly informed us that Harry Rosen is “no longer your father’s suit shop” and that today, it’s much more of a dynamic environment that caters to the everyday man. The national retailer carries everything from blazers to casual shirts to swimwear. He mentioned that their tailoring process extends throughout their entire collection, not just suits.

Episode 71, Season 5 of the Gent’s Talk podcast

Presented by, Bulova Canada, season 5 episode 71 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, is available to stream on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple, Audible, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts! Seasons 1-4 are now all on board Air Canada flights via the in-flight entertainment system. Please make sure to like, follow and subscribe. Your continued support throughout this journey is greatly appreciated.

Here’s last week’s episode:

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Welcome to Episode 71 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, where we sat down with philanthropist Sandi Treliving. She is the founding member of Womenmind and is also on the Board of Directors for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation. We talked about access to care for those struggling with mental health issues and the need for more evidence-based information regarding mental health.

Mental Health

A world where “mental health is health,” can only be achieved with more ambassadors and advocates supporting the cause. Sandi Treliving is a prime example of that. “The more we talk about mental health, the better we can support ourselves, others, and families living with mental illnesses.” Sandi cross-referenced the “war on cancer” in the ‘70s/’80s because everyone was on board, and cancer research was front of mind. Because of such efforts, the effects were astronomical. She believes that the same mindset needs to be applied to mental health because we’ve been in a mental health crisis since before the pandemic, and it’s only grown exponentially. According to Sandi, what mental health needs is funding for research.

Treliving was excited to announce that over 13 Youth Wellness Hubs in Ontario are supported by CAMH. She also mentioned how seeing more youth reaching out for help is promising. “If we can get to someone early, we can [hopefully] avoid full mental illness.” She believes the healthcare system was built incorrectly and needs to be changed. Treliving reminisced about a time when doctors used to come to the house for preventative medicine, versus now, where we primarily only use doctors after the fact. Sandi urges normalizing the brain as an organ that can get sick. “Just because someone’s brain may be suffering doesn’t mean they’ll be ill for life.”

See Also: Gent’s Talk Ep. 69: A sit-down w/ country artist, Mitchell Tenpenny

CAMH

CAMH is the largest mental health hospital in Canada. They are recognized as one of the best research facilities worldwide. They provide care to 30,000+ patients in need every year. By reducing the stigma, educating the public, and creating awareness, they plan to create a better future for anyone struggling with mental illness and addiction. Their mission is to help shape a world where mental illness is seen in the same light as every other illness, and all patients receive the care they need and deserve.

Womenmind

Womenmind is a community of philanthropists committed to increasing awareness about girls’ and women’s mental health. They intend to reduce the gender gap in mental health by recruiting and advancing female scientists. Womenmind is supporting ground-breaking discoveries in mental health. They are fixing a broken system that uses studies on men for the treatment of women. Their mission is to change attitudes and shape a world where people with mental illness receive the care they need and deserve.

Please tune into Episode 71 for the entire conversation with Sandi Treliving. If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is a list of resources available for areas in and around Toronto at camh.ca.

About Gent’s Talk

Bulova Canada presents Episode 71 of Gent’s Talk, available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! It is filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch Season 1-4 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!

The post Sandi Treliving: “now we’re in a mental illness situation, vs a mental health situation.” appeared first on GENT'S POST.

Welcome to Episode 69 of the Gent’s Talk podcast featuring Mitchell Tenpenny. The country music star is a singer, songwriter, producer and performer. We sat down with Mitchell from Nashville, Tennessee, while he was in town for the Highway Desperado Tour. We discussed the importance of celebrating small wins and dealing with grief. During our conversation, Tenpenny also examined the music business from a songwriter’s point of view.

Songwriting

Songwriting has been a part of Mitchell Tenpenny’s life from a young age. He spoke on being introduced to the music business via his grandmother, who worked her way up from receptionist to CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. She has been his example of what happens when you have relentless resilience. Tenpenny gravitates towards songwriting because of the way music can create moods. To him, music is a piece of mind. “Music doesn’t always have to fit the mood you’re in. Sometimes, it just reminds you of a mood you had before.”

Listen as Mitchell explains his songwriting process. With such a busy schedule, he informed us that his calendar is filled with scheduled songwriting time slots. Unfortunately, these planned sessions have removed much of the spontaneity he feels songwriting requires. He admitted the difficulty in planned creativity and explained how he’s become more mindful in his pursuit of creating.

Everyone grieves differently

Tenpenny lost his father to cancer, and going through that taught him a lot about the grieving process. In an attempt to protect him, his parents weren’t honest with his father’s diagnosis. He was “only told the optimistic shit, and none of the real shit,” and mentioned his only regret was that he didn’t get enough time to process what he wanted to say to his father longer. When his mother was diagnosed, he made it a mission to get all the information upfront. Tenpenny told listeners to “grieve the way you want to and do not let anyone else tell you how to do it.” There is no right way to grieve; it can hit you anytime. Mitchell recalled how he felt months later while driving between shows when he realized he couldn’t call or hear his father’s voice again.

See Also: Gent’s Talk Ep. 68: A sit-down w/ Indigenous Juno nominee, Boslen

Therapy

Tenpenny lives by the mantra: “When you’re trying to better yourself, the world will help out,” he revealed that he started therapy recently. Mitchell showed confusion as to why one would think trying to better yourself makes you crazy. He uses therapy as a place to vent, and we urge others to seek help. He encourages finding someone to vent to because “venting is so healthy.”

Please tune into Episode 69 for the entire conversation with Mitchell Tenpenny. The self-aware country artist doesn’t care what anyone looks like or what they believe in; he builds his friendships based on one’s merit.

About Gent’s Talk

Bulova Canada presents Episode 69 of Gent’s Talk, available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! It was filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch Seasons 1-4 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!

Feature image by Marc Messina

The post Mitchell Tenpenny: “Don’t be an A**HOLE!” appeared first on GENT'S POST.

Welcome to Episode 68 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, where we sat down with Corben Bowen, artistically known as Boslen. That we’re pleased to reconnect with after interviewing him on the red carpet at the 2023 Juno Awards. His nomination for Rap Album/EP of the Year was a milestone in his promising career. Being of an indigenous background, the man from Chilliwack, B.C., discussed the importance of representation and how he would like to provide hope for children aspiring to make it in the industry.

What is success?

While trying to be his own man, Boslen tries to block out the many differing opinions about where he should take his career. He spoke on focus and reminding himself how easy it is to lose yourself. He has seen it happen and knows how quickly it can derail a success story. Boslen defined success as the ability to “take care of my people and myself [by] doing what I love.” He also mentioned his dream of becoming an arena-selling artist.

Being one to speak things into existence, watching Boslen manifest playing at the Rogers Arena was a joy, and surely it will happen. Aware of how scary that can be, Boslen was also cognisant that “the best things in life are on the other side of fear.” There is a learning curve when adjusting to being in the public eye, and Boslen admitted that he struggled with that. It took him some time to figure things out, and he is happy that his sound is no longer being compared to other artists.

Introducing Boslen

Listen as Corben recalls the growth from the moniker Coffee Black to Boslen, a nickname from childhood. “Boslen” comes from combining his mother’s and stepfather’s last names, and it helps him represent his family. He mentioned that the best way to judge a man is by how he treats a server in a restaurant. This comes from his stepfather, who instilled in him the belief that a genuine person will treat someone who owes them nothing with the utmost respect. His family, who keep him grounded, is where Boslen expressed the most gratitude. Boslen also acknowledged that the “job isn’t done” and credits the “mamba mentality” for his hunger for continued success.

See also: Gent’s Talk: Ep. 67 – A sit-down w/ Johnny Orlando

What’s next?

Boslen has a few projects he needs to keep under wraps, but he did tell us he has two albums in the works. When the topic of fatherhood arose, he was noticeably excited to have children. His wanting a girl first because “having a daughter first will teach the son how to respect women” is honourable. As a young Gent with massive influence, Boslen loves to make authentic music and plans never to forfeit his artistic integrity.

Please tune into Episode 68 for the entire conversation with Boslen as he explains why he declined to play at Rogers Arena, even though performing in front of that crowd is his dream.

About Gent’s Talk

Bulova Canada presents Episode 68 of Gent’s Talk, available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! It was filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch Seasons 1-4 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!

The post Boslen: “You don’t see people like ME” appeared first on GENT'S POST.

Welcome to Episode 67 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, where we sat with Johnny Orlando. The Canadian-born singer-songwriter and actor has been a YouTube sensation since he was 8. From singing covers in his room to touring Asia this November, Johnny Orlando has accomplished so much at such a young age. He talked about what it’s like growing up famous and dealing with the attention of being a musician. We also discussed how he works with his family and why he believes artists are nothing without their fans.

Fans are everything

Regardless of talent level, the ability to showcase that talent doesn’t exist without fans. Forever indebted to his, Johnny Orlando expressed extreme gratitude to everyone who’s supported him. “Fans make you, and people forget that.” His voice was frustrated and disbelieving when speaking about not having time for fans. He acknowledges the fact he owes it to his fanbase because the only difference between him making music in his room and being able to sell out shows is them. The Ride Tour is the result of fans accepting him globally. It also highlights the reach good music has. Johnny Orlando spoke on how surreal it is to tour and be recognized in a country he has never been to.

Growing up famous

Growing up in the public eye has proved difficult for many adolescent stars, but Johnny Orlando seems to be fairing very well. He credited his parents for being integral to never letting fame affect him. At the early indications of stardom, his parents instilled in him, “You are not Johnny Orlando, you are John Orlando,” and, “When you come home at night, you take off the Johnny hat.”

From his older sister recording/editing his first YouTube videos to his father, the lawyer, being the “protective blanket” without ever forcing them to do anything, his family has been the reason Johnny has been so successful. Listen as Johnny Orlando talks about the sacrifice his parents made leaving Canada when he was in high school to help him pursue his dreams.

See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep. 66 – A Sit-Down w/ Stunt Lifestyle.

Step into the discomfort

Johnny Orlando talked about how he battles with the thoughts of not being good enough. He is aware of the realization that not everyone will be great, but he still strives for greatness. Johnny has been able to recognize when his mind starts to drift into that negative space, and when he starts to think, “What if I’m not a winner?” he knows it’s time to adjust whatever he is doing.

Please tune into Episode 67 for the entire conversation with Johnny Orlando. He feels that a successful relationship needs to have three distinct lives. Orlando believes you will lose sight of everything if you don’t separate “your life, her life and your lives together.” He also let us peek into the inspiration for his upcoming album, which focuses on relationships, specifically breakups.

About Gent’s Talk

Bulova Canada presents Episode 67 of Gent’s Talk, available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! It was filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch Seasons 1, 2, & 3 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!

The post Johnny Orlando: “Nothing fun ever happens in your comfort zone.” appeared first on GENT'S POST.