Russ Johnson is an MC and beatmaker in the DMV. On this special Halloween edition of the pod, Russ stops by the studio to share some original spooky jams to commemorate the holiday and talk all things beats, rhymes, and Halloween.

We kick off the show with an exclusive - an original theme for the pod Russ put together from a scratch track I sent him earlier in the year. Coming up as a battle MC from New York, Russ shares his journey and education in beat-making and how it accelerated during the pandemic. Russ's beat style draws on the muddy, stompy, and gritty, while his original rhymes pull from clever wordplay that draws out obscure and comedic pop culture and movie references. Russ and I reminisce on the holiday, what we appreciate about Halloween, and break down those classic 80's horror movies from our childhood.

Check out Russ on the mic on Halloween night at Crescendo Studios in Falls Church, VA.

On this episode of the pod, Fantasy Football Champion and Bottom Dweller Rick Bernstein takes you into one of his 3 fantasy football drafts and shares his pick process and final picks at each position starting from the first round (edited down a bit, of course).

Jummie Moses is the creator, host, and spirit behind the podcast "Shifting Dimensions," where themes of spirituality, religion, consciousness, the paranormal, and technology are explored in fascinating conversations.

From an early age, Jummie pondered life's biggest questions about purpose, life, and death, and in 2020, it was time for her to take her passion towards the spiritual and metaphysical and share it with the world.

On this episode of the pod, Jummie shares how podcasting became a form of therapy that helped in her journey towards self-realization and channeling deeper meanings behind the forces at work in her life, the nature of empathy and manifestation, and how many of us remain stuck in our programmed realities. Jummie challenges her listeners to consider seeing the world through a new paradigm and lean into their intuition, keeping an open mind and embracing the vibrations the universe sends. Following these signs can help us evolve to becoming more loving, accepting, and fulfilled.

Check out "Shifting Dimensions" wherever you get your podcasts.

Diego Mariscal is the Founder and CEO of 2Gether International, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that is the leading startup accelerator for disabled founders worldwide. On this episode of the pod, Diego shares his journey, from forging partnerships with influential figures like Judy Heumann, to tackling workplace stigma head-on. Diego details how his vision and determination led to groundbreaking initiatives, from offering the first and only online accelerator program for founders with disabilities to monthly cohorts and startup meetups, as well as a strategic alliance with Google. Diego and the 2Gether International team are working tirelessly to support and harness disabled individuals pursuing entrepreneurship and helping them succeed in achieving their goals. To learn more, visit https://www.2gether-international.org.

Sara Quinteros and Juli Shesser are registered dietitians and nutrition experts in Washington, DC. With March being National Nutrition Month, Sara and Juli stopped by the studio to share their expertise in managing food and nutrition choices for individuals and families. On this episode of the pod, Sara and Juli break down how to navigate nutrition in a fast-paced world, the ever-changing landscape of diet trends, creative solutions to engage children to take part in their own food choices and nutrition, understanding micro and macronutrients, the cost and accessibility of healthy foods, the Beyond the Plate theme for National Nutrition Month, and their plans to launch a podcast that will engage with experts to help demystify nutrition for individuals and families.

On this spontaneously recorded and minimally edited and mixed podcast, Rick shares some thoughts about the start to 2024, the therapeutic nature of podcasting, how The Pod of DC was conceived, and how podcasting can help unleash your true voice.

On this final pod of 2023, Rick reflects on his firsts this year, waxes nostalgic on how technology has evolved in helping us capture those moments throughout the year, and shares quick clip recaps from inspiring individuals featured on the pod in 2023. On behalf of The Pod of DC, we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year, and we'll talk soon in 2024!