Meet Andrew Childress Jr. | Podcaster & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Childress Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired first and foremost by my daughter, Kennedy. She has impacted my life on so many levels; she truly is my driving force. Daily, I wake up and push myself to be better, not only for her but in every single facet of my life. Second to her are the people in my life who are relentless in pushing and motivating me to evolve. It’s almost as if I don’t want to let them down, and that alone is inspiration enough. Lastly, there’s success. The idea of failure has never been at the forefront of my thought processes. You always have to keep moving the needle forward, even if it’s minimal; just keep going.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
While my artform isn’t traditional, it’s undeniably unique. What distinguishes it is the freedom I have to use my voice for good. Through my platform, I strive not only to entertain but also to educate and engage in deeper conversations that many shy away from. I’m proud of the journey we’ve taken so far. Many podcasts don’t make it through the challenges of the podcasting landscape, so reaching the start of our third year is a significant milestone for the show. However, I believe we’re just scratching the surface and have great things ahead of us in the future.

I’ve reached where I am through sheer determination and perseverance. Adversity is inevitable in any endeavor, but the key is to never give up on your dreams. That’s exactly what propelled me to where I am with the show.

It hasn’t been easy, but neither has it been hard. When you love what you’re doing, you embrace the challenges that come with it because, at the end of the day, I see it as a journey.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way include the realization that not everyone will love your product. Following the rule of 10, 3 will love it, 3 will hate it, and 4 will be on the fence. Therefore, it’s essential to continue putting your all into it, stay consistent, and success will eventually follow. Additionally, I’ve come to understand that it’s not all glitz and glamour; delving into the work side of my art form reveals its challenges, making it essential to genuinely love what you do to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Lastly, I learned early on the importance of educating myself on all processes surrounding my work. This not only allows for vertical integration but also proves cost-effective in the long run.

I want the world to understand that this brand and my story have emerged from adversity and perseverance. Despite experiencing many highs and lows in my life, I’ve made the conscious decision to keep moving forward. This brand represents resilience alongside a diversity of thought. I hope the world sees my show and brand as a beacon of hope, illustrating the journey of evolution and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If were making an itinerary in Dallas for a week it would go a little something like this: Begin downtown with a visit to the Dallas World Aquarium followed by lunch at Pegasus City Brewery. Explore the Dallas Arts District before dinner at The Rustic and catching a Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center. Delve into Deep Ellum’s vibrant scene the next day with a tour of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, lunch at Deep Ellum Brewing Company, and an exploration of the area’s street art. Enjoy dinner at BrainDead Brewing and live music at Deep Ellum Art Co. On the third day, immerse yourself in outdoor adventures with a hike or bike ride at White Rock Lake Park, followed by lunch at Lakewood Brewing Company and a visit to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. End the day with dinner at Truck Yard and drinks at Barcadia Dallas. Throughout the week, explore Dallas’s cultural side with visits to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Farmers Market, and the Bishop Arts District. Enjoy delicious meals at various breweries and restaurants, and experience the excitement of sporting events at AT&T Stadium and the American Airlines Center. Wrap up your week with a leisurely brunch at The Henry, a visit to the Dallas Zoo, and a relaxing stroll along Katy Trail before bidding farewell to Dallas with dinner at Fearing’s and drinks at Happiest Hour.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This person shall remain nameless, but they know who they are. Their consistent support, love, and adoration provide the necessary push. On this journey, you may feel like the hill ahead is too steep. However, with their unwavering efforts, support, love, encouragement, relentless push, optimism, brainstorming, laughter, understanding, empathy, and nurturing, you feel that you can achieve anything. It’s all about teamwork. You cannot progress in life without these intangibles impacting your journey. So, I am immensely thankful for them.

Instagram: @thepropheticpod

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@thepropheticpod

Image Credits
Becky Salami @bckyslm