Digital Social Hour: Avoid These Programming Pitfalls – A DJ's Insights | DJ Bonics DSH #811

Release Date: October 19, 2024

In episode #811 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in an insightful conversation with DJ Bonics, a seasoned DJ and ambassador for Hardeen, a prominent cannabis company in Las Vegas. The episode delves into a variety of topics, including the evolving cannabis industry, DJ Bonics' career trajectory, personal growth, and the importance of community engagement. Below is a detailed summary of their discussion, highlighting key points, notable quotes with timestamps, and the overarching themes explored throughout the episode.

1. Cannabis Industry Insights

Sean Kelly and DJ Bonics kick off the conversation by discussing the current state of the cannabis industry. They emphasize the importance of having passionate and culturally connected individuals within the space rather than just "obedient employees."

• DJ Bonics reflects on the rapid changes in cannabis potency over the years:

  "I just feel like it's way stronger than it was when we were growing up. It's nuts now, dude." [01:02]

• They highlight Hardeen’s unique approach in Las Vegas, which has garnered international attention:

  "I love how just one little shop in Las Vegas has a lot of attention around the world." [00:10]

DJ Bonics shares his journey with Hardeen, transitioning from an ambassador to overseeing their ambassador program:

"But being able to bring people to the shop and having people who are, like, we're a part of the culture or are part of the culture, you got to love that." [02:24]

2. DJ Bonics' Career and Relationship with Wiz

The conversation transitions to DJ Bonics' career in DJing, tracing his roots back to college radio and local clubs in Pittsburgh. He discusses his long-standing relationship with Wiz, a prominent artist whom he supported from the early days.

• DJ Bonics recounts touring with Wiz during the breakout success of "Black and Yellow":

  "That was crazy to see a song called, you know, black and yellow represent Pittsburgh, go worldwide." [07:49]

• He shares memorable experiences from the tour, emphasizing the cultural impact and international reception:

  "It's like the song's dope because I live here in Pittsburgh, but how will it be received? It was a big." [08:00]

3. Cultural Representation in Music

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the importance of cultural representation in the music industry. DJ Bonics draws parallels between Wiz and legends like Snoop Dogg, highlighting how their advocacy for cannabis resonates globally.

• DJ Bonics underscores Wiz's role in representing cannabis culture:

  "Whiz riding with the weed culture. Like, someone might call you and be like, yo, we need your puppy expertise. Right? Like whiz riding with the weed culture." [10:38]

• He shares his experience touring with Snoop Dogg, reinforcing the connection between music and cannabis culture:

  "Being with that legend and everyone kind of still being like, he's still the weed God." [10:42]

4. Personal Development and Deprogramming

The discussion takes a personal turn as DJ Bonics delves into his journey of overcoming imposter syndrome and the broader concept of societal programming.

• He explains his struggle with self-doubt despite his success:

  "I feel like I have imposter syndrome... what am I? Am I good enough to be here?" [12:35]

• DJ Bonics reflects on the need to deprogram societal beliefs that undermine self-worth:

  "We were programmed to doubt ourselves, to not think we're good enough to compare ourselves constantly." [14:00]

• He emphasizes the importance of redefining personal definitions of success and embracing self-acceptance:

  "I think that deprogramming is happening now and giving myself like, a hell of grace to be like, well, maybe what I think success is isn't my version." [15:00]

5. Exploration of Psychedelics and Plant Medicine

DJ Bonics shares his experiences with ayahuasca, illustrating how it played a pivotal role during a challenging period in his life.

• He describes ayahuasca as a transformative experience that facilitated personal purification:

  "It was like, let's purge this out. And I'll tell you, man, it was a wonderful experience." [17:57]

• Discussing his openness to other plant medicines, he expresses cautious interest in therapies like ketamine:

  "I saw... I'm a little weary of it because I've had some hard stuff in the past." [20:28]

6. Lifestyle Choices: Diet and Health

The hosts explore DJ Bonics' dietary habits and their impact on his health and well-being.

• DJ Bonics reveals his shift away from consuming most meats, opting for high-quality, ethically sourced options:

  "I'm very conscious about me. I do eat meat, but it has to be really high quality because if the animals killed in an inhumane way, the stress can leech onto me." [25:13]

• They discuss the broader implications of diet on physical and spiritual health, touching on topics like soil quality and environmental concerns:

  "The soil epidemic right now, man. Every. Everything's bad for you..." [25:47]

7. Community Engagement and Sustainability

A central theme of the episode is DJ Bonics' dedication to community service and promoting sustainable practices within the hip-hop culture.

• He narrates his initiative, "10,000 Hoodies for the 10,000 Lakes," aimed at supporting homelessness through recycling unused clothing:

  "We bombard the messages to our next generation... how many hoodies are you sitting on that you don't wear a lot?" [32:00]

• DJ Bonics emphasizes the importance of conscious consumption and the role of hip-hop in fostering sustainable habits:

  "Support local and just be a crew, you know, be creative of how we do that. Not just... don't just be a consumer, be conscious consumer." [34:53]

8. Future Endeavors and Closing Thoughts

As the episode concludes, DJ Bonics shares his aspirations for future community projects in Las Vegas and reaffirms his commitment to fostering a positive cultural impact through music and activism.

• He invites listeners to connect with him through various social media platforms and local venues:

  "At djbonics, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, they can find me at Hardeen during the week or... on stage with Whiz or at different clubs here in Vegas." [34:56]

• Sean Kelly expresses his appreciation for the episode, highlighting its value for listeners:

  "I think people can take a lot out of this one." [35:23]

• The episode wraps up with gratitude towards the community and future plans:

  "Big shout out to Hardeen real quick. Thanks for rocking it." [35:30]

Key Takeaways

1. Cultural Authenticity in Business: The importance of having culturally connected individuals in the cannabis industry to maintain authenticity and support the community effectively.

2. Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance: Overcoming imposter syndrome and societal programming is crucial for personal development and achieving true success.

3. Sustainable Practices in Hip-Hop: Promoting recycling and conscious consumption within the hip-hop community can address issues like homelessness and environmental sustainability.

4. The Role of Music in Cultural Representation: Music serves as a powerful vehicle for representing and advocating for cultural movements, as exemplified by Wiz and Snoop Dogg’s association with cannabis culture.

5. Exploration of Plant Medicine: Experiences with ayahuasca and other plant medicines can significantly impact personal growth and resilience during challenging times.

Conclusion

Episode #811 of Digital Social Hour offers a compelling narrative through DJ Bonics' experiences and insights. From navigating the complexities of the cannabis industry to fostering personal and community growth, the conversation underscores the profound interconnectedness of culture, music, and personal development. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and triumphs within these spheres, inspiring them to engage more consciously with their communities and personal choices.