Podcast Summary: The Gist
Episode: Congress, the Potency Problem, and How To!
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Mike Pesca (Peach Fish Productions)
Featured Segment: How To Be a DJ, Not a Playlist
Episode Overview
This episode begins with Mike Pesca’s signature incisive take on the stagnation of Congress and the outsized nature of executive power in U.S. politics. However, the main focus is a special presentation of Pesca’s new podcast project, “How To,” specifically the episode “How To Be a DJ, Not a Playlist.”
The segment explores what it truly means to be a DJ versus simply creating playlists and confronts the hurdles—real and perceived—facing aspiring DJs. Pesca brings together Tom Nash (a celebrated Australian DJ known as DJ Hooky, who DJs using prosthetic hooks) and Stu (an aspiring DJ and human rights lawyer) to discuss the pathway from musical enthusiast to actual DJ, and how to navigate the associated technical, psychological, and business challenges.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Nature of Congressional Power & Political Potency (00:52–10:00)
- Pesca examines political stories about failed attempts at legislative change in Congress, concluding that despite its constitutional primacy, Congress today exerts minimal real power, especially compared to executive action.
- He critiques the political media’s focus on the presidency over Congress, arguing for greater attention to state houses, governors, and the “first branch” of government.
2. Introducing “How To”: From Playlist to DJ (11:12)
- Transition into “How To Be a DJ, Not a Playlist.”
- Pesca recalls a viral social media debate: Can anyone be a DJ, or are most people simply selectors of music?
- Introduces Stu, an aspiring DJ currently working as a lawyer, and the ways his love of music—and dissatisfaction with local club scenes—inspired him to want to create the experiences he missed.
3. From Aspiration to Action: Stu’s Journey (12:47–16:24)
- Stu:
- Background in music journalism and artist management.
- Thrilled by transformative DJ nights in Ottawa—misses the magic in Montreal.
- Has curated playlists for events and weddings but sees a gap between that and “real DJing.”
- Barriers: learning the technical skills, getting a foot in the door at venues, and distinguishing himself in a crowded field.
4. The Realities of DJing: Tom Nash’s Perspective (17:04–19:18, 21:58–23:40)
- Tom Nash/DJ Hooky:
- Lost his arms and legs to illness as a teen; DJs with prosthetic hooks.
- First DJ set was in front of 500 people with no technical knowledge: “I found that was the best place to learn was in the deep end... I made a whole bunch of mistakes... and most of the crowd didn’t even look twice.” (19:18)
- Asserts that DJing is not about being the center of attention, but a piece of the vibe; the crowd cares more about the experience than technical perfection.
- Most people romanticize DJing without reckoning with the marketing, business logistics, and hustle needed.
- “Technical ability, I think it’s...a distraction in the beginning. The real way that you’re going to get good enough is going out and doing it...Get out of the bedroom.” (20:46)
5. Is DJing a Meritocracy? (23:59)
- Tom Nash on DJing vs. Other Arts:
- “No, in fact, it’s the complete opposite. There’s more daylight between a very good DJ and unwielding failure than there is within something like a guitarist...” (23:59)
- Recognition comes more from understanding what the crowd wants than from technical virtuosity.
6. Defining the DJ: What Matters? (25:42–28:45)
- Addresses the misconception that technology or lack of traditional hand-based skills disqualify someone as a “real DJ.”
- Tom Nash: “If you can’t respond in real time, you’re not a good DJ.” (25:48)
- On beat-matching and syncing: “If somebody’s enjoying...using a particular technology, who cares?...It doesn’t matter how you get there.” (26:38)
- On disability and technique: “I use four prosthetics to navigate the world...so I DJ as well...But really not that much of a hurdle.” (27:49)
7. Skill vs. Show: The Crowd Connection (31:28–35:05)
- Stu asks about the balance between song selection and entertainment/charisma.
- Tom Nash: “Your job is kind of to rev up the crowd a little bit, to have that kind of charisma...There’s a bias towards thinking that the more technically adept you are, the better experience you’ll provide. And I don’t think that’s always the case...” (32:16)
- Suggests a strategy: play two crowd favorites for every new song you want to introduce.
8. The Business of DJing and Building a Brand (35:49–38:48)
- Tom Nash demystifies entry into the DJ world:
- “Just pick a name and put it on a poster and then go. This is a completely unregulated industry.”
- Advice: build community first, perhaps by bringing in established DJs and sliding yourself in as support, or develop an online following before launching events.
9. Marketing, Mindset, and Overcoming Self-Doubt (39:38–45:53)
- On confidence and regret:
- Tom: “Regret is not something you could really avoid. It’s something that you choose. So you’re choosing between the regret of having tried but failing, or...never having tried. Which one could you live with more?” (42:36)
- “Nobody cares about your life as much as you do...all of the suffering...is happening in your head.” (44:36)
- Encourages embracing risk, but advises against “burning your boats”; keeping a day job allows for more upside and less downside risk.
10. War Stories & Pitfalls (46:40–49:40)
- Tom recounts nightmare gigs, including security brawls and technical flubs, illustrating that resilience and error-correction are key.
11. Mistakes and Practical Tips (48:32–50:54)
- Biggest mistakes: forgetting to listen to what the crowd actually wants.
- Practical marketing ideas: start a YouTube channel documenting the journey of organizing and playing your first event.
12. Social Scenes & Authenticity (51:11–52:45)
- Tom rejects the stereotype of DJs as “douchey”: “I find it a really weak attribute to have in common with somebody—oh, we both stand in front of DJ decks and press buttons, we should hang out...No, I relate to people on completely different levels.” (51:34)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Tom Nash: “Technical ability, I think it’s...a distraction in the beginning...You learn better from being in the situation than...in your bedroom.” (20:46)
- Tom Nash: “There’s more daylight between a very good DJ and unwielding failure than...a guitarist...What people really regard or love about a DJ often has very little to do with their skill and talent.” (23:59)
- Tom Nash: “If somebody’s enjoying...using a particular technology, who cares?...It doesn’t matter how you get there.” (26:38)
- Tom Nash: “Just pick a name and put it on a poster and then go. This is a completely unregulated fucking industry.” (35:42)
- Tom Nash on regret: “You’re choosing between the regret of having tried but failing or the regret of never having tried. Which one could you live with more?” (42:36)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:52 – Congressional power, political inertia, and executive action
- 11:12 – What separates a playlist from a DJ set? Introducing Stu and Tom Nash
- 19:18 – Tom Nash’s first DJ gig and approach to learning by doing
- 23:59 – Discussion: Is DJing a meritocracy?
- 25:42 – Technology, disability, and authenticity in modern DJing
- 31:28 – Choosing music vs. showmanship: What actually matters?
- 35:49 – Creating a DJ persona and brand; community-building advice
- 42:36 – On regret and the mindset needed to take risks
- 46:40 – Nightmarish DJ experiences and surviving them
- 48:32 – Mistakes to avoid, and listener/crowd engagement
- 51:34 – The DJ scene, friendships, and authenticity
Conclusion
The episode blends thoughtful commentary on political gridlock with an engaging, practical, and deeply human conversation about aspiration, creativity, and overcoming perceived barriers. With generous advice from Tom Nash and honest questions from Stu, listeners are treated to a smart deconstruction of what it really means to be a DJ in the modern era—talent, showmanship, branding, and, above all, the willingness to just get out there and try.
Takeaway:
Being a DJ is less about the gear, or even the skill, and more about taking initiative, reading the room, making mistakes, and learning in real-time. If you want to DJ, “pick a name and put it on a poster and then go.” (35:42)