Meet Elias Cruz | Podcast Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elias Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elias, what principle do you value most?
I’d say that helping people or just trying to see the good in others is what matters most to me. To be perfectly honest, I don’t really know where it comes from, but it just feels right. Living in Miami, it can be a little difficult due to the generally materialistic culture that’s prevalent here. That being said, I try my best to see the good in everyone I meet and attempt random acts of kindness within my means and skills. Helping people for me comes in the form of listening to them and then trying my best to either guide them if they ask for direction, or just simply being an open ear and a closed mouth.

Now as for my producer, she tends to lean into this venture as her creative outlet, simply put, it gives her the freedom she craves. Her day job is very technical and has no real room for creativity in the traditional sense so something like our podcast allows her to really experience the value of being free to make whatever she wants without boundaries or restrictions.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well to be frank, I don’t think that there is anything in particular that our show does that sets it apart from others, and that’s okay, not every creative venture has to set out with the goal of distinguishing itself, being a creative endeavor makes it unique unto itself I think. In terms of pride, I think the thing that I’m most proud of is probably that we keep going. We’re not a big podcast, or even a popular one by any metric that I’m aware of, but we haven’t really stopped getting excited to record new episodes and try out new things during shows, it’s a sort of freedom that I really enjoy. Professionally, I’m really nowhere. Our podcast hasn’t become some massive show with a big production budget or big name guests, so for the mean time I’m enjoying just being an amateur, that isn’t to say that I don’t want to be a professional, but I still have a ways to go to pay my dues just the ones that have come before me. Probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned in these last 3 to 4 years has been to be patient with myself. I get worked up sometimes and upset that I can’t find a decent subject or that a show doesn’t sound the way I want it to, but learning to be patient with myself has allowed me to care more about the stuff that matters.

If I wanted to the world to know something about me and our show, it’s that we’re trying. We’re not trying to do a specific thing like make a ton of money or get famous, we’re simply trying. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t, but we’re going to keep trying to make a good show and one that people can genuinely enjoy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a bit of a hermit to be honest, I don’t like going out all that much. That being said, when I do go out, I have certain places that I prefer or certain activities that help me unwind and relax. An ideal Sunday around my city would be sometime in December or January when the temperature drops during the day and there isn’t a cloud in sight. I’d start my day early by getting breakfast at Chuck Wagon in Kendall around 8am, great simple breakfast food and great service. Then, its off for a long drive through South Miami, the Bird Road Art District (the one with big lake), then down to Pinecrest for the Pinecrest Farmers market to buy some delicious kettle corn and maybe a new plant or two, finally, a relaxing drive around Old Cutler to look at houses I can’t afford and enjoy the views of an older and most distinguished part of our city filled with history and amazing architecture. On the return trip, lunch wouldn’t be so bad at Monty’s for a nice grilled Mahi sandwich and a Sprite. After that’s all wrapped up, it’s back home to Kendall for some video games, cuddling with the dogs and of course, leaving the windows open and thinking about what to watch on Netflix that night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One hundred percent, my main shoutout goes to my SO. She is my producer and the reason our podcast actually gets edited and published in the first place. She puts up with my ranting about subjects before we record, last minute idea changes, and sometimes even arguments from me about how I want a particular moment in the show to sound. Without her, there would be no podcast, full stop.

Aside from her, I need give a massive shoutout to my friends and family, they have always told me that I could do it and that there was no earthly reason for me not to at least try. When I thought I wasn’t creative enough, or that my material was terrible, they were the first ones to tell me to shut up and open my eyes…or ears really, and listen to what they heard. They are my source of encouragement, mainly because they’re a tough crowd to please, but also because they’re honest with me and keep me grounded. A big shoutout is also necessary to Joe Santagato and Danny LoPriorie over at The Basement Yard podcast and The LoPriore Podcast, in their own rights, both have been huge inspirations for me to keep going but also to get my show started in the first place. Finally, to our small but dedicated fan base who keep listening even when we publish a late episode (sorry y’all), we love you and without you, there would be no point to all of this.

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