Today we’d like to introduce you to Arie Lombardozzi and Todd Bailey.
Hi Arie and Todd, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Arie: I started getting into podcasting before I realized I was getting into podcasting.
My first job out of college was working at a car dealership back home in Erie, Pennsylvania. While I was at my computer, I would listen to Creepypastas, online scary stories, and YouTube horror all day. I really loved the idea that I could listen to these stories while I was working on other things.
I’m a horror movie addict, so the first podcast I really got into was one called The Movie Crypt with Adam Green and Joe Lynch. They hold conversations with guests from every corner of the horror industry-such a simple concept that hooked me immediately. One day, while I was taking pictures of the inventory for the company website, it dawned on me that I could totally do my own podcast. At one point or another everyone has that realization, it’s just taking that next step to actually create it that is always the hardest part.
My background is in the film industry so I had a basic understanding of audio work, and I knew I could edit my own show. My first podcast was called Hauntingly Beautiful. The name stems from how I view the world, and the concept was to bring guests on, like The Movie Crypt, so that I could explore their perspectives on life, death, and everything in between. Throughout the course of HB, I brought on one of my best friends, Todd Bailey, to talk about his then career in news and later on, metal music. After two years and roughly 60 episodes later, I decided to wrap up Hauntingly Beautiful to focus on other projects, intending to go back to it one day with a more focused plan.
Flash forward to May 2020 when Todd came to me with an idea of pairing craft beer and hip hop discussions for a new podcast. These are both things that we love and talk about often, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to talk as extensively about hip hop and rap as I could metal music. At the time, I was still working on HB and wanted to wait to start up what would later become Brewtal. It wasn’t until a couple of months later when my partner Skyler had mentioned that Todd and I should do a beer and metal podcast that it really dawned on me that this needs to happen sooner rather than later. Not long after, we pulled the trigger, and as of today we have 33 episodes, have featured about 30 bands, and have interviewed several musicians. This is just the beginning! Cheers!
Todd: It all started in high school doing a music/skit show with my buddy Joe Witkowski. Much like Total Request Live (TRL), we would cover new music releases and talk about them along with just joking around. Fast forward to college, I became more involved with film and editing. Professor Kim Young told me I had an “eye” for news and helped secure me a job at local Erie, PA station WJET. By the time I graduated, I started my first full-time job there propelling my career across America. Years there lead me to covering news in Albuquerque, NM and eventually Austin, TX. After nearly hitting a decade in news, I branched out of my comfort zone and bubble and started doing photographer/editor work for a local lifestyle show working with paid clients.
After helping my longtime friend from high school, Arie Lombardozzi, with an episode for his now-defunct “Hauntingly Beautiful” a couple of years back, I pitched to him the idea of “Brewtal” — combining metal and craft beer. Needless to say, he said yes! We then got to work and dived right in.
The basis of Brewtal Podcast is based on our friendship. We’d have constant text conversations about what new metal music came out each Friday, so we transitioned our daily conversations into a full-fledged podcast!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Arie: When I first started podcasting, I was coming out of a very difficult transition in my life. Over the course of about a year and a half, I had lost my father, my engagement, and my job at the car dealership. While all this was happening money was also heavily affected while I was living with my mom and brother in a house that none of us could afford. Impostor Syndrome and procrastination never helped the fact, either.
At the end of the day, embracing these struggles not only lead me to a better career position but a better life in general and for that, I am thankful for the hurt.
Todd: With covering news, mental health is often brushed to the side covering anything and everything from murders to the worst of car accidents. After a while, it takes a toll. You become desensitized.
This lead to the hard decision to transition to something new after almost ten years, but at the base of the decision was doing something that made me happy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Arie: As a profession, I’m a freelance filmmaker. I do everything from being a Production Assistant on sets to orchestrating on screen talent for mobile app ads. At the moment, I specialize in audio work on sets, but my real passion is directing.
Over the years, I’ve directed several short films, both narrative and documentaries, commercials, and product promos. I’m most proud of having had the opportunity to screen my film “Blink of An Eye” on the silver screen in the historic Warner Theater at the Eerie Horrorfest back in 2014.
Depending on who you’re talking to depends on what I’m known for. As of late, a lot of people know me for podcasting and on site audio mixing, but the things that always stay the same are my love for horror, craft beer, and metal music!
I would say that trying to make genuine connections with the people I care about is what sets me apart from others. When I’m interviewing guests, I want to take the time to research what they may not get a chance to talk about. When I’m on film sets, I want to make people laugh and have fun while still being able to drive the project forward in some facet.
Todd: As a lifestyle photographer, I do shoots with paid clients and edit together sponsored segments. I specialize in shooting and editing. I am known for my tight edits and attention to detail. I am most proud of hearing clients saying they loved the product because I edit with the mindset of being in their shoes and like to focus on quality. What sets me apart from others is my dedication to seeing a shoot and edit through to perfection, as close as I can achieve it.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Arie: I define success as coming home, feeling fulfilled with my work, and being able to have new experiences with the people I love and care about.
Todd: Success is being happy. At the end of the day, you know you did a good job and you felt good doing it — that you helped someone else and made their day as well as yours.
Contact Info:
- Email: brewtalpodcast@gmail,com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brewtalpodcast/?ltclid=c53c6e0c-4ddb-46a8-8a94-c138a7818089
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brewtalpodcast/?ltclid=120ab1b0-5de5-4de3-b7a1-a2b5516d98cf
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq47UPuR5bENYa3QSPgz9DQ
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Brewtal
