What starts as a casual check-in turns into a deep reflection on growth — from inspiring family members to get sober, to learning how childhood experiences shape how we build relationships as adults.

Troy opens up about finding his voice, returning to church, and realizing that leadership doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from consistency and honesty. David reflects on how conversations, community, and small moments of encouragement can completely change the direction of someone’s life.

This episode isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to show up, speak honestly, and build real connections — even when it’s uncomfortable.

Key themes from this episode:

• Sobriety as a continuous journey, not a finish line
• The power of encouragement and being seen
• Why your voice matters more than you think
• Learning confidence through vulnerability
• How childhood experiences shape friendship patterns
• The difference between core friends and party friends
• Being the “bridge” that brings people together

In Episode 009 of the DAILYdEPOSITS Podcast, David sits down with Mason (Designer for TEN Hair Care) and Matthew Pineda (Web developer for BARBERSTYLIST.COM) to talk about creativity, time management, wellness, and what it actually takes to sustain meaningful work.

This episode isn’t about hustle culture — it’s about learning how to protect your energy so you can show up better for your work, your clients, and yourself.

If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or someone trying to balance ambition with health, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we talk with Mason, the creative director and designer who helped bring TEN Hair Care to life. From early concepts and packaging prototypes to the final identity system, Mason walks us through what it’s like to build a brand from the ground up. This conversation dives into the art of creative direction, the realities of small business design, and the mindset required to make products that not only look good but feel right.

On this month’s episode of DAILYdEPOSITS, David and Troy sit down with Nick Shaffer — longtime friend, barber, and the man who introduced David to jiu jitsu. From their early days cutting hair at Grey Matter to early-morning training sessions in Santa Monica, this conversation dives deep into discipline, purpose, and the unseen weight barbers carry behind the chair.

Nick shares how martial arts and barbering overlap — through humility, service, and showing up even when it’s hard. Now based in Bozeman, Montana, he’s learning to slow down, reconnect with nature, and carry the same focus he once had in the shop into a more grounded lifestyle.

In this episode of DAILYdEPOSITS, we sit down with 10th Planet black belt Patrick Donabedian, creator of the 6:30 a.m. Day Slayer program, to talk about winning the micro battles in life.

Patrick shares how jiu jitsu taught him the importance of stacking small wins, taking losses as lessons, and bringing the discipline from the mats into everyday life. Whether you’ve trained before or not, you’ll take away something from this conversation.

In this episode, we reflect on what this podcast is really doing for us, not just as content, but as a form of accountability. We talk about the challenge of being present in conversation, the unexpected impact of reading scripture, and why some of these episodes feel more like a mirror than a mic. We also look ahead to the next Playa Del Rey Beach Cleanup happening on July 6th, and why keeping our community clean is about way more than trash bags. This episode is about checking in, protecting your energy, and finding purpose through small, consistent deposits.

https://www.barberstylist.com/events/

In Episode 4, we get real about the tension between freedom and structure, what it means to balance work and life when you’re your own boss, and how discipline often becomes the training ground for self-love.

We explore the habits that keep us grounded (like journaling, bullet calendars, and time blocking), but also open up about what happens when ego, doubt, and trauma creep in. There’s a deep convo around masculinity, fatherhood, and the weight men carry silently and how important it is to unlearn that “suck it up” mentality we were raised with.

This episode also touches on dating in your 30s, building trust, and why community feels harder to build in L.A. than anywhere else. It’s raw, thoughtful, and full of those moments that make you stop and check in with yourself.

Topics We Covered

• The illusion of “perfect” routines & how to stay present hour-by-hour
• Why freedom without structure can become a trap
• The tools we use to stay accountable (journals, calendars, phone blockers)
• How discipline builds the foundation for self-love
• Vulnerability, therapy, and the emotional weight men carry
• Parenting, love, and breaking generational habits
• Dating while sober & how trust really works
• The dream of building community—and why it’s so hard in L.A.
• Our hopes for barbershop culture and inspiring the next generation

In this episode, we reflect on what it’s been like launching the Daily Depositspodcast—and all the lessons that came with it. We talk about imposter syndrome, learning to slow down, how yoga humbled one of us real quick, and why teaching has been one of the scariest (and most fulfilling) new experiences.

I also share how teaching jiu-jitsu is helping me prepare for something I’ve always wanted to do: teach hair. And Troy talks about why it’s hard to train someone when you’re not even sure what you know. This convo goes deep on leadership, patience, ego, and why every good teacher is also a student.

Topics We Covered

• Getting over the nerves of launching Episode 1

• Yoga, humility, and learning to slow down

• Teaching jiu-jitsu and how it connects to teaching in the barbershop

• Why ego blocks growth

• How “daily deposits” are playing out in our lives—especially through movement, teaching, and reflection

• Why we’re excited to bring on guests and hear new perspectives