He started playing guitar at just 7 years old?and decades later, Craig Blackwell is still pushing himself as a guitarist, songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and creator.

In this episode of the Nunn Better Podcast, we sit down with Craig Blackwell for an incredible conversation about music, guitar, recording, production, and the evolution of technology in the music industry.

Craig takes us back to the beginning?from learning guitar before YouTube tutorials existed to playing in bands, winning local guitar competitions, teaching young musicians, and eventually becoming deeply involved in music production and recording.

We also discuss the old-school recording days of Fostex tape machines, early Pro Tools systems, ADAT, professional studios, microphones, preamps, plugins, guitar amplifiers, and how technology has completely changed the way music is made.

Craig also shares the story behind working with Todd La Torre and the creation of Rejoice in the Suffering, including songwriting, recording, production, and working with renowned producer Zeuss.

? PLUS... we go FULL GEAR NERD.

SM57 vs. other microphones.
Recording guitar amps.
EVH and Marshall amplifiers.
Waves plugins.
Neural DSP.
Mic placement.
Guitar tone.
Bass tone.
Mixing.
Mastering.
And why musicians and producers hear music completely differently than everyone else.

Craig also discusses his instrumental album Clarity, his EDM project under the name Vacarro, and his upcoming solo album, Retrospect.

If you're a guitarist, musician, producer, recording engineer, or just love rock and music production, this episode is packed with stories and insights you don't want to miss.

? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS:

What's the one piece of music gear you absolutely cannot live without?

And if you're a musician?are you someone who plays by ear, reads music, or both?

?? FOLLOW THE NUNN BETTER PODCAST

Subscribe for conversations with musicians, creators, entrepreneurs, and interesting people doing extraordinary things.

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? CONNECT WITH CRAIG BLACKWELL

YouTube: Craig Blackwell Music
Instagram: @CraigBlackwellOfficial
Facebook: Craig Blackwell Artist

Music: Search for Craig Blackwell and Vacarro on your favorite streaming platform.

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ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Craig Blackwell is a guitarist, songwriter, music producer, and recording engineer with decades of experience in the music industry. In this episode, we discuss his musical journey, guitar playing, music production, recording technology, Todd La Torre's Rejoice in the Suffering, studio gear, mixing, mastering, and what's next for Craig.

#CraigBlackwell #Guitar #MusicProduction #Podcast #RockMusic #ToddLaTorre #RecordingStudio #MusicProducer #Guitarist #NunnBetterPodcast #NeuralDSP #ProTools

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The ?Raw Florida Energy? Behind FloRaw?s Explosive Live Shows

What happens when **family, faith, competition, loss, and rock ?n? roll collide?

In Episode 12 of the Nunn Better Podcast, Johnny Nunn and Kelly Nunn sit down with Bobby and Ty of FloRaw for one of the most energetic and personal conversations yet.

FloRaw isn't simply another band playing the usual songs. Their philosophy is built around **raw Florida energy, live musicianship, crowd interaction, athleticism, and giving everything they have when they hit the stage. The result? A live show that feels less like watching a band and more like being part of the experience.

But there's a much deeper story behind the music.

Bobby talks about growing up around ?80s metal, discovering guitar through Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Green Day, Van Halen and other influential artists, and eventually building a musical family of his own. Ty shares what it's like following in his father's footsteps, developing as a guitarist, and bringing the same competitive mentality he learned through football into music.

The conversation goes far beyond music.

We talk about:

? The story behind FloRaw and what that ?Raw Florida energy? really  is about!
? Why their live performances are so explosive
? How football and competitive sports translate into performing music
??????? Building a band around family
?? Turning personal loss into motivation and purpose
? Faith, gratitude and finding meaning through music
? The importance of musicianship, preparation and ?owning? your instrument
? How Carly helped FloRaw discover and develop its identity
? Winning awards for **Best Rock Band, Best Live Performance and Best Original**
? The band's expansion beyond the Tampa Bay area
? Playing more than 100 songs and learning how to read a crowd in real time
? The difference between simply playing a song and actually performing it
? Their unforgettable Ozzy tribute experience
? What comes next for FloRaw as they continue to grow

One of the most powerful moments comes when Ty talks about performing **?Bark at the Moon?** during an Ozzy tribute and the deeply personal connection the song had to his late uncle. What started as a performance became something much bigger?a moment he describes as a full-circle experience involving music, family, faith and memory.

And then there's the bigger question:

What happens when you stop chasing opportunities and start becoming the kind of band that opportunities chase?

That's exactly where FloRaw finds itself.

With a growing schedule, major opportunities outside Florida, and a reputation for bringing serious energy to the stage, this family band is showing what can happen when you combine **talent, discipline, accountability, family and an unwillingness to settle.**

If you're a musician, music fan, aspiring performer, parent, athlete, or just someone who enjoys hearing the story behind people who are chasing something bigger, this episode is for you.

? Listen to the Nunn Better Podcast on Spotify
?? Watch on YouTube
? Follow FloRaw and check out their music

FloRaw:
YouTube: FloRaw Music
Instagram: @FloRawBand
Facebook: FloRaw
Spotify: FloRaw
Apple Music: FloRaw

Subscribe to the Nunn Better Podcast for more conversations with musicians, creators, entrepreneurs, performers and people building something worth talking about.

#NunnBetterPodcast #FloRaw #LiveMusic #RockBand #TampaBayMusic #FloridaMusic #LiveBand #RockMusic #Musicians #FamilyBand #MusicPodcast #Podcast #TampaBay #FloridaRock #LivePerformance

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GREEN DAY?S ?AMERICAN IDIOT? HITS TAMPA ? MEET THE LOCAL ROCKER BRINGING IT TO LIFE LIVE ON STAGE

What happens when a Green Day super?fan, a seasoned theater performer, and a hard?hitting frontman collide in Tampa Bay?s music scene? You get Mathew ?Matt? Morris ? Baby Chimps member, Diver Down frontman, and one of the voices powering Jobsite Theater?s production of ?American Idiot? at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL.

In Nunn Better Podcast ? Episode 11, we go behind the curtain of American Idiot: The Musical and into the life of a working musician grinding through final rehearsals, tech runs, and high?energy shows, while still hitting the stage with his band at First Friday and venues around Tampa Bay.

Inside ?American Idiot? at the Straz ? Tampa, FL

How Jobsite Theater built American Idiot into their 2025?2026 season lineup at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa.The audition grind: unified pro theater auditions, surprise casting calls, and the email that changed Matt?s year.Why this 90?minute, no?intermission, song?driven show with minimal dialogue is a full?throttle experience for Tampa Bay theater fans.

From Baby Chimps to Diver Down ? Tampa Bay Rock

Matt?s journey fronting Diver Down and tearing up stages across Tampa, St. Pete, and First Friday.Balancing band life, theater life, and that ?good kind of busy? hustle without burning out.How growing up on Green Day?s American Idiot album led straight to the stage version of the record he grew up blasting.

Why You Need to Watch This Episode

If you?re into:

Green Day, pop?punk, alt?rock, and rock?driven musicalsTampa Bay theater, Straz Center shows, and local live musicReal stories from working artists instead of polished highlight reels

?this episode is your backstage pass to Tampa?s rock?and?theater crossover scene.

You?ll hear about:

The hero?s journey arc at the heart of American Idiot and why Bush?era angst still hits hard today.What it?s really like to have the songs tell the story in a high?energy, 90?minute sprint with choreography and minimal talking.How one email and a one?minute clip of ?Jesus of Suburbia? turned into a full role in a pro theater production.

Search?Friendly Highlights (Built Into the Story)

This episode is a must?watch for people searching for:

American Idiot musical in TampaStraz Center shows 2025?2026Jobsite Theater American Idiot cast and behind?the?scenesTampa Bay local bands, Diver Down, and Baby ChimpsGreen Day?s American Idiot live stage adaptation

We?re shining a spotlight on Tampa, St. Pete, Jobsite Theater, the Straz Center, First Friday, and the Tampa Bay music and theater scene so local fans can actually find this episode and plug into what?s happening right now.

Hit Play and Plug In

Hit play to:

Go behind the scenes of American Idiot at Jobsite Theater.Meet one of the real musicians driving Tampa?s rock?and?theater crossover.Grab ideas and inspiration if you?re a local artist, actor, or band trying to break into Tampa Bay stages.

Subscribe to Nunn Better Podcast for more raw, unfiltered conversations with Tampa Bay creators, musicians, entrepreneurs, and storytellers.

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Is ?van life? just a trend? or is it becoming a real answer to the housing affordability crisis?

In Episode 10 of The Nunn Better Podcast, Kelly Nunn sits down with Ethan Hunter to talk about converting a RAM ProMaster into a livable home, how mobile living is changing for younger generations, and what it really costs (money, time, and comfort) to build a life on the road.

Ethan also shares how he met his wife Caitlin at SoulFest (a faith-based festival), why they got married fast, what it?s like living in tight quarters, and the real-world safety + maintenance side of life on wheels.

WHAT WE COVER

Van life and the affordability/housing crisisWhy they chose a RAM ProMaster over a SprinterBuild decisions: bed setup, bathroom/shower, space-maxingReal budgets: time vs money, rough build costsSolar/off-grid living + shore power basicsSafety on the road (including a wild Clearwater story)Faith, marriage, and staying grounded while traveling

FOLLOW / LISTEN
Website: https://www.nunnbetterpodcast.com

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

HASHTAGS

#NunnBetterPodcast #VanLife #HousingCrisis #ProMaster #TinyLiving #OffGridLiving #Podcast

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When guns become click bait news, the story turns into a narrative?and facts get buried.

In Episode 9 of The Nunn Better Podcast, Johnny Nunn sits down with Craig Blackwell (music producer + firearms enthusiast) and Oscar Mouton (Marine vet, retired homicide, retired Special Forces) to break down how gun stories get framed, why certain terms are misleading, and what people keep repeating without understanding.

This is a facts + real-world perspective conversation?no fluff.

WHAT WE COVER

How headlines and TV framing shape the gun conversationWhere the term ?assault weapon? came from (and why it confuses people)?Full auto? claims vs how civilian firearms actually workBackground checks: what?s real vs what people assumeStraw purchases and why enforcement mattersSafe storage, training, and responsibility (especially with kids)Why violence clusters in certain cities (and the role of drugs + policy)

CHAPTERS (Episode 9)
0:00 When guns become click bait news

1:10 Meet Craig Blackwell + Oscar Mouton

3:00 Media framing + ?assault weapon? terminology

6:40 ?Full auto? myths and talking points

10:45 Background checks: reality vs narrative

15:20 Straw purchases + enforcement ?teeth?

20:40 Safe storage + training kids responsibly

25:30 Cities, drugs, policy, and violence correlation

32:40 Wrap-up + final thoughts

FOLLOW / LISTEN
Website: https://www.nunnbetterpodcast.com

Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes.

#NunnBetterPodcast #MediaLiteracy #FirearmsEducation #GunDebate #Podcast #FloridaPodcast

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He went to jail five times? lived the ?carny? life? became a successful businessman? and then everything changed.

In Episode 8, Pastor Kelly sits down with Pastor Bill Losasso to talk about redemption, recovery, and the real-world work of helping broken people?through Celebrate Recovery, the Florida Dream Center, and ministry efforts connected to Guatemala.

This is a serious, eye-opening conversation about human trafficking awareness, prevention, aftercare, and what parents need to understand about how predators operate?online and in real life.

In this episode

Pastor Bill?s story: jail, the carnival world, business success, then faith & ministryWhy Celebrate Recovery matters (and how it helps real people heal)Florida Dream Center: helping people who feel ?unwelcome? everywhere elseHuman trafficking: what happens around major events, and what most people don?t seePrevention: internet safety, gaming/chat apps, and protecting kidsGuatemala: how the mission work began and what it?s doing today

Chapters (Episode 8)

0:00 Welcome + who Pastor Bill is

2:10 Jail, the ?carny? world, and early life

5:05 Business success ? faith ? seminary later in life

9:10 Becoming a pastor + church planting

12:40 Florida Dream Center: what it is and why it exists

16:30 Human trafficking realities + major event spikes

23:10 Prevention + parenting + online dangers

30:10 Guatemala work + Dream Center impact

34:00 Celebrate Recovery growth + closing

Connect / Learn More

(Add your church link here if you want)Pastor Bill contact: [email protected]Nunn Better Podcast website: https://www.nunnbetterpodcast.com

If this episode helped you, share it with a parent, pastor, or leader who needs to hear it.

Hashtags

#NunnBetterPodcast #CelebrateRecovery #Faith #Recovery #HumanTraffickingAwareness #Parenting #InternetSafety #Ministry #StPete #TampaBay

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They were a 90?s Florida surf-punk band? then they disappeared for decades ? and now Anonymous Prime is back.

In Episode 7 of The Nunn Better Podcast, Johnny Nunn sits down with Gabe + Jason from Anonymous Prime to talk surf culture, punk rock, skate life, the band?s origin story, and the real reason the comeback finally happened.

Anonymous Prime?s music ended up in surf videos and the scene grew bigger than they ever expected ? and now they?ve re-released their classic record as ?Quest for the Never-Ending Ride, Redux Maximus? (aka the ultimate comeback).

What you?ll hear in this episode

How Anonymous Prime started (and the real meaning behind the name)Surfing + skateboarding culture and how it shaped their soundPlaying bigger venues and surf expo partiesHow their songs landed in surf videos (and why that mattered)The comeback story: new recordings, new energy, and what?s nextFaith, purpose, and life after the ?dark years? (real talk)

Chapters (34:24)

0:00 Intro + meeting Gabe & Jason

2:05 How Anonymous Prime started (early 90s)

5:10 The band name origin story

9:05 Surfing, skating, BMX + what shaped the songs

13:10 When it felt ?real? (bigger shows, surf expo, magazines)

17:30 Songs landing in surf videos + unexpected reach

22:05 The comeback: why they stopped + why they returned

27:10 Recording new music + working together again

30:40 Where to find the music + what?s next

33:30 Wrap-up

Listen / Follow Nunn Better Podcast

Spotify: (add your link)YouTube: (this channel)Website: https://www.nunnbetterpodcast.com

Follow Anonymous Prime

Instagram: @anonymousprimemusic

Subscribe + Comment

Drop a comment: What?s the best comeback story you?ve ever seen in music?

And if you want more episodes like this, hit Subscribe and turn on notifications.

Hashtags

#NunnBetterPodcast #AnonymousPrime #PunkRock #SurfPunk #SkatePunk #SurfCulture #TampaBay #StPete #FloridaMusic #PodcastInterview

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In this episode, we sit down with Bobby ?Bob? Sterling ? a man with a story you don?t hear every day.

From full-contact karate and kickboxing titles to undercover narcotics and SWAT, Bobby lived for the rush? until he realized the ?void? inside him could only be filled by Jesus Christ.

We get into:

The underground fight era (and how it really worked)The undercover moment where he had to think fast to stay aliveWhat cops don?t say out loud about stress, trauma, and survivalThe turning point that led him to faithWhy he?s launching a kickboxing ministry for kids (self-defense + Bible study + discipline)

If you?ve ever wondered what it looks like when someone goes from adrenaline addiction to purpose, this one?s for you.

Guest: Bobby Sterling

Ministry info: Saint Pete Vineyard ? 5000 10th St N, St. Petersburg, FL

Website: www.stpetevineyard.org

Phone: 727-804-6345

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Taj Hossein joins us to talk about his journey from a smaller, insecure kid who fell in love with martial arts? to a 17-year-old full-time karate instructor and competitive fighter balancing school, teaching, and training.

We get into what it?s really like behind the scenes at a long-running dojo, how martial arts builds confidence in kids (and adults), and the sacrifices that come with chasing big goals early. Taj also breaks down the black belt ?candidate? program, the infamous Power Weekend, and the mindset shift he made after a tough loss?because in amateur fighting, confidence and heart can matter more than talent.

Plus: Taj shares how he?s using AI tools to structure his training camp and weight cut, and what he wants the next 5?10 years of his career to look like.

Follow / Learn More:

Instagram: TajHossein07Website: bushidoacademy.com

Sponsors: Integrity Meter Solutions, Meterlink Solutions, Seating Installation Group

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Welcome to The Nunn Better Podcast. In this episode, Johnny Nunn sits down with Harold Milby ? executive trainer, speaker, coach, and founder of Christian Business Concepts ? for a conversation about faith, leadership, business growth, purpose, and biblical principles in business.
Harold shares how he started his podcast, what inspired his coaching journey, and why Christian business owners should lead with conviction, clarity, and purpose. This episode explores the difference between being a Christian-owned business and a Christian-run business, how faith can shape leadership decisions, and why boldness, peace, and alignment matter in both life and business.

In this episode:
Harold Milby?s journey into coaching, speaking, and podcasting
How Christian Business Concepts got started
Faith-based leadership and biblical business principles
Christian-owned business vs. Christian-run business
Leadership growth, coaching, and the John Maxwell connection
Why boldness matters in business
Building a business with purpose and integrity
The upcoming Central Kentucky Christian Business Owners & Leaders Forum
If you?re a Christian entrepreneur, business owner, leader, or someone looking for practical wisdom on leadership and personal growth, this episode is packed with value.
Connect and follow:
Subscribe for more interviews and real conversations on business, leadership, mindset, faith, and growth
Like, comment, and share if this episode brought you value

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Welcome to the very first episode of The Nunn Better Podcast, hosted by brothers Johnny and Kelly Nunn.
In this intro episode, we share the vision behind the show, the journey from Think About It to this new brand, and the kinds of conversations we?re here to have ? from business, leadership, and music to faith, culture, healing, and the difficult topics many people avoid.
If you?re looking for real conversations with depth, honesty, and purpose, you?re in the right place.
In this episode, Johnny and Kelly talk about their background in music, business, and ministry, why now is the right time for this podcast, and what listeners can expect as The Nunn Better Podcast moves forward with guests, bold conversations, and meaningful dialogue.

Topics in this episode include:
The vision behind The Nunn Better Podcast

The move from Think About It to a new podcast brand

Faith, leadership, business, and culture

Music, ministry, and life experience

Honest conversations around healing, restoration, and purpose

What?s coming next on the podcast

If this sounds like your kind of conversation, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe.

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A retired DC Homicide Detective and Marine veteran joins the show to break down the real-world truth behind gun violence, homicide investigations, and the public debate around AR-15s.

In this episode, Oscar explains what he saw on the streets and in homicide?what weapons were actually used most often, why handguns dominate many cases, and how Hollywood and media imagery can shape public perception. We also get into the cultural side of gun ownership, what civilians often misunderstand about ?assault rifles,? and what actually moves the needle when it comes to reducing murders.

If you?re pro-2A, anti-2A, or somewhere in the middle?this is a conversation worth hearing all the way through.

In this episode:

Why most homicide cases don?t look like TVHandguns vs rifles: what Oscar saw most in real casesStraw purchases and how guns move on the streetAR-15 fear vs actual usage in typical homicidesThe DC Sniper case and the ?Bushmaster/AR? conversationThe cultural divide around guns (farm life vs city life)What the public gets wrong about ?gun control? debates

Chapters:

00:00 Intro + why this conversation matters

00:40 Oscar?s background (MPD homicide / JTTF / military)

03:40 ?Murder weapon? myths (Hollywood vs reality)

05:20 What % were handguns vs other methods

06:20 Straw purchases + how guns get trafficked

07:50 AR-15s in homicide cases (and what he actually saw)

10:00 Why criminals choose handguns

11:10 Culture + identity in the gun debate

14:00 Society changes + violence/media influence

17:10 Gun death stats discussion (suicide vs homicide)

20:45 One of the most horrific cases Oscar worked

22:30 What reduces murders (policy + enforcement discussion)

37:05 Wrap-up + upcoming episodes

Watch next / Subscribe:

If you want more real conversations like this?hit Subscribe and turn on notifications.

Drop a comment: Do you think the public debate focuses on the wrong weapon?

Disclaimer:

This episode is for discussion and educational purposes. Nothing here is legal advice.

#SecondAmendment #GunRights #AR15 #TrueCrime #HomicideDetective #2A #Podcast

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