Advertise on podcast: The Johnjay Van Es Podcast

One minute you’re making random videos for fun. Next thing you know, people are watching, brands are calling, and somehow this is your job now. Matt Peterson joins us to talk about how he turned short-form videos into a full-time creator career, and what actually happens after you get that first big hit. In this episode, we get into: • How Matt went from messing around with videos to building a real audience • What makes people actually stop scrolling and watch • How he knows when a content idea is running out of gas • The reality of brand deals, talent agencies, and getting paid to create • Why he still films and edits most of his content on his phone • What creators really deal with when their income depends on views • How he uses his platform to help family-owned restaurants • The less glamorous side of creator life, including health insurance and colonoscopies If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to make content your full-time job, this conversation goes way beyond “just go viral.”

How do you know if a stem cell clinic is legitimate or just really good at marketing? We bring back Rafael Gonzalez for a deep dive into what actually matters when evaluating stem cell therapy, from cell sourcing and quality control to viability, contamination risks, and what happens after an IV infusion. In this episode, we cover: • How to spot red flags when choosing a stem cell clinic • What stem cell viability really means after thawing • Why dead cells can trigger reactions that may be mistaken for results • What happens to stem cells after an IV infusion • How sauna, cold plunges, red light, hyperbaric oxygen, and plasma exchange fit into recovery • Peptides, GLP-1 compounds, sourcing, and dosing concerns • Why wearable sleep trackers can give conflicting information • NK cell therapy and the role of immune cells in targeting viruses and abnormal cells • The difference between activated and off-the-shelf NK cell products • What to consider before spending money on regenerative medicine or longevity treatments If you’re researching stem cell therapy, NK cell therapy, regenerative medicine, or biohacking, this conversation focuses on the questions worth asking before you trust a clinic with your health.

What does it actually take to grow a podcast into a top-performing show? According to Tyler, it starts with one thing most podcasters get wrong: understanding who is actually listening. Tyler runs a podcast production operation with around 40 shows, and he shares the strategies behind podcast growth, audience engagement, content repurposing, and turning a podcast into a real business. We break down podcast rankings, seven-day downloads, release timing, analytics, and why small changes can make a big difference. In this episode, we cover: • How podcast rankings and seven-day downloads really work • Why knowing your target audience can change your entire strategy • How to build a consistent podcast clip and content repurposing system • When to publish episodes based on listener data and time zones • How podcast studios make money through sponsorships, YouTube, production, and co-owned shows • Why audio quality matters more than flashy production • How to grow a podcast without an existing audience • The role of passion, consistency, niche, and target persona in podcast success If you’re starting a podcast, trying to grow your audience, or looking for better podcast marketing strategies, this conversation is full of practical ideas you can put to work right away.

At 14, Ayad Agha was dropped at JFK with no English, no passport, and $600 hidden in a guitar. What followed was a story of survival, immigration battles, and an unexpected path into medicine. Now an interventional radiologist, Ayad shares how his career took him from pharmacy and nuclear medicine to treating patients with minimally invasive procedures. He also opens up about being investigated by the Secret Service during the Gulf War simply because he was Iraqi and worked in “nuclear” medicine. We also get into stem cells, regenerative medicine, longevity, and how to separate real medical options from hype. It’s a fascinating conversation about immigration, medicine, resilience, and what can happen when your life takes a completely unexpected turn.

What happens when a brand says “do whatever you want” and then changes everything you made? Nathan Yaps, better known as Mr. AZ Sports, joins us for a fun look at the reality of being a creator. We talk influencer contracts, brand deals, TikTok and Facebook income, the hidden costs of creating content, and why keeping your own voice matters. Nathan also shares how a late-night World Series tweet helped spark a stadium-wide moment for Christian Walker, how he ended up attending 150 Arizona sporting events, and the simple question he uses to get great stories from athletes and celebrities. We also get into Arizona sports, restaurants, creator ethics, and what’s next as Nathan takes his content beyond Arizona. If you love sports, food, and the creator world, hit play, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow creator.

A “career-ending” injury can change everything, but the comeback is where the real work begins. We sit down with a strength and conditioning coach and PhD researcher to break down what elite rehab actually looks like, using NHL captain Gabe Landeskog’s return as a powerful example. We talk recovery, strength, testing, and why getting cleared to play is only the beginning. We also get into peptides, PRP, stem cells, VO2 max, muscle power, creatine, sauna, cold plunges, and the basics that matter most for long-term performance. If you care about sports, recovery, or staying strong as you age, this episode is worth a listen. Subscribe, share it with someone who trains, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

One random TikTok about a bodysuit sat there for months. Then it blew up and made thousands of dollars. Jasmine, a Phoenix mom of four, joins us to share what really happened when one viral TikTok Shop video changed the game for her family. We get into how TikTok Shop commissions work, how she turns comments into new content, why she uses a separate phone for filming, and what happens when brands start flooding your inbox. But it’s not all viral videos and free products. Jasmine gets real about hate comments, staying consistent through pregnancy and a newborn, and adjusting to a completely different financial reality after growing up without much money. If you’ve ever wondered how creators actually make money on TikTok without millions of followers, this episode gives you the behind-the-scenes story.

What do you do when everyone else sees a hopeless case, but you refuse to give up? Zach Skow of Marley’s Mutts joins us with an incredible story of rescue, recovery, and second chances. We meet dogs who survived unimaginable injuries, including Cora Rose and Hooch, a French mastiff who learned to live without a tongue. But Zach’s story is just as powerful. He opens up about addiction, liver failure, sobriety, and the moment he realized he had to rebuild his life. We talk about recovery, service, nutrition, walking, and how dogs became part of his own healing. We also get into Marley’s Mutts’ Positive Change Program, where shelter dogs help incarcerated people rebuild their lives while preparing for careers with animals. It’s a powerful conversation about dogs, addiction, resilience, and what can happen when you give someone, or some dog, another chance.

A pardon, a Fifth Amendment plea, and a viral courtroom clip. What’s actually going on when the law gets messy? Judge Lynn Toler breaks it down in plain English, explaining what a pardon does, what it doesn’t do, and why someone can still refuse to answer questions. We also get into the Idaho murders case and the bigger question everyone wants answered: if someone pleads guilty, why don’t they always have to explain why? Then we switch gears to relationships. After years on Divorce Court, Lynn shares the habits that help couples stay happy, the warning signs that lead to bigger fights, and one simple question that can completely change an argument: “Do you want me to listen or solve?” From legal drama and true crime to marriage, grief, and social media, this conversation is smart, funny, and surprisingly relatable. If you like real legal insight mixed with practical relationship advice, hit play, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

A lawyer cited cases that never existed, because AI made them up. That sounds unbelievable, but it's already happened. Kevin Rowe from Learner and Row joins us to separate AI fact from fiction and explain how it's already changing personal injury law. We talk about where AI can save hours of work, where it can create massive problems, and why knowing when not to trust it may become one of the most valuable skills in the legal profession. We also get into legal ethics, privacy, the future of AI in law firms, and what happens when technology starts handling more of the legal process. Plus, we touch on stem cell regulations, sleep optimization, and a few health rabbit holes we couldn't resist. If you're curious about where AI is really headed, and what it means for all of us, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Your yard could be making your house hotter... and the "water-saving" landscaping everyone recommends might be part of the problem. Michael, better known as The Garden Nerd, joins us to explain why rock yards, artificial turf, and lifeless soil can work against you in the Arizona heat. We also get into the surprisingly simple changes that can help cool your yard, grow healthier plants, and even produce tropical fruit like mangoes and bananas in the desert. Along the way, Michael shares how he walked away from a 20-year insurance career to turn gardening into a full-time business, the content strategy that helped him blow up on Instagram, and the lessons he learned by experimenting in his own backyard. If you want a cooler yard, better fruit, and gardening advice that actually works, this episode is packed with practical tips you'll want to try.

What if your biggest advantage in building wealth came from the hardest chapter of your childhood? Stewart Willis, financial advisor and partner at Asset Preservation Wealth and Tax, joins us for a surprisingly personal conversation about money, resilience, and the experiences that shape how we handle success. He shares how his father’s imprisonment during high school changed the way he saw risk, responsibility, and the importance of being prepared. We also get practical about wealth building. Stewart breaks down investing, tax planning, diversification, generational wealth, and why asking “what if my plan is wrong?” can change the way you prepare for the future. Then we shift into performance and longevity. From Brazilian jiu-jitsu and VO2 max to peptides, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and the danger of chasing every health trend online, Stewart shares how he balances ambition with staying grounded. If you care about money, mindset, health, and building a life that lasts, this episode is packed with lessons you can use.

One missed meeting on 9/11 changed Chuck Howard's life forever, and it set him on a path he never expected. In this episode, Chuck shares how that moment reshaped his purpose, led him to Arizona, and inspired him to build communities that help men and young athletes become stronger on and off the court. We talk about Pump and Praise, his free men's fitness group where workouts lead to real conversations about stress, family, and faith. We also dive into Iron Prep Academy, where basketball is just the starting point for teaching discipline, leadership, character, and life skills. Whether you're a parent, coach, or someone looking for more purpose, this conversation is a reminder that the biggest wins often happen far beyond the scoreboard. If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who could use the encouragement and subscribe for more conversations that challenge and inspire.

Not all peptides are created equal, and some of the most popular ones online may not be what you think you're buying. Will Armijo joins us to separate facts from hype in the fast-growing world of peptides. We break down GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, why they're changing weight loss, and what people often get wrong about muscle loss, protein, and long-term results. We also talk about the risks of buying "research peptides" online and why quality, sourcing, and medical guidance matter. Then we switch gears into Will's other passion: Legendary Prep Academy, an elite baseball program that's changing player development and is now becoming a Paramount series backed by Kim Kardashian. If you're curious about peptides, GLP-1s, weight loss, or the future of personalized health, this episode cuts through the noise with practical, honest insights.

Talent might get you recruited but culture is what wins when the game gets tough. Arizona State women’s basketball head coach Molly Miller joins us fresh off practice to share how she builds a winning program in a world of NIL deals, transfer portals, personal brands, and constant distractions. From the first whistle to the final buzzer, she explains why the smallest habits, body language, and daily standards often determine who succeeds. We also get into recruiting, leadership, accountability, and her popular "Benergy" philosophy that turns effort, attitude, and buy-in into a real competitive edge. Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on building culture, earning trust, and getting the best out of people. If you care about leadership, team chemistry, and women’s college basketball, this episode is for you.