J. Bryson Podcast

J. Bryson is back! After missing a couple of episodes, J. comes back solo to face the music. He opens up about burning himself out. Then it's off to the races. Is Halloween the next Thanksgiving? J. burns some gallons to get to the bottom of the origins and looks up where the holiday actually came from, and tells the story of the night he lost his keys at a Halloween party.  Amazon drones dropping stuff in your backyard? You sure bout that? Stay tuned for a deep dive at a world filled with drones flying around your backyard. I...

Halloween feels quieter, Christmas seems to arrive earlier every year, and holiday spending is already on everyone’s mind. In this episode, J. Bryson jokes about the vanishing Halloween spirit, makes the case for gift cards, and reacts to a season full of expensive expectations.

Then it’s on to curious 2026 trends—from protein Doritos and Pop-Tarts to smart goggles and flying Teslas—before J. Bryson shares music picks and weighs in on Eminem, artistic legacy, the Bears, and the Valkyries. He wraps up with a grateful reflection on the gym, mental health, and finding small ways to...

The funniest, most unfiltered era of the J. Bryson Podcast is packed into this nearly three-hour best-of - and if you love inside jokes, chaotic hot takes, and laugh-out-loud arguments, this is the one to press play on. These are the moments that nearly made Jay laugh himself sick while cutting the episode together, and they capture exactly why this stretch of the show felt like the blueprint. Episodes 51 through 60 mark a turning point for the podcast - from the Barefoot-fueled Sunday recordings and the return of the Brysie's award show, to the moments that reminded Jay why he...

J. is back solo and has a point about everything from gym etiquette to boomers, AI, and why hip hop still matters. If you need a funny, fast-moving reset from the news cycle, this one is built for you. J. opens with a grocery-store mix-up, then runs straight into the stuff that actually keeps the week interesting: Snoh Aalegra’s mysterious return, the art of staying off-camera, and why some artists build way more intrigue by saying less. He also teases the return of the Brysie's. You’ll also get Jay’s unfiltered take on a Shane Gillis SNL monolo...

Episode 139 is a solo conversation covering independent artists, new R&B, Chicago sports, and the WNBA Finals. J. revisits his interview with Alaoda Rich, highlighting her work in sync licensing and the value of building an independent music career. He shares thoughts on Joyce Rice’s new album, including its production and number of guest features, and reacts to Snoh Aalegra’s “Run Free” teaser with excitement for her upcoming project. J. also reflects on the passing of RJ Mitte and Mike Ditka, vents about the Bears’ loss to the Packers, and previews the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valk...

The J. Bryson Podcast family tree expands as J. welcomes Alonda Rich, a multifaceted artist known for her work in music, sync licensing, and artist consulting. The singer songwriter drops in to speak with J. as they open with finding Alonda on beatstars and working together on the song "Reset." They also discuss Alonda's journey in the music industry, her experiences with burnout, and the importance of finding balance between work and creativity. Alonda shares insights on songwriting for sync licensing versus personal projects, how she navigates as an independent artist, and the significance of community and knowledge sharing...

The J. Bryson Podcast family tree expands as J. welcomes Alonda Rich, a multifaceted artist known for her work in music, sync licensing, and artist consulting. They discuss Alonda's journey in the music industry, her experiences with burnout, and the importance of finding balance between work and creativity. Alonda shares insights on songwriting for sync licensing versus personal projects, and the significance of community and knowledge sharing among artists. The conversation also touches on the resources available for aspiring musicians, including Alonda's ebook and consulting services.

J. Bryson and Offworld CJ turn this episode into a candid, funny, and surprisingly practical look at what it actually takes to keep creating when you're balancing work, life, and the pressure to level up. J. Bryson uses the five-year anniversary of Grievances to reflect on the early days of his music journey, the artists who helped shape that era, and why those first steps mattered even if the project wasn't his best work. Offworld CJ shares how he's refining his sound through trial and error, what he's learned about vocal chains versus mastering, and why experimentation beats endless...

J. Bryson kicks off the fourth quarter with a reset on goals, then covers a wide range of culture and sports topics. He reflects on retail store closures, TV revivals like Scrubs, new music from Jhené Aiko and Joyce Wrice, and a busy stretch of playoff basketball, baseball including the White Sox advancing and the Cubs disappointing playoff appearance and Bears talk. Will Case Keenum start this Sunday?

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J. Bryson returns for episode 135 with a wide-ranging solo conversation on work, culture, sports, music, and staying motivated.

He weighs in on the Millennials vs. Gen Z workplace debate—including whether bringing iced coffee to an interview is a dealbreaker—and talks honestly about building a career, chasing creative goals, and finding ways to keep moving forward. He also shares updates from a recent open mic, his plans to perform more, and the push to keep growing as an artist.

Later, J. breaks down podcast drama, reacts to the upcoming John Madden movie, soun...

A raw, hilarious, and unexpectedly deep hang with J, CJ, and D Roc turns into everything from GTA 6 to hip hop identity, and why the future of rap might already be slipping into something unrecognizable. What starts as a loose football-and-gaming check-in quickly becomes one of those episodes where the conversation keeps leveling up. The crew gets into music, culture, and the internet’s never-ending argument about what counts as real rap. They break down Lil Yachty, the SoundCloud era, whether being “uncultured” even means anything anymore, and why certain artists get dismissed even when they’re clearly shaping the soun...

Episode 133 is a raw solo reset from Offworld CJ, built around one big idea: five years can change everything, but most of us are still just figuring it out as we go. If you need a reminder that progress, stress, money, relationships, and self-worth are all part of the same messy process, this one hits hard. CJ opens by correcting a few mistakes and then turns the episode into a candid reflection on who he was five years ago, what he would tell his younger self, and why the future is far less settled than people pretend. He gets...

Lil Yachty gets crowned, coffee drinkers get called out, and the Chicago Bears get a full-season hype train behind them. Offworld CJ comes in hot for a chaotic solo episode that swings from savage rap takes to fantasy football wins, existential spirals, and one wildly unhinged Ben Johnson movie pitch you will not see coming. CJ uses the first half of the episode to go all in on the things he hates—from cupping, tipping culture, and slow drivers to artists he thinks are wildly overrated. He doubles down on his love for Lil Yachty, torches the idea that co...

A drill outside the front door, a new Jhene Aiko album, and one of the wildest turnaround stories in Chicago sports collide in this chaotic, funny, and unexpectedly honest episode. J. opens with a full-throttle reaction to Jhene Aiko’s “Ceiling Freestyle,” calling it an early Song of the Year contender and using it as a launch point for a bigger conversation about why some artists still feel impossible for AI to replicate. From there, he breaks down the energy of a live show at The Forge in Joliet, where Dre put on a masterclass opening for Lil Skies, and ge...

J. Bryson is at his most unfiltered here—talking late uploads, the pressure of showing up twice a week, and why he’s done waiting for the “right time” to release music, hit the stage, or lock in on his goals .This solo episode starts loose and turns into a surprisingly real conversation about discipline, creativity, and what it means to stay ready. J. opens up about balancing a full-time job with podcasting, music, the gym, and the constant feeling that there is never enough time to do it all well. If you’ve ever felt torn between building your art a...

Happy Labor Day!! Hope you're off work but if you're not, we're with you in spirit and appreciate you. Bryson and CJ open with their usual chaos and banter, then quickly settle into the kind of unfiltered back-and-forth that makes this show work: football season is here, the Bears are under the microscope, and the guys are already making their season-long bets. They break down the Panthers matchup, argue over whether Ben Johnson's hard-nosed camp is a good thing, and make their division winner picks with confidence, hot takes, and a little bit of fan-induced delusion.

No one’s safe from the contract drama, the AI music debate, or the countdown to Kid the Stranger’s solo episode. This one turns into a fast, funny, surprisingly revealing hangout about discipline, aging, music taste, and what it really takes to keep a podcast, a creative life, and a body together. J. and Kid the Stranger spend the episode firing off jokes, roasting each other’s handwriting, and revisiting the weird, hilarious rules that keep the show moving. But underneath the chaos is a real conversation about military discipline, motivation, time management, and the pressure of setting huge g...

Financial freedom, fitness goals, and a very unfiltered week collide in this loose, funny, and surprisingly practical solo episode from J.  Opening up about rebuilding his relationship with money and chasing multiple streams of income after realizing how much time got wasted mismanaging his 20s.  Along the way, he gets into the realities of getting older, staying consistent, and why the internet’s obsession with “financial freedom” sounds nice until nobody can explain how to get there. We also break down a few of the week’s most entertaining detours: the cultural time capsule that is Cocaine 80s,  and why produce...

J. Bryson flies solo for a loose Thursday check-in that moves from a busted AI-generated “positive story” into music talk, Nas and Hitboy no longer on speaking terms, Russ's recent comments about mixing, the 49ers owner, and a grateful wrap-up. Plus all the sidetracks, but we always bring it back in. The episode matters because it captures the show’s off-the-cuff energy while still landing on a few real takeaways about kindness, music engineering, and keeping perspective.

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J. Bryson is back with a jam-packed 125th episode that starts with music, swings through AI, and ends with a full-throated defense of the WNBA. If you care about hip hop, sports culture, and the kind of unfiltered commentary that actually says something, this one has your name on it. He kicks things off by breaking down new music from The Game, Paul Wall, Nipsey Hussle, Jorja Smith, Rod Wave, and the unexpected Erykah Badu and Alchemist joint album. Along the way, he gets into the future of AI in music, Dr. Dre’s take on artificial intelligence, the la...

J. opens up this solo episode talking about current buzz around AOC and Mackenzie Scott, argues that more public attention should go to positive philanthropy, and shares his frustration with the rise of celebrity music projects — especially Pat McAfee’s album and Tyga’s AI-assisted release. A big portion of the episode is spent paying off a punishment from a missed episode, which leads to a long, rant-filled breakdown of Jelly Roll’s career, his genre switch from hip hop to country, his relationship with Bunny XO, and a live reaction to one of his older freestyle videos. Jay also rec...

J. Bryson is back on a Monday to start your work week despite some Sunday Night beers.  Episode 123 is a loose, funny, brutally honest hang with J. that starts with accountability, turns into a surprising music discovery, and somehow ends with Bears season predictions, WNBA drama, and a whole lot of real-life perspective. J. opens up about missing an upload after a beer-fueled night, then pivots into why Katori Walker's track "Tension" stopped him cold on a royalty-free music site. From there, he breaks down what makes an underground rapper stand out, why putting music on li...

J. is back after a two-week break with a louder mic, a bigger reset, and a surprisingly honest conversation about what it means to keep a podcast, and a creative life, moving forward. If you care about music, media, and the chaos of trying to stay consistent while life keeps interrupting, this one hits. He opens by addressing the missed episode, then reveals his latest upgrade: the Electro-Voice RE20. From there, the episode becomes a loose but sharp mix of accountability, creative discipline, and opinionated culture talk, with plenty of side quests along the way. John B also reacts...

Lades and gentleman the podcast is back to regularly scheduled programming with a SOLO CJ TAKEOVER

Bryson hands over the keys, and Offworld CJ turns a solo episode into a high-speed ride through bad decisions, pop culture, and brutally honest life updates. If you like unfiltered stories, unexpected nostalgia, and the kind of tangents that somehow end up making perfect sense, this one is for you. CJ opens by assigning Bryson a ridiculous punishment: a deep-dive Jelly Roll segment with a live song review, full career history, and even the Bunny backstory. From there, the episode veers...

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Welcome to the best of part 2!! The J. Bryson Podcast is on vacation this week so please enjoy these classic and memorable moments from the golden era of the podcast. All the laughs you can handle, from October 2022 to February 2024. Enjoy! Part 3 will be on Thursday and we'll see ya next week as we get back to regularly scheduled programming.

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In this episode, J. Bryson is joined by Offworld CJ, Crazy Brain Cory, and Redeyez for Redeyez’s first appearance on the show. The conversation centers on Redeyez’s background, the experiences that shaped him, and the artist’s perspective each of them brought to the table as they talked through music, life, and the creative process.What makes this episode stand out is the way everyone opens up honestly while still keeping the energy light and engaging. The group shares important and uplifting topics around resilience, growth, authenticity, faith, and staying true to the art, while also making space...

Welcome back to the rest of your week, join J. on this solo adventure where ANYTHING can and will happen. From Tom Skilling to Will Smith, J. dives into the Tony Romo arrest, Rick Ross flopping, a blast to the past looking at music in 2019,  Dijonai Carrington and Nalyssa Smith drama, and of course all of the nonsense. Enjoy the show!

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Ladies and gentlemen J. is back with another solo episode to get your week started off. Tune in as J. breaks down the fifth wall on why the podcast was late, an update on the gym streak, Akademiks vs Brittany Renner, the new Syd album, Game vs YG. Also in sports, Kane is coming back to Chicago, Lebron to the 76ers, WNBA all star weekend drama and of course all the nonsense along the way. Enjoy the show!

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You made it to the end of your week! In this solo episode, J. takes you on a no-holds-barred journey from the absurd to the insightful, showcasing how humor, resilience, and curiosity can turn any rough week into a story worth sharing. Whether you're grinding through workouts, dissecting the latest AI scandals, or just craving some honest laughs, you'll come away with fresh perspectives—and maybe a new favorite drop sound effect.You’ll discover:

This episode isn’t just laughs—it's a call to keep questioning, evolving, and pushing forward, even when things seem chaotic. Perfect if you n...

Most people are distracted by the chaos, but this episode cuts through the noise with raw honesty and unexpected humor. J. Bryson takes you on a wild ride in this solo episode  through everything from climate fires and AI fears to music memories. If you’re tired of doom-and-gloom podcasts and need a dose of real talk mixed with laughs, this is your new obsession.

J. drops some surprising insights about the environmental reset theory behind forest fires, the absurdity of tech giants like Elon Musk dismissing their own influence, and how humanity’s resilience might just surpr...

Ladies and gentleman, J. Bryson has the day off today but never fear. We would never leave ya hanging, Tune into this blast from the past and hear the funniest and most classic moments of the first 25 episodes. Be on the lookout for Part 2 and we'll see ya on Monday for episode 116!

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Kick your week off hanging with J. and CJ in this unscripted lively episode as they dive into a mix of spontaneous topics, personal stories, and playful banter, reflecting on music, sports, and life. Perfect for fans who enjoy candid conversations, humor, and a touch of nostalgia.

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In this solo episode, J opens with his usual weekly check-in and a playful celebration of reaching episode 114. He talks casually about the week, fitness, and keeping life moving forward, then dives into a mix of sports, music, and internet culture.

A big chunk of the episode is spent riffing on old baseball steroid scandals, the World Cup, Spotify’s rumored AI artist verification, and the weird reality of AI voice cloning and AI-generated videos. He also jokes through a long tangent about Taylor Swift’s wedding guest list and random celebrity connections.

On this episode, J. Bryson and Offworld CJ head off into a world to catch up on recent happenings, they get into everything from World Cup drama and brutal red cards to the eternal debate over audiobooks, brats vs. hot dogs, and which foods would win in a competition eating showdown. We also break down the biggest music and pop culture moments from 2013, talk Drake vs. Kendrick, and dive deep into the upcoming Bears season, preseason expectations, and the full regular season schedule. It works because it mixes broad curiosity, humor, and strong opinions in a way that feels...

Bonus Fourth of July edition of the J. Bryson Podcast! J. kicks off the holiday weekend with a laid-back mix of hot takes, cookout talk, fireworks debates, baseball nostalgia, a look back at music in 2012, and a spirited rundown of ESPN’s top WNBA players. From bratwurst vs. hot dogs to the infamous Brewers sausage race, this episode brings the laughs, the opinions, and the holiday energy. Stay safe out there and enjoy the weekend.

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In this solo episode, J. Bryson celebrates episode 111 of the podcast and reflects on the show’s four-year run, expressing gratitude for the listeners while joking about his own inconsistency and the long breaks he’s taken. He shares a frustrating update on his new mini PC after it crashed with a blue screen, leading to a refund process and renewed skepticism about customer service and tech support bots.

The episode then shifts into music commentary, focusing on the BET Awards and praising standout performances from Kehlani, T.I., Nas, and the Lauren Hill tribute. Jay...

J. Bryson is back to start the week with a solo episode and keeps it real in this candid, wide-ranging episode that blends tech failures, music, sports, and everyday chaos with humor and honesty. From taking new perspectives on tech failures and recording setup glitches to an in-depth, anticipatory discussion of TI’s new album, plus music from the 2010 era, NBA moves, Caitlin Clark vs Alyssa Thomas drama, Sophie Cunningham is a menace, and a few other random side topics, the conversation stays unfiltered and authentic throughout. It’s the kind of episode that turns setbacks, opinions, and off-the-cuff comm...

It's episode 109!! Discover how embracing your imperfections and unpredictability can actually strengthen your discipline. J. shares real tactics for bouncing back—whether it’s a missed streak or a creative rut—and why your inconsistency might be your greatest asset. He also dives into the power of mental resilience, practical ways to rebuild momentum, and the importance of celebrating small wins along the way.

You'll break down the mindset shift that transforms adversity into growth, including actionable tips on resetting habits after setbacks and how to keep your passion alive when everything feels off-course. Plus, Jay reflects on his...

Failing to show up on Monday isn’t just a scheduling miss for J. — it’s a broken contract with the audience, and this episode opens with him taking full accountability. He breaks down what happened with the missed show, what went wrong behind the scenes, and how he’s deciding what the punishment should be as a way to own the moment instead of dodging it. It’s honest, uncomfortable, and very real: the kind of accountability that turns a setback into a defining conversation.

From there, J. shifts into the excitement of leveling up, sharing the antici...