55| Akira The Don

I have been listening to today’s guest’s music all the time - such as while I drive and while I work out - and I feel that he is changing the music industry. Welcome Akira the Don to the podcast where he and I discuss his creation process, how to create meaning in your life from meaning in music, and so much more! (Plus, without spoiling anything, I will tell you that you will definitely want to stay tuned until the very end of the interview!) Akira creates a revolutionary type of music referred to as meaningwave, and I reveal to Akira how and why his music has changed the way that I listen to music, and Akira discusses his biggest musical influences. He also shares the connection between mind and body, his feelings on artificial intelligence mimicking art, how he reinvents himself, and, as I said, so much more! This has been such an incredible conversation. I really appreciate Akira and his music, and I appreciate his time on the podcast! If you aren't subscribed to the show already, please be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app! I would also really appreciate it if you would share the podcast with at least one other person you know who might also enjoy it and if you would leave me a five-star review! That really helps the show out!   Time Stamps 0:49 - Learn why I am really excited about this episode. 1:09 - Dan reveals that today’s guest is meaningwave musician Akira the Don. 2:53 - Dan tells Akira that Akira’s music has changed Dan’s life. 3:53 - Dan shares one of his favorite Akira the Don lyrics. 6:44 - Akira argues that the biggest musical genre to emerge in the last decade is lo-fi hip hop. 8:13 - Music, Akira points out, is the most powerful form of communication. 11:02 - Dan connects the conversation to the Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse. 12:39 - Akira asserts that everything that we do is melodic and rhythmic. 13:23 - Dan feels that words can be poetic even when they don’t rhyme. 16:02 - Akira explains his usual creation process. 18:57 - Dan argues that the sign of a true artist is creating consistently. 21:53 - What kind of synchronicities is Akira on the lookout for? 23:39 - Akira discusses meaning as motivation. 25:22 - Akira offers advice to anyone who feels that their life is devoid of meaning. 28:34 - Discover that Akira only just incorporated exercise into his life recently. 30:02 - What has Akira learned about himself from exercise? 33:02 - Akira discovered that a lot of athletic people are actually intelligent. 35:18 - Dan argues that truly intelligent people exercise. 38:19 - Dan points out that not having control over your own body is a sign of weakness. 39:39 - Akira argues that artificial intelligence can’t steal a true artist’s art. 41:49 - How does Akira reinvent himself? 44:41 - Akira offers insight into why time sometimes feels like it’s going faster. 47:20 - Dan shifts the conversation toward Akira giving up alcohol. 49:49 - Discover how Akira’s life changed after he stopped drinking. 51:27 - What meaningwave song has made a major difference for Akira? 53:39 - Akira describes what he calls the bitch voice. 56:06 - Akira enthusiastically describes his son. 58:18 - Hear about steam theory. 1:01:14 - Akira identifies steak as a metaphorical cheat code. 1:03:12 - Akira discusses Joseph Campbell. 1:05:14 - Akira makes a case for why divorcing yourself from culture is dangerous. 1:08:06 - Hear a quote from Jack Kirby. 1:09:38 - Where can we find and engage with Akira? Resources Subscribe to the Podcast Follow Me on Instagram Follow Me on Twitter Visit Akira the Don’s Website Purchase Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini Purchase Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade by Robert B. Cialdini