Padawans, Pull Up a Chair — A Real Talk Before Tonight’s Show

Hey Padawans 💜

Before tonight’s Off the Beaten Track: Tuesday Edition at 6pm Eastern, I wanted to sit down and write something a little longer. Something more honest. Less “promo,” more “campfire.”

Because sometimes I realize that you hear the music…but you don’t always see the behind-the-scenes part.

And the behind-the-scenes part?That’s where the real story lives.

So this is me talking to you not just as DJ Jedi, not as the voice on the radio, not as the host…

Just me.The person trying to build Jedi Council Radio piece by piece.

This Was Never “Just a Radio Show”

Some people start a radio show because they want to broadcast music.

That’s not what this is.

If all I wanted was to play songs, I could just make playlists and call it a day.

What I’m trying to build is something different.

I’m trying to build:

A place.A vibe.A community.A weird little corner of the galaxy where people feel safe being themselves.

Jedi Council Radio, and especially Off the Beaten Track, has always been about this idea:

👉 Music without walls.

No genres telling us what we’re “supposed” to like. No gatekeeping. No “this doesn’t belong next to that.”

If it moves you… it belongs.

Rock next to dance.Old next to new.Familiar next to strange.

Life isn’t one genre. So why should our soundtrack be?

The Reality: This Is DIY as Hell 😄

Here’s the part people don’t see.

Jedi Council Radio isn’t some big polished operation.

It’s not a studio with fancy glass windows and a producer running around with a clipboard.

It’s me.

At home.

Late at night.

Headphones on.

Coffee nearby.

Trying to figure out:

“Okay… how do I make this cooler?How do I make this sound better?How do I make this more fun for everyone?”

Most of the time it’s:

• testing software at midnight

• editing promos after work

• learning new tools from YouTube

• recording voice bits and laughing at myself

• rebuilding playlists three times because the flow isn’t right

It’s messy and scrappy and handmade.

And honestly?

I kind of love that.

Because it feels real.

What You’ve Already Helped Me Do (And This Part Means A Lot)

This is the part I really want you to hear:

Your support has already changed what this station can do.

Not someday.

Already.

Because of the help I’ve gotten so far, I’ve been able to:

• get voice-changing software for comedy bits and characters

• subscribe to tools that help me create intros, promos, and station IDs

• start leveling up production quality

• make things sound more “radio” and less “duct tape and hope” 😄

Those upgrades might sound small on paper…

But to me?

They’re huge.

They’re the difference between:“I have an idea”and“I can actually make that idea happen.”

Every little tool opens another door creatively.

And every time I unlock something new, I think:

“Padawans helped make this possible.”

Which is kind of beautiful, honestly.

The Fundraising Thing (AKA The Most Awkward Part To Talk About 😅)

Let’s be real for a second.

Talking about money is always weird.

Nobody loves doing it.

I don’t love doing it.

But if I don’t say it out loud, nothing grows.

Right now, my only fundraising option is the☕ Buy Me a Coffee link on the website.

That’s it.

No sponsors. No ads. No corporate overlords telling me what to play.

Just us.

And while I like that independence, it also means everything moves… slowly.

Because every improvement has to come out of pocket or from your help.

If you ever feel like tossing $1 or $2, it truly helps more than you’d think.

I mean that literally.

Those tiny amounts add up to:

• software licenses

• better tools

• hosting fees

• production upgrades

• eventually a proper DAW

• and more time I can justify dedicating to radio instead of squeezing it in around life

It’s not “buy me coffee” in the cute meme way.

It’s more like:

“Help fuel the starship so we can keep flying.”

And if you can’t donate?

Totally okay.

Zero guilt.

Listening matters.Sharing matters.Telling a friend matters.

Word of mouth is honestly just as powerful.

Word of Mouth Is Everything

Because here’s the truth about indie radio:

We don’t grow because of ads.

We grow because someone says:

“Hey… you should check this out. It’s cool.”

That’s it.

That’s the whole engine.

If you’ve ever shared the show, mentioned it to a friend, or posted a link…

You’ve already helped more than you know.

That’s how little communities turn into real ones.

And Then There’s Tonight

Which brings me back to tonight.

Every Tuesday.6pm Eastern. Off the Beaten Track.

This show is my favorite part of the week.

Two hours where we just…

Explore.

Laugh.

Groove.

Surprise each other.

Forget the world for a bit.

Every week it feels less like “a broadcast”and more like:

“Hey friends, come hang out.”

The more Padawans that tune in, the better it feels.

The energy changes.

It feels alive.

So if you’re around tonight?

Come join me.

Bring your weird.Bring your requests.Bring your favorite songs.

Email me anytime:📩 dj.jedi828@gmail.com

I always take requests. Always.

Final Thought

If you’re reading this far down, you’re already part of this thing.

You’re not “listeners.”

You’re crew.

You’re Padawans.

And Jedi Council Radio only exists because you’re here.

So thank you. Really.

Now let’s make some noise tonight.

See you at 6.

💜DJ JediBringing you the best tunes in the galaxy