

heartdea13r w/ chr1stoph3r g0nda
V13 Media Group
For 20+ years, Christopher Gonda has been building platforms that celebrate music, culture & storytelling. Through V13 Media Group, he aims to amplify unique voices, bridging the underground and the iconic. The heartdea13r Podcast is his way of gathering and sharing knowledge from some of the brightest minds and most passionate voices across the entertainment industry. It’s a space for conversations about artistry, mental health, entrepreneurship, and everything that fuels a life driven by creativity, passion, and balance—love & logic.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 18min
James Rhodes: “I’m only here because I was passionate about music.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 41 // James RhodesSummaryIn this conversation, James Rhodes, President & Co-Founder, FiXT Music, discusses the importance of deep work, productivity, and the balance between work and family life. Together with host chr1stoph3r, they explore James's journey into the music industry, the role of a manager, and the significance of creating a fair label environment. The discussion emphasizes the value of communication, relationships, and the evolving landscape of the music industry, particularly in the context of streaming. James shares insights on how artists can navigate their careers and the importance of consistency and service-oriented mindsets in achieving success.Takeaways- Deep work is essential for productivity.- Balancing work and family is crucial for well-being.- The journey into music can be unpredictable but rewarding.- A good manager adds value to an artist's career.- Fair deals in the music industry are vital for artist success.- Communication is key in maintaining relationships.- Navigating the music industry requires adaptability.- Streaming is a significant part of the music business.- Consistency in releasing music helps grow an audience.- A service-oriented mindset can lead to personal and professional growth.

Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 4min
Bif Naked: “I followed exactly what my heart told me to do.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 40 // Bif NakedSummaryIn this engaging conversation, Bif Naked shares her journey through humour, resilience, and the power of community. She discusses her experiences with heart surgery, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, and the role of self-love in mental health. Bif emphasizes the significance of authenticity in the music industry and the impact of role models. The discussion also touches on manifestation, gratitude, and finding joy in everyday life, culminating in a heartfelt exploration of connection and authenticity as essential elements of the human experience.Takeaways- Humour is a powerful tool for coping with life's challenges.- Heart surgery can be a transformative experience.- Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial during difficult times.- Community and communication are essential for mental health.- Self-love is an ongoing journey that requires practice.- Authenticity in the music industry leads to lasting connections.- Role models can inspire and guide us through tough times.- Manifestation and positivity can shape our reality.- Staying true to oneself is key to artistic success.- Gratitude helps us appreciate the present moment.

Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 8min
Darby Mills: “Be strong. Don’t take no for an answer.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 39 // Darby MillsSummaryIn this episode of the heartdea13r podcast, Darby Mills shares her journey from a supportive family background to becoming a prominent figure in the Canadian rock scene. She discusses her early influences, the challenges she faced in the music industry, and the importance of resilience and creativity. Darby reflects on her time with the Headpins, her personal growth, and her current projects, including a documentary and new music. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the significance of family support, mental health, and staying true to oneself in the pursuit of dreams.Takeaways- Darby Mills emphasizes the importance of family support in her career.- She discovered her passion for music at a very young age.- The music industry is challenging, and resilience is key to success.- Darby has faced numerous challenges but continues to pursue her passion.- She believes in the power of creativity to overcome obstacles.- Darby encourages aspiring artists to educate themselves about the industry.- The importance of networking and building relationships in the music scene.- Darby highlights the significance of mental health and well-being.- She has developed a unique workout program called Zenetics.- Darby is currently working on new music projects and a documentary.

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 9min
Tim Quirk: “You can’t devalue music because music is priceless.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 38 // Tim QuirkSummarySummaryIn this conversation, Tim Quirk (SVP, Product at ZEDGE & founding member of Too Much Joy) discusses the intrinsic value of music in the digital age, emphasizing that while some may not value popular artists like Taylor Swift, digital distribution allows artists to monetize their music based on individual fan engagement. He highlights the importance of understanding fan demographics and finding ways to maximize revenue through targeted strategies, drawing parallels to how the band Kiss successfully monetized their brand.Takeaways- Music is priceless and cannot be devalued.- The majority of people may not value popular music.- Digital distribution allows for varied pricing based on fan value.- Kiss pioneered monetization strategies in the music industry.- Musicians should focus on their specific user base.- Understanding fan demographics is crucial for revenue.- Artists need to move fans to higher-paying outlets.- Monetization can come from diverse sources beyond music sales.- Engagement with super fans can lead to innovative revenue streams.- The music industry must adapt to digital changes for success.

Nov 20, 2025 • 57min
Kentucky: “When you talk to yourself, see the truth and say it with love.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 37 // KentuckySummaryOn this episode of the heartdea13r podcast, Canadian singer-songwriter Kentucky shares his profound journey through music, personal struggles, and recovery from addiction. He discusses the significance of his persona, the impact of family dynamics, and the healing power of music. Kentucky reflects on his early musical influences, the challenges faced in the music industry, and the pivotal moments that led him to seek help. Through candid storytelling, he emphasizes the importance of self-love, supportive relationships, and the transformative nature of creativity. This conversation serves as a testament to resilience and the potential for personal growth through art.Takeaways- Kentucky's persona represents a journey of self-discovery.- Music can be a powerful tool for healing and connection.- Family dynamics can deeply influence personal identity and choices.- Experiencing trauma can shape one's perspective on life.- The music industry is filled with challenges and opportunities.- Hitting rock bottom can lead to profound personal transformation.- Seeking help is a crucial step in recovery.- Building supportive relationships can aid in healing.- Creativity can flourish when one embraces one's true self.- Self-love is essential for personal growth and happiness.

Nov 17, 2025 • 47min
The Bloody Beetroots: “I’m even more naked when I wear a mask.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 36 // The Bloody BeetrootsSummaryIn this episode of the heartdea13r podcast, host chr1stoph3r g0nda interviews Sir Bob Cornelius Riffo, known as The Bloody Beetroots. They discuss his journey from classical music to punk and electronic, the importance of fitness and nutrition in his life, and how he channels his emotions into his music. The conversation touches on collaboration in the music industry, the balance between chaos and control in his creative process, and the significance of silence and self-reflection. The episode concludes with insights into authenticity in music and the distinction between the art and the business.Takeaways- People romanticize chaos, especially in performance.- Off stage, chaos can be destructive.- The speaker grew up with a deep-seated anger.- Music became a way to contain and express this anger.- Chaos in music is a reflection of internal struggles.- The energy in their music is a computation of chaos.- Songs like 'Killing Punk' are products of this energy.- Art can be a therapeutic outlet for personal turmoil.- Understanding chaos is essential for creative expression.- The duality of chaos influences both life and art.

Nov 13, 2025 • 55min
Kay Macauley: “It doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to come from your heart.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 35 // Kay MacauleySummaryIn this conversation, Kay Macauley, Manager, Golden Robot Records, discusses the intrinsic motivations behind creating music, emphasizing that true artistry should stem from passion rather than financial gain. She highlights the harsh realities of the music industry, where only a small percentage of artists achieve commercial success, and advocates for a redefinition of what it means to be a ‘rockstar’—suggesting that it should be about personal fulfillment and enjoyment rather than monetary success.Takeaways- The beauty in the music industry is not about making money.- Pursuing music as a career can lead to disillusionment.- A small percentage of artists achieve financial success.- True artistry comes from passion and creativity.- Being a rockstar should mean doing what you love.- Music should be about enjoyment, not just profit.- Financial success in music is rare and not guaranteed.- Artists should focus on their love for music.- The music industry is challenging and competitive.- Redefining success can lead to greater fulfillment.

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 11min
Tommy Dorfman: “If your foot’s on the gas and you don’t stop, nothing can stop you.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 34 // Tommy DorfmanSummaryThis heartdea13r Podcast episode features Tommy Dorfman, club promoter and CEO & Founder of Juice Entertainment & RD Enterprises, chatting at length about his current lawsuit against Live Nation. The conversation delves into the issues surrounding the music industry, particularly focusing on the alleged criminal conspiracies within major concert promotion companies. It highlights the need for fairness in ticket pricing and support for independent promoters and artists. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community involvement in advocating for change.Takeaways- There are significant issues of criminal conspiracy in the music industry.- Support from multiple administrations indicates a widespread concern.- Fairness in concert pricing is crucial for fans and promoters alike.- Independent promoters face challenges from larger companies like Live Nation.- Artists are being developed and destroyed by current industry practices.- Community support is essential for advocating change in the music scene.- Lower ticket prices are a common demand among concert-goers.- Legal actions are being taken to address these industry issues.- The importance of showing up and voicing support for fair practices.- The conversation highlights the need for a collective effort to improve the music industry.

Nov 6, 2025 • 60min
Stacey Dee: “The more you give the good stuff, the more good stuff you get back.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 33 // Stacey DeeSummaryIn this episode of the heartdea13r Podcast, Bad Cop Bad Cop guitarist and vocalist, Stacey Dee, shares her journey through punk rock music, addiction, and recovery. She discusses her family background in music, the struggles she faced with addiction, and how she found purpose through songwriting. Stacey emphasizes the importance of community support in her recovery and her mission to help others through the Sidewalk Project. The conversation touches on themes of personal growth, spirituality, and the power of positivity in overcoming life's challenges.Takeaways- Stacey Dee has been involved in punk music for over 25 years.- Her family background in music greatly influenced her career.- She struggled with addiction but found purpose through music.- Stacey emphasizes the importance of community support in recovery.- Her new album reflects a positive shift in her life and music.- She experienced a spiritual awakening during her recovery process.- Stacey co-founded the Sidewalk Project to help marginalized women.- Consistency in community is key to helping others in need.- She believes in focusing on the positive aspects of life.- Stacey encourages gratitude and connection with the universe.

Nov 3, 2025 • 50min
Margarita Monet: “It’s really up to you to be the master of your destiny.”
heartdea13r Podcast // Episode 32 // Margarita MonetSummaryIn this episode of the heartdea13r podcast, host chr1stoph3r g0nda interviews Margarita Monet, the lead singer of Edge of Paradise. They discuss Margarita's artistic journey from her early influences in Armenia and Moscow to her current role in the music industry. The conversation delves into overcoming shyness, the importance of confidence, and the role of fear and love in pursuing one's passions. Margarita shares insights on navigating the music business, finding the right team, and balancing independence with label support. The discussion also touches on spirituality, philosophy, and the continuous growth of an artist.Takeaways- Margarita's artistic name was inspired by her love for art.- Her early exposure to the arts was unforced and immersive.- Confidence is crucial for singers, especially when hitting high notes.- Failures are essential for growth in the music industry.- Surrounding yourself with the right people is vital for success.- Understanding the business side of music is crucial for artists.- Creativity should be a constant pursuit, even during busy times.- Fear can hinder progress, but love can drive it forward.- Music serves as a universal language that connects people.- Maintaining a curious mind is essential for personal and artistic growth.


