Ashes to Architects

What does it actually look like to rebuild your health, your career, and your sense of purpose from the ground up — twice?Carl "Crush" Foster is a chef, author, and co-founder of A Healthy Crush and the Alkaline Eclectic Society. Originally from Dorchester, Boston, he was a corporate auditor in California when a layoff and a pre-diabetes diagnosis pushed him to overhaul his diet. A few weeks of juicing and lentils later, his barber asked for some of those juices to sell to Cedric the Entertainer — and Juice Hugger was born inside a popped-out Red Bull mini fridge in an LA barbershop.A cross-country move later, Crush and his wife Kelly opened A Healthy Crush Café in Crown Heights, Brooklyn — six employees, seven days a week, three years straight. A customer's odd request to remove carrots and peas from her soup introduced him to Dr. Sebi's nutritional guide. When Kelly developed leaky gut, the seven-day protocol Crush built around that guide brought her back. He documented everything and turned it into his first cookbook.We get into all of it — the DIY hustle, the music career he walked away from, why alkaline water machines may do more harm than good, the easy ingredient swaps anyone can start this week, his concerns about GLP-1 drugs, and why turning your health around isn't a U-turn in a two-seater — it's a U-turn in an 18-wheeler.A few moments that stopped me:"It's more important what you remove than what you add." "Find out where the Mexicans in your community shop, and shop there." "For every six pounds you lose on GLP-1, you lose four pounds of lean muscle." "Me and you — we'd be locked under the jail by now." "You don't have to change the menu. Just change the ingredients."CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open 01:00 From Dorchester to California: Crush the auditor 04:00 The layoff, pre-diabetes, and the juicer 07:00 Juice Hugger is born in a Red Bull mini fridge 10:00 Walking away from a music career 14:00 Moving to New York / the Fung Wah bus juice runs 17:00 Opening A Healthy Crush Café in Brooklyn 22:00 The carrots-and-peas phone call 25:00 Who Dr. Sebi was 27:00 Healing Kelly's leaky gut in 7 days 30:00 Alkaline water machines 34:00 Oxide vs. plant-based minerals 36:00 Easy swaps: sweet potato → cabacha squash 40:00 Where to actually find these foods 44:00 The Easy Alkaline Kitchen System + Hot Logic 47:00 Removing things vs. adding things 53:00 Where to start if you're overwhelmed 58:00 Creativity and not losing the artist in you 1:09:00 GLP-1 drugs 1:13:00 "Don't change the menu, just change the ingredients"🔗 ahealthycrush.com | alkalineeclecticherbs.com | pensight.com/x/crushfoster | @crushfoster on IG 📖 The Alkaline Eclectic — amazon.com/dp/B0DP1DLQ6V

Chef Evan Hennessy joins me for a deep conversation on resilience, vulnerability, leadership and about how he stumbled into the culinary world unexpectedly, as a dishwasher after failing out of Art School.Evan is the Chef behind Stages in Dover, New Hampshire, a restaurant he opened in 2012, that has been named among the top 100 restaurants in the country several years in a row. Evan has also won Chopped ( ⁨@FoodNetwork⁩ ) three times. He was also named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast. In this episode, we get into: • why the phrase “the customer is always right” often breaks down in real life • how Evan went from studying fine art to building a career in food • the difference between hard work, resilience, and stubbornness • why vulnerability matters in kitchens, leadership, and creative work • how toxic kitchen culture develops and what healthy culture actually looks like • why great food is about history, memory, land, and human connection • how simplicity can be more powerful than complexity • the mindset behind Stages and Evan’s newer travel concept, Finding ThymeThis was one of my favorite conversations because it’s really not just about food. It’s about craft, standards, community, and the courage to keep refining your work without letting the world flatten it into something generic.Explore Evan’s work:Stages https://www.stages-dining.com/Finding Thyme https://www.findingthyme.org/* Subscribe on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1873180499* Subscribe on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/2TJRjwzTOBiuUiO0v0CfV8* Subscribe on iHeart Radio https://www.iheart.com/podcast/320135177/* Subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_gqqrhRBmU343j3rtuOE3Q* Follow Ashes to Architects on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashes2architects?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this episode of Ashes to Architects, Brian sits down with Aimee Blesing (actor trainer, voice/body/speech coach, dialect & accent coach, and longtime university instructor) for a wide-ranging conversation on what actually makes people freeze when they have to speak—whether it’s a keynote, a classroom, a Zoom meeting, an audition, or a hard conversation at home.They get into why smart, capable people can still feel paralyzed in front of an audience, and how “confidence” often isn’t a personality trait—it’s attention, preparation, and the ability to regulate your nervous system in real time. Aimee breaks down what’s happening in the body when self-consciousness kicks in, why most people were never taught the execution side of communication, and how voice and presence are trainable skills—not traits you’re born with.You’ll hear practical tools you can use immediately, including:Why your body can create anxiety even when nothing is “wrong”A simple 60-second reset before speaking: face, shoulders, breathThe “smell breath” trick (shockingly effective)Why “box breathing” doesn’t work for everyone—and what mightHow to pause before you speak (especially in emotional moments)Why rehearsing delivery matters as much as writing contentThe difference between performing and being present—and why “trying to look cool” backfiresHow actor training concepts like giving & receiving apply to marriage, parenting, and leadershipAimee also shares a personal turning point: childbirth and losing the voice/body connection she’d always relied on—an experience that reshaped her teaching into something more human-centered and compassionate, and helped her bridge coaching from performers into the professional world.The episode closes on a powerful anchor: “To thine own self be true.” Not as a slogan—but as a real framework for communication, confidence, and identity.If you’ve ever felt frozen, overly self-aware, or stuck in your head when it’s time to speak, this one will land.Subscribe, share, and leave a rating if you want more conversations like this.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify Podcasts Subscribe on iHeart Radio Subscribe on YouTube • • Follow Ashes to Architects on Instagram 

Too many of us are working way too hard toward a life we didn't sign up for, in this episode, Brian gives you a practical way to determine if your trajectory aligns with what actually makes you happy.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on Spotify Podcasts Subscribe on iHeart Radio Subscribe on YouTubeFollow Ashes to Architects on Instagram

In this solo episode of Ashes to Architects, Brian gets brutally honest about a chapter of his life that shaped everything that came after: being “the fat kid,” becoming “the fat guy,” and finally deciding to change.At his heaviest, Brian was around 320 pounds with a 46-inch waist, smoking a pack a day, eating like trash, and avoiding the gym out of pure embarrassment. But the turning point wasn’t a miracle plan or some perfect motivational wave — it was a simple decision to put himself in an environment that would force him to learn.Instead of pretending he already knew what to do, Brian got a job at a health club. Not because he was fit — because he wanted to become the kind of person who was. That move created proximity, structure, and accountability. And once he started, everything began to compound.He talks about:Why “identity” can trap you (and how to rewrite it)The real reason consistency becomes easier over timeHow the smallest changes (like cutting soda) can create massive momentumThe underrated power of routines that feel rewarding (yes… even the post-workout shower)Why making positive changes can trigger weird reactions from people around you — and how to handle it with graceThe difference between a temporary “diet” and a true lifestyle shiftWhat it means to become a “higher version” of yourself — and why the old version can’t take you where you want to goThis episode is for anyone who feels stuck in an identity they didn’t choose — and needs a practical, grounded reminder that you don’t have to overhaul your life overnight… you just have to start.If you got something from this, please subscribe, share, and leave a rating. It helps more than I can explain.

Hypnosis isn’t mind control — it’s a practical way to change patterns your willpower can’t reach.In this episode of Ashes to Architects, I sit down with Hugh Sadlier, an 83-year-old hypnotist with 30+ years in practice and thousands of clients. Hugh recently released The Healing Power of Hypnosis, and we go beyond “quit smoking” to talk about what hypnosis actually is, how it works, and how real change happens when you work with the subconscious instead of trying to force it.We unpack Hugh’s unique “4 R’s” approach (built after years of not fully resonating with the standard, suggestion-heavy method), how he teaches self-hypnosis in the first session, and what he’s learned helping people with anxiety, trauma, habits, performance slumps, and more — including a few stories that’ll make you rethink what’s possible.What we cover:Hypnosis vs meditation, and who responds bestThe ethics: what to look for (and avoid) when choosing a hypnotistWhy stress is higher now — and what it’s doing to peopleHow habits become identity (and how to break the loop)Childhood roots, transgenerational “memory,” and even womb-level imprintingPast lives + karma (how Hugh approaches it, and how often it matters)The 4 R’s framework:Recognize the rootsRelease the impactReplace what was removedReinforce until it sticksKey takeaways:You can’t erase memories, but you can change their impact.A habit can be an old survival strategy running on autopilot.Reinforcement + repetition is what makes the change permanent.Always vet the practitioner’s method before you trust the process.Chapters:00:00 Why I wanted to interview Hugh02:00 A powerful case story + why belief matters06:00 “Direct suggestion” vs asking the subconscious09:45 The 4 R’s explained (Recognize/Release/Replace/Reinforce)15:30 Self-hypnosis basics + anchoring technique18:10 Hypnosis vs meditation21:00 Hugh’s origin story + career pivots30:40 Hypnosis across history (rhythm, chanting, altered states)34:10 What’s changed in 30 years (stress + modern life)41:30 Why some people change faster than others50:20 Transgenerational + womb “memory”54:00 Past lives + karma as “memory”1:10:40 Goals vs process + defining success as happiness1:18:30 Ethics + when hypnosis is NOT appropriate1:31:20 One-session breakthroughs (when it “clicks”)Guest: Hugh SadlierBook: The Healing Power of HypnosisWebsite: hypno-health.net

Most people don’t get stuck because they lack discipline — they get stuck because they’re trying to choose the perfect path before they take a single step.In this solo episode, I talk about why it’s not only okay to change your mind — it’s a sign you’re actually paying attention. As you gain more information, you should be allowed to move in a new direction. The hard part isn’t “setting intentions.” The hard part is getting honest about what you actually want… and what you’ve been chasing out of habit, ego, fear, or old versions of yourself.I use a simple mountain-climbing metaphor to break down how people waste years over-preparing, trying to avoid picking the “wrong mountain,” and how iteration beats perfection every time.In this episode, we cover:Why changing your mind is growth (not inconsistency)The difference between “intention” and actual honestyWhy it’s easier to chase goals than to admit what you really wantThe “mountain peak” problem: reaching the top and realizing you picked the wrong thingWhy people don’t start: fear of choosing wrong + perfectionismWhy over-preparing (gear, research, planning) becomes procrastinationThe real power move: iteration and learning by movingKey takeaways:You don’t need certainty — you need a first stepClarity is earned through reps, not thought experimentsPerfectionism always costs more (time, momentum, confidence)The longer you wait to start, the harder starting becomesIf this hit for you, subscribe and share it with someone who’s been stuck in “thinking mode.” And if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, a quick rating helps this show more than I can explain.

When immigration enforcement dominates the headlines, it’s easy to forget the human math underneath it.In bonus clip, Deo tells the true story of what happened after his father—part of the government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—was assassinated. What followed was a long stretch of fear, impossible decisions, and a mother doing the unthinkable to protect her four children.As ICE, detention, deportations, and enforcement actions stay at the center of the national conversation, this episode pulls the camera off the pundits and puts it on one family’s reality: what survival actually looks like when borders and paperwork aren’t a debate — they’re a wall.In this clip, you’ll hear:The moment everything changed after the assassinationHow his mother used her Burundi background to create a path outThe quiet strategies families use when the system feels impossibleWhat it felt like to finally step onto a plane to the United StatesThis isn’t a hot take. It’s a lived experience.If you’ve been caught in the immigration news cycle lately—whatever your stance—this story will land.https://deomwano.com⚠️ Content note: political violence/assassination, displacement, trauma.#Immigration #ICE #RefugeeStory #DRC #Congo #Burundi #Asylum #AshesToArchitects

Brian talks with Deo Mwano, a speaker, creator & entrepreneur whose life began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was shaped by survival, migration, and rebuilding from scratch in the U.S. after his father was killed. Deo shares how his mother’s courage built deep self-worth, why trauma sometimes hits after stability, and the moment a forgiveness breakthrough freed him from years of internal anger.They get practical on the “pause” between activation and reaction, how to unpack what you’re really holding onto, and why curiosity + proximity can change your trajectory. Deo also shares what he’s building now: his memoir The Request (planned for Oct, 2026), the Mirror motivation app, and a scholarship program funding students who can articulate perseverance.Learn more about what he does: https://deomwano.com

In Austin for the week, drops a raw solo episode on why Ashes to Architects exists—and why you should stop waiting for the “right time” to start.This is the origin story behind the show: growing up in a town of 400 with two physically disabled parents, surviving instead of thriving, getting bullied hard enough to battle depression before age 10, dropping out of high school, becoming a young father, and learning (the hard way) that you can’t do everything… but you can do a lot if you pick a direction and commit.Brian also breaks down a practical tool for change: don’t just “build habits”—find the one part of the hard thing you genuinely enjoy (the reward you’d do voluntarily), and use that to pull you forward. For him, it started with workouts for the post-workout feeling… and it rewired everything else.In this episodeWhy this podcast exists (and why consistency beats confidence)The “I’m not supposed to accomplish anything” origin storySuccess redefined: money vs peace of mind vs real happinessFear of being seen + learning to use your voiceThe “muse whisper” idea: why your vision isn’t randomWeight loss as proof you can rewrite your identityA simple framework to make hard change sustainableKey takeawaysYou can do anything you’re built for—but you can’t do everything. Choose.If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll waste years.Ideas don’t belong to you. If you don’t execute, someone else will.The best “habit” is the part of the process you actually look forward to.Chapter timestamps00:00 In Austin + why I’m recording anyway01:30 Why this podcast exists (and the self-doubt story)04:40 My upbringing: disability, survival mode, and “no blueprint”10:40 You can do anything (but not everything)14:50 Why I want creatives’ stories out in the open17:10 The muse, ideas, and why you shouldn’t wait20:30 Success isn’t money—it’s happiness21:55 Weight loss, identity change, and proof you can rewrite your life24:40 The tool: find the part of the hard thing you enjoy26:10 Closing: comment what you’re building + subscribe27:06 CreditsIf this hit home, drop a comment: where are you at right now, and what are you trying to build?

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Sheehan (aka Christopher Talken), a core member of Still Gold—one of the most original, hard-to-categorize music collectives to come out of Boston.Chris opens up about losing his father at 16 after a long battle with cancer, the “perfect storm” of grief + rebellion that followed, and the self-destructive years where escaping became a lifestyle. Then comes the plot twist: a move to Hawaii, years in a tight native-led community on Maui, and the slow rebuild that helped him heal enough to come back and keep creating—without letting ego, pressure, or the “artist identity” trap ruin the work.We talk about the real artist experience: performing for 20,000 people one week and 7 people the next, balancing a day job (Chris is a chef) with touring, what sobriety actually looks like when you used alcohol to mask anxiety, and how fatherhood changes the definition of success. This is a conversation about music, mental health, community, and the long road from survival mode to a life you’re proud of.GuestChristopher Talken — Performer / Musician STL GLDTopics we cover grief after losing a parent young + how it shapes identityself-destruction, anxiety, alcohol, and changing your relationship with itleaving everything behind and moving to Hawaii for a reset“island fever,” community healing, and coming back to a new worldpunk + hip hop crossover: Yo! MTV Raps, Headbanger’s Ball, The Arsenio Hall Show, and early influences like A Tribe Called Quest and N.W.Askateboarding as a “misfit community” and cultural gatewayego vs art: why pressure kills creativityday job vs “artist”: stability as a creative strategymasculinity, therapy, and learning to talk back to negative self-talkfatherhood, marriage, and redefining success as peace + happinessKey takeawaysHealing isn’t one moment—it’s a series of decisions you keep making when nobody’s clapping.If the work hurts you, it’s time to change the relationship—not abandon the gift.Community can save you (sometimes it’s a band, sometimes it’s a skate crew, sometimes it’s a family that takes you in).“Success” gets real when it becomes: happy, stable, present, and proud.Chapter timestamps00:00 — Why honest music is hard (and necessary)05:32 — Who Chris is + STL GLD’s role as a collective09:04 — Losing his father at 16, going numb, and acting out12:40 — Escape mode: clubs, chaos, compartmentalizing grief20:14 — Breaking point → leaving for Hawaii23:25 — A decade out there: healing, simplicity, “talk story”30:22 — Coming back: new world, new mindset33:33 — Punk + hip hop roots, early influences + culture38:41 — Skateboarding as the gateway + misfit belonging55:00 — Goals, ego, and why “making it” can ruin the work01:05:11 — Day job as a chef + balancing art and fatherhood01:26:54 — Meeting his wife, sobriety, and dropping the “wild role”01:36:09 — Masculinity, therapy, anxiety, and real self-work01:47:42 — Legacy: happiness, “beating the odds,” and bonus time

In this episode of Ashes to Architects, host Brian Cartier sits down with Jens Reyes for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about what it really means to be an artist—especially when life, money, stress, and other people’s expectations start creeping into the work.They unpack the difference between “artist” and “content creator,” why calling your craft a “hobby” can feel insulting, and how creators slowly drift into work they never wanted (until they wake up ten years later stuck in a lane they didn’t choose). From creative integrity and choosing the right clients to impostor syndrome, ego, validation, and self-sabotage—this one is a deep dive into the inner life behind the output.Jens shares the real story behind his shift into cinematography: betting on himself, learning by studying examples (not tutorials), building relationships that opened doors, and why filming your “normal” life can become a way to reclaim your memories and your identity.If you’re trying to build a creative life that’s actually yours—this episode is for you.Topics covered:• Artist vs hobby: identity, respect, and why language matters• Creative integrity: choosing projects that fit your voice• The “client trap” and how creators lose their original vision• Stress, pressure, procrastination, and the “tortured artist” pattern• The messy studio vs the curated aesthetic (and what’s real)• Learning by watching films and studying frames—not just 101 tutorials• Impostor syndrome: the fuel, the cost, and how it shows up on set• Validation, ego, and why “you did it” can be a trap• Keeping plans quiet, protecting momentum, and staying grounded• Turning everyday life into art—and recording what mattersChapters:00:00 Artist vs “hobby” — the identity battle02:29 Picking the work (before the work picks you)04:50 Evolving mediums, hating the client process, finding your lane06:35 Pop-up shows, creative spaces, and building scenes09:01 Creativity under stress + the “tortured artist” loop11:09 Pressure, procrastination, and buzzer-beater creativity13:15 The irregular mind, the messy process, and making the mess18:01 Learning by studying examples, not tutorials20:19 Wide-angle storytelling + using the frame to make people feel22:20 Jens’ origin story: phone edits → Fuji camera → going all in24:35 The “Netflix camera” moment + betting on yourself29:29 Relationships, reputation, and doors opening at the right time31:48 Impostor syndrome and proving it to yourself37:04 Projection, self-doubt, and how we create problems that aren’t there39:26 Risk, purpose, and choosing what matters long-term46:07 Comfort with chaos, negativity loops, and patience53:00 Manifestation = thought + action (not magic)55:22 Noise, audience pressure, and protecting the art57:43 Vision vs goals + “don’t chase trends, chase the art”1:02:23 Keep plans close + why praise can kill momentum1:12:51 Why “you did it” isn’t the point (doing vs done)1:21:50 Receiving compliments, trauma triggers, and learning to accept1:30:49 “Your life is worth filming” + the memory reclaiming story1:37:50 Ego, artistry, and creating what you want to exist• Follow Jens ReyesIf this episode hit home, please follow/subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with one creative who needs it.

Ashes to Architects is a podcast about mental health, creativity, and rebuilding your life when the odds aren’t in your favor.In this short trailer, host Brian Cartier lays out the mission: if you’ve grown up surrounded by limitations—environment, trauma, setbacks, or simply being underestimated—your future isn’t decided by your past unless you accept that story as fact. This show is built for underdogs: real conversations, real experiences, and practical strategy you can actually use.Ashes to Architects is where stories meet strategy—so you can turn losses into lessons and start building better outcomes.Topics you’ll hear in this show:• mindset, self-belief, and breaking limiting narratives• mental health, trauma, and resilience without the cheesy motivation• creativity, identity, and building a life you’re proud of• lessons from people who beat the odds (and experts who help you do it)• practical tools: habits, frameworks, and perspective shifts that workSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on Spotify Podcasts Subscribe on iHeart Radio • Subscribe on YouTube• Follow Ashes to Architects on Instagram

In this solo episode of Ashes to Architects, Brian Cartier dismantles one of the most damaging labels people carry: “average.”“Average” isn’t a fact—it’s a lazy summary. And when you accept it, you stop trying, stop investing in yourself, and build a safe identity that protects you from failure… while quietly blocking everything you’re capable of. Brian breaks down how self-talk becomes an abusive relationship, why fear of embarrassment keeps people stuck, and how to rebuild confidence the only real way: evidence.This is a practical reset for anyone who’s been hesitating, playing small, or waiting to “feel ready.” You don’t need a total reinvention fantasy. You need one decision, one lane, and reps—done consistently—until the story changes.Topics covered:• Why “average” is a label, not a truth• The hidden comfort of self-doubt (and the cost of it)• Fear of failing in public—and why nobody’s thinking about you• Confidence isn’t motivation: it’s evidence• The “one thing” rule: stop juggling, start committing• Stacking proof for 30 days (feel different) and 1 year (life looks different)Chapters:00:00 Welcome + the “average” lie00:33 Average isn’t a fact—it’s a summary01:28 Self-talk, safety, and the fear of failing03:05 The imaginary wall + why embarrassment is overrated04:05 One thing, not ten: pick a lane05:10 Confidence comes from evidence06:05 30 days vs 1 year: stack proof, change the story07:10 Average is a statistic—and you’re not a statisticIf this episode hit, follow/subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with someone who’s been stuck in their own head.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on Spotify Podcasts Subscribe on iHeart Radio Subscribe on YouTubeFollow Ashes to Architects on Instagram