Jrodconcerts: The Podcast

In this episode of Jrodconcerts: The Podcast, we go behind the curtain of the music industry with one of Nashville’s most respected storytellers, Jackie Martinez Marushka. As a Hispanic PR trailblazer and founder of Marushka Media, Jackie has spent over 25 years building brands and managing the careers of world-class artists. We discuss her journey from a childhood obsession with American Bandstand to becoming an Amazon best-selling author with her new book, The PR Playbook. Jackie opens up about the evolving role of a publicist in 2026, the vital importance of maintaining authenticity, and why she chooses to work with clients who align with her values. Whether you are an aspiring artist, a creative entrepreneur, or a music lover, this conversation offers a masterclass in professional composure, breaking industry molds, and the art of the "personal brand." Topics discussed in this episode: The essential role of a modern publicist. Navigating the PR landscape in 2026. Staying authentic and the criteria for choosing clients. Jackie's experience as a Hispanic woman breaking barriers in the industry. Insights from her best-selling book, The PR Playbook. Managing high-pressure environments like Americanafest and the CMAs. Connect with Jackie: Website: marushkamedia.com Book: The PR Playbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Personal Branding & Public Relations ___ Support the show: DoorDash: When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash. Visit ⁠https://doordash.com⁠ today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you mix "garage country" grit with the complex world of relationship psychology? On this episode of Jrodconcerts: The Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Aubrie Sellers to discuss her most ambitious project yet: Attachment Theory. Aubrie is a true Nashville original, and on her third studio album, she’s bracing through the "hellscape of modern dating" with raw, real reflections on intimacy, avoidant attachment, and the trauma compartments we all carry. We discuss why she’s always felt like an "observer" after growing up on tour with her mom, Lee Ann Womack, and how that perspective fueled her new record. In this episode, we dive into: The "Moral Code" of Dating: Why romance feels like it’s in a state of demise in 2026 and how Aubrie uses songwriting as catharsis. Psychology & Music: The inspiration behind her Attachment Theory podcast and the "little rooms" of the human mind. Behind the Scenes: Working with mutual friends and collaborators Ethan Ballinger and Lillie Mae. From the Screen to the Stage: The experience of hearing her music on Yellowstone and what to expect from her upcoming headline tour with Jade Jackson. __ Connect with Aubrie Sellers: Official Site: aubriesellers.com Instagram: @aubriesellers New Music: Attachment Theory (Out Now) __ Connect with Jrodconcerts Media: Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia Website: jrodconcertsmedia.com Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! It helps more than you know. __ Support the show: DoorDash: When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash. Visit ⁠https://doordash.com⁠ today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Modern alternative music doesn’t need a machine behind it—just vision, grit, and truth." Today on Jrodconcerts: The Podcast, we’re joined by Nashville’s own Nicole Alexis (stylized as N/A). After years of being the secret weapon behind the scenes for other artists, Nicole is stepping into the spotlight as a true one-woman operation. As a producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist, she has built a massive community of hundreds of thousands by staying fiercely independent and refreshingly transparent. In this episode, we go deep into the mental and emotional architecture of her upcoming EP, Mirrors and Smoke (out April 17). We discuss: The Internal Battle: The reality of being your own producer and learning when to "separate" from the work. Creative Focus: How Nicole channels the chaos of an ADHD brain into technical precision and vulnerable songwriting. The Soul of a Cover: How she finds the emotional core in her viral loops of bands like New Found Glory and My Chemical Romance. Full Circle Moments: Looking back on opening for Blondie and performing at Vans Warped Tour. The "Gray Area": The inspiration behind her new single, "Just A Friend," and the frustration of emotional limbo. Stream the new single "Just A Friend" now and pre-save the EP Mirrors and Smoke below. __ Connect with Nicole Alexis: Pre-save the EP: https://ffm.to/e1oyagd Instagram: @nicolealexismusic Official Site: nicolealexis.fanflowy.co __ Follow Jrodconcerts: Web: Jrodconcertsmedia.com Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia YouTube: Jrodconcerts The Podcast __ Support the show: DoorDash: When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash. Visit ⁠https://doordash.com⁠ today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Can you imagine if you started having contractions while on the podcast?" Singer-songwriter Katie Frank returns to the show for her second appearance, and let’s just say she’s "dropping" a lot more than just hit singles. As she prepares for the arrival of her first child, Katie joins Jrod to discuss the release of her sharp, satirical new single "Bro Country" and the upcoming tracks "Borrowed Trouble" and "No Hard Feelings." In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Katie’s brilliant, layered comedic sensibility—which Jrod describes as the Arrested Development of music videos. We talk about the "Bluth-style" takedown of industry caricatures, her transition from the Nashville hustle back to life in Pennsylvania, and why the old fears of balancing a music career with motherhood are finally being dismantled by artists like her and Maggie Rose. It’s an honest, hilarious, and high-stakes conversation about what happens when your career is hitting a high note just as this baby is coming quick! __ Inside the Episode: The Satire of "Bro Country": Deconstructing the visual gags and the "Her?" moments in her latest video. The Baby Watch: Life in the final stretch of pregnancy and the reality of "The babies before the baby." Leaving Nashville: Why the move to PA happened and how it’s changed her perspective. Artist vs. Motherhood: Breaking the stigma of being a successful touring artist with a newborn. New Music Preview: A look at the upcoming tracks Borrowed Trouble and No Hard Feelings. Connect with Katie Frank: Instagram: @KatieFrankMusic Website: katiefrankmusic.com ___ Connect with Jrodconcerts Media: Website: jrodconcertsmedia.com Newsletter: Join the Jrodconcerts community for weekly music updates. ___ Support the show: DoorDash: When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash. Visit https://doordash.com today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canadian singer-songwriter Adam Wendler joins the podcast to share one of the most fascinating journeys in modern music. From the shores of Lake Huron to the streets of Germany—where he spent years honing his craft as a busker—Adam has now found a "seamless fit" in the heart of Nashville. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of his 2022 album Motions and its 2023 raw counterpart, Motions (Acoustic). Adam also breaks down the lightning-in-a-bottle moment of co-writing the global smash "Austin (Boots Stop Workin')" and how he transitioned from his first band, Fermented Oranges, to becoming a multi-platinum songwriter. Beyond the hits, we discuss the emotional lessons he carries from his late father, the grit required to start a career busking, and how he knows a melody is "the one" when he’s humming into a voice memo. Stay Ahead of the Curve: Join The Vanguard, our weekly newsletter. Every Friday, I send you 5 new songs you need to hear. Sign up at: jrodconcertsmedia.com __ Support The Show: Cheerios: Try Cheerios Protein! https://www.cheerios.com/shop-protein-bundle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices