Second Take Tuesday – Grit, Grace, Rebellion

This one was personal.

I’ve known Casey Johns for a long time—we played football together in high school. Reconnecting with him years later through this podcast has been one of the most unexpected and meaningful gifts. And now, getting the chance to sit down with his partner, Remi Mae, was just as special—but in a completely different way.

Remi is a force. Not loud, not in-your-face—but steady, grounded, and incredibly real. She's the kind of artist who doesn’t need to scream to be heard. Her presence carries weight.

We talked about growing up with music, writing songs before she even knew she was a songwriter, and performing with Casey—playing songs she wrote years ago, only to later realize they were always about him. That story alone gave me chills. It’s wild how life comes full circle when we listen to our own voice long enough.

But this episode wasn’t just about love or music—it was about the quiet rebellion of staying true to who you are in an industry (and a culture) that’s constantly trying to shape you into something else.

Remi spoke with honesty about the struggle to stay authentic, about writing songs that don’t always fit the mold, and about learning to trust her own instincts as both a creator and a woman.

I left this conversation feeling deeply grounded—and honestly, pretty damn inspired.

What I Took Away

• Art doesn’t need permission—it needs honesty.

• You don’t have to be the loudest voice to be the clearest one.

• Some of your best work won’t be understood right away—and that’s okay.

Your Weekly Jolt

This week, stop worrying about what fits.

If the thing you’re building doesn’t fit the system—maybe it’s the system that’s too small.

Make what only you can make.
Say what only you can say.
And trust that the people meant to hear it—will.

Authenticity isn’t trendy. It’s timeless.

 Next Week: I sit down with Elia Elenius, a thinker and builder who lives at the intersection of chaos and clarity. We talk about leadership, structure, creativity, and the tension between freedom and form. If you’re building something of your own—this one’s going to hit.

Thanks for reading Second Take Tuesday
If this one hit home, share it with someone who’s fighting to stay grounded in a loud world.

Until next time,
Daniel