Austin Singer-Songwriter Sarah Sharp on Deja Vu (2026) | Jazz, Folk & Americana Fusion

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Austin, Texas-based singer, songwriter, and former Jitterbug Vipers leader Sarah Sharp.

We dive into her upcoming 2026 album Deja Vu, releasing May 15, a genre-blending project that weaves together jazz, folk, and Americana into a cinematic and emotionally rich soundscape.

A staple of the Austin music scene, Sarah is a three-time Austin Music Awards winner for “Best Jazz,” known for her expressive voice and deeply personal songwriting.

We explore her journey through music, her evolution as an artist, and the creative process behind this powerful new release.

👉 Get the album: https://sarahsharp.bandcamp.com/

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C-Suite Leader Chelsea Byers on Growth, Burnout & Building Teams

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with high-growth operator and C-suite leader Chelsea Byers. Based in Seattle, she shares her journey through the high-stakes world of education startups, including helping scale a company to $100M in revenue.

In her memoir Course Correct, Chelsea opens up about the “invisible tax” of leadership—covering deeply personal challenges like navigating clinical depression, infertility, and the pressures of the #MeToo era while building and leading teams.

She describes herself as a “human infrastructure builder,” focused on growing organizations without sacrificing the people behind them. This conversation dives into leadership, resilience, mental health, and what it really takes to scale sustainably.

👉 More Chelsea:
https://theexecutivefront.substack.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseabyers/ 

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Change Strategist Dr. Khutso Madubanya on Leading Through Uncertainty & The P.I.V.O.T. Method

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with change strategist, author, and transformational speaker Khutso Madubanya. Originally from South Africa and now based in Michigan, she brings a global perspective shaped by living and working in eight countries.

Dr. Madubanya helps leaders and teams navigate disruption with clarity, confidence, and trust in their own judgment. Her work focuses on the human side of change—how people respond when identity, expectations, and direction shift.

She is the creator of the P.I.V.O.T.™ Method, a practical framework designed to help individuals stay grounded and move forward effectively during times of uncertainty.

This is a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and thriving through change.

👉 More Dr. Madubanya: https://www.dancewithchange.com/ 

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Paul Espenan Interview – The Heart and Soul of Safety & Leadership

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with author and transformational leadership expert Paul Espenan. With more than 38 years of experience, Paul has helped transform organizations through applied leadership strategies that build strong safety cultures and deliver breakthrough results.

He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Regulatory for Diversified Energy Company, and is a Certified Safety Professional with a Master of Science in Environmental Science. His career includes leadership roles at Halliburton, ConocoPhillips, and LINN Energy.

We dive into his new book, The Heart and Soul of Safety: Leading Safety Performance From the Heart, and explore how leaders can create meaningful, people-centered safety cultures that drive lasting performance.

From his base in Louisiana, this conversation covers leadership, culture, and the human side of safety.

👉 More Paul: http://www.inspiritusgroup.com/

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Outdoors Author & Retiree Robert Bowers on Hunting, Fishing & the Unexplained

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with ODOT retiree, outdoorsman, storyteller, and author Robert Bowers. Based in Oklahoma, Rob shares stories drawn from a lifetime spent hunting, fishing, and working in the outdoors.

After a 43-year career with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, he turned to writing—crafting short stories and novels inspired by real-life experiences that often defy easy explanation. From encounters tied to cryptids and unexplained phenomena to moments of humor and suspense, his work blends reality with mystery.

We dive into his journey from public service to author, his fascination with the unexplained, and the stories that shaped his writing.

👉 More Robert: https://us.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BTCBBJWR/allbooks

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9-Time Grammy Nominee Tierney Sutton on New 2026 Album Spring, Legacy & Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with nine-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton about her 2026 album Spring, a beautiful voice-and-piano collaboration with acclaimed pianist Tamir Hendelman.

Widely regarded as one of the most expressive voices in contemporary jazz, Tierney is known for her masterful storytelling and deep connection to the Great American Songbook. Over her career, she has interpreted works by legends such as George Gershwin, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Bill Evans, as well as modern icons like Sting and Joni Mitchell.

Spring marks her 17th album as a leader or co-leader and her first full voice-and-piano duo project. While the The Tierney Sutton Band has been a global force in jazz for nearly 30 years, this project highlights the intimacy, spontaneity, and freedom of a stripped-down setting.

From her base in Los Angeles, we explore her remarkable career, creative process, and the artistry behind this latest release.

👉 More Tierney: https://tierneysutton.com/ 

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Latin Music Icon Tito Puente Jr. Talks Jazz, Salsa, YMU Jazz Collective & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Latin musician, percussionist, bandleader, songwriter, and producer Tito Puente Jr.. As the son of the legendary Tito Puente—known as “El Rey de los Timbales” and “The King of Latin Music”—he continues a powerful musical legacy.

Tito Puente Jr. brings a high-energy fusion of jazz, Latin, salsa, merengue, and mambo to audiences around the world, keeping the spirit of his father alive while forging his own path.

We dive into his work with the YMU Jazz Collective in Miami, along with his journey through music, performance, and staying true to a legendary lineage.

This is a vibrant conversation about rhythm, legacy, and the future of Latin jazz.

👉 More Tito: https://www.instagram.com/titopuentejr/
👉 More YMU Jazz Collective: https://ymu.org/

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