The Sharp End

09/04/2026

Ever wondered what it's really like to spot a teenage Whitney Houston singing in a tiny New York supper club and help turn her into a global superstar? Or how one song can bring an entire country together — even if it took a whole lot of near-misses and pure luck to get there?

Join me, chatting with Rick Blaskey — the music insider behind some of the biggest crossover moments of the past few decades.

Rick shares how he launched artists like Russell Watson and violin sensation David Garrett, worked with legends like Barry Manilow and Andrea Bocelli, and created massive anthems that defined events and generations.

He opens up about the old music business versus an algorithm-driven world, why great melodies and hooks still matter, and his deep passion for using music to heal and bring communities together.

Plus, he opens up about his lifelong passion for Sheffield Wednesday and why fighting for your local club (and community) still matters.

He is funny, honest, and full of real behind-the-scenes tales. If you love music stories, underdog journeys, or just a good yarn about how hits (and careers) actually get made I guarantee you will love this episode.

Listen on all podcast platforms and cafewowpodcast.com



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Cafe W.O.W (Words of wisdom) is a place where host and barista John Dodds unearths the uniqueness of his guests and the crafts they practice. From marketing to music, podcasting to poetry and all stations in between, guests share some of the innermost secrets of their profession as well as a few of....

18/03/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWAbnXECDqW/?igsh=bHZlNHYyODI3bWZq

12/02/2026

In a world obsessed with perfect production and viral polish, I chose a different path for Cafe W.O.W. Early on, I knew I couldn’t (and didn’t want to) compete with the big-budget podcasts out there. Instead, I borrowed a timeless Motown maxim: “It’s what’s in the grooves that counts.” Motown legends focused on the soul of the artist—the raw emotion, the real stories etched into every track—not the shiny extras. That’s exactly how I approach these conversations: intimate, unfiltered, packed with real Words Of Wisdom from guests who’ve lived it. The first grooves were cut with Ty Hildenbrandt of The Solid Verbal, and the depth? Pure magic. No flash needed when the heart is this strong. Come listen to what’s really playing. Episodes waiting at the link in bio. What’s one “groove” (life lesson) that’s stuck with you forever? Share below!

11/02/2026

500 years ago in Ottoman Istanbul, coffee houses were where ideas sparked, stories unfolded, and wisdom was shared over strong brews. Today, Cafe W.O.W. brings that same energy to your ears: intimate conversations packed with real Words Of Wisdom from incredible guests. Unearthing uniqueness, one chat at a time. Tap the link in bio to listen now → www.cafewowpodcast.com What’s your go-to coffee spot for deep talks? Comment below!
Ottoman coffee house : source Wikicommons

11/02/2026

Ever wonder where the magic of deep conversations over coffee really began?

Back in the late 1400s Ottoman Empire, coffee houses became legendary gathering spots—places where merchants, poets, scholars, and everyday folks shared ideas, debated life, and brewed wisdom together. They were called the "schools of the wise" for a reason!

Fast forward to today: That's exactly the spirit behind Cafe W.O.W.—a podcast where real Words Of Wisdom flow like the perfect cup of Turkish coffee. Intimate chats, personal stories, highs and lows, all about unearthing what makes each guest (and each of us) truly unique.

My obsession with coffee started at 30 during an all-nighter for a Shell Marketing course... and it's never left me. Now it's the heart of this podcast.

Pull up a (slightly rickety) chair and join us.

First episodes are live → www.cafewowpodcast.com

What's one piece of wisdom that's stuck with you over coffee? Drop it in the comments!

19/11/2025

From steel-town kid to making Fortune 500 CEOs prove branding works—Dr. James Gregory’s wild ride.
The untold story of the CoreBrand Index, elevator pitches that changed everything, and why personal brand is the only metric that never lies. My intimate conversation with Dr James aka Jim was rich in personal stories and knowledge. Check out my latest Cafe W.O.W. Podcast in my bio. Or cafewowpodcast.com

19/11/2025

From a steel-town childhood in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to pioneering the measurement of corporate brand value and then leaping into award-winning fiction, Dr. James Gregory has lived many lives—and measured every one of them.

In this warm, wide-ranging Cafe W.O.W. conversation, the father of the Core Brand Index shares how a subway romance launched an agency, why CEOs begged for proof that branding actually works, the day Jack Welch forced the industry to grow up, and how losing everything you love can still point you toward everything you’re meant to do next.

I really enjoyed my intimate conversation with Jim. I hope you do too.

Cafe W.O.W (Words of wisdom) is a place where host and barista John Dodds unearths the uniqueness of his guests and the crafts they practice. From marketing to music, podcasting to poetry and all stations in between, guests share some of the innermost secrets of their profession as well as a few of....

21/07/2025

Is the work you create terminal, or does it live beyond your delivery to your audience?

Jason King Jones Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Shakespeare Company believe that theater is a terminal art form.

He also quotes Paula Vogel who states that "the audience writes the play." Some interesting parallels with how a brand resides in the mind of the "audience" and not controlled by the creator.

Hear more of the conversation at cafewowpodcast.com or your usual podcast platforms.

17/07/2025

Jason King Jones, Artistic Director of PA Shakespeare Festival shares his thoughts on why live theate remains a truly unique experience, on cafe W.O.W.

Listen to the rest of the conversation on cafewowpodcast.com or on your regular podcast platforms.

15/07/2025

" All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances. " Are we merely players?

In my latest Cafe W.O.W. podcast, I discuss the role of Shakespeare in modern life with Jason King Jones, Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

We contrast stage performances with the performances we stage every day for our own audiences in a vain attempt to gain applause and recognition (a.k.a. monthly reviews)

Jason also highlights how live theater impacts connection and creativity.

He also shares some important lessons on how theater can harness technology to bring communities closer together.

Please click below to enter the cafe

Cafe W.O.W (Words of wisdom) is a place where host and barista John Dodds unearths the uniqueness of his guests and the crafts they practice. From marketing to music, podcasting to poetry and all stations in between, guests share some of the innermost secrets of their profession as well as a few of....