Meet Harold Brush

We were lucky to catch up with Harold Brush recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Harold, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I always have creative ideas going through my head on an everyday basis. I’ve dabbled in all kinds of different content creation including photography, videography, music, YouTube videos, vlogging, making a webseries and now currently podcasting. I have approximitely 20 years of video editing experience, learning from Windows Movie Maker at a very young age to using more advanced video editing softwares as I got older.

As I got into my 20’s, I was unsure of to showcase my capablities. I spent a decent amount of time working on the road, being able to listen to music, radio shows and podcasts. Growing up, I always struggled with social anxiety. If anyone were to ask me years ago if I would be in the world of podcasting as a host of one, I would have told them no chance.

Listening to different podcasts and radio shows, it always made me feel like I knew the people on those shows, the stories they told, the moments that were unfolding in real time as I listened to a few of them live, the interactions the cast(s) had with listeners. It all made me feel like I was a part of a community that enjoyed the same exact thing everyone else was listening to. Even calling into one a few times and meeting the cast of that particular show when they came into town.

As time went on, at the age of 28 I decided that I’d take a shot at my own show. I brainstormed ideas that would ultimately help create what is now know today as “The M-Balm Effect”. In it’s beginning stages, I planned on being a single host with different guests on the podcast. Friends of mine asked me what I was making and asked if they could be a part of it. I was now changing the format of the original idea to now also include co-hosts, which honestly added more to the project than I had initally anticipated.

It has been quite the journey, from starting the show in 2019 to continuing it on in it’s 5th year of being an active podcast. I have finally broke out of my social anxieties and faced what once was an initial battle by streaming our podcast live and engaging with viewers and listeners. Being a podcaster has opened a lot of new doors in my life, meeting people I never would have met along the way had I never started this podcasting adventure. Currently, I am working on a 2nd podcast with a local Rochester music promoter called “Talking Music (and other stuff)” podcast. We co-host this particular podcast together to discuss music in and out of the Rochester, NY area along with other various topics.

My purpose has meaning, as I help give others an outlet to either laugh, learn, feel heard and also be a part of our growing community. My podcast “The M-Balm Effect” is continuously growing, reaching new people in and outside of the area. I will continue this path and also extend my other creative outlets in other various content creating avenues.

If I were to give advice to anyone thinking of doing podcasting or any other content creation, I suggest just getting started regardless of what gear you have. The gear will come later, start now and begin your journey and find your purpose!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Harold Brush, I go by the name “M-Balm” as the host of the podcast “The M-Balm Effect”. I am a podcaster, content creator and work on other various projects. I am first and foremost a husband and a father, I enjoy spending time with my family.

I enjoy creating content that helps other people escape from whatever it is they’re going through. Whether it be through photos, videos and or podcasting. I started dabbling in making graphic designs for apparel as well this past year called “DXRK ARTS Clothing”.

I hope to continue to create different content, even perhaps one day reaching a point where this could be my full time career path. It has been quite the road already and I look forward to many more years of creating!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I believe my discipline, drive and determination has helped me continue to do what I do when it comes to creating, podcasting and everything else that I work on.

Anyone looking to start a project, I recommend never holding back and just start creating! Upgrade your gear as you hone your craft!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle I currently face is battling the algorithms on social media platforms. Being able to post on social media and get a reach can be difficult. One way to gain more of a reach is to network with other creators. Being a podcaster myself, I’ve been able to incorporate different varieties of guests onto the podcast and network with other various content creators such as music artists, small business owners and even local comedians.

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