The Circuit is where real conversations meet real grind. Hosted by Derek Washington, this podcast shines a light on musicians, creators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who wear more than one hat and refuse to stay in one lane. These are the stories behind the hustle, the setbacks, the pivots, the breakthroughs, and the personal battles people fight while chasing purpose.
Expect honest interviews, powerful life lessons, creative insight, industry gems, and the kind of wisdom you usually only hear after the cameras are off. From the stage to the shop floor, from church to business, from struggle to strategy, The Circuit connects the dots between passion, survival, and success.
If you’ve ever had to build while bleeding, dream while tired, or reinvent yourself while the world was sleeping on you, this podcast is for you.
Bonus: Quincy Stewart – The Biggest Lesson Is Confidence
After decades on stage, Quincy Stewart's biggest lesson wasn't technique. It was learning to stop looking for someone else's approval. A short clip from the full conversation on The Circuit Podcast with DC.
14 Oct 2026
Bonus: Quincy Stewart – Can You Play What You Create?
Jazz musician and educator Quincy Stewart uses AI in his songwriting process, but draws a hard line: if you can't play what you create, you delegitimize yourself as an artist. A short clip from the full conversation on The Circuit Podcast with DC.
14 Oct 2026
Bonus: Quincy Stewart – I Play Trumpet by Default
Quincy Stewart wanted a saxophone. His mother came home from Grinnell's with a cornet. Here's why he's grateful now. A short clip from Quincy Stewart's full conversation on The Circuit Podcast with DC.
14 Oct 2026
Larry Blackford on The Circuit Podcast with DC
Coach Larry Blackford joins DC on The Circuit. From a basketball scholarship to coaching at the college and pro level to ministry at Liberty Baptist University, Coach Blackford talks about why it's not about X's and O's but how you treat people, what leaders owe the people they lead, setting goals and believing in yourself, faith, AI, and the systems that shape opportunity. A conversation about leadership, respect, and purpose.
13 Oct 2026
It's Not About X's and O's | Coach Larry Blackford (Short)
Same offense, same defense, worst players on the roster, and his team won every scrimmage. Coach Larry Blackford on why it's not about X's and O's, it's how you treat people. Full interview coming to The Circuit Podcast with DC.
13 May 2026
Daryl Folks on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation with Darrell Foulkes delves into his multifaceted career, covering his roles as a musician, photographer, and fireman. It also explores the impact of emergency services on the community and the importance of preparation and readiness in various professions. The conversation with Darryl covers his journey as a firefighter, photographer, and musician. Darryl's passion for helping others and his early start in photography and music are evident throughout the discussion. The chapters explore his motivation to serve, advice for aspiring professionals, excitement in music, photography, and firefighting, as well as his encounters with famous personalities. Additionally, Darryl shares insights on photography and film development, professional photography etiquette, city infrastructure and development, and his musical aspirations. The conversation concludes with closing remarks and plans for future conversations.
Takeaways
Multifaceted Career
Preparation and Readiness
Emergency Services and Community Impact Passion for Helping Others
Early Start in Photography and Music
Chapters
00:00 The Evolution of a Musician, Photographer, and Fireman
23:36 The Call to Serve
29:04 Excitement in Music, Photography, and Firefighting
34:27 Professional Photography Etiquette
39:32 City Infrastructure and Development
13 May 2026
Derek Thompson on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation with Derek Thompson covers his journey from working in a plant to becoming a successful inventor and entrepreneur. It also delves into his experiences in the tank business and his approach to wearing multiple hats in his professional life. Derek shares insights on motivation and the importance of understanding individual motivations. Derek Thompson shares his experiences working with felons and teaching them the value of giving. He also discusses career advice for college graduates and the importance of nurturing individual skill sets. Additionally, he talks about the process of inventing and bringing a product to market, emphasizing the need for patience and perseverance. The conversation concludes with a discussion on analog vs. digital.
Takeaways
Entrepreneurial journey
Wearing multiple hats
Motivation and understanding individual motivations Teaching the value of giving
Nurturing individual skill sets
Patience and perseverance in inventing and bringing a product to market
Analog vs. digital
Chapters
00:00 From Plant Worker to Entrepreneur
13:13 Experiences in the Tank Business
22:09 Wearing Multiple Hats
27:15 Teaching the Value of Giving and Professionalism
43:37 Handling Far-Fetched Ideas and Partnerships
51:21 Analog vs. Digital
13 May 2026
Marlon Lyons on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation delves into themes of self-discovery, accountability, community work, motivation, building a legacy, collaboration, leadership, mental stability, business support, success stories, mentorship, and leaving a legacy. It emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, responsibility, community engagement, and the power of collaboration in creating a positive impact. The discussion also highlights the significance of developing mental stability, fortitude, and a strong mentality for business success and community service.
Takeaways
Legacy
Community work
Chapters
00:00 Self-Discovery and Self-Acceptance
06:32 Motivation and Inspiration
13:14 Developing Mental Stability and Fortitude
19:25 Mentality and Internal Fortitude
26:38 Thrive's Vision for the Future
13 May 2026
Q. Thang Do on The Circuit Podcast with DC
Q Thang Do shares his journey from childhood tinkering to becoming a versatile inventor and entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of the analog world in the digital age and provides insights into product development, AI, and time travel. Q Thang Do also discusses his role models and future plans.
Takeaways
Importance of analog world in the digital age
Challenges and insights in product development
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Q Thang Do
07:11 The Impact of AI and Digital World on Education
13:06 Advice for High School Students and Entrepreneurs
19:32 AI, Time Travel, and Analog World
27:09 Analog World and Time Travel
33:06 Licensing and Product Development
41:25 Patenting and Product Development
52:35 Q Thang Do's Role Models and Future Plans
13 May 2026
Quincy Stewart lll on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation with Quincy Stewart covers his early musical influences, the business of music, performing and studio experiences, transition in musical style, AI in music creation, unusual stage experiences, and advice for aspiring musicians. Quincy shares his passion for music and the challenges of balancing creativity with the business side of the industry. The conversation delves into the influence of African music on jazz, the concept of musical geography, personal experiences with famous musicians, the significance of autographs, negative experiences with other musicians, family and artistic inclinations, health and wellness in the music industry, involvement in city council and political views, the impact of politics on music and artistic expression, the current state of music and artistic expression, the mechanization of music, and dream collaborations and musical influences.
Takeaways
Passion for Music
Balancing Creativity and Business Music transcends geographical boundaries
The impact of African music on jazz and other genres
Chapters
00:00 Early Musical Influences and Instruments
06:02 The Business of Music
13:02 Transition in Musical Style
21:02 Advice for Aspiring Musicians
27:01 The Concept of the 'Detroit Sound' and Musical Geography
33:35 The Significance of Autographs and Fan Interactions
39:31 Involvement in City Council and Political Views
44:51 The Mechanization of Music and Artistic Integrity
13 May 2026
John Willis on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation delves into the family's musical legacy, the impact of church hurt on musicians, the importance of humility and spirituality in music, the evolution of mindset and playing style over the years, and the diversity of musical interpretation in different church denominations. It also highlights the significance of staying close to God as a church musician.
Takeaways
Family musical legacy
The impact of church hurt on musicians
The importance of humility and spirituality in music
The evolution of mindset and playing style over the years
The significance of staying close to God as a church musician
The diversity of musical interpretation in different church denominations
Chapters
00:00 Musical Beginnings and Family Legacy
06:25 The Evolution of Mindset and Playing Style
13:02 The Impact of Church Denominations on Musical Interpretation
13 May 2026
Valerie Fullilove on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation covers the importance of lighting in the entertainment industry and explores Valerie Fullilove's multifaceted creative work. It delves into Valerie's personal background, multicultural experiences, education, family life, creative journey, and approach to writing and storytelling. Additionally, it discusses her experience as a producer and her perspective on preserving culture and truth in her stories. The conversation delves into the experiences of producing a play, the role of a producer in shaping the audience experience, the impact of storytelling on the audience, the spiritual and emotional impact of theatrical performances, humorous and unpredictable moments in theatrical productions, barriers faced by black writers and creatives, the influence of AI on creativity and writing, the educational path for aspiring writers and producers, and the impact of the current administration on creativity and life. The conversation delves into Valerie Fullilove's artistic aspirations and the reality of her journey. It explores her experiences, encounters with famous personalities, and the impact of her work on those around her. Valerie shares insights into her creative process and the recognition she receives for her productions.
Takeaways
The importance of lighting in the entertainment industry
The multifaceted nature of Valerie Fullilove's creative work The responsibility of a producer in a theatrical production
The impact of creativity and storytelling on the audience Diverse Influences
Artistic Journey
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Lighting in Entertainment
06:06 Valerie Fullilove's Experience in Brooklyn
13:26 Valerie Fullilove's Approach to Writing and Art
19:17 The Nerve-Wracking Experience of Producing a Play
24:40 Impactful Stories and Emotional Reactions
32:16 Humorous and Unpredictable Moments in Theatrical Productions
37:29 The Influence of AI on Creativity and Writing
43:41 The Impact of Current Administration on Creativity and Life
13 May 2026
Spyder Turner on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation covers Spyder Turner's personal life, family, and career in the music industry. It highlights the importance of trust, timing, and luck in achieving success. Additionally, the discussion emphasizes the significance of protecting intellectual property in the music industry. The conversation delves into the challenges and adversities faced by musicians in the industry, as well as the importance of health and wellness for musicians. Spyder Turner shares insights and experiences related to these themes, providing valuable perspectives for aspiring and established musicians alike.
Takeaways
Trust is crucial in the music industry
Timing and luck play a significant role in success
Protecting intellectual property is essential Adversity in the music industry
Navigating the challenges of the music industry
Health and wellness for musicians
Chapters
00:00 Life and Family
07:54 Career and Success
31:59 Navigating the Music Industry
53:22 Health and Wellness for Musicians
13 May 2026
Ron Otis on The Circuit Podcast with DC
The conversation covers a range of topics including the joy of friendship, physical health and well-being, the role of music in retirement, the influence of family members on musical interests, the challenges of managing multiple professional gigs, the unique sound of Detroit musicians, and the significance of artistic expression and collaboration in album creation. The conversation with Ron Otis covered various themes, including navigating the music industry, the approach to drumming, the use of AI in music, misconceptions about jazz drummers, representing Detroit through music, and creating a dream band lineup. Ron shared insights on the challenges of getting radio promotion, the importance of chemistry in a band, and the adaptability required in playing with different artists. He also discussed the use of AI as a tool in music creation and the potential drawbacks of relying on AI for music production. Additionally, Ron highlighted the unique energy and style of Detroit music and the impact of music on emotions and spirituality. Finally, he shared his dream band lineup, featuring deceased musicians he would have loved to play with.
Takeaways
The importance of maintaining physical health and well-being as one ages
The impact of family and mentors on musical interests and career
The significance of staying true to one's artistic identity and integrity Navigating the music industry requires adaptability and the ability to put together a strong team.
AI can be a useful tool in music creation, but it should not replace the human spirit and creativity in music.
The representation of Detroit music carries a unique energy and style that impacts emotions and spirituality.
Chapters
00:00 The Art of Drumming and Aging
07:32 Professional Drumming Career
18:05 Navigating Multiple Gigs and Artistic Integrity
24:29 Album Creation and Artistic Expression
32:46 AI in Music
39:32 Misconceptions About Jazz Drummers
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