Money and fame — these are some of the reasons that make content creators take their projects online. And we cannot blame them for doing so, especially now with the current COVID-19 pandemic setting the stage for the next global economic recession. But not everyone is in for the money. Some do it for survival, not only for them but also for the culture they love and the advocacies they feel really passionate about. Such is the inspiring story of TJ Wendel II and his journey in creating the “Bar Austin Podcast”.
It is known simply as “Bar Austin,” Bar standing for “born and raised.” His business partner and talented musician Sean Mullin contributes his native perspective as well. TJ and Sean are born and bred in Austin, Texas. Their shared origin makes them good co-hosts showcasing a raw perspective about their hometown. This is “The Austinticity of Austin”, a branding they created for the podcast. It is their unique approach in unraveling a fresh take on their locale by talking about anything, everything Austin, Texas. They do this by inviting guests and by thoroughly discussing topics that interest them and the audience.
The podcast caters to residents, tourists, and “transplants”. The co-hosts also endeavor to make the content diverse by encouraging others to contribute to their next topic by visiting their city or even moving in for good. The Bar Austin Podcast stays true to the “Austin lifestyle” with its logo design.
The Podcast not only aims to continue making quality content and eventually landing on the Top 5 podcast throughout Central Texas. Bar Austin is also TJ’s passion project. It was a product of 3 failed attempts in business and a total of 8.5 years of planning. He had several misgivings along the way. The most life-changing of which was his near-death motorcycle accident. He was in a coma for 5 days and was left with a brain injury. Fortunately, he found strength and motivation knowing that his Nana visited him in the hospital throughout his near-death experience. To this day, TJ still holds this memory close to his heart.
TJ made Bar Austin Podcast an opportunity to promote his well-loved city in the local and international scene. It was also his way of thanking God for a second chance in life. As a way of giving back, he helps small businesses and non-profit organizations through Bar Austin. They adopted a listener-support system where for every dollar earned, they give out a portion of the earnings to non-profit organizations such as the National Awareness in Mental Health (NAMI) and to any organization that might require their assistance in the near future. It is a group advocating awareness for mental illness like brain tumor injury (just like what TJ had). He feels that donating to this cause gives aid to groups who in turn, extend a hand to the mentally sick. A small amount goes a long way especially in these trying times that we face the COVID-19 health crisis.
TJ said that he constantly finds Divine guidance and affirmation with his Bar Austin Podcast. He claims that this project is his personal vocation. It’s his unique way of pursuing two things he is most passionate about – his perspective on his hometown, Austin, Texas and raising money for the ones that need it most throughout his city.
