Welcome Home: Jay Martin Jr. joins the Converge Media family
Jay Martin Jr. takes in the moment at the Black Media Matters Studio (Photo Connor Macdonald)
“It’s a dream to be able to work with this type of excellence.”
Those were the first words out of Jay Martin Jr.’s mouth when he joined the Converge family. Martin, of course, is excellent in his own right. A Telly award-winning actor and the host of Crosscut at KCTS 9 (Seattle’s PBS station), Martin understands the level of dedication and preparation required to produce meaningful content. Martin brings that level of professionalism to his podcast, The Drive Project Podcast, which will be the latest addition to the Converge Media Network.
Started five years ago, The Drive Project Podcast is Martin’s attempt to bring joy and connection to the masses. He uses the platform to provide a space for individuals to share their stories, bonding over the exploration of what it means to be authentic in today’s society.
“You'd be surprised how much of America or the world just doesn't feel safe to be able to share,” Martin said. “I hope that I can create a safe space for people to share what's going on in their minds. I really believe the mind is the gateway to the heart.”
It’s this devotion to creating an environment in which people feel comfortable sharing their real experiences and emotions that gives The Drive Project Podcast its appeal. Martin aims to bring impactful moments to life with his guests in unique ways.
“My goal is that we will laugh together, and we probably will cry together. In the end, we would grow and become something great together,” Martin said of his connections with guests on the show. “It’s about passion, purpose and possibility. Stories of hope.”
Martin’s own story is one which echoes those he brings to life on his podcast. Originally from Buffalo, New York but raised in the Pacific Northwest, his connection to his roots runs through food. He’d often cook while on the phone with his grandma, talking about anything and everything.
“She would say, ‘one day Jay, you’re going to help people find their voice, but first you’ve got to discover yours’,” Martin said. “You cannot help somebody when you've not even helped yourself. And that carried me for years.”
Sure enough, Martin discovered his voice would be the exact thing to help others find theirs. With a voice which is higher than that of his siblings, Martin struggled to find the confidence to express himself through it.
“They were Denzel,” Martin said of his siblings. “And I was Kevin Hart.”
When he eventually did discover that confidence, though, it was a breakthrough. One reached, of course, during a phone-call with his grandma.
“She said ‘could it be that insecurity can be the very weapon that brings you success?’,” Martin recalls. “It's very interesting, that the very thing that I was trying to run away from, once I embraced my insecurity, it became beautiful to me.”
Now, Martin’s voice is everywhere. He’s done commercials with Microsoft and Amazon as well as his hosting duties at PBS. Podcast listeners love Martin’s soothing vocals, and his inviting manner welcomes them to open their hearts.
“When you start listening to the podcast, you're going on a journey with me,” Martin said. “You are literally walking out with me and we're gonna discover something together.”
You can find The Drive Project Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and on Converge Media’s website and soundcloud starting on August 22nd.
