April 15, 2025
Tongue Tied Truths: Jason Heffler – Finding Your Voice Through Story, Sound, and Self-Acceptance
The Tragedy Academy
The Tragedy Academy Podcast is a show that explores the human experience through the lens of tragedy and triumph. Our goal is to help listeners grow and thrive by sharing stories of real people who have experienced adversity and success.
Hosted by Jay Hicks, a veteran, voice artist, music producer, and multimedia artist, The Tragedy Academy Podcast provides a unique perspective on life's challenges and how to overcome them.
Our guests come from all walks of life and share their stories of struggle and triumph. We believe that our past does not define our future and that living authentically and purposefully is the key to a fulfilling life.
Through candid and humorous discussions, we explore societal divides and bridge gaps in understanding. We believe that laughter is the best fertilizer for the tree of knowledge, and that's why we bring you stories that will make you think, laugh, and inspire you to be a better person.
The Tragedy Academy Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of humor and enlightenment as we strive to grow the tree of knowledge together.
And remember, be cool and keep learning.
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About the Host
Jay Hicks
Host / Creator / Owner
Florida native Jay Hicks is a music producer, podcaster, graphic designer, Voice Over Artist and the owner and creative mind behind The Tragedy Academy Podcast. Jay has held many careers, from digging septic drain fields to being a Financial Services Solution Architect Manager for one of the nation's largest consulting firms. Jay has experience producing and engineering podcasts, voice-overs, promotional videos, and advertisements.
Why?
I lived most of my life imprisoned in my mind, a slave to past experiences and choices and anxiety over the future. Seemingly random memories and worries trapped me: Will I be successful? Am I successful enough? Does she love me? Will people admire me? Do people hate me? Am I the way that I am because someone made me this way? Someone told me I'm no good. Does that mean it is true? I experienced shame over past bad decisions or was overly prideful with no need. The list of mental agonies is endless.
Looking at this box created around my life, I can see that I had succumbed to an onslaught of past and present thoughts. I had forgotten entirely about NOW. I wasn't grateful for today, the moment, family, friends, or existence itself. I will not break down my construct and inner demons, but I want to give some insight and share my thoughts on what I believe is missing from humankind today.
I never learned how to be thankful and present now. I was taught to focus on the perceived problems from my past experiences or my need to prove something to imaginary adversaries. For myself, it has been a journey to this point - not good, not bad, just experiences as they all define who I am today. Without them, I would not see this need to be grateful in my own life. This realization is what drives my work, my creativity, and my mission.
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