MAX is in the kitchen! From his theatrical beginnings to his Nickelodeon days, YouTube viral covers, and co-writing for BTS, Max shares his journey with Anthony and Jonathan. Hear about falling in love with his wife while touring with Fall Out Boy, his wild Dolce & Gabbana shoot with Madonna, and what it was like being on Broadway with Ariana Grande. Plus, Max plays an epic game of “Sounds Like Gibberish” with a kitchen twist you won’t want to miss!

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 - Co-writing for BTS. Max shares how he got into songwriting for K-pop and creating "Yet to Come" for BTS.
• 02:30 - Broadway beginnings. From being a swing in 13 with Ariana Grande to mid-show debuts, Max recalls his theater roots.
• 07:00 - Nickelodeon nostalgia. Singing "Sleigh Ride" with the Nickelodeon cast and starring in Rags and How to Rock.
• 12:00 - Meeting his wife. Touring with Fall Out Boy, first kisses, and love stories on the road.
• 18:00 - Viral YouTube days. Collaborating with Kurt Hugo Schneider, Zendaya, and Victoria Justice on iconic covers.
• 23:00 - Madonna’s “fetus boyfriend”? The crazy story of Max’s Dolce & Gabbana campaign and media frenzy.
• 29:00 - Glee auditions. Max reflects on almost landing a role in Glee (but losing out to Darren Criss).
• 34:00 - Songwriting and collaborations. Stories behind hits like "Lights Down Low," “Love Me Less” (featuring Kim Petras), and working with Lil Uzi Vert.
• 43:00 - Game time! Max tackles “Sounds Like Gibberish,” decoding hilariously cryptic titles of his own songs.

Follow Max’s Journey: Stay updated on Max’s music, upcoming projects, and tour dates by following him on all socials @MaxMusic or just Google him (you’ll find him).

Socials: Follow the hosts for more content! @AnthonyGargiula
@JonathanTilkin
@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod

Credits: Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula
Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Joshua Colley, Broadway’s own viral icon, is HERE. In this week’s episode, Anthony and Jonathan sit down with Josh to dive into his journey, from his first national tour to having his own Disney Channel Wand ID. From tales of fire alarms and belting out “The Schuyler Sisters” to his process of creating the voice of Captain Hook in “The Descendants”, this episode covers it all—plus, a special game of Disney impressions you have to hear to believe!

Episode Breakdown:

05:00 - Growing up in theater. Josh reflects on his early days, from Les Mis to Newsies, and his supportive family’s role.

10:00 - The Les Mis journey. Josh talks about his role and shares stories of touring the country with his twin brother.

15:00 - Disney Channel memories! Josh reveals his reaction to making the Disney Wand ID—a true dream come true.

20:00 - Almost Dear Evan Hansen? Josh’s experiences auditioning for Evan and the challenges of the role.

25:00 - The infamous fire alarm! Josh tells an unforgettable story about accidentally setting off a hotel fire alarm while filming "Descendants."

30:00 - Viral Descendants moments. From Captain Hook's unique voice to TikTok moments with Trisha Paytas.

35:00 - The hook voice. Josh discusses how he developed Captain Hook’s voice and his inspiration behind it.

44:00 - The game: Hook, Line, and Sinker. Josh takes on Disney Channel lines in his best character voices, from Lumiere to Elmo.

Follow Joshua's Journey: Stay updated on Josh’s upcoming projects, including original music, by following him @JoshRobertColley.

Socials:

Follow the hosts for more content!

@AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTilkin

@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod

Credits:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

In this episode, Anthony and Jonathan chat with the incredibly talented Lindsey Stirling, diving deep into her journey from YouTube star to chart-topping violinist and everything in between. Lindsey shares the highs and lows—from her time on America's Got Talent to teaming up with power-house artists like Pentatonix and taking on Dancing with the Stars. She opens up about how her family influenced her love for music, the surprising path that led her to where she is today, and the balance between creativity and resilience that keeps her going. With laughs, real talk, and a few heartfelt moments, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight!

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time! Anthony and Jonathan are back, and they’re ready to gush about Lindsey’s tour!

02:10 - THEME SONG and the greatest intro ever

05:00 - Lindsey reminisces about her early career— dancing, violin lessons, and a highschool band

11:00 - The Duality Tour Highlights - J & A’s favorite moments

15:00 - Mindfulness, Anxiety, and Breath work

18:00 - The AGT story redefined. Lindsey reflects on how America's Got Talent gave her more than just critique.

29:00 - Lindsey’s Humble Beginnings

33:00 - The Christmas spirit. A deep dive into Lindsey’s Christmas album and "Mr. Grinch" with Sabrina Carpenter.

38:00 - Violin or Viol-out game! Lindsey guesses which celebrities played which instruments growing up—featuring Meryl Streep, Gwen Stefani, and Thomas Jefferson!

Follow Lindsey's Tour: Catch Lindsey Stirling on her Christmas Tour this December across the U.S. and Canada! Follow her @LindseyStirling.

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected! @AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTilkin

@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod

The Team:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Ever wonder how “Victoria’s Secret” started from a TikTok in a tiny LA apartment? Anthony and Jonathan get all the details from singer-songwriter Jax as she spills her incredible story of viral fame, wild celeb collabs, and why she’s totally fine roasting trolls in her DMs. From a notorious Walmart Magcon tour to songwriting in hotel lobbies, this episode serves up all the cringe and glory of coming up as an artist in the social media age.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Intro and chaos in the kitchen

00:50 Jax in the house (with cupcakes)

02:30 The infamous plain M&M debate

02:50 THEME SONG

03:00 Introducing Jax, our amazing guest!

06:20 Touring tales from cringey Magcon days

10:10 Getting serious: advice for young creators

14:00 “Stacy’s Mom” POV and viral success

20:30 The birth of “Victoria’s Secret”

26:00 Collaborations and TikTok growth

30:50 Writing and producing in a tiny LA apartment

34:10 The celebrity collab game

39:20 Guess That “Joe” Game (feat. JoJo SiwandaVision)

46:30 Too Young to be Old or Too Old to be Young game

49:20 Who’s “Joe” in Dear Joe?

Follow Jax: Find Jax on TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, and more @Jax. Check out her debut album Dear Joe so she doesn’t have to sell photos of her feet!

Socials: Follow the crew!

⁠@Anthonygargiula⁠

⁠@Jonathantilkin⁠

⁠@countermelodiespod⁠

Listen and watch here: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠

Credits:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Imagine a world where Jesse McCartney, your fave chipmunk, almost starred in Camp Rock, and Beautiful Soul wasn’t the last song of his concerts! In this hilarious and nostalgic dive, Anthony and Jonathan sit down with Jesse McCartney to relive his career highs, lows, and wild detours. From The Masked Singer secrets to frosted tips with Dream Street, to the reason he’ll never hit the Dancing with the Stars stage (spoiler: it’s the dance moves), this episode has everything!

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Intro and vibes (Welcome to the kitchen!)

02:00 Teeth whitening and new songs? Only here!

04:30 THEME SONG

04:45 The most legendary Jesse McCartney intro ever

07:00 Beautiful Soul turns 20?!

11:00 NYC Radio Disney memories and HitClips nostalgia

15:00 Broadway, Soaps, and early career moves

18:00 Dream Street origins (and the frosted tips legacy)

20:00 Almost in Camp Rock—alternate universe unlocked

26:30 The Masked Singer mystery unraveled

30:00 Becoming Theodore in Alvin and the Chipmunks (and the truth about the singing)

36:00 Loving It or Leaving It game: Kingdom Hearts, LA vs. NY, and more

Follow Jesse’s Tour: Catch Jesse McCartney’s All’s Well Tour through November 8th, across the U.S. and Canada! Follow him @JesseMcCartney

Socials: Follow the crew!

@Anthonygargiula

@Jonathantilkin

@countermelodiespod

Listen and watch here: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod

Credits:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Coming Tuesday, October 29th, 2024!