Artists treat gigs like dogs treat a bone; they think it's the last one they will ever have, so when another one comes around, they sometimes jump at it and say yes before they are even done with the first one. As I type this, I wish I had included this in the actual episode. In this episode of My Five Minutes, I (that is Dan Vado) talk about the uneasy math of creative work: when to say yes, when to say no, and how hard it can be to tell the difference when you are trying to build a career, pay the bills, keep the lights on, or just prove that you belong in the room. Most of the time, when people offer you low-paying gigs with the promise of exposure, it's usually bullshit. But it's not 100% true, just mostly true. Then I talk about myself, which is boring, then it all ends thank God. Support me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/artboutiki Go to Kickstarter and get a copy of OMWO and help us bring this fantastic graphic novel to press - https://slgpubs.live/ksomwo

In this episode, I, Dan Vado, sit with my cohorts, Kevin Ryan and Chris (Meat) Edwards, to go over viewer mail, such as it is, and discuss the burning questions of the day, including what that thing is on the tip of my nose and whether I have gained weight. Yes, these are actual questions I get. Later in the episode, I talk about why I am podcasting, how I find it a powerful medium, and how I want to work towards telling people's stories. I also talked warmly about the people who stuck with me on Patreon after my venue, Art Boutiki, closed. Ironically enough while I was editing this episode (on June 1) four people cancelled their support. Which is my way of saying, if you like what you hear, give my Patreon page a visit and drop a monthly tip our way. https://www.patreon.com/cw/artboutiki Also, tell a friend if you like this, and if you have comments, please feel free to message me. Dan Vado

This episode clocks in at just shy of 14 minutes, which may make me a liar about the title of this podcast. Not really. My Five Minutes has always been about having something to say and taking the time to say it.

In “The Grind,” I am joined by Chris Edwards, otherwise known as Meat, to talk about the daily labor, routine, pressure, and chaos of the restaurant industry. Meat was the chef at Art Boutiki, the music venue I operated until it closed in December 2025, and he saw firsthand the many grinds involved in keeping a venue running.

Later, I share a story from the 1990s about the day Jeff Smith, creator of BONE, walked into my comic book store and pitched us on carrying his book—and what that moment says about the work behind every creative success.