Clayton Abbey is a lobbyist for the education system in New Mexico and currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Government and Community Relations at New Mexico State University.

I first met Clayton many moons ago through my cousin Rocco, who became friends with Clayton while working together at a clothing store in Boston. That friendship eventually led to the formation of their hip-hop group, The HYPNOTIQS, and Rocco later introduced Clayton and me at one of our traditional Christmas Eve dinners.

Clayton is one of the most intelligent and multifaceted people I know. From journalism and bilingual special education to working as an MTA train operator and now advocating for education in New Mexico, his career has taken some incredible turns.

I hadn’t seen Clayton in years, so it was great to reconnect, catch up, and hear about his journey. Enjoy the conversation!

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

John Chimento is an entrepreneur who’s been immersed in the entertainment industry since he was practically in diapers, standing on a milk crate while learning to DJ under the guidance of his older brother. Today, he owns multiple businesses in the event industry and has successfully produced well over 5,000 events—and counting. From DJs and photo booths to lighting, special effects, and just about every entertainment service imaginable, John has built a one-stop destination for unforgettable events.

I first met John back in 2016, a story I briefly touched on in my The Grid & Me episode. While searching Instagram for fellow fans of Midway’s The Grid, I came across his Perfect Deejay page after spotting a photo of a Grid arcade cabinet. The rest is history. Since then, I’ve purchased my last three Grid cabinets and my Triple Topper from him. At one point, John owned an incredible 14 Grid cabinets, and over the years we’ve become great friends.

I wanted to bring John onto the show not only to talk about our shared passion for The Grid, but also to explore how he built his entertainment empire from the ground up. His work ethic, dedication, and entrepreneurial mindset are truly inspiring, and I’m excited for you to hear his story.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a father. On April 1st, 2019, that dream became reality when my son Maximus was born. Watching him grow from a tiny baby into the smart, funny, opinionated 7-year-old he is today has been the most surreal and beautiful experience of my life.

From first words and first steps to seeing his personality take shape, every moment has been unforgettable. Parenthood has also been the most challenging journey I’ve ever faced, and in this episode I wanted to share my honest perspective on what the past seven years have really been like. Just a small window into the journey of being a parent.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com