S'MAC TALK: Taking The Plunge with Justin Kudding

🎧 S’MAC TALK – Episode 14: Taking The Plunge
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💛 Title Sponsor: Happy Ending Divorce and Separation
♻️ Segment Sponsor: Chop Value YYC

Seth and Mackenzie are back in the studio for Episode 14 with Calgary musician, producer, and Plunge Audio partner Justin Kudding. After a laid-back (and slightly forced) holiday reset, the crew dives into Justin’s journey from junior high bass assignment to touring professionally, winning JUNO and CCMA recognition, and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship through custom in-ear monitors.

Justin breaks down how Plunge Audio grew from a tinkering side-hustle into a thriving company, why he’d rather be a Chief In-Ear Officer than a CEO, and what it’s like balancing a life in music with building a scalable business. They also talk bass inspirations from Flea to John Paul Jones, the realities of chasing a unique “lane” in the industry, and one of the most stressful live performance moments imaginable: learning a brand-new Bebe Rexha arrangement hours before going on national live TV.

The conversation wraps with a look ahead to 2026 goals, giving back to the music community through flexible creative-friendly work, and Plunge Audio’s support of the YYC Songwriter Showdown — including gifting in-ear monitors to the Elite 8 and Justin joining the judging panel.

🎶 Songs of the Week (Chop Value YYC):
Justine Vandergrift – “Stay”
Veronica Raine – “August”
Kaia Gamble – “Photographs”