Episode 214
Will Minton and Jay Christ
Musicians for a Cause
“It’s not everyday that a stranger writes you a beautiful and inspiring song and then changes your life when they perform it for you.”
Will Minton has more than 25 years of marketing experience in the consumer goods, foodservice, and entertainment industries, most recently serving as the chief marketing officer of Breakout Learning, an education technology company. Before that, he spent 15 years leading communications and business development teams at Advantage Solutions (Nasdaq: ADV) and spearheaded groundbreaking marketing initiatives at Taco Bell, including the creation of Mountain Dew Baja Blast, the first chain-exclusive soft drink in the quick-service restaurant industry.
While Will has built a rewarding career in marketing, his true passion has always been songwriting. He began writing and performing his own songs in college, continuing to perform in New York City and Los Angeles before stepping back to focus on his career and family. Over the years, he occasionally picked up his guitar to share original songs at company events and family gatherings. Recently, he’s returned to the stage in Southern California with renewed focus and enthusiasm for his music.
His composition “Blaze it Forward” premieres on this Pepptalks episode in cooperation with Jay Christ who accompanied him in studio on guitar and on vocals. This heartfelt folk song expresses the collective joy of giving kindness and the deep sadness of Blaze Bernstein’s legacy. Known for blending clever humor with heartfelt storytelling, Will’s songs reflect on family, resilience, and uplifting stories. He is currently working on recording his new material and sharing his music more widely. Follow @willmintonmusic on Instagram for updates.
Jay Christ is a versatile artist with a rich background in music. With a career spanning over two decades, Jay has collaborated with a diverse range of artists showcasing his ability to blend various genres. You can often catch him performing in Hollywood with LeLe Rose and the Thorns. Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Jay’s work is deeply influenced by southern blues and folk yet he effortlessly transitions between heavy metal, rock, and country. Jay's passion for music is evident in his dynamic compositions and productions. Follow @JayChristMusic on Instagram for updates.
Episode 214
Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper
Guest: Will Minton and Jay Christ
Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper
Producer:Eli Moskowitz
Original Theme: Jay Bernstein
Special Thank You to our volunteers
FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to PeppTalks with Jeanne
https://linktr.ee/pepptalkswithjeanne
Facebook: @PeppTalkswithJeannePepper
Instagram: @pepptalkswithjeanne
LinkedIn: Jeanne Pepper
Links discussed in Episode 214
@willmintonmusic @
YouTube: @WillMintonMusic
Ticket link for JStage “The Sound of Music” April 19 – May 4, 2005 at the Merage JCC (Irvine, CA) 1 Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92603
Breakout Learning
Will Minton in concert! Feb 27, 2025 at 7PM: https://tixr.com/e/128869
Location: Breaking Sound at Employees Only
7953 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
#PeppTalkswithJeanne #JeannePepper #BlazeitForward #MusicforBlaze #SongforBlaze #BlazeitForward_Foundation #blazebernstein #kindness #thegiftofmusic #dreams #WillMintonMusic #JayChristMusic #KindnessMatters #NewMusic #Songwriter
DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Jeanne Pepper unless so stated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Ms. Pepper’s guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ms. Pepper. If you have any questions about this disclaimer or the content herein, please contact us at PepptalkswithJeanne@gmail.com