Mind Over Matter

MindOverMatterShow

It’s a long-form podcast built around one idea: see past the surface. Every episode, I sit down with someone who’s navigated the tension between authenticity and the machine — whether that’s Hollywood, the music industry, social media, or just life. We go deep. No scripts. No agenda. Just real talk about perception, power, creativity, and what it takes to stay true to yourself when the whole world is telling you to be something else.

Episodes

  1. Jul 10

    Mind Over Matter Ep. 7 | Ashwin Gane ft. Deelishis on "The Person Behind the Image"

    Most people know Deelishis from what a camera captured — a VH1 show, a cultural moment, an image frozen in time. But the woman sitting across from Ashwin Gane is something the cameras never fully showed: a self-aware, Detroit-built creator who has spent years peeling back the layers between public persona and private person. This conversation is about the gap between what the world projects onto you and who you actually are when the lights go off. Topics Covered 1)Why Deelishis describes herself as introverted — and how fame forced an evolution of identity 2)The natural beauty and wellness philosophy she lives by (diet, sleep, skin, reducing toxins) 3)The music industry's obsession with demos vs. the artist's own voice — and why A&Rs often miss it 4)Ashwin's journey from copying Travis Scott to finding his own sound through "D&D" and "Flip Dat" 5)Growing up in Detroit: shared roots, shared reference points, and what the city actually built in both of them 6)The Walt Disney "Imagineer" framework — and why world-building beats recording for the sake of it 7)Deelishis on selective energy, dating on her own terms, and why focus is her love language right now 8)The beauty industry's manufactured conditioning — and who really benefits from telling you to wash your hair 9)Voice as identity: how Ashwin learned his natural resonance was always the gift, not the copy 4)A rare speed round that reveals unexpected preferences and a debate about thick vs. cold, boxers vs. briefs ABOUT Deelishis (Chandra London Davis) is a Detroit-born model, reality television icon, and recording artist best known for winning Season 2 of VH1's Flavor of Love. Over two decades in the public eye, she has evolved from video vixen to multi-faceted creator, actress, and entrepreneur, with appearances spanning Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Queens Court, and film projects including A Taste of Betrayal. Ashwin Gane is a Detroit-born, Indian-American artist, producer, and creative director — the originator of Mythic Trap, a cinematic fusion of orchestral soundscapes, heavy 808s, and narrative-driven hip-hop. With over 6.5 million streams globally, Gane uses music, visual storytelling, and long-form conversation to explore the intersection of creativity, identity, and culture. Mind Over Matter is his invitation to see past the surface.

  2. Jun 4

    Mind Over Matter Ep. 4 | Ashwin Gane Ft Daniel Knudsen on The Politics of Fear & Entertainment

    In Episode 4 of Mind Over Matter, Ashwin Gane sits down with Daniel Knudsen for a cinematic conversation on authenticity, industry politics, creative identity, mythology, modern culture, and the hidden systems shaping art in the algorithm era. 🎙️ Featured Voices Ashwin Gane – Detroit born Indian American artist, producer, filmmaker, and creative director pioneering “Mythic Trap,” a cinematic blend of orchestral composition, heavy 808s, fantasy aesthetics, and story driven hip hop. Known for projects including Energy, Twilight, Regret It, Trap City, and Twilight Tales. Daniel Knudsen – Detroit area filmmaker, producer, and director who began his career working on film crews at 17 before moving into directing and production. He made his feature directorial debut with the political thriller Creed of Gold (2014), which premiered in Milan, Italy and received international recognition. About the Episode Ashwin opens up about navigating industry politics as an independent artist, balancing commercial trends with authenticity, and building a long term artistic universe inspired by fantasy, cinema, classical composition, and emotional storytelling. The conversation with Daniel Knudsen explores how social media algorithms shape culture, why audiences crave authenticity more than perfection, and how modern systems often reward conformity over originality. Ashwin also discusses the influence of classical music on his production style, his vision for “Lord of the Rings meets hip hop,” and why he believes truly impactful art must come from a real place emotionally and philosophically.

About

It’s a long-form podcast built around one idea: see past the surface. Every episode, I sit down with someone who’s navigated the tension between authenticity and the machine — whether that’s Hollywood, the music industry, social media, or just life. We go deep. No scripts. No agenda. Just real talk about perception, power, creativity, and what it takes to stay true to yourself when the whole world is telling you to be something else.