When you hit rock bottom in midlife, you face a choice: crumble or rebuild.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Brian G. Johnson opens up about the moment his life collapsed — the divorce, the identity crisis, the loneliness, and the painful process of starting over at 50. No intros. No bio. No fluff. We jump straight into the truth.

We talk about:


What happens when the life you built disappears overnight


The emotional fallout of divorce after decades together


Finding yourself again when everything feels unfamiliar


Creativity as a survival mechanism


Why reinvention is the real lifelong skill


What he wishes he could tell his 30-year-old self


Aging, meaning, curiosity, and building a life you actually want


The brutal reality of YouTube — and why it’s “simple but hard”

Brian’s story isn’t about business tactics or internet success.
It’s about rebuilding identity, rediscovering purpose, and learning who you are when the old life dies.

If you’re in the middle of your own reset — or feel one coming — this conversation is a compass.

This is RESET with Joel Comm.
It starts with one honest question.

When you hit rock bottom in midlife, you face a choice: crumble or rebuild.
In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Brian G. Johnson opens up about the moment his life collapsed &mdash; the divorce, the identity crisis, the loneliness, and the painful process of starting over at 50. No intros. No bio. No fluff. We jump straight into the truth.
We talk about:
<ul data-start="937" data-end="1394">
<li data-start="937" data-end="998">
What happens when the life you built disappears overnight
</li>
<li data-start="999" data-end="1058">
The emotional fallout of divorce after decades together
</li>
<li data-start="1059" data-end="1118">
Finding yourself again when everything feels unfamiliar
</li>
<li data-start="1119" data-end="1157">
Creativity as a survival mechanism
</li>
<li data-start="1158" data-end="1204">
Why reinvention is the real lifelong skill
</li>
<li data-start="1205" data-end="1258">
What he wishes he could tell his 30-year-old self
</li>
<li data-start="1259" data-end="1327">
Aging, meaning, curiosity, and building a life you actually want
</li>
<li data-start="1328" data-end="1394">
The brutal reality of YouTube &mdash; and why it&rsquo;s &ldquo;simple but hard&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
Brian&rsquo;s story isn&rsquo;t about business tactics or internet success. It&rsquo;s about rebuilding identity, rediscovering purpose, and learning who you are when the old life dies.
If you&rsquo;re in the middle of your own reset &mdash; or feel one coming &mdash; this conversation is a compass.
This is RESET with Joel Comm. It starts with one honest question.

When Life Breaks You: Reinventing Yourself at 50 with Brian G. Johnson

In July 1995, I launched my first website — WorldVillage.com — one of the earliest family-friendly destinations for software reviews, games, and educational content.

Built on curiosity and a love for the web, WorldVillage became one of the first 20,000 sites ever created. Within a year, we had nearly a million visitors. But as the years passed and the Internet evolved, the site faded into the background.

Here’s the crazy part: 30 years later, I still own it.

And when I asked ChatGPT how many of those original websites are still online today, the estimate was jaw-dropping — maybe 250 total, and only a few dozen still in the hands of their original owners.

In this episode, I revisit the story of WorldVillage — how it began, what it became, and why I’m now considering bringing it back.

💬 Here’s what I’d love from you:
What should I do with this piece of Internet history?
Should I revive it as a “Cool Site of the Day”-style project — celebrating what’s still great about the open web?

Drop your ideas and feedback in the comments.

— Joel Comm

#JoelComm #WorldVillage #InternetHistory #RetroWeb #VintageInternet #1990sWebsites #TechHistory #WebRevival #DigitalArchaeology #OldInternet #CoolSiteOfTheDay #Rediscover #EarlyWeb

In July 1995, I launched my first website &mdash; WorldVillage.com &mdash; one of the earliest family-friendly destinations for software reviews, games, and educational content.
Built on curiosity and a love for the web, WorldVillage became one of the first 20,000 sites ever created. Within a year, we had nearly a million visitors. But as the years passed and the Internet evolved, the site faded into the background.
Here&rsquo;s the crazy part: 30 years later, I still own it.
And when I asked ChatGPT how many of those original websites are still online today, the estimate was jaw-dropping &mdash; maybe 250 total, and only a few dozen still in the hands of their original owners.
In this episode, I revisit the story of WorldVillage &mdash; how it began, what it became, and why I&rsquo;m now considering bringing it back.
💬 Here&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;d love from you: What should I do with this piece of Internet history? Should I revive it as a &ldquo;Cool Site of the Day&rdquo;-style project &mdash; celebrating what&rsquo;s still great about the open web?
Drop your ideas and feedback in the comments.
&mdash; Joel Comm
#JoelComm #WorldVillage #InternetHistory #RetroWeb #VintageInternet #1990sWebsites #TechHistory #WebRevival #DigitalArchaeology #OldInternet #CoolSiteOfTheDay #Rediscover #EarlyWeb

Is This the World's Oldest Website?

What if your biggest opportunity is something you can’t see yet?

In this episode, I share a story that changed the course of my life — the moment someone else spotted potential in me that I couldn’t see myself.

Back in college, I loved music but never thought about being on the radio. Until one day, my stepmom said a single sentence that opened a whole new path:
“Why don’t you DJ at the radio station?”

That one question led me to a college radio gig, spinning records in clubs, running a mobile DJ business, and eventually… to becoming an entrepreneur.

💬 In this video, you’ll hear:
• The story of how I became a DJ (and why I almost didn’t)
• How one suggestion changed everything
• The lesson that your next opportunity might already be right in front of you

💭 Takeaway:
Sometimes we need others to help us see our own strengths.
Ask the people who know you best:
“What do you think I’d be great at that I’m not doing yet?”

You might just discover your next big thing.

— Joel Comm

#JoelComm #Motivation #Inspiration #CareerStories #BlindSpots #LifeLessons #DJStory #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #RadioDJ #CollegeStory #SelfDiscovery #Mindset

What if your biggest opportunity is something you can&rsquo;t see yet?
In this episode, I share a story that changed the course of my life &mdash; the moment someone else spotted potential in me that I couldn&rsquo;t see myself.
Back in college, I loved music but never thought about being on the radio. Until one day, my stepmom said a single sentence that opened a whole new path: &ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you DJ at the radio station?&rdquo;
That one question led me to a college radio gig, spinning records in clubs, running a mobile DJ business, and eventually&hellip; to becoming an entrepreneur.
💬 In this video, you&rsquo;ll hear: &bull; The story of how I became a DJ (and why I almost didn&rsquo;t) &bull; How one suggestion changed everything &bull; The lesson that your next opportunity might already be right in front of you
💭 Takeaway: Sometimes we need others to help us see our own strengths. Ask the people who know you best: &ldquo;What do you think I&rsquo;d be great at that I&rsquo;m not doing yet?&rdquo;
You might just discover your next big thing.
&mdash; Joel Comm
#JoelComm #Motivation #Inspiration #CareerStories #BlindSpots #LifeLessons #DJStory #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #RadioDJ #CollegeStory #SelfDiscovery #Mindset

The Blind Spot That Changed My Life

Before I ever had a website, I was already running what I like to call my first “Internet” business — years before most people had even heard of the Internet.

It started with an idea: a one-man software review magazine for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I wrote it, designed it in Aldus PageMaker, printed it, and bundled it with floppy disks full of shareware and games. Then my buddy and I loaded up the car and hand-delivered stacks to local computer stores.

What began as a nerdy side project turned into something bigger — a grassroots publishing operation that brought free software to readers, reviews to developers, and a sense of community to the early PC world. It was creative chaos… and it laid the foundation for everything that came next.

In this episode, I share:
• How I created The Dallas/Fort Worth Software Review in the mid ’90s
• The story behind my first “online” business — before the web existed
• Why floppies, PageMaker, and passion were all I needed to publish
• The moment at CES 1995 that introduced me to the World Wide Web

💬 Your turn:
How did you first discover the Internet?
Were you on BBS, CompuServe, or AOL? Drop your story below — I’d love to hear how you found your way online.

— Joel Comm

 

Before I ever had a website, I was already running what I like to call my first &ldquo;Internet&rdquo; business &mdash; years before most people had even heard of the Internet.
It started with an idea: a one-man software review magazine for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I wrote it, designed it in Aldus PageMaker, printed it, and bundled it with floppy disks full of shareware and games. Then my buddy and I loaded up the car and hand-delivered stacks to local computer stores.
What began as a nerdy side project turned into something bigger &mdash; a grassroots publishing operation that brought free software to readers, reviews to developers, and a sense of community to the early PC world. It was creative chaos&hellip; and it laid the foundation for everything that came next.
In this episode, I share: &bull; How I created The Dallas/Fort Worth Software Review in the mid &rsquo;90s &bull; The story behind my first &ldquo;online&rdquo; business &mdash; before the web existed &bull; Why floppies, PageMaker, and passion were all I needed to publish &bull; The moment at CES 1995 that introduced me to the World Wide Web
💬 Your turn: How did you first discover the Internet? Were you on BBS, CompuServe, or AOL? Drop your story below &mdash; I&rsquo;d love to hear how you found your way online.
&mdash; Joel Comm
&nbsp;

My First Internet Business (Before I Knew I'd HAVE an Internet Business!)

Before the World Wide Web, I was on six different commercial online services. How many of them were you on, or do you even remember? In this show I walk down memory lane to recount the services and what I recall about them. Watch this to see how many you remember!

For the video version of this show, visit http://youtube.com/joelcomm

Before the World Wide Web, I was on six different commercial online services. How many of them were you on, or do you even remember? In this show I walk down memory lane to recount the services and what I recall about them. Watch this to see how many you remember!
For the video version of this show, visit http://youtube.com/joelcomm

Remember These Vintage Online Services?

A long, long time ago, I purchased my first computer. It was a TRS-80 Model 1 with 4K of RAM. Today I look at that purchase through the lens of modern computing power.

What was YOUR first computer? Let me know in the comments!

And oops... I plugged my microphone in, but NOT into the iPhone! Sorry for the background noise. I'll try to do it right in the future.

A long, long time ago, I purchased my first computer. It was a TRS-80 Model 1 with 4K of RAM. Today I look at that purchase through the lens of modern computing power.
What was YOUR first computer? Let me know in the comments!
And oops... I plugged my microphone in, but NOT into the iPhone! Sorry for the background noise. I'll try to do it right in the future.

Computers in 1980 Were Lit! 

I’ve been making videos online for two decades. My first YouTube video posted in 2006. And for quite some time I posted candid videos designed to speak directly to my audience.

My “Walking with Joel” series was both a live video and then posted to YouTube. They were unedited and not produced. I really enjoyed doing them and the feedback was already great.

So now I’m not shooting video while walking, but I am seeking the same goal… connection. Real connection.

Let’s give this a shot. Here is my first comeback podcast, and hopefully you will sense the connection and I will do many more.

For the video version, go to http://youtube.com/joelcomm

I&rsquo;ve been making videos online for two decades. My first YouTube video posted in 2006. And for quite some time I posted candid videos designed to speak directly to my audience.
My &ldquo;Walking with Joel&rdquo; series was both a live video and then posted to YouTube. They were unedited and not produced. I really enjoyed doing them and the feedback was already great.
So now I&rsquo;m not shooting video while walking, but I am seeking the same goal&hellip; connection. Real connection.
Let&rsquo;s give this a shot. Here is my first comeback podcast, and hopefully you will sense the connection and I will do many more.
For the video version, go to http://youtube.com/joelcomm

Joel is back... raw and real

Are you ready to see the future? How will Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning affect your life?

Find out as Joel welcomes futurist Cathy Hackl to Joel.LIVE!

Cathy is a globally recognized augmented reality, virtual reality and spatial computing thought leader. She’s been named one of the top 10 Tech Voices on Linkedin for two years in a row, the highest honor on the platform.

Are you ready to see the future? How will Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning affect your life? Find out as Joel welcomes futurist Cathy Hackl to Joel.LIVE! Cathy is a globally recognized augmented reality, virtual reality and spatial computing thought leader. She’s been named one of the top 10 Tech Voices on Linkedin for two years in a row, the highest honor on the platform.

Are you ready to see the future? How will Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning affect your life? Find out as Joel welcomes futurist Cathy Hackl to Joel.LIVE! Cathy is a globally recognized augmented reality,...

The Future of Technology with Cathy Hackl - Episode 064

Joe Rogan just signed a $100 million contract with Spotify to podcast his show exclusively on their platform.  The podcast world is blowing up and it has never been a better time to start your own show!  Join seasoned podcast veteran Joel Comm as he welcomes Steve Olsher, publisher of Podcast Magazine, as they discuss the power of podcasting.

Joe Rogan just signed a $100 million contract with Spotify to podcast his show exclusively on their platform. The podcast world is blowing up and it has never been a better time to start your own show! Join seasoned podcast veteran Joel Comm as he welcomes Steve Olsher, publisher of Podcast Magazine, as they discuss the power of podcasting.

Joe Rogan just signed a $100 million contract with Spotify to podcast his show exclusively on their platform.  The podcast world is blowing up and it has never been a better time to start your own show!  Join seasoned podcast veteran Joel Comm as he...

How to Get on Podcasts with Steve Olsher - Episode 063

It's a rare opportunity to speak with a social and cultural influencer before their career explodes. That's the treat we have in this episode as you'll get to meet Zuby. A rapper with a positive, clean message, Zuby inspires people all over the world with his no-nonsense, compassionate straight talk. Host of his own podcast and rising public figure, get ready to talk all things current events, politics, music and cryptocurrency with Zuby. Learn more about Zuby at www.ZubyMusic.com

It's a rare opportunity to speak with a social and cultural influencer before their career explodes. That's the treat we have in this episode as you'll get to meet Zuby. A rapper with a positive, clean message, Zuby inspires people all over the world with his no-nonsense, compassionate straight talk. Host of his own podcast and rising public figure, get ready to talk all things current events, politics, music and cryptocurrency with Zuby. Learn more about Zuby at <a href="http://www.ZubyMusic.com">www.ZubyMusic.com</a>

It's a rare opportunity to speak with a social and cultural influencer before their career explodes. That's the treat we have in this episode as you'll get to meet Zuby. A rapper with a positive, clean message, Zuby inspires people all over the world...

Real Talk with Zuby - Episode 062

RESET with Joel Comm is a conversation for anyone who’s ever had life fall apart and wondered what comes next.

Every episode begins the same way: with one honest, disarming question that cuts straight to the truth. No bios. No hype. No small talk. Just two humans talking about the moments that broke them, the choices that reshaped them, and the wisdom they wish they’d had sooner.

Joel Comm—author, creator, and lifelong reinventor—invites guests to share the resets that changed everything: divorce, collapse, reinvention, identity shifts, career pivots, spiritual awakenings, creative rebirths, and the “I didn’t see this coming” chapters we all face eventually.

If you’re navigating your own reset—or feel one coming—this show is your companion in the dark and your spark in the light. Real stories. Hard-earned truth. Zero pretense.

This is RESET. And it starts with a single question.

RESET with Joel Comm is a conversation for anyone who&rsquo;s ever had life fall apart and wondered what comes next.
Every episode begins the same way: with one honest, disarming question that cuts straight to the truth. No bios. No hype. No small talk. Just two humans talking about the moments that broke them, the choices that reshaped them, and the wisdom they wish they&rsquo;d had sooner.
Joel Comm&mdash;author, creator, and lifelong reinventor&mdash;invites guests to share the resets that changed everything: divorce, collapse, reinvention, identity shifts, career pivots, spiritual awakenings, creative rebirths, and the &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t see this coming&rdquo; chapters we all face eventually.
If you&rsquo;re navigating your own reset&mdash;or feel one coming&mdash;this show is your companion in the dark and your spark in the light. Real stories. Hard-earned truth. Zero pretense.
This is RESET. And it starts with a single question.

RESET with Joel Comm

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