486. Kentucky Roots & the Power in Speaking: Jonathan Mertz

What happens when Kentucky roots, a life in radio, and a passion for understanding people come together through the power of voice?

In this down-to-earth episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Jonathan Mertz host of It’s Your Break for a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and what it truly means to use your voice with purpose.

From Kentucky roots to radio beginnings, Jonathan shares how his journey has taken him through IT, consulting, voice work, and even working in a jail each chapter shaping how he sees people and the stories they carry.

“There’s power in speaking and even more power in learning to understand people.”

Jonathan opens up about fatherhood, mentorship, weight loss, knee surgery, and the uncomfortable seasons that force growth.

He reflects on his late grandmother’s influence, the importance of education, and how family continues to ground his creative path.

The conversation also explores his wife’s experience discovering her biological father later in life, highlighting themes of identity, connection, and healing through truth.

Reena and Jonathan dive into the art of voice acting, podcasting, and storytelling discussing how tone, presence, and authenticity shape the way we connect with others.

This episode is a reminder that every voice carries weight and every story has the power to change how we understand one another.

🔑 Episode Keywords

Better Call Daddy, Family Relationships, Parenting Advice, Generational Trauma, Jewish Culture, Personal Development, Emotional Healing, Forgiveness, Life Lessons, Family Dynamics, Bar Mitzvah, Motherhood, Storytelling, Self-Discovery, Legacy Building, Communication Skills, Relationship Building, Healing Through Art, Navigating Divorce, Childhood Memories

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Kentucky roots and early radio beginnings

• Reinvention through IT, consulting, and voice work

• Lessons learned from working in a jail

• Fatherhood, mentorship, and personal growth

• Family legacy and his grandmother’s influence

• Identity, adoption, and reconnecting with family

• The craft of voice acting and storytelling

• Why discomfort leads to growth

⏱️ Episode Highlights:

• (00:00) Welcome to Better Call Daddy

• (05:15) From radio to reinvention

• (15:30) Working in a jail & understanding people

• (25:00) Fatherhood and family influence

• (35:45) Identity, connection & discovery

• (45:00) Voice acting, creativity & storytelling

If you’ve ever wondered how your voice, your story, and your experiences connect you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.

Connect with Jonathan

https://itsyourbreak.com/

Connect with Reena

https://www.youtube.com/c/bettercalldaddy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts/

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts