Episode Details
April 18, 2025
33 minutes
- The Soundtrack of Productivity – Doug and Jeremy explore how music impacts focus, motivation, and energy levels throughout the workday.
- Different Sounds for Different Minds – While Doug enjoys mainstream and upbeat music, Jeremy leans toward meditation sounds, white noise, and more ambient genres to stay grounded and focused.
- Music as a Motivational Tool – Both hosts reflect on how they used music during their athletic careers and how they still draw on that energy in their professional lives today.
- Concert Culture & Connection – Doug shares how going to concerts has become a way to bond with his family, while Jeremy talks about his favorite live music experiences.
Using Music with Intention – Whether you need energy, focus, or relaxation, being intentional about your music choices can enhance your productivity and emotional well-being.
Featured Quotes
"Music is always playing in my head. It’s like the background of my thoughts—it helps me stay grounded, focused, and sometimes even fall asleep."
Jeremy Axel
"Music is a source of motivation. Whether it’s working out or powering through a task, the right song changes everything."
Doug Cox
Episode Transcript And Overview
In this episode of Never in Reverse, Doug and Jeremy dive into the psychological and emotional influence of music—especially in the workplace. From white noise and meditation music to energizing beats and favorite concert moments, they discuss how music plays a role in motivation, focus, and even sleep. Listeners will learn how to tailor their soundscapes to boost concentration and regulate their mood throughout the day. Whether you’re curating a playlist for productivity or winding down with calming sounds, this episode explores how to use music more intentionally in 2025 to stay sharp, motivated, and mentally aligned.
Timeline Notes
Today’s episode is about music and productivity, which Jeremy find difficult to talk about because he feels like music is constantly playing in his head. Doug reflects on concerts that he and his family have been to.
Doug finds that music helps him get inspired and motivated, whether he is exercising or working.
Jeremy sleeps to white noise to sleep, which Doug is not able to sleep to.
eremy and Doug reflect on the role of music in sports, specifically in their college days playing football. They used music to energize themselves, and they still use music similar sometimes today.
Jeremy cannot listen to very energetic music while he is working, and prefers to work to quiet music to avoid distraction.
Jeremy is an open book when it comes to music genres. He has his preferences, but is always open to discovering new music, particularly live music.
Notable Guests
Bill Fairman
Fund Manager, Private Lender
Bill Fairman
Fund Manager, Private Lender
A best-selling author, national speaker, and serial entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience in mortgage banking.
Over the years, Bill has worked closely with hundreds of high-net-worth individuals, helping them strategically grow wealth as a Fund Manager for more than 13 years.
He’s also a trusted voice in the industry, serving on the Government Relations Committee of the American Association of Private Lenders.
Nick Kiridzic
Founder and CEO
Nick Kiridzic
Founder and CEO
I'm the founder of StaffHero, where we help growing businesses scale without the chaos connecting them with skilled remote assistants and automation systems that save time and cut costs.Before this, I spent over ten years in healthcare and business development, constantly spotting the same problem: amazing teams burning out under the weight of busywork. That’s what pushed me to build StaffHero.
Now, I focus on helping business owners get their time back and build systems that let them grow with freedom and focus.
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover is No B.S. Executive Coach, whose mission is to Challenge the Best to Become Better.
He is also:
• An Ex- White-Collar Felon.
• A “Recovering” Federal Trial Lawyer.
• A Subject Mater Expert on failing and recovery.
• Who is a TEDx speaker, Vintage Speaker, Forbes contributor, and an author whose book, WorkQuake™, is endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, a Top 10 Business Thinker.
• An Executive Coach With 30 years of experience who advises and coaches executives in organizations with up to $1 billion in annual revenue.
• A Starbucks addict, and
• A Chicago Bears fanatic.
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit is the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group and the host of the Systems Simplified podcast. With nearly three decades of experience as an industrial engineer and process consultant, she has helped hundreds of growth-focused companies systematize their operations to scale successfully.
Known as “The Process Guru,” Adi specializes in designing and implementing turnkey systems that reduce dependence on the owner, empower teams, and increase profitability. Her clients range from fast-growing trades businesses to multi-location professional service firms, and she is a trusted advisor to CEOs across the U.S.
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe is a pioneer in divorce mediation who has been helping couples navigate the end of their marriages with dignity and financial wisdom for over 17 years. As co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, Joe combines his MBA in Finance with specialized training from Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern University to guide couples toward agreements that protect both their emotional wellbeing and financial futures.
Joe pioneered virtual divorce mediation in 2011, nearly a decade before others adopted online practices during the pandemic. His results speak for themselves: Equitable Mediation Services maintains a 98% case resolution rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 70%.
