Hye Jams: Between the Notes

| Two Incredible Armenian Success Stories |

What does it take to build a legacy?

In this powerful episode of **Between the Notes**, Paisan Kapitan sits down with two men whose journeys couldn't be more different—but whose determination led them to extraordinary success.

🎧 **DJ Apo** shares the untold story behind his rise from violin player to one of the well known entertainment names in the Armenian culture. From remixing legendary Armenian classics and producing club anthems to reading a crowd of thousands, he opens up about the career, the pressure, the mistakes, and the passion that built his name.

🥖 **Arsen Vardanyan**, founder of **K'arsi Bakery & Lavash**, tells one of the most inspiring immigrant stories you'll hear. Growing up in extreme poverty, living with his family inside a converted train wagon, serving in the military, sleeping on restaurant tables while chasing opportunity, winning the Green Card lottery, risking everything to open his first bakery with almost nothing... and ultimately building one of Southern California's fastest-growing Armenian bakeries.

Along the way you'll hear conversations about:

• Growing up with nothing—and refusing to stay there

• Preserving Armenian music for a new generation

• The mindset behind entrepreneurship and financial freedom

• Building businesses through faith, sacrifice, and perseverance 

Wedding DJ secrets and unforgettable moments

• Why "Be Different" may be the best business advice you'll ever hear

• The importance of family, purpose, and never giving up

 

Whether you're chasing a dream, building a business, creating music, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, honest stories, and plenty of laughs. As always, Paisan wraps up the show with an encouraging prayer for health, success, and everyone watching at home.

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

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🎙️ SUPPORT OUR GUESTS

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🎤 DJ APO

Instagram: @DJ.APO

YouTube:  @DJAPO 

 

🎵 ARSEN VARDANYAN / K'ARSI LAVASH & BAKERY

Instagram:  @KARSILAVASH 

Locations:

GLENDALE: 222 N VERDUGO RD. (818)805-2002

BURBANK: 336 S GLENOAKS BLVD (818)805-2004

 

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN

Instagram: @paisankapitan

www.PaisanKapitan.com

Available for Hosting, Improv and Voiceovers* Email: paisan@hyejams.com

 

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO

Instagram: @hyejams

www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store

🎵 Listen 24/7 to your favorite Armenian hits on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio channel

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🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES

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Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode. Background Music: Morning Light Music License #: 2510-71789

━━━━━━━━━━━

🎥 PRODUCED BY

━━━━━━━━━━━

Wayne Lewis

Chummy Inc.

© 2026

All Rights Reserved.

 

— DISCLAIMER --

The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives. Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or veracity of such statements. This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.

#BetweenTheNotes #DJApo #ArsenVardanyan #KArsiBakery #Entrepreneur #ImmigrantStory #SuccessStory #Armenian #ArmenianMusic #Podcast #Business #Faith #Purpose #Inspiration #HyeJams #MusicProducer #SmallBusiness #AmericanDream #Leadership #Motivation

What happens when an Italian from New York falls in love with an Armenian girl... and ends up falling in love with an entire culture?

In this special episode of Between the Notes, host Paisan Kapitan sits down with the woman behind it all—his wife, Mrs. Paisan—for one of the most personal conversations ever featured on the show. Together they share the incredible story of how they met, how God brought them together, the challenges of a cross-cultural marriage, miracles they've witnessed, practical advice for couples, and the faith that continues to hold their family together.

The episode also features an exclusive Jams Cam interview from Dubai with award-winning Armenian actor Armen Greyg. From Hollywood and Bollywood to Netflix's Extraction 2, Armen shares his remarkable journey through the entertainment industry, the challenges he's overcome, and what's next in his international career.

In this episode:
• The real story behind Paisan & Mrs. Paisan
• Marriage advice rooted in faith and experience
• Miracles that strengthened their walk with God
• A rapid-fire bonus round with Mrs. Paisan
• A heartfelt prayer for marriages, families, and everyone watching
• Exclusive Jams Cam interview with award-winning Armenian actor Armen Greyg

If this episode encouraged you, made you laugh, or strengthened your faith, please hit the Like button, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today.

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

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🎙️ SUPPORT OUR GUESTS
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎭 ARMEN GREYG
Instagram: @armengreyg

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN
Instagram: @paisankapitan
www.PaisanKapitan.com

Available for Hosting, Improv and Voiceovers
Email: paisan@hyejams.com

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO
Instagram: @hyejams
www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store

🎵 Listen 24/7 to your favorite Armenian hits on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio channel

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🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES
━━━━━━━━━━━━

Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode.

Background Music:

Morning Light Music
License #: 2510-71789

━━━━━━━━━━━
🎥 PRODUCED BY
━━━━━━━━━━━

Wayne Lewis
Chummy Inc. © 2026
All Rights Reserved.

—

DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives.

Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or veracity of such statements.

This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.

#BehindEveryPaisan #PaisanKapitan #MrsPaisan #ArmenGreyg #BetweenTheNotes #HyeJams #Marriage #Faith #Family #ChristianMarriage #LoveStory #Armenian #ArmenianCulture #Podcast #Hollywood #Bollywood #Dubai #JamsCam #Jesus #Miracles #iHeartRadio #ChristianPodcast #AwardWinningActor #CrossCulturalMarriage #Inspiration #Storytelling #FamilyValues #Hope #ChristianLife

Some of the strongest people you'll ever meet have lived through the hardest stories.

In this powerful episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with Billboard-charting singer, songwriter and attorney Katrina Woolverton and acclaimed Armenian artist Tro Khayalian, whose incredible metal sculptures and abstract artwork have inspired thousands.

Katrina shares the remarkable story of defeating Aaliyah on Star Search, walking away from a promising music career at just 12 years old, rebuilding life on her own terms, and opening up publicly for the first time about the heartbreaking journey through infertility and pregnancy loss.

Tro reveals how growing up with a learning disability, bullying, and emotional struggles led him to discover art as his escape. Today, he transforms discarded automotive parts into breathtaking sculptures while creating paintings filled with emotion, faith, hope, and healing.

Together, these two artists remind us that our greatest struggles don't have to define us—they can become the very foundation of our purpose.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Katrina's incredible Star Search story and competing against Aaliyah
• Why she walked away from the music industry at the height of her early success
• Life as a Billboard-charting recording artist and entertainment attorney
• Tro's journey from struggling student to internationally recognized artist
• How creativity became healing for both guests
• Faith, family, resilience, and finding purpose after pain
• A heartfelt prayer to close one of the most emotional episodes of Between the Notes

This is more than an interview.

It's a conversation about healing, hope, and discovering beauty in broken places.

🎙️ Hosted by Paisan Kapitan

📻 Presented by Hye Jams Radio

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

They're known for making the Armenian community laugh.

But behind every joke is a story.

In this unforgettable episode of Between the Notes, Beno Blanko and Eddie Boy sit down with Paisan Kapitan for a conversation that goes far beyond comedy. They open up about entrepreneurship, family, grief, mental health, faith, purpose, and the life experiences that shaped the people behind the viral videos.

Beno shares why he believes every day should become another unforgettable page in your life's autobiography, how overcoming anxiety changed his outlook forever, and why making memories with his family matters more than building businesses. Eddie reflects on immigrating to America, creating content through difficult seasons, losing his father and grandmother, and finding the strength to keep moving forward.

Yes, there are plenty of laughs, hilarious stories, Armenian humor, and the rapid-fire bonus round you've come to expect—but this episode leaves you with something much deeper.

Sometimes the people who make us laugh the hardest have the most powerful stories to tell.

Life doesn't always go according to plan.

Chef, author, television personality, and Armenian cultural ambassador Ara Zada joins Paisan Kapitan to share his incredible journey—from skateboarding and snowboarding to national television, surviving kidney cancer, and building one of the most recognizable food brands in the Armenian community.

Then, Taline Baljian opens up about her family's immigration journey, becoming the first college graduate in her family, raising twin daughters, losing a multi-store family business after COVID, and finding the courage to start over in an entirely new career when life took an unexpected turn.

From faith and family to perseverance and reinvention, this is a powerful conversation about what happens when life doesn't follow the script.

🔥 In this episode:
• Ara Zada on cancer, fatherhood, food, and fame
• The real story behind his social media success
• Taline Baljian's inspiring immigrant and family journey
• Losing everything and starting over
• Faith, resilience, and finding purpose through adversity
• The moments that changed their lives forever

🎙️ Hosted by Paisan Kapitan
📻 Presented by Hye Jams Radio

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

#BetweenTheNotes #AraZada #TalineBaljian #HyeJamsRadio #PaisanKapitan #ArmenianPodcast #ArmenianCulture #CancerSurvivor #Entrepreneur #Faith #Resilience #Motivation #ArmenianCommunity

What happens when two successful entertainers reach a point where fame, success, and recognition are no longer enough?

On this episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with two fascinating guests whose journeys couldn't be more different—yet somehow arrive at the same destination.

First, Armenian artist Eric Shane opens up about leaving Los Angeles for Las Vegas, finding peace after years of inner turmoil, strengthening his faith, overcoming grief, and discovering a healthier perspective on life, music, and relationships. It's a candid conversation about growth, healing, and learning to let go.

Then, joining us from England via "JAMS CAM', world-renowned entertainer Kev Orkian shares stories from an extraordinary career that has taken him from concert halls and West End stages to royal performances and international acclaim. Along the way, Kev discusses comedy, philanthropy, Armenia, mental health, and one behind-the-scenes allegation he volunteered about Britain's Got Talent that you'll have to hear for yourself.

This episode isn't about celebrity. It's about perspective.

One guest found peace.

One guest found purpose.

Both discovered that success means very little if you don't know who you are when the spotlight fades.

In this episode:

• Eric Shane on faith, healing, music, and life in Las Vegas

• The personal loss that changed everything

• Why peace became more important than fame

• Kev Orkian on comedy, music, and performing around the world

• The surprising story behind his Britain's Got Talent experience

• Mental health, resilience, and life beyond the stage

• Philanthropy work in Armenia and building a lasting legacy Subscribe for more conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, creators, and worldchangers!

DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives.

Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or veracity of such statements.

This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎙️ SUPPORT OUR GUESTS

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎤 ERIC SHANE

Instagram:  @ericshane_ 

YouTube:  @ericshane_ 

🌍 KEV ORKIAN Instagram:  

@realkevorkian 

YouTube: ⁨@revorkianentertainment⁩

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN

Instagram: @paisankapitan

www.PaisanKapitan.com

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO

Instagram: @hyejams

www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store

🎵 Listen 24/7 to your favorite Armenian hits on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio channel

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode.

Background Music: Morning Light Music License #: 2510-71789

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎥 PRODUCED BY

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Wayne Lewis

Chummy Inc.

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

 

#BetweenTheNotes #EricShane #KevOrkian #PaisanKapitan #HyeJamsRadio #BritainsGotTalent #ArmenianPodcast #ArmenianArtists #EntertainmentPodcast #FaithAndPurpose #Comedy #musicproducer

SPECIAL EDITION OF BETWEEN THE NOTES

This week, Paisan Kapitan sits down with filmmaker Adeh Baghdasarian and special guest Z via "JAMS CAM" to discuss their upcoming film HEEVAND (Imperfect), premiering June 16.

More than just a movie, HEEVAND explores the reality that life isn't always perfect—and neither are the people living it. Inspired by a deeply personal story, the film tackles themes of mental health, support systems, compassion, and the importance of standing beside those who may be struggling when life takes an unexpected turn.

During this special edition conversation, Adeh shares his journey from a young storyteller inspired by The Godfather to becoming a writer, director, editor, and filmmaker determined to tell meaningful stories. Z opens up about the real-life inspiration behind the film and why its message is especially important for the Armenian community and beyond.

We also discuss:

• The meaning behind the title HEEVAND (Imperfect)
• The emotional challenges of bringing the film to life
• The responsibility of telling stories that matter
• Supporting people through difficult seasons of life
• What Adeh and Z hope audiences take with them after the credits roll

HEEVAND premieres June 16 and will later be available on YouTube.

If you enjoy conversations with filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to support independent Armenian media and help us continue bringing these stories to life.

Host: Paisan Kapitan
Show: Between the Notes
Presented by: Hye Jams Radio

#BetweenTheNotes #HyeJamsRadio #AdehBaghdasarian #HEEVAND #Imperfect #ArmenianFilm #IndependentFilm #MentalHealthAwareness #ArmenianCommunity #PaisanKapitan #FilmDirector #MoviePremiere #ArmenianCinema

 

In this powerful episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with two remarkable guests whose stories are built on perseverance, reinvention, faith, and the pursuit of opportunity.

🎵 International recording artist Arman Mardigian shares his incredible journey from Yerevan to Iraq during the Saddam Hussein era, through Greece, and ultimately to Los Angeles. Arman opens up about his rise from drummer and background vocalist, to one of Armenian music's most recognizable voices, his breakthrough hit in 1999, working alongside legendary artists like Paul Baghdadlian, and the life-changing health battles that deepened his faith and transformed his outlook on life.

🍨 Entrepreneur Alex Hasserjian, founder of Gelati, discusses his path from Lebanon to Canada and eventually Southern California, where he built one of the region's fastest-growing authentic Italian gelato brands. Alex shares lessons on taking risks, launching a business during COVID, fatherhood, sacrifice, and living the American Dream.

Plus, we stop by the Pasadena Armenian Festival for a quick conversation with Andrew Douglas and bring you highlights from one of Southern California's premier Armenian community celebrations.

Both are immigrant stories.

Both reinvented themselves.

Both took risks.

Both built something lasting.

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎙️ SUPPORT OUR GUESTS

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎤 ARMAN MARDIGIAN

Instagram: @armanmardigianofficial

YouTube: @Armanmardigian

 

🌍 ALEX HASSERJIAN / GELATI

Instagram: @calgelati

 

🎤 ANDREW DOUGLAS

Instagram: @thedouglas_andrew

 

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN

Instagram: @paisankapitan

www.PaisanKapitan.com

 

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO

Instagram: @hyejams www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store

🎵 Listen 24/7 to your favorite Armenian hits on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio channel

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode.

Background Music:

Morning Light Music License #: 2510-71789

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎥 PRODUCED BY

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Wayne Lewis

Chummy Inc.

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

 

#ArmanMardigian #AlexHasserjian #Gelati #BetweenTheNotes #HyeJams #PaisanKapitan #ArmenianMusic #ArmenianDiaspora #AmericanDream #Entrepreneurship #PasadenaArmenianFestival