Jonathan Mertz Unplugged From Shaggy to Life Beyond the Mic

Jonathan Mertz steps into the guest seat as Troy Yount takes over It’s Your Break. Get to know the voice behind the podcast through Shaggy impressions, Kentucky stories, radio memories, and an honest conversation about family. In this interview, Jonathan shares how he approaches character voices, why Kevin Conroy is his favorite Batman, and what made a Jimmy Buffett concert unforgettable. He also tells the story of lending Kenny Wayne Shepherd his inexpensive headphones and looks back on the games, movies, and music that shaped his tastes. Stay for the final questions about meeting his younger self, balancing ambition with family, and learning to communicate as a parent. Which character voice or pop-culture pick was your favorite? Tell us in the comments, like the video, and subscribe to It’s Your Break for more interviews and a reason to pause and laugh. Explore the show: https://itsyourbreak.com/ Follow us on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok: @itsyourbreak #JonathanMertz #ItsYourBreak #voiceacting #shaggy #scooby #scoobydoo #mickey #mickeymouse Chapters 00:00 Opening and show mission 01:00 Troy turns the tables 02:41 Icebreakers with a twist 04:29 Kentucky roots and family traditions 11:04 Shaggy and character voices 14:40 Shaggy takes the movie quote challenge 18:49 Voice acting inspirations 21:52 Wordplay and Disney nostalgia 30:20 Desert island books 34:10 Dream dinner guests 37:36 Gaming and superhero favorites 43:51 Movies and TV favorites 51:32 Basketball and radio memories 55:20 Concerts and musical influences 01:02:17 Behind the scenes in radio 01:03:54 Rapid fire favorites 01:05:24 Advice to a younger Jonathan 01:07:33 Parenting and communication 01:10:20 Podcast connections and wrap up