loader from loading.io

Joshua Salgado (Part 3): The Inner Villain, Side Quests, and the 250-Page Milestone

The Two-Promises Podcast

Release Date: 04/06/2026

Joshua Salgado (Part 3): The Inner Villain, Side Quests, and the 250-Page Milestone show art Joshua Salgado (Part 3): The Inner Villain, Side Quests, and the 250-Page Milestone

The Two-Promises Podcast

"I think the supervillain attacking Joshua Salgado is Joshua Salgado." In the final chapter of our 3-part series, Air Force Loadmaster and creator Joshua Salgado gets raw about the internal battle of self-doubt and the high stakes of independent world-building. Fresh off his second deployment, Josh discusses the "Refining Fire" of military life and how it sharpened his business strategy from a broad "machine gunner" approach to a "sniper" focus. He details the massive achievement of publishing a 256-page graphic novel for free, the upcoming launch of his limited-edition indie action figures,...

info_outline
Joshua Salgado (Part 2): The Sniper Mindset – IP World-Building, Military Waivers, and Facing the Inner Villain show art Joshua Salgado (Part 2): The Sniper Mindset – IP World-Building, Military Waivers, and Facing the Inner Villain

The Two-Promises Podcast

How do you go from a kid born with bilateral club feet to an Air Force Loadmaster and independent comic book creator? In Part 2 of this series, Joshua Salgado, host of the Absolutely Cosmic Podcast, shares his journey of relentless persistence against administrative roadblocks and his strategic pivot from "machine gunner" to "sniper" in business. Josh discusses the origin story of his 256-page graphic novel, Tales of the Galactic Wanderer, and how he uses science fiction as an allegory to process high-level military intelligence briefs and personal trauma. We dive deep into the "radioactive...

info_outline
Joshua Salgado (Part 1): The Absolutely Cosmic Hierarchy – Sharpening the Axe and the Nerd-to-Operator Pipeline show art Joshua Salgado (Part 1): The Absolutely Cosmic Hierarchy – Sharpening the Axe and the Nerd-to-Operator Pipeline

The Two-Promises Podcast

"Taking time to sharpen the axe leads to more trees cut in the long run." In Part 1 of this 3-part series, Joshua Salgado, a C-130H Loadmaster and host of the Absolutely Cosmic Podcast, joins the show fresh off a high-op-tempo deployment to the Horn of Africa. Josh pulls back the curtain on the life of a Loadmaster—from flying medevacs in Somalia to supporting "snake eaters" (Special Forces) on the ground. We explore the fascinating intersection of "Nerd Culture" and elite military units, discussing why comic books and gaming are essential decompression tools for high-intensity operators....

info_outline
Full Send Friday: Beyond the Lens: Christopher Martini on the Courage of Independent Art and the Future of Cinema show art Full Send Friday: Beyond the Lens: Christopher Martini on the Courage of Independent Art and the Future of Cinema

The Two-Promises Podcast

What happens when an artist chooses conviction over the "system"? In this episode of FULLSEND, we sit down with award-winning director Christopher Martini. With over 30 years in the industry and 70+ awards, Chris has navigated the grueling climb from NYU film student to directing some of the most talked-about documentaries of the decade, including The Relentless Patriot and the Donald Trump documentary The Man You Didn't Know. Chris pulls back the curtain on the "gatekeeping" of major film festivals, the spiritual crisis facing modern art, and the specific grit required to film a feature in...

info_outline
Christopher Martini (Part 4): The Director’s Staircase – Protecting the Child, Learning to Fail, and the Civilian Sacrifice show art Christopher Martini (Part 4): The Director’s Staircase – Protecting the Child, Learning to Fail, and the Civilian Sacrifice

The Two-Promises Podcast

"When you make a movie, it’s like having a child... and the moment their livelihood is affected, you see another side of the parent." In the powerful conclusion of our 4-part series, director Christopher Martini reveals the fierce protectiveness required to lead a film set and the "30-year staircase" he climbed to reach the big screen. Christopher discusses the reality of the "disciplinarian leader"—why a director must occasionally be the "prick" to keep the ship on course and protect the story from those who lack the cojones to create their own. We dive into the necessity of failure, the...

info_outline
Christopher Martini (Part 3): The Spiritual Crisis, Heroic Journeys, and Hollywood’s Great Lie show art Christopher Martini (Part 3): The Spiritual Crisis, Heroic Journeys, and Hollywood’s Great Lie

The Two-Promises Podcast

"God is missing from the fabric of modern storytelling, and that’s why so many movies leave you with an empty, rotten feeling." In Part 3 of our deep-dive series, director Christopher Martini shifts the focus from the technical to the transcendental. He explores the spiritual crisis in America and how the absence of faith has left a void in the arts. Christopher shares a powerful moment of witnessing a Lieutenant Colonel praying before a meal—a simple act that sparked a return to his own roots. We discuss the physiological and chemistry changes that occur during prayer and meditation, and...

info_outline
Christopher Martini (Part 2): Soup for the Soul – 75 Million Views, the Trump Family, and Hollywood’s Last Stand show art Christopher Martini (Part 2): Soup for the Soul – 75 Million Views, the Trump Family, and Hollywood’s Last Stand

The Two-Promises Podcast

"Everything is an ingredient in the soup to make it the most amazing soup that changes people’s lives when they eat it." In Part 2 of our series, NYU-trained director Christopher Martini shares the "behind-the-lens" reality of filming global icons and the structural shifts dismantling the traditional film industry. Christopher discusses the incredible viral success of his documentary, The Man You Didn't Know, which amassed over 75 million views on X after being shared by figures like Elon Musk and Benny Johnson. We go behind the scenes of his unique choice to focus on the inner circle—Hulk...

info_outline
Christopher Martini (Part 1): The Director’s Cut – Adrenaline, Art, and Advocacy for Veterans show art Christopher Martini (Part 1): The Director’s Cut – Adrenaline, Art, and Advocacy for Veterans

The Two-Promises Podcast

What happens when the precision of a military operation meets the high-stakes world of independent cinema? In the Season 3 opener, host BD catches up with award-winning director Christopher Martini. From their first meeting on the set of the powerful veteran music video Dear Mom, to fast-forwarding into Martini’s recent dive into national political documentaries, this episode explores the courage required to stand alone in an industry that often moves against the grain. Christopher pulls back the curtain on the "Improv of Filmmaking," explaining why veterans are uniquely suited for the...

info_outline
Full Send Friday: Zenon Duda on the Full Send Friday: Zenon Duda on the "Phoenix" of Art, Internal Family Systems, and the Serenity of Near-Death

The Two-Promises Podcast

What happens when a medical doctor leaves the clinic to become a master sculptor? In this comprehensive Full Send Friday episode, visionary artist Zenon Duda (Zen of ) joins the show for a deep dive into the human condition, the grit of the creative process, and the spiritual "visual crack" of Burning Man. Zen reframes the "Tortured Artist" myth, explaining that art is a universal help button for processing trauma that most people simply "suck up and power through." We go on a 2,200-mile motorcycle pilgrimage to the desert, explore the inner workings of the Burning Man DPW, and discuss...

info_outline
Zenon Duda (Part 4): Choosing Life – IFS Therapy, The Zenon Duda (Part 4): Choosing Life – IFS Therapy, The "Be Do Have" Framework, and Escaping the Mental Prison

The Two-Promises Podcast

What does it mean to truly "Choose Life"? In this series finale, former doctor and visionary artist Zenon Duda discusses the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, the illusion of time, and how to stop "mentally chewing" on past trauma. Zen shares a harrowing story of nearly dying on a Hayabusa motorcycle and the incredible peace that followed—a real-world application of Eckhart Tolle’s "The Power of Now." We explore the Be-Do-Have framework, the serendipity of the "Playa Provides" at Burning Man, and why we must view our work—no matter how mundane—as a legacy. If you are struggling with...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

"I think the supervillain attacking Joshua Salgado is Joshua Salgado." In the final chapter of our 3-part series, Air Force Loadmaster and creator Joshua Salgado gets raw about the internal battle of self-doubt and the high stakes of independent world-building.

Fresh off his second deployment, Josh discusses the "Refining Fire" of military life and how it sharpened his business strategy from a broad "machine gunner" approach to a "sniper" focus. He details the massive achievement of publishing a 256-page graphic novel for free, the upcoming launch of his limited-edition indie action figures, and his "multiverse" plan to rival industry giants like Marvel and DC. We wrap up with a powerful discussion on leadership, scaling a creative team, and why your "outrageous" dreams are just as valid as those of Steve Jobs or George Lucas—provided you have the heart to protect them.

🔍 Key Topics & SEO Insights

  • The Self as the Supervillain: Overcoming the "decaying actor" within—how to combat self-sabotage, perfectionism, and the fear of not being "enough" during a breakthrough.

  • The 256-Page Milestone: Why Josh released a massive graphic novel for free to establish the bedrock of the Cosmic Absolute IP.

  • Side Quests in Business: Using small, actionable projects (like indie toy runs) to build the skill sets required for a "Netflix-scale" future.

  • Scaling the Mission: Josh’s transition from a solo creator to a leader, helping his team members achieve their own "wins" within the galactic framework.

  • The Future of the Cosmos: A 12-month roadmap including quarterly figure releases, the finalization of Volume 2, and the expansion of the Galactic Wanderer lore.

  • Validating the "Outrageous" Dream: Why belief in oneself is the common thread between history’s greatest innovators and today’s independent creators.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

[01:17] Facing the Mirror: Why we are our own greatest cultivators of growth or decay.
Overcoming Self-Doubt

[02:57] The Breakpoint: Navigating the internal resistance that occurs right before a major success.
Mental Resilience for Entrepreneurs

[05:06] Focused by Deployment: How limited time in a combat zone forced Josh to prioritize "Side Quests."
Time Management for Veterans

[06:30] Storytelling as the Core: Why IP is more potent than merchandise—moving from t-shirts to world-building.
Intellectual Property Strategy

[07:17] 200 Downloads & Counting: The success of launching an indie comic with zero previous author history.
Independent Comic Marketing

[09:32] The Two Avatars: Who is the Galactic Wanderer for? The dreamer and the person who lost their purpose.
Finding Your Why

[11:25] Leadership & Team Goals: Applying military unit leadership to a creative startup culture.
Scaling a Creative Team

[13:07] The One-Year Vision: Four figures a quarter and the road to a Netflix series.
Business Growth Roadmap

[14:59] Closing Wisdom: Why your dreams are as valid as Steve Jobs' or George Lucas'.
Entrepreneurial Mindset

About the Guest

Joshua Salgado is an active-duty C-130H Loadmaster and the founder of Cosmic Absolute. He is a multi-disciplinary creator who has successfully launched a full-scale graphic novel, a gym wear brand, and an independent toy line while serving on multiple combat deployments. His mission is to inspire others to "refind their purpose" through storytelling and discipline.

đź”— Connect with Josh

  • Website: CosmicAbsolute.com (Free 256-page Graphic Novel)

  • Instagram/TikTok: @Cosmic_Absolute

  • YouTube: Cosmic Absolute

đź§  Mental Health Tool: The Cognitive Reframing Loop

Josh mentions "reframing" as a weapon against his internal supervillain. Here is the process discussed throughout the series:

  1. Identify the Trigger: A missed goal or a mistake.

  2. Challenge the Thought: Ask, "Am I actually a failure, or is this a necessary 'Step' on the staircase?" (Referencing Christopher Martini's episode).

  3. Re-evaluate: Replace "I failed" with "I am gathering data for the next mission."

"Don't let your dream die because of a roadblock. You are the deciding factor." Joshua Salgado has laid out the blueprint for turning personal darkness into a cosmic universe. Now, it’s your turn to take the first step toward your own "impossible" goal.

#JoshuaSalgado #AbsolutelyCosmic #GalacticWanderer #IPDevelopment #VeteranFounder #IndieComics #GraphicNovel #ActionFigureCollector #MilitaryLeadership #DreamBig #SelfMastery #TwoPromisesPodcast #C130Loadmaster #EntrepreneurMindset #SideQuests #MultiverseBuilding