Creatives Prevail

Kenny Feinstein from the punk rock bluegrass band Water Tower shares how busking, livestreams, and a unique creative identity helped him rebuild his band into a movement. We also talk about learning every part of the music business, building a recognizable brand, and his latest book, More Than Talent: 7 Steps To Attain the Brand, Acquire The Gigs, and Amass Lifetime Fans. Key Takeaways Creators sh...

Larry Cummings of Off The Map Games joins the show to talk about system design, small teams, RPGs, and why games can teach us so much about collaboration, creativity, and how people work together. Key Takeaways Small teams work because people need shared context, trust, and different perspectives to create something meaningful. Constraints do not kill creativity. They often give creators the bound...

Joey Vesely of post hardcore band Trace Remains talks about growing up in the Pittsburgh DIY scene and the challenge of getting people’s attention without losing what makes the band authentic. We also discuss their new single and music video “Breathing Air”. Key Takeaways Authentic content is hard because there is no perfect formula. The best approach is often to keep testing ideas while making su...

Post-hardcore artist MADiSON ViOLETT discusses how she was able to drop seven singles in a year without burning out. We also talk about her latest release, “Bleed for Me,” and how she landed Kellin Quinn from Sleeping with Sirens as a featured artist. Follow MADiSON ViOLETT: Spotify TikTok Instagram Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Trying to stay consistent with your own creative...

Rivkah Reyes, known for playing Katie in the film School of Rock , shares how she’s built her own creative identity across music, acting, writing, and filmmaking. We also discuss her award-winning short film "Gianna” and her latest single and music video “Miss Congeniality”. Follow Rivkah Reyes: Instagram   TikTok Spotify Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Want more stories about t...

Eric Colville of The Low Stakes Band talks about writing songs that feel true instead of chasing what sounds commercial. We also discuss their single “Upon the Wall”, revisiting old ideas, and building a regional following. Key Takeaways: Writing something honest is usually stronger than trying to guess what people want. The songs that feel too personal or revealing can often be the ones that conn...

Musician and artist Jaclyn Dima talks about growing up in a musical family, finding her way through open mics and teaching, and returning to music with her latest single “I Won’t Dance For You.” We also get into genre hopping, perfectionism, and why she refuses to pick just one lane. Key Takeaways: You never really stop being a student, especially if you’re building a creative life. Sometimes the...

Dallas Jackson, Founder of TipSee Music and The Hondo Rodeo Fest, shares how he went from finance to building music tech and event startups. We talk about making song requests and tipping easier for musicians, learning by doing, using AI to stay lean, and why integrity matters when you’re building something from scratch. Key Takeaways Big ideas become manageable when you break them into steps and...

Publicist and artist Dani Felt shares her journey from a successful music blog to building her own company, writing a book, and navigating both sides of the industry with a heavy focus on relationships, risk, and self-belief. Key Takeaways: Relationships are everything in both business and creativity Getting fired or rejected can redirect you toward the right opportunity Taking risks is often nece...

Founder of GigSalad, Mark Steiner, shares how he went from being a talent agent to building one of the first online marketplaces for entertainers long before Uber and Airbnb existed. We also talk about being the top platform for mariachi bands and Santa Claus bookings as well as an honest chat about burnout, creativity, and what keeps him inspired. Follow GigSalad: Website Follow Creatives Prevail...

Ian and Danielle of Orphan Prodigy dive into building a band from the ground up, from overcoming burnout and mental health struggles to creating a full scale project through production, live streaming, and touring.  Follow Orphan Prodigy: Instagram   Spotify Website Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Sign up for our newsletter The Monthly Scramble for featured episodes, reviews and...

Chris Laxamana shares his journey from the early days of podcasting to becoming the showrunner and co-host of The Adam Carolla Show and host of the hit podcast Resume. We discuss what truly makes great content and what keeps people coming back. Follow Chris Laxamana: Instagram Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Sign up for our newsletter The Monthly Scramble for featured episodes,...

Randy Nichols shares his journey through artist management representing bands like Underoath, The Starting Line, and Say Anything. We also discuss his work consulting tech companies and helping shape the future of music through National Independent Talent Organization (NITO). Follow Randy Nichols: Website Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Want to take a moment to recommend RootNot...

Basti from Melonball shares how the band went from friends making music together to touring internationally, all while staying true to the DIY punk scene. We also talk about recording their latest album, the reality of rising touring costs, working with indie labels, and why getting out on the road still matters. Follow Melonball: Spotify Instagram Website Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTo...

Jess Bumsted shares her journey from booking agencies and major festivals to launching growth consulting firm Root & Trellis, along with her work advocating for diversity in live music through Book More Women. Follow Jess Bumsted: Website (Root & Trellis) Website (Book More Women) Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Want to take a moment to recommend RootNote, a platform tha...

Indie Pop artist Leah Nawy shares her journey from studying songwriting and production to releasing music independently as well as breaking down how storytelling, consistency, and self-belief shape her creative process. We also discuss release strategy including her latest single “Quicksand”. Follow Leah Nawy: Instagram Spotify Website Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website Want to tak...

Host of Imagination Skyway podcast Matthew Krul and myself discuss our experience filming an interview on-site on the Walt Disney Studios Lot with director of Disneyland Handcrafted, Leslie Iwerks. We also talk about touring Walt’s office. Make sure to watch the full interview with Leslie Iwerks on Imagination Skyway. Follow Imagination Skyway: Instagram   Facebook Website Follow Creatives Prevail...

Philip Slagter, a visual artist with over six decades of experience and a pioneer in pop surrealism, shares his journey from New York art director to full-time painter, embracing AI as a creative tool, overcoming profound personal loss, and why radical honesty is the foundation of meaningful art. Dedicated to Maya Slagter. Follow Philip Slagter: Instagram OBEYBEO (storefront) Follow Creatives Prev...

Recorded live at The NAMM Show 2026. From front-of-house to backstage and beyond, hearing is an audio professional's most valuable tool, yet it’s often the most overlooked. This panel will dive into how sound engineers, producers and performers use in-ear monitors and hearing protection without sacrificing style, comfort or audio clarity. Featuring Kelly Fox from Plug and Play Jewelry, Tal Koc...

Independent rock band Dawn in the Dark shares how learning guitar by rewinding cassette tapes in Pakistan evolved into a global music career and a nonprofit community for South Asian guitarists. We also discuss adapting to AI in today's music industry. Follow Dawn in the Dark: Instagram   Spotify Website Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website We would love to hear from you! Please...

Jason Hollis, artist developer, producer, and owner of Nashville’s The Eighth Room, shares how moving to Los Angeles at 17 led to mentorship from Capitol Records executive Tony Zetland and shaped his decades-long career in music. We also discuss why he stepped in to save a historic venue, despite having no prior experience running one, and how that decision led to building The Eighth Room. Follow...

Robin is the founder of Perseverance Records, an independent label focused on rescuing and releasing film scores, specializing in rare, unreleased, and archival music. He shares how his passion turned into a long-running label preserving soundtracks, cultivating superfans, and navigating physical media in a world of streaming. Follow Perseverance Records: Website Facebook Instagram Follow Creative...

Recorded at NAMM 2026, Dindae Sheena, President of Global Sales and Marketing at Telegrapher, shares how the company applied its sister brand’s expertise in high-end furnishings and luxury automotive trim working with brands like Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Tesla, to the design of its studio monitors. We also discuss why engineers are returning to pure analog monitoring and how design,...

Jennifer White shares what she’s learned from 17 years as an adult content creator and performer, from adapting to industry changes to maintaining creative control. Follow Jennifer White: Instagram Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website We would love to hear from you! Please give us a review, this really helps get others to listen in. Any suggestions on how we can improve? DM us on Ins...

Livia Tortella shares her path through major labels, becoming co-president/CMO at Warner before founding music marketing agency Black Box. We talk about storytelling, work ethic, and why curiosity still matters in today’s music industry. Follow Black Box: Website Instagram Follow Creatives Prevail: Instagram TikTok Website We would love to hear from you! Please give us a review, this really helps...