Dream Life Club

In this solo episode, Sumi shares one of the biggest mindset shifts she's had since moving to Los Angeles to pursue music: success isn't built alone. Drawing from her own experiences, she unpacks the three pillars she believes every creative needs to build a sustainable career—collaboration, community, and craft. Sumi talks about overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of getting out from beh...

Hannah Avison is a chart-topping songwriter, music activist, and community builder whose work has impacted the music industry both in and out of the studio. With songwriting credits alongside artists like Marshmello, Lauv, Ava Max, Fletcher, and Jordin Sparks, Hannah has built a career rooted in creativity, connection, and advocacy. In this episode, Hannah shares her journey through the music indu...

Thai Long Ly is a Los Angeles-based producer, audio engineer, mixer and bassist with over two decades in the industry and has worked with artists like Pink, Dionne Warwick, Robbie Williams, Elle King and Postmodern Jukebox. In this conversation we get into what it actually looks like to build a career in music. Tai shares how a near death experience at 12 shaped his entire philosophy on life, how...

We are constantly bombarded by other people's ideas, advice, and opinions...and it's making it harder than ever to tune into our own creative vision. In this solo episode, I'm getting real about why the pressure to constantly drop new music almost broke me and what I'm doing differently now that has me feeling more aligned and excited about my music career than ever before. We're talking about blo...

Ethan Buckner is a singer-songwriter, community organizer and activist based in Venice, California. He's spent years fighting big oil pipelines, organizing solidarity fundraisers for communities in crisis, hosting backyard concerts during the pandemic, and building Westside Sounds, a monthly music showcase highlighting local talent in LA. In this conversation we get into what it really looks like...

Amber Grimes is an entertainment executive and leader in the music industry. Currently EVP and General Manager at LVRN (Love Renaissance), the Atlanta-based label and management company. She's previously held senior roles at Capitol Records, Spotify, and Def Jam, and she hosts her own podcast, If You Knew Better, on iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network. In this conversation we get into...

Ryan Gladieux is one of my producers so this episode feels like two friends catching up in a studio and going deep on the music industry. Ryan started as a recording intern at Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group in 2011. He eventually worked his way up to head engineer, racking up credits on some of the biggest songs in the world — including Timber by Ke$ha and Pitbull — and getting to work up...

I've been thinking a lot about the power of the words we tell ourselves. I got into the concept of creating a "hyperbole" for yourself, a goal so big and so aligned with your soul that it almost sounds crazy...and why that might be exactly the point. I talk about my own hyperbole and why what we tell ourselves every single day might be the most important thing we're not paying enough attention to.

Shari Short is a RIAA certified multi-platinum songwriter and producer who has written for Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Rita Ora, Sofia Reyes and more. She toured as a background vocalist with Demi Lovato, managed Rebecca Black, became CEO of a boutique record label, and is currently the frontwoman of indie rock band Three One Zero. Oh, and she has a song up for a Primetime Emmy. Not bad for a shy...

My new song American Dream comes out this Friday!! Pre-save it here . This week I'm getting into something that's close to my heart, the idea of the American Dream which inspired my new song out this Friday by the same name. In this episode I talk about why we can't separate our personal dreams from what's happening around us politically and socially. I share some stats that genuinely blew my mind...

Dan Smalls is one of the most respected independent concert promoters in the country. With over 35 years experience, he built DSP (Dan Smalls Presents) from a single 1,600 seat theater in Ithaca, NY into a company doing 800+ shows a year across the Northeast. He's worked with legendary artists Pearl Jam, Phish & Blues Traveler, produced Phish’s epic end-of-summer festivals that drew up to 100,...

This is for anyone who feels stuck in something that you don't want to be doing. About five years ago, I made the huge leap to sell my successful company (which I had been building for 10 years) to start a whole new career. It's been the best decision of my entire life but making the jump wasn't easy. In this episode, I share two things that will change your life and allow you to go after your dre...

Sumi discusses the very real challenges building a career as an indie artist (you're not alone!!) and how to overcome them and win.

In this solo episode, Sumi breaks down the mindset shift that separates people who actually get better at something from those who stay stuck at the same level. Using her own piano journey and the 12 rules for mastery from Wynton Marsalis — one of the most celebrated trumpet players of all time — she gets into what focused growth really looks like and why most of us are working hard just to mainta...

This podcast episode features the esteemed Michelle Lewis, an award-winning songwriter and a prominent advocate for music creators' rights. We delve into her remarkable journey from crafting chart-topping singles for artists such as Amy Grant and Cher to her current role as the CEO of SONA, the Songwriters of North America. Lewis articulates the challenges faced by songwriters in an evolving music...

Sumi talks about the the “Last Lap Syndrome,” that moment where you’ve done 80–90% of the work… but can’t seem to finish a creative project and put it out into the world. In this episode, Sumi shares: why creatives (especially those with ADHD tendencies) get stuck before the finish line the real reason finishing feels harder than starting how she has personally delayed projects for years (!!) and...

Sumi shares a little personal peek into her new attempt to start world building as an artist and what this means for her artistic evolution - and yours!

Welcome to the Dream Life Club podcast! Let's build our creative dream, together.

In this episode, Sumi shares what you might consider an embarrassing dating story to illustrate a point that she doesn't hear emphasized enough! Ultimately she shares how to process the chaos around us and make better art because of it! Takeaways: In the current climate of political turmoil and rapid technological advancements, we must cultivate our purpose and actively engage in creative endeavor...

In this episode, Sumi shares 4 frameworks to use immediately in your conversations with EVERYONE in order to own your power and have more influence, immediately! She's hot off an in person training with the GOAT of public speaking himself, Richard Greene, and is sharing from the heart. So listen in to get all the juice!

Sumi shares 5 concrete things she's doing during this season to help make sure she stays grounded, inspired and creative during these times while plugging in, strategically, to what's going on in this country.

Sumi X welcomes you to 2026 with a rallying cry to keep creating, keep making art, keep finding joy and keep coming back to your humanity...despite the chaos in thew world around us. Now more than ever, we need your art!

As promised, join the Sumiverse (i.e. our email community) here! https://fans.xosumix.com/join-the-sumiverse Sumi shares a new surprise for season 2 and a little advice on achieving a creative dream. Enjoy!

Sumi and Ryan introduce the podcast, WTF do we do now!?" inviting you into a space where we can have smart, emotional and casual conversation about what's going on in America today, how we can deal with it, and do our part to make a positive impact. We don't claim to have the answers but we ask questions, share our (often-conflicting) opinions and provide a space for exploration.

Amidst humored disagreements, Sumi and Ryan explore the complexity of feelings when it comes to identifying as an "American" today. They open ups conversation on values, patriotism, best case scenarios, who we're mad at most right now and ways we can actually Make being an American Great Again.