The Business of Talent

In this episode, the hosts discuss the impact of AI on the creator economy, separating hype from genuine change. They delve into popular AI tools currently used by creators, how these technologies are integrated into workflows, and the importance of audience connection and authenticity in an AI-driven landscape. They explore the benefits and pitfalls of various AI applications, ranging from conten...

Jordan and Sam reconnect to discuss recent updates in their lives and their return to the show. Highlights include Jordan buying an apartment in New York City and Sam working on big projects for Usher. They discuss the evolving role of AI in the creator economy and the impact of Rolling Stone's 25 Most Influential Creators of 2025 list. They also delve into a new media funding platform, Waterf...

Jordan and Sam delve into Publicis's recent $150 million acquisition of Captivate, an influencer marketing company known for its extensive creator network and advancements in affiliate marketing technology. Their discussion highlights the shifting landscape of ad spending, as revenue increasingly moves from traditional formats to user-generated content platforms, accelerating the growth of the cre...

In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of media with a focus on short form content and the economics behind it. Hosts discuss the rise in revenue from YouTube Shorts, new platforms like TTIKR, and the impact of podcasting giant PodX acquiring Lemonada. Discover how creators are navigating these changes, monetizing content, and the implications for the future of digital media. Plus, i...

Exploring Spotify's $100M Payouts, YouTube's Creator Partnership Hub, and Rich Paul's New Venture! In this episode, we dive into the latest news in the podcasting and creator economy landscape. We discuss Spotify's impressive $100 million payout to podcasters in Q1 2025 and its continued growth in video podcasting. YouTube's new Creator Partnership Hub, which aims to simplify c...

Sam and Jordan discuss the significant deal that filmmaker Ryan Coogler has secured for his new movie, 'Sinners.' The deal includes highly unusual points such as final cut rights, first dollar gross, and ownership rights reverting to Coogler after 25 years. These terms represent a monumental shift in power dynamics for filmmakers, especially for those from marginalized communities. They al...

This episode delves into the importance of diversifying income streams for creators, featuring a discussion on Epic Gardening's acquisition of Modern Farmer. The hosts also review Q1 2025's surge in creator economy funding and analyze how recent tariffs imposed by President Trump are impacting creator-led businesses. Finally, they explore the shift in creators identifying as entrepreneurs, as high...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, the hosts delve into the remarkable journey of Emma Chamberlain and her successful venture, Chamberlain Coffee. Starting as a YouTube influencer, Emma leveraged her online presence to build a $50 million valuation coffee brand. The conversation covers her early beginnings, the growth of Chamberlain Coffee, overcoming challenges, and key lessons fo...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam explore innovative ways to monetize content and support creators. They dive into the recent developments surrounding Cam Newton's new creator studio in Atlanta and its potential impact on underrepresented voices. The episode also covers Fixated securing $13 million to enhance creator monetization and management, and India's $1...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam are joined by special guest Isabel Li, a seasoned expert in influencer marketing and social strategy. Isabel has led successful campaigns for brands like Spotify, Netflix, HBO Max, and Target. The conversation dives into the key aspects of running impactful influencer marketing campaigns, setting strategic goals, and the impor...

In this episode of the Business Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam discuss the rise of talent-led brands and their potential long-term viability. They explore market shifts driven by technological advancements that have made it easier to create content and build audiences. Highlighting successful ventures like Logan Paul and KSI's Prime and Kim Kardashian's Skims, alongside flops like Tr...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam delve into the latest trends and significant investments in the media and talent sectors. They discuss Fox Corporation's acquisition of Red Seat Ventures, Publicis Groupe's strategic purchase of BR Media Group, and Carlyle's noteworthy investment in Entertainment 360. The conversation explores the implications of t...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam dive into the evolving landscape of the creator economy, emphasizing the growing significance of niche content creators and creator-led businesses. They discuss Slow Ventures' $60 million fund aimed at investing in niche creators, touching on the challenges and opportunities presented by algorithm-driven platforms and crea...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Sam Hysell and Jordan Williams dive into 11 surprising statistics about the creator economy. They discuss the rapid growth projections for the industry, the increasing influence of brand collaborations, and the evolving landscape for content creators. They highlight key insights such as the rise of creator-led brands, the dominance of short-...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts dive into an engaging conversation with Mike Boyd from Gary Vaynerchuk's (Gary Vee) VaynerX. They discuss Boyd's journey in the music industry, including his transition from managing artists to becoming the head of music at VaynerX. Boyd shares stories about discovering and supporting emerging talent like Tierra Whack and Gunna, as well as h...

In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Sam and Jordan are joined by Tiffany Kelly, the founder and CEO of Curastory. They discuss the transformative impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) for student-athletes, the future of influencer media, and how creators can better monetize their content.  Tiffany shares her journey from being a sports analytics associate at ESPN to creating C...

In the first episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam are joined by special guest Caleb Simpson. Caleb is widely recognized as the 'apartment guy' with over 13M followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Caleb shares insights from his journey from a tennis trainer to a viral content creator, discussing the nuances of working with brands, leveraging different platforms,...

We’re back! Join Sam Hysell & Jordan Chude Williams as they return after a hiatus with a special announcement… The Music Business Podcast is coming back with Season 2, The Business of Talent. Catch up with the hosts as they reflect on what’s happened in the past couple of years and dive into what’s coming with Season 2. Get ready for weekly episodes, which include guest interviews and news segment...

After 124 episodes, we are switching it up. We're putting a nice, big red bow on Season 1. Thank you all so much for the incredible support over the past 2 years and we are so so thankful for the amazing community that now surrounds the podcast and everything it stands for. This is our opportunity to reimagine and continue to level up how we operate, the conversations we have, the potential to org...

On this episode of the Music Business Podcast, we invite Alexander Fruchter aka DJ RTC. Born and raised in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, he has been a mainstay in Chicago’s Hip Hop community as a DJ, journalist, and label owner for close to 20 years. Fruchter is the founder of the significant underground Hip Hop blog rubyhornet, an accomplished DJ, and an Associate Professor of Instruction at...

This week we talked with Vice President, Creative, BMI New York, Samantha Cox. Samantha is responsible for overseeing the Pop, Rock and Indie team based in BMI’s New York office. She is also responsible for scouting and signing new songwriters and publishers, and maintaining relationships with existing BMI affiliates worldwide.  Cox has additionally launched several successful programs includ...

On today's episode of the Music Business Podcast, we interview shesaid.so Founder and Partnership Strategist Andreea Magdalina. Andreea is an experienced speaker on topics such as music and brand partnerships, business development, brand strategy, building community, marketing, and diversity & inclusion. She has spent the past 4 years working with creative agencies to develop digital-first con...

On today's episode of the Music Business Podcast, we interview artist and singer-songwriter Marc E. Bassy. Since 2014, Bassy has grown his listenership to over five million monthly listeners on Spotify and has become an in-demand songwriter. His list of collaborations include Kehlani, YG, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Puth, G-Eazy, Hailee Steinfeld and more. He's additionally the founder of his own indep...

EPISODE SWAP TIME! This week, we are switching episodes with Dan Runcie's 'Trapital' Podcast. The episode with Jonnyshipes discusses establishing Cinematic, indie label deals, and how a label brands itself. Alongside this, it's a great example of how to manage personal branding and branding for businesses. Find out more info on Trapital Podcast here: https://trapital.co/pod/ Leave a review and joi...

This week, we sat down with Moody Jones, SVP of Digital and Creative at EMPIRE. He has gained majority of his experience in the music and lifestyle industry where he has been able to work with some of today’s top artists such as Tyga, Iggy Azalea, XXXtentacion, Carnage, Snoop Dogg and many more.  Leave a review and join us in our discord via our Patreon at https://musicbusinesspodcast.com/com...