Media Industry Guru

Media Industry Guru

Welcome to the Media Industry Guru podcast. Do you know you want to work in media but not sure where? Are you trying to figure out what you're doing with your life? Are you in college deciding on what clubs you should take part in, how can you volunteer, what to do next? Here, I’ll be interviewing a lot of guests including recent college grads, entrepreneurs, singer/songwriters, record label professionals, film industry execs, to people who work in theatre arts and tech that will give you some professional wisdom so you can achieve your goals.

Episodes

October 13, 2026 • 32 mins

What happens when music, cultural identity, and industry recognition collide? On this episode of Media Industry Guru, we sit down with Miist, the first native Chinese artist to reach Billboard’s Pop/Adult Contemporary Top 25, to discuss her groundbreaking journey and the future of global music. Miist shares her perspective on the Recording Academy’s controversial Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, her Billboard ...

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On this episode, we sit down with Rick Morse to explore the rapidly growing world of music catalogs and wealth management. As artists navigate record deals, royalty streams, and major liquidity events, the financial decisions they make can shape their futures for decades. Rick shares insights on protecting windfalls, building long-term wealth, and avoiding the common pitfalls that follow success. Tune in to learn how smart financia...

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Here we are with Stephan Dweck and David Millstone. Two bold voices. Two fearless paths.

On the premiere episode of Every Day Courage, we sit down with actor and producer David Millstone and humorist, attorney, and media force Stephan Dweck. David shares his journey from regional theater to the big screen, reflecting on the roles that challenged him and the courage it takes to embrace uncertainty in the arts. Stephan opens up about...

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Reemo Meerak has created unfiltered energy in media—a bold voice shaped by the hustle and heartbeat of New York City. As an actor, blogger, content creator, and correspondent, he’s interviewing artists, dropping hot takes on culture, or lighting up your screen on Amazon Prime, MTV, or The Drew Barrymore Show. Reemo brings the same sharp wit and unapologetic presence that’s built him a loyal digital following of ov...

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We are with Nicole Rocha, a rising senior at USC double-majoring in Music Industry and Cinematic Arts, and the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Linda Komorsky AIMP Scholarship. Balancing two part-time jobs while interning at NAMM, BeachLife Festival, Incite Management, and more, Nicole is no stranger to the hustle it takes to break into the industry. Her dedication, resilience, and deep passion for music publishing set her apart a...

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Whether you’re producing beats, designing merch, or building your streaming empire, you need someone in your corner. Here is Justin M. Jacobson, Esq.—NYC-based attorney for musicians, gamers, athletes, and more. In this episode, we break down the legal moves every creator should know. Here, we will chat on how Justin is helping shape the future of entertainment and digital rights his tips and tricks he also gives to stu...

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From her first campaign at age 7 to performing Shakespeare in Venice, Italy, Emma’s path to becoming a professional actress has been shaped by a tapestry of experiences—modeling, broadcast journalism, and on-camera hosting. These roles opened the door to acting, but it was her decision to fully commit to the craft—training at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and RADA in London—that marked a turni...

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For decades, Lennie Moore has been a driving force in shaping the soundtracks behind some of the most iconic video games and visual stories. From Outcast and Halo to Star Wars: The Old Republic, his compositions have elevated immersive worlds and defined emotional beats across screens big and small.

But Lennie’s impact doesn’t stop at the console. As an educator, he’s mentored the next generation of media composers...

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Here we are with Max Allyn. Born and raised on rhythm, Max Allyn built his life around music—from producing records with legends to launching the Recording Fund, a nonprofit reshaping access in the industry. He’s not just making tracks—he’s building homes for artists who need a real shot. This is music without gatekeepers. This is equity with a beat.

After years behind the board helping others craft their sou...

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Here we are with Michelle Miller. Every role she takes on is a new opportunity to tell a deeper story. From appearing in Homeland, Blue Bloods, and Winter’s Tale to captivating audiences on off-Broadway stages, Michelle has brought authenticity and nuance to every performance.

But her passion for storytelling extends beyond acting. As the creator and host of the podcast Mentors on the Mic, Michelle spotlights the journeys of i...

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Khaya Fraites is a storyteller in every sense of the word. Whether she’s breathing life into bestselling characters through her voice, writing and directing award-winning short films, or being spotlighted by NBC and Empire Magazine, her artistry speaks volumes—literally and visually. With projects spanning Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishing, and Graphic Audio’s Empyrean Series, Khaya’s voice is becom...

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Here we are with Lauren Davis. At 15, she picked up a camera—not to chase perfection, but to make sense of the world around her. What started as a quiet exploration became a lifelong pursuit of storytelling through images, sound, movement, and emotion. With a background in Anthropology from Skidmore, her lens is drawn to the invisible threads that connect people—across borders, cultures, and living rooms.

Whether behind ...

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Here is Jesse Robinson — actor, producer, professor, comedian, and a creative force who’s done it all. From performing at the Comedy Store alongside Damon Wayans Jr. to playing body double for Christian Bale in Vice, Jesse’s career has never stayed in one lane.

He’s produced award-nominated TV series, written indie films, and taught the next generation of actors at Shenandoah University. His impressions? Over...

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Here we are with Jackie Sweger. Jackie didn’t enter college with a set path—until she watched Pitch Perfect and saw herself in Becca, the character who juggled college radio and a capella. Inspired, Jackie declared a major in Communication and soon discovered a deep passion for music, writing, and journalism.

That spark led her to work for companies including NPR and SiriusXM. At SiriusXM she helped program content for l...

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Here we are with the rising NYC based spooky band Teletubbies. Here we are with two of the band members where they will share more about how they formed their band, their background in music, and their professional goals with social media, performing at comedic open mic nights and other venues in the Manhattan area. We will wrap up hearing their advice and upcoming releases on SoundCloud.

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Composer Mark Griskey has scored some of the most iconic video game titles of the last two decades — from the Star Wars universe to Pirates of the Caribbean and Marvel Super Hero Squad. Now, with a fresh master’s degree in Music Business from Berklee, he’s blending creative mastery with industry strategy.

Here we sat down with Mark to talk about the evolution of video game music, his time at LucasArts, and how goin...

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Here we are with Sophie Sargent. She is a New England native building a career in media through persistence and passion. During college, she launched a self-help podcast and began working in radio and TV, while completing a degree in Homeland Security.

She currently co-hosts the morning show on 95.7 WZID, is a night DJ on 96.5 Live Free Country, and reports for NESN. Sophia also works as a freelance model and actress and is competin...

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Here we are with musician, songwriter, and activist David Fagin who has spent his career challenging the industry. As frontman of The Rosenbergs, he pioneered artist-friendly deals and teamed up with Robert Fripp to fight for master ownership. He’s testified on Capitol Hill, composed for major networks, and co-wrote Boston Strong, the Boston Marathon theme song.

A former HuffPost columnist, he’s never shied away from con...

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Here we are with Nikita Lev. Nikita grew up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, immersed in a world where music was always present. With a family background in chamber music and a mother who played in a 90s rock band, she was exposed to a wide range of sounds, from ABBA to The Rolling Stones. Inspired by seeing Taylor Swift perform on television at the age of four, she picked up a guitar and began writing songs by the time she wa...

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Here we are with a veteran artist manager and creative director Benji Stein. After seeing many other managers struggle with playlisting and booking shows, Benji created an automated tool for playlist research and a talent buyer search engine. The platforms are called PlaylistSupply and Booking-Agent.io. He wanted to make the process more accessible to himself, his friends and indie artists who may not have a team, label or budget. ...

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