AvA LIVE

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Puck founding partner Matthew Belloni joins the show to play Career Ladder, ranking which Hollywood paths he’d still recommend to a 22-year-old, from talent agent to animator to trade journalist. He also weighs in on Netflix’s layoffs, federal tax credits, and why the platforms hold the most power in the business. Buchwald VP Sheri Talkovksy takes us inside the theater business and her work with Maleah Joi Moon, from Hell’s Kitchen to Netflix’s A Different World.

Comedian Mary Beth Barone plays a round of Would You Rather: Stand-Up Edition and makes the case for her Grammy campaign for Galaxy Brain in a category where only four women have ever won. Campus Launch founder Jake Motyl explains how he left investment banking to build viral sorority activations, including the Baywatch trailer campaign for Fox. Two UT Austin juniors break down Longhorn Artist Connect, the student-run talent agency now on three campuses.

PLUS: Kira Joe rounds up the week’s Leading Ladies, we head to ACL for an Unsung Heroes interview with BUNT., and Warner announces Jason Blum and Reece Feldman for AvA LIVE IRL at the Wiltern this Sunday, October 18th.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Scott and Alexis Fisher break down Creator Nation, their joint venture with Live Nation. WME's Head of Community Janelle English talks about breaking into entertainment and what real inclusion in Hollywood looks like. Musician Scott Helman unpacks "Mr. Record Label" and the reality of major-label deals for small artists. Serena Kerrigan (SFK) shares the story behind "Let's F*cking Date," plus a detour into mini dachshunds.

We also go behind the scenes at ACL with the food and beverage team that keeps the festival fed, and Kira Jo rounds up this week's Leading Ladies, including Pamela Abdy, Dana Goldberg and women in vertical media.

PLUS: The news rundown covers the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger closing, the Warner Bros. water tower getting repainted ASAP, and the Belloni beef at Bloomberg Screentime.

YouTube’s Coachella livestream, Spotify’s response to AI music, and the story behind Rolling Loud’s new movie. This week on AvA LIVE, Warner Bailey dives into the business of music, festivals, and live events.On this episode of AvA LIVE:YouTube’s Head of Live Music Ali Rivera breaks down the Coachella partnership through 2030, how livestreaming changed the festival experience, and YouTube’s documentary partnership with BLACKPINK’s Lisa.Country artist Julia Cole and Neon Coast founder Martha Earls discuss the artist-manager relationship, building a fanbase through consistency, and turning social media momentum into a touring career.Spotify’s Global Head of Music Content and Partnerships Joe Hadley responds to our community’s questions about artist pay and AI-generated music, explains Fresh Finds Forward, and shares why Spotify is investing in video.Rolling Loud co-founder Matt Zingler and filmmaker Jeremy Garelick share the real father-son story behind Rolling Loud: The Movie, the chaos of filming at an actual festival, and how Owen Wilson ended up onstage with Travis Scott.Medium Rare co-founders Adam Richman and Joe Silberzweig break down building events with Shaq, Guy Fieri, and John Summit, turning The Roommates Show into a festival, and using sponsorships to reduce the financial risk of live events.Plus: Leading Ladies, this week’s VMAs memes, and updates on Battle of the Mailrooms and AvA LIVE: IRL at The Wiltern.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Publish Press writer Hannah Doyle breaks down everything that came out of YouTube's Made on YouTube event — from video A/B testing to serialized Shorts — plus SNL's latest creator hires and California's new political ad disclosure law. Josh Richards and his CrossCheck Studios co-founder Chris Sautel talk selling Read the Room to Fox Creator Studios, breaking out of the "influencer" label, and why they'd rather cold-email than wait for permission.

The NFL's Paula Nagon explains how she pivoted from Condé Nast and People into sports comms, and how the league is leaning into fashion, music and "helmets-off storytelling" to reach new fans. Agent Jay Moss recounts discovering ODESZA at a Bellingham club show and fields a career question live from an NYU student in the chat. Not Skinny But Not Fat's Amanda Hirsch looks back on interviewing Erin Foster in her one-bedroom apartment during COVID, taking her show to Hulu with Get Real, and why she's still deciding whether touring is right for her.

PLUS: Sarah Jane Coleman debuts a new segment, No Context News, tackling the Paramount-Warner Bros. settlement and the Suno lawsuit with zero preparation and maximum confidence; Kira Jo rounds up the week's Leading Ladies; and Warner announces Battle of the Mailrooms, a talent-agency showdown coming October 4th.

From working with Kim Kardashian to building MAKEUP BY MARIO, going behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week, and stumping tennis’s biggest stars at the US Open, this week’s AvA LIVE goes inside entertainment, beauty, fashion, and sports with the people making it happen.Plus: breaking down the 2026 Emmys and previewing Global Citizen Festival’s star-studded lineup.ON THIS EPISODE:💄 Mario Dedivanovic, Founder & CEO of MAKEUP BY MARIO, joins us to discuss his journey from Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist to beauty founder.👠 Erin Gillman, VIP assistant, PR professional, and the “Red Flats Queen,” takes us inside New York Fashion Week.🎾 Sharif Cobb, the US Open’s “Riddler,” joins us to talk about stumping some of the biggest names in tennis.🏆 Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes, breaks down what the Emmys got right, what they got wrong, and what’s next for television.🌍 Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen, previews the 2026 festival, with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean leading the lineup.🎤 AvA correspondents Kira Joe, SJ, and Brent join us in the studio for “Leading Ladies” and the Emmys categories you missed.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: "All the Cool Girls Get Fired" co-authors Laura Brown and Christina O'Neill open up about getting fired within 14 months of each other, why taking "no" for an answer isn't always a bad thing, and their dream guest for the Cool Girls podcast. Ogilvy's Reid Litman breaks down his Gen Z research and why building your career right now is a lot like building a brand: relationships over algorithms.

The Atlantic's CEO Nicholas Thompson talks getting fired from his first job in under 60 minutes, getting kidnapped in Morocco, and why media might be the most meritocratic profession left. Breakaway Music Festival co-founder Adam Lynn traces the festival's path from a BYOB cornfield show in Athens, Ohio to the largest touring festival in the country. CAA's Tucker Brown explains how the Dude Perfect deal reshaped how private equity thinks about creator businesses, and takes on a round of creator-economy hot takes.

A DreamWorks assistant just sold his spec script to HBO. THE HOLLYWOOD DREAM IS ALIVE AND WELL. Kalos Chu joins AvA LIVE to tell the incredible story of how he went from working as an assistant to selling Imposter. Also this week: KIND Snacks founder and Shark Tank investor Daniel Lubetzky launches his new project, Build or Break, which explores the defining failures behind highly successful people, and shares the setbacks that shaped his own career. Silent House Studios President Alex Reardon takes us behind the scenes of designing live shows for Tyler, the Creator, The Weeknd and Avicii. Proof Film Festival founder Imani Davis breaks down the future of movie theaters and indie film. Plus, Adults creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw unpack the FX comedy’s breakout second season.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Chris Pearson of Publicis Groupe breaks down the changing world of NIL, brand partnerships and what college athletes need to know about building their businesses. Creator Daniel Mack takes us inside the rise of What Do You Do For a Living?, from leaving his finance job after a viral TikTok to building a career in the creator economy. Former BET Networks CEO Debra Lee reflects on her 32 years at BET, the future of cable and streaming, and what Hollywood still needs to do to improve diversity and representation.

Jack Raines of Slow Ventures shares lessons from his new book Young Money and explains why your 20s may be the best time to take career risks and reinvent yourself. Morning Brew’s Macy takes us behind the scenes of Out There, breaks down what it takes to build a career on camera, and shares why she believes human-made creative work will become even more valuable in the age of AI. Finally, Berklee College of Music senior Lillian Diaz shares what she learned from her Live Nation internship, how she approached a competitive job search, and the advice she has for students trying to break into entertainment.

PLUS: SJ joins us in studio for the AvA merch drop, we give away full merch collections to two viewers, and Kira Jo returns with this week’s Leading Ladies in entertainment.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Cole Walliser, the director behind E!'s Glam Bot, takes us behind the scenes of awards season and the red carpet — from Miley Cyrus dance battles to a decade at the Emmys — and reacts live to the internet's harshest takes on the creator economy. Comedian Ari Shafir talks about cutting his teeth at the Comedy Store, the upside of social media for stand-up, and why Joe Rogan is the most misunderstood guy in the business.

Bustle editor-in-chief Charlotte Owen explains why AI is making generic content worthless, what she learned assisting at Vanity Fair, and why niche beats scale. Creator and Core founder JT Barnett breaks down how a weekend coffee pop-up became a magnet for LA's creatives. Cinematographer Kira Upin shares what actually goes into building an image on set, including one wild story about faking a blood-spitting punch. Finally, Mt. Joy's Matt Quinn talks touring, luck, and getting championed by Wayne Rooney backstage in DC.

PLUS: SJ returns for the weekly news rundown, a new segment called Shreddit puts anti-creator hot takes through an actual shredder, and Kira Joe rounds up the week's Leading Ladies of Entertainment.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Creator Bran Flakes joins the show to talk about brand transparency, why "creator" beats "influencer," and the mistake he wishes young creators would stop making. Then, Love Story creator Connor Hines breaks down his new A24 project heading to Netflix, the overall deal that came with it, and how he sold his first show as a nanny with zero screenwriting experience.

Oren John, the internet's favorite creative director, rates the year's biggest marketing campaigns — from The Odyssey to Marty Supreme — and explains why out-of-home is AI-proof. Manager Aaron Folbe tells the story of finding Curry Barker on Instagram before anyone else, and how a $750K horror movie turned into a box-office phenomenon. TV staff writer Serena takes us inside the writers' room, from blue-sky pitching to murdering your darlings, and why she still believes the pipeline isn't broken.

PLUS: Special correspondent SJ joins live from London for the Unc Take / Real Take, a Muppets-themed talent-agency game with Disney+, and an Unsung Heroes visit to Outside Lands with RÜFÜS DU SOL's motion director Leah Borilski.

On this episode of AvA LIVE: Creator Bran Flakes joins the show to talk about brand transparency, why "creator" beats "influencer," and the mistake he wishes young creators would stop making. Then, Love Story creator Connor Hines breaks down his new A24 project heading to Netflix, the overall deal that came with it, and how he sold his first show as a nanny with zero screenwriting experience.

Oren John, the internet's favorite creative director, rates the year's biggest marketing campaigns — from The Odyssey to Marty Supreme — and explains why out-of-home is AI-proof. Manager Aaron Folbe tells the story of finding Curry Barker on Instagram before anyone else, and how a $750K horror movie turned into a box-office phenomenon. TV staff writer Serena takes us inside the writers' room, from blue-sky pitching to murdering your darlings, and why she still believes the pipeline isn't broken.

PLUS: Special correspondent SJ joins live from London for the Unc Take / Real Take, a Muppets-themed talent-agency game with Disney+, and an Unsung Heroes visit to Outside Lands with RÜFÜS DU SOL's motion director Leah Borilski.