Giggs Podcast

Step inside the shop that keeps tours moving. In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Extreme Lighting & Sound (ELS) for an exclusive look at their team, their process, and the ShowShuttle—the modular cart system built to speed up load-ins, reduce chaos, and keep crews safer.

From welding bays to machining, you’ll see how ELS designs, fabricates, and stress-tests the gear that actually moves a show. 

We talk to employees and sit down with the owners to unpack the real-world problems they’re solving on the road—what breaks, what bottlenecks crews, and how smarter carts can save hours without compromising show quality. 

If you work in touring, production, or venue ops, this one’s for you: practical workflow ideas, design nuance, and the mindset behind equipment that pays for itself in efficiency.

And if you’re listening to the audio version, make sure to watch the full video on YouTube or Spotify for the best viewing experience—the shop tour and product demos are where it clicks.

Learn more about ELS and their products at: https://www.elsnashville.com/

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

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Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Shawn Worlow is the Founder and President of The Production Collective, which is the team behind some of the most complex large-scale events in the country: NFL Draft, Formula 1 Las Vegas, SEMA Fest, March Madness Music Festival, and more. 

He’s also the Founder of Collective Payroll, a company that simplifies workforce management for events. With nearly 30 years of experience across touring and special events, Shawn is the guy you call when things need to run smoothly — and on time.

He’s an expert in city permitting, labor coordination, sponsor relations, site builds, and basically everything no one in the audience ever sees — but every show depends on.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Mark Oglesby, currently the tour manager for Post Malone, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. His career began as road manager for The Clark Family Experience. Since then, Mark has managed tours for high-profile artists including Jennifer Nettles with Sugarland, Billy Carrington, Emerson Drive, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Pink, OneRepublic, and Kane Brown.

Keep up with Mark on the road:
Instagram: @onemarkonly

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Cristi Williams is the Founder of Shading the Limelight, a mental wellness coaching company for artists, actors, and entertainment professionals. She’s also an adjunct professor at Belmont University, where she developed the first-ever course on Social and Emotional Intelligence in the Entertainment Industry—a course that’s now required to graduate from the Curb College of Music Business. 

Cristi spent 17 years as a teacher before joining her daughter Hayley—yes, Hayley Williams of Paramore—on the road. That experience opened her eyes to what young entertainers face: pressure, perfectionism, identity loss, and more. She launched Shading the Limelight in 2008 and has been working with clients from Disney, Nickelodeon, Universal, and major labels ever since. 

She’s part educator, part counselor, part industry guide—and her work is changing the way creatives grow, connect, and stay well.

Get your Artist Wellbeing Essentials Toolkit: https://bit.ly/GiggsPromo

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Ryan Lampa has spent 18 years touring the world with many artists, most notably TobyMac. But in 2008, his mission shifted—from tour life to nonprofit work. Ryan Lampa is the Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, one of the most impactful homeless outreach organizations in the city. It started with five meals and a simple prayer: ‘God, teach me how to love people.’ 17 years later, PLN has never missed a Monday night feeding over 800 people every week, and they have helped over 150 individuals find housing, and most recently opened a coffee shop downtown called Paradeisos, staffed by formerly unhoused neighbors. His story is proof that showing up every week can change everything.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

"How can I work in music industry?" Giggs Founder, Nikki Sanz, answers the most frequently asked question by sharing 18 practical strategies to break into the music, live event, and touring industry. In this episode, she organizes insights from top professionals and her personal experiences to provide actionable advice, moving beyond the typical "just meet the right people" suggestion. This episode is all about strategies you can put into practice.

#1 - Build Your Network
#2 - Research & Cold Calling
#3 - Volunteering & Internships
#4 - Attend Networking Events
#5 - The 15-Minute Phone Call
#6 - Always Ask for Introductions
#7 - Stay Top of Mind
#8 - Maintain a Clean Online Presence
#9 - Find Mentors
#10 - Research Local Production Companies & DMCs
#11 - Never Say No to a Gigg
#12 - Take Every Gigg Seriously
#13 - Follow Up After Giggs
#14 - Be a Sponge & Learn from Mistakes
#15 - You Are Your Own Business
#16 - Celebrate Others' Successes
#17 - When One Door Closes, Another Opens
#18 - Get on Giggs

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz