Headliner Mindset

After 2.5 years and 106 episodes of the Headliner Podcast, we are officially complete!

Thank you SO MUCH to all of the guests that took time out of their lives to share their energy, inspiration and wisdom with us. And thank you to all of YOU for listening, sharing and supporting over the years.

My heart is FILLED with gratitude as I wrap up this Hero's Journey and move on to the next chapter and adventure. Wishing you all the best as you continue to create, express, share and grow :)

-Nik

In this episode of the Headliner Mindset Podcast, Rave Jesus joins the show for an expansive, honest conversation about faith, creativity, and the deeper spiritual current running through dance music culture.

The discussion traces Rave Jesus’ journey from touring internationally and releasing music on major labels to following an unexpected calling that reshaped both his career and identity. Rather than stepping away from rave culture, the conversation explores how electronic music, community, and worship intersect — and why those worlds aren’t as separate as they’re often made out to be.

Topics include:

• The spiritual hunger behind rave culture and dance music
• Creativity as a form of listening, intuition, and surrender
• Letting go of control, ego, and industry expectations
• Faith, worship, and authenticity in electronic music
• Why silence, stillness, and trust are essential for creative flow

The episode also dives into the realities of success, burnout, and reinvention — and how following a deeper calling can lead to a more aligned and sustainable creative life.

In this episode of the Headliner Mindset Podcast, I sit down with one of my coaching clients NIMDA for a raw, honest conversation about the realities of building a career in heavy music.

We talk about touring burnout, creative pressure, comparison, and what it actually takes to stay mentally healthy while flying nonstop, staying up all night making music, and performing at a high level.

NMDA opens up about:

• Burnout from touring and constant travel
• The pressure of making new music for every set
• Staying disciplined without burning out
• Letting go of comparison and worst-case thinking
• Why great music and a strong brand matter more than going viral

This episode is for artists who love what they do — but are feeling the weight of it.

If you’re chasing the dream and trying not to lose yourself in the process, this conversation will hit home.

Follow NIMDA here:
www.instagram.com/nimda_uk

And follow Nik Cherwink here:
www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

In this episode of the Headliner Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Modestep for an honest conversation about what it really takes to last in the music industry.

We talk about the parts of the artist journey that don’t make it onto social media — burnout, mental health, physical wear and tear from touring, and the pressure to keep showing up even when you’re struggling.

Josh shares real insight on:

• Why going viral doesn’t equal selling tickets
• The difference between online hype and real fans
• DJ culture vs live band performance
• The realities of touring, injuries, and burnout
• How AI is changing music — and where artists should be cautious

This episode is for artists who want longevity, not just momentary attention — and who care about building something real.

Follow Modestep here:
www.instagram.com/modestep

What happens when your passion becomes your paycheck?

In this episode, San Holo and I unpack the real journey of turning your art into a business — and how to stay grounded when success starts pulling you in every direction. From his first viral remix on SoundCloud to headlining global festivals, San shares the mindset that’s kept him authentic through it all.

We talk about the creative struggle, the pressure to keep up with trends, and why staying different is both a blessing and a curse.

🔥 Topics we cover:
– The art vs. the algorithm
– Turning writer’s block into creative fuel
– Making peace with the business side of music
– How to protect your relationship with your art

This episode will remind you why you started — and why you’ll never be able to stop.

In this episode, Big Gigantic’s Dominic Lalli shares how he went from broke jazz gigs in New York to headlining festivals around the world. We talk about building Big Gigantic from the ground up, the mindset behind 15+ years of success, and how to stay creative, relevant, and inspired in an industry that’s always changing.

Whether you’re a DJ, producer, or artist chasing long-term growth, this conversation is packed with lessons on teamwork, consistency, and trusting the process.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to build a music career that actually lasts.

Follow Big Gigantic here:
https://www.instagram.com/biggigantic

Following Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

100 episodes. What a milestone!

In this solo episode, I open up about the highs and lows of reaching this point with the Headliner Mindset Podcast. I share honestly about the self-doubt that crept in, the voice that told me to quit, and the support that reminded me why I started. From stepping on stage recently with Bella Renee to hearing encouragement from past clients, this episode is about the importance of having people in your corner.

We dive into:

• Why consistency is everything (and what happens when you lose it)
• How to navigate the “inner gremlin” of self-doubt
• The role of community and accountability in staying inspired
• A special announcement about the new Headliner Mastermind launching October 6

If you’re an artist who’s ready to stop spinning your wheels and lock in for the rest of 2025, this episode is for you.

RIOT just dropped their new album The Machine on Slander and NGHTMRE’s label, Gud Vibrations, and are hitting the road for their first-ever national headlining tour.

In this episode, we talk about what it takes to build a sustainable career in bass music—while staying true to your vision and leveling up every step of the way.

We dive into:

• The grind of moving from support slots to headlining shows
• How they balanced singles, a full album, and tour prep all at once
• The investment behind their visuals, branding, and comic book universe
• The realities of touring life, burnout, and building healthy routines
• Why up-and-coming artists need to slow down, stop chasing trends, and focus on quality music

If you’re serious about building a real career as an artist, this one’s packed with lessons on patience, strategy, and doing things the right way.

Follow RIOT here:
https://www.instagram.com/riotmusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@itsriotmusic

Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com

What happens when the dream you’ve been chasing no longer feels like yours?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Fredy Lane returns to the podcast to share why she’s walking away from her artist project at the height of her momentum — and what it really means to let go, evolve, and trust your intuition.

We get into:

• Why she decided to retire the Fredy Lane project and leave the touring DJ lifestyle behind
• The pressure to stay in the game vs. the peace of choosing yourself
• What alignment actually feels like — and how to know when something’s no longer right for you
• Letting go of ego, comparison, and “success” to find real happiness
• Her next chapter: moving to Paris, reclaiming her creativity, and starting fresh on her own terms

This is a conversation about courage, clarity, and what it means to pivot with grace — not because you failed, but because you grew.

Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com

Steller just wrapped her first headlining tour — and she’s doing things differently. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a career with intention, from learning to trust your gut to putting your mental health first in an industry that often glorifies the grind.

We get into:

• How Steller partnered with To Write Love On Her Arms to bring mental health resources to her shows
• Why she waited a full year before going on tour — and how she knew the timing was right
• The emotional and somatic signals she listens to when making big career decisions
• How to avoid burnout and comparison while still building a successful brand
• Why putting yourself out there on socials is a non-negotiable — even if it feels scary

If you’re building something meaningful and want to do it on your own terms, this one’s for you.

Follow Steller here:
https://www.instagram.com/stellersounds

Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com