Case Lowe is the Executive Producer of the Q101 Morning crew, which is heard Monday-Friday from 6 am to 10 am on Q101.1 FM in Chicago, as well as streaming worldwide on QIOI.com. As a 2021 Comedy Writing & Performance graduate from Columbia College Chicago, Case found an outlet for his love of audio production, podcasting, and comedy by hosting and producing a weekly program on Columbia’s WCRXFM. During his time at Columbia, Case had internships with Cumulus Media, as well as a brokered program heard on the legendary WVON in Chicago. Additionally, he was a freelance podcast producer. Tom speaks with Case about his love for audio content, as well as some of the many areas that he excels in at QIOI. Additionally, he will preview some upcoming summer events that you do not want to miss.

Stacy Burse, Jr., is the Founder and CEO of S.N.B.JR. Records. Based in Illinois, Stacy’s label focuses on artist management, branding, and music releases. Before launching his own company, he gained valuable experience interning at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, as well as Lyrical Lemonade. Stacy and Tom dive into Stacy’s unwavering drive to elevate his company, his process for scouting and signing talent, and we’ll wrap up with an exclusive just for listeners of “The Undaunted Creative”

Ryan McKiddy is the Assistant Program Director, Music Director, and On-Air Talent at iHeart Media’s The Big 98 in Nashville, TN. Before arriving in Nashville, he honed his skill set as Music Director/Afternoon Host at 100.3 KCYY-FM in San Antonio, Texas, and just before that, he hosted weekends on US99 in Chicago. Throughout his journey, he has been recognized for his talents including most recently a 2024 CRS/Country Aircheck Award in the Assistant Program Director/Music Director category. Tom and Ryan will discuss his early success in radio, leaving Chicago for the first time, making the leap to Nashville, and dive into why radio is as essential as it ever has been. 

Nina Kolb is Senior Manager of Talent for Dick Clark Productions in California. Throughout her career in the entertainment industry, she has worn many hats including: Talent Booker & Project Manager, Social Media, VIP & Talent Relations, Publicity Director, work in the music business arena, as well as gaining experience working in promotions and producing while at CBS Radio in Chicago. Tom and Nina have a wide-ranging conversation about Nina’s rise in the industry, the circuitous route to her current position, and detail some of her everyday duties working for Dick Clark Productions.  

Sheila Fortson is the founder and executive director of the FAME Center which is in Chicago’s South Loop District. Alternately known as the South Loop Center for the Arts, the organization serves underrepresented youth on the South and West Side of Chicago by providing equitable access to high-quality arts education. FAME Center is even more crucial today than ever before with many organizations and schools cutting budgets tied directly to arts education, the model that FAME Center is incorporating gives opportunity to many. Sheila joins Tom to discuss her passion for the arts, how her education influenced and assisted in her dreams of running a sustainable non-profit, and her relentless focus on helping others.

Tom concludes season three of the “Undaunted Creative” podcast with a compelling discussion featuring Pei Pei Chung and Celia Rose, co-founders of “What UP Pitches,” a pioneering female-led music licensing agency and production house. The company has been instrumental in educating individuals within the music industry and aspiring newcomers through various in-person events centered around music sync licensing. In their conversation with Tom, they delve into the core mission of their work, the genesis of their company, and highlight upcoming events they are organizing.

Emma Young is a singer/songwriter, actress, and model who is based in NYC. She graduated Summa Cum Laude as well as full Honors from Columbia College Chicago in the spring of 2020. While at Columbia she majored in Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music, and had a minor in acting. A few of her notable achievements included writing and composing the official theme song for Manifest 2020, as well as participating in a charity album to benefit the MusicCares Foundation. We discuss overcoming fears and doubts, making the move to NYC, and what are some of the intangibles needed to make your artistic path a reality

Arty Moore is a Casting Assistant on the Jennifer Hudson Show which is based in Burbank, California. His career in the entertainment industry has seen him have a bevy of roles on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, as well as audio production and voiceover work. Tom and Arty frame their conversation around several topics including breaking into the entertainment industry, working on two daytime talk shows, tips on moving to LA, and what motivates Arty on any given day.

Alex Katsaropoulos is a Publishing and Licensing Manager at Alcon Sleeping Giant Music Group in Los Angeles. He chats with Tom about breaking into the business, never losing sight of your creative output, and balancing being a musician in Los Angeles while working on the business side. Additionally, he breaks down the publishing and licensing sector while doling out a healthy dose of advice for creatives looking to make the jump to Los Angeles.

Nick Scalise is a musician, producer, and content creator based in Chicago. His history in the Chicago music scene spans many musical genres including pop/punk, EDM, and much more. His rise in the industry began in the 2000’s when he joined the pop/punk band October Fall. That band was championed by Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy. In fact, Wentz was so impressed with the band that he signed them to Decaydance, A Fueled by Ramen imprint that Wentz had. Since then Nick has been involved in various music projects as well as creating content for Chicago’s legendary, Spybar. He sits down with Tom to reminisce on the Chicago music scene from the 2000’s, signing a record deal at a young age, touring, and his day-to-day activities as an integral part of Spybar’s creation team.