What keeps creative people moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan?

In this special roundtable episode of Your World of Creativity, host Mark Stinson brings together four entrepreneurs, authors, coaches, and mentors to explore one of the six key lessons from his new book, UNLOCK Your World of Creativity: Resilience.

Every creative person encounters obstacles. Rejection. Uncertainty. Financial pressure. Health challenges. Unexpected detours. Yet some people find a way to continue creating, leading, and growing despite adversity.

In this conversation, our panelists share personal stories and practical insights about navigating setbacks, adapting to change, maintaining momentum, and discovering how resilience often becomes the foundation for creativity and success. The discussion explores leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, life transitions, and sustainable achievement in a rapidly changing world. The episode is inspired by the Resilience chapter from UNLOCK Your World of Creativity.

In This Episode

• Why resilience is built through experience, not inherited

• How adversity becomes a teacher and catalyst for growth

• The connection between resilience and creativity

• Sustainable success versus burnout

• Leading through uncertainty and change

• Practical habits for staying grounded and adaptable

• How setbacks often become the experiences that shape our purpose

Featured Guests

Ashley Jablow

Founder of Wayfinders Collective, coach, facilitator, author, and artist. Ashley helps people redesign their lives through intentional change, creativity, and self-discovery.

Website: https://www.wayfinderscollective.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjablow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyjablow

Doug Katz

Disabled veteran, entrepreneur, CEO, and resilience advocate. Doug combines lessons from military service, leadership, and entrepreneurship to help others overcome adversity and lead with purpose.

Website: https://nuluventures.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-katz

Mike Foster

Entrepreneur mentor, business growth advisor, and leadership coach helping founders navigate challenges, scale businesses, and build sustainable success.

Website: https://entrepreneursmentor.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-foster-entrepreneurs-mentor

Kate Kayaian

Author, coach, and advocate for sustainable success. Kate helps ambitious professionals achieve meaningful goals while protecting wellbeing and avoiding burnout.

Website: https://www.katekayaian.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katekayaian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katekayaian

About UNLOCK Your World of Creativity

This roundtable was inspired by Mark Stinson's new book:

UNLOCK Your World of Creativity: 6 Key Lessons Learned from More Than 250 Creatives Worldwide

Drawing from hundreds of interviews with artists, entrepreneurs, authors, musicians, designers, innovators, and leaders around the globe, the book explores six recurring themes that help people transform ideas into impact.

Connect with Mark

Website: https://www.mark-stinson.com

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-world-of-creativity/id1529812538

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stinsonmark/

Enjoying the Show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review Your World of Creativity on your favorite podcast platform.

Your support helps us continue bringing conversations with creative thinkers, leaders, and innovators from around the world.

Until next time, keep unlocking...Your World of Creativity.

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators about how they get inspired, organize ideas, and turn imagination into impact.

Today's guest didn't just build a successful business—he helped create an entirely new category within the entertainment industry.

Richard Foos was the co-founder of Rhino Records and most recently of Shout! Factory, two companies that transformed the way music, television, and film archives are valued, distributed, and monetized. What began as a passion for out-of-print records became a movement that helped define today's streaming culture, vinyl resurgence, and the growing importance of content libraries.

Richard's Website

Richard's Facebook page

We'll explore creativity, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and what happens when you discover opportunity hiding in plain sight.

Guest Bio

Richard Foos is the co-founder of Rhino Records, one of the most influential reissue labels in music history, and later Shout! Factory, a pioneering company focused on television and film distribution.

Beginning with a small record store on Santa Monica Boulevard, Richard and his partner Harold Bronson built Rhino into a globally respected brand known for preserving, restoring, and reintroducing forgotten and out-of-print music to new generations of listeners.

The success of Rhino helped establish what many now call reissue culture—a model that transformed entertainment economics by demonstrating the long-term value of existing catalogs. Rhino was eventually acquired by Time Warner and became the catalog development and marketing division of Warner Music Group.

Richard later co-founded Shout! Factory, bringing similar innovation to television and film archives. Today he continues advising the entertainment industry while focusing on social impact through organizations including The Narrative Method, Volunteer Collective, Cedars Sinai, and other nonprofit initiatives.

His career sits at the intersection of creativity, commerce, culture, memory, and preservation.

1: Seeing Opportunity Where Others Saw Obsolescence

Richard, one of the themes we explore on this podcast is creative vision—the ability to see possibilities that others overlook.

Back in the 1970s, most of the entertainment industry was focused almost exclusively on the next release, the next hit, the next trend.

What led you to recognize value in out-of-print recordings and forgotten catalogs when much of the industry considered them yesterday's news? Was there a specific artist, album, or moment that convinced you this could become a business? How much of that insight came from being a fan versus being an entrepreneur?

2: The Soul of the Rhino Brand

Looking back at Rhino Records and now Shout! Factory:

• What was your focus?
• What work were you really doing beyond selling records and media?
• Who were you serving?
• What gave you credibility?
• What industry assumptions were you challenging?
• And what larger mission connected all of it?

3: Reissue Culture Changed Everything

Today we take streaming libraries, catalog recommendations, and rediscovered classics for granted. But Rhino helped create the blueprint.

How did the process of licensing, restoring, packaging, and reintroducing older content evolve into what has now become one of the dominant business models in entertainment? What resistance did you encounter from record labels and rights holders in the early days? When did you realize the model was bigger than a niche collector audience?

4: What Audiences Teach Us About Creativity

One of the fascinating aspects of your career is that you've spent decades observing how audiences reconnect with older creative work. What patterns have you seen in how people rediscover music, television, and film from previous generations? And what does that tell us about human creativity, nostalgia, storytelling, and cultural memory?

5: The Future of Creativity, Archives, and Cultural Legacy

Today, entertainment companies increasingly view their catalogs as some of their most valuable assets.

Streaming platforms are built on libraries. Vinyl sales continue to grow. Legacy content often outperforms new releases. What does this shift tell us about the future of creativity and content consumption? And what advice would you give today's creators about building work that remains valuable decades from now?

If you enjoyed today's conversation, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

On Your World of Creativity, we travel the world talking with creative practitioners about how they get inspired, organize ideas, and turn imagination into impact.

Today's guest believes that imagination isn't just a creative skill—it's infrastructure.

Adelia Schleusz has built a career at the intersection of commercial interior design, behavioral psychology, sensory design, research, and strategic foresight. As the founder of What If LAB, she helps organizations use creativity, science, and cross-disciplinary thinking to design better experiences, better environments, and perhaps even better futures.

Adelia 's Website

@adeliapcs on Instagram

Connect on LInkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adelia-c-schleusz-rid-ncidq-iida-195b116/

If you've ever wondered how curiosity becomes innovation—or how asking "What if?" can transform the way we work, create, and collaborate—this conversation is for you.

Guest Bio

Adelia C. Schleusz is the Founder of What If LAB, LLC, a creative consultancy operating at the intersection of interior environments, human experiences, strategy, and science.

A licensed and registered interior designer, Adelia has spent her career exploring how creativity, behavioral psychology, research, and sensory design can work together to shape meaningful experiences. Her work has earned numerous industry honors, including the prestigious Interior Design 2023 HiP Award, recognizing the most innovative people in commercial design.

Adelia is a public speaker, SXSW workshop facilitator, and recipient of the IIDA 2025 Kimball International Makers of a Better Future Fund Award. Through What If LAB, she helps organizations cultivate curiosity, challenge assumptions, and design solutions that bridge imagination and practical impact.

Her philosophy is simple: stay curious, ask better questions, and never stop exploring the possibilities hidden inside "What if?"

1: Imagination as Infrastructure

One phrase that immediately caught my attention is your description of using "imagination as infrastructure."

Many people think of imagination as something abstract or artistic, but you see it as foundational to innovation and problem-solving.

What does "imagination as infrastructure" mean to you, and how has that philosophy shaped your career journey from interior design into strategy, research, and future-focused thinking?

Are organizations doing enough to nurture imagination—or are they unintentionally designing it out of the workplace?

2: The Soul of Your Brand

When I look at What If LAB, I don't see an interior design firm. I see a curiosity engine. A place where diverse disciplines collide to create new possibilities.

How has your mission evolved as you've gained experience working across industries and disciplines?

3: Designing for Human Experience

You've worked extensively in commercial interiors, behavioral psychology, sensory design, and research. Many people think design is about aesthetics. But your work suggests it's really about human behavior and experience.

What have you learned about how environments influence the way people think, collaborate, create, and even feel?

• What are some simple design principles listeners could apply in their own workspaces or creative environments?
• Have you seen examples where changing a space transformed the outcomes of a team or organization?

4: The Power of Cross-Disciplinary Thinking

A recurring theme on this podcast is that creativity often happens at the intersection of disciplines. You've intentionally built a career that connects design, psychology, research, science, business strategy, and innovation.

Why do breakthroughs so often emerge when we bring together people with different perspectives, and how can leaders create environments where that kind of collaboration thrives?

5: Living in the "What If?"

In a world increasingly focused on efficiency, certainty, and immediate results, curiosity can sometimes feel like a luxury. If listeners wanted to strengthen their own curiosity muscle this week, what's one question they should begin asking themselves?

If you enjoyed today's conversation, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Welcome back to Your World of Creativity. We travel around the world talking with creative practitioners about how they get inspired, organize ideas, gain confidence, and turn imagination into impact.

Today, we’re doing something special — a roundtable conversation around one of the six themes from my new book, UNLOCK Your World of Creativity — Developing Your Brand with a Signature Method.

We’ve gathered creative leaders from different parts of the country — and a world of different industries — to explore how unique methods become memorable brands.

Joining us today:

Ela Thier, filmmaker, educator, and author joining us from New York City, where she’s built an award-winning film career and mentored thousands of artists through The Independent Film School. Website: theindependentfilmschool.com IG: @elathier LI: linkedin.com/in/elathier Book: amazon.com/How-Fail-Artist-Best-Tips/dp/B0GWQGLF9K

Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, founders of Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, Colorado, who transformed inspiration from travels across 25 countries into one of America’s most innovative wellness hospitality experiences. Websites: oakwell.com and oakwellfranchise.com IG: @oakwellbeerspa LI: linkedin.com/in/jfrench10 and linkedin.com/in/damienzouaoui

Jodi Koch, interior designer, CEO of Elizabeth Erin Designs, and host of Designing in 5D, joining us from Florida, where she helps clients transform homes through her signature 5D Process. Website: elizabetherindesigns.com IG: @elizabetherindesigns LI: linkedin.com/in/jodipeterman

Today’s guests represent filmmaking, wellness hospitality, and interior design — a rich mix of perspectives on how a distinctive method becomes a meaningful brand. Here are some of the key questions we explored:

1. What is your signature method?
2. How did your creative philosophy become something distinctly you?
3. How did you know it wasn’t just a business idea — but a signature brand concept worth building?
4. How does someone take what feels intuitive or artistic and turn it into a repeatable signature method that clients can understand and trust?
5. Behind the scenes your brand requires systems and consistency. How do you systematize without losing the surprise and delight?
6. What’s the biggest mistake creative people make when trying to define themselves or their brand?
7. How do you stay true to your signature approach while adapting to client realities?
8. How do you evolve your brand while staying true to what made it special?

Closing Question: What’s one thing listeners can do this week to begin developing a signature method of their own?

Summary

Today we explored how signature methods don’t appear overnight — they emerge through experimentation, setbacks, systems, lived experience, and the courage to lean into what makes you different.

Huge thanks to Ela, Jessica and Damien, and Jodi for sharing their insights and stories.

And if today’s conversation sparked something for you, this is exactly the kind of idea explored in my new book:

UNLOCK Your World of Creativity: 6 Key Lessons Learned from More Than 250 Creatives Worldwide. This roundtable was inspired by Chapter One: Developing Your Signature Method. You can order UNLOCK now on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/UNLOCK-Your-World-Creativity-Creatives/dp/B0GJZF4N2P/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to follow, rate, and review the podcast. It helps more creative professionals discover these conversations.

Today, we enter the world of classical music and artistic perseverance — a conversation about resilience, mastery, identity, and what it takes to stay devoted to your craft over a lifetime.

Our guest is David Singer, internationally acclaimed clarinetist, educator, chamber musician, and author of the memoir From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall.

David's Website

David's Facebook page

David’s extraordinary career has included performances at the White House for Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, appearances at Carnegie Hall with Yehudi Menuhin, performances alongside Yo-Yo Ma and Rudolf Serkin, and years as co-Principal Clarinetist with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

But behind those accomplishments is another story — one of overcoming an abusive childhood, struggling financially as a young musician, driving a cab to support his family, and refusing to let go of his calling.

1. The Journey from Survival to Calling

David, your memoir title alone — From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall — tells a powerful story of perseverance.

Take us back to those early years. Despite difficult circumstances growing up and the instability of life as a young musician, what kept pulling you back toward music? At what point did you realize this wasn’t simply something you loved — it was something you were willing to sacrifice for?

1. The Influence of Rudolf Jettel and Musical Obsession

You’ve described Rudolf Jettel, Principal Clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic, as your “musical father.”

You first studied with him as a 12-year-old boy and even sat beside him during Vienna Philharmonic performances. What did those experiences awaken in you creatively and emotionally? And how did that mentorship shape not only your musicianship, but your standards for excellence?

1. Performing at the Highest Level

Your career has brought you into some of the world’s most prestigious musical environments — from Carnegie Hall to collaborations with artists like Yehudi Menuhin, Yo-Yo Ma, and Rudolf Serkin.

When performing at that level, what separates technical mastery from true artistic expression? What have you learned about communication, emotion, and presence through music?

1. Reinvention, Teaching, and Giving Back

In addition to performing, you’ve spent decades mentoring young musicians and building chamber music programs at institutions like Montclair State University, Yale, and Princeton.

What do you believe young artists today most need to understand about building a sustainable creative life? And how has teaching deepened your own understanding of creativity and performance?

1. Writing the Memoir: From Musician to Author

This book marks your debut as an author, and it goes far beyond music. It’s about resilience, identity, family, and survival.

What inspired you to finally tell this story now? And during the writing and audiobook process, what did you discover about yourself that surprised you?

David, after a lifetime devoted to music, performance, and teaching, what advice would you give to someone who feels deeply called to a creative path — but is struggling to hold onto belief in

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, share it with someone who loves music and creativity, and leave us a review.

Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, where we travel the globe talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact.

Today, we’re stamping our creative passport in Geneva, Switzerland to talk about the power of story — specifically, how organizations can transform their messaging when they stop talking about themselves and start seeing the world through the eyes of their customers.

Our guest is John Elbing, business storytelling consultant, founder of Standpoint, and creator of the Storybuilding method.

https://standpoint.ch

https://linkedin.com/in/elbing

John helps organizations flip the script by building brand stories from the customer’s perspective rather than from inside the organization. His work helps leadership and marketing teams sharpen positioning, align messaging, and simplify marketing decisions.

He’s also the author of the international bestselling book Storybuilding.

1. Why Most Brand Stories Miss the Mark

John, many companies think they already have a strong story — but often that story is centered on themselves instead of the customer.

What’s the biggest mistake organizations make when they build their messaging from the inside out instead of from the customer’s perspective?

And how does that shift in perspective change the way a brand connects emotionally with people?

1. The Storybuilding Method

You created the Storybuilding method as a practical framework for organizations.

Walk us through the core idea behind Storybuilding.

How do you help leadership and marketing teams move from simply “telling a story” to actually building one that shapes alignment, positioning, and growth?

1. Story as a Tool for Team Alignment

One thing I find fascinating in your work is that storytelling isn’t just external marketing — it becomes an internal alignment tool.

How does a shared story help teams make clearer decisions about branding, marketing, and even company direction?

Have you seen organizations transform simply because they finally got everyone speaking the same narrative language?

1. Emotion, Perception, and Being Remembered

You often talk about how brands should focus not only on what they do, but how they are seen and felt by their audience.

Why is emotional perception such an important part of storytelling today? (You’ll enjoy the personal story about the artwork on John’s wall.)

And what can businesses do to create stories that people actually remember — and respond to?

1. Flipping the Script on Your Own Story

For entrepreneurs, consultants, and creatives listening today, many are deeply attached to their own story and expertise.

What advice would you give someone who needs to flip the script and start seeing their brand from the audience’s standpoint instead of their own? John shares an idea he calls “trigger moments.” And what tends to happen when they finally make that shift?

John, if listeners walk away with just one insight about storytelling and brand positioning, what would you most want them to remember?

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, share it with a colleague or creative friend, and leave us a review.

And remember: sometimes the most powerful shift in creativity happens when you stop asking, “What do we want to say?” and start asking, “What does our audience need to feel?”

Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, where we travel the globe talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact.

In recent episodes, we’ve explored creativity through design, dance, music, and innovation—how ideas come to life across disciplines.

Today, we’re taking that conversation inside the organization. Because creativity isn’t just about what you make—it’s about how you lead, how you adapt, and how you bring people with you.

We’re focusing on what it really means to perform at your very best, especially during moments of transition, uncertainty, and transformation.

Our guest is Stephen Frenkel, a coach and consultant with more than 25 years of experience in leadership development, team optimization, conflict resolution, and change management. He brings a systems-thinking approach to help organizations clarify where they’re going, what’s getting in the way, and how to move forward with purpose.

Stephen is also a contributing author to Lives Lost and Leadership Found, a powerful collection exploring how grief and loss shape leadership.

Stephen's Website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-frenkel-voyager/

1. Defining “At Their Very Best”

Stephen, you help leaders and teams “be their very best.” That’s a powerful phrase—but it can mean different things to different people.

How do you help leaders define what “their very best” actually looks like—and why is that clarity so critical before any real progress can happen?

2. What Gets in the Way

Once that vision is clear, the next step is identifying what’s getting in the way.

From your experience, what are the most common obstacles—whether at the individual, team, or organizational level—that prevent people from performing at their best?

And how do you begin to surface those issues in a way that people are willing to address?

3. Systems Thinking + Team Performance

You take a systems-thinking approach, which I find really compelling.

How does looking at the whole system—instead of just individuals or isolated problems—change the way leaders approach team effectiveness, culture, and performance?

Can you share an example where that shift in perspective made a meaningful difference?

4. Conflict, Change, and Creative Tension

You’ve spent a lot of your career working in conflict resolution and change management.

Many leaders try to avoid conflict—but I suspect you see it differently.

How can leaders reframe conflict as something productive—or even creative—and what are some practical ways to navigate tension during periods of change? Stephen says he often refers to the book, Getting To Yes by Roger Fisher and William L. Ury.

https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Yes-Negotiating-Agreement-Without/dp/0143118757

5. Leadership, Loss, and Perspective

You contributed to a recent book, Lives Lost and Leadership Found, where leaders reflect on how loss shapes their leadership.

What inspired you to share your story—and what did that process unlock for you, personally or professionally?

And how has that experience influenced how you show up today as a coach, advisor, and leader?

Closing Question

Stephen, for leaders listening today—especially those navigating change or uncertainty—what’s one question they should be asking themselves right now to move closer to being “at their very best”?

Thanks for joining us on Your World of Creativity.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review.

And remember — creativity isn’t just about ideas. It’s about how you lead, adapt, and move forward.

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact.

In just the past few episodes, we’ve been (virtually) exploring creative centers like London, Sydney, and Las Vegas — along with vibrant hubs like Pittsburgh and Austin. Today, we’re in New York City… and even making a stop in Times Square ... with a guest who has quite literally taken her voice global.

I’m joined by Kneet — a Thai Sikh Punjabi independent artist blending Bollywood glam with hip-hop swagger. Her music explores identity, resilience, cultural fusion, and creative reinvention.

Her breakout single “RISE” hit #1 on Apple Music video charts and appeared on Times Square billboards — marking a defining moment in her independent journey. She’s continued that momentum with her latest release, “My Man.”

But beyond the music, Kneet brings a powerful lived experience — navigating motherhood, advocacy, and systemic challenges — while completing her Master’s in Developmental Psychology.

Today, we’re talking about Creative Cultural Expression… and the Power of Voice.

Kneet is a global independent artist whose sound blends pop, hip-hop, soul/R&B, and cinematic storytelling — shaped by a life lived across cultures.

Her work is rooted in truth — transforming personal experience into universal expression. Whether through music, advocacy, or storytelling, she is reclaiming voice, honoring identity, and creating space for authenticity.

1 — Identity as Creative Fuel

Kneet, your music feels deeply rooted in identity — cultural, personal, and emotional. What first inspired you to use music as a way to express who you are and what you’ve lived through?

How has your Thai Sikh Punjabi background shaped your sound, your storytelling, and the way you show up as an artist?

2 — The Power of Voice

This episode is really centered on the idea of “the power of voice.” What does that mean to you — both as an artist and as a person navigating real-life challenges?

Was there a moment in your life where you realized you had to stop surviving… and start choosing your voice?

3 — Creativity as Healing & Transformation

Your work carries emotional depth — it feels like more than performance, it feels like processing and transformation. How does music become a tool for healing when words alone aren’t enough?

You’re navigating intense personal experiences while continuing to create. How do you stay grounded and protect your creative energy during those times?

4 — Turning Personal Story into Universal Connection

One of the most powerful things about your music is how personal stories become something universal. How do you translate your lived experience into songs that resonate across cultures and audiences?

Why do you think so many strong voices — especially women — are often misunderstood, and how does reclaiming your voice shift that narrative?

5 — Rising as an Independent Artist

Your single “RISE” hitting #1 and appearing in Times Square is an incredible milestone — especially as an independent artist. What did that moment represent for you?

For other artists listening, what are some practical ways they can unlock their voice, build confidence, and create opportunities without waiting for permission?

Summary

Today we explored what it means to create from identity, to reclaim your voice, and to use creativity not just as expression — but as transformation.

From blending cultures into a unique artistic sound…

to turning personal challenges into global connection…

to rising as an independent artist on your own terms…

Kneet's story reminds us that our voice is not something we’re given — it’s something we claim.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review Your World of Creativity on your favorite podcast app.

It helps more creative voices like Kneet’s be heard around the world.

And come back next time, as we continue our journey… unlocking… Your World of Creativity.

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative leaders who turn ideas into impact.

Last time Aurora Winter joined us, we explored her book Turn Words Into Wealth. Now she’s back with a bold new message: 2026 is “do or die” for experts and entrepreneurs. Today we’re diving into her newest release, Brand Strategy in the Age of AI — and what it takes to build a valuable, future-proof brand in an AI-powered world.

Aurora Winter is a bestselling author, brand strategist, and former TV executive producer who helps experts and entrepreneurs turn their message into money. With a background in storytelling and showrunning, she’s guided thousands of leaders to create influential, scalable brands.

Aurora's Website

Aurora on YouTube

@aurorawintermba on Instagram

Her new book, Brand Strategy in the Age of AI, tackles one urgent question: Will AI replace you — or amplify you?

1 — Why 2026 Is “Do or Die”

Aurora, last time we spoke about turning words into wealth. Now you’re saying that 2026 is a “do or die” moment for experts and entrepreneurs. That’s strong language. What’s happening right now that makes this moment so critical?

What are you seeing that most leaders are underestimating about AI’s impact on branding and visibility?

2 — Catching the AI Wave (Without Being Replaced)

There’s a lot of fear in the market right now — will AI replace writers, coaches, strategists, consultants? From your perspective, how can entrepreneurs catch the AI wave and profit rather than get wiped out by it?

You talk about four human superpowers that AI can’t replicate. What are they — and how do they translate into a valuable brand? Your story; your presence; your sense of style; your leadership approach.

3 — The Visibility Imperative (Why Video Matters)

You’ve said leaders who skip video are training the market to ignore them. That’s provocative. Why is video so essential in the AI era?

How does the “movie trailer mindset” help leaders grab attention in a crowded digital landscape?

4 — Think Like a Showrunner

You come from television and production, and now you’re applying what you call the “Netflix Framework” — thinking like a showrunner to build binge-worthy content. What does that mean for a founder or expert building a brand?

You also mention leveraging a “fractional Showrunner.” What is that role, and why might it be the missing piece for scaling a powerful personal brand?

5 — Early Adopters Win (How to Be One)

You’ve said that early adopters with the right brand strategy are going to crush it in 2026. What does “the right strategy” actually look like?

If someone listening feels behind, what’s one move they can make this month to position themselves as an amplified expert rather than an invisible one?

We explored all these themes:

• AI as amplifier, not enemy

• Human superpowers as differentiator

• Showrunner thinking for strategic visibility

• Brand as intellectual property

• Early adoption as leverage

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact. Today we’re diving into music and business with Don Rodriguez — a former general contractor who left a 20-year career to pursue his passion for music… and ended up redesigning the record label model itself.

Don's Website

Don on YouTube

Don's Facebook page

Introduction

Don Rodriguez is an 18-year entrepreneur and general contractor who walked away from a successful construction career after becoming burned out and disillusioned. He pivoted into music — not just as a creative outlet, but as a producer and founder of The I&I Music Studio, a recording studio, record label, and music publisher for independent artists.

Drawing on two decades of business and contract experience, Don created a radically different label structure: one where artists own their masters and publishing, while the label generates its own revenue streams and collects points — flipping the traditional industry model on its head.

Today, he’s here to talk music, ownership, contracts, publishing, and how independent artists can thrive without giving away their future.

1 — From Construction to Creation

Don, you spent nearly two decades as a general contractor before pivoting into music full-time. What happened internally that made you leave that career — and how did music pull you into a new chapter? When you entered the music industry, what did you immediately see that didn’t sit right with you?

2 — Why Artists Still Need a Label

There’s a strong narrative right now that independent artists don’t need record labels anymore. From your perspective, why is it still necessary for independent artists to have a label structure around them? What’s the difference between an artist trying to build alone versus having the right kind of team behind them? • Spotlight on Lexsey (emerging pop star)

3 — Flipping the Contract Model

You’ve created what you describe as a complete 180 from how record contracts have operated for the last 70 years. Walk us through how your contract works — and why artist ownership of masters and publishing is so critical. How are traditional big-label contracts typically structured — and where do artists lose leverage? • Spotlight on the classical-to-fantasy-grunge artist

4 — Publishing, Production & Revenue

You’ve said that music publishing is the key to making money in music. For listeners who aren’t deep in the industry, what exactly is publishing — and why does it matter so much? In today’s world of home studios and DIY production, why does an artist still need a producer and professional studio environment?

5 — Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

One of the most interesting parts of your model is that your label generates its own revenue instead of relying solely on artists’ music. How does that work — and how does that change the power dynamic between label and artist?

If an artist has already released music under a different structure, can they pivot into a more ownership-driven future? What’s possible?

We tie together all these themes:

• Creative reinvention

• Ownership vs exploitation

• Entrepreneurship in music

• Designing a better ecosystem

• Artists as business partners