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PODCAST

The Manager"s Playbook

The Manager"s Playbook

Hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, a music industry executive of 15 years, The Manager"s Playbook is your essential podcast for insights into the music industry. Whether you"re an artist, aspiring manager, music industry professional, or just passionate about the behind-the-scenes of the music business, this podcast is for you. Mauricio brings you in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry execs. Each episode is packed with valuable tips, real-world experiences,

music

All Episodes

00:11:59

Inside the Playbook: Shawn Desman and Managers on The...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/26

What does it really take to build authentic relationships in music?In this conversation, Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh share why keeping a small, trusted circle is essential, how empathy and honesty drive lasting partnerships, and why boundaries matter in an industry that often blurs the personal with the professional.Shawn also reflects on how personal struggles, including overcoming addiction, shaped his perspective and strengthened his ability to connect with people. Together, the

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00:14:52

Inside the Playbook: Shawn Desman and Managers on...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/25

What makes a great artist, and a great manager?In this conversation, Shawn Desman, Steve Zsirai, and Chad Walsh break down the traits that separate the good from the unforgettable. From delivering “the good stuff” right away to the power of live performance and the rare quality of time feel, they share what truly moves audiences.The discussion also touches on lessons from Beyoncé, Coldplay, Drake, and legendary producers like Darkchild and Tricky. And just as important, we explore what makes a great

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02:01:33

The Manager’s Playbook 040: Shawn Desman, Steve...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/23

Shawn Desman’s story is one of highs, lows, and a powerful comeback. From topping the charts to stepping away from music, Shawn opens up about the pressure of fame, battling depression, and finding sobriety. With Drake’s encouragement at an OVO event, he rediscovered his love for music and returned on his own terms.Alongside managers Steve Zsirai and Chad Walsh, the conversation dives into the strategy behind rebuilding a career in today’s industry; from leveraging social media and data, to

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00:18:05

Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on What Artists Can...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/22

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz speaks with Milana Lewis (CEO of Stem) about her journey from having no background in music to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the industry.Milana explains how building around clear vision and values, and using frameworks like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), helped her align her company. She shares why the right team matters more than anything, how creating a culture that learns from failure drives growth, and why investing in

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00:16:11

Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on What Makes an...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/21

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis (CEO of Stem) to unpack the realities of artist development and partnerships in today’s music business.Milana shares how artists can get noticed without relying solely on social media, why consistent storytelling is key, and the tough decisions behind who gets signed and when. She also dives into the challenges of timing, capacity, and staying true to your vision while finding the right partners.We explore real-world

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00:10:39

Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on The Reality of...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/19

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis, CEO of Stem, to break down how Stem approaches artist partnerships and deal-making differently.Milana explains why Stem works on a project-by-project basis, how they manage capacity to protect quality, and how their simulator tool helps artists actually understand the financial reality of a deal. She also unpacks the new Concord partnership, designed to expand reach while keeping fairness and flexibility at the

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00:14:28

Inside the Playbook: Milana Lewis on Why Music...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/18

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis, CEO & Co-Founder of Stem, to break down one of the music industry’s biggest flaws: royalty accounting.Milana shares how Stem set out to simplify payments, give artists clarity on what they own, and make sure money flows where it should. She also explains the early challenges of distribution, the struggles YouTube stars faced, and the legal roadblocks that eventually led to the creation of Tone.This is a look at

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01:46:40

The Manager’s Playbook 039: Milana Lewis – Artist...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/16

In episode 39 of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Milana Lewis, co-founder and CEO of STEM, to unpack the realities of today’s music business.Milana explains why royalty accounting is still one of the industry’s biggest problems, why so many artists don’t know what they own or when they’ll get paid, and how that lack of clarity gets exploited in bad deals. She also breaks down the difference between independence and autonomy, the role of distribution vs. delivery, and what

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00:18:43

Inside the Playbook: Rich Castillo on Why Artists Get...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/15

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Rich Castillo pulls back the curtain on the realities of A&R and the inner workings of major labels. He explains how decisions actually get made inside the hierarchy, the role data plays in scouting talent, and why live shows still matter in discovering artists.We also explore how young A&R execs can grow within the system, the pressure IPOs put on creativity, and the constant balancing act between taking risks and chasing profitability.Packed with

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00:20:35

Inside the Playbook: Rich Castillo on How Failure...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/14

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Rich Castillo dives into the rise of UK rap culture and its global impact. He explains how London’s melting pot of influences creates a distinct sound, why regional identity is crucial for artists, and how UK rap compares to the U.S. scene.Rich also shares his personal journey, from early career setbacks and getting fired to thriving as an executive, working with emerging artists like Liverpool rapper Cast, and building successful teams. Along the way, he

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00:12:19

Inside the Playbook: Rich Castillo on Why He Walked...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/12

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Rich Castillo reflects on his move from the major label system to launching his own independent label, Lion Bear. He shares why legacy and independence matter more than comfort, what inspired him to take control of his career, and how he’s thinking about the next chapter of the music business.Rich also introduces his new podcast, The Hot Seat, designed to share insight from high-level executives and inspire the next generation. His first guest: UK music

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00:18:14

Inside the Playbook: Rich Castillo on The Harsh Truth...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/11

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Rich Castillo breaks down what the role of A&R really looks like in 2025. From identifying and developing talent to balancing data, instinct, and marketing, Rich shares how decisions actually get made inside labels.We also discuss the traits that separate great A&R executives from the rest, the misconceptions around the job, and the pitfalls artists face when signing to majors.Whether you’re an artist, manager, or aspiring exec, this conversation

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02:13:05

The Manager’s Playbook 038: Rich Castillo - A&R...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/09

Rich Castillo has spent nearly two decades inside the music industry, from Polydor, Sony, and EMI to Warner and now his own company, Lion Bear. In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Rich breaks down what A&R really means in 2025, why most artists lose urgency after signing, and how to navigate label politics without losing your vision.We also dive into artist development, the tug-of-war between data and instinct, and what separates a good executive from a great one. Packed with real stories

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00:20:11

Inside the Playbook: Jared Cotter on How to Build a...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/08

In this conversation, Jared Cotter and I dig into what it really takes to build a modern superstar.We talk about the rise of Shaboozey, how undeniable talent meets the right strategy, and the pivotal role management plays in turning momentum into long-term success. From building strong teams to navigating industry shifts, Jared shares the lessons that matter most for artists and managers alike.It’s a grounded look at resilience, teamwork, and the realities behind the spotlight.A conversation like

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00:12:58

Inside the Playbook: Jared Cotter on How Shaboozey Is...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/07

In this conversation, Jared Cotter and I dig into the journey of breaking into country music and why authenticity always wins.We talk about how Shaboozey carved out his space in Nashville, the importance of diversity and representation, and how the genre is slowly opening its doors to new voices. Jared shares stories of resilience, community, and the impact of artists who are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for others.It’s a grounded look at what it takes to succeed, and stand out, in

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00:12:16

Inside the Playbook: Jared Cotter on The One Trait...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/05

In this conversation, Jared Cotter and I dig into the world of music publishing and what it really takes to build a sustainable career.Jared shares his perspective as both a songwriter and a manager — from the smartest types of publishing deals to the importance of choosing the right partners. We talk about long-term strategy versus short-term checks, how to balance business with creativity, and the lessons that can make or break a career behind the scenes.If you’re an artist, songwriter, or manager

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00:21:06

Inside the Playbook: Jared Cotter on Managing After a...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/04

In this conversation, Jared Cotter and I break down the making of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”We talk about the creative spark, the key moments that shaped the record, and what it takes to recognize when you’ve got a hit on your hands. From the late-night studio energy to the strategy behind pushing it forward, this is a candid look at how an idea turned into one of the biggest independent records in recent history.If you care about songwriting, collaboration, or the craft of building timeless

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01:20:28

The Manager’s Playbook 037: Jared Cotter - Shaboozey,...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/02

Jared Cotter is the manager behind one of the biggest independent success stories of the decade.In this episode, we talk about how Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” made history, spending 19 weeks at #1 and tying the record set by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”. But unlike most chart-toppers, this run happened completely independent, through Empire and his record label, American Dogwood.Jared shares what it’s really like to manage a superstar in real time: the chaos, the delegation, the importance of

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00:18:25

Inside the Playbook: Loren Medina on How to Pitch as...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/09/01

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, publicist Loren Medina unpacks the evolving music industry and what independence really means for artists today. She challenges the myth that signing to a label guarantees success, pointing to examples like Bad Bunny to show how ownership and freedom have reshaped the game.Loren shares practical strategies for building PR from scratch, crafting effective pitches, and using storytelling as a tool to connect with audiences. She also highlights powerful

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00:19:27

Inside the Playbook: Loren Medina on The #1 Thing...

The Manager"s Playbook ·

2025/08/31

In this clip of The Manager’s Playbook, publicist Loren Medina talks about what it’s really like to work with record labels from the outside. She explains why so many label teams lack long-term strategy, even for major artists, and how her structured approach sets her apart.Loren shares her experience promoting Jessie Reyez in both English and Latin markets, reflects on the importance of humility and authenticity in artists, and explains why values and alignment are non-negotiable in PR. She also

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178 results

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