Creatives Prevail Podcast

Conversations with creators, artists, founders, and industry professionals about how creative careers are built.

Persistence Is the Creative Advantage (MADiSON ViOLETT)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Persistence Is the Creative Advantage (MADiSON ViOLETT)

Post-hardcore artist MADiSON ViOLETT discusses how she was able to drop seven singles in a year without burning out. We also talk about her latest release, “Bleed for Me,” and how she landed Kellin Quinn from Sleeping with Sirens as a featured artist.

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How to Build a Creative Identity That Feels Like You (Rivkah Reyes)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

How to Build a Creative Identity That Feels Like You (Rivkah Reyes)

Rivkah Reyes, known for playing Katie in the film School of Rock, shares how she’s built her own creative identity across music, acting, writing, and filmmaking. We also discuss her award-winning short film "Gianna” and her latest single and music video “Miss Congeniality”.

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Bring Your Bubbles (Jaclyn Dima)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Bring Your Bubbles (Jaclyn Dima)

Musician and artist Jaclyn Dima talks about growing up in a musical family, finding her way through open mics and teaching, and returning to music with her latest single “I Won’t Dance For You.” We also get into genre hopping, perfectionism, and why she refuses to pick just one lane.

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Don’t Take Shortcuts With Your Reputation (Dallas Jackson from TipSee Music)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Don’t Take Shortcuts With Your Reputation (Dallas Jackson from TipSee Music)

Dallas Jackson, Founder of TipSee Music and The Hondo Rodeo Fest, shares how he went from finance to building music tech and event startups. We talk about making song requests and tipping easier for musicians, learning by doing, using AI to stay lean, and why integrity matters when you’re building something from scratch.

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Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities (Dani Felt)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities (Dani Felt)

Publicist and artist Dani Felt shares her journey from a successful music blog to building her own company, writing a book, and navigating both sides of the industry with a heavy focus on relationships, risk, and self-belief.

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How GigSalad Became THE Marketplace for Performers and Entertainers (Mark Steiner)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

How GigSalad Became THE Marketplace for Performers and Entertainers (Mark Steiner)

Founder of GigSalad, Mark Steiner, shares how he went from being a talent agent to building one of the first online marketplaces for entertainers long before Uber and Airbnb existed. We also talk about being the top platform for mariachi bands and Santa Claus bookings as well as an honest chat about burnout, creativity, and what keeps him inspired.

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Why Communication Solves Almost Everything (Randy Nichols)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Why Communication Solves Almost Everything (Randy Nichols)

Randy Nichols shares his journey through artist management representing bands like Underoath, The Starting Line, and Say Anything. We also discuss his work consulting tech companies and helping shape the future of music through National Independent Talent Organization (NITO).

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Why Community Is Everything (Basti from Melonball)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Why Community Is Everything (Basti from Melonball)

Basti from Melonball shares how the band went from friends making music together to touring internationally, all while staying true to the DIY punk scene. We also talk about recording their latest album, the reality of rising touring costs, working with indie labels, and why getting out on the road still matters.

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How to Keep Releasing Music Without Burning Out (Leah Nawy)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

How to Keep Releasing Music Without Burning Out (Leah Nawy)

Indie Pop artist Leah Nawy shares her journey from studying songwriting and production to releasing music independently as well as breaking down how storytelling, consistency, and self-belief shape her creative process. We also discuss release strategy including her latest single “Quicksand”.

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Podcasting on the Walt Disney Studios Lot (Imagination Skyway)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Podcasting on the Walt Disney Studios Lot (Imagination Skyway)

Host of Imagination Skyway podcast Matthew Krul and myself discuss our experience filming an interview on-site on the Walt Disney Studios Lot with director of Disneyland Handcrafted, Leslie Iwerks. We also talk about touring Walt’s office.

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60 Years of Art and Still Curious (Philip Slagter)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

60 Years of Art and Still Curious (Philip Slagter)

Philip Slagter, a visual artist with over six decades of experience and a pioneer in pop surrealism, shares his journey from New York art director to full-time painter, embracing AI as a creative tool, overcoming profound personal loss, and why radical honesty is the foundation of meaningful art.

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Keep Your Edge with In-Ear Monitors and Hearing Protection (The NAMM Show 2026)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Keep Your Edge with In-Ear Monitors and Hearing Protection (The NAMM Show 2026)

Recorded live at The NAMM Show 2026. From front-of-house to backstage and beyond, hearing is an audio professional's most valuable tool, yet it’s often the most overlooked. This panel will dive into how sound engineers, producers and performers use in-ear monitors and hearing protection without sacrificing style, comfort or audio clarity.

Featuring Kelly Fox from Plug and Play Jewelry, Tal Kocen from Dark Matter Audio Labs, and Daphne Greene from Daphne and the Glitches.

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Will AI Replace Musicians? (Dawn in the Dark)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Will AI Replace Musicians? (Dawn in the Dark)

Independent rock band Dawn in the Dark shares how learning guitar by rewinding cassette tapes in Pakistan evolved into a global music career and a nonprofit community for South Asian guitarists. We also discuss adapting to AI in today's music industry.

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Persistence is the Real Talent (Jason Hollis)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Persistence is the Real Talent (Jason Hollis)

Jason Hollis, artist developer, producer, and owner of Nashville’s The Eighth Room, shares how moving to Los Angeles at 17 led to mentorship from Capitol Records executive Tony Zetland and shaped his decades-long career in music. We also discuss why he stepped in to save a historic venue, despite having no prior experience running one, and how that decision led to building The Eighth Room.

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Why Pure Analog Still Matters (Dindae Sheena from Telegrapher)
Michael Zimmerlich Michael Zimmerlich

Why Pure Analog Still Matters (Dindae Sheena from Telegrapher)

Recorded at NAMM 2026, Dindae Sheena, President of Global Sales and Marketing at Telegrapher, shares how the company applied its sister brand’s expertise in high-end furnishings and luxury automotive trim working with brands like Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Tesla, to the design of its studio monitors. We also discuss why engineers are returning to pure analog monitoring and how design, physics, and simplicity shape better sound.

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