Episodes

The Overnight Success Story that Took 15 Years | EF Episode 100!
May 22, 2025

The Overnight Success Story that Took 15 Years | EF Episode 100!

For our milestone 100th episode, we're celebrating in our brand new Chicago studio with someone who's been part of this journey from day one - my brother, Proppa. His recent success with Warner Bros. offers the perfect case s...

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The Artist-to-Manager Journey: Lessons from Both Sides of the Table | EF EP 99
May 15, 2025

The Artist-to-Manager Journey: Lessons from Both Sides of the Table |…

Want to know what it takes to navigate the music industry from both sides of the table? This week's conversation with Mouna Dif offers a unique perspective from someone who's journeyed from singer-songwriter to respected mana...

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Your Release Marketing Strategy Is Outdated: Here's What Works Now | EF EP 98
May 8, 2025

Your Release Marketing Strategy Is Outdated: Here's What Works Now | …

Want to know why most dance music marketing fails? In this eye-opening conversation, former TikTok UK/EU music marketing lead Dan Roy Carter reveals the insider metrics, hidden paid strategies, and fundamental shifts that are...

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Building an Empire: Mark Knight's Toolroom Blueprint for Artists | EF EP 97
May 1, 2025

Building an Empire: Mark Knight's Toolroom Blueprint for Artists | EF…

Want to know how Mark Knight built Toolroom Records into one of dance music's most enduring empires? In this conversation with the legendary DJ, producer, and label founder, he breaks down the exact blueprint that's kept him ...

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The 10-Year Rule: Why Mary Droppinz Says You Can't Quit Before Then | EF EP 96
April 24, 2025

The 10-Year Rule: Why Mary Droppinz Says You Can't Quit Before Then |…

In an era obsessed with overnight success, Mary Droppinz offers a radical perspective: give yourself at least 10 years in this industry before you even consider throwing in the towel. This conversation is a wake-up call for a...

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James Hype & Tita Lau’s Content Strategy (That Most DJs Won't Try) | EF EP 95
April 17, 2025

James Hype & Tita Lau’s Content Strategy (That Most DJs Won't Try) | …

Want to know how one of dance music's biggest stars built a movement through vulnerability? In this special Miami Music Week episode, James Hype and Tita Lau reveal the counterintuitive strategies behind their massive online ...

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From $970M Twitch Exit to Burning Man's Massive Art Car | EF EP 94
April 10, 2025

From $970M Twitch Exit to Burning Man's Massive Art Car | EF EP 94

What happens when you sell your company to Amazon for nearly a billion dollars? For Twitch co-founder Justin Kan, it meant following an unexpected passion - building one of Burning Man's most impressive art installations and ...

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Miami's Most Notorious Venue: The E11even DJ Experience Revealed | EF EP 93
April 3, 2025

Miami's Most Notorious Venue: The E11even DJ Experience Revealed | EF…

Want to know how to read a room when multiple distractions compete for attention? This week's guest, Mister Gray, has mastered this skill during his 11-year residency at E11even, a unique venue that combines the energy of a n...

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Collect More Failures: The Counter-Intuitive Path to Success | EF EP 92
March 27, 2025

Collect More Failures: The Counter-Intuitive Path to Success | EF EP …

Want to know what it really takes to build something in dance music? When Jason Euler's emails to Relentless Beats went unanswered, he didn't just try again - he threw his own block party, betting everything he had. We're tal...

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Miami Music Week: The Insider's Guide You Can't Afford to Miss | EF EP 91
March 20, 2025

Miami Music Week: The Insider's Guide You Can't Afford to Miss | EF E…

Want to know why some artists leave Miami Music Week with game-changing opportunities while others just leave broke? This week's guest Paul Campbell isn't just another industry veteran - he's the ultimate Miami insider who's ...

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From Viral Hit to Identity Crisis: The Story Artists Need to Hear w/GUDFELLA | EF EP 90
March 13, 2025

From Viral Hit to Identity Crisis: The Story Artists Need to Hear w/G…

Want to know why some artists crumble under success while others turn it into sustainable careers? When GUDFELLA's remix of "Rule the World" exploded, getting picked up by major European soccer teams and even Tiësto, it marke...

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Industry Wake-Up Call: Your Health Can't Afford to Ignore This | EF EP 89
March 6, 2025

Industry Wake-Up Call: Your Health Can't Afford to Ignore This | EF E…

In an industry where burnout is normalized and careers end before they begin, most DJs don't realize they're one health crisis away from losing everything. This week's guest, Ethan Schiff, knows this reality all too well - af...

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DJs, Stop Getting Played: My Exact System for Getting Paid On Time | EF EP 88
Feb. 27, 2025

DJs, Stop Getting Played: My Exact System for Getting Paid On Time | …

Name another industry where it's normal to wait three months to get paid for work you've already done. In this episode, I'm sharing my exact system for getting paid on time - the same system that earned me the nickname "The C...

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Tired of Making No Money? Industry Experts Share Their Solution | EF EP 87
Feb. 20, 2025

Tired of Making No Money? Industry Experts Share Their Solution | EF …

Want to know why most DJs struggle to make a living while others build sustainable careers? In this special episode from Chicago Music Nexus, a powerhouse panel of industry experts breaks down the revenue streams you're proba...

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Your Music Isn't Enough: A Stylist's Guide to Getting Noticed | EF EP 86
Feb. 13, 2025

Your Music Isn't Enough: A Stylist's Guide to Getting Noticed | EF EP…

Want to know why some DJs instantly capture attention while others fade into the background? This week's guest, Wardrobe Consultant, Stylist, and My Friend Camille Ries reveals how developing your signature style can be the d...

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My TikTok Manager Said 'Keep Streaming' - DJ 2AR on Surviving the Ban Scare | EF EP 85
Feb. 6, 2025

My TikTok Manager Said 'Keep Streaming' - DJ 2AR on Surviving the Ban…

When TikTok vanished for 12 hours, most creators panicked. But Miami-based DJ and artist manager 2AR stayed calm - because he'd built something bigger than just a following. His twice-daily streams have evolved into a digital...

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From Outsider to Industry Connected: My Networking Playbook | EF EP 84
Jan. 30, 2025

From Outsider to Industry Connected: My Networking Playbook | EF EP 84

Want to know how I went from being an awkward outsider to building genuine industry relationships? In this episode, I break down my complete networking playbook - including the FBI agent strategy that changed everything. If y...

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'They Told Me to Change My Sound. I Refused.' 3x Grammy Nominated Terry Hunter | EF EP 83
Jan. 23, 2025

'They Told Me to Change My Sound. I Refused.' 3x Grammy Nominated Ter…

If you've ever felt pressure to change your sound, this episode is your permission slip to stay true to your vision. Chicago house legend Terry Hunter shares how refusing to compromise his artistry led to three Grammy nominat...

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How Pre-judgement Affects All Artists (And What To Do About It) with Haylee Wood | EF EP 82
Jan. 16, 2025

How Pre-judgement Affects All Artists (And What To Do About It) with …

She was mistaken for a groupie at her OWN SHOW. When we pre-judge artists - for their gender, age, appearance, or background - we all lose out on potential innovation and creativity. This week's guest, Haylee Wood, shares how...

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Make Music People Can Actually Use (Label Secrets Revealed) | EF EP 81
Jan. 9, 2025

Make Music People Can Actually Use (Label Secrets Revealed) | EF EP 81

Think you know what your audience wants? This week's guest might change your perspective entirely. Moody Jones, GM of Disposable Records under EMPIRE, shares crucial insights about understanding how people actually experience...

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How One Festival Grew 17% in 2024 By Putting Community First (And Why Artists Should Care) | EF EP 80
Jan. 2, 2025

How One Festival Grew 17% in 2024 By Putting Community First (And Why…

In an era where festivals are shutting down left and right, Same Same But Different Festival grew revenue by 17% while others struggled. How? By challenging the "bigger is better" mindset and putting community first. In this ...

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Don't Set 2025 Goals Until You Hear This (Game-Changing Framework) | EF EP 79
Dec. 26, 2024

Don't Set 2025 Goals Until You Hear This (Game-Changing Framework) | …

Think vision boarding is just arts and crafts? Think again. In this special episode, I'm breaking down the exact manifestation framework that helped me scale my business from zero to six figures in six months, book dream gigs...

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What Fans REALLY Want in 2024: Insights from Dance Music's Trusted Voice Emma Kapotes
Dec. 19, 2024

What Fans REALLY Want in 2024: Insights from Dance Music's Trusted Vo…

Want to know what dance music fans really care about in 2024? This week's guest has her finger on the pulse of festival culture. Content creator and podcast host Emma Kapotes has built a community of over 36,000 subscribers b...

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Why Your Non-Music Experience Matters More Than You Think: Lessons from Henry Fong | EF EP 77
Dec. 12, 2024

Why Your Non-Music Experience Matters More Than You Think: Lessons fr…

Think your non-music experiences don't matter to your artist career? Think again. This week's guest, Henry Fong, reveals how becoming a national laser tag champion and competitive fisherman taught him the universal patterns o...

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