THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS. Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/

Want to know what separates artists who build lasting careers from those who flame out? It's not talent, connections, or luck - it's ego management. Damon DeGraff's journey from managing music's biggest names to launching his own artistic career reveals how ego quietly sabotages more careers than any external factor.

After decades of developing artists like D'Angelo and Mark Ronson, Damon breaks down the ego traps that keep artists stuck: focusing on what other DJs are doing instead of your own work, hoarding opportunities instead of creating abundance, and protecting your position instead of expanding your influence. His philosophy challenges everything we think we know about competition and success.

Key Takeaways:

-Why focusing on other artists' success is killing your momentum
-How to shift from scarcity mindset to abundance thinking
-The vulnerability required to transition from behind-the-scenes to spotlight
-Why helping others succeed creates more opportunities for yourself
-How to compete without letting ego drive your decisions
-Why "what's for me will be for me" is a career game-changer
-How work ethic and consistency trump natural talent
-The power of putting ego aside to allow others to succeed

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: https://patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Connect with me: instagram.com/@oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

00:00 Introduction to the Dance Music Scene
01:11 Damon DeGraff's Management Journey
02:23 Transitioning from Management to Artist
14:01 The Vulnerability of Being an Artist
18:38 The Importance of Timing in Career Development
20:43 Celebrating Small Wins in the Journey
29:50 Colleagues Over Competition in the Music Industry
31:43 Cultivating Inner Peace and Self-Awareness
36:41 Building a Supportive Community
42:50 Conclusion and Future Aspirations