Flipping the Record Label Model, with Don Rodriguez, Music Producer and Founder I&I Music Studio

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 WebsiteDon on YouTubeDon's Facebook pageIntroductionDon 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 CreationDon, 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 LabelThere’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 ModelYou’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 artist4 — Publishing, Production & RevenueYou’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 EcosystemOne 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

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact. Today we’re exploring the intersection of soul, storytelling, and strategy with Luna Battalia — a leadership mentor and business strategist who helps founders build Brand Universes people don’t want to leave. Luna blends buyer psychology, artistry, and deep purpose to help entrepreneurs communicate with bold, unignorable confidence.Luna Battalia is the founder of Caru Creative, a full-service brand studio supporting mission-driven leaders and personal brands. She’s also the creator of Animist Branding™, a psychology-driven approach shaped by more than 15 years at the intersection of digital marketing and buyer behavior.Luna's Website@lunabattalia on InstagramLuna believes branding is storytelling, entrepreneurship is soul work, and business should be built as a generative ecosystem — not a carbon-copy strategy. With a background in design and marketing, plus years guiding thousands of founders, she helps entrepreneurs transform their voice, build legacies (not just businesses), and create brands rooted in authenticity, beauty, and impact.1 — From Strategy to Soul: Your Creative PathLuna, you describe yourself not just as a brand strategist, but as an artist, poet, and devotee of the mystery. Can you walk us through your own creative journey — and how you arrived at this intersection of leadership, branding, and soul-centered business?What was the moment you realized that traditional branding frameworks weren’t enough — and that something deeper was calling you into this work?2 — Animist Branding™ & Building Brand UniversesYou created something called Animist Branding™ — a psychology-driven approach that treats brands almost like living entities. What does that mean in practice?You talk about helping founders build a “Brand Universe people don’t want to leave.” What are the core elements that make a brand feel magnetic rather than transactional?3 — Entrepreneurship as Soul WorkYou’ve said that entrepreneurship is soul work — not just a business strategy. For founders who are multi-passionate creatives holding big visions, what does it really take to stand confidently in purpose and share their gifts without burning out or shrinking back?How do you help clients move beyond polished feeds and surface-level messaging into something more embodied and honest?4 — Storytelling, Psychology & Creative LeadershipYou believe the core of branding is storytelling — and that your gift is asking the right questions to draw out someone’s true story. What kinds of questions unlock the most powerful shifts for leaders?From your experience working with thousands of brands, how does authenticity actually drive growth — especially when paired with buyer psychology and strategic clarity?5 — The Soul of Your BrandOn this show, we talk a lot about the soul of your brand — aligning inner clarity with outer work. When you look at a founder or creative entrepreneur, how do you help them translate who they are into how they show up in the world?For listeners who feel the call to expand into their next level, what’s one small but meaningful step they can take this week to begin building a legacy-driven brand?

Today’s guest lives at the intersection of music, media, and the side hustle. If you’ve ever wondered how local scenes get discovered, how independent artists break through, or how creatives build meaningful work alongside a day job—this conversation pulls back the curtain.Allen Halas is a music writer, radio host, and podcaster based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He currently works for OnMilwaukee, the city’s largest digital media outlet, where he covers arts, culture, and music. He was previously heard on FM 102.1 as the host of Love Local Radio, championing homegrown talent and community voices.Allen's Website@AllenHalas on InstagramAllen's Facebook pageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenhalas/Allen is also the founder of Breaking And Entering, a music platform he launched in 2014 that produces daily content spotlighting independent artists in the Milwaukee music scene. In addition, he co-hosts the Hustling Sideways podcast with Jim Love, where they explore the passion projects and side hustles of entrepreneurs balancing creative work with a traditional 9-to-5.1) Falling in Love With the Local SceneAllen, you’ve built much of your career around spotlighting local and independent music. What first drew you to covering the Milwaukee music scene, and what keeps you invested in telling these stories year after year?2) Breaking And Entering: Building a Platform From the Ground UpYou founded Breaking And Entering in 2014 and have produced daily content ever since—no small feat. What did you learn early on about consistency, credibility, and community when building a media platform focused on independent artists?3) From Radio Waves to Digital MediaYou’ve worked across radio, digital publishing, and podcasting. How has the shift from traditional radio to online media changed the way artists are discovered—and what do you think still matters most, regardless of platform?4) Hustling Sideways: Passion Projects After the 9-to-5On Hustling Sideways, you explore how people pursue meaningful creative work alongside full-time jobs. What patterns do you see among those who successfully sustain side hustles—and what advice would you give creatives who feel stretched thin?5) The Future of Local Music and Independent MediaLooking ahead, what excites you most about the future of local music scenes and independent media? And where do you think creators need to be more intentional to thrive in an increasingly crowded landscape?For creatives listening who feel invisible or unsure if their work matters—what would you tell them about the power of showing up, supporting their scene, and staying local while thinking big?

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact. Today we’re stepping into the studio with a guest to explore what it really means to trust yourself, dismantle habits, and make braver, more embodied art. Welcome choreographer, director, educator and author … Alexandra Beller.Alexandra's Website@alexandrabellerdances on InstagramAlexandra on YouTubeAlexandra's Facebook pageLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexandra-beller-0a56a57A former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, she is now the Artistic Director of Alexandra Beller/Dances, having created more than 40 dance theater works internationally.Her teaching spans Princeton University, the Laban Institute, and residencies around the globe. In theater, she’s worked Off-Broadway and regionally, with credits including Lincoln Center and A.R.T.Alexandra is currently writing two books:The Embodied Conductor (Meredith Music, 2025) andThe Anatomy of Art (Bloomsbury, 2026).Her work blends somatic practice, rigorous inquiry, and creative freedom to help artists deepen their process and unlock new possibilities.1 — The Creative Process as a Living PracticeAlexandra, you’ve spent decades inside the creative process — as performer, choreographer, director, and educator. What inspired you to write a book about the creative process now, and what do you hope artists take away from it?Follow-up:The Anatomy of Art reads like a field guide for creative life — part poetic meditation, part practical workbook — with chapters on Time, Space, Meaning, Relationship, Process, Material, and more. Each section offers inquiry prompts, embodiment exercises, and devising practices that help artists reconnect to their sensory intelligence and personal voice.You also weave in contributions from seminal voices like Anne Bogart and Deborah Hay, folding perspectives from across disciplines and generations into the book.Can you share how you designed The Anatomy of Art to live at that intersection of instinct and analysis — and why it felt important to create something that offers rigorous tools while still honoring the mystery of making?2 — Trust, Doubt, and Creative CourageYou speak often about trusting yourself in the creative process. That sounds simple — but it’s incredibly difficult in practice.What does it really mean to trust yourself as an artist — and how do creatives actually begin to do that?Optional follow-up:What role does doubt play? Is it something to eliminate — or something to work with?3 — Structure and FreedomYou work with systems like Laban and Bartenieff — which are rigorous, structured methodologies — yet your approach is also deeply poetic and personal.How do you balance structure and freedom in your work?And more broadly, how can artists use structure without becoming constrained by it?4 — Dismantling Habits & Artistic ReinventionYou talk about dismantling habits — creatively and personally.Why is breaking creative habits so essential for growth?What happens if we don’t?Follow-up:Is there a connection between the parts of ourselves we hide and the habits we form in our art?5 — Joy, Burnout & Staying PorousArtists often struggle with burnout, pressure, comparison, and the fear of not being “enough.”How can artists stay porous and brave without becoming overwhelmed?And how do we create conditions for joy — especially in careers that can feel filled with struggle?Key themes:• The body as intelligence• Trust as a practice, not a personality trait• Structure as a container for freedom• Dismantling habits to create braver work• Joy as a discipline

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners, healers, founders, and changemakers. And today, we’re stamping our creative passport in Brisbane, Australia, to talk with someone who’s helping millions reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies. If you’ve ever felt stuck, depleted, or disconnected from your inner clarity, today’s conversation may open a powerful new door.Inna Segal is a pioneer in energy medicine and human consciousness, and the internationally bestselling author of The Secret Language of Your Body, translated into 26 languages with more than a million copies sold worldwide. Her work has been praised by leading physicians including Bernie Siegel, Christiane Northrup, and more for its practical, compassionate, and deeply transformative approach to healing.https://www.innasegal.com/masterclassInna’s journey began as a young immigrant from Belarus to Australia, where emotional isolation and trauma manifested as chronic illness. At age 20, following the stillbirth of her baby and a profound personal collapse, she experienced a spontaneous healing breakthrough that revealed the emotional, ancestral, and energetic roots of her suffering.That moment became the foundation of her life’s work.For more than 25 years, Inna has helped people worldwide—doctors, creatives, trauma survivors, and leaders—understand the deeper messages of the body and activate their own healing abilities. She has taught internationally, created multiple healing decks and programs, and developed a non-linear approach to healing that integrates emotions, archetypes, energy systems, and ancestral patterns.Today, she supports people globally through courses, masterclasses, and intuitive healing work—helping them reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies and the timing of their souls.1) From Personal Crisis to Life’s WorkInna, your journey into healing began through profound personal loss and physical pain—from chronic illness to the stillbirth of your baby. Can you share that pivotal moment when you decided to listen to your body differently, and how that experience became the foundation of everything you do today?2) The Secret Language of the BodyYou teach that illness is rarely just physical—and that symptoms often appear far from where the real issue began. What do you mean by the “secret language of the body,” and how can someone begin to understand what their own body is trying to communicate?3) Healing Beyond Symptoms: Emotions, Ancestry, and ArchetypesYour work explores emotional patterns, inherited trauma, masculine and feminine dynamics, and archetypes. From your experience, what deeper layers are most often overlooked in healing—and why can trying to “fix” symptoms too quickly actually be harmful?Inna, where can listeners find your books, courses, and the Awaken the Healer Within masterclass?4) The Soul of Your BrandInna, I want to shift for a moment to what I call the soul of your brand. Using my brand model—clarity of purpose, lived experience, emotional truth, and practical impact—you didn’t just build a business, you embodied your message.How would you describe the soul of your work today?What values guide it?And how do you translate something so intuitive and spiritual into grounded books, programs, and experiences that genuinely help people?5) Where to Begin When You Feel OverwhelmedMany listeners may be dealing with emotional stress, physical symptoms, or simply feeling disconnected. When someone feels overwhelmed by everything they’re experiencing, where do you recommend they begin? What’s one simple way they can start reconnecting with their body and inner healer today?“If someone listening today feels broken, stuck, or disconnected from their body—what would you want them to remember about their own capacity to heal?”

Today’s guest lives at the intersection of craft, sound, and story. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when making the instrument becomes part of the art — and when music leads before meaning — this conversation will invite you to slow down, listen deeply, and sit inside the mystery.Martin Maudal is a renowned luthier, songwriter, and producer, and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Raised in Claremont, California at the foot of Mount Baldy, and shaped by years in the New York music scene, Martin blends West Coast soul with East Coast grit.He is the founder of Maudal Musical Machines, where he hand-builds electric resonator guitars—functional sculptures and vessels of sound that he also performs and records with. What began as a way to showcase these instruments evolved into Baldy Crawlers, a deeply expressive musical collective blending Folk, Americana, Jazz, and social commentary.Martin on YouTube@maudalmusicalmachines on InstagramMartin's Facebook pageFollowing critical acclaim for “Bring Me a Flower,” Baldy Crawlers return with the haunting new single Boy, released January 9, 2026—an intuitive, open-ended work that invites listeners not to solve the song, but to sit inside it.1) When Craft Becomes the MuseMartin, Baldy Crawlers began as a way to showcase your handmade guitars—and then became something much bigger. At what point did you realize this wasn’t just a marketing project, but a true artistic calling of its own?2) Music Before MeaningYour new single “Boy” started not with a concept, but with a feeling. You’ve said, “This one was music before it was words.” What happens creatively when you let sound lead before meaning—and how do you know when not to force interpretation?3) Instruments as StorytellersYou build the very instruments you record and perform with. How does handcrafting a guitar—its materials, weight, resonance—shape the stories that come out of it? In what ways does the instrument itself become a collaborator?4) Leaving Space for Mystery“Boy” lives in a dreamlike space where silence speaks as loudly as sound. In a world that pushes clarity, content, and explanation, how do you protect ambiguity—and why do you think listeners crave that space now?5) Empathy, Myth, and the Human PulseFrom “Bring Me a Flower” to “Boy,” Baldy Crawlers’ music feels rooted in empathy and shared humanity. What themes keep returning in your work—and what do you hope listeners discover about themselves when they sit with these songs?“Before we wrap up, Martin, where can listeners explore Baldy Crawlers’ music, your instruments at Maudal Musical Machines, and keep up with upcoming releases?”For creatives listening who feel pressure to explain, optimize, or over-define their work—what would you say about trusting intuition and letting the art reveal itself in its own time?Music tracks are copyrighted, provided by the artist, and used with permission."Bedlam""Boy""Bring Me A Flower""Orbelin"

Today’s guest proves that a creative career doesn’t have to rely on algorithms, going viral, or luck. If you’ve ever wondered how to strategize your creativity like a real profession—and build a living from your work—this conversation is for you.Kern Carter is a former indie and current traditionally published author writing books for Penguin and Scholastic. He writes essays at the intersection of publishing and pop culture, offering candid insight into what it actually takes to make a living as an author and creative entrepreneur.www.kerncarter.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kerncarter/In the past year alone, Kern has sold approximately 15,000 books—without being popular on any social media platform—by intentionally building and leveraging community. His journey includes dropping out of high school at 18 when he became a father, earning a full athletic scholarship, self-publishing his first books, securing an agent, and signing multiple traditional publishing deals beginning in 2021.Beyond books, Kern runs a thriving creative business spanning film production (with a film on Amazon Prime Video), ghostwriting, and platforms that support emerging writers. His story is one of perseverance, planning, and playing the long game.1) Designing a Creative Career on PurposeKern, you’ve said you’re living the life you told yourself you’d live at eight years old—and that it didn’t happen by accident. How did you approach building a creative career the way someone might approach a traditional profession, with strategy, planning, and long-term vision?2) Prioritizing Yourself While Raising a ChildYou became a father very young, yet you still prioritized your creative ambitions. That’s a difficult balance for many people. How did you navigate that tension—and what impact did that decision have on both your career and your relationship with your daughter?3) Selling Books Without Social Media FameYou’ve sold roughly 15,000 books in the last year without being popular on social media, which goes against most advice writers hear today. What role has community building played in your success, and how can writers start building real relationships instead of chasing followers?4) Playing the Long GameYour journey took 15 years to reach what many would call “overnight success.” How did you stay motivated through the slower seasons, and what mindset shifts helped you keep going when results weren’t immediate?5) Education, Income, and the Future of Creative WorkYou’ve been outspoken about what formal education gets wrong when it comes to preparing writers to earn a living. What do you think aspiring authors really need to learn—and how are you personally adapting to changes like AI entering creative industries?For creatives listening who feel behind, discouraged, or unsure if their plan is working—what’s one thing you want them to remember about patience, strategy, and belief in themselves?

Cathleen Ireland is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer whose work blends warm pop, soul, and coastal R&B with emotional depth and authenticity.Throughout this conversation, we’ll be playing excerpts from four of Cathleen’s songs:“Coastin’”“Golden Sienna” “In the City”“Do You Care”A longtime fixture in Pittsburgh’s music scene, she has earned international recognition for both her music and visual storytelling, with songwriting honors from the USA Songwriting Competition, the UK Songwriting Competition, and the International Acoustic Music Awards, along with more than 70 film festival selections for her music videos worldwide.In 2024, Cathleen was awarded Best Adult Contemporary Song by The Artists Forum Music Competition in New York City for “DRIVE,” a track she co-wrote and co-produced with multi-platinum producer Ryan M. Tedder.She kicked off this year with the release of an uplifting new single “Coastin’,” from her latest album In The City — a sunlit, groove-driven anthem rooted in gratitude, presence, and self-acceptance.As both a songwriter and producer, Cathleen remains deeply hands-on in shaping a sound that feels modern yet personal—polished yet unmistakably human. She is also the founder and lead vocalist of the Pittsburgh-based band Hot Weather Holiday.Cathleen's WebsiteCathleen on YouTube@cathleenireland on InstagramCathleen's Facebook pageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-ireland-68513550/1) “Coastin’” and the Moment After the ClimbCathleen, “Coastin’” feels like a deep exhale — a moment of calm after pushing through uncertainty. What season of life were you in when you wrote this song, and what did “coastin’” represent for you personally?2) Gratitude Without PlatitudesThe lyrics celebrate gratitude, presence, and self-acceptance—but in a way that feels earned, not glossy. How do you write about gratitude without it sounding cliché, and how has lived experience shaped the honesty in your songwriting?3) From “DRIVE” to In The City: Crafting Songs That Move PeopleYour song “DRIVE,” co-written and produced with Ryan M. Tedder, earned major recognition and clearly resonated with listeners. What did that collaboration teach you about songwriting, production, and trusting your creative instincts — and how did that experience influence the music you’re making now?4) Creative Momentum and CollaborationYou’ve collaborated with a wide range of musicians and producers over the years. How do collaboration and trust influence your creative process—and what have you learned about your own voice through working closely with others?5) Presence, Peace, and the Creative Life“Coastin’” reminds us that fulfillment doesn’t always come from chasing what’s next. For creatives who feel pressure to constantly produce, perform, or prove themselves, what does it look like to slow down and still stay creatively alive?If someone listening today is in the middle of their own climb, what’s one thing you’d want them to remember about joy, patience, and trusting the process?

Today’s conversation might change the way you think about your home. What if the spaces you live in are quietly shaping your energy, relationships, and sense of purpose—every single day? Whether you own or rent, this episode will show you how to put the mind–body–environment connection to work for you.”Talor Stewart is a licensed architect with more than 25 years of experience and the author of the #1 bestselling book Conscious Home Design, which has reached the top of the charts in seven countries. An award-winning architect, Talor specializes in single- and multi-family homes as well as intentional communities, working with clients across the United States and select international locations.Talor's Website@conscioushomedesign on InstagramTalor's Facebook pageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talorstewart/Over the past two decades, Talor has developed the Conscious Home Design (CHD) philosophy and system—an approach that helps people understand how their homes can actively support wellbeing, relationships, and personal growth. In addition to his design practice, he teaches and certifies other designers and architects in the CHD method, empowering them to bring these life-changing principles to clients everywhere.Talor’s work expands the familiar mind-body connection to include the built environment, helping people—whether they own or rent—make simple, meaningful changes that uplift daily life.1) What Really Makes a Good Life?Talor, you often reference long-term research on happiness. What does the research—especially the Harvard Study on Adult Happiness—tell us about what actually helps people thrive as they age, and how did that insight influence your approach to home design?2) Relationships, By DesignOne of the exercises in your workbook is about three different types of relationships that are essential to our wellbeing. Can you break those down for us—and explain how the bones of our homes can either support or undermine those relationships?3) From Maslow to the Floor PlanWhen you’re thinking about what a home truly needs to provide, what framework do you use? How does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs translate into your concept of the nine essential spaces, and why does that matter whether someone lives in a house or a small apartment?4) The “Sunny Window Effect”You’ve coined the term sunny window effect. What is it, and why does access to sunlight have such a powerful influence on motivation, mood, and daily behavior?5) Small Shifts, Big ImpactFor listeners who may not be building a new home—or who rent—what are a few small, practical changes they can make right now to shift their environment and, in turn, shift their life?If someone listening today wants to start living more intentionally—but feels overwhelmed—what’s one simple step they can take this week to let their home support them more fully?What could we do to start making a “Creative Room: Express Yourself! Making Room for Creativity”?

Today’s guest is going to help you answer a question every creative wrestles with: How do I show up with confidence, clarity, and purpose—especially when the stakes are high? If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or like you’re holding back your best work… this conversation will help you lead with more intention—and live with fewer regrets.Pallavi Ridout is an executive leadership coach, keynote speaker, facilitator, and emcee who helps leaders unlock confidence, clarity, and purpose. After a 20-year corporate career, she stepped into her calling full-time—guiding individuals and teams through her signature work, Leading a Life of No Regrets.And outside of leadership development, Pallavi is a global traveler who has visited 30 countries—including an “Around the World in 80 Days” adventure with her son—and she even competes in pool championships.Pallavi's Websitehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pallaviridoutBook: https://a.co/d/2FcPIoy1) The Pivot: From Corporate Success to No RegretsPallavi, you had a 20-year corporate career across global industries—entertainment, internet, aerospace—and then made the bold decision to build your own path. What was the moment—or season—that made you decide: “I’m going to lead a life of no regrets”?2) Confidence + Clarity: The Foundation of Creative LeadershipA lot of creatives struggle with visibility—speaking up, owning their value, pitching ideas, asking for opportunities. When you coach leaders, what are the most common confidence blockers you see… and what’s one practical way people can start building confidence quickly?3) Executive Presence Without “Performing”You specialize in executive presence, emotional intelligence, and communication. How do you help leaders develop executive presence in a way that feels authentic—especially for thoughtful, introverted, or highly creative people who don’t want to feel like they’re “acting” in professional settings?4) Turning Loss Into Leadership: Your Chapter in Lives Lost and Leadership FoundYou’re a contributing author to Lives Lost and Leadership Found, a powerful collection where leaders reflect on how grief, loss, and “special somebodies” shape our capacity to lead. What inspired you to contribute your story—and what did the writing process unlock for you personally or professionally? And what was it like being part of a multi-author collection where so many voices are transforming loss into leadership wisdom?5) Purpose, Courage, and Community ImpactYou devote 25% of your work to purpose-driven efforts that strengthen communities and amplify unheard voices. How do you personally stay grounded in purpose while also growing a business—and what does “living with no regrets” look like in real life, not just as a keynote theme?If someone listening today is ready to lead with more courage—but they’ve been hesitating—what’s one small step they can take in the next 24 hours to move toward a life of no regrets?