Connection is Magic with Samson Shulman

Connection is Magic with Samson Shulman
Connection is Magic with Samson Shulman

Connection is Magic is “A Lighthouse For Creatives” and those working in the arts, music, fashion, sports, modeling and entertainment industry. Ego’s, volatility, burn out and public scrutiny, are just a few of the innumerable stressors that are inherent on this journey. Enduring takes a massive toll on our mental health. The podcast is hosted by former music executive, coach to artists & training psychologist, Samson Shulman. Through unfiltered conversation with both up and comer's & veterans of the field, the podcast seeks to disrupt the algorithm of today’s highlight-reel culture. Listeners will learn how to make something beautiful from their pain, evolve, and in the process — help others. The podcast was born out of host, Samson Shulman’s own “dark night of the soul,” after battling Lyme Disease, a near death experience from a tumor hemorrhaging in his head and severe career burnout working at Interscope Records, Atlantic Records, The Tonight Show and in Artist Management. Please SHARE and leave a REVIEW for the podcast if you enjoy it, as this helps spread the word to more people who need these messages. Greatly appreciated! WATCH interviews on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@connectionismagic FOLLOW on Instagram: www.instagram.com/connectionismagic/ BOOK a coaching for artists session: calendly.com/connectionismagic SUPPORT the podcast: paypal.com/paypalme/connectionismagic WEBSITE: connectionismagic.com

  1. Vans Warped Tour Founder On Creating a Cultural Icon — Kevin Lyman

    MAR 7

    Vans Warped Tour Founder On Creating a Cultural Icon — Kevin Lyman

    Kevin Lyman (IG: @kevinlyman) is a visionary entrepreneur and influential figure in the world of music and entertainment. Born on October 6, 1961, in Orange, California, Lyman has left an indelible mark on the industry, particularly in the realm of alternative and punk rock. His journey into the music scene began with a passion for bringing people together through shared musical experiences. In 1995, he founded the Vans Warped Tour, a groundbreaking traveling music festival that became a staple in the alternative music scene for over two decades! The tour attracted around 750,000 people annually and is recognized as the longest-running North American festival ever! Kevin’s dedication to supporting independent artists and fostering a sense of inclusivity has made him a respected and beloved figure among musicians and fans alike. He has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives, using his platform to address social issues and make a positive impact on the communities he engages with. His ability to adapt to the ever-evolving music landscape and his unwavering passion for the art form have solidified his legacy as a trailblazer in the industry. In late 2018, Kevin began teaching at USC's Thornton School of Music as an Associate Professor. Therapy for Artists: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + Kevin’s upbringing in Claremont, California in “hippieville” and how it shaped him + The loneliness epidemic and our ever-present need for community now more than ever + The echo chamber we are all living in now due to social media and it’s blocking our ability to be more balanced / harmonious + The hardest moments of navigating the building the Warped tour, how Kevin bounced back and what he learned + Kevin winding down the Warped tour after 25 successful years, how there was no ambivalence in him and how he felt fully complete after ending it + How he was villainized by many people for “ruining punk rock” + Kevin attending Cal Poly Pomona where another fellow mega festival creator, Paul Tollett, the creator of Coachella also went to school + How taking any days off in the music industry is viewed as negatively, people get judged for not wanting it bad enough, self-care is seen as weakness + How Kevin has literally sent artists to rehab mid-tour who were suffering from heavy addiction on the road + People on the artist side and the executive side aren’t seen as people but rather seen as commodities and dehumanized + The music industry can be so phony at times that when you text someone to say, “how are you doing?” and you don’t ask them for anything people are taken aback + Kevin recalling working with megastars Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots and being concerned about their addictions and drug abuse + Getting to work closely with Trent Reznor and admiring his brilliance and business acumen + How to navigate today’s music industry of mass SATURATION and ways to cut through the NOISE CONNECT WITH ME: Website: https://connectionismagic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionismagicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionismagicHit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers! Love and blessings, – TEAM CIM

    1 hr
  2. Being Different Is Your Superpower, Use It! — LaRussell

    JAN 24

    Being Different Is Your Superpower, Use It! — LaRussell

    LaRussell (IG: @larussell) is a legendary independent rapper & artist hailing from Vallejo, California.  He began to rap at the age of eight and found his early education to be uninspiring. He was subsequently enrolled at Vallejo's Peoples' High School, where he blossomed in comparison.  Upon graduating, he became afather to a baby girl, causing any tentative hope of a music career to be puton ice.  Needing to provide for his daughter, he took a well-paying job at an aerospace company where he remained for six years before deciding to quit to pursue full-time involvement in the music business.  He ushered in a bold newbusiness model called “Proud to Pay” where he lets fans set their own price forhis music, shows, and even local cook outs in Vallejo, adopting the slogan forthe movement… “it’s not free, it's priceless!”  He established the independent music collective, “Good Compenny,” and is pioneering positive change within theindustry.  Good Compenny supports independent artists without requiring them to give up ownership of their art.  LaRussell’s output of quality content is truly jaw dropping, releasing 24 full length albums since 2019… 7 of these albums were released in 2023 alone. LaRussell has garnered praise from some of the most influential figures in all of music including Charlamagne Tha God, Wallo, Chance The Rapper, Russ, Meek Mill, LA Reid, Erykah Badu, and many more.   Therapy for Artists: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + How to navigate between our innate need to belong / fit inand instead choose to stand out when we feel different from the pack + “There’s people who spend time talking about doing things,and there are people who spend time doing things” – LaRussell + People will box us in to what they believe we are whichworks against our need to evolve + Why record labels will invest in whack artists who havemillions of views vs. investing in dope artists who don’t yet have a following + Discussing where LaRussell’s wisdom comes from at such ayoung age + If you live your life not trusting other people you willmanifest meeting more untrustworthy people + The more shots you take the better you become; peopleblock their development by worrying too much about what other people think + People need to be honest with themselves and just say theydon’t actually want what they say they do if they’re not putting in consistentwork to achieve it + We discuss the Kanye West lyric from the song “Spaceship” ... “Lock yourself in a room doin’ 5 beats a day for 3 summers that’s a differentworld like three summers I deserve to do these numbers!” + How to deal with haters online who don’t even know you:“If you have a problem with me text me, if you don’t have my number then youdon’t know me well enough to have a problem with me.” + Why labels get behind toxic music vs. morepositive/nourishing music + Why LaRussell calls his company “GOODCOMPENNY” + Surreal moment of meeting Diddy and how that meeting impactedhim + Learning to work efficiently on a team and how we can keepour egos in check so that we can all fly higher and win more

    1h 11m
  3. The Billionaire Behind “It Ends With Us" & Founder of Wayfarer Studios — Steve Sarowitz

    JAN 2

    The Billionaire Behind “It Ends With Us" & Founder of Wayfarer Studios — Steve Sarowitz

    Steve Sarowitz (IG: @wayfarerstudios) is an American billionaire businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.  Steve is the founder of Paylocity, a digital accounting platform which he founded in 1997 and took public in 2014.  He splits his time between his hometown of Chicago and Los Angeles.  In 2019, Steve co-founded (with actor Justin Baldoni) the small but mighty, Wayfarer Studios, an independent Hollywood film studio dedicated to promoting substantive, meaningful films to uplift humanity.  Steve is a practicing Bahai and deeply rooted in the core spiritual tenants of the faith which advocate helping unite humanity and combat divisiveness. His film studio Wayfarer, has produced many noteworthy films including, "It Ends With Us" starring Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively, “Code 3” an action-comedy starring Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery, The Pac Man Movie (based on the hit 80’s arcade game), and "Sonic The Hedgehog" with many more films coming in 2025. Wayfarer Studios x Variety: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/wayfarer-studios-125-million-investment-justin-baldoni-steve-sarowitz-1235295142/ 1:1 Coaching for Artists: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + The power of love being infused into something and how much more it can be felt + Steve’s spiritual principles being enhanced, not limited by, his great fortune + We are one human family and racism / sexism pollutes this otherwise natural state of ours + Steve’s first failed business and what he learned from the experience + Learning how to delegate vs. controlling everything so you don’t limit your potential to scale + The inception & mission of Steve’s Hollywood Film Studio, “Wayfarer” + How to raise above our instincts towards anger and impatience + Does a ton of money change you or reveal who you really are? + Explanation of the Bahai faith and how it speaks directly to the challenges humanity is facing + What emotions / thoughts / feelings Steve felt the day he became a Billionaire + Mentorship not always being a pre-requisite to being successful, Steve never had a mentor and learned by trying & failing repeatedly + Steve’s plans for his film studio in the coming years….

    45 min
  4. The Endless Sacrifices We Make As Artists — India Shawn

    10/14/2024

    The Endless Sacrifices We Make As Artists — India Shawn

    India Shawn (IG: @indiashawn) is a silky smooth R&B artist based in Los Angeles, California.  Her journey through the realms of music has been a testament to her artistry and authenticity.  She has emerged as a powerhouse in the music industry, captivating audiences with her mesmerizing voice and heartfelt lyrics – drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including R&B, soul, and hip-hop.  Her notable collaborations include working with Chris Brown, 6lack, Diddy, Anderson Paak, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and many more… Additionally, she was a prominent voice in Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir.  India’s music reflects her life experiences, emotions, and a celebration of the human spirit. Her lyrics delve into themes of love, self-discovery, and empowerment, resonating with listeners on a profound level. Check out her latest critically acclaimed project titled “Before We Go (Deeper)” released in 2022. 1:1 Coaching for Artists: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + How she is a reluctant veteran of the music industry 😊 in that she has experienced many high highs and low lows throughout the years of her career in entertainment + India once being on a video shoot where she was asked to basically be naked and her enduring a learning lesson of not listening to her intuition and putting her foot down + Escaping competition through authenticity + Newly parting ways with her record label, Epic Records, and the freedom and anxiety that are showing up for her in the process + Growing up in church first gave her the inklings to want to be an artist + The consistent unpredictability of following a path in arts and entertainment + How even if she doesn’t pursue singing professionally, she will always take comfort in knowing that she’ll always be singing for the rest of her life + The sacrifices made in pursuing the life of an artist / creative + Having to get a job postmating / instacarting after multiple album releases and being terrified about being seen while doing these jobs because of people thinking of her as a failed musician + Being randomly selected to be part of Kanye West’s Sunday Service choir + Collaborating with Bruno Mars, 6lack and Anderson Paak all early in their careers + Meeting and collaborating with her hero Stevie Wonder + When we outgrow friendships, we aren’t breaking up with that person, but rather, we are breaking up with a part of ourselves we’ve outgrown Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers! Love and blessings, – TEAM CIM

    41 min
  5. Ego Death, Scolding Elon Musk & Life After The James Corden Show — Reggie Watts

    09/30/2024

    Ego Death, Scolding Elon Musk & Life After The James Corden Show — Reggie Watts

    Reggie Lucien Frank Roger Watts (IG: @reggiewatts) is an American comedian, actor, beatboxer, musician, and a modern-day philosopher of sorts.  His improvised musical sets are created using only his voice, a keyboard, and a looping machine.  He began piano & violin lessons at age five and moved to Seattle at age 18 to study music.  He attended The Art Institute of Seattle before studying jazz at Cornish College of the Arts.  Worth noting - Reggie lived in Seattle during the renaissance of the grunge music era. Reggie is also an aficionado of cars and tech, speaking in detail to both during his many appearances on the Joe Rogan Podcast.  He refers to himself as a "disinformationist" who aims to disorient his audience in a comedic fashion.  Reggie was the house band leader for The Late Late Show with James Corden for 8 seasons. 1:1 Coaching for Artists: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + Reggie enduring / navigating racism growing up in Montana + How Reggie first got into music and the influences that shaped him + The internet being paradoxical – never being easier to now put your work out, never been harder to cut through the noise and get discovered + AI and the theory of singularity, humans merging with AI chips in them one day, good vs. bad aspects + Being a new musician playing in Seattle when the grunge scene was emerging + How he landed his job working as the band leader for The Late Late Show with James Corden + Reggie catastrophizing about having to sell his cars after the Late Late show ended + A list of people Reggie acknowledges for his success thus far in entertainment + How to not sabotage (all too common) yourself as an artist + How Reggie approaches & disarms douchebags + How to deal with online bullies & keyboard cowboys 😊 CONNECT WITH ME: Website: https://connectionismagic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionismagic TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionismagic Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers! Love and blessings, – TEAM CIM

    55 min
  6. Veteran Music Lawyer Drops $1BN Dollars Worth Of Game (RUN IT BACK!) — Gary Greenberg

    07/23/2024

    Veteran Music Lawyer Drops $1BN Dollars Worth Of Game (RUN IT BACK!) — Gary Greenberg

    This is a "RUN IT BACK" episode!  The episode was originally recorded in November 2018, when the podcast was previously called, "The Hustle Sanctuary." Gary Greenberg is a veteran entertainment attorney based in Los Angeles, California. He has represented 2pac, Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs N' Harmony, and Multi-Grammy winning producer DJ Dahi among others.  He also spent 7 years as in house attorney for American Idol representing all the contestants. He is a graduate from ivy league law school, Brown University. Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + We discuss being a creative person and businessperson and the healthy balance of the two... + How he discovered his path into music law + The huge low of losing his first famous client + The fragility of maintaining human relationships + Anxiety being ever-present working in the music industry + LA having the most talented artists in the world as well as the most talented hustlers preying on them + How Gary ended up getting deep into the hip-hop world and how his colleagues were telling him he needed to leave rap because the genre was going to die + The process he had to go through to become the main in-house lawyer for AMERICAN IDOL and what he learned in that experience + How many of his colleagues left the industry during the lowest points and how it made him 2nd guess if he was next + How he stays on his grind even though he has reached a very high level of achievement and success Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers! Love and blessings, – TEAM CIM

    55 min
  7. "We Hate ON Ourselves WAY More Than The Haters Do" — Kute Blackson

    07/02/2024

    "We Hate ON Ourselves WAY More Than The Haters Do" — Kute Blackson

    Kute Blackson (IG: @kuteblackson) is a charismatic and internationally recognized inspirational speaker, author, and life coach. Initially resisting his calling, Kute pursued a more conventional path. He studied finance and business with the intention of entering the corporate world. However, a series of transformative events, including the death of his father (a renowned spiritual teacher himself) propelled him into a deeper exploration of his true calling. His teachings are characterized by a blend of spiritual insights and practical wisdom. He encourages individuals to break free from societal expectations, embrace their true selves, and live a life aligned with their deepest desires. Kute is the author of several books, including the New York Times best-selling book, "You Are the One." Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // + Rejection is often grace and divine redirection and what creates our suffering in these circumstances is our ego with its very limited vision + The goals we get attached to can stem from unmet needs in our childhood + How demanding your dreams come to fruition before you’ve been properly developed is akin to eating unripe fruit + Kute’s rough early days moving to Los Angeles, California including becoming homeless for a period of time + Being offered a management deal from one of Hollywood’s biggest management companies and turning them down + How saying “NO” to people + opportunities that are not fully in alignment leads to us manifesting things that are a much better fit. The key to manifestation is letting go. + Holding on to what is no longer aligned sends a message to God + The universe that we do not trust and learning to rely on innate divine intelligence + As artists & entrepreneurs we don’t choose our path, life chooses us to express something through us + How we hate on ourselves and block ourselves way more than our haters block or hate on us + We can all learn something valuable from the guy who sells a banana peel taped to a blank canvas for $50,000. There’s a level of boldness and belief to be able to do that and if we took a fraction of it we’d be better off. + You owning your greatness will trigger other people who are not going for it. You become a painful reminder to them that they are not going for it Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers! Love and blessings, – TEAM CIM

    1 hr
4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Connection is Magic is “A Lighthouse For Creatives” and those working in the arts, music, fashion, sports, modeling and entertainment industry. Ego’s, volatility, burn out and public scrutiny, are just a few of the innumerable stressors that are inherent on this journey. Enduring takes a massive toll on our mental health. The podcast is hosted by former music executive, coach to artists & training psychologist, Samson Shulman. Through unfiltered conversation with both up and comer's & veterans of the field, the podcast seeks to disrupt the algorithm of today’s highlight-reel culture. Listeners will learn how to make something beautiful from their pain, evolve, and in the process — help others. The podcast was born out of host, Samson Shulman’s own “dark night of the soul,” after battling Lyme Disease, a near death experience from a tumor hemorrhaging in his head and severe career burnout working at Interscope Records, Atlantic Records, The Tonight Show and in Artist Management. Please SHARE and leave a REVIEW for the podcast if you enjoy it, as this helps spread the word to more people who need these messages. Greatly appreciated! WATCH interviews on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@connectionismagic FOLLOW on Instagram: www.instagram.com/connectionismagic/ BOOK a coaching for artists session: calendly.com/connectionismagic SUPPORT the podcast: paypal.com/paypalme/connectionismagic WEBSITE: connectionismagic.com

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