The Stephan Hogan Podcast

Stephan Hogan
  • 5.0 (28)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Stephan Hogan Podcast is where creativity meets courage. Hosted by Nashville artist and storyteller Stephan Hogan, each episode dives deep into honest conversations with musicians, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders about the pursuit of purpose, success, and self-belief. Ranked among Spotify’s top 10% of video podcasts, Stephan’s show blends music, mindset, and meaning - reminding listeners that the most powerful stories are the ones told with heart.

  1. 12h ago ·  Video

    Bear Rinehart: “I Was a Shadow for Half My Career”

    In this episode of The Stephan Hogan Podcast, Bear Rinehart, the GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum frontman of NEEDTOBREATHE and the artist behind Wilder Woods, opens up about the hidden cost of a 20-year music career. •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties: https://soundroyalties.com/stephanhoganpodcast/?id=8398&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=stephanhogan&utm_campaign=2026 00:00 Bear Rinehart on Authenticity and Why Zach Bryan Connects 01:52 Growing Up Fundamentalist and Confronting Childhood Trauma 03:33 How Therapy Helped Bear Rinehart Understand His Past 04:50 The Long Surrender and the Truth About Personal Growth 08:52 Fighting the Core Belief That You Are Never Good Enough 11:51 The Danger of Comparing New Music to Past Success 16:54 Fatherhood, Parenting and Living as an Example 19:49 How Bear Rinehart Started NEEDTOBREATHE and Learned Leadership 24:38 Working With Grammy-Winning Producer Dave Cobb 30:41 NEEDTOBREATHE’s Longevity and Building Trust With Fans 37:12 “I Was a Shadow for Half My Career” 40:20 Managing Insecurity Through Faith, Discipline and Daily Routine After No. 1 albums, sold-out tours and billions of streams, Bear reveals why he still felt like a “shadow” for nearly a decade. He explains how he finally confronted the “baseline broken” core belief telling him he would never be good enough, regardless of how much he achieved. Bear and Stephan Hogan explore self-worth, negative core beliefs, identity beyond applause, faith, masculinity, codependency, creative burnout and the dangerous belief that success can heal insecurity. Bear compares the mind to a soundboard. The negative voices cannot always be muted, but their faders do not have to remain at ten. This is not a polished celebrity interview about fame. It is an honest conversation about what happens when achievement can no longer outrun pain, and how a successful artist begins separating his identity from his performance. Whether you discovered Bear Rinehart through NEEDTOBREATHE songs like “Brother,” “HARD LOVE” and “Who Am I,” or through his solo project Wilder Woods, this conversation reveals the man behind the music and the internal battle behind the success. Partner Links: •Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r •Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ •Simon Says Clothing: https://www.simonsaysnashville.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    Bear Rinehart: “I Was a Shadow for Half My Career”

  2. 6d ago

    Dan Tyminski on Avicii, Kygo & the Story Behind “Hey Brother”

    Dan Tyminski nearly said no to Avicii’s “Hey Brother.” His teenage daughter changed the answer, and that decision changed far more than one recording session. •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties: https://soundroyalties.com/stephanhoganpodcast/ Most people know Dan’s voice before they know his name and global EDM hits. He is the voice behind “Man of Constant Sorrow,” a defining member of Alison Krauss & Union Station, the unmistakable bluegrass singer on Avicii’s “Hey Brother,” and now the voice on Kygo’s new song, “Heaven on Your Mind.”  This is the first conversation where Dan opens up about “Heaven on Your Mind.” He plays the song acoustic and live at the very beginning of the episode and shares how the Kygo collaboration came together.  Dan also tells me how the Avicii collaboration actually happened, why he first turned it down, what his daughter said when she learned about the offer, and why he recorded the vocal with little more than a click and a piano note. But this episode is really about what happened inside Dan after the success. He opens up about spending years as other people’s version of him, feeling like the worst musician in the room, chasing perfect performances, and finally learning to let his own personality and flaws into the music. We talk about fatherhood, connecting with fans after shows, social media, money, live recording in an AI-driven world, and the responsibility that comes with having an audience. Dan closes the episode with intimate acoustic performances of “I Hope You Smile When You’re Alone” and “Medicine Man.” In this conversation: •The real story behind Avicii’s “Hey Brother” •Kygo’s “Heaven on Your Mind” and returning to EDM •Alison Krauss & Union Station and the roles artists learn to play •Insecurity, perfectionism, authenticity, and live music •Fatherhood, technology, fan connection, and financial perspective •Two acoustic performances in the room Dan Tyminski Website: https://www.dantyminski.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dantyminski/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm0-E_49bagfa1GELVgLO6w Partner Links: •Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r •Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Simon Says Clothing: https://www.simonsaysnashville.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production #DanTyminski #Bluegrass #HeyBrother #Avicii #Kygo #HeavenOnYourMind #ManOfConstantSorrow Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    Dan Tyminski on Avicii, Kygo & the Story Behind “Hey Brother”

  3. Aug 12

    Kip Moore = Radical Authenticity

    Kip Moore opens up about country music, the music business, country radio, songwriting, touring and the radical authenticity that helped him build a global career on his own terms. Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Sound Royalties: https://soundroyalties.com/stephanhoganpodcast/ In this Kip Moore interview on The Stephan Hogan Podcast, Kip breaks down how he grew a massive international fanbase across South Africa, Australia, Europe and the UK, including selling out an arena in Cape Town in seven minutes. He explains why some of his biggest songs found audiences without U.S. country radio, and why artists who chase trends usually arrive too late. Kip also gets brutally honest about the mental cost of success. During the Up All Night era, nonstop touring, extreme insomnia and pressure pushed him into the darkest mental stretch of his career. Eventually, he began turning down money and opportunities that conflicted with the life and career he actually wanted. We get into: Kip Moore’s rise in country musicBuilding a global fanbase beyond U.S. country radioThe truth about Nashville and the modern music businessSolitary Tracks and embracing life as an outsiderBurnout, insomnia and mental health on the roadWhy Kip Moore turned down major money and brand dealsSongwriting, melody and making timeless musicWhy copying Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan or Tyler Childers is a losing strategyWhat Kip learned touring with Eric Church and Tim McGrawLive bands, record production and why less is moreFaith, solitude and staying true to yourselfRadical authenticity as a competitive advantageThe music industry constantly tells artists to follow what is already working. Kip Moore built his career by becoming harder to copy. The more impossible you are to imitate, the more valuable you become. Partner Links: Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ #KipMoore #RadicalAuthenticity #StephanHoganPodcast #CountryMusic #MusicBusiness #CountryMusicPodcast #Nashville #Songwriting #MusicIndustry #CountryRadio #ArtistDevelopment #IndependentArtist #SolitaryTracks #Authenticity #CreativeFreedom Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    Kip Moore = Radical Authenticity

  4. Aug 5

    The Zach Top Blueprint: 5 Laws of a 1% Brand

    Building a top 1% brand isn't about how much you post, but how you apply the fundamental laws of human connection to your social strategy. In this conversation, we talk about the five rules behind building a powerful personal brand, why followers and viral views do not always create a real audience, and how to turn attention into lasting connection. Chris also breaks down Venture Music’s orbital model, the difference between curious, connected, and devoted fans, and why authenticity, value, visibility, and consistency matter more than simply posting more content.  This is a real conversation about personal branding, social media strategy, audience development, authenticity, content creation, artist development, entrepreneurship, fan engagement, brand alignment, and building something people genuinely care about. Whether you are an artist, creator, founder, CEO, podcaster, or business owner trying to grow online, this one is for you.  Partner Links: Sound Royalties: https://soundroyalties.com/stephanhoganpodcast/ Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production #ChrisNardone #VentureMusic #PersonalBranding #SocialMediaStrategy #ContentCreation #AudienceGrowth #ArtistDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #MusicMarketing #MusicBusiness #StephanHoganPodcast Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    The Zach Top Blueprint: 5 Laws of a 1% Brand

  5. Jul 31

    Want a Publishing Deal? Prove This First

    99% of songwriters fail to recoup their deals. In this episode, Lee Krabel (VP of A&R at SMACKSongs) breaks down the brutal business reality of Nashville—and how you can beat the odds. Most people think the music business is about "getting discovered." The truth? It’s a high-stakes investment game where only 0.00019% of songs actually reach the top. We’re sitting down for a deep-dive business masterclass on how publishing houses actually make money, why the "viral" era is slowing down, and what it really takes to build a career that lasts. In this episode, we discuss: -The Recoupment Trap: Why most writers never see a royalty check and how to structure your career like a startup. -The "0.00019%" Rule: The statistical reality of hits and how SMACKSongs picks winners. Craft vs. Hype: Why Lee is pivoting away from "social media stars" and back to high-level songwriting. -Vertical Integration: How independent publishers are competing with billion-dollar majors by owning the masters. -Whether you’re a songwriter trying to get signed or an entrepreneur looking at the mechanics of intellectual property, this is the honest truth about the Nashville system. #MusicBusiness #Nashville #Songwriting #LeeKrabel #SMACKSongs #MusicPublishing #Entrepreneurship Partner Links: Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ Clothing by Simon Says Nashville: https://www.simonsaysnashville.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    Want a Publishing Deal? Prove This First

  6. Jul 22

    She Told Luke Combs to Walk Away From $13 Million

    How do you go from selling merchandise for Hootie & the Blowfish to advising Luke Combs to turn down a $13 million offer? In this episode of The Stephan Hogan Podcast, the founder of Riverhouse Artists reveals the high-stakes decisions, the "valley of death" moments, and the data that proved the industry wrong. Lynn explains how she worked her way through artist management, A&R, publishing, marketing, and record label development before helping launch the career of Luke Combs. She reveals what she heard in his earliest recordings, the streaming data that proved fans were actively searching for his music, and why she believed the industry was missing what was directly in front of them. She also opens up about going flat broke, taking major pay cuts, getting laid off, rebuilding her career, and surviving the “valley of death” moments that come with betting on yourself. Topics Covered: Luke Combs’ early career & the $13M decision The reality of Artist Development & A&R How to survive the "Valley of Death" in business The 10-year journey of Riverhouse Artists #LukeCombs #MusicBusiness #BehindTheScenes #Entrepreneurship #StephanHogan Partner Links: Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ Clothing by Simon Says Nashville: https://www.simonsaysnashville.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    She Told Luke Combs to Walk Away From $13 Million

  7. Jul 15

    The $1.5 Million Bet to Fix Nashville’s Songwriting Business

    What does it really take to build a music‑tech startup in Nashville? In this episode, co‑founder Kevin McCarty shares the story behind We Should Write Sometime, the platform known as “Tinder for songwriters.” Kevin reveals how he built the app, raised money from investors, and risked his own financial security to keep the company alive. You’ll hear the real cost of building a music product from scratch, what startup funding and equity dilution actually look like, and why so many songwriters still struggle to earn a living. We also dig into how technology could reshape the future of the Nashville music industry: from connecting collaborators across cities to leveling the playing field for independent writers and artists. Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: Subscribe for more masterclasses on the music business, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Watch more episodes here Partner Links: Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ Clothing by Simon Says Nashville: https://www.simonsaysnashville.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

    The $1.5 Million Bet to Fix Nashville’s Songwriting Business

  8. Jul 8 ·  Video

    You’re Not a Creator. You’re a Startup.

    Maslow said creativity and self-actualization come after your basic needs are met. But what if that’s backwards? In this solo episode of The Stephan Hogan Podcast, I break down why Maslow’s hierarchy of needs does not fully work for creators, entrepreneurs, artists, songwriters, founders, podcasters, and anyone trying to build something from nothing. If you are building a business, brand, song, podcast, product, or dream, creativity is not the luxury you get after everything becomes stable. Creativity is the thing that creates the stability. Before the money, sponsors, audience, leverage, freedom, or market response, there has to be an idea. There has to be a spark. That is why I created The Creator’s Hierarchy: • Creativity: Ideas, originality, expression, and the spark that starts everything. • Consumption: People consume your content, ideas, products, music, or message. • Commerce: You create offers, partnerships, services, and revenue. • Capital: You build ownership, assets, leverage, and financial freedom. • Clarity: You create from peace, purpose, and freedom instead of pressure. Download the Hogan’s Hierarchy graphic here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zq6se8ar46gx90ac0xmr1/74C14785-588E-4089-BBFA-920F5526CD97.PNG?rlkey=ykyp1ljjl51jv87qnjjjscyrd&st=v7c6wd5u&dl=0 This episode is about flipping Maslow’s hierarchy upside down for the modern creator economy. I talk about why creators cannot wait until life is perfect to start, why creativity is often the way out of survival mode, why audience and attention come before revenue, and why the ultimate goal is not just success. The goal is freedom. Freedom of time. Freedom of thought. Freedom to create. Freedom to be present with your family. Freedom to build something that actually matters. This episode is for the artist without a record deal, the entrepreneur without investors, the podcaster without a big platform, the songwriter waiting on a cut, and the creator trying to turn imagination into value. Maslow put creativity at the top. I think creators have to start there. Partner Links: Stay at The Countrypolitan Hotel: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Drink Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ Clothing by Simon Says Nashville: https://www.simonsaysnashville.com/ Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: contact@mavericksmediaco.com Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced: Stephan Hogan Mavericks Media Co. Production Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

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5
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

The Stephan Hogan Podcast is where creativity meets courage. Hosted by Nashville artist and storyteller Stephan Hogan, each episode dives deep into honest conversations with musicians, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders about the pursuit of purpose, success, and self-belief. Ranked among Spotify’s top 10% of video podcasts, Stephan’s show blends music, mindset, and meaning - reminding listeners that the most powerful stories are the ones told with heart.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephan Hogan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Stephan Hogan Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Stephan Hogan Podcast

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