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What Thomas Rhett told Jordan Davis about being a dad gets to the heart of balancing country music, family, and fatherhood. Jordan Davis joins The Stephan Hogan Podcast to share Thomas Rhett’s reminder about showing up for your kids. When you’ve spent the night onstage hearing thousands of fans cheer your name, how do you come home tired and find the energy to be the dad your children need? For fans of Jordan Davis and Thomas Rhett, this conversation offers a look beyond the music at something many parents wrestle with: providing for your family while making sure they get your time, too. #JordanDavis #ThomasRhett #CountryMusic #StephanHoganPodcast  Partner Links: •Carter Vintage Guitars: https://www.cartervintage.com/ •Learn more about Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

What really happens behind the GMA Dove Awards, and what does it take to lead one of Christian and gospel music’s biggest nights? Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Executive Producer of the Dove Awards, joins The Stephan Hogan Podcast for an exclusive conversation about the story behind the Dove Awards, the Christian music industry, faith, leadership, and the personal sacrifices that come with a public calling. Jackie shares her journey from working the front desk of a record label to becoming one of the most influential leaders in Christian and gospel music. She discusses rebuilding trust in the Gospel Music Association, helping grow the Dove Awards, navigating the business of Christian music, and following God’s calling when you don’t feel qualified. But behind the awards, the performances, and the spotlight is a deeply personal story. Jackie opens up about losing her son Gabriel to cancer, struggling with unanswered prayers, wrestling with anger toward God, and carrying the responsibilities of leadership through unimaginable grief. In a season when she felt she couldn’t fall apart, she was forced to confront what faith really means when life doesn’t turn out the way you prayed. We also explore servant leadership, the future of Christian and gospel music, the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in Nashville, and the people and purpose behind the Dove Awards. ABOUT THE 2026 GMA DOVE AWARDS The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards took place October 6, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrating excellence in Christian and gospel music. Hosted by Tauren Wells, this year’s Dove Awards feature performances and appearances from Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson, Elevation Worship, CeCe Winans, TobyMac, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Tye Tribbett, Chris Tomlin, and other leading voices in Christian music. Watch the 2026 GMA Dove Awards Friday, October 9, at 7:30 PM ET on TBN and the TBN+ app, with a simulcast on SiriusXM’s The Message. Official Dove Awards website: https://doveawards.com #DoveAwards #JackiePatillo #ChristianMusic This episode was made possible with the help of our friends at Studio Bank. We're especially grateful to Jackie, a member of Studio’s Founders' Advisory Board, for sharing her story and wisdom with us. 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Introduction 05:45 – Sitting in Uncertainty: Why We Crave Answers 12:10 – The Trap of Overthinking & Analysis Paralysis 18:35 – Faith, Trust, and Letting Go of Control 25:20 – Taking the First Step When You Can’t See the Whole Staircase 33:05 – Focusing on What Is Within Your Control Today 41:15 – Personal Stories: Walking Through the Unknown 48:40 – Finding Peace & Purpose in the In-Between 56:10 – Daily Habits to Build Inner Resilience 1:02:30 – Final Reflections & Key Takeaways Partner Links: •Learn more about Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

Dan Tyminski, the singing voice behind George Clooney’s “Man of Constant Sorrow” in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, shares an untold behind-the-scenes story about recording the song, Clooney trying to sing it himself, and the financial surprise Dan never saw coming. The interview was over. The cameras kept rolling. Then this happened. In this raw conversation from The Stephan Hogan Podcast, Dan takes us inside the studio, shares what it was like being there with George Clooney, and picks up his guitar to demonstrate the part he created for “Man of Constant Sorrow.” Then he reveals how singing the song changed his life financially. No script. No polished setup. Just Dan, a guitar, and the kind of story you hope the cameras are still running to capture. Even the focus slips in places. We’re sharing it because this moment deserves to be seen. If you love O Brother, Where Art Thou?, its soundtrack, bluegrass guitar, or the stories behind unforgettable music, this one is for you. Subscribe to The Stephan Hogan Podcast for more conversations with the artists, songwriters, and musicians behind the music you love. #DanTyminski #ManOfConstantSorrow #OBrotherWhereArtThou Partner Links: •Learn more about Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan

Kane Brown’s manager, Martha Earls, breaks down how to build an artist brand, grow a loyal fanbase, and turn social media attention into a lasting music career. Martha shares her journey from working the front desk and tape room at Warner Chappell to breaking industry barriers, pioneering social-first artist discovery, and taking country music to stadiums and global stages like Formula 1. They dive into why short-term "hacks" never beat genuine authenticity, how to balance motherhood with high-stakes career ambitions, and what it truly takes to build a lasting legacy in today's entertainment landscape. Get Your Next Watch: Text "SHP" to 304-946-1176 for your discounted price. Partner Links: •Learn more about Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] 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

When Aaron Dorn walked away from a promising banking career, declined an opportunity at Vanderbilt, and accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps, many believed he was throwing away his future. Instead, that decision helped prepare him to build one of Nashville’s most distinctive financial institutions. After serving as a Marine intelligence officer, Aaron returned to Vanderbilt, earned his MBA, and founded Studio Bank. Today, he serves as chairman, president, and CEO of the Nashville-headquartered boutique bank, which has grown to more than $1.3 billion in assets. In this episode of The Stephan Hogan Podcast, Aaron shares how faith shaped the defining decisions of his life, how his team raised nearly $50 million in investor capital to launch Studio Bank, and how he navigated concerns about his age and experience. He also offers hard-earned lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, raising capital, building culture, overcoming rejection, and turning a dream into a mission. This is a candid conversation about what it takes to earn trust, build an exceptional team, and create something meaningful enough to last. Learn more about Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Studio Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Partner Links: •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] 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

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. 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: •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] 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

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. 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: •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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: [email protected] 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

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. 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: •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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/ #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

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: •Bank with Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ •Sound Royalties helps music creators access funding through their royalty income without giving up ownership of their music. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4ZBuW •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.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: [email protected] 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

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: [email protected] 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

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: [email protected] 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

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: [email protected] 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

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: [email protected] 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

Zack Telander joins The Stephan Hogan Podcast for a conversation about Chris Williamson, Modern Wisdom, Diplo, AI music, fatherhood, creativity, and the fight to keep art human. Many people know Zack through Olympic weightlifting, YouTube, Modern Wisdom, or his friendship with Chris Williamson. But this conversation goes deeper than the clips. Zack shares how he went from fitness creator to songwriter, the moment Chris Williamson encouraged him to record his music, and why that belief changed the direction of his life. We also talk about Zack’s strong stance on AI music, Diplo, Suno, Udio, stolen art, and what happens when people outside of the music community try to decide the future of music for artists, musicians, and fans. But this episode is not just about AI. It is about imposter syndrome, self-awareness, fatherhood, marriage, authenticity, the pressure to constantly post, the loss of artistic mystery, and the tension of trying to make real music in a world that keeps turning everything into content. If you discovered Zack through Modern Wisdom, Chris Williamson, weightlifting, music, or his viral thoughts on AI, this conversation shows the fuller human story behind the opinions. This is a conversation about music, meaning, friendship, Nashville, Austin, rock and roll, country music, and why human-made art still matters. Chapters: 00:00:00 Zack Telander on AI Music and the Future of Artists 00:06:16 From Olympic Weightlifting to Telling Stories Online 00:09:58 Chris Williamson, Belief, and the Song That Changed Everything 00:16:15 What Makes Music Actually Matter? 00:22:30 Imposter Syndrome, Self-Awareness, and the Artist’s Struggle 00:30:00 Why Real Connection Still Wins 00:33:45 Musicians, AI, and Protecting Human Creativity 00:38:44 How Artists Can Measure Real Wins 00:45:00 AI, the Music Gold Rush, and Who Really Profits 00:49:59 Authenticity, Live Music, and the Human Element 00:57:29 Why Zack Is Chasing Alt Pop Rock 01:03:45 Marriage, Fatherhood, and Making No Money Chasing a Dream 01:07:30 The Creative Cost of Chasing a Dream 01:12:30 Country Music, Genre Bubbles, and Industry Influence 01:18:45 Austin vs Nashville and the Reality of the Music Scene 01:25:01 Staying Grounded as an Artist 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/ Subscribe to The Stephan Hogan Podcast for more conversations with artists, songwriters, music executives, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders shaping the future of music, business, and culture. Connect with The Stephan Hogan Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanhogan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanhogan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanhogan Email: [email protected] Filmed in Nashville, TN Produced by Stephan Hogan A 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

Richard Casper survived four IED blasts as a Marine in Iraq. But the fight that almost took him out did not happen overseas. It happened when he came home. In this episode of The Stephan Hogan Podcast, Richard Casper opens up about combat, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, grief, veteran suicide, and the invisible wounds many veterans carry long after the war is over. After Iraq, Richard struggled to explain what he was carrying. The memories. The guilt. The loss. The things most people could never understand unless they had lived through them. Then he found something that helped him say what normal conversation could not. Music. Art. Story. That discovery became CreatiVets, a nonprofit helping veterans process trauma through songwriting, visual art, and creative expression. Richard has now helped veterans walk into rooms with professional songwriters and artists and turn some of the heaviest parts of their lives into songs, paintings, and stories that finally give language to what they have been carrying. This conversation is about war, but more than that, it is about coming home. It is about the silence many veterans live with. It is about PTSD, C-PTSD symptoms, traumatic brain injury, survivor’s guilt, and the fight to find purpose after service. And it is about how creativity can reach places that words alone often cannot. Donate to CreatiVets: https://creativets.networkforgood.com/projects/93343-creativets-donation-page Connect with CreatiVets: https://creativets.org In this episode: Richard Casper surviving four IED blasts in Iraq The hidden wounds of combat Traumatic brain injury and PTSD after war Survivor’s guilt and grief after losing fellow Marines Why some veterans struggle to talk about what happened The connection between veteran suicide, isolation, and purpose How songwriting can help veterans tell the truth Why art can reach places normal conversation cannot The story behind CreatiVets Helping veterans heal through music, visual art, and creative expression What civilians need to understand about combat veterans This episode is for veterans, military families, songwriters, artists, nonprofit leaders, and anyone who wants to better understand the war many service members are still fighting after they come home. Subscribe to The Stephan Hogan Podcast for long-form conversations with artists, founders, builders, songwriters, leaders, and builders about faith, pressure, purpose, success, failure, and the cost of building something meaningful. Sensitive topics in this episode include combat trauma, PTSD, grief, and veteran suicide. Countrypolitan: https://shorturl.at/JtN6r Studio Bank: https://www.studiobank.com/ Stage Water: https://stagewater.com/ Clothing: https://www.simonsaysnashville.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