Rephonic
Artwork for Business Side of Music
Music Industry
Artificial Intelligence
Songwriting
Intellectual Property
AI In Music
Nashville
Recording Studios
Streaming
Country Music
Artist Rights
Music Production
Entertainment Law
Music Health Alliance
Independent Artists
Bob Bender
Social Media Marketing
Technology In Music Production
Audience Engagement
Health Insurance
Social Media

The Business Side of Music podcast features interviews with leading industry professionals and working musicians, offering real-world advice to help artists grow their careers and incomes. Founded by Tom Sabella and Traci Snowe in 2008, the show has a rich legacy of empowering musicians. For many years, the podcast was hosted by Bob Bender, a respected industry veteran known for his work with Ring... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes304Founded9 years ago
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Music InterviewsMusic

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Artwork for Business Side of Music

Latest Episodes

Most artists sign with a manager and have no idea what they're actually agreeing to. In this episode, Sarah sits down with James Hodgin, an artist manager since 1995 who has worked with Thousand Foot Krutch, Chris August, Zane Williams, Kylie Rae Har... more

Jorge Brea has spent 20 years watching songs succeed and fail at scale. As founder and CEO of Symphonic, he's distributed over two million songs, and in this episode he gets refreshingly honest about what actually separates the records that break thr... more

Music videos are no longer just promotional tools. In today's music industry, they are one of the most powerful ways to drive discovery, build fandom, and create new revenue streams.

In this episode of The Business Side of Music, Sarah Fleshner sits... more

What does it really take to build power in the music industry?

In this episode of The Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with renowned entertainment attorney, activist, author, and artist advocate Dina LaPolt for a candid conversa... more

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Recent Guests

Jorge Brea
Founder and CEO of Symphonic
Symphonic
Episode: He's Distributed 2 Million Songs. Here's Why Most Don't Break Through | Jorge Brea, CEO of Symphonic
Jordan Glickson
VP of Music and Talent at VEVO
VEVO
Episode: The Music Video Strategy Every Independent Artist Needs in 2026
Dina LaPolt
Entertainment lawyer, activist, author
LaPolt Law
Episode: Stop Giving Away Your Rights: Dina LaPolt on AI, Ownership & Artist Power
Stephen Parker
Executive Director
National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)
Episode: The Battle for the Future of Live Music
Leigh Holt
Founder and president of Mad Jet, branding and artist management
Mad Jet
Episode: Execution Over Perfection: Real Music Industry Leadership for Indie Artists & Managers
Dillon Carmichael
Country music artist
Riser House (record label)
Episode: What It Really Takes to Build a Sustainable Music Career
Amy Wolter
Live music producer with Tom Jackson Productions, specializing in stage presence and audience connection, with experience spanning artists from The Voice and American Idol.
Tom Jackson Productions
Episode: The Live Show Formula: Moments That Move Tickets & Merch
Shelia Shipley Biddy
Chief Administrative Officer at Music Health Alliance
Music Health Alliance
Episode: Healing the Music: Inside the Work of Music Health Alliance
Nikki Sanz
Founder and CEO of Giggs, named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2024
Giggs
Episode: So You Wanna Be In Show Biz? with Nikki Sanz

Host

Sarah Fleshner
Host of The Business Side of Music, 362 Entertainment

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • Fun Story

    This was an excellent podcast and a great story, I’ve already shared with others.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bojidude
    United States2 years ago
  • A Must-Listen for Musicians!

    This podcast has more useful and practical information than what most colleges teach. The more you listen and do what’s talked about, the further your career can go!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrBaritone
    United States3 years ago
  • Very Informative!!

    This podcast is for music fans of ALL genres, aspiring musicians, as well as new and old music business specialists. This is a must-listen to podcast for anyone interested in the behind the scenes of the music industry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amanda.Jacks
    United States4 years ago
  • Great resource for musicians!

    This podcast is a treasure trove of knowledge for all musicians trying to make a living!! The topics are relevant and useful, and the guests are engaging. Bob is an excellent host and does a great job of asking the right questions to get the most out of his guests. I’ve learned so much from this show and can’t wait to hear more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PlayitagainChris
    United States4 years ago
  • Great Show

    This podcast is full of great information and insightful tips! A must listen for musicians who want to get on top of the business side of things!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gummaz
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

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The show is praised for actionable advice and relatable leadership stories.
The host and guests are knowledgeable and provide practical, current guidance for music careers.
Guests consistently bring real-world experience from top platforms and labels.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

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He's Distributed 2 Million Songs. Here's Why Most Don't Break Through | Jorge Brea, CEO of Symphonic
Q: If you were an artist in 2026 and releasing a song, lay out exactly what you would do.
Develop a release schedule with lead time and marketing drivers, prioritize singles over albums initially, and use collaborations and social content calendars. Leverage Symphonic's tools for planing, advertising, and third-party playlisting to build momentum, while monitoring data signals like saves to time future releases.
He's Distributed 2 Million Songs. Here's Why Most Don't Break Through | Jorge Brea, CEO of Symphonic
Q: How should artists balance making music for the algorithm versus making music for real fans?
Focus on building a world and identity fans can connect with. Collaborations can expand reach by tapping into another artist's audience, while maintaining authenticity and ongoing engagement with your core fans to sustain long-term growth.
He's Distributed 2 Million Songs. Here's Why Most Don't Break Through | Jorge Brea, CEO of Symphonic
Q: What do you think independent artists are still getting wrong when it comes to releasing music?
They're rushing releases or treating release days as the end rather than the start of a campaign. A thoughtful, staged approach with marketing drivers and a clear plan across multiple platforms tends to work better than a one-and-done drop.
Stop Giving Away Your Rights: Dina LaPolt on AI, Ownership & Artist Power
Q: What is your stance on catalog sales and when should artists consider selling?
Catalog sales should be selective: avoid selling 100% unless very late in career; consider partial sales or debt facilities to monetize value while retaining ownership, and ensure partners bring scale without losing long-term control.
Stop Giving Away Your Rights: Dina LaPolt on AI, Ownership & Artist Power
Q: What actually gives artists leverage in negotiations today?
Leverage comes from in-demand status and retaining control of their art and IP; artists should not surrender ownership easily and should aim for deals where the other party adds real value and they have options to continue growing their independent platform before signing.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Business Side of Music

What is Business Side of Music about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show focuses on practical, real-world guidance for artists and music industry professionals navigating revenue, rights, live performance, touring, and business operations. Episodes frequently feature executives and founders from platforms and organizations shaping the music landscape, along with artists sharing long-term career strategies, team leadership, and practical steps for monetizing across streaming, live shows, and licensing. Noteworthy angles include hands-on advice for independent artists, the ethics of data and rights management, and leadership frameworks that sustain careers over time, making it valuable for listeners who want actionable takeaways to grow income and control over their work.

Where can I find podcast stats for Business Side of Music?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Business Side of Music. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Business Side of Music and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Business Side of Music get?

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What are the audience demographics for Business Side of Music?

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How many subscribers and views does Business Side of Music have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Business Side of Music has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Business Side of Music?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Business Side of Music:

1. The New Music Business with Ari Herstand
2. NPR Music
3. WHAT WENT WRONG
4. Creative Juice
5. Otherworld

How many episodes of Business Side of Music are there?

Business Side of Music launched 9 years ago and published 304 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Business Side of Music?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Business Side of Music?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Business Side of Music from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Business Side of Music?

Recent guests on Business Side of Music include:

1. Jorge Brea
2. Jordan Glickson
3. Dina LaPolt
4. Stephen Parker
5. Leigh Holt
6. Dillon Carmichael
7. Amy Wolter
8. Shelia Shipley Biddy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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