Thriving Musician Podcast

Eden is a leader of The LSS Group and brings the resources of RBC Wealth Management to entrepreneurs, retirees, corporate executives, small business owners, entertainment industry professionals, foundations and institutions that seek to grow their assets. As part of assessing investment solutions, great consideration is given to the liability aspects of the balance sheet and how best to maximize yield curve dynamics. Eden's primary mission is to build tailored portfolios that help address the sophisticated financial requirements of the team's client base. Additionally, she believes financial literacy is fundamental to empowering clients so that they feel confident in advocating for themselves and making informed decisions. Eden has written on topics regarding signs of cognitive decline and how to navigate a divorce when emotions often cloud sound judgement. Eden delivers access to the full complement of products and services available at RBC Wealth Management and works with the Investment Bank and Capital Markets teams as opportunities present. Her commitment to attentive personal service extends beyond investment guidance—she and the other two principals of The LSS Group draw from 100+ years of combined experience to offer a powerful level of interconnectivity that is essential to the clients in their charge. Leveraging her 27 years of asset management background, Eden has significant investment capabilities developed as a financial advisor at Citigroup and its predecessor firms. With her team, she joined J.P. Morgan Securities in 2009 and RBC Wealth Management in 2020 to bring clients the firm's intellectual capital, industry-leading quality research and global investment platform. Eden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and studied at the University of London, Birkbeck College. She is the chairman of the board of directors for MS Hope for a Cure, and in the fall of 2006 was inducted into the National MS Society's Hall of Fame. She lives with her husband and three children in lower Manhattan. www.motifplanning.com/ep-92

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Austin Breckenridge is the co-founder and Executive Director of The A&R Foundation. Born in San Jose, CA, he began his music career at 17, booking live events in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2010, he founded Nemesis Media Inc., an independent label focused on emerging Bay Area artists. Under his leadership, the label released 10 albums, produced two local festivals, and expanded to Austin, TX in 2012, where he served as CEO until its successful exit in 2015. Over his 17-year career, Austin has worked as an artist manager, tour manager, business manager, and event producer. In 2015, Austin began his career in finance, holding roles in small business banking, commercial banking, community development, and business advising across Texas. His diverse background in music, finance, and entrepreneurship allows him to bridge creative and analytical business approaches. www.motifplanning.com/ep-90

Patricia De Fonte is an estate planning attorney and the founder of De Fonte Law PC, a boutique estate planning firm that works with clients over Zoom all over California. She started the firm to offer what she thinks of as estate planning with heart. She wanted to create a better experience for her clients to preserve family harmony, empower their heirs, and thoughtfully reflect their values. Her dedication to estate planning and her clients has led her to receive the honor of being selected to the 2021 San Francisco Super Lawyers list, and she recently won the 2021 BBB Torch Award for Ethics in the San Francisco Bay Area. When obtaining her LL.M. in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration from Golden Gate University, the federal exclusion rate (the amount of money you can have before federal taxes apply) jumped to $23 Million. Not many people have anywhere close to that amount of money. Her professors quickly changed the conversation from TAX TAX TAX to help the client in every way possible – by reviewing their insurance, by making sure they have terrific financial advisors and CPA's, and by helping them create plans that let their personalities and goals for their loved ones shine through. Golden Gate University has social justice as a core mission, and at her firm it is a core value. Estate planning is intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying. She loves what she does! When she is not working at the firm, you will most likely find her reading the New Yorker in her backyard under her lemon tree, on vacation, watching zombie shows, or spending time with family and friends. Clients and friends have told her that she's naturally warm and relatable. She will treat you as one of her own until Cards Against Humanity comes out, then all bets are off. www.motifplanning.com/ep-89

Jessica Muñiz-Collado is a music career consultant, composer/producer, and Assistant Professor of Music Business at the University of North Texas. Passionate about serving musicians, she is also the Founder of NIZCO MUSIC – a music career consulting company that helps musicians compose their careers to their own B.E.A.T. Additionally, she serves as Chair of the Music Industry Council for the College Music Society and serves on the education committees for both the Music Business Association and the Recording Academy (Texas Chapter) as well as being a Recording Academy Voting Member. As a composer/producer, Jessica has created music for numerous production companies including MundoFOX, Univision, PBS, IMAX, and Universal Production Music, and is a published and commissioned composer with both national and international performances of her work. www.motifplanning.com/ep-88

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Join Natalie Jacobs, a seasoned music industry executive and consultant, as she shares her journey from Warner Music Group to starting her own business focused on music metadata operations. Discover essential insights on financial planning for musicians, the importance of comprehensive metadata, and practical tips for navigating layoffs and transitioning to self-employment. Learn how meticulous data management and financial preparedness can help music professionals achieve their career goals and ensure they're rightfully credited and paid. 00:00 Introduction to the Thriving Musician Podcast 00:34 Meet Natalie Jacobs: Music Industry Executive 01:34 Natalie's Journey into the Music Industry 03:02 Navigating Financial Challenges in the Music Industry 05:45 The Importance of an Emergency Fund 09:02 The Role of a Financial Advisor 14:02 Setting Up a Will and Trust for Your Family 21:52 Starting a Business in Music Metadata 24:52 Ensuring Proper Payment and Metadata Management 25:56 Understanding the Importance of Music Data 27:54 Holistic Approach to Data Collection 29:19 Challenges in Data Management 34:51 Financial Planning for Musicians 37:41 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship 40:00 Building a Support System 45:25 Navigating the Music Industry's Evolution 47:31 Defining a Thriving Musician 48:38 Conclusion and Contact Information www.motifplanning.com/ep-87

In this episode, Brooke Tyler Benson, a money coach and union actor, shares her journey from aspiring actor to founding Not Starving Artists. Brooke discusses overcoming financial anxiety, redefining what it means to be a full-time artist, and the importance of financial independence for creatives. She provides practical steps to gain financial awareness and emphasizes the importance of having a supportive financial team. Brooke also delves into the emotional and mindset aspects of money management while offering insights into different financial roles and how they can help artists thrive. 00:00 Introduction to the Thriving Musician Podcast 00:34 Meet Brooke Tyler Benson: Money Coach and Union Actor 01:43 Debunking the Starving Artist Myth 04:39 Brooke's Journey: From Acting to Financial Coaching 08:45 Creating the Money Flow Method 12:50 The Emotional Side of Financial Management 17:54 Navigating Financial Conversations in the Creative Community 24:04 Redefining the Full-Time Artist 28:02 The Importance of Financial Stability for Creativity 29:28 Working with Brooke: Financial Coaching for Creatives 31:29 Introduction to Financial Coaching 32:14 The Role of a Financial Planner 33:02 Understanding Cash Flow and Mindset 34:40 The Importance of Financial Awareness 36:18 Choosing the Right Financial Support 37:54 Becoming a Financial CEO 39:39 Building Your Financial Board of Directors 44:38 Creating a Financial Awareness Routine 50:31 Overcoming Financial Reservations 54:32 Visualizing Your Financial Future 57:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement www.motifplanning.com/ep-86

In this episode of the Thriving Musician Podcast, host Spenser Liszt welcomes special guest Jamie Dee Hart, a music rights management advocate and founder and CEO of Heart and Songs. Jamie shares her journey from performing on stage in her fifth-grade talent show to pursuing a master's degree in music entrepreneurial studies at Azusa Pacific University. She discusses her various roles, including managing artists with significant online followings and working on high-profile projects. Jamie also delves into her financial journey, her relationship with money growing up, and the challenges she faced, including periods of financial instability. She highlights the importance of strategic planning, saving, and making intentional career decisions. Jamie explains how she transitioned to founding her own business, Heart and Songs, and offers insights into the complexities of music rights and royalties management. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of aligning one's career with personal definitions of success and happiness. 00:00 Introduction to the Thriving Musician Podcast 00:35 Meet Jamie Dee Hart: Music Rights Advocate 02:13 Jamie's Educational Journey 04:59 Early Musical Experiences 07:01 Transitioning to the Music Industry 09:37 Financial Realities and Career Choices 13:15 Navigating Layoffs and Financial Challenges 21:14 Starting Heart and Songs 26:14 Navigating Financial Uncertainty 27:29 Balancing Savings and Cash Flow 29:57 Embracing Time Freedom 33:12 Entrepreneurial Insights 36:28 Understanding Music Royalties 38:37 Working with Jamie D Heart 43:13 Tax Planning for Musicians 45:07 Educational Resources for Artists 46:02 Defining Success as a Musician 47:15 Connecting with Jamie D Heart www.motifplanning.com/ep-85

Recovering from Financial Mistakes: Insights and Strategies for Musicians In this episode of the Thriving Musician Podcast, Spenser Liszt presents a comprehensive guide on how musicians can recover from financial mistakes. This episode, inspired by a follower's suggestion, includes insights from industry professionals about common financial blunders and methods to overcome them. Listeners will gain strategies to improve their mindset towards financial errors, practical advice on insurance and estate planning, and tips on managing credit card debt. Additionally, the podcast emphasizes the importance of having clear financial goals and establishing a strong financial foundation for long-term stability and success in the music industry. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Guide 01:14 Understanding Financial Mistakes and Recovery 01:50 Personal Story: Family Bankruptcy 02:57 The Importance of Mindset in Financial Recovery 03:29 Navigating the Music Industry's Financial Landscape 03:49 Learning from Personal Financial Mistakes 04:23 The Role of Insurance in Financial Planning 08:49 Credit Card Debt: A Common Pitfall 11:05 Learning from Others' Financial Mistakes 18:51 Building a Strong Financial Foundation 21:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts www.motifplanning.com/ep-84

What if Marc Rebillet had a financial planner from the start? I've been following his incredible journey toward artistic freedom since his early days in Dallas in 2016, and he embodies what it means to be a Thriving Musician. Here is my hypothetical financial planning case study of Marc's career, illustrating how artists can benefit from strategic financial planning at any stage. www.motifplanning.com/ep-83

In this episode of the Thriving Musician Podcast, host Spenser welcomes Carolyn Ortiz, a marketing and operations expert with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. Carolyn shares her journey from working at major corporations to founding her own record label and creative agency, Big Ass Kids. Through candid discussions, Carolyn highlights the critical importance of financial literacy in the music industry, drawing parallels between running a music career and operating a business. She also delves into her experiences balancing career and family life, offering invaluable advice for musicians and entrepreneurs alike. The episode explores the unique offerings of the Big Ass Kids' 'Playground,' a dedicated platform for connecting vetted music professionals with artists in need. Tune in to gain insights on achieving financial stability, effectively managing time, and navigating the complex layers of the music industry with Carolyn Ortiz. 00:00 Introduction to Carolyn Ortiz 02:07 Carolyn's Early Career and Ambitions 03:17 Transition to Music Industry 05:27 Founding Big Ass Kids 08:23 Balancing Business and Personal Life 12:33 Financial Advice for Musicians 17:34 The Reality of Running a Music Business 28:46 Navigating Life's Seasons as an Artist 31:19 Exploring Diverse Music Careers 33:10 Balancing Parenthood and Career 36:46 Navigating Financial Decisions in Business 41:11 Introducing Big Ass Kids 45:36 Building the Playground Community 53:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-82

Rachel Stas is a CPA with over fifteen years of experience in accounting and tax services. She holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy Degree from the University of Oklahoma. She has established herself as the go-to advisor in the small business and artist communities and regularly speaks to both about their taxes and best practices. Rachel prefers to be “in the mix” when dealing with clients, whether helping with questions about deductions for their tax returns or helping a new business establish a bookkeeping system. Her goal is to minimize her client's stress regarding bookkeeping and taxes so that they can focus on what they love! www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-81

Emma Crawford is a financial planner at an hourly-only, fee-only financial planning firm in Madison, WI. She has the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) designation, the Certified Student Loan Professional (R) designation, and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Growing up low-income, she remembers the stress and anxiety that finances brought her, especially when it came to repaying her student loans. She doesn't want anyone to feel how she did back then. Now, she is a self-described student loan nerd and focuses on helping her clients get as much loan forgiveness as possible. She has consulted on over $100 million in student loan debt and has helped her clients receive over $10 million in loan forgiveness. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-80

Laura Donelan began her career in insurance in 1987 and has experience in Personal Lines, Commercial Lines customer service, Wholesale, and Marketing. She joined SterlingRisk's Marketing Dept in 1994 and transferred to the Programs Dept soon after, handling all programs, one being property insurance for members of the Local 802 Musicians Union. In 1999 Sterlingrisk teamed up with ASCAP to form MusicPro Insurance Agency LLC as a joint venture. Laura left in 2002 to be a stay at home mom to twins and returned in 2006 to handle MusicPro exclusively. She currently services over 10,000 clients. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-79

Mat Maxwell is an American musician with almost two decades of studio and touring experience, specializing in the electric bass. He has played this instrument with some of music's biggest names, performing all over the world. Mat is also the author of “Hired Musician: A Guide to Getting and Keeping Gigs,” a book offering insights on navigating the modern music industry. Beyond his touring and session work, Mat also enjoys teaching lessons and hosting clinics… a good cigar and tasty beverages. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-78

Rubin is the Founder & Chief Investment Officer of Peltoma Capital Partners. He and his wife Emily, and their daughter Olive Rae, live in Austin, TX. He has nearly 20 years of investment experience, starting as a commodities and fixed income trader at The Chicago Board of Trade, then as a Regional Director at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and most recently as a Partner, Senior Financial Advisor and Chief Investment Officer at Perspective Wealth Partners. Rubin founded Peltoma Capital Partners, in 2023, to help show people that there's a better way to invest. In addition to being a Forbes contributor, he is the acclaimed writer of the Fortunes & Frictions blog, which has readers in over 125 countries and has earned praise from individuals like Josh Brown (CNBC) and Jason Zweig (WSJ). He's recognized as someone who can demystify complicated investment ideas, and takes the time to ensure investors are aligned on the core ideas of what's being implemented on their behalf. Rubin is a relentless advocate for financial literacy, and a founding committee member of the USC Financial Literacy Festival, which had over 1,000 attendees in its inaugural 2022 event. Most recently he spoke at SXSW in Austin, TX, and at the 2023 Private Wealth Management Summit in San Diego, CA. He graduated from Kenyon College, and received an MBA in Finance from the University of Southern California (USC). Rubin earned the National Chess Master title at age 15. He is a CFA charterholder. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-77

A sustainable music business requires a stable personal financial plan. www.moneymaestroblog.com/guide

Lilly Chu worked at the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation in Houston teaching financial literacy to young adults and educating the public on consumer scams for 20 years. She holds a master's degree in social work and has worked in the non-profit sector since 1995. Prior to becoming a social worker, Lilly was a freelance fashion and commercial photographer for 15 years. In 2002, she co-founded “FireSeeds,” a non-profit organization dedicated to giving underdeveloped communities a “hand up” to independence. She launched an asset building program in Kampala, Uganda providing financial literacy education, training, and direct support to impoverished womenand orphans, frequently traveling to East Africa to work directly with local leaders and project participants. She continues to work in the non-profit arena enhancing lives through cooperative partnerships. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-75

Having marketed, mentored and developed over a thousand artists and projects within the highest levels of the music industry, R Wayne Martin is the prolific strategic executive behind the careers of recording artists and music producers signed to his boutique management firm, mthree. And as the host of the Small Plates Podcast (with subscribers in nearly 40 countries), he is the artist development authority that guides independent artists and their teams through mission critical challenges facing todays professional musicians (and musicians as entrepreneurs). Wayne's experience and expertise was honed as an artist development leader in multiple key roles inside major and independent labels (Warner Bros, Sony Music, Knitting Factory & others) and as an executive managing intellectual property licensing for music publishers and music industry organizations (The Harry Fox Agency / National Music Publishers Association).  Martin often shares his voice with music entrepreneurs on college campuses such as Harvard Law, NYU, and Berklee School of Music, and as a career development expert in the pages oof Billboard, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and others. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-74

With a prosperous career spanning over 25 years, Neil Mason is a seasoned artist, manager, and record label founder in the music industry. Neil's musical journey includes being a part of three bands that have secured major label record deals, performed globally, and played over 2,500 shows to audiences in the millions. Neil's multifaceted involvement in the music industry extends to writing, managing, publishing, and producing songs that have collectively garnered over 1 billion streams. His current band, The Cadillac Three, has released six albums. In 2016, he launched Badlands Management, an independent management company that aims to guide artists toward their goals in the music business. The artists he works with have been streamed over 600 million times and have toured with artists such as Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen, and many more. In 2023, Badlands Management began working in partnership with Red Light Management. Recently, he co-founded War Buddha Records, a joint venture with Warner Records. With experience in the creative and business sides of the industry, Neil is passionate about helping other artists and music industry professionals solve their challenges to build the careers they envision. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-73

Patrick Ermlich is a seasoned music industry professional hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Born into a musical family of opera singer-entrepreneurs, he inherited a unique combination of artistic and business acumen. He honed his skills through formal education, including studies at Northeastern University's music business program in Boston and The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Arizona. Starting as an engineer and producer at the renowned Cutting Room Recording Studios in New York City, Patrick rose through the ranks to eventually manage and develop the studio into one of the most successful in the city, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the music industry along the way. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the launch of an independent record label followed by a music publicity agency, Gramophone Media, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager / head of A&R. With over 1000 artists in his portfolio and a reputation for insightful, direct, and thoughtful artist and business development, Patrick is a sought-after mentor, strategist, and collaborator. Patrick continues to leave his mark on the industry through his mentorship, speaking engagements, blogging, and his role as an educator at Berklee Online. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-72

Casey Andersen was born in Pasadena in 1991, and his family relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, a year later, where he remained until he turned 18. His first instrument was the drumset, which he played from about age 6 to 16. In the fourth grade, he began playing the upright bass, participating in orchestras, Jazz and Rock bands, among others. He auditioned for Berklee College of Music with the Electric Bass as his primary instrument but changed his major to Jazz Composition within the first year. After graduation, Casey took a job as the bassist in the house band of a cruise ship. However, it wasn't the right fit for him, so after his contract ended, he had to engage in some serious rethinking about his career direction. Returning to Santa Fe, Casey started teaching various music classes at his former school, the Santa Fe Walford School. He kept busy playing gigs and teaching during the day, but also found time to practice Yoga and indulge in reading whenever he wasn't working. He earned two Masters degrees from St. John's College in Santa Fe—one in Western Philosophy Liberal Arts and the other in Sanskrit, focusing on the Eastern Classics. Casey met his wife in the Eastern Classics program, and they have recently relocated to Oxford to further their studies. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-71

Jason Hanan was born in Kenya, went to primary and high school in Washington, D.C., went to university in Montreal, Canada, and then moved to Los Angeles in search of warm weather and creative opportunities 21 years ago. He is now the owner and president of Pro Audio LA. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-70

Ryan Hurn enjoyed a 15+ year career recording and touring the world with Les Brown's Band of Renown, Andy Williams, Ann-Margret, and The Texas Tenors. Select performances include Royal Albert Hall, Cleveland Pops, Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra, Salt Lake City Symphony, & the Phoenix Symphony. He held endorsements by Vic Firth Sticks, Remo Drumheads, and Paiste Cymbals. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-69

Andrew Simmons and Josh Matotek from The Home Studio Hangout Podcast interview Spenser about financial literacy for musicians, producers and mix engineers. We talk about the basics to set up early on and how to financially plan for your future as a freelancer. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-68

Sarah Eyden is a professional singer / confidence and business mentor for musicians. She has worked as a singer for over 25 years while managing depression and high levels of anxiety due to childhood sexual assault. She felt hopeless sometimes on stage and learnt how to manage it and go on to tour the world, work for Elton John, Tony Bennett and Ozzy Osborne and sing on over 450 film soundtracks at Abbey Road Studios over the past 25 years. She is now passionate about helping musicians feel confident to apply the business skills needed to help their music career, boost their income and step into their power as a musician with all the business tools they need to succeed. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-67

Susan Hanlon Ferrer has built a career around setting singers up for the spotlight and helping them gain freedom and consistency in their singing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master's of Arts in Music with an emphasis in voice (both from UNT). Susan has been honored to give guest presentations for classes at LSU, TWU, UMKC, A&M Commerce, The Speakeasy Cooperative & The North Texas Chapter of PAVA (Pan American Vocology Association). As a teacher, Susan has loved running her busy private studio for the past 17 years, enjoyed her years as Professor of Commercial Voice at Collin College and cherishes her early years of teaching in several school districts as a private voice teacher. As an artist, Susan has released two jazz albums. The most recent album, Louder Every Minute, was co-produced by Susan and features some of her original songs. Part cheerleader, part Sherlock Holmes, Susan loves helping singers accomplish their goals and solve their vocal mysteries. She believes that every singer deserves to be appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the art form, and strives to create a space of belonging for all voices. When not teaching, you can find Susan binging podcasts, watching documentaries, walking her puppy Bruce, and slowly learning guitar. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-66

Lisa Machac is a music consultant, producer, and the director of Omni Sound Project, an inclusive community for women and marginalized genders in audio engineering. Her writing has been featured in Tape Op magazine and a popular Substack newsletter. She is the creator and host of the Reference Track podcast, which features producers and engineers discussing the songs that shaped their careers. Lisa coaches independent musicians who are looking to grow their audiences and promote their music. She adds 20 years of community building and marketing experience to a natural enthusiasm for mentoring others. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-65

Max Allyn is a producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He's spent the last 19 years professionally producing artists and has worked with the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Jason Wade, Toby Scott, Lifehouse, Steve Perry, and many more. His works have been featured in primetime television and high-visibility ads. Brands and networks include Masterclass, CW, FreeForm, ABC, Disney, Aetna, Dove, Suave, American Advisors Groups, and more. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-64

Lauren Estes is a native Memphian, financial planner and artist, creating copper and silver jewelry and art on copper. Art has been part of her life since she was little with her dad being an artist and having grown up in studios and galleries. Lauren has always done some form of art but finally took it seriously a couple years ago. It helps her find balance. Everyone is a creative, we just have to take the steps to express it! And most importantly we all have to have a plan in place to be successful whether that is doing a major show or saving for retirement. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-63

Ryan Moore is a touring drummer, songwriter and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. After working an office job in the financial planning industry for several years out of college and gigging on the weekends, Ryan now tours the country with an artist named Pony Bradshaw and runs a virtual paraplanning company that provides outsourced financial planning services to other financial planning firms. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-62

If you recently lost your music industry job, I'm sorry for your loss. Things will get better. If you're here to prepare for a potential layoff, I hope you never experience one. These are the crucial topics I consider as a financial planner when helping my clients. www.moneymaestroblog.com/layoffs

Jesse Josefsson from the Thriving Musician Podcast episode 55 interviewed Spenser on his popular Sync My Music YouTube channel! We talked about: What it means to be “financially literate” Financial mistakes I see musicians make Common sense rules to prepare for artistic freedom

Carly Crawford is a tax preparer (Enrolled Agent, to be exact), lifelong theatre person, and online business manager with a penchant for cheesy carbs, cross stitching, and books of all kinds. Carly lives in Memphis, where she loves the heat and humidity and basically lives on her screen porch. Carly graduated from UNC Asheville in 2009 with a degree in Drama and Literature, and spent the last 10 years pretending to be small children onstage, most notably Peter Pan, Pinkalicious, and Junie B. Jones (all multiple times). She also earned a Master's in Arts Administration from Savannah College of Art and Design, learning how to turn her make believe into a functioning business. In 2017, she began her work as a tax preparer as well as fulfilling the requirements to become an Enrolled Agent. In her practice, she is compassionate, honest, and knowledgeable. When she's not preparing and filing your taxes, reconciling your books, or designing your next workbook/ebook, Carly is probably reading while cuddling her pup, Rocky, playing board games with her wife, Nikki, or stubbing her toes on things because she's inordinately clumsy. She likes lists in threes. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-59

Sebastian Tenorio-Vallejo was born in Cali, Colombia but has lived in the greater Tampa Bay region most of his life. He started his career as a professional musician in 2015 and makes a living playing guitar and singing full time. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-58

Mark Ettingoff grew up in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. He excelled in math, music and humor. Then moved to New York for college and was swallowed whole by his passion for expressing himself through performance, collaboration and recording. He's lived in Santiago Chile, toured 30 states and 5 countries and spent 7 yrs in the desert "finding himself" artistically. He joined forces with the financial industry in 2021. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-57

Rosh Roslin is an LA based guitarist, drummer, and digital nomad. Some of his credits include Def Leppard, Melissa Etheridge, Steve Vai, Maroon 5, Dweezil Zappa, A Perfect Circle, Kylie Minogue, Bush, Dweezil Zappa, Papa Roach, NOFX and more. With an ear for sound, Rosh bridges the gap between technology and music helping musicians both live, and in the studio craft perfect sounds, build playback/guitar rigs for their albums and tours. He has a client base that spans the globe from places as far as London, Slovenia, Spain, and Singapore. While he can work remotely with them, he also enjoys traveling to work with these overseas clients onsite. When home in Los Angeles, Rosh keeps a busy calendar performing as both a guitarist and a drummer playing in a variety of musical projects as well as teaching music classes, private lessons and producing and engineering music. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-56

Jesse Josefsson is a 15-year TV/Film music producer that has secured over 7,500 TV/Film placements including shows such as American Idol, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Succession and networks such as NBC, CBS, MLBN, MTV & Fox Sports. He has composed roughly 1,000 tracks that have been distributed through various Production Libraries including Megatrax, 5 Alarm Music & Position Music. His commercial placements include national campaigns w/ Nike, Ford, Jack in the Box & Outback Steakhouse. Jesse created 'Sync My Music' in 2016 to help other producers and composers follow in his footsteps and create significant income and exposure through the TV/Film Sync Licensing industry. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-55

Over the last two decades as an artist manager, Andre Mullen has helped recording artists and labels gross $6,780,000 in new business, deals, publishing, and royalties. Then, in 2021, he burned out. So, he retreated. Now he runs a boutique consulting firm for artist managers and creative entrepreneurs and create digital products for artist managers. When he's not consulting and building products, he is an active member of The Recording Academy, a mentor to other artist managers and artists, and a speaker at yearly music conferences such as Canadian Music Week and Daze Summit. https://moneymaestroblog.com/ep-54/

Lindy Venustus is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ helping creatives with financial planning. She founded Create Financial Planning in 2020. She is a fiduciary fee-only trusted advisor that you can come to for honest advice, and not worry about commission sales. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-53

Katrina Cain's music has been described as many genres from Americana, to country, to folk. Simply put, she's a singer-songwriter. She is most known for her stand out performances on Season 15 of NBC's The Voice, with her haunting rendition of “Rhiannon.” Katrina is a full-time performer, songwriter, and studio vocalist working in Austin, LA, and Nashville. Her June 2022 solo tour spanned 12 shows over 7 states. www.moneymaestroblog.com/ep-52

Katy Chen Mazzara is a trauma-informed Master financial wellness coach and graduate of UC Berkeley's Personal Financial Planning program. As a former freelance TV producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Katy understands the balance between dreaming and doing. She helps creative freelancers and entrepreneurs make more, worry less, and achieve true financial freedom, so they can create the life of their dreams. https://moneymaestroblog.com/ep-51

Jordan Coffing is a singer songwriter, dog mom, amazing person and we are married! In this episode we talk about our personal money stories, combining our finances and how we communicate about money. https://moneymaestroblog.com/ep-50

After calculating your net worth with a balance sheet the next step to understanding your financial wellness is measuring your cash flow using an income statement. This spreadsheet will map out all of your expected income and expenses throughout the year to identify shortfalls or excess cash flow. https://moneymaestroblog.com/cash-flow/

Before deciding where you want to go (artistic freedom) it's crucial to know where you are today. Your net worth is a metric to measure financial wellness. Net worth ≠ self worth Remember, it's just a number. It does not represent your worth as a person or musician.  It's a temporary snapshot of your financial situation. Use it as information or motivation to guide the next steps toward artistic freedom. A balance sheet is the financial statement that reflects your financial situation today. It shows what you own (assets) and what you owe (liabilities). Download my free balance sheet at: www.moneymaestroblog.com/networth

You spent an entire life and career working towards your musical goals and living a certain lifestyle. Then, in a blink of an eye, you experience a financial windfall. The possibilities are endless. Feelings start to arise. Joy, pride, guilt, grief, fear, overwhelm, etc. Perhaps all at once? Now comes the most difficult part. The decision... Learn more: www.moneymaestroblog.com

Retirement is a strange word for musicians. Financial freedom – working because you want to, not because you have to – doesn't work either. Most musicians want to “work” as long as possible. So what future state are musicians saving towards? Artistic freedom Complete control of your creative endeavors. Imagine making art free of financial, contractual, or commercial obligations. Does that sound like a way of life worth saving for? These are the accounts (in no particular order) best suited to achieve artistic freedom as a self-employed musician.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently based in Brooklyn, Alë Jay is a 27-year-old Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist/Producer. His deep latin musical roots fused with his world-renowned music education at the University of North Texas make up the origins of his unique sound. He debuted in 2015 by opening for John Legend at SXSW, and has gone on to win a ​Gold CLIO Music Award​ for his song “Put It Down”; share the stage as a saxophonist with Maggie Rogers; and rose to the top in Major Lazer's worldwide search for a Caribbean infused summer jam with his original release "doin' to me". Show notes: www.SpenserLiszt.com/blog/TMP45 7 Habits of Thriving Musicians (FREE PDF Download): www.SpenserLiszt.com/habits Join the free Thriving Musicians closed Facebook group: www.Facebook.com/groups/ThrivingMusician Email questions, comments or nominate a Thriving Musician to spenser@spenserliszt.com Follow Spenser online: Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SpenserLiszt Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SpenserLiszt Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SpenserLiszt

Sarah Goode is a singer songwriter performing under the moniker SARRA. Her self-titled debut album smolders with a sublime emotionality that veers precariously on the border of bliss and abject darkness. The album's strongly feminine indie-pop was inspired by a soulful victory over intense personal tumultuousness. Thanks for listening and keep thriving! Show notes: www.SpenserLiszt.com/blog/TMP44 7 Habits of Thriving Musicians (FREE PDF Download): www.SpenserLiszt.com/habits Join the free Thriving Musicians closed Facebook group: www.Facebook.com/groups/ThrivingMusician Email questions, comments or nominate a Thriving Musician to spenser@spenserliszt.com Follow Spenser online: Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SpenserLiszt Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SpenserLiszt Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SpenserLiszt

Scott Stratton is the founder and President of Good Life Wealth Management LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in Addison, Texas. Scott began his financial planning career in 2004 after having been a faculty member at Texas Christian University and the State University of New York. Since that time, he has helped dozens of families create financial plans, and has managed over $400 million in investments. Scott takes pride in being a fiduciary and holds the Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Analyst designations. Thanks for listening and keep thriving! Show notes: www.SpenserLiszt.com/blog/TMP43 7 Habits of Thriving Musicians (FREE PDF Download): www.SpenserLiszt.com/habits Join the free Thriving Musicians closed Facebook group: www.Facebook.com/groups/ThrivingMusician Email questions, comments or nominate a Thriving Musician to spenser@spenserliszt.com Follow Spenser online: Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SpenserLiszt Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SpenserLiszt Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SpenserLiszt