Best Chair in Digital Economy Podcasts (2025)

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BTB Ep 493: TikTok is not a great platform for music discovery; Neil Sheehan of Vocana 58:28

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3d ago58:28

58:28

TOPICS: Ryan and Katie Zaccardi talk about overcoming your “fear of being perceived” as an indie creator; a new report from MIDiA casts doubt on TikTok’s effectiveness as a music discovery platform; our guest this week is Neil Sheehan, CEO of indie-focused music streaming platform Vocana. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visitingvoca…

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Building Climate-Resilient Farming with Robotics: Eric Adamson of Oishii and Tortuga 43:41

10d ago43:41

43:41

Eric Adamson, Robotics Executive at Oishii and co-founder of Tortuga AgTech, joins Climate Rising to share how automation and AI are transforming fruit farming. Eric explains how his team designed a strawberry-harvesting robot capable of operating in outdoor tunnels and vertical farms, bringing operational efficiency, labor savings, and climate res…

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BTB Ep 492: Can digital creators write off their tips on their taxes?; Grayson Sanders of Chordal 1:06:10

10d ago1:06:10

1:06:10

TOPICS: Everyone in the media seems to think that digital creators will be able to write off their tips on their income taxes, but Ryan is skeptical; ElisaRockDoc Career Update; we interview Chordal CEO Grayson Sanders about advances in sync licensing technology and what indie creators can do to create more sync opportunities for themselves. You ca…

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Microsoft ’s Climate Strategy and Its Carbon Removal Deal with Chestnut Carbon 44:34

17d ago44:34

44:34

Microsoft’s Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy and Carbon Removal, and Chestnut Carbon CFO Greg Adams share their perspectives as a major buyer and developer of carbon removal credits. Their 2025 deal is one of the largest carbon removal deals in the U.S. and seeks to deliver 7 million tons of nature-based carbon credits over 25 years. Brian ex…

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BTB Ep 491: Living Wage for Musicians Act is Reintroduced; merch tips with Seamus Meniane 57:01

17d ago57:01

57:01

TOPICS: Ryan and Producer Lauren talk about the fast-approaching Episode 500; Rep.Rashida Tlaib reintroduces the Living Wage for Musicians Act; we interview music merchandiser Seamus Meniane of merch services company Armada. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting poweredbyarmada.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business…

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BTB Ep 490: Lessons musicians have learned; we interview Tiff Randol of Mamas in Music 1:05:10

24d ago1:05:10

1:05:10

TOPICS: Ryan rants even more about the Muppets on Broadway; Ryan and Zak talk about a Reddit post about lessons musicians have learned that they wish they had learned when they were younger; we interview musician and social entrepreneur Tiff Randol. Tiff is the Mamas in Music, a global nonprofit that supports mothers and caregivers in the music ind…

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Reducing Household Emissions with Dishwashing Innovation: A Conversation with P&G ’ s Ashley Fill 48:02

1M ago48:02

48:02

Ashley Fill, Global Director of Sustainability at P&G Home Care joins Climate Rising to discuss how consumer behavior and innovative technologies can reduce household carbon and water footprints. Ashley shares how life cycle assessments reveal that 87% of the emissions in P&G’s Home Care portfolio come from product use, particularly dishwashing. Sh…

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BTB Ep 489: Ryan crashes out over The Muppets; we interview Lanz Pierce 1:02:07

1M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

TOPICS: We talk about the Taylor Swift episode of the New Heights Kelce Brothers Podcast; Ryan is upset that the Muppets Broadway show won’t have any Muppet singing or dancing; we interview Lanz Pierce, the recording artist, entrepreneur, and the founder of the Luminary Creative Agency. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.l…

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AI for Climate Resilient Food Systems with ClimateAi’s Himanshu Gupta 46:16

2M ago46:16

46:16

ClimateAi co-founder and CEO Himanshu Gupta explains how hiscompany uses machine learning to forecast extreme weather and help businesses adapt to climate volatility. Himanshu shares his journey from rural India to co-founding ClimateAi while he was an MBA student. He describes how ClimateAi's "biophysics-driven AI" combines limited weather and cro…

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BTB Ep 488: Why is private equity interested in the creator economy?; Bill “Downupright” Boulden 1:03:38

2M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

TOPICS: Ryan is back from China, but he apparently left his hair there; we answer a listener question about band agreements; M&A activity is spiking in the creator economy—what does that mean for creators?; our guest this week is electro pop artist and entrepreneur Bill“Downupright” Boulden. Bill’s new album “Radical Honesty” is available now. You …

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BTB Ep 487: Debby Scheer and Danny Garcia join Zak 58:54

2M ago58:54

58:54

Ryan’s still away, Zak is hosting; in the first segment, Zak chats with Debbie Scheer aboutWorking as a Stand up comedian, posting other people’s jokes. Guest: CEO and Co-Founder of SongTools, Danny Garcia. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break t…

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Designing for Resilience: with Alex Berkowitz of Coastal Protection Services 38:10

2M ago38:10

38:10

This episode is another in our series on Climate Resilience featuringAlex Berkowitz, Founder and CEO of Coastal Protection Solutions (CPS), astartup developing nearshore infrastructure that reduces wave energy and enhances climate resilience. Alex shares how her personal experience with Hurricane Sandy in her hometown of Rockaway Beach led to the c…

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BTB EP 486: Ryan is still away; Lyric Writing; The Rap Act; guest: Zoe Espitia, founder of Zojak World Wide 56:20

2M ago56:20

56:20

Even though Ryan is still out, the show must go on! We discuss lyric writing and the Rap Act in addition to having Zoe Espitia, founder of Zojak World Wide, on with us. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Li…

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BTB Ep 485: Video games, cover music; National Chair of AIMP, Frank Handy 56:42

2M ago56:42

56:42

TOPICS: Ryan is out of town, and Zak and ElisaRockDoc are holding down the fort. We discuss the future of video games, 5 easy hacks to make your cover song stand out, and in the second segment, we are joined by guest Frank Handy, National Chair of AIMP. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Goo…

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Investing in Climate Resilience and Poverty Alleviation: Acumen Founder & CEO Jacqueline Novogratz 57:24

2M ago57:24

57:24

In this Climate Rising episode in our series on climate resilience, Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen shares how impact investing is agriculture is helping smallholder farmers build climate resilience. Jacqueline shares insights from two decades of investing in poverty alleviation that includes climate resilience and adaptation social…

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BTB Ep 484: The fake AI band has a fake manager; Ariel Hyatt of Cyber PR 1:01:47

2M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

TOPICS: Ryan and Zak Sloan talk about the “Velvet Sundown” fake AI band and how Spotify is allowing them to proliferate; the HITS Act has passed as part of the latest budget bill; our guest this week is acclaimed music publicist and Cyber PR founder Ariel Hyatt. Ariel’s latest book, “From Buzz to Bond: How to Stop Chasing Hype and Build a Lasting M…

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BTB Ep 483: AI - generated artists on Spotify; indie folk artists aibai & vinny 1:01:11

3M ago1:01:11

1:01:11

TOPICS: Ryan shares a story about whether AI will replace lawyers; Ryan and guest co-host Jasmine Ortiz talk about the latest crop of allegedly AI-generated artists popping up on streaming platforms; Ryan answers a listener's question about registering trademarks; our guests this week are indie folk artists aibai & vinny. Their self-titled EP is av…

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Forecasting Climate Risk with Geospatial AI: Sarah Russell of X , the Moonshot Factory at Alphabet 35:09

3M ago35:09

35:09

This episode, part of the Climate Rising series on climate resilience, features Sarah Russell, General Manager of Project Bellwether at X, The Moonshot Factory at Alphabet (formerly Google X). Sarah shares how geospatial data and artificial intelligence can help communities and businesses anticipate and respond to climate risks. Sarah shares insigh…

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BTB Ep 482: Google is using YouTube videos to train AI; Jeremy Sirota of Merlin 1:01:55

3M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

TOPICS: CNBC is reporting that Google is using YouTubers’ content to train its Veo video platform; Katie Zaccardi’s engagement hacks; we interview Jeremy Sirota, CEO of indie music licensing network Merlin. You can find out more about the Merlin Connect platform and about our guests’ work by visiting merlinnetwork.org. Rate/review/subscribe to the …

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BTB Ep 481: Ryan and Elisa talk creator mental health; musician Jeff Michaels 1:00:06

3M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

TOPICS: ElisaRockDoc co-hosts this week and discusses the “mental health gap” that creators are dealing with; Ryan answers a listener's question about copyright ownership of a track they recorded with a producer; ElisaRockDoc career update; our guest this week is musician Jeff Michaels. Find out more about our guest’s work by visitingwww.jeffmichae…

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Closing the Loop by Recycling Apparel: Reju CEO Patrik Frisk 43:43

3M ago43:43

43:43

Patrik Frisk, CEO of ReJu, joins Climate Rising to discuss his company’s mission to recycle textile waste and build circular supply chains for apparel made of polyester fabric. Patrik brings his prior experience leading Under Armour and other global brands across the textile and footwear industry for over 35 years. Patrik describes how ReJu turns d…

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BTB Ep 480: How AI will impact artists; radio host and entrepreneur Jasmine Ortiz 1:03:05

3M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

TOPICS: Gideon King and Ryan talk about how AI is disrupting the entertainment industry and the impacts that it will have on creative professionals; the Congressional Creators Caucus has been launched, but is it positioned to actually help creators? Our guest this week is artist, radio host, and entrepreneur Jasmine Ortiz. Check out The Jasmine Ort…

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BTB Ep 479: Taylor Swift bought back her masters; Kate Sheeran of the Eastman School of Music 57:01

4M ago57:01

57:01

TOPICS: Ryan is podcasting from the APME Conference in Memphis; artists are pretending that their videos are AI-generated; Taylor Swift bought her original master recordings back and Ryan and Zak Sloan discuss; our guest this week is Kate Sheeran, the Dean of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. You can find out more about ou…

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Extending Apparel Lifespan: ThredUp CEO James Reinhart 38:02

4M ago38:02

38:02

James Reinhart, CEO of ThredUp, one of the largest online resale platforms for secondhand clothing. James co-founded the company while he was a Masters’ student at Harvard and has spent the last 15 years scaling a national logistics and digital infrastructure platform for resale. In this episode James describes why the company decided to handle phy…

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BTB Ep 478: Innovative ways to promote your music; Cat Henry of Live Music Society 1:01:20

4M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

TOPICS: Ryan and Katie Zaccardi talk about innovative ways that artists can promote their music; Ryan answers a listener's question, registering copyrights in CD releases; we interview Cat Henry of Live Music Society about the Society’s “One Night Live” touring project. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.livemusicsociety.o…

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BTB Ep 477: Lana Love talks about “The Rehearsal”; we interview Talia Keys 1:02:10

4M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

TOPICS: We interview artist Lana Love about her experience on the Nathan Fielder HBO program “The Rehearsal”; we interview indie artist Talia Keys about her latest album being released as part of the “Buy Before Your Stream” initiative. Check out Lana’s latest single, “Antidote,” and find out more about Talia’s work by visiting www.taliakeys.com. R…

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Designing for Circularity at Scale: A Conversation with Karen Pflug of Ingka Group 46:27

4M ago46:27

46:27

In the latest episode of Climate Rising from Harvard Business School, Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ingka Group (IKEA), shares how IKEA is embedding circularity throughout its business model. She discusses how IKEA is redesigning iconic products like the Billy bookcase to make them easier to disassemble and repair, how secondhand ret…

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BTB Ep 476: “The Rehearsal” created a fake singing competition; music from Anora 1:03:15

4M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

TOPICS: Break the Business guest Lana Love was tricked into competing in a fake reality singingcompetition on Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” program; the Copyright Office issued a report onwhether using copyright works to train AI platforms is considered fair use; we interview Doug Martin(Doug Martin Quartet) and Chris SD (Sync Songwriter), two m…

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BTB Ep 475: Sam Smith caught in the copyright buzzsaw; Trevor Swenson of Dynamic Talent International 59:43

5M ago59:43

59:43

TOPICS: Sam Smith is the latest victim of copyright litigation run amok; Ryan and Zak answer a listener's question about “cancellation fees”; we interview Dynamic Talent International CEO Trevor Swenson about his company’s recent expansion into K-pop and what artists can learn from that genre of music. You can find out more about our guest’s work b…

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Advancing the Circular Economy: A Conversation with Lauren Rodriguez of Closed Loop Partners 41:45

5M ago41:45

41:45

Lauren Rodriguez, who leads partnerships at Circular Services, a Closed Loop Partners company, joins host Mike Toffel to discuss building the infrastructure and investment models needed to scale the circular economy. Lauren explains how Closed Loop Partners supports the transition from a linear to a circular economy through capital management, inno…

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BTB Ep 474: Managing stress as a creator; artist/producer Clara Venice 1:04:51

5M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

TOPICS: Ryan is upset at Mariah Carey’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snub; tips for managing stress as a creator; we answer a listener's question about copyright ownership and working with freelancers; we interview artist, producer, and theramin product Clara Venice. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting claravenice.com. Rate/revie…

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BTB Ep 473: Funny realtor videos; interview with Ralph Tashjian of Intercept Music 59:02

5M ago59:02

59:02

TOPICS: Ryan is obsessed with @tampa_bre’s real estate videos; Ryan and ElisaRockDoc talk about the new CGA rider that has protections for creators when they do brand deals; ElisaRockDoc career update. We interview music industry legend Ralph Tashjian. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.interceptmusic.com. Rate/review/subs…

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Scaling Reuse with Vytal: A Circular Economy Conversation with CEO Fabian Barthel 44:49

5M ago44:49

44:49

Fabian Barthel, Co-Founder of Vytal, a circular economy packaging-as-a-service startup, joins host Mike Toffel to explore the innovation, behavioral science, and regulations shaping the market for reusable containers for take-out food and beverages. Fabian shares how Vytal is tackling packaging waste by building a reusable container system for rest…

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BTB Ep 472: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift with Kevin Evers of Harvard Business Review 58:35

5M ago58:35

58:35

TOPICS: Why don’t we see garage bands anymore? The Creators Guild developed a rider agreement for brand partnership deals; we interview Harvard Business Review Senior Editor Kevin Evers about his new book “There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift.” Kevin’s book is available now wherever books are sold! Rate/review/subscribe t…

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TOPICS: NO FAKES Act is back; we interview artist and copyright advocate Lana Love 58:40

5M ago58:40

58:40

TOPICS: Ryan is obsessed with TikTok artist Antronsongs new track “For You”; the Senate re-introduces the NO FAKES Act; Utah passes a new law to protect child influencers; we interview artist and copyright advocate Lana Love. You can follow our guest on Instagram @lanalovemusic. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, Sou…

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Carbon Credit Ratings and Market Integrity: A Conversation on the Calyx Global Case 41:21

6M ago41:21

41:21

In this bonus episode of Climate Rising, we share an episode from Harvard Business School’s Cold Call podcast, featuring HBS professor Mike Toffel and Duncan van Bergen, Co-Founder of Calyx Global. The discussion focuses on Mike’s recent HBS case study, Calyx Global: Rating Carbon Credits, which explores how the company is helping improve transpare…

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BTB Ep 470: Mariah Carey Copyright Suit DISMISSED; recording artist Nicki Richards 59:25

6M ago59:25

59:25

TOPICS: Ryan and Katie Zaccardi speak about the “All I Want for Christmas is You” copyright lawsuit getting dismissed and what it means for creators; “One Night Live” creates a sustainable model for indie musician touring; we interview recording artist Nicki Richards. You can find out more about our guests' work by visiting www.nickirichards.com. C…

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BTB Ep 469: How Doechii’s “Anxiety” became an unexpected hit; Grammy nominated mastering engineer Idania Valencia 59:14

6M ago59:14

59:14

TOPICS: Doechii’s2019 song “Anxiety” hit the Hot 100 Top 10 this week, and how it got there is an amazing story of music promotion in 2025; Ryan breaks down the Miami Music Tech Summit; ElisaRockDoc career update; we interview Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Idania Valencia(Charli XCX, Benson Boone). You can follow our guest on Instagram @idani…

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Investing in Carbon Markets: A Conversation with Luke Leslie of Key Carbon 41:26

6M ago41:26

41:26

Luke Leslie, Co-Founder and CEO of Key Carbon, joins Climate Rising as part of our series on voluntary carbon markets. Luke has spent over 20 years in carbon markets and finance, working in investment banking, private equity, and structured finance. Luke explains how Key Carbon is financing high-integrity carbon projects and how new overlaps betwee…

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BTB Ep 468: Policy solutions to low streaming payouts; interview with Rudy Love, Jr. of 2lot 1:05:53

6M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

TOPICS: Ryan, Gideon King, and Lauren try to figure out what state Creighton University and other NCAA Tournament teams are in; Ryan and Gideon talk about theLiving Wage for Musicians Act; we interview music and social entrepreneur Rudy Love, Jr. of Wichita-based band 2lot. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting 2lot.com and somew…

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BTB Ep 467: We break down Spotify’s “Loud and Clear” report; ZZ Ward Interview 58:12

7M ago58:12

58:12

TOPICS: Ryan continues to be frustrated with the lack of “transparency” from the President and TreasuryDepartment about the Corporate Transparency Act and its impact on indie artists; Spotify has released its latest “Loud and Clear” report and Ryan and Zak Sloan talk about how the report continues to traffic in misleading statistics; our guest this…

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Navigating Carbon Markets: A Conversation with Alexia Kelly of High Tide Foundation 56:17

7M ago56:17

56:17

Alexia Kelly, Managing Director of the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative (CPMI) at theHigh Tide Foundation, joins host Mike Toffel for the fifth episode in our series on voluntarycarbon markets. Alexia has worked for nearly two decades atthe intersection of carbonmarkets, policy, and finance, with roles spanning government, private industry, and…

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BTB Ep 466: How to avoid copyright lawsuits when you work with music collaborators; entertainment lawyer Mimi Camara 1:02:27

7M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

TOPICS: Do artists still need to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act?: how to avoid copyright lawsuits when you work with music collaborators (split sheets and releases are important!); we interview entertainment lawyer Mimi Camara. You can follow our guest on Instagram at@itsmimimartine. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podca…

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BTB Ep 465: Facebook and Twitch are limiting videos; musician John Modell 1:04:10

7M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

TOPICS: ElisaRockDoc gives her thoughts on the Chappell Roan Grammy’s story; Facebook and Twitchare both limiting the amount of videos that creators can store on their platforms;ElisaRockDoc career update; we interview musician John Modell of Casa Del Sol. Casa Del Sol’s debut album “Strange Angels” dropped on January 24th and you can find out more…

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Enhancing Integrity Standards in Carbon Markets: A Conversation with Amy Merrill of ICVCM 40:29

7M ago40:29

40:29

Amy Merrill, CEO of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) joins host Mike Toffel in this fourth episode of the Climate Rising series on voluntary carbon markets. Amy has extensive experience in carbon markets, including leading negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and advising on global carbon finance. Amy explai…

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BTB Ep 464: Metal Dave is back!; interview with Regina Sayles 1:05:43

7M ago1:05:43

1:05:43

TOPICS: Original Break the Business Co-host Metal Dave is joining us to talk about entertainment industry news (and other silly stuff); we interview acclaimed singer, songwriter, and educator Regina Sayles. Her latest single “Quiet Room” was released on January 30th off her new EP “This Love”. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visitin…

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BTB Ep 463: Kay Hanley talks about Chappell Roan’s Grammy Speech; musician and author Ben Neill 58:41

7M ago58:41

58:41

TOPICS: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees; songwriter Kay Hanley stops by to talk about herHollywood Reporter editorial about Chappell Roan’s Grammy speech; our guest this week is musician and author Ben Neill. Ben’s new book is “Diffusing Music: Trajectories of Sonic Democratization”, which explores the role that technology is playing today in m…

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Strengthening Carbon Claims via the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI): A Conversation with Mark Kenber 52:30

8M ago52:30

52:30

This episode, the third in our series on Voluntary Carbon Markets, features Mark Kenber, Executive Director of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI). Mark has worked in carbon markets and climate finance for nearly three decades, with experience at organizations like WWF, The Climate Group, and Fundación Natura in Ecuador. Mark d…

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BTB Ep 462: Chappell Roan’s Grammys Speech; Gaelen McCormick of the Eastman School of Music 57:45

8M ago57:45

57:45

TOPICS: Chappell Roan gave a powerful speech at the Grammys about how record labels should do more to support artists, but at least one editorial writer had some issues with her approach to activism; we interview Gaelen McCormick, the Director of the Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center at the University of Rochester, an organization that aims t…

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BTB Ep 461: Freelancing as an influencer; Daniel Brindley of Union Stage Presents 59:20

8M ago59:20

59:20

TOPICS: BTB Guest Bill Teck is nominated for a Grammy; Ringo Starr has never ate pizza; we talk about why influencers should not be afraid of supplementing their income as a freelancer; our guest this week is Daniel Brindley, co-founder of venue operator Union Stage Presents. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.unionstagepr…

Chair In Digital Economy Podcasts