The Manager's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

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Inside the Playbook: Edgar Cutino on Why Your Manager Should Be 'Difficult' Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Are record labels holding artists back from success?

In this clip from The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Fridayy's manager, Edgar Cutino, for an unfiltered conversation about music industry politics, artist management, and the challenges of working with major record labels.

Edgar breaks down why independent artists should trust their instincts, how managers can hold labels accountable, and why being labeled "difficult to work with" often comes from asking the right questions.

We get into artist development, label politics, building the right team, creative freedom, and why traditional industry playbooks don't always work in today's music business.

A valuable conversation for independent artists, aspiring music managers, and executives looking to better understand how the music industry really works.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

The Manager’s Playbook: Edgar Cutino - Fridayy, Music Industry Politics, DJ Khaled, Artist Development & Management (EP 89) Oct 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Manager's Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Edgar Cutino, manager of Fridayy, for an unfiltered conversation about music industry politics, artist management, and what it really takes to break an artist.

From managing viral sensation Lil TerRio and building a career in television to discovering Fridayy and helping secure his breakout feature on DJ Khaled's "GOD DID", Edgar shares the lessons, relationships, and strategies that shaped his journey in the music business.

We dive into record label politics, artist development, negotiating deals, building successful teams, and why managers who demand accountability are often labeled difficult to work with. Edgar also breaks down the importance of leverage, protecting your artist, and navigating the challenges of major labels.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Alex Lunt on Why Country Artists Have a Better Path to Success Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

What makes country music one of the strongest genres for developing artists and building long-term careers?

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management and manager of Dasha, to explore what the country music industry gets right about artist development.

Alex breaks down Nashville’s songwriting community, the importance of live performances, touring opportunities, CMA Fest, and how country radio continues to influence artist growth and ticket sales.

We also get into the relationships that make the country music ecosystem unique, the role of media in breaking new artists, and why managing burnout and mental health is just as important as building momentum.

A valuable conversation for independent artists, music managers, and aspiring executives looking to understand what it takes to build a sustainable music career.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Alex Lunt on The Social Media Strategy that Works for Independent Artists Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

How do you know which content will actually help break a song before spending money on it?

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management and manager of Dasha, to break down the music marketing strategies behind building momentum in today's industry.

Alex shares how artists and managers can use Instagram Trial Reels, TikTok, content testing, and paid ads to identify what works before investing in a release campaign. He explains why testing different creative ideas matters and how to put marketing dollars behind content that's already performing.

We also get into the pressure of managing a viral hit, navigating major label decisions, and making the most of an opportunity when everything starts moving quickly.

A valuable conversation for independent artists, music managers, and aspiring executives looking to build smarter release strategies.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Alex Lunt on When Is The Right Time To Sign Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

What does it really take to break a hit song in today's music industry?

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management and manager of Dasha, to discuss how streaming momentum attracts major labels and what it takes to turn an independent breakout into a global hit.

Alex shares the story behind Dasha’s “Austin,” the decision to partner with Warner Records, and why a great song and smart management still matter more than a massive marketing budget.

We also get into country music gatekeeping, radio politics, TikTok marketing, major label deals, and the pressure of building an artist’s career when everything starts moving at once.

A valuable conversation for independent artists, music managers, and aspiring executives trying to understand how records actually break.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

The Manager’s Playbook: Alex Lunt - Dasha, Viral Hits, Major Label Deals, Country Music & Artist Management (EP 88) Oct 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Alex Lunt, founder of Type A Management, to break down what really happens after a song explodes.

Alex shares the story behind managing Dasha through the breakout of “Austin,” from viral TikTok momentum and line-dance culture to major label interest, global strategy, and the pressure of turning a hit song into a sustainable career.

We get into artist management, independent artist leverage, major label deals, country music’s global moment, music marketing, social content testing, radio, burnout, and the real decisions managers have to make when success starts moving faster than the team around it.

A must-listen for artists, managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone trying to understand the music business behind a viral hit.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: JBeau Lewis on The Real Strategy Behind Booking Your First Tour Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

When should an artist start touring? And when is the biggest check actually the wrong move?

UTA partner and music agent JBeau Lewis, who works with Bad Bunny and Karol G, joins Mauricio Ruiz on The Manager’s Playbook to break down what goes into building a successful touring career.

From planning your first shows and turning listeners into paying fans to choosing the right venues, promoters, and ticket prices, JBeau shares why touring strategy needs to start earlier than most artists think.

They also get into the decisions nobody sees: when to turn down a major offer, why great agents prioritize long-term careers over quick money, and how trust, teamwork, and keeping your ego in check make all the difference.

A conversation about artist development, touring, music management, and building a career that lasts, for independent artists, managers, booking agents, and the next generation of music executives.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: JBeau Lewis on The Strategy Behind Bad Bunny's Global Success Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

What makes a top agent want to bet on an artist?

UTA partner and music agent JBeau Lewis breaks down what he looks for before signing an artist, how TikTok and YouTube have changed discovery, and why talent is only one part of the equation.

JBeau also shares how UTA began working with Bad Bunny, why the team saw the global potential of Latin music early, and what it takes to build a full-service team around an artist at that level.

From artist development and management to knowing when to say no, this is a look at how great agents think and what artists, managers, and aspiring music executives should understand about building careers that last.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: JBeau Lewis on How Bad Bunny and Karol G Took Over The World In 2026 Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

What happens when the biggest moments of an artist’s career happen back-to-back?

UTA partner and music agent JBeau Lewis takes us inside Bad Bunny’s Grammy-to-Super Bowl week and Karol G’s road to headlining Coachella.

JBeau breaks down the logistics of preparing a Super Bowl halftime show in the middle of a stadium tour, what an agent actually does during a moment that big, and how Karol G’s team built a touring strategy around Coachella.

A look at the planning, pressure, and decisions behind the moments everybody else gets to watch.

For artists, managers, agents, and anyone trying to understand how the live music business really works.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

The Manager’s Playbook: JBeau Lewis - Bad Bunny, Karol G, UTA, Super Bowl, Coachella, Touring & Music Business (EP 87) Oct 11, 2026

Show notes

What does it actually take to build a global superstar?

UTA partner and music agent JBeau Lewis joins The Manager’s Playbook to break down the strategy, teamwork, and behind-the-scenes decisions powering some of music’s biggest careers.

From Bad Bunny’s historic Grammy-to-Super Bowl week to Karol G headlining Coachella, JBeau shares what these massive moments look like from inside the team and why modern artist representation requires much more than booking shows.

He and Mauricio dig into JBeau’s journey from medical school to CAA and eventually UTA, how he evaluates artists and teams, why strategy can matter more than the biggest check, the evolution of Latin music into a global force, and what independent artists, managers, agents, and aspiring music executives can learn from careers operating at the highest level.

This is a conversation about artist management, touring strategy, team building, the music business, and how global superstars are actually built.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://themanagersplaybook.com/home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://distrokid.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want the full conversation? TMP Patreon members get early episodes, exclusive clips, and two live Q&As with guests every month. Join at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheManagersPlaybook⁠

Watch the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

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