The Manager's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

The Manager’s Playbook 044: Austin Dunn – Storytelling, Digital Strategy, Content Seeding, Music Marketing, Faceless Pages, Artist Growth & The Future of Music Promotion Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Most artists are chasing the algorithm.
Austin Dunn built systems that outsmart it.

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook Podcast, I sit down with Austin Dunn, digital strategist, cultural curator, and founder of @rnbmusic, one of the most influential community pages in music.

Before most labels understood content seeding, Austin was already engineering digital ecosystems, helping artists like Victoria Monét, 6ix9ine, and Teddy Swims break through the noise by focusing on storytelling over virality.

We talk about the early SoundCloud era, the rise of meme pages, and how community-driven platforms quietly became the new gatekeepers of culture. Austin shares his journey from building @rnbmusic to running global digital campaigns, and why the future of artist growth depends on narrative, not algorithms.

This episode is for anyone working in the modern music business, artists, managers, marketers, or executives, who wants to understand how culture actually moves online.

Because the truth is:
You don’t need to go viral.
You need a story worth following.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

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

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Nic D on the Content Strategy That Actually Works for Artists Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

What if the key to building a real music career wasn’t luck, playlists, or connections, but how you show up online?

In this clip, Nic D breaks down how he turned content into a career. No label. No team. No shortcuts. Just strategy, discipline, and storytelling.

From recording songs in a minivan during the pandemic to going viral on TikTok, Nic shares how creativity, consistency, and what he calls “delusional self-belief” built the foundation for 1.5 billion streams.

This conversation is for any artist trying to build an audience from scratch and every manager learning how to guide them.

Topics include:

How to approach content as an artist
Building momentum without industry connections
Turning limitations into leverage
Why consistency matters more than virality
The power of mindset and self-belief

Whether you’re an independent artist, music exec, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights and frameworks for growth.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Nic D on The Lie About Touring Every Artist Believes Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

What if walking away from touring wasn’t a step back, but the smartest move an artist could make?

In this conversation, Nic D opens up about why he turned down major touring opportunities to focus on family, balance, and ownership. Despite the potential for fame and fast money, he chose freedom over burnout, and built one of the most successful independent artist careers in the process.

We dive into the financial reality behind touring, the myth of “you have to be everywhere,” and how streaming revenue and smart systems gave him more control than any tour could. Nic also shares how private strategy sessions and creative consistency helped him build community without sacrificing his peace.

This isn’t about rejecting success. It’s about redefining it.

Topics include:

Why Nic D chooses not to tour
Balancing family, fulfillment, and music
The mental and financial cost of touring
How streaming and ownership changed the game
The new definition of success for artists

For every artist, manager, or creative chasing longevity, this one’s a reminder that the real win is balance.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Nic D on Building a Profitable Music Career Without a Manager Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

What does financial independence really look like for an artist with no label, no manager, and no team?

In this clip, Nic D breaks down the real numbers behind being an independent artist, from how much he spends on production to how he tracks every dollar to stay profitable. He shares why keeping costs low, owning your masters, and thinking like a business are the keys to longevity in music.

We dig into how he uses simple systems (like Excel sheets and DistroKid) to run his operation, what artists get wrong about “investing in themselves,” and why self-management has given him more control, not more chaos.

It’s an honest look at money, mindset, and ownership, and why mastering all three matters more than any industry co-sign.

Topics include:

How to build profit as an independent artist
The importance of keeping expenses low
Smart budgeting and royalty splits
The mindset shift from “artist” to “entrepreneur”
Why ownership and control create long-term success

Whether you’re an artist, manager, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation breaks down the real cost of building something sustainable in music.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Nic D on His Winning System - You Don’t Need a Record Label Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

What if success in music had less to do with talent, and everything to do with mindset?

In this conversation, Nic D breaks down the discipline, self-awareness, and consistency that helped him build a thriving career with no label, no manager, and no shortcuts.

He shares what artists get wrong about deals and streaming, how to stay consistent when motivation fades, and why you can’t build momentum without mastering yourself first.

We also dive into the power of practicality, the importance of audience connection, and how redefining success on your own terms can be the difference between burnout and longevity.

Topics include:

The mindset that drives sustainable success
How to stay consistent in music and content creation
The truth about record deals and streaming
Building a loyal audience through value and repetition
Redefining success and personal growth in music

For artists, managers, and creatives who care more about building careers than chasing moments, this one’s for you.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/10DPIZCQj0y3LYNTYgo3Yy?si=etxiAgH1TJOVZRCaJjeQ-g

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

The Manager’s Playbook 043: Nic D – 1.5B Streams, Independence, Content Strategy, Streaming Revenue, Mindset, No Label, No Manager & The New Music Business Model Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

What if you built a billion-stream music career, without a label, manager, or industry connections?

That’s exactly what Nic D did. From Culpeper, Virginia, he turned $250-per-song releases and short-form content into a thriving independent business, all while staying self-managed and completely in control.

In this episode, Nic breaks down his entire system, from how he budgets every release to how he uses content as his live show. He shares how discipline, data, and mindset turned his catalog into consistent streaming income and freedom on his own terms.

We talk about:
- Building a profitable indie music model from scratch
- How to release a song with $250 and break even from streams
- Turning short-form content into real audience growth
- Mindset, self-mastery, and creative consistency
- Building community instead of chasing playlists

Whether you’re an independent artist, music manager, or entrepreneur, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to win without the machine.

This isn’t luck. It’s leverage.
It’s the new blueprint for independence.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

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

New episodes drop Tuesdays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on Why Songs Became More Valuable Than Ever Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Nick Jarjour shares the inside story behind Hipgnosis Songs Fund, the company that redefined how the world values music.

From his work alongside Merck Mercuriadis to building one of the most innovative catalog funds in history, Nick reveals how Hipgnosis raised the music multiple, shifted the economics of creativity, and gave songwriters the recognition they’ve long deserved.

He also reflects on the creation of the Grammy Songwriter of the Year Award, the fight for fair compensation, and the deeper purpose behind being a true artist advocate.

This episode is a masterclass in vision, business, and belief. A reminder that protecting the people who create culture is how you build legacy.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on The Genius Behind Rihanna’s ‘Needed Me’ Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

Nick Jarjour shares the story of Starrah, one of the most transformative songwriters in modern music. From crafting Rihanna’s “Needed Me” to shaping global hits for Camila Cabello and Maroon 5, Starrah’s journey is a masterclass in authenticity, creativity, and vision.

In this conversation, Nick explores how she redefined the relationship between artist and songwriter, why context is king, and how mental health and emotional intelligence shape long-term success. He also unpacks the idea of Return on Emotion (ROE), a reminder that the most meaningful rewards in music aren’t always financial.

This episode dives deep into the intersection of culture, creativity, and strategy, and what it really takes to build a legacy that lasts.

A conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on The Real Laws of Music Management Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

Nick Jarjour takes us inside the real world of music management.

In this conversation, Nick breaks down what it truly means to manage artists and songwriters at the highest level: protecting their vision, aligning with their values, and helping them navigate the demands of the modern industry.

He shares insights on why the best songwriters think like artists, how to build sustainable careers rooted in morals and principles, and what it takes to lead with integrity in an environment built on constant change.

This episode is a masterclass in creative leadership, a must-listen for anyone serious about building a lasting career in music.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook

Inside the Playbook: Nick Jarjour on The Real Story Behind Kanye’s Documentary Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Nick Jarjour opens up about the making of In Whose Name, a powerful and deeply human documentary on Ye that explores the intersection of mental health, creativity, and control.

In this conversation, Nick reflects on the challenges of protecting artistic truth while navigating the emotional and ethical weight of telling someone else’s story. It’s a rare look into what it means to balance creative freedom, responsibility, and integrity in modern culture.

If you care about storytelling, leadership, and the realities of the creative industry, this one will stay with you.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cCKBEnwxpbiKPW2MPFJtn?si=-kw056BBQnKZwSC-eGyS8Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook