The Manager's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Playbook: Charlie Rocket on The Marketing Strategy Behind Every Superstar Brand Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Charlie Rocket breaks down how artists can build a real superstar brand by giving fans something to belong to.

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Charlie explains why fan names, colors, symbols, emojis, accessories, catchphrases, and ad-libs matter more than most artists think. These are the details that turn passive listeners into real participants.

He also talks about why there are no secrets in marketing: study what already works, decode the pattern, and build a world fans can recognize instantly.

For independent artists, managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a simple but important reminder: great branding is not just how an artist looks. It’s how fans know they’re part of something.

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

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w⁠

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

Inside the Playbook: Charlie Rocket on This Is Why Your Artist Strategy Isn't Working Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Charlie Rocket breaks down the problem with viral-first artist development and why chasing views can hurt an artist’s long-term career.

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Charlie explains why artists should not be treated like influencers, how viral trends can damage mystique, and why real fanbase building matters more than empty attention.

He also shares how artists, managers, and small teams can use social media, fan pages, and smart content strategy to grow without relying on a record label.

For independent artists, artist managers, and aspiring music executives, this is a reminder: views are cool, but fans build careers.

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

Check out Influur Pulse and stop chasing the moment after it passes: ⁠https://www.influur.com/book-a-demo⁠

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WkHm0XSp9TX4hbyUCRGxC?si=yepnZQe2QAq1dSPZ0-H66w

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

The Manager’s Playbook 076: Charlie Rocket - Fanbase Building, Law of 62, Artist Development, Viral Content & Music Business Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

Charlie Rocket returns to The Manager’s Playbook with a full breakdown on how artists and managers can build a real fanbase without waiting on the industry.

In this episode, Charlie gets into the Law of 62, why pace matters more than slow consistency, how to create viral content without making the artist look corny, and why protecting mystique still matters in the social media era.

He also breaks down direct-to-fan strategy, superfan communities, naming your fanbase, testing music with fans, singles versus albums, AI in music, street marketing, and the mindset it takes to build an artist from the ground up.

If you’re an independent artist, artist manager, aspiring music executive, or anyone trying to understand how real fanbases are built, this one is a playbook.

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

Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 ⁠https://magicmind.com/⁠

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it.KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: ⁠⁠https://form.typeform.com/to/JNELnGw9?utm_source=xxxxx&typeform-source=bit.ly#fbclid=xxxxx&gclid=xxxxx⁠⁠

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

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: James Beshara on Mental Wealth Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and James Beshara reframe mental health as mental wealth.

James shares the personal story that pushed him to take prevention seriously, then breaks down the five daily buckets he believes help build real resilience: sleep, diet, exercise, stress management, and exogenous compounds.

They also get into consistent wake times, better sleep, alcohol, processed foods, walking, creativity, caffeine, nicotine, Adderall, and the ingredients behind Magic Mind.

For artists, managers, founders, and creatives trying to perform at a high level without burning out, this is a reminder that the work starts before the work.

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

Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Mauricio Ruiz, host of The Manager's Playbook, with over 16 years of experience for tailored advice for artists and managers. Consultation Fees Apply ⁠https://calendly.com/themanagersplaybook⁠

Check out James Beshara's Essay on Mental Wealth: https://jjbeshara.com/2020/06/04/mental-wealth/

Get 100% off APT with code TMP100 https://www.tryapt.ai/

Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 https://magicmind.com/

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XMFFyBvpSTfUzuRfCFkyu?si=sVEhF1A2StqEPEx7xFFCRA⁠⁠

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

Inside the Playbook: James Beshara on The Unsexy Truth About Making It in Music Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and James Beshara talk about focus, under-committing, and why artists need to stop trying to master everything at once.

James breaks down the idea of doing very little and doing it big. For artists, managers, and music entrepreneurs, that means building skills gradually, releasing consistently, learning from feedback, and creating systems before adding more plates to spin.

They also get into artist burnout, long-term mastery, ownership in 2026, and why the modern music business has more opportunity than ever if you can stay focused long enough to use it.

For independent artists, artist managers, aspiring executives, and anyone building a real creative career, this is a reminder that the play is not doing more.

It’s doing the right things better.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XMFFyBvpSTfUzuRfCFkyu?si=sVEhF1A2StqEPEx7xFFCRA⁠

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

Inside the Playbook: James Beshara on Why Most Music Artists Quit Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and James Beshara talk about purpose, burnout, validation, and what it really means to build with intention.

James breaks down the idea that “industry” means to persevere with purpose, and why talent alone does not mean much if you avoid the business side, the hard conversations, or the responsibility that comes with building something real.

They also get into right action, finding the role that gives you energy, the pressure artists feel to keep touring, and why personal responsibility matters in music, startups, and creative careers.

For independent artists, artist managers, aspiring executives, founders, and anyone trying to build something that lasts, this is a conversation about moving with purpose instead of chasing approval.

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

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XMFFyBvpSTfUzuRfCFkyu?si=sVEhF1A2StqEPEx7xFFCRA⁠

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

Inside the Playbook: James Beshara on Why the Solo Genius Myth is Killing Your Music Career Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz and James Beshara break down why success in any creative career usually comes down to people, practices, and tools.

James challenges the myth of the solo genius through Brian Eno’s idea of “scenius,” showing why artists, managers, founders, and creatives need the right scene, the right collaborators, and the right people around them.

They also get into pitching, sales, asking better questions, finding your zone of genius, and building teams with people whose strengths complement your weaknesses.

For independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and creative entrepreneurs, this is a reminder that talent matters, but the scene around you matters too.

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

Check out Influur Pulse and stop chasing the moment after it passes: https://www.influur.com/book-a-demo

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XMFFyBvpSTfUzuRfCFkyu?si=sVEhF1A2StqEPEx7xFFCRA

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

The Manager’s Playbook 075: James Beshara - Silicon Valley, Artist Development, Trust, Wellness & Music Business Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with angel investor, musician, founder, creator, and Magic Mind CEO James Beshara for a different kind of music business conversation.

James brings a Silicon Valley lens to artist development, independent artists, artist management, and building a career that actually lasts. We get into why “trust and a network” are the foundation of anything meaningful, what the music industry can learn from startup culture, and why recording artists need more than talent to win.

From building and selling Tilt to Airbnb, to creating Magic Mind after a major health wake-up call, James shares real lessons on purpose, reliability, productivity, fundraising, wellness, flow state, and finding your zone of genius.

Whether you’re an artist, manager, aspiring music executive, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a blueprint for building with more trust, more intention, and a lot less noise.

A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Check out James Beshara's Essay on Mental Wealth: https://jjbeshara.com/2020/06/04/mental-wealth/

Get 100% off APT with code TMP100 https://www.tryapt.ai/

Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 https://magicmind.com/

If you’re earning publishing income, make sure you’re collecting all of it.KOSIGN, powered by Kobalt, offers direct global publishing collections and real-time royalty transparency in a flexible, artist-friendly format. It’s highly selective, but free to apply here: ⁠https://form.typeform.com/to/JNELnGw9?utm_source=xxxxx&typeform-source=bit.ly#fbclid=xxxxx&gclid=xxxxx⁠

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

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

New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET

Inside the Playbook: Amber Grimes on The Mistake Every Music Executive Makes Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about self-advocacy, asking questions, and learning the business without pretending to know everything.

Amber shares how asking for help changed the way she negotiated contracts, understood stock compensation, talked about pay, and recognized her own value in rooms where those lessons are not always taught.

The conversation also gets into cultural confidence, executives of colour advocating for themselves, using every tool available, adapting to new platforms, and staying optimistic in a music business that keeps changing.

A must-listen for aspiring music executives, artist managers, independent artists, and anyone building a career in the music business.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

Inside the Playbook: Amber Grimes on The Visual Strategy That Makes Artists Memorable Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mauricio Ruiz sits down with Amber Grimes, EVP, GM, and partner at Love Renaissance (LVRN), to talk about what makes artists memorable in today’s music business.

Amber breaks down the importance of visual identity, distinctive perspective, consistency, mystery, and competitiveness when building an artist brand that can actually last.

She uses examples like Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larsson, Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Kanye West, Pink, Ne-Yo, Summer Walker, Beyoncé, Drake, and Taylor Swift to explain how artists build recognition, trust, fan engagement, and long-term connection.

The conversation also gets into authentic world-building, Summer Walker’s rollout strategy, why marketing should solve fan frustration, how oversharing can hurt longevity, and why music is still a competitive sport.

A must-listen for independent artists, artist managers, aspiring music executives, and anyone interested in artist branding, visual identity, music marketing, rollout strategy, and artist development.

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

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZGoA4uIb95Ln5Og2lT6Ga?si=Jwmq9YR2QPuq1vZ7YO7How

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Manager’s Playbook

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected