Shawn Setaro (Twitter: @sameoldshawn) is a writer and reporter for podcasts at Complex.  Throughout his prolific career he has written for The Atlantic, Vibe, The Source, GQ, Forbes, the Sondheim Review, and many more outlets.  He was formerly, the Editor-in-Chief of Genius.com.  He was the writer and reporter on Spotify x Complex podcasts…. Infamous: The Tekashi 6ix9ine Story, narrated by NYC radio legend Angie Martinez; a second season of Infamous about Florida rapper YNW Melly; and Complex Subject: Pop Smoke, a biographical series about the late Brooklyn rap star.  Shawn created and hosted The Cipher, a podcast that featured interviews with over 200 legendary figures in hip-hop and is a newly published author with his book, Complex Presents: Dummy Boy, Tekashi 6ix9ine and the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, available wherever books are sold.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ How Shawn first got into journalism
+ Stumbling across and working at RapGenius.com when it was just in embryo form
+ How rap music can assuage feelings of PTSD
+ Getting signed to a record label and then it falling apart and the trauma that can leave artists with for a long period of time
+ Lack of proper resources within the music industry to deal with emotional and mental health
+ In a society that glorifies hustle mentality and productivity, it’s crucial to avoid burnout 
+ What got Shawn so interested in the Tekashi 69 saga
+ Our fascination with celebrity culture and the history behind it
+ Shawn’s biggest adversity in his own journey and what he learned from the experience

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Complex Senior Writer & Former Genius Editor-in-Chief — Shawn Setaro

The iconic, Oscar-Winning song "Lose Yourself" from the movie "8-mile" turned 20 years old on October 28th, 2022.

Jeff Bass (IG: @thejeffbass) is a Detroit native music producer, who is best known for his work grooming and developing the sound of Eminem.  He's credited for producing and co-writing the Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself” from the movie 8-Mile, and has attained multiple Grammy awards during his longtime collaboration with Eminem, including "Without Me", "Sing For The Moment" and many more.  His first entrance into the music business was being signed to Quincy Jones at the age 19.  Jeff struggled on food stamps and government cheese as a new parent in his 30's and did not reach his breakthrough success with Eminem until he was 38 years old.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ The magic of minor mode songs…
+ How did fame change you and Eminem?
+ Memorable Jimmy Iovine moment?
+ The rare occasions when artists call the shots at record labels
+ The stars align again.. 8 mile move + “lose yourself” coalesce 
+ Chrysler super bowl commercial x “lose yourself”
+ Eminem's 4th album “Encore” where the road began to get rocky
+ The importance of being careful with your money in the music business
+ The last song Jeff recorded with Eminem
+ The last time Jeff & Eminem spoke and how the conversation went...
+ Painful memories and lessons Jeff learned along the path
+ Jeff's new struggle...
+ What advice Jeff would give to his 18 year old self
+ Jeff's biggest career HIGH
+ Jeff's biggest career LOW
+ How to keep your ego in check even after success and how we cannot do anything great without a team..

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Going From Food Stamps To Winning An Oscar w/Eminem, 20th Anniversary Of "Lose Yourself" — Jeff Bass

Che Pope (IG: @wrkshpclub) is an American music executive, record producer and songwriter from Boston, Massachusetts.  He is the former COO of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D record label.  He also is a multi-Grammy Winning music producer most notably for his work on Lauryn Hill’s iconic debut album, “Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.’  Che has worked with and been mentored by some of music greatest minds, including: Dr. Dre, legendary music composer, Hanz Zimmer, and Quincy Jones.  Che recently founded WRKSHP, based in Detroit Michigan.  It’s funded by Cleveland Cavaliers Owner & Billionaire, Dan Gilbert.  WRKSHP is a record label, artist development company and media house.  After a lengthy career Che is still hungry and seeks to impact culture in a myriad of ways.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // 

+ How Che got his start in music with no industry contacts
+ Being at Biggie’s first ever live performance
+ Losing multiple friends in the music biz to suicide
+ Theories on why so many rappers are being killed today
+ Becoming COO of Kanye’s record label GOOD Music
+ Che’s thoughts on Kanye West when they met back in the day
+ The differences between working in Dr. Dre camp versus Kanye’s camp
+ Learning from things going left producing Lauryn Hill’s, “Miss Education Of Lauryn Hill” 
+ Life changing advice from Quincy Jones
+ Things he learned working with Dr. Dre, Hanz Zimmer, & Kanye West

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Former Head Of Kanye West’s Label & Lauryn Hill Producer — Che Pope

Zalma (IG: @zalmabour) and I sit down for a special birthday episode! :) She is a brilliant singer, musician, producer and model originally from Cleveland, Ohio now based in LA.  Over the course of her 15+ years working in music, she has collaborated with many Grammy winning artists & producers.  Additionally, Zalma is also steeped in the healing arts and has studied both breathwork and reiki, she is a certified teacher in the latter.  Zalma has two forthcoming projects, as a solo artist and as part of an artist collective called, Childish.  Both will be dropping in 2023.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // 

+ Zalma & Samson have a birthday toast!
+ Why we don’t want our dreams to happen too early
+ Too many artists putting off living to pursue their crafts
+ What separates one artist from achieving their dreams vs. one who doesn’t
+ Monitoring your energy when you are reaching out to people
+ The medicinal aspects of music & podcasting 
+ Zalma shares her new mantra… “This time is different” 
+ The more attached you are to a specific outcome the more you can be hindered
+ No one has your unique DNA signature, and we need to use it to touch others

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Cheat Codes to Unlocking Your Full Potential — Zalma

Seano McFarland (IG: @teamseano) is a certified addiction therapist, life coach, and interventionist specializing in chemical dependency, sexual addiction and trauma.  He’s been a longtime therapist to Mike Tyson helping guide & counsel him the past 15 years.  Seano’s overall career in recovery spans 20+ years and he’s made notable impacts within his frame of work, including national lectures, appearances on Oprah, Dateline, and many other major media networks.  Since founding Shell Recovery Center in Venice, CA he has helped celebrities and non-celebrities alike, and has also consulted for the NBA & NFL.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ Seano getting kidnapped as a child in Arizona
+ Overcoming our adversity and seeing it as a homecoming story
+ Being in the dark so long that we can run from the light because it’s so foreign to us
+ Staying in “the middle of the herd” / in the middle of community, where we are at our safest
+ Alcohol & drugs aren’t the problem, they are our maladaptive solution to our living problem
+ Why you should NOT keep secrets…. Seano philosophy: “secrets can kill you”
+ The shameful things we’ve done which we think are so unique, are truly not and why we need to share them with trustworthy people to heal
+ “The world doesn’t need to change, we do” + “the only person you suffer from is you” – Seano Sayings 😊
+ Seano receiving a DUI….. on a bicycle
+ Jeff Goldbum being a mentor to Seano and what he learned being around him
+ Seano getting hit by a car when his life was at a peak of success
+ What makes Mike Tyson so unique from others who are successful?
+ How Seano helped Mike Tyson navigate his way out of rock bottom

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Mike Tyson’s Longtime Therapist On Shifting Your Narrative — Seano McFarland

Christopher M. Bailey & DJ Wolvie (IG: @Chrisvsmyself & @DJWolvie) are local LA legendary cats by way of Tucson, Arizona.  They’re both multi-hyphenate creatives and live on the bleeding edge of culture in both the clothing and music space.  Chris established the super buzzing, Last One Left, clothing brand which has been featured in The Los Angeles Times and worn by some of your favorite entertainers.  DJ Wolvie is a super talented DJ with a musical palette that spans many genres.  He formerly worked at HipHopDX and is a frequent collaborator with the Last One Left brand.  Chris’s life story was featured in the HBO Documentary, “Fake Famous,” which is a social experiment that highlights 3 up and coming creatives and manufactures turning them into “influencers” by hyping them up and buying fake followers for them on social media.  DJ Wolvie was featured in the documentary as well.  If you haven’t seen it, you should go watch it!  Wild stuff!

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ Showing up to a job interview thinking it was for Pharrell but finding out it was for Jay-Z
+ Navigating closed doors and trusting the timing of everything unfolding
+ Feeling out of place and getting harassed by bros in the party scene of Tucson, Arizona
+ Chris watching his mom spiral out of control from addiction and watching her go in and out of rehabs
+ Wolvie leaving Arizona for LA to work at HipHopDX and only getting paid $150 per month
+ The origins of Chris’s clothing company “Last One Left”
+ The culture and nuances within the thrifting community for clothes and the idea of “compounding karma” within it
+ Suggesting an indie NYC nightclub to one of Jay-Z’s friends and then watching the surrealness of Jay-Z and Beyonce pulling up to the club that same night
+ Being in HBO’s “Fake Famous” documentary and the ridiculousness that Chris & Wolvie observed
+ Being super mindful of who you keep in your inner circle, and why it’s essential to realizing your full potential

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Building A Streetwear Brand & Featuring in HBO's ‘Fake Famous’ Documentary — CM & DJ Wolvie

Coodie & Chike (IG: @Coodierock & @Cozah) are Emmy-Nominated and acclaimed producers, directors, and documentarians.  They are the directors & visionaries behind Netflix’s documentary “Jeen-Yuhs,” the 3-part trilogy showcasing the never before seen, two-decade plus, behind the scenes life of Kanye West, starting from when no one believed in him all the way through launching a multi-billion-dollar shoe and clothing empire.  The duo launched their directorial debut with Kanye West’s break through single, “Through the Wire” in 2003.  Coodie started out as a comedian and was also the co-founder of the legendary 90’s hip-hop platform “Channel Zero” which featured some of the biggest icons of the genre early in their careers:  Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs N’ Harmony, Nas, and many others…  Chike, has been a consummate student of the arts from an early age, attending the prestigious, Rhode Island School of Design as well as the Savannah College of Art & Design.  Some of their other work includes:  30 for 30 “Benji” Documentary (on the life of an All-American high school basketball phenom who’s life was tragically cut short when he was killed in the south-side of Chicago), many iconic music videos including, Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” and they are currently working on an upcoming documentary on the life of Ernie Barns Jr. a prolific, African-American artist, well known for his style of elongated characters and movement.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS // 

+ How their acclaimed, ESPN 30 for 30 “Benji” Documentary came together
+ How it sadly takes tragedy to unite us 
+ Being pressured by Hollywood executives into deals they weren’t ready to sign
+ Be patient, it takes time to get good at your craft!
+ Coodie dropping everything to move to NY to document Kanye prior to his success
+ Kanye having a habit of exploding whenever he hears someone use the word “Can’t”
+ Creatives with deep chemistry coming together to work & how rare and special this can be
+ Artists becoming the “character” and abandoning their former selves after success
+ Drake hitting up Coodie days before the release of the documentary saying he wanted to narrate the whole thing and Kanye saying he wanted Drake instead of Coodie to narrate it
+ Kanye West’s life and career spiraling downwards shortly after the release of the documentary they spent years putting together
+ The subliminal message of the documentary not really being so much about the Genius of Kanye West but rather to remind us that we all have a unique genius within and to give us the encouragement needed to push through the NO’s and resistance to cultivate and express it!

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Kanye West Netflix Documentary ‘Jeen-Yuhs’ Emmy-Nominated Directors — Coodie & Chike

Stan Taylor (IG: @_Stantaylor_) is an LA based, super soulful R&B singer, raised in Central California.  He moved to LA in 2009, after winning a reality television competition with ABC/Disney. This appearance would lead him to more opportunities to travel the world performing his music and building a fan base.  Throughout his career, Stan has collaborated with many Grammy-winning music producers and served as the resident in-house singer for the popular LA night spot frequented by Drake, The Kardashians and many more called Delilah’s.  Definitely go peep Stan Taylor’s most recent project, “Sweet Nostalgia” which dropped in March 2023.

Are you a struggling creative looking for support? Book a coaching clarity session with Samson, spaces are limited, follow this link: https://calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ Being super into athletics prior to music and how that drive/discipline served pursuing music
+ Being friends with the nerdy theatre kids while athletes clowned Stan for his choice of not pursuing sports
+ Super key takeaway: “Discipline is confidence” 
+ How people get slept on all the time, and how even Kanye initially was slept on as shown in Netflix “Jeen-Yuhs” Documentary
+ The irony of people being so thirsty for authenticity, but most being terrified to share at this level
+ Keep a baby picture of yourself nearby so you can be kinder to yourself and remember your true essence
+ How wins and mini-breakthroughs can be the universe co-signing us and we can use them as signs to keep going
+ Being friends with people who can bless you with opportunities and the fine line of patience for it to happen naturally and asking for things, remembering, “closed mouths don’t get fed”
+ Snapping yourself out of funks by asking yourself… “how long do you want to hurt like this?”
+ Insight: “When we build a home in someone else, they have the power to make us homeless”

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Discipline Equals Confidence & Remembering The Little Kid Who Still Lives Inside Us — Stan Taylor

produced by Zalma
Mixed/mastered by Cary Singer

a course in faith

In partnership with the 988 national suicide & crisis lifeline, we’re dropping this very special episode in honor of world mental health day – October 10th, 2023. If you are someone you know is struggling with their mental health please call 988 from any cell phone for support 24/7.

Justice Baiden (IG: @justicewearscoolpants) is an entrepreneur, co-founder and head of A&R at ATL’s hottest R&B label, LVRN.  They are one of the only record labels that offers both its artists and staff access to a mental health program, which includes a stipend for therapy, gym memberships, healthy food and more.  Some of his most notable signings include the multi-platinum and Grammy-winning artists, Summer Walker & 6lack, two defining voices of their generation in today’s music space.  Justice was born in Kennesaw, Atlanta and raised by parents who are both immigrants from Ghana.  Earlier this year LVRN received a $100 Million dollar investment from label & publisher, MUSIC, to help scale its operations and impact even further.

Feeling stuck, anxious, or burned out as a creative?
You don’t have to do it alone.
We offer therapy and coaching to help you thrive.
Book your FREE 15-min session: calendly.com/connectionismagic

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ LVRN being one of the only record labels to offer a stipend for mental health support to its artists and how this came to be
+ How Summer Walker was at first super opposed to therapy (sidenote: Justice used to be as well) and how their feelings towards it eventually evolved + how he snuck a therapist backstage and passed her off as his friend to help Summer
+ Having to sneak his way into Summer Walker’s computer, because she was so shy sharing new songs at the time when he was A&R’ing her first project for the label
+ The pivot Justice made into pursuing the business side ofs music after his failed attempt at becoming a rapper
+ A helpful mindset on how to use social media as an artist in with a healthier perspective
+ The importance of having adversity so that we not only appreciate our wins more but to actually end up with a more cool & compelling story to share with others
+ Justice having to figure out how to navigate the music business prior to having all the information on it that’s available today
+ Discovering 6lack and helping introduce him to therapy and witnessing how much he’s evolved as an artist and human being
+ Helpful tips on becoming more resilient and bouncing back after going through bad deals as an artist
+ Why it’s so important when we feel lost to travel and leave our everyday surroundings to get a perspective shift
+ Understanding the dynamics of a team environment and exploring the pro’s & con’s + do’s & don’ts when operating within a team
+ Outgrowing friendships, why it happens and how best to navigate it
+ How we’re taught in school to stay inside the box but paradoxically, all the figures we teach kids about in textbooks are those who have stepped outside the box
+ Drake helping blowup Summer’s career after discovering her song “Girls Need Love” and jumping on a remix after Justice convinced her to ask him via IG
+ Focusing on the work not the results and how it always, always, always comes down to God’s & the universe’s timing no matter how badly we want it to happen

Hit up CONNECTIONISMAGIC.COM to sign up for our email list and get access to new episodes before they drop, special animated story clips from our most powerful episodes and other special goodies & offers!

Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

Surviving Today’s Music Industry w/Summer Walker & 6LACK's Label Founder — Justice Baiden

"Unstoppable" by Zalma Bour 

Produced by Yakob 
additional production: Zalma Bour
Mixed by Jon Castelli & Ingmar Carlson

Unstoppable

Connection is Magic is a podcast and non-profit 501c3. We are a “Lighthouse for Creatives,” dedicated to empowering those in arts & entertainment. Ego, volatility, and burnout create obstacles at every step of the creative journey. Yet art remains essential—it heals and profoundly connects us in an increasingly divided world.

Hosted by Samson Shulman, therapist and former music executive, we feature raw conversations with voices from all facets of the creative landscape. Listeners learn to turn pain into purpose while finding more grace and inner clarity.

The podcast was born out of host, Samson’s “dark night of the soul,” after a battle with Lyme Disease, a near death experience and severe career burnout working at Interscope Records, The Tonight Show and in Artist Management. 

WATCH interviews on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@connectionismagic
FOLLOW on Instagram: www.instagram.com/connectionismagic
BOOK 1 on 1 therapy for creatives: calendly.com/connectionismagic
SUPPORT the podcast: paypal.com/paypalme/connectionismagic
WEBSITE: connectionismagic.org

Complex Senior Writer & Former Genius Editor-in-Chief — Shawn Setaro

Connection is Magic with Samson Shulman