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

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Love and blessings,

– TEAM CIM

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

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
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WEBSITE: connectionismagic.org

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

Connection is Magic with Samson Shulman