Break the Business

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Episodes

521

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

A show for indie creators and the people who love and support them. Break the Business Podcast is a fun and informative discussion of entertainment law (for non-lawyers), independent artists, and popular culture. Break the Business is recorded live on Thursdays at 9pm Eastern at twitch.tv/breakthebusiness. Catch the show on Mondays at 6pm on SiriusXM Channel 145 SLAM Radio and on all major podcast platforms! If you'd like to be a guest or have any questions, please send us an email at breakthebusiness@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 14, 202659 min

BTB Ep 520: Are we making changes to the Copyright Office; singer - songwriter Nick Cain

TOPICS: Can artists really get business opportunities through Instagram DMs? Congress is proposing a bill that would make the Register of Copyrights a President-appointed position, and Ryan talks about why that might be a bad thing; our guest this week is entrepreneur and singer-songwriter Nick Cain. Nick’s new album “Singled Out” is available now, and you can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.nickcainmusic.com.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 7, 20261 hr 4 min

BTB Ep 519: An “Obsession” with indie filmmakers; music executive Russ Rieger

TOPICS: Ryan and Zak Sloan talk about “Obsession” topping the box office with less than a $1m budget; how to fix Spotify; our guest this week is music executive Russ Rieger. Russ is the co-founder of Not Dead Yet Media, a company that aims to give indie artists management, label, catalog acquisition, events, and content services under one roof. You can find out more about our guest's work by visiting notdeadyetmedia.com.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 31, 20261 hr 8 min

BTB Ep 518: YouTube is trying to win Emmys; musician and actor Martin Luther McCoy

TOPICS: YouTube and Dropout are investing heavily in FYC Emmy campaigns—will the industry take note?ElisaRockDoc career update: our guest this week is musician and actor Martin Luther McCoy. His new album Welcome Back Love” drops on July 17th on his own Rebel Soul Records imprint. You can find out more about our guest's work by visiting martinluthermccoy.com.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 24, 20261 hr 2 min

BTB Ep 517: Rising fuel costs are making tours more expensive; Kelly and Paul from Blue Frog Immersive

TOPICS: What can artists do about rising fuel costs making tours more expensive? Boring bands don’t get booked; our guests this week are Kelly Breaks and Paul Mezier, developers of the Blue Frog Immersive VR Concert App for the Apple Vision Pro. We talk to Kelly andPaul about their app and the future of VR concerts for indie creators. You can find out more about our guests’ work by visiting https://bluefrogstudios.ca.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 17, 202657 min

BTB Ep 516: Taylor Swift’s Sound Trademarks; entrepreneur Caro Castilla

TOPICS: Ryan and Producer Lauren talk about Taylor Swift’s latest trademark news, including her new “Hey, It’s Taylor” sound trademarks and the latest in her “Life of a Showgirl” trademark lawsuit; our guest this week is music producer, entrepreneur, and AIfuturist Caro Castilla. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.lovemyrobot.ai.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 10, 202658 min

BTB Ep 515 : Zak and Lauren takeover with guest Maria Ellis

Topics: Zak and Lauren run the show while Ryan is away celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary. Touring artists: Ticketmaster is causing artists Blue Dot Fever. Taylor Swift seeks trademark protection from potential AI threats. Chat with our guest, Singer/songwriter/producer, Maria Ellis.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 27, 202659 min

BTB Ep 514: A love letter to the music industry; Sarah Nagourney of She Creates Noise

TOPICS: Is the music industry a good place for indie artists in 2026? We answer a listener's question about equity crowdfunding. Our guest this week is Sarah Nagourney, executive, songwriter, and host of the She Creates Noise podcast. You can find out more about our guests’ work by visiting www.sarahnagourney.com.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 19, 20261 hr 3 min

BTB Ep 513: LiveNation Verdict; Simonetta Lein

TOPICS: Ryan and Gideon King break down the April 15th jury verdict in the LiveNation/TicketMaster Trial; our guest this week is TV host and social entrepreneur Simonetta Lein. Check out the Simonetta Lein show and find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.simonettalein.com.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 12, 202657 min

BTB Ep 512: Are record deals becoming more favorable with artists; singer and podcaster Miist

TOPICS: Record deals are becoming more favorable for artists but also less favorable; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs; the power of positive visualization; our guest this week is singer, songwriter, and podcast host Miist. Miist’s new single “Love Will Show Us Our Way” is available now, and you can find our guest on most social media platforms @miistthesinger.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 5, 202659 min

BTB Ep 511: Sync opportunties in indie video games; author Amani Roberts

TOPICS: Ryan and ElisaRockDoc talk about indie video games and the unique sync licensing opportunities that they provide to artists; Taylor Swift is facing a lawsuit over her“Life of a Showgirl” brand; our guest this week is author, manager, DJ, and music businessprofessor Amani Roberts. Amani’s book “The Quiet Storm” about the impact and legacy ofR&B groups is available now! Visit www.amaniexperience.com.Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtbpodcast. Like Break the Business on Facebook and tell a friend about the show. Visit www.ryankairalla.com to find out more about Ryan's entertainment, education, and business projects.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.