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Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment

Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment

Saskhia Menendez & Guests 187 episodes Nov 10, 2026

Hosted by Saskhia Menendez, an award-winning advocate and music industry leader, Music Industry Insights Worldwide explores equality and diversity in the music and entertainment industries. Through candid conversations with special guests such as trailblazing artists, producers, and industry experts, the podcast shares stories, struggles, and successes from those working to create a more inclusive and equitable industry. Listeners gain insight into the challenges faced by marginalized communities and how to build a future of opportunity and representation. Alongside the podcast, Saskhia is also preparing an interactive educational book with tools and strategies for the next generation of artists and professionals.

Episodes

Jim Richmond: Music Ownership, AI, Independent Labels & The Future of the Music Industry
Jim Richmond: Music Ownership, AI, Independent Labels & The Future of the Music Industry Nov 10, 2026 35:42 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment, Saskhia Menendez speaks with Jim Richmond, Founder and CEO of TimeLess Essence, an independent record label and music publishing company.Drawing on a career spanning law enforcement, information technology and cybersecurity, Jim brings a distinctive perspective to th
From Punky Reggae to Grime: Music, Antiracism, Activism & the Business of Music | Dr Hayley Kennedy
From Punky Reggae to Grime: Music, Antiracism, Activism & the Business of Music | Dr Hayley Kennedy Nov 2, 2026 33:47 Send us Fan MailThis week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment, I'm joined by Dr Hayley Kennedy, Head of Hospitality & VIP at KMJ Entertainment, music industry professional and academic.With more than 20 years of experience in the music industry, Hayley's career has included senior roles at EMI and Warner Music Group, spa
Sherrita Duran: From Broadway to Italy, Gospel, Opera and the Power of an Unbreakable Voice
Sherrita Duran: From Broadway to Italy, Gospel, Opera and the Power of an Unbreakable Voice Oct 29, 2026 33:52 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment, we speak with Sherrita Duran, the American singer-songwriter whose extraordinary voice and artistic journey have taken her from Fresno, California, to Broadway and the biggest stages across Italy.With a degree in Opera, Music and Vocal Arts from the University of Sou
Africa to the World: Music Marketing, Streaming Growth & the Future of African Music | Uwem Brown
Africa to the World: Music Marketing, Streaming Growth & the Future of African Music | Uwem Brown Oct 28, 2026 33:29 Send us Fan MailHow does African music reach millions of listeners, and what does it take for artists to turn streams into sustainable careers?In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment, I’m joined by Uwem Brown, a music marketing and growth strategist from Lagos, Nigeria, whose experience includes working with leading Africa
From Audio Engineer to Global A&R: Frank Demilt on Discovering Talent and Building Music Markets
From Audio Engineer to Global A&R: Frank Demilt on Discovering Talent and Building Music Markets Oct 26, 2026 31:43 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment, Saskhia Menendez speaks with Frank Demilt, a music industry professional whose career spans audio engineering, artist development, A&R and international publishing.Frank began his career as an audio engineer, working with artists including Elle Varner, Rapsody, K
Beyond Fame: Authenticity, Creativity & Finding Wholeness with Ezra Vancil
Beyond Fame: Authenticity, Creativity & Finding Wholeness with Ezra Vancil Sep 17, 2026 19:22 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez speaks with artist and songwriter Ezra Vancil about creativity, authenticity and what it really means to build a meaningful artistic life.Ezra shares his journey through music, his latest 20-song double album Morning & Midnight, and the experience of creating music alongside his daughter Cozi. Together, they
Williams Ayotomiwa: Building Africa’s Creative Economy & the Future of Music
Williams Ayotomiwa: Building Africa’s Creative Economy & the Future of Music Sep 8, 2026 30:20 Send us Fan MailThis week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by Williams Ayotomiwa — Project Manager at the Creative Industries Initiative for Africa (CIIFA), working at the intersection of music, business, creativity and the wider African creative economy.Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Williams brings a valuable perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s rapidly evo
R J Deamer: The Deamer Model & Disrupting the Music Industry
R J Deamer: The Deamer Model & Disrupting the Music Industry Sep 8, 2026 29:03 Send us Fan MailThis week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by R J Deamer — creator of the Deamer Model and a driving force behind the emerging cross-Atlantic country-rap movement.Described as the “architect” behind a sound that combines the grit of the outlaw with the rhythm of the street, Deamer has developed a distinctive cinematic identity through his music and the HOLOGRAM al
Mindset, Ownership & the Independent Artist: Building Your Own Path in Music - Kenneth Johnson
Mindset, Ownership & the Independent Artist: Building Your Own Path in Music - Kenneth Johnson Sep 8, 2026 24:02 Send us Fan MailThis week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by Kenneth “Munir Vibes” Johnson independent artist, entrepreneur and founder of Vibes Up Entertainment.Kenneth brings together music, mindset and digital strategy to help independent artists navigate today’s rapidly changing music industry with greater clarity, intention and ownership.In this conversation, we explore wha
From Peruvian Rhythms to London: A Journey Through Music, Theatre & Sound - Bettine Solf
From Peruvian Rhythms to London: A Journey Through Music, Theatre & Sound - Bettine Solf Sep 8, 2026 20:56 Send us Fan MailThis week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by a Peruvian musician, performer and sound producer whose creative journey spans classical piano, theatre, live performance and contemporary music production.Starting classical piano at just five years old, our guest went on to train as an actor at CSSD and Mountview before graduating from Abbey Road Institute with an Ad
From Electronic Music to Visual Art: Mr. Statik on Creativity, Transformation & the Power of Reinvention
From Electronic Music to Visual Art: Mr. Statik on Creativity, Transformation & the Power of Reinvention Jul 21, 2026 34:10 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez is joined by Stathis Kalatzis, aka Mr. Statik, a pioneering figure in the Greek electronic music scene whose two-decade career has taken him from DJ booths and record labels to global music curation, experimental audiovisual projects and the world of contemporary painting.Known for his hypnotic, energetic and st
Fighting for the Future of Live Music: Tommy Dorfman on Power, Representation, Monopolies & Industry Change
Fighting for the Future of Live Music: Tommy Dorfman on Power, Representation, Monopolies & Industry Change Jul 21, 2026 33:38 Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez is joined by Tommy Dorfman, a pioneering figure in the live music and EDM world whose extraordinary journey is rooted in creativity, resilience, advocacy and a fight for greater equity within the music industry.Tommy's story began at just 16, when he moved out on his own and went on to become a maj

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