The best podcasts for challenging yourself with music and ideas that you did not know you might like...

I am the host of the podcast Spotlight On. Throughout my career I have worked with, and on behalf of, a variety of entertainment artists and brands to help them grow and shape their relationships with their fans. This work has included producing and executive producing dozens of websites, online events and campaigns, film and video projects as well as Grammy-nominated and Clio-winning products. Even a pair of experiential pop-up retail locations for a global music icon. As a commentator, I have been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal and many others. My speaking and panelist engagements have included repeat appearances at the Billboard Touring Conference, among others. I am a published writer on both business and cultural topics and am involved as a charity board member and volunteer within my community. I have loved music from a very, very young age and I have been fascinated with the music business, its characters and history for almost as long. I have particular interests in artists, how they take their creative vision to fans and how that is made easier (and more complicated) by the realities of the 21st century marketplace and media ecosystem.

Spotlight On takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes exploration of the past, present and future of modern culture and entertainment, through discussions with artists, musicians, thought leaders, industry pioneers, tech innovators and more. My podcast is essentially self-indulgent in that I explore topics I want to know more about. I just happen to assume other people share my interests. This playlist is an extension of that thinking.

As I said, I have loved music from a very, very young age and I have been fascinated with the music business, its characters and history for almost as long. So there's that. I have also been interested in freak culture, non mainstream science and philosophy. I love music, art and ideas that force my brain to consider the world and my reality in different ways. Letting these things in makes me a more open, empathetic person and makes life much more interesting.