Now for something a little different…

While at Music Pro ’26 in Hollywood at the Musicians Institute, David caught up with his friend and collaborator Sunavana Grace (of S.H.I.N.E. TV Global Network) to talk about relationships and love.

Whether you’re in a relationship now or want to be, this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show offers an opportunity for you to reflect on how you’re connecting with yourself, your significant other, and the world.


In This Episode:

- The spontaneous California adventure Sunavana went on


- Musician Institute’s proximity to Hollywood Boulevard


- Sunavana’s collaboration with Andrew Michael Houghton of Extraordinary Men’s Network


- The funny thing Andrew did while going live on Zoom


- The biggest challenge people are facing in relationships


- How uncovering your true self is the pathway to love


- Why Sunavana left her husband


- Why Sunavana believes forgiveness is the hardest part


- How time plays a role in getting to know someone


- How you can end up repeating relationship patterns you don’t recognize

Key Resources:

- Spark Infinity


- S.H.I.N.E. TV Global Network


- Extraordinary Men’s Network


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

Key Insights from Sunavana


Here’s a recap of some of the insights Sunavana shared with us regarding relationships:

(Remember – you can just as easily apply this to band communication, pitching to bloggers, asking for the gig, etc. Doing internal work can also help prepare you for new opportunities.)


Believe in Love


Many people feel like they’ve been burned and have a hard time believing that they can love again. Working through childhood challenges and trauma can help you remove the masks you’ve been wearing (to survive) and drive down to the core of who you are.


Forgiveness is Key


Forgive others. But also forgive yourself for being the kind of person who attracted, or said “yes” to someone you regret saying yes to. As Sunavana adds, unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and forgiveness is like drinking the remedy.


Communication Improves Through Time Together


It can be hard to read someone when you’re first getting to know them. But quality time can help you learn their idiosyncrasies, which may not be the red flags you’ve envisioned them to be.


You’re Invited!


Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll be pleased to know we have more on the way. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show. You will receive weekly emails notifying you of the latest episodes. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/authentic-connected-relationships-with-sunavana-grace/




Does AI pose an existential threat to artists and humanity? Does it spell certain doom for original creativity? Are there any legal protections or policies going into place to protect the independent creator?

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David wrangles RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier into a conversation at Music Pro ’26 about AI technologies and their broader implications for artists and the music industry.


In This Episode:

- What the RIAA has identified as the major issues surrounding AI


- How AI disclosure is becoming essential


- Why Mitch feels AI represents a major opportunity for artists


- Why the AI literate will be positioned to take advantage of more opportunities


- How the music industry has adapted and thrived through multiple significant shifts


- Why AI policy is crucial for protecting creatives, especially now


- What Mitch thinks of David’s MRCT framework


- Why the fans are in control and how to avoid an authenticity backlash


- How Mitch describes the artist model for 2026


- Why David doesn’t believe in outsourcing his brain to AI


- How Hypebot suggests creators utilize AI (great quote!)

Key Resources:

- Recording Industry Association of America: advocating for the music ecosystem through policy


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

David’s Best Tips for Leveraging AI


AI can be a blessing or a curse (or both, or even something in between) based on your understanding and context of how it works. And this isn’t something we can get across in a paragraph.

What we can offer, however, is a high-level view of how you can effectively leverage AI in your creative work. Here’s David’s framework:


Study Prompt Engineering


If you want to get better outputs from AI chatbots, you must speak their language. That’s the essence of prompt engineering.

You don’t necessarily need to become a professional prompt engineer. Taking a couple of Udemy courses should prove more than enough to get started.

Subscribing to newsletters like Superhuman AI for ongoing inspiration.


Experiment Broadly


Before wholesale adopting and implementing AI in your ecosystem, experiment. Try a variety of things, from researching relevant topics to analyzing a dataset.

AI is seductive in its appeal. But you can’t look at its work through rose-tinted glasses, or you will be in danger of believing everything it does is great. Reality check – it isn’t.

You’ve got to push its limits and question its outputs. Notice what it does well and notice where it fails. Then, learn how to steer it towards useful generations.

This part doesn’t come together overnight. Experiment broadly, and make level-headed observations.


Determine Where AI is Most Useful and Effective


Also see the previous point. As you experiment, identify where AI can be of productive assistance to you. This will vary from creator to creator, but it’s crucial to determine where it can and cannot provide efficiencies before committing to its outputs.

David uses a mix of tools to create social media posts, podcast transcripts, short videos (clips), podcast show notes drafts, and more. But he doesn’t use AI for any of his writing.


Create Frameworks


Creating repeatable processes makes it possible to generate more consistent and predictable results.

Using the same chat for the same tasks is a good start, but crafting a prompt that works every time is the real flex.

Document and store the frameworks that boost your efficiency and make your life easier.


Establish a Central Repository


While AI can go beyond your prompt and search the web for additional information, it still hallucinates and digs up useless and inaccurate reference points.

A better strategy is to create a central repository (in Google Drive) for key contextual information (style guides, audience research, frameworks, etc.) and give your AI model access to this information.

Keep in mind, though, that you need to keep your repository up-to-date, or chatbots will assume earlier context.


Be the Final Reviewer and Decisionmaker


There are things AI can provide and those it cannot.

This James Schramko video explains it very well:

To summarize, AI can provide structure, discipline, consistency, and speed. But you’re the only one who can provide taste, context, authority, experience, and final calls.

Whatever you’re generating, use your filter of taste, context, authority, experience and final calls to improve outputs.


Be Real


Disclose AI use. Let people know when and where you’re utilizing it, especially where it’s likely to become a legal requirement (e.g., creator platforms).

AI hate is strong and growing. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose by hiding your use of AI.

And if you’re still one of the real ones creating real content, be proud of this fact and let your audience know.


You’re Invited!


Thanks for listening. How would you like to keep up-to-date with the podcast? Please take a moment to subscribe. You will receive weekly emails notifying you of the latest developments. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/ai-and-the-music-industry-with-mitch-glazier/




Have you ever thought about predicting music trends and earning income from them?

Perhaps not, because this is still an emerging idea. But it’s a very interesting one, particularly for independent artists looking to diversify their income streams.

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David catches up with Justin Longo of MarinNation in Hollywood, CA, while attending the Music Pro ’26 conference.

Besides getting an update on Justin’s progress on his still-in-development skill-based music prediction market platform, the two also touch on how AI is changing the music industry landscape and strategies modern artists can adopt to ensure their human advantages are properly leveraged.


In This Episode:

- What Justin noticed about David after meeting him for the first time


- How MariNation shifted from an investment platform to a skill-based music prediction platform (and what that means)


- The real story behind Justin’s entrepreneurial and musical journey


- How Justin suggests supporting yourself while growing your hustle


- The secret formula David learned from Andrew Dubber


- David’s framework for human-driven independent music success


- Justin’s experiments with TikTok and what it has taught him about content volume


- Why Justin believes people will never buy music again


- What Steve Vai said about utilizing AI in music


- How David views current news headlines concerning AI developments


- The contentious ideas David thinks musicians need to start “shaking hands” with

Key Resources:

- MariNation: Justin’s music prediction platform


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

David’s MRCT Framework for Human-Driven Independent Success


The MRCT Framework lays out the advantages that humans have over AI. Now that AI can produce convincing-sounding pop music, which creates a new skill floor for musicians, musicians must emphasize human connection.

This framework, of course, could work with the assistance of AI. But that part is key – with the assistance of. Use AI to enhance working processes and scale viable opportunities, not enhance mistakes and scale insanity.


M – Message


The core of your artistic identity. What do you stand for? What are you about? What’s your mission? These might not be easy questions to answer, but the sooner you can figure this out, the sooner you can organize your activity around a singular purpose.

Your Message should drive your brand, your image, everything you do. It should inform your musical choices, lyrics, stage costumes, merchandise, and fan conversations.

A great band without a message might make great music, but that’s not a differentiator or a competitive advantage. Plenty of artists make great music. What will attract people to you is a meaning they can rally behind.


R – Relationship


A fan base grows stronger through Relationship. People want to feel like they belong. They want to feel like they’re part of a movement. They want to feel good about themselves and to share that with like-minded others.

You can offer this to your fans, particularly in the early going. You can learn everyone’s names, send them a text every week or two, maybe even organize a wings night now and then. Read How to Win Friends and Influence People while you’re at it. It will help!


C – Community


At some point, Relationship will become unscalable. It’s still a good idea to get to know your fans and stay connected to them, to the extent possible, but at some point, you’ll need to transition to building your Community.

You can introduce new fans to old fans. Heck, you can make your old fans the leaders of the community. You can teach and instill in them in the values that built the culture.

And you can start doing things that will scale for a long time to come – play birthday parties, organize album signings, do live streams.


T – Taste-making


You can introduce your fans to things you enjoy. They are bound to trust your recommendations, and assuming you share quality things, they will keep returning to you for more.

This positions you as the go-to person for entertainment and fun. People will want to talk to you, just because you know about the coolest lounges, restaurants, bookstores, and so on. This will also lead to more gigs, because people will want to book you for their personal events.

AI can only make suggestions. You can be a tastemaker!


You’re Invited!


If you want to keep up with podcast updates and support the show, please take a moment to subscribe. You will receive weekly emails notifying you of the latest. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/music-prediction-markets-with-justin-longo/

I knew it would be important for me to attend Music Pro ’26, I just didn’t know why. Even as the date approached, I had some reservations about making the trip down to Hollywood.

I was aware from the outset that there probably wouldn’t be much income potential for me, but I also knew that connections could be made and opportunities could be created. So, I took a leap of faith.

What I’m taking away from Music Pro ’26, however, is a little unexpected, even for me. Here’s what happened…

(By the way, none of what I share here is meant as a slight to Music Pro ’26, its organizers, sponsors, or otherwise. As far as I’m concerned, they pulled off the conference with flying colors, and I give them kudos for having kept the train on track to the very end.)


The Music Business isn’t for Me


And by that I mean the do-it-for-your-passion, do-it-because-you-love-it, grind-it-out-until-you-make-it method most musicians are told to follow and subject themselves to.

For those not in the know – I already slogged through those years (documented in The New Music Industry), and I need to put them where they belong – squarely behind me.

Technically, I’m not saying anything new; I’m just finally putting into words what was previously only a feeling.

At the conference, I came across a higher leverage model that utilizes other people’s audiences (OPA) and allows for higher income and freedom. If I’m going to pursue anything in live performance, it would be a model like that.

So, if you ask me whether I have any gigs coming up and I answer “no,” this is why. If I’m playing any low-paying or pro bono gigs, it will only ever be once or twice per year, and it probably won’t be widely promoted.


I Must Put a Price on My Presence


It feels a little gross even saying this, but I have come to a point in my career where I can’t be indiscriminately showing up to events, going unacknowledged, and not receiving in return what I give.

I have a long history of putting in and giving far more than was ever expected of me, even when I wasn’t getting paid to do it.

The thing is, I can just as soon stay home and work at my day job or write another blog post for a larger audience. I can do any number of things that might be more fulfilling or value-adding.

Yet, there have been many times at events when I have been specifically told that my presence made a difference. It didn’t matter much whether I was a stage manager, tech host, or interviewer. My work was appreciated, but more than that, my presence was.

Pattern observed. It’s time for me to charge for what people find valuable.


I’m Inching Closer to My Purpose (by Process of Elimination)


In my last session with her, my coach gave me the task of identifying my values and ultimately my purpose. This has proven challenging for a few reasons:

- When I followed what I thought my purpose was previously, I ended up feeling like a martyr. I didn’t feel like I was getting back what I was giving.


- There isn’t a singular turning point in my life. There have been many, and therefore, many pain points. Which pain am I meant to share and heal in others?


- I’ve realized that the mode of delivery (blog, podcast, concert, video, live stream, etc.) is just a means of communicating the message, not the message itself.

Yet, having realized that the music business isn’t for me has given me increased clarity, and more importantly, motivation, again. Even if I don’t know exactly what I’m supposed to be doing yet, I know one more thing I’m not supposed to be doing, and that gets me closer to where I need to be.

Have you been reflecting on the direction of your career lately? Have you come to any major realizations? I would love to hear your thoughts. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/what-im-taking-away-from-music-pro-26/




🎒 What did I actually bring back from Music Pro '26?

- Not a PRS guitar (unfortunately 😄)…


- But definitely a bag full of music industry goodies.

In this video, I’m unpacking everything—from tote bags and earplugs to stickers, promo materials, and a few unexpected items that somehow made it into the mix.

But more than that, this video represents a bit of a shift for me…

Instead of just pushing out content for consistency’s sake, I’m focusing on:

- ✅ Finishing what I start


- ✅ Putting real care into what I create


- ✅ Letting the process breathe a bit

Sometimes that means simpler videos like this — but they’re still part of the journey.

So here’s my question for you:


If you went to Music Pro '26…


👉 What would you have hoped to walk away with?

More insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes from Music Pro '26 coming soon 👀

Don't miss out on the limited-time T-shirt bundle. Order yours now. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28398




The "Peacocking" Shirt has arrived! 📦🔥

If you followed one of my last videos, you saw the "vanilla vs. star" design struggle. Well, the bag finally showed up (a few days late, but we’ll forgive them!), and it was time for the moment of truth.

I’m doing a full unboxing and fit test of the new T-shirt. As someone with a "pro wrestler" build, finding the right fit is always a gamble, but I’m happy to report that this "walking business card" was ready for its Los Angeles debut at MusicPro26!


Inside the video:

- ✅ The first look at the logo in print.


- ✅ Why I use Printful for my custom gear.


- ✅ How you can grab one for yourself (by popular demand!).

I’ve put together a special T-shirt bundle for those of you who wanted to rock the look. Check out the link in the comments to get yours!

More Music Pro '26 updates coming soon—stay tuned!

#SparkInfinity #MusicPro26 #MerchReveal #Unboxing #CreativeEntrepreneur #TShirtDesign #Printful #NetworkingHack https://davidandrewwiebe.com/the-big-reveal-unboxing-my-custom-peacocking-t-shirt-for-music-pro-26/




The "Peacocking" Shirt has arrived! 📦🔥

If you followed one of my last videos, you saw the "vanilla vs. star" design struggle. Well, the bag finally showed up (a few days late, but we’ll forgive them!), and it was time for the moment of truth.

I’m doing a full unboxing and fit test of the new Spark Infinity T-shirt. As someone with a "pro wrestler" build, finding the right fit is always a gamble, but I’m happy to report that this "walking business card" was ready for its Los Angeles debut at MusicPro26!


Inside the video:

- ✅ The first look at the logo in print.


- ✅ Why I use Printful for my custom gear.


- ✅ How you can grab one for yourself (by popular demand!).

I’ve put together a special T-shirt bundle for those of you who wanted to rock the look. Check out the link in the comments to get yours!

More Music Pro '26 updates coming soon—stay tuned!

#SparkInfinity #MusicPro26 #MerchReveal #Unboxing #CreativeEntrepreneur #TShirtDesign #Printful #NetworkingHack https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28283