Elizabeth Cawein delves into the psychology of music, the paralysis of choice and the evolution of consumption in this episode of Walkabout Radio. As Founder of the Music Export Memphis (MEM), Elizabeth believes that music is a driver of economic development and that artists want to live in cities that provide opportunities for them. She has moderated panels at SXSW in 2015 and 2016 and hosts a showcase at Folk Alliance International. In 2015, she was honored by the British Council at its inaugural Education UK Alumni Awards, celebrating outstanding U.S. alumni of British institutions, for her entrepreneurial work. During this episode, Elizabeth and I dive into Drake, our favorite 90s one-hit-wonders and the progression of music culture.

Joann Self Selvidge is a filmmaker, story teller and writer extraordinaire. Having founded True Story Pictures in 2004 - and again in 2010 - first as a nonprofit, and later as a social venture company. She has a passion for stories and storytelling that is grounded in her roots as a Southerner. Her life story films and documentaries, including The WLOK Story (2002), The Arts Interviews (2005-2008), Leveling the Playing Field (2008), Voices of Jericho (2007, 2010), The Music Interviews (2009), and The Art Academy (2012), share stories of music and art, race relations and leadership, education, inspiration, and social justice. Her short film about individuals with mental illness, Voices of Jericho: Stories of Jail Diversion, was awarded “Best Documentary” at the 2007 Indie Memphis Film Festival and “Grand Jury Award” at the 2008 Southern Shorts Film Festival in Athens, AL. Her work as a documentary filmmaker only thinly veils her "secret" identity as a grant writer and nonprofit management consultant. While she does not pursue this activity full time, she can be persuaded on occasion to work for your nonprofit or public/private partnership to secure grant funding from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Since 2001, she has helped her clients win $8.95 million for projects ranging from arts, education, and technology; to health and human services, including housing and homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse; to economic and community development; to transportation and infrastructure. Joann lives in midtown Memphis with her rockstar husband and two children.

Amy Wright is tech-extraordinaire by day and OTT innovator by night. Having co-founded Macro Solutions in Washington, D.C. in 2000, Amy found herself at the forefront of the tech world with an information technology consulting company focused on enterprise applications, agile solutions and data analytics. While Macro Solutions began taking off, Amy and her husband Ronnie decided to simultaneously launch a new concept on the other side of tech — birthing DittyTV in 2014. Both avid musicians, Amy and Ronnie wished to explore their more creative side within the OTT realm creating a web-based television network rooted in Americana/Roots music. DittyTV now serves 5 million viewers each month globally and airs 24/7 on platforms such as AppleTV, Roku, Fire TV and Tivo, among others. Amy continues to lead Macro Solutions as CEO and run DittyTV with her husband while making it all look effortless and graceful. Recognized by Washington CEO Magazine, Bisnow and Entrepreneur of the Year by both Georgetown University and Ernst & Young, Amy continues to lead the tech world having made a prominent career by being ahead of the game, willing to lean in and strategically breaking the glass ceiling.

New Orleans native, California-based Darren Isom has some serious swagger. A brilliant mind, global bon vivant and non-profit/arts expert, Darren has graced the sectors of arts management, youth development direct services and trade finance in New York and Western Europe. As the Executive Director of the Memphis Music Initiative, Darren is paving the way for professional development through youth programming. A graduate of Howard University, Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, and Columbia Business School, Darren has been an activist around issues concerning disconnected youth and LGBT communities of color. He is as fabulous as he sounds. Come through, Mr. Isom.