Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a deeply personal and overdue conversation about the reality of motherhood in the music business. From high-stakes meetings to nap schedules, they share the raw stories of what it’s actually like to juggle a career in music with raising children.

In an industry built on late nights, travel, and "business as usual" expectations, being a parent can feel like a radical act. Charlotte and Jasmin dive into the expectations vs. the reality of maintaining their professional identities while stepping into the role of a mother.

Jasmin shares the powerful reason why she chose to hide her pregnancy for as long as possible. She opens up about the fear of being treated differently, underestimated by peers, or seeing opportunities dry up—a reality many women in the industry face.

Both women discuss the initial pressure they felt to continue "business as usual" after giving birth, and the pivotal moment they realized that "the old normal" was no longer sustainable. They explore the messy, beautiful process of creating a "new normal" that allows for both creative ambition and family life.

Listen now to explore:

• The hidden challenges of being a mother in a fast-paced, male-dominated industry.
• Jasmin’s personal account of navigating pregnancy in secret to protect her professional standing.
• The myth of "doing it all" and the transition from business as usual to a new, sustainable lifestyle.
• How motherhood has shifted their perspective on time management, boundaries, and career longevity.
• Practical advice for other parents and mothers-to-be navigating the music landscape.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchesshttps://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a bold discussion sparked by SZA’s recent comments regarding the rise of mediocrity in today’s music landscape. Has the industry become a breeding ground for the generic?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin tackle the uncomfortable truth: many artists are now more focused on feeding the algorithm than they are on setting trends. They explore why the current generation of creators seems "too scared to be different," opting for the safety of viral formulas rather than the risk of true originality.

Charlotte dives deep into a topic that recently set her TikTok comments section alight: her frustration with "pity content." She breaks down why using vulnerability as a marketing tactic might drive short-term engagement, but fails to ignite real excitement or build a lasting, die-hard fandom.

Together, they ask the big question: Where should we set the bar for skill and exceptionalism?

Listen now to explore:

• The SZA Effect: Breaking down the conversation around why "good enough" has become the new standard.
• Algorithm vs. Artistry: Why the fear of being "different" is stifling the next generation of trendsetters.
• The "Pity Content" Trap: Why begging for likes through sob stories doesn't translate into genuine musical respect or ticket sales.
• Raising the Bar: How to shift your focus back to high-level skill and creative excellence in a world of "content" and is raising the bar toxic?
• The Future of Fandom: Why exceptionalism—not just consistency—is the only way to build a legacy.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions!

We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint.

In this episode we answer the questions:

Ive been offered a deal with a sync agent - no advance 5 years. What do you think are the pros and cons for this?

I released a cover song and did a really different arrangement in my version. I just heard an advert and they used such a similar version to my cover. What is your take on this?

I'm a female artist manager and recently the male manager of one of my artist's collaborators spoke down to me in a really patronising way. Do you have still have to deal with things like this and how do you handle it? I obviously want to keep a good relationship with this person for my artists sake but it feels like we shouldnt let men do this to us anymore.

We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions!

To submit questions for future episodes please email community@ellevate.studio with the subject line POD Q&A

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a raw and honest discussion about the psychological and professional shifts that happen the moment an artist signs on the dotted line. While a record deal is often seen as the "ultimate goal," the reality behind the curtain is far more complex.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin explore how the infrastructure of a label can create a dangerous distance between an artist and the reality of their business. They discuss how being signed often means you lose sight of exactly how much money you are earning—or spending—and how well your project is actually performing.

They dive into the "Label Lens":

• The Transparency Gap: Charlotte breaks down how the music industry thrives on a lack of transparency around money, leaving artists in the dark about their own financial health.
• The Personal Investment Paradox: Despite being signed, the financial risk often still falls on the artist and their manager. They discuss how artists frequently have to invest their own funds to truly grow their projects when the label won't step up.
• The RAYE Effect: They highlight the iconic example of RAYE, who famously ignored advice and invested her own money into her Royal Albert Hall performance—a move that ultimately landed her a Grammy nomination and proved that betting on yourself is sometimes the only way forward.
• Success vs. Solvency: Why having a "big machine" behind you doesn't always mean you are financially secure, and how the pressure to look successful can warp your understanding of your actual career trajectory.

This episode is a vital reality check for any artist. It’s a deep dive into reclaiming your power, understanding your numbers, and why the biggest financial risks often still land on your shoulders.

Listen now to explore:

• Why a record deal can create a "buffer" that hides the true financial state of your career.
• The reality of self-funding even when you are signed to a major or independent label.
• Lessons from RAYE’s Royal Albert Hall gamble and the power of taking creative and financial risks.
• Why the industry benefits from keeping artists in the dark about streaming data and royalty transparency.
• How artists and managers can navigate the high-stakes financial pressure of building a long-term brand.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they conduct a vital temperature check on the world's biggest streaming giant. In the wake of the annual Spotify Wrapped hype, it’s easy to get swept up in the data—but what is the true cost of our current consumption habits?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin strip back the glossy interface to discuss how Spotify has fundamentally rewired the music industry. They ask the hard questions: Has the platform actually democratized music, or has it created a "flattened" and dulled-down version of the industry where everything sounds the same to please the algorithm?

They also step into a fascinating "What If?" scenario. In an alternative universe where streaming services were never introduced and piracy continued to run rampant and unchecked, would artists be better off? Would we still be facing the same crisis of discoverability and the same battles over fair pay, or would a lack of central gatekeepers have forced a more resilient, community-led industry?

Listen now to explore:

• The Spotify Wrapped effect: Why we love the data, but what it masks about the reality of being a working artist.
• Democratization vs. Homogenization: Whether Spotify opened doors for everyone or just created a "factory floor" for background music.
• The Alternative Timeline: A deep dive into whether a world of unchecked piracy would have resulted in the same payout and discovery issues we face in 2025.
• The "Flattening" of Taste: How the shift from active searching to passive algorithmic listening is changing the way we value art.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchesshttps://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

BONUS Episode alert

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a deep dive into the paradoxical world of music technology. While we’ve never had more access to music, have the very platforms built to "connect" us actually destroyed the soul of music community?

In this provocative episode, Charlotte and Jasmin explore how the rise of tech giants and algorithmic curation has fundamentally altered the way we share, discover, and value music.

Charlotte pulls no punches as she discusses how platforms that promised to foster online communities have instead fragmented them, turning the act of sharing music into a transactional, data-driven experience. She tackles the "Algorithm Trap"—the way streaming services supply us with music we already like, creating a feedback loop that refuses to challenge our tastes or offer those surprising, life-changing "musical gems" that used to define fandom.

Jasmin reflects on the loss of "cultural homes." She highlights how the decline of independent music blogs and magazines—the original curators and tastemakers—has left music scenes without a centralized space to grow. In their place, social media companies have created environments that prioritize viral moments over the deep, contextual storytelling that once gave music its meaning.

This episode is a vital conversation for anyone who feels like their music discovery has become a chore and wants to find their way back to a more authentic, challenging, and communal way of experiencing art.

Listen now to explore:

• How tech platforms built for "community" have actually made music sharing more isolated.
• The death of the music blog and magazine as a cultural home for emerging scenes.
• Why it’s harder than ever to find "hidden gems" in an era of predictive algorithms.
• The danger of the "Taste Bubble": why being served only what you already like stifles artistic growth.
• How to reclaim a sense of human curation and genuine musical discovery.

If you want to submit a question for our Music Industry Aunties episodes please send to community@ellevate.studio

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions!

We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint.

In this episode we answer the questions:

I think my manager is taking more money from me than they should? What should I do?

I have a producer I work with on all my projects, he has a big name in the indusstry and hes helped me a lot. The other day he crossed the line with me in the studio. Im worried because I told him I dont see us like that and he was fine about it but hes kind of distant now. He seems like hes less invovled in my project and obviously hes got way more power than me in the industry. im worried about how this might impact me long term.

We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions!

To submit questions for future episodes please email community@ellevate.studio with the subject line POD Q&A

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they tackle one of the biggest financial dilemmas for any emerging artist: where should you actually spend your marketing budget?

As an early-stage artist, every pound or dollar counts. You're constantly pitched various services, but which ones offer a real return on investment, and which are just a drain on your resources?

In this crucial episode, Charlotte and Jasmin weigh the pros and cons of common marketing services, including:

• Paying for playlist pluggers
• Running digital ads
• Hiring a PR specialist or a social media expert

Charlotte offers a reality check, emphasizing that there are no guarantees with PR, making the investment feel unpredictable and high-risk for artists. She also exposes the limitations of so-called 'social media gurus' who can inflate follower counts, but rarely translate those numbers into actual streaming revenue or show ticket sales.

They also discuss the dramatic shift in the press landscape. Jasmin recalls a time when she first released music and independent music blogs were abundant, noting that today, fewer blogs exist and their overall impact on streaming numbers is significantly smaller.

This episode is a vital listen for any artist looking to spend their marketing budget smartly and focus on strategies that build a real, sustainable career.

If you want to submit a question for our Q&A episodes send them to community@ellevate.studio

Listen now to explore:

• The pros and cons of investing in playlist pluggers, ads, PR, and social media specialists.
• Why the unpredictability of PR can make it a risky early-stage investment.
• The difference between a large social media following and genuine audience engagement that drives streams and sales.
• The changing power of music press and blogs in the current streaming-driven landscape.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/