Music doesn’t just reflect culture—it shapes how we understand love, identity, and power.

Music doesn’t just reflect culture—it shapes how we understand love, identity, and power.

In this episode of The Dream Room with Amytra, Dr. Lee E. Ross, author of Musical Lyrics and Domestic Violence: The Soundtracks of Our Lives, explores how popular music lyrics can normalize control, silence, and harm within intimate relationships. We examine how repeated narratives influence beliefs about romance, gender roles, and self-worth—and what it means to recognize these patterns.

Through research, lived insight, and cultural analysis, this conversation centers survivor awareness, reclamation of identity, and the role music plays in both harm and healing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, support is available. In the U.S., the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Dr. Lee E. Ross is a researcher and author whose work focuses on the intersection of music, culture, and intimate partner violence. Her book, Musical Lyrics and Domestic Violence: The Soundtracks of Our Lives, examines how popular music influences social norms and relationship expectations.

Mentioned Song: Fly Like a Bird by Mariah Carey

https://youtu.be/b_pmdX9wHLo?si=MFMBuK0T-8W2xF7c

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#D4VD #DomesticViolence #MusicAndIdentity

The first episode told the label’s story.

This one gives the microphone to the artist.

In Part 2 of The Music Industry Is Broken, Amytra sits down with Dave "Ouzo" Land, country rock indie artist whose journey intersects with Blue Tree Records and Harvest Moon Studios. Following CEO Michael Peterson’s perspective in Part 1, Dave shares what it’s actually like to live on the other side of the industry — where ambition, power, and reality collide.

This episode exposes the emotional and professional cost of chasing music in a system many artists say is broken, and why so many voices never get heard.

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What if I told you one of the most radical moves in music today isn’t signing with a major label — but walking away from streaming altogether? On this episode, I sit down with Michael Peterson, founder of Harvest Moon Studios and Blue Tree Records, who’s building a creative sanctuary for indie artists — a subscription-based model where musicians pay for weekly access to recording, live-stream rooms, and show hosting. No gatekeepers. No corporate roadmap. Just artistic freedom, community, and real infrastructure.

Michael argues this is how true musical careers flourish — not by chasing a record deal, but by investing in yourself. As we dig into his vision, we also confront the dark side of the current system — through the shocking story of Karra, an independent artist who poured $100,000 of her own money into her debut album, only to have Spotify take it all down, without warning. Her emotional YouTube documentary sparked outrage and opened a raw conversation about power, control, and creators getting left behind.

This is more than a music-business talk. It’s a challenge: Can we re-imagine how artists build and sustain their careers — on their own terms?

Tune in if you want to hear:

• Why Michael believes subscription-based creation is the future
• The emotional and financial fallout when a platform like Spotify pulls the rug out
• How indie artists are pushing back — building real ecosystems for their art

Links you need:

• Harvest Moon Studios / Michael Peterson: Harvest Moon Studios
• KARRA / https://share.google/bRxDUaxk6Gl4iWpts

#IndieArtist

#MusicIndustry

#Spotify

#IndependentMusic

#MusicCreator

#ArtistRights

#MusicBusiness

#IndieMusicCommunity

#PodcasterLife

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In this episode of The Dream Room, we sit down with Mikel — an Afrobeat artist whose journey from the vibrant streets of Lagos to the creative pulse of the Bay Area is nothing short of inspiring. Together we unpack what “Selah” really means — in music, in faith, and in the still moments that shape who we become. Tune in for a soulful conversation about rhythm, resilience, and the beauty of finding your own sound across continents.

Special Thanks to Skyline Studios: Skyline Studios | Recording Studio Oakland

To hear Selah: https://youtu.be/7hEHCtwEJ5w?si=RTeXxOgMwaJScpNP

Genre:

Society & Culture, Personal Journeys, Inspirational

Publisher Amytra

https://www.youtube.com/@Amytra_/podcasts

The Dream Room Theme Song derived from Go Get it Girl! by Amytra/Ron Moton

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Copyright © 2025 The Dream Room with Amytra

What happens when you choose passion over the safer path?

In this episode of The Dream Room with Amytra, we sit down with Dr. Saied Malboubi — leading periodontist in Oakland, California, innovator, and humanitarian — for a powerful conversation about redefining success, making bold decisions, and leading with purpose.

Dr. Malboubi shares:

• Why experience alone isn’t enough to lead meaningful change
• Why Dr. Malboubi hires for heart, not just skill — and how that philosophy builds teams that last
• How his approach to building a loyal, caring, and competent team has helped his practice thrive even through the toughest times
• How passion drove his journey across medicine, education, and global health
• The real cost of playing it safe — and what’s possible when you don’t
• How to navigate uncertainty with integrity and intention

If you’ve ever questioned your path, struggled with self-doubt, or felt torn between what’s expected and what sets your soul on fire — this episode is for you.

✨ Come for the inspiration. Stay for the clarity. Leave with a renewed belief in what’s possible when you follow your calling.

🗓️ Premiere: Sept 21 @ 5 AM PST

📺 Watch now on YouTube

🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheDreamRoom #AmytraPodcast #DrMalboubi #PassionOverExperience #PurposeDriven #Leadership #MindsetMatters #GlobalHealth #CareerClarity #DreamBig

Jesse delves into the timeless nature of music and shares poignant stories from his journey. From his unforgettable interactions with icons like Prince to the heartfelt inspiration behind his song "Merciful," written during the challenging early years with his premature daughter, Jesse's experiences paint a vivid picture of his musical landscape.

He takes us through his formative years, enriched by his parents' eclectic music collection in a town devoid of music records, and his evolution from a lawn-mowing teenager learning guitar to performing at the White House with B.B. King. Jesse also reflects on his unique relationship with Prince, including humorous and humbling anecdotes that showcase the power of raw talent over luxury equipment.

🎧 Episode Description

Pregnant at the time of her tumor diagnosis, Rev. Dr. Jackie Cope faced brain surgery—and emerged more powerful than ever. In this deeply moving episode of The Dream Room with Amytra, Jackie shares her spiritual awakening amid crisis: how she navigated her pregnancy, healed through metaphysics and Indigenous wisdom, and turned everything into a mission to empower others. Tune in to witness her resilience, ancestral healing, and how she’s now guiding others toward soul-led transformation.

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• Website: ravenrabbit.com

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• YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL00YS6Fl7R6GIw1_0lJyGV_tG5ohCPMyz&si=JY7CWBcacRbP3b6

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#PregnantWithPossibility

#BrainTumorSurvivor

#SpiritualHealing

#IndigenousWisdom

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#JackieCopeStory

From the heart of Italy to the Bay Area, Almare Gelato is redefining the gelato experience. Founded by Alberto Malvestio in 2008, inspired by his great uncle's legendary gelato recipes, the company began as a small operation in Berkeley. In 2012, Simone Arpaio joined as co-owner, bringing fresh ideas and energy that propelled Almare into the wholesale market, supplying some of the best restaurants from Palo Alto to Sacramento. Today, they continue to craft traditional Italian gelato every morning, with signature flavors like toasted almond and caramelized figs, lavender and fresh blueberries, and more. oaklandside.org+10berkeleyside.org+10discoveredinberkeley.com+10

🎧 Tune in to hear how two Italians brought their passion for food and culture to the Bay Area, turning a shared love for gelato into a thriving business.

#AlmareGelato #SimoneArpaio #AlbertoMalvestio #GelatoInnovation #ArtisanalDesserts #BayAreaEats #ItalianCraftsmanship #GelatoLovers #BehindTheScoop #SweetSuccess #FoodEntrepreneurship #TasteTheTradition

Episode Title:

Decoded: Gelato Meets Innovation: The Almare Gelato Story

Featuring - Almare Co-Partner Simone Arpaio

Podcast title

The Dream Room with Amytra

Episode: Season 2 Episode 6,

Published June 21, 2025

Genre: Society & Culture, Personal Journeys, Inspirational

Publisher Amytra

Dream Room Theme Song - Derived from Go Get it Girl! by Amytra

Lyrics by Amytra, Music and Production by Moton Production &Publishing, Copyright © 2022

https://www.youtube.com/@Amytra_/podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Dream Room with Amytra