Welcome to The Beat’s latest drop—a playlist of perspectives from the influencers and innovators moving the needle. Here’s what’s on repeat from the voices moving culture forward:

• AI is reshaping the workforce while leaving the irreplaceable power of live performance stronger than ever.

• Mastering emotional intelligence can strengthen trust, connection, and leadership by avoiding four common EQ mistakes.

• Throwing a memorable event can transform tough conversations—like cancer outreach—into authentic, impactful customer engagement.

For the uninitiated: The Beat is a free, biweekly newsletter designed for the influencers, tastemakers, and innovators in the worlds of music, entertainment, media, food & beverage, fashion, sports, gaming, and more. Each article featured below is penned by a member of Rolling Stone Culture Council, a community of influential leaders across an array of industries.

With the lineup set, let’s turn up the volume on this week’s insights.

AI’s Spotlights and Human Mastery: Why the Stage Might Save Us

When even Fiverr’s CEO admits AI is gunning for his job, you know it’s real. From coding to copy-editing, generative AI is replacing repetitive tasks faster than an Amazon delivery route.

But before you hit existential panic, here’s the spoiler: if your job relies on being here, now, human, and weirdly un-automatable, you’ve got a shot at surviving the robots.

Think: guitar solos, live performances, and events that give goosebumps. The experience economy is booming because, let's face it, there’s no pirating a standing ovation.

Here’s how to future-proof your artistry:

🌟 Leverage AI as Your Assistant: Skip the grunt work. Use it for schedules, setlists, and even cringeworthy brainstorming. Spend your energy on creativity, not admin.

📲 Build Direct-to-Fan Channels: Own your fan interactions. AI can organize them with laser precision.

🎭 Embrace the “Experience Economy”: Memories over merch. Experiences like live shows can’t be pirated or automated.

🤝 Smarter Touring Decisions: Use AI to predict tour success based on real fan data—not guesswork.

Read The Full Article >

4 EQ Mistakes That Betray Us: Words Matter

Your words can break trust faster than a temper tantrum during a team meeting. Emotional intelligence isn’t just about being “nice”; it’s about reading the room and responding thoughtfully.

Whether it’s a work debate or a backyard BBQ, avoiding these common EQ landmines can save you from stepping on a conversational grenade.

Check out the highlights:

💬 “At least…” = Empathy Deficit: Minimizing someone’s pain won’t help. Ditch the bandaid advice and try: “That sounds really tough. How are you holding up?”

🙄 “You’re being too sensitive” = Emotional Shutdown: Dismissing feelings is like swatting at smoke instead of finding the fire. Instead, say: “I see how this impacted you. Let’s talk it through.”

🛠️ “Here’s what you need to do…” = Solution Overload: Not every problem wants a fix. Ask: “Do you want advice or someone to listen?”

🔥 “You always/never…” = Emotional Napalm: Absolutes spark defensiveness. Tackle the behavior, not the person.

Read The Full Article >

Metal, Magic, & Marketing: Lessons on Reaching New Customers

What can a heavy metal concert in Sri Lanka teach you about business growth? Plenty. When Good Loud Media teamed up with a Sri Lankan NGO to spread cancer awareness, they turned a hard-to-talk-about topic into a celebration of connection and hope.

The result? A packed venue, lasting impact, and customers (or in this case, allies) eager for more.

Here’s the playbook:

🤝 Find Strategic Partners: Stick to what you’re great at. Partner with organizations that complement your strengths for mutual success.

🧭 Boots on the Ground Matter: You can’t reach people effectively without someone who understands their lived experiences. Local insiders = game-changers.

🎉 When in Doubt, Throw a Party: No one likes a hard sell. Instead, create an experience your audience can’t resist—with joy, value, and excitement baked in.

Read The Full Article >

Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will love: Rolling Stone Culture Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together influential leaders and innovators in art, media, gaming, theater, social impact, fashion, film, hospitality, sports, and more.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on RollingStone.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Rolling Stone Culture Council today and become part of a group driving innovation in entertainment.