Doors - 10am 

Community: The Heart of Nashville  - 10:30 am
We’ll highlight Nashville’s deeply ingrained ethos of community and collaboration, rooted in its role as the songwriting capital of the world, and delve into the critical role of empathy and kindness to enable individuals to flourish personally and the community to thrive.

Speakers: Brittany Schaffer, dean, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, Belmont; Dan Rogers, executive producer & SVP, Grand Ole Opry; Rachelle Lefevre, actress; Sarah Trahern, CEO, Country Music Assn (CMA)

Relationship Intelligence™ for Songwriters Workshop - 11:15am

More than new skills—it’s a movement. Over the past 90 days, the Hollywood & Mind innovation team has been in Nashville equipping songwriters with tools for stronger relationships, better mental health, lasting career success and greater joy in life. This workshop now unveils the full power of Relationship Intelligence™ (RI) for songwriters—proven to help you sustain your art, thrive in your career, and seize new opportunities as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes the music world and beyond.

Speakers: Jaxon J. Huffman, Partner & Head of Biz Dev, Hollywood & Mind Summit, Tour, Media & Investments; producer-songwriter Kizzo; singer-songwriters Summer Joy, Stella Prince, Mille Manny and The Kentucky Gentlemen; Megan A Tully, Creators Capital

 
Break, Snack and Connect - 12:15pm

Visual Storytelling About Mental Health - 1:00pm
Margaret Hart, YouTube's head of industry and label relations in Nashville, will lead this conversation about the power of visual storytelling centered on Ashley McBryde’s narrative.

Speakers: Margaret Hart, YouTube; Ashley McBryde, singer/songwriter; Mike Dupree, Warner Music Nashville; John Peets, Q Prime 

StigmaFree Music Industry - 2:00

StigmaFree is an awareness effort for corporate and industry leaders in partnership with NAMI Tennessee. The music industry has a unique opportunity to lead in supporting its own members. Working together ensures our industry culture and actions are part of the solution—making certain that help and hope are available for every artist, technician, business professional, administrator, and leader in our community—while building a legacy of positive change through collective, lasting impact.

Speaker: Katrina Gay, executive director, NAMI Tennessee 

                                
Artist Wellbeing: The Opportunity For Meaningful Support - 2:20pm
This conversation will delve into challenges and opportunities to elevate self-care and industry care for singer/songwriters, as well as the ways artists connect with their fans to break stigma and elevate mental health out in the culture.

Speakers: singer-songwriters Gayle and Sam Williams; Beth Barcus, Porter's Call; Leslie Fram, FEMco
  

Break, Snack, Connect - 3:15


Ashley Gorley Fireside - 3:45pm
Acclaimed songwriter Ashley Gorley will share his mental health journey, challenges and opportunities for non-performing songwriters, the deep connection songs can have in lifting fans’ mental health and building community. Ashley will also shine a light on The Okay Project, a mental health initiative in which he’s partnered with Jelly Roll and OnSite Foundation.

Speakers: Ashley Gorley, Cathy Applefeld Olson, founder, Hollywood & Mind

 
Writers Room <> Therapy Session - 4:10pm                            
Songs have a way of touching our souls and our senses like no other medium. Many of the most powerful songs are rooted in challenge. This session will explore the concept of the writers room as a “therapy session” – delving into challenge, catharsis, healing and art.

Speakers: singer-songwriters Chase McDaniel, Madeline Edwards, Maggie Rose, Cathy Applefeld Olson, founder, Hollywood & Mind

From Challenge To A Life You Love - 4:55
Real-life stories of moving beyond trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges to building a life you love, one where you thrive both personally and professionally. Guests will leave with actionable steps to optimize health, happiness, and performance, drawn from both lived experience and professional expertise.

Speakers: Dillan Micus and Ashley Grimmel, Co-founders, FRESH

 
Executive Roundtable - 5:15pm
The mental wellness of the massive ecosystem of music industry people working behind the scenes—from the C suite down to junior positions, major and indie companies alike—takes center stage in this conversation. It’s time to openly share pathways forward to care for those who need to be “the rock” for the artist community.

Speakers: Katie Kerkhover, SVP, A&R, North America, BMG / BBR Music Group; Kevin “Chief” Zaruk,  Co-founder/CEO, The CORE; Austen Adams, president, Warner Chappell Music Nashville; Melinda Newman, executive editor, LA and Nashville, Billboard; Debbie Carroll, VP, Entertainment & Specialized Services, Onsite.

Reception & Calls To Action - 6pm                                                
Food, drink, community and calls to action