Safe Spaces Series: A Focus on Mental Health in Nightlife

Building Nightlife and Protecting Your Energy with Steven Klavier

Steven Klavier [https://www.instagram.com/stevenklavier/] is one of the key architects behind New York City’s modern nightlife and he unpacks what it really takes to build culture, sustain a career, and stay grounded in an industry that never stops moving. From his early days throwing parties at downtown Manhattan to shaping institutions like House of Yes and Brooklyn Mirage, Steven shares the evolution of his 15+ year journey through the city’s club ecosystem. He currently works as the booker at Brooklyns Signal and Paragon, as one of the many hats he wears. What began as a passion for music and community quickly turned into a multifaceted career spanning promotion, booking, programming, and consultancy. The conversation goes deep into the realities behind the scenes — from navigating agents and oversaturated lineups to understanding the economics of nightlife and what makes a party actually work. Steven breaks down the art of curation and why authenticity, taste, and relationships still matter more than hype. He also just opened up to 1:1 consultancy in nightlife with Business Therapy [https://stevenklavier.com/] where you can get advice and strategy on building a career in nightlife. Beyond the business, this episode opens up an honest dialogue around mental health in nightlife. Steven speaks candidly about burnout, boundaries, and the importance of building a life outside the club — touching on meditation, sleep, diet, and his evolving relationship to substance use. It’s a grounded perspective from someone who’s seen every side of the industry. He also explores the shifting future of nightlife — from safer, more inclusive spaces to the rise of community programming and educational events — and how venues like Public Records and Paragon are redefining what club culture can be. As a vocalist and collaborator, Steven’s creative work with artists like Moon Boots, Kenny Dope, and Eli Escobar adds another layer to his story — one rooted not just in building spaces, but contributing to the sound itself. This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at NYC nightlife and a practical, honest guide to navigating creative careers without losing yourself in the process. (00:00) Introduction to Steven Klavier's Journey (02:52) The Transition from Corporate to Music Industry (06:05) Building a Career in Nightlife and Booking (08:57) Navigating the Challenges of Being a Booker (11:54) The Role of Agents in a DJ's Career (15:01) Mental Health and Setting Boundaries in the Industry (17:55) Healthy Habits for a Sustainable Career (21:01) Consultancy in Nightclubs and Event Management (27:51) Building a Safer Nightlife (30:42) The Importance of Community and Awareness (32:54) The Value of Panel Discussions (35:49) Evolving Club Culture and Community Engagement (40:48) Challenges of Booking in a Saturated Market (45:42) Maintaining Balance in Nightlife Careers (50:37) Advice for Navigating Mental Health in the Scene Nightlife, Booking, DJ, Club Management, Mental Health, Brooklyn Scene, Nightlife Industry, Nightclub Consulting, Security, Community

Community Building and Music as Medicine with Toribio

In this deeply personal and expansive conversation, Toribio [https://de.ra.co/dj/toribio] — Dominican-American musician, producer, DJ, and sonic architect — explores the intersection of music, spirituality, and personal evolution. Rooted in his upbringing in his grandfather’s church and shaped by his studies at the Berklee College of Music, Toribio shares how rhythm became both his language and his compass. From jazz drumming and marching band in Florida to global stages like Boiler Room and Glastonbury Festival, his journey reflects a commitment to sound as a tool for connection, transformation, and healing. Together, they dive into the spiritual dimension of music — not just as performance, but as a lived, embodied practice. The conversation moves through sound meditation, emotional sensitivity, and the power of collective movement, drawing parallels between nightlife, ritual, and sacred space. Toribio also opens up about navigating the music industry while staying aligned with purpose, and how his work — from his band Conclave [https://www.toribiomusic.com/conclave] to community-driven projects like Public Service [https://www.instagram.com/publicservice_nyc/] NYC and Sala Sessions [https://www.instagram.com/thesalasessions/] — centers around creating intentional environments where music becomes medicine. This episode is an invitation to rethink how we listen, gather, and heal — and to reconnect with music as something far deeper than entertainment. (00:00) Introduction and Weather Talk (02:03) Cesar's Musical Roots and Influences (08:52) The Spiritual Component of Music (20:37) Exploring Sound Meditation and Listening Experiences (29:44) The Impact of COVID on Music and Community (34:32) The Intersection of Music and Spirituality (36:37) Music as a Healing Tool (39:08) Navigating Emotional Sensitivity (42:16) The Unique Path of the Artist (50:21) Establishing Rituals for Wellbeing (57:22) Words of Wisdom for Struggling Artists music, spirituality, community, healing, ambient, jazz, DJ, meditation, self-awareness, cultural roots

The Big Need for Nightlife Coaching and Health Support with Veronique de Leon

Veronique de Leon [https://www.instagram.com/solsync.health/], a seasoned music industry professional turned health coach, shares her firsthand experience. Having worked across various roles in the Netherlands’ music scene, from being an artist liaison, stage manager and booker at Amsterdams De School [https://www.instagram.com/deschoolamsterdam/], she observed how demanding this world can be on physical and mental health. Her journey from industry insider to founder of SolSync [https://www.solsync.nl/], a coaching practice tailored for nightlife professionals, illustrates a powerful transformation that offers hope for others. Veronique touches on the industry's dark areas: burnout, irregular sleep cycles, stress, and safety concerns.that often go unspoken. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward creating a healthier environment for industry personnel. (00:00) Introduction and personal updates on health and industry context (02:00) Veronique’s background: from festivals to wellness entrepreneur (04:00) The impact of industry pressures: burnout and pandemic reflection (06:00) Founding SoulSync: merging industry experience with health expertise (09:00) The significance of routines for mental health and industry resilience (12:00) How backstage care supports artists and crews (13:30) The importance of industry-specific mental health resources (16:00) Barriers: visibility, finances, and stigma in nightlife wellness (18:00) Early signs of burnout and when to seek help (20:00) The value of specialized therapeutic understanding in the nightlife context (32:00) Practical tips: circadian light exposure and morning routines (36:00) The effects of night shifts and neurodivergence on health (40:00) Naming and concept behind “SoulSync”: aligning with natural cues (44:00) Building habits: grounding, digital detox, and sleep hygiene (46:00) Flexibility in routines and mental health maintenance (50:00) How music and nightlife passions are reconnecting health-wise (52:00) Supporting oneself and community through vulnerability and openness (55:00) Final words of encouragement for those struggling (56:00) Closing thoughts and future plans

Navigating Authenticity in Music with Juan Maclean

I sat down with Juan MacLean [https://de.ra.co/dj/juanmaclean] for a thoughtful conversation about aging, the wellness industry, and the changing world of music and DJ culture. He reflects on how getting older has actually left him with fewer answers, not more, and why he’s skeptical of wellness trends that promise quick fixes like cold plunges. Instead, he talks about the value of personal experience and figuring out what actually works for you. The conversation also dives into his journey from playing in bands to becoming a DJ and producer, and the challenge of staying authentic in a music landscape increasingly shaped by algorithms and marketing. Along the way, he shares thoughts on community, the loss of real human connection in a convenience-driven world, and why leaning into discomfort can sometimes be the most powerful path to growth. In the end, it’s a conversation about music, meaning, and the simple moments that make life feel worth living. (00:00) Introduction and Reflection on Aging (01:56) Critique of the Wellness Industry (04:15) The Challenges of the Music Industry (14:18) Reconnecting with Music (19:02) Navigating the Current Music Landscape (28:15) The Impact of Streaming and Marketing on Music (37:10) The Quest for Authenticity in Music (42:05) The Healing Power of Music and Community (46:53) Substance Use and the Pursuit of Peak Experiences (51:18) Integrating Joy into Daily Life (55:37) Discomfort as a Path to Growth Keywords Juan MacLean, Tony Y Not, wellness industry, aging, music culture, DJing, personal growth, community, authenticity, mental health

An Identity Beyond External Validation in The Music Industry with Sofia Ilyas

Are you feeling lost in your own identity amid the chaos of a demanding industry? Wondering how external validation influences your sense of self? You're not alone. Sofia Ilyas [https://www.instagram.com/sofiailyas_/] is a seasoned figure in the electronic music scene, her latest work being the Chief Community Officer at Beatport [https://www.beatport.com/]. Now she transitioned her work into coaching and defines her identify beyond the music industry and shares her journey of self-discovery, the importance of silence, and how to navigate a male-dominated industry while staying true to who you are. This episodes talks about redefining success beyond external validation, and fostering community support, especially for women and minority groups. Whether you're an artist, industry professional, or someone seeking personal growth, Sofia’s stories and strategies will probably inspire you to cultivate resilience, authenticity, and peace in your life and career. (00:00) Introduction to the episode's focus on identity and mental health (00:33) Sophia Elias’s background in music and community engagement (01:30) Reflection on the influence of external validation and silence (02:24) The power of group therapy and connecting with strangers (02:52) Practicing detachment from work identity (03:46) Declaring “I am Sophia” beyond roles and achievements (04:14) The journey of self-discovery and embracing silence (05:27) Changing reactions to external validation and validation addiction (06:28) Recognizing body’s role in stress and healing (07:14) Moving away from relentless productivity and stress addiction (08:23) Personal evolution in career and understanding deeper self (09:21) Overcoming defining oneself solely through music industry success (10:50) Reflection on midlife questions about identity and “Who am I?” (12:16) The significance of stillness and silence in growth (13:23) Softening and opening the heart through self-awareness (14:09) Developing more calm, reflective energy and self-love (15:27) Supporting women and minority groups in the industry (16:11) Changing behaviors in friendships and relationships (17:10) The importance of community, support, and true connection (18:03) Redefining socializing beyond drinking and partying (19:49) The value of sobriety and authentic bonding (21:33) Supporting women artists and navigating male-dominated spaces (24:25) The need for structural change and regulation in organizations (28:16) The complexities of tokenism and authentic representation (30:41) Evolving perceptions of diversity over generations (34:22) The importance of safety, laws, and community support for women (36:42) Structural ingraining of norms and subconscious biases (40:04) Global differences in diversity, inclusion, and regulation (44:12) Opportunities in Berlin’s music scene and cultural contrasts (47:20) Comparing work experiences across countries (51:04) The ongoing challenge of genuine diversity and equity (55:12) Daily practices for happiness: food and nature (58:28) The importance of patience, observation, and appreciating simplicity (60:22) Words of encouragement for those struggling mentally or physically (61:54) The power of community, opening up, and shared human experience (62:22) Closing thoughts on self-awareness, societal change, and personal stories