The Hatch Podcast
At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Produced at Hatch Fairhope, it’s where bold ideas take flight.
The Founders Series dives into the journeys of startup founders building the future of business, technology, and innovation across the Gulf South.
The Music Accelerator combines professional music industry guidance with spiritual mentorship, creating a unique environment where artists can grow both creatively and personally. Hosted by music industry veteran Chris Estes, this series features conversations with artists and insiders who’ve spent years shaping the sounds and stories of modern music.
The Bioscience Innovation Series explores breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science — with founders and researchers driving life-changing discoveries in labs across the region.
Around the Table features conversations with Alabama’s most forward-thinking companies and creators, from startups re-imagining industry to leaders building stronger communities.
And throughout the year, The Hatch Podcast Network introduces new limited series spotlighting the people and ideas transforming the Gulf Coast economy — one story at a time.
Find out more at hatchfairhope.com
Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com
The Hatch Podcast
Copyright, Publishing, and Protecting Songwriters (Part 1): Susan Fontaine Godwin | Music Accelerator
With over three decades of experience in publishing, licensing, and songwriter advocacy, Susan Fontaine Godwin has seen the music industry from the inside out. From launching the publishing department at Integrity Music to founding Christian Copyright Solutions, Susan has been at the forefront of protecting songwriters’ rights and ensuring artists get paid fairly.
In this episode of The Hatch Podcast: Music Accelerator, host Chris Estes sits down with Susan to unpack her journey, the evolution of music publishing, and the lessons indie artists need to know about copyright, licensing, and revenue collection.
👉 Apply now for the Hatch Music Accelerator: 119collective.hatchfairhope.com
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How Integrity Music’s Hosanna! tapes sparked a movement in worship publishing
- The founding of Christian Copyright Solutions and the need for simplified blanket licenses
- Why churches and songwriters must understand copyright exemptions—and where they end
- The rise of independent artists and church-based publishing collectives
- International publishing pitfalls: what to know if your songs find an audience overseas
- How fraudulent copyright claims happen—and what policing your catalog really takes
- The importance of having the right administrator to protect your global rights
Key Episode Highlights
- From 70 songs to 4,400: building a catalog from scratch at Integrity Music
- How blanket licensing made it possible for churches to legally perform 20 million songs
- Stories from the “Wild West” of international publishing—like a $10,000 cash payout in Brazil
- Why indie songwriters today have more opportunities than ever—but also more responsibility
About The Hatch Podcast
At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
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Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.