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
Music Publishing & Royalties (Part 2): Susan Fontaine Godwin | Music Accelerator
In this second conversation with Susan Fontaine Godwin, we go deeper into the business of songwriting — from co-writing splits to performance rights, mechanical royalties, and how to protect your work in the streaming age.
Susan, founder of Christian Copyright Solutions and a pioneer in publishing administration, joins host Chris Estes to unpack what every indie songwriter should know about contracts, PROs, and revenue streams — and why protecting your creative work is just as important as creating it.
👉 Apply now for the Hatch Music Accelerator: 119collective.hatchfairhope.com
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The “Protect, Collect, and Promote” framework for managing your music career
- How to handle co-writing splits and ownership percentages early on
- Why registration with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC matters — and when to do it
- The difference between a songwriter’s share and a publisher’s share
- What to look for (and avoid) in aggregator publishing agreements like TuneCore or DistroKid
- How publishing administrators help collect your royalties worldwide
- Understanding the MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) and SoundExchange — and what they do for you
- Common contract mistakes indie artists make (and how to avoid them)
Key Episode Highlights:
- “Protect, Collect, Promote” — Susan’s timeless approach to publishing and licensing
- Why indie artists should treat songwriting splits like a handshake deal written down
- The “two sides” of royalties explained: master vs. composition
- The difference between a publisher and a publishing administrator
- Why understanding your agreements protects your long-term income
Quotes:
“Publishing really comes down to three things: protect, collect, and promote.”
“If you’re co-writing, document your splits early. The conversation you skip now can become the argument you have later.”
“The song and the sound recording are two different copyrights — and two different revenue streams.”
“Don’t just check the box and move on. Know what you’re signing, what you’re giving up, and what you’re keeping.”
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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🔗 Learn more: hatchfairhope.com
📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com
Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.