Episode
Matt Ross, Entrepreneur, Media Executive, and Author of Grow or Fold
- Podcast
- Your World of Creativity
- Published
- Jan 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1956
- Processing state
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- https://markstinson.captivate.fm/episode/matt-ross-entrepreneur-media-executive-and-author-of-grow-or-fold
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Summary
Episode 400 – and the start of our 8th year of the podcast! We welcome Matt Ross — entrepreneur, media executive, and author of the book Grow or Fold: Transform Yourself in Midlife & Beyond . Matt's Website Matt's Facebook page LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ross-entrepreneur/ Matt has spent nearly 30 years building businesses at the intersection of creativity and leadership. He led New York’s legendary rock station Q104.3 and hip-hop station Hot 97, helped scale School of Rock from a struggling startup into a global franchise, and later founded One River School , a first-of-its-kind art education company now with fifteen schools across six states. Grow or Fold — Why This Book, and Why Now? Matt, you’ve spent decades building creative organizations—from School of Rock to One River School . What inspired you to write Grow or Fold , and what does that title mean to you personally? From Rock Stages to Art Studios o Throughout his career, Matt has made creativity the core of every organization he’s led, whether inspiring musicians, mentoring young artists, or empowering educators to think like innovators. What lessons carried over from building School of Rock that helped you launch One River School —and how did those experiences change your view of what creativity really means? Building Communities Through Art One of your core beliefs is that creative spaces are essential for wellbeing and connection. How have you seen art schools, studios, and community programs transform the lives of students and adults alike? Creative Growth and Leadership at Every Age You’ve said that creativity isn’t just for the young—it’s the key to staying sharp as we age. How can leaders, educators, and professionals rediscover their creative edge during midlife transitions or afte…