The Story Behind SXSW: Reinvention, Leadership & the Power of Connection

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Greg Rosenbaum, SVP of Programming at South by Southwest and a 15-year veteran behind one of the most influential festivals in the world.From dyslexia to leadership, Greg shares the personal and professional journey that shaped him, and how SXSW has become a global model for community, creativity, and connection across music, film, TV, technology, comedy, and education.Greg reveals how adversity forced SXSW to reinvent itself after losing its long-standing convention center home, and why focusing on community over convenience transformed everything.He also opens up about mentorship, parenting, discipline, creativity, and the mindset required to build a festival that helps thousands of artists, innovators, and storytellers share their work with the world. Key Takeaways-Reinvention happens when adversity demands creativity, community must guide every major decision.-Dyslexia shaped Greg’s determination, discipline, and belief in incremental progress.-SXSW thrives because it bridges industries, music, film, innovation, comedy, and education under one roof.-The festival’s 40th year challenged the team to reimagine everything, leading to a more immersive, city-wide experience.-Networking is the real “cheat code”, authentic connection accelerates growth faster than any strategy.-Discipline in fitness and routine fuels creativity, clarity, and leadership.-Presence is the foundation of great parenting, partnership, and professional impact. Connect with me :https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGAGreg Rosenbaumhttps://www.instagram.com/sxsw/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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