Giggs Podcast
The Giggs Podcast, hosted by Nikki Sanz, Founder & CEO of Giggs, the professional career platform for the live event industry, dives into the world of touring and live events to share the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unbelievable moments of gigging life, along with invaluable lessons learned on the road.
We’re here to fill the gap in content about what it truly takes to work on the road. Our episodes explore every discipline within the live event industry, showcasing big wins, hard-learned lessons, and everything in between. We honor the pioneers of this industry, offering invaluable insights from the older generations who shaped modern touring.
Whether you’re an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just passionate about the live event scene, this podcast is for you. Join us as we take you behind the scenes to explore the highs and lows of gigging life.
Giggs Podcast
#40 Cristi Williams | Shading the Limelight & Surviving the Spotlight
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Cristi Williams is the Founder of Shading the Limelight, a mental wellness coaching company for artists, actors, and entertainment professionals. She’s also an adjunct professor at Belmont University, where she developed the first-ever course on Social and Emotional Intelligence in the Entertainment Industry—a course that’s now required to graduate from the Curb College of Music Business.
Cristi spent 17 years as a teacher before joining her daughter Hayley—yes, Hayley Williams of Paramore—on the road. That experience opened her eyes to what young entertainers face: pressure, perfectionism, identity loss, and more. She launched Shading the Limelight in 2008 and has been working with clients from Disney, Nickelodeon, Universal, and major labels ever since.
She’s part educator, part counselor, part industry guide—and her work is changing the way creatives grow, connect, and stay well.
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Host: Nikki Sanz