Zedd

Zedd Opens Up: Why He's A Better DJ Sober & How Music Became His Therapy

"I tried to set myself goals I will never reach. And throughout my life, I've kind of surpassed my goals and I always have to keep [setting new ones]."

In this enlightening conversation, Grammy-winning artist Zedd (Anton Zaslavski) opens up about his creative process, relationship with success, and personal growth journey. From discussing the challenges of staying authentic in an algorithm-driven music industry to sharing his path toward sobriety and healthier living, Zedd reveals how he’s maintained artistic integrity while achieving massive commercial success. He explains his approach to performing live shows, the importance of building a trustworthy team, and how he’s learned to navigate fame while staying grounded in who he is beyond the spotlight.

"The purpose of creating music is just to create for the sake of creating." @Zedd

And now let’s jump into episode 1713 of The School of Greatness!

"Everything I do in my 24 hours, minus the sleep, suffers drastically when I don't get good sleep."@Zedd

Some Questions I Ask:

“How did you learn to navigate the self doubt while being on the top in the industry?”
“How have you been able to navigate burnout, success, fame, and also how do you manage and navigate it when other artists are struggling?”
“Do you approach every show the same or do you adapt based on different audiences in different countries?”
“What’s the most spiritual experience you’ve had at a live show you’ve performed at?”

In this episode, you will learn:

Why creating art for yourself rather than an audience leads to more authentic and impactful work
How to maintain artistic integrity in an algorithm-driven entertainment industry
The importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about your wellbeing
Why checking in on friends and fellow artists is crucial for mental health
How Zedd discovered he could perform better sober and transformed his relationship with alcohol
Plus much more…

Show Notes:

Connect with

Zedd

Transcript of this Episode

Music Credits:

MUSIC CREDIT

Kaibu by Killercats

Summit of Greatness 2025 Early Bird Now Open! | September 12-13 | Los Angeles, CA

Zedd

Zedd Opens Up: Why He's A Better DJ Sober & How Music Became His Therapy

"I tried to set myself goals I will never reach. And throughout my life, I've kind of surpassed my goals and I always have to keep [setting new ones]."

"The purpose of creating music is just to create for the sake of creating." @Zedd