Amber Grimes Launches ‘If You Knew Better’ Podcast

Amber Grimes, a powerhouse executive known for her behind-the-scenes strategy in the music industry, is now sharing her wisdom directly with the world. She’s launched a new podcast, “If You Knew Better,” aiming to provide guidance and insight for those navigating life and career without a clear roadmap.

From College Dropout to Industry Leader

Grimes’ journey is a testament to resilience and determination. A college dropout who climbed the ranks to become Executive Vice President and General Manager of LVRN, she’s been instrumental in expanding the label’s influence. Her focus extends beyond business success; she’s dedicated to creating opportunities and reshaping how Black talent is supported and represented in the industry.

The podcast, created in partnership with iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s Black Effect Podcast Network, is a natural extension of her passion. “I feel like I’m doing something I was supposed to do,” Grimes shares, describing the podcast as a space for growth, self-awareness, and learning from life’s experiences.

Filling the Mentorship Gap

The inspiration for “If You Knew Better” stems from Grimes’ own experience of forging a path without a traditional mentor. While acknowledging the incredible people who have helped her, she recognized the absence of a consistent, guiding figure throughout her career. “I used to always hear people talk about mentors. And I’m like, ‘man, I never had one of those,’” she recalls.

Driven by a desire to provide the support she wished she had, Grimes aims to create a valuable resource. “I wanted to fill that space for people who don’t get that in their life… To build a resource, to give them things to really take away,” she explains. The podcast features candid conversations with creatives and culture leaders who share their journeys, including the decisions they’d make differently now.

The Meaning Behind ‘If You Knew Better’

The podcast’s title, “If You Knew Better,” is a clever play on the common phrase “If you knew better, you’d do better.” As a marketing professional, Grimes envisioned a title that could create a call-and-response, something memorable and impactful. More importantly, it reflects her personal philosophy: learning from experience and sharing that knowledge to reduce struggle and empower others to reach their full potential.

Grimes firmly believes that greatness is achieved by lifting others up. She rejects the idea of gatekeeping knowledge, emphasizing that “you can’t be great until you make somebody else great.” This philosophy drives her passion for empowering people, whether through supporting her artists at LVRN or through the conversations featured on her podcast.

Connecting with Black Effect and Inspiring Guests

Her decision to partner with the Black Effect Podcast Network was deeply personal, rooted in her relationship with the network’s president, Dollie Sierra, who mentored Grimes early in her career. Grimes respects Charlamagne Tha God’s work and the network’s mission to amplify Black voices, particularly those of Black women.

When selecting guests, Grimes prioritizes substance over celebrity. She seeks individuals with compelling stories of growth and learning, focusing on the message they bring rather than just their name recognition. Early episodes feature conversations with Malcolm Mays on managing finances and Burned Beauty, a makeup influencer who survived an attack by her husband, discussing how to identify narcissistic abuse. These are the kinds of powerful narratives that Grimes believes make for the most impactful episodes.

• New podcast ‘If You Knew Better’ launched by music executive Amber Grimes.
• Partnership with iHeartMedia and Black Effect Podcast Network.
• Focuses on mentorship, career advice, and lessons learned through experience.
• Guests share candid stories about navigating challenges and growth.
• Prioritizes meaningful messages over celebrity status for guests.

Advocating for Authenticity

Grimes also shared her ongoing challenge in the entertainment industry: being allowed to be her authentic self. She has consistently advocated for her right to express herself, even when facing pushback from corporate expectations. “I’m not going to stop talking. I’m not going to stop doing anything I feel good about doing or sharing with people or my way of giving that because it’s not what you do. I’m not you, and you’re definitely not me,” she asserts. This commitment to authenticity is a core value that permeates both her career and her new podcast.