Michael Fabiano is a world-renowned opera singer, entrepreneur, pilot, and philanthropist — and we spoke about why real success demands more than just money in the bank. Drawing from a career marked by both standing ovations and near bankruptcies, Michael shares how failures, solitude, and disciplined focus have shaped his artistry, business ventures, and life philosophy.

He’s candid about the grind behind the glamour: “Success is not sexy and failure is required.” For him, winning is measured not by net worth, but by lives changed — whether through his performances, his arts mentorship programs, or technology solutions designed to give artists more sovereignty over their work.

Our conversation explored:

How to pivot from failure without being consumed by it
Why “if the only feeling is that I'm looking to make money… my mind is not going to be on humanity”
The role of solitude, from deadlifting to Mahler and Bruckner, in sharpening strategic thinking
Why monopolism is the “bastardization of capitalism” and how it harms innovation
The urgent need to modernize the arts world’s outdated systems and payment structures

Michael also draws striking parallels between flying high-performance aircraft and leading in business: when the stakes are high, emotion must give way to calm, fact-based decision-making. “If I'm thinking about anything else, I'm likely going to have an unstable flight or I'm going to crash.”

Key Takeaways:

Success is personal and should align with values, not just financial targets
Emotional connection belongs in your craft, not in crisis decision-making
Solitude fuels clarity — monotony can be a catalyst for innovation
The arts and culture sector needs a systemic shift to value artists as much as institutions
Fun and lightness aren’t optional; they’re essential to long-term partnership and opportunity

It’s a masterclass in balancing discipline with humanity — and a challenge to rethink how we define, measure, and sustain success.

Michael Fabiano: Is Success Without Humanity Sustainable?