Yulia Niko: How Going Sober Changed My Life & Career

In this episode of Can You Put Me On Guestlist?, I sit down with DJ and producer Yulia Niko for an honest conversation about sobriety, touring life, creativity, and staying connected to emotion on the dance floor.

Yulia opens up about quitting alcohol - and how going sober helped her feel clearer, more productive, and more confident in her decisions, both in the studio and behind the decks. She also shares the realities of life on the road, including a terrifying flight experience that led to ongoing travel anxiety, and what it takes to keep showing up every weekend.

We get into:

• How sobriety changed her mindset as a DJ and producer

• The pressure of touring, airports, and burnout

• Trusting your instincts and focusing on the music

• Burning Man stories and what makes it so special

• Her new role as a Beatport music creator

• Starting a management company and mentoring emerging artists

• Her hot take on the scene in 2026: “More music, less social media.”

• DJ booth etiquette - and what friends should never do when they’re on guestlist!

Follow Yulia Niko: @yulianiko
Follow Katie: @katiehayknight
Follow the podcast: @canuputmeonguestlist

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