What does it really mean towin as an artist? Spoiler: It’s not about viral success, massive streams, or chasing someone else’s dream. In this episode, I break down whydefining success for yourself is the only real way forward.

🎯What You’ll Learn:

• Why success, fame, and fortune arenot the same thing

• The real questions every artist should be asking

• Why working hard isn’t enough—and what actually matters

• My own journey of walking away from one definition of success to build something truly my own

🎶If you’re creating, this one’s for you.

🔊Listen now and start making on your own terms.

The music industry isn’t for the faint of heart, and in this episode of Riffs That Changed the World, we dive into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to make music and get it heard in 2025. From the harsh realities of streaming payouts (yes, we’re talking fractions of a cent) to the murky waters of playlist “feedback” and the ever-opaque algorithms, we pull back the curtain on the challenges every indie artist faces.

I’ll share a personal story about navigating a high-stakes sync licensing deal, and what it revealed about the power dynamics at play in the industry. Spoiler: it’s a catch-22 that would make Kafka proud.

But this episode isn’t just a rant—it’s about finding hope in the chaos. How do you create connection in a world dominated by bots, big players, and broken systems? What does it mean to hold onto your independence while carving out a space for your music?

This one’s for anyone who loves music, cares about the human stories behind it, and wants a peek behind the curtain of the business that shapes what we hear. Because while the music biz might be whack, the connections it creates are anything but.

Tune in and let’s navigate the madness together. 🎸✨

It's a new year and it's a new me (and you). Today is the beginning of the shift in format to musings about my experiences with my Second Act. I talk about what it means to become a musician and how buying into the process IS at the core of anyone's second act.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think. Hopefully you can find a nugget or two to use for yourself. Check one off the NY resolutions list.