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.

It has been 4 months since my last episode and an update is WAY overdue. Sorry my small group of loyal listeners.

That said, I don't want to give away too much, but as they say in corporate land - a pivot - is at hand. Listen to learn more and hopefully they'll be more than a podcast to listen to from me in the near future.