Episode 011 — Lessons Not Losses with Steph Payne

A conversation with Steph Payne — Emmy-winning singer, US Army intelligence analyst, fusion artist — on going from military intel to the main stage, why every loss is just a lesson in disguise, her father's advice that has never failed her, and the COVID project that won her an Emmy at the lowest moment. Host: Skip Martin Summary: Steph Payne grew up in Los Angeles, served as a US Army intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and built her second home in Las Vegas over 13 years. She sings across R&B, jazz, rock, and gospel without picking a lane and calls herself a fusion artist. In this conversation with Skip Martin, Steph talks about the difference between losses and lessons, the simple advice from her father that gets her through every setback, what music means at the level of a universal frequency, and the People Get Ready project that won her an Emmy and lifted her spirits at the lowest point. Skip lays in two parables along the way — the goat in the well, and the tree that grows down before it grows up. Main Topics: Growing up in Los Angeles and making Las Vegas a second home over 13 years US Army intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Lessons not losses — the reframe that protects her drive Her father's advice: find something else and make it work Music as a universal frequency, an outlet, an escape, a memory keeper Steph's identity as a fusion artist who refuses to pick a lane The goat in the well — Skip's parable about shaking off every attack The tree that grows down before it grows up — the unseen cost of greatness The People Get Ready project — winning an Emmy during COVID The price the people closest to you pay for your success Intriguing Quotes: "I went from the military to the main stage." "I don't like to call them losses. I like to call them lessons." "Find something else and make it work." — Steph's father "Music helps us be emotionally intelligent when we're not being rational." "I shake it off and I end up like that goat on top of the heap." "Success will come when you make others a priority." — Skip Martin "Music is the sound of a soul singing." — Skip Martin Key Moments: [01:43] Steph drops the line that names the episode — "I went from the military to the main stage" — after explaining her service during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. [04:54] Steph reframes every setback. "I don't like to call them losses. I like to call them lessons." [05:38] Her father's advice — said once, stuck forever. Find something else and make it work. [06:17] Skip tells the goat in the well parable. A farmer tries to bury a goat. Every shovel of dirt the goat shakes off and stands on. Eventually it walks right out. [12:12] Skip's tree analogy. The roots grow down in the dark before the canopy reaches the sun. People only see the tree. They miss what it cost to get there. [14:38] Steph reflects on People Get Ready. COVID. Discouraged. Borderline downtrodden. Skip's invitation lifted her spirits at the time. The Emmy lifted her career down the road. [16:22] Skip closes — 168 tracks in a three-minute-eighteen song. Success comes when you make others a priority. The biggest lesson of his life. Notable Resources: People Get Ready — Legends Unite for Saint Jude (Skip Martin's Emmy-winning project) St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — beneficiary of the People Get Ready project Connect with Steph Payne: Search Steph Payne on social platforms and streaming services Connect with Skip Martin: Website: https://www.skipmartinmusic.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skipmartinmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skipmartinmusic/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/skipmartinmusic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/skipmartinmusic Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.