Who is Brendan McBrien ? | Lead IN Ep.22

In this episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin and Brendan get into the thrilling highs and challenging lows of Brendan’s journey from aspiring rock star to a pivotal figure in the music industry. With vivid recollections of unforgettable moments like performing at Gator Fest in Texas—where the energy of the crowd was palpable and real gators were in attendance—Brendan shares the lessons he's learned about passion, adaptability, and staying present. Key Takeaways: 1. Passion and Dedication: - Brendan emphasizes the importance of passion in the music industry, highlighting that every person in a touring band is there because they genuinely love it. - Austin reflects on the varying levels of commitment across different professions, stressing the need for adaptability and openness to life's twists and turns. 2. Staying Present: - The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the pressures of immediate growth in a new company and the importance of staying present and listening. - Brendan and Austin explore how being immersed in the music industry can shift one's enjoyment of live performances from a fan's perspective to a performer's viewpoint. 3. Balancing Success and Passion: - Brendan shares his experience of how success can sometimes lead to a loss of passion, using the example of the Eli Young Band's rise to fame with the song "Crazy Girl." - The episode underscores the importance of maintaining the love for your craft even as you achieve greater success. 4. Transformative Experiences: - Brendan recounts the thrilling and memorable experience of performing at Gator Fest, capturing the unique setting and the energy of the crowd. - The discussion also touches on how transformative events in a musician's career can alter their perspective and approach to their work. 5. Insights on Business Growth: - The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion on business growth, emphasizing that not all revenue is good revenue and the importance of aligning business goals with personal lifestyle preferences. - Austin and Brendan highlight the value of empathy, listening, and being open to the moment in both personal and professional settings. To know more about our host Austin Linney, visit www.austinlinney.com Stream on: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ocMWKCzR8kzO5W7Zaz0FC - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-in-podcast/id1728419723 - Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/2f377cd8-9be2-4217-a2df-a409628586b6/leadin-podcast - Pocketcast: https://pca.st/3bc4dqjl