The Fearless Artist Podcast

In this episode of The Fearless Artist podcast, Michelle Lynne shares highlights from Career Day, a 10-hour event helping classical musicians build fulfilling, sustainable careers. Topics include effective practice, audience engagement, marketing, negotiation, financial stability, and navigating career transitions. Michelle reflects on the power of community and investing in yourself, encouraging musicians to turn new ideas into action and build careers that bring them joy.✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

What does it really take to build a fulfilling and sustainable career as a classical musician?In this solo episode, Michelle Lynne shares a personal invitation to Fearless Career Day on September 8—a full day created to tackle the career skills musicians often don’t learn in school.Michelle reflects on the realities of freelance life and why musicians need to take an active role in creating their own opportunities. From finances and effective practicing to personal branding, visibility, entrepreneurship, and overcoming the fear of judgment, she encourages artists to stop waiting until they feel ready and start taking small, consistent steps forward.She also introduces the Career Day’s lineup of guest speakers, who will share practical insights on money management, neuroscience-based practice strategies, audience building, record labels, self-advocacy, career resilience, and artistic identity.Above all, this episode is a reminder that a successful music career doesn’t have to follow one traditional path. By investing in new skills, taking initiative, and defining success for yourself, it’s possible to build a career, and a life that truly works for you.✨ Fearless Artist Career Day 2026: https://beyourownmanager.com/careerday✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne welcomes Bernhard Kerres back to The Fearless Artist Podcast to discuss freelance classical music careers and the upcoming Fearless Career Day on September 8. Their conversation begins with Bernhard’s widely shared observation that about 25% of classical musicians live below the poverty line. Both agree that musicians should be able to pursue meaningful artistic work without constant financial insecurity.Bernhard believes this is one of the best times to build a sustainable freelance career because technology has created new ways to reach audiences, develop projects, and generate income. He encourages musicians to use social media, AI, and digital tools as opportunities rather than threats. Visibility, he says, helps artists connect with people beyond traditional concert halls and expand their impact.They highlight several Fearless Career Day speakers who represent different career paths. Rob Guy built successful classical music projects in North Wales despite being told they would fail. Roseline Anienie is developing orchestral and operatic projects in Nigeria that combine classical and African traditions. Other speakers will cover entrepreneurship, financial management, negotiation, recording, neuroscience, and service design.Bernhard also discusses his experiments with AI, including career-management chatbots and role-playing tools that help musicians practice pitching projects and handling professional conversations. He encourages artists to experiment with technology and create new services, resources, and audience experiences.Ultimately, Michelle and Bernhard describe Fearless Career Day as a catalyst for action. Participants are encouraged to ask difficult questions, learn from experts and peers, and leave with no more than three concrete steps to begin immediately. Their message is simple: take ownership of your career, stay open to new possibilities, and build a life that supports both meaningful music-making and financial stability.✨ Fearless Artist Career Day 2026: https://beyourownmanager.com/careerday✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Coach and drummer John Blackburn joins Michelle to unpack the “hamster wheel” for musicians, using NLP, clear goals and identity shifts to build stability without losing freedom. Learn to “push your own buttons” and design routines that support your art and life.✨ Connect with John Blackburn:Instagram – @coachjohnblackburnWebsite - https://www.john-blackburn.com/nextsteps✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this crossover episode, Michelle and Ghenadie reflect on their experience at Classical in Budapest and share practical strategies for making meaningful connections at music-industry conferences. They discuss researching attendees, prioritizing key contacts, preparing a concise elevator pitch, using social media effectively, starting authentic conversations, and knowing when to move on gracefully.Their conversation expands into the future of classical music, including audience development, music education, innovative concert formats, streaming royalties, and the growing influence of AI. They explore why artistic excellence and genuine human connection still matter more than chasing trends. Along the way, they discuss confidence, self-management, career mistakes, and the importance of taking chances instead of rejecting yourself before anyone else can.✨ Connect with Ghenadie Rotari Website - https://www.ghenadierotari.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ghenadie_rotari_accordionist✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Paul the Trombonist shares how he broke out of the traditional freelance model and built a thriving online education business for musicians. Starting with YouTube trombone tutorials and a free album giveaway, he unintentionally built an email list that became the foundation of his business. When he later emailed that audience about a trombone method book, he earned several thousand dollars and realized the true power of direct audience connection. From there, he expanded into workshops, courses, webinars, and premium group programs for committed adult music students. Paul explains that he made his first million not through fame or a huge following, but by mastering conversations, offers, and paid advertising—converting roughly 1% of his leads into customers. He stresses that success comes from listening carefully to the market, refining offers based on feedback, and staying consistent through setbacks. His message is encouraging: musicians do not have to stay trapped in burnout and scarcity, but can build profitable businesses while continuing to make music.✨ Connect with Paul Nowell:Instagram - @paulthetrombonistWebsite - paulthetrombonist.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In the 100th episode of The Fearless Artist podcast, Michelle reflects on the growth of the show and the lessons she has learned. The podcast was created to offer an honest look at freelance classical music careers, challenge perfectionism and comparison, and provide musicians with advice. Michelle discovered that guests are often willing to share their knowledge and that her solo episodes, despite causing her the most anxiety, frequently connect most with listeners. Hosting has helped her become a better listener and ask deeper questions. She credits the podcast’s consistency to teamwork, accountability, simple guest outreach, and a willingness to produce a minimum viable version instead of waiting for perfection. Her first episode lasted only nine minutes, and she avoided checking statistics for six months to protect the project from self-criticism. Guests taught her valuable lessons about emotional marketing, strategic career planning, negotiation, audience data, and making concertgoers feel welcome. Michelle also learned to schedule interviews around her energy levels and stop overthinking solo recordings. Her central advice is to begin with the smallest practical step, track what works, accept early awkwardness, seek support, and make gradual improvements. Consistent action, rather than perfection, allows creative projects and careers to grow.--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Met clarinettist and Juilliard professor Jessica Phillips shares her MBA insights on music careers. Learn to shift from a scarcity mindset to "making the pie bigger" in negotiations, embrace lifelong upskilling, and discover your true value as an artist.🔗 Connect with Jessica PhillipsWebsite: https://www.jessicaphillipsclari.netInstagram: @jessicaphillipsclarinetLinks: https://www.jessicaphillipsclari.net/links--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, David speaks with pianist and entrepreneur Michelle Lynne.Not only does Michelle embody what a modern musician is today, but she empowers other musicians to have their own thriving careers. As well as performing across the world with immersive performances, she is the co-Founder of The Fearless Artist Mastermind, coaching musicians on their careers, and has taught entrepreneurship at conservatoires in the Netherlands.In this conversation, we dive into the power of entrepreneurship and self promotion for musicians. We look at some of the challenges that musicians are facing in their careers and how to overcome them. We also explore the impact of AI, the power of telling stories in performances, and the power of continual learning.Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

Classical pianist/educator Ben Laude shares his path from Tonebase to YouTube creator: a 16-part Chopin Podcast with a searchable Opus Index and hosting the Warsaw Chopin Competition. He champions sports-style analysis, explores monetization via Patreon, and urges creatives to write ideas down.🔗 CONNECT WITH BEN LAUDEWebsite: https://benlaude.com/YouTube: @benlawdyInstagram: @benlawdy--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, Michelle speaks with acclaimed bass Matthew Rose about life as an opera singer, the realities of building a sustainable career, and his passion for mentoring the next generation. Matthew shares the inspiration behind his summer singing academies in Spoleto and Folkestone, where young and working singers receive intensive training from world-class artists, coaches, conductors, and directors. He reflects on the importance of vocal efficiency, honest self-awareness, choosing the right repertoire at the right time, and treating singing as both an art and a profession. With warmth, humor, and candor, Matthew also discusses arts funding, the future of opera, and why passing on knowledge is essential to keeping the industry alive and thriving.✨ Connect with Matthew Rose :Instagram – @matthewrosephotos | @tosti_int_singing_academy | @spoleto_vocal_arts_workshop_✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, Michelle speaks with tenor and author Ben Bliss about the financial realities of life as a freelance opera singer and performing artist. Ben shares his unconventional path from film school and working on the Dr. Phil show to becoming a professional opera singer with a global career. His new book, Making It Work, grew out of a practical problem: realizing that performers often accept impressive-looking contracts without understanding taxes, travel costs, housing, agent commissions, insurance, and other hidden expenses.Ben explains how freelance artists are essentially running small businesses, even though few conservatories teach budgeting, taxes, investing, negotiation, or long-term financial planning. He emphasizes that every gig offer should be carefully budgeted before saying yes, and that contracts are always worth negotiating. A major theme of the conversation is replacing fear and avoidance with knowledge, structure, and control.Michelle and Ben also discuss student loans, choosing schools wisely, burnout, the emotional rewards of performing, and the importance of building financial stability so artists are not forced to accept every opportunity out of desperation. Ben encourages listeners to start investing, even with one dollar, as a first step toward confidence and freedom. The episode is a candid, practical conversation about how musicians can protect both their art and their future.✨ Connect with Ben Bliss:Instagram – @mrbenblissBook - https://makingitworkbook.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, marketing expert Dustin Boyer explains how classical musicians can bridge the gap between virtuosity and branding. He discusses "message mining" fan comments, using Meta ads to build email lists, and why live-streaming is the ultimate tool for humanizing the "mysterious" artist.✨ Connect with Dustin Boyer:Instagram – @dustintheindustryplantWebsite - https://www.industryplantmusic.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of The Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle Lynne welcomes back educator, coach, and artist-branding expert Pieter Schoonderwoerd for a conversation about how musicians can build more authentic, memorable, and sustainable careers. Pieter shares his background as a drummer, venue director, fundraiser, conservatory educator, and founder of the Music Entrepreneurship Program “Your Art as a Business,” explaining how his work now focuses on helping artists clarify their career goals, revenue streams, audience relationships, and personal brand.A major theme of the episode is the importance of stepping outside the traditional “box” of classical music. Pieter explains that while technique and mastery are essential, audiences also want to connect with the person behind the performance. By developing a clearer brand personality, musicians can make more personal career choices, communicate with greater meaning, and avoid feeling trapped by generic expectations.Michelle and Pieter also explore the fear many artists have around being different, especially in the classical world where belonging, safety, and peer approval can feel deeply tied to professionalism. Pieter encourages artists to find a balance between stability and exploration, taking small, authentic steps toward a more distinctive artistic identity.The conversation also introduces Pieter’s upcoming workshop on finding your brand voice. Rather than relying on generic phrases like “I’m thrilled to announce,” artists will learn how to write bios, social posts, newsletters, and promotional materials in a way that reflects their true personality and values. Pieter also discusses insights from a recent workshop in Denmark with mid-career female artists, emphasizing that audience-building is less about follower counts and more about meaningful connection, platform strategy, and deepening relationships with fans.--Pieter Schoonderwoerd - https://alwayslookatthebrandsideoflife.com/Pieter Schoonderwoerd Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pieterschoonderwoerd/Archetype eBook DM Pieter on Instagram @pieterschoonderwoerd--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of the Fearless Artist Podcast, host Michelle Lynne interviews Ella Hooper, a life coach and founder of the Bethel Conservatory of the Arts (BCA) in Redding, California. Michelle recounts their initial meeting at a leadership conference and how Ella's compassionate advice profoundly impacted her life. Ella's approach emphasizes self-compassion, recognizing one's unique gifts, and overcoming perfectionism. She discusses how artists often face high industry standards, rejection, and self-comparison, which can hinder their growth. Ella highlights the importance of self-love and kindness, which help artists navigate these challenges and ultimately achieve true transformation. They also explore how judgment and shame can block creativity and how embracing compassion can lead to a more fulfilling and abundant artistic journey. Ella shares insights on dealing with rejection, celebrating progress, and maintaining a positive self-image, which are crucial for long-term success and personal development in the arts.🔗 CONNECT WITH ELLA HOOPERWebsite: www.ella-hooper.comInstagram: @ella.hooper_ and @nextbravethingpodcastNext Brave Thing Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/nextbravething/--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of The Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle welcomes cellist, mindfulness teacher, and author Ruth Phillips to discuss her new book, Beauty at the Edge of Catastrophe. Ruth shares her personal journey from injury and debilitating stage fright to finding freedom, joy, and connection in performance. She explains that mindfulness is not about stopping thoughts or forcing positivity, but about meeting our thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences with kindness and curiosity.Together, Michelle and Ruth explore how musicians often learn through criticism, pressure, and fear, and how a more embodied, compassionate approach can lead to healthier practice and deeper artistry. Ruth emphasizes grounding, listening to the whole body, and paying attention to the “orientation of the heart” in practice and performance. They also discuss the relationship between performer and audience, reframing performance not as proving oneself, but as sharing a human experience through music.Ruth encourages listeners to ask themselves: “What is my intention here? Is it kind?”🔗 CONNECT WITH RUTH PHILLIPSWebsite: https://ruthphillips.com--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle talks with baritone Lucas Meachem about authenticity on and offstage, social media as service, the grind to sustain an international career, cultural nuance in Europe, casting realities, family collaboration with Irena, and advice to stay classy, prepared, and present.🔗 CONNECT WITH LUCAS MEACHEMWebsite: https://lucasmeachem.com/Instagram: @lucasmeachem--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

This podcast episode explores energy management and the ebb and flow of a freelance musician's career. Host Michelle Lynne shares insights on navigating slow periods by clarifying vision, building networks, and seeking inspiration. She also discusses maximizing flow seasons by focusing on what's working, and the importance of accountability and community in sustaining a fulfilling artistic life.--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--Intro/Outro music by Michelle Lynne • Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Host Michelle Lynne chats with Dr. Chloe Swindler about portfolio careers, embracing roles as musician, educator, and entrepreneur, and crafting a personal brand. Chloe outlines self-awareness exercises, visual branding, social media tips, and strategies to rediscover joy in music.--Chloe Swindler - https://www.chloeswindler.com/ Chloe Swindler Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chloeswindlermusic/--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/ The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--Intro/Outro music by Michelle Lynne • Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of The Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle Lynne chats with arts leader Aubrey Bergauer about her book Run It Like a Business. They dive into audience growth, retention strategies, user experience, and how the arts can thrive by embracing business principles.--Aubrey Bergauer - https://www.aubreybergauer.com/Aubrey Bergauer Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aubreybergauer/Run It Like A Business - https://www.aubreybergauer.com/book--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--Intro/Outro music by Michelle Lynne •Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne chats with arts innovator David Taylor about building digital visibility, empowering musicians and arts orgs, and embracing experimentation. He shares success stories, mindset shifts, and strategies for thriving in a changing industry.--David Taylor - https://www.david-taylor.org/David Taylor Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidtaylor_uk/--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--Intro/Outro music by Michelle Lynne •Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, marketing expert Dustin Boyer explains how classical musicians can bridge the gap between virtuosity and branding. He discusses "message mining" fan comments, using Meta ads to build email lists, and why live-streaming is the ultimate tool for humanizing the "mysterious" artist.✨ Connect with Dustin Boyer:Instagram – @dustintheindustryplantWebsite - https://www.industryplantmusic.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this solo episode of the Fearless Artist Podcast, Classical:NEXT speaker Michelle Lynne reflects on perfectionism, growth, and confidence while preparing for a busy week in Budapest. Balancing performances, speaking engagements, and practice, she opens up about the tendency to delay action in pursuit of “perfect” output—and instead embraces showing up imperfectly.She shares insights from training for a challenging Hyrox fitness race, drawing parallels to a musician’s journey. Her key lessons include shifting identity from self-doubt to confidence, using visualization to prepare effectively, and trusting the process even when outcomes feel uncertain. Michelle emphasizes how language and mindset—such as reframing “I’m nervous” into “I’m excited”—can dramatically impact performance.The episode also highlights her work with the Fast Forward community, which addresses common struggles among musicians: isolation, scarcity mindset, and lack of accountability. Through shared experiences, goal-setting, and support, the community helps artists expand their vision and take consistent action.Ultimately, Michelle encourages listeners to stop waiting for perfect conditions, step into confidence, and take action—even in the middle of uncertainty.✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Jeremy Grant joins Michelle Lynne to share how his platform, Backstage Wellness, helps musicians build healthier, more sustainable lives. A professional trombonist since 1992 and a former member of the U.S. Air Force Band for 20 years, Jeremy explains how mandatory fitness testing first made him notice the connection between physical health and musical performance. Better sleep, nutrition, exercise, and recovery all made playing feel easier, which eventually led him to become a certified health coach, personal trainer, and nutrition coach.Throughout the conversation, Jeremy emphasizes a realistic, individualized approach rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all system. He works with musicians to identify their biggest obstacles, often lack of time, stress, poor sleep, or uncertainty about where to begin, and helps them build sustainable habits from the smallest possible step. He highlights movement as an easy starting point, while also stressing the importance of sleep, recovery, and stress management techniques like box breathing. For touring artists especially, he advocates balance over perfection, encouraging better choices when possible and grace when circumstances are less than ideal. His message is simple and encouraging: start where you are, do what you can today, and build from there.✨ Connect with Jeremy Grant:Instagram - @healthwithjeremyWebsite - backstagewellness.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Paul the Trombonist shares how he broke out of the traditional freelance model and built a thriving online education business for musicians. Starting with YouTube trombone tutorials and a free album giveaway, he unintentionally built an email list that became the foundation of his business. When he later emailed that audience about a trombone method book, he earned several thousand dollars and realized the true power of direct audience connection. From there, he expanded into workshops, courses, webinars, and premium group programs for committed adult music students. Paul explains that he made his first million not through fame or a huge following, but by mastering conversations, offers, and paid advertising—converting roughly 1% of his leads into customers. He stresses that success comes from listening carefully to the market, refining offers based on feedback, and staying consistent through setbacks. His message is encouraging: musicians do not have to stay trapped in burnout and scarcity, but can build profitable businesses while continuing to make music.✨ Connect with Paul Nowell:Instagram - @paulthetrombonistWebsite - paulthetrombonist.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of The Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle Lynne talks with Thomas Zera, double bassist of the Utah Symphony and founder of The Subpool, a platform created to connect freelance musicians with orchestras seeking substitute players. Thomas shares how his idea grew out of years of performing, freelancing, and traveling to play with different orchestras. During a sabbatical, he noticed how much access to work depended on who you already knew, and he saw a need for a broader, more musician-friendly system.The Subpool allows musicians to create free profiles, list their experience, select where they are willing to travel, and be found by personnel managers looking for short-term hires. Thomas explains that many orchestras already have substitute lists, but those lists often run dry, especially when managers need someone quickly. His goal was to build a tool that supports both managers and musicians while giving freelancers more visibility, flexibility, and direct communication.Michelle and Thomas also discuss the future of the platform, including stronger digital profiles, community-building features, and additional support for freelance musicians. Overall, the episode highlights entrepreneurship, innovation, and the importance of creating practical resources that help musicians build sustainable and connected careers.✨ Connect with Thomas Zera:The Sub Pool – https://thesubpool.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne welcomes back coach and longtime friend Ella Hooper for a conversation about healing, creativity, and the inner life of artists. Michelle shares how Ella helped her work through perfectionism, shame, and limiting beliefs, and invites her to discuss her work with artists and her recent move back to Australia.Ella explains how her “Wholehearted Artist” approach grew out of helping students in a pioneering arts school who were overwhelmed by risk, performance pressure, and self-doubt. She describes wholeness as connection to self, others, and a sense of being already enough. Much of the episode focuses on nervous system regulation: understanding fight, flight, and freeze, naming emotions accurately, and noticing body sensations before reacting.They also discuss “glimmers,” or small moments of calm and joy that help bring artists back into the present. Overall, Ella encourages artists to build self-trust, practice self-compassion, and create from a place of safety rather than fear, shame, or constant hustle.✨ Connect with Ella Hooper:Instagram – @coaching_withellaWebsite - www.ella-hooper.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne welcomes clarinetist Ixi Chen—co-founder of Music 360 and a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra—for a wide-ranging conversation about building a fulfilling, sustainable life in music. Ixy shares how many musicians start with a sense of possibility, then feel “boxed in” by strict expectations in training, and forget they’re allowed to expand again. Together they explore shifting from “I have something to prove” to “I have something to share,” and how even a 1% mindset change can outweigh performance anxiety and fear of judgment.Ixi explains Music 360’s holistic approach: helping musicians not only with auditions and materials, but also with projects, pricing confidence, communication, and career direction. She describes the power of reconnecting to meaning—focusing on the story, emotion, or intention behind a piece—to unlock freer, more connected performing. She illustrates this with a personal story of playing Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral after her sister’s passing, reframing the performance as a dialogue and a gift.The episode also covers Ixi’s recent workshop for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago on turning anxiety into agency—moving from “Will I make it?” to “How will I make it work?”—including identity work, nervous-system regulation, and an “Onlyness” branding template. The conversation closes with a practical takeaway: introduce yourself as a multi-dimensional artist (“I’m a _ who _ and _”).✨ Connect with Ixi Chen:Instagram – @musicthreesixtyWebsite - https://www.music-threesixty.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Dominik, a musician, producer, and Head of Sales, shared practical advice on cold outreach and negotiating for artists, emphasizing a business-minded approach.He stressed the importance of knowing your potential client and choosing the right communication channel. He uses A/B testing to determine which methods—like email, social media (Instagram, LinkedIn), or direct calls—are most effective for a particular contact. Dominique advised against using general email addresses (like office@...) and provided humorous but effective tactics, such as asking for a direct number or using provocative subject lines like "Open Demand" to cut through the noise and create urgency.For the content of any outreach, he championed providing value and displaying empathy (understanding the other party's position) over sympathy or self-indulgent, lengthy bios. Instead of focusing on "I, I, I," an artist should explain how booking them will solve a problem for the venue—such as increasing revenue or filling calendar slots.In negotiations, Dominik emphasized that a price is simply the perceived value you successfully communicate. He encouraged artists to first engage in discovery by asking questions to understand the client's needs and budget. A successful negotiation involves making the other party comfortable saying "no" so a mutual and actionable agreement can be reached, rather than settling for an easy "yes" that leads nowhere. Finally, he encouraged everyone to just keep trying, as the fear of failure is worse than the act of sending an email that might not get a response.✨ Connect with Dominik Landolt:Instagram – @landoltdominikWebsite - www.landoltdominik.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne welcomes classical accordionist Michael Bridge—fellow Canadian and University of Toronto faculty member—to the Fearless Artist Podcast to talk about building a sustainable performing career. Bridge shares how he trained at U of T (one of the only North American schools to offer classical accordion studies for decades) and explains how the instrument’s classical scene is growing beyond its folk roots. The conversation quickly turns to business: Bridge teaches a course focused specifically on making money from performing, covering topics like setting accurate fees, negotiating, U.S. work visas, incorporation, and long-term financial and retirement planning. His core message is that musicians must understand their true workload and value their time. He describes an “itemized” spreadsheet method that reveals how a single concert can easily equal a full work week once you count admin, travel, practice, promotion, and upkeep—often shocking students into rethinking underpaid gigs. They discuss closing the income gap through professionalism, unique artistic value, better materials, and practice-based negotiation skills. Bridge previews his March 4 “Next Level Negotiation” workshop, featuring role-play scenarios, practical rules of thumb, and scripts for handling low-budget offers while strengthening the industry overall.✨ Connect with Michael Bridge:Instagram – @michael_accordionistWebsite - https://www.michaelbridge.ca✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of the Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle Lynne and Brian Witkowski dismantle the "starving artist" myth. Witkowski, founder of The Lucrative Artist, argues that poverty is subconsciously normalized in music education, leaving talented performers broke and burnt out.Contrasting Schubert’s struggles with Rossini’s prosperity, Brian encourages artists to adopt a "boutique" business mindset. Key insights include a practical formula for calculating hourly rates, the importance of fundraising like a politician, and the necessity of saying no to misaligned, low-paying gigs. Brian also offers a unique perspective on the AI era, asserting that human artists provide the essential "source code" for the future.The conversation centers on entrepreneurial architecture: building business models that sell themselves so artists can thrive without compromising their integrity. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder to use gratitude as a professional orientation to build confidence and reduce friction.✨ Connect with Brian Witkowski:Instagram – Brian WitkowskiSubstack - https://thelucrativeartist.substack.com/Website - https://thelucrativevoice.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this solo episode of The Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle Lynne recaps “Vision and Vibes,” a Fast Forward membership workshop focused on starting the year with more sustainability and less pressure. She shares that her own year began without a surge of energy, prompting her to slow down, trust the natural ebb and flow of artistic life, and get intentional about where her limited time and energy should go.Michelle explains that many goals fail not because musicians lack discipline, but because goals aren’t connected to core values, meaning, and real-life capacity. When goals feel unclear, they become heavy and overwhelming, leading to scattered schedules, constant “busyness,” comparison, and discouragement. Instead of pushing harder or adding more productivity tools, she encourages listeners to choose better—building intentionally rather than trying to do everything at once.She also highlights the supportive community inside Fast Forward (now over 60 members), including coaching calls, Slack discussion, goal tracking, and coworking focus sessions. The episode offers reflection prompts and a simple planning framework: review what energized or drained you last year, create measurable “I am” goals, work backwards with buffer time, protect your highest-energy “Green Zone” hours, and keep promises with a weekly review ritual. Michelle’s key message: action creates clarity, and sustainable success comes from focus, kindness, and aligned priorities.✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of The Fearless Artist podcast, host Michelle Lynne explores the critical issue of burnout among freelance musicians. She discusses the challenges musicians face, from managing chaotic schedules to handling performance stress and the demands of running a business. Michelle shares personal experiences with burnout, recounting a difficult period earlier in the year when her intense schedule left her exhausted. She highlights the importance of energy management over time management, offering practical strategies like simplifying tasks, creating rhythms for productivity, and eliminating energy drains. Michelle also emphasizes the value of coaching and delegating tasks to maintain a balanced life. Additionally, she shares insights from her own journey, including the difficult decision to leave a conservatory job to focus on other fulfilling opportunities. Ultimately, Michelle encourages musicians to create a sustainable lifestyle, invest in self-care, and pursue their passion without sacrificing well-being.✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne chats with London Philharmonic Choir associate chorus director Tori Longdon on building World Choir, unearthing rare repertoire, and leading with joy + high standards. She urges artists to stop waiting for permission, build trust, and reset with a deep-breath practice.✨ Connect with Tori Longdon:Instagram –@ToriLongdonWebsite - https://www.torilongdon.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Pianist Michelle Lynne joins Nick Akdag on the Wise Musician podcast to discuss her new crossover album, One Step at a Time. Blending classical mastery with raw songwriting, Michelle shares her journey of overcoming perfectionism, the power of vulnerability, and how she turned personal healing into a message of hope.✨ Connect with Nick Akdag:Instagram –@Wise_Musician✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, marketing expert Dustin Boyer explains how classical musicians can bridge the gap between virtuosity and branding. He discusses "message mining" fan comments, using Meta ads to build email lists, and why live-streaming is the ultimate tool for humanizing the "mysterious" artist.✨ Connect with Dustin Boyer:Instagram – @dustintheindustryplantWebsite - https://www.industryplantmusic.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this solo episode, Michelle Lynne guides musicians through a 2025 reflection to combat the "what's next" pressure. She shares prompts on managing energy, redefining identity, and choosing courage over comfort, encouraging listeners to slow down and celebrate wins before tackling 2026.✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Guest host Robert Bosworth interviews Michelle Lynn about her new album, One Step at a Time. They discuss overcoming perfectionism, the unique mix of pop and classical tracks, and her experience performing at the Eiffel Tower. Michelle also shares goals for 2026 and her vocal journey.One Step at a Time - Listen Everywhere✨ Connect with Robert Bosworth:Instagram – @robert.bosworth.music✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Coach and drummer John Blackburn joins Michelle to unpack the “hamster wheel” for musicians, using NLP, clear goals and identity shifts to build stability without losing freedom. Learn to “push your own buttons” and design routines that support your art and life.✨ Connect with John Blackburn:Instagram – @coachjohnblackburnWebsite - https://www.john-blackburn.com/nextsteps✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In Part 2, Dominik Landolt continues discussing authentic sales with Michelle Lynne. He argues against manipulation, urging musicians to research venues and solve actual problems. His key advice: don't take silence personally and never leave a meeting without a scheduled follow-up.✨ Connect with Dominik Landolt:Instagram – @landoltdominikWebsite - www.landoltdominik.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Dominik Landolt returns to The Fearless Artist to share insights on sales for musicians, the power of asking, intentional networking, and building real connections. He explains how clear goals, active listening, and simple, strong pitches can transform a musician’s career.✨ Connect with Dominik Landolt:Instagram – @landoltdominikWebsite - www.landoltdominik.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle Lynne & Pallavi Mahidhara discuss artist wellbeing. Pallavi champions mental health in music, advocating for balance over burnout. They redefine success as "peaceful & balanced," stressing that motivation follows discipline, not just inspiration. Essential listening for artists seeking grace, self-awareness, and intentional living.🔗 Connect with Pallavi MahidharaWebsite: https://www.pallavimahidhara.com/Instagram: @pallavimahidharapianistPodcast: The Conscious Artist--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode of the Fearless Artist Podcast, Michelle Lynne interviews opera singer Deanna Breiwick about her journey embracing social media, especially Instagram, to authentically share her artistry. Deanna discusses overcoming fears of imperfection, using online platforms as PR tools, handling negativity, and the importance of self-care. She highlights the power of authenticity in building an artistic brand and serving her audience, inspiring musicians to share their true selves online.🔗 CONNECT WITH DEANNA BREIWICKWebsite: https://www.deannabreiwick.com/Instagram: @DeannaBreiwick--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Met clarinettist and Juilliard professor Jessica Phillips shares her MBA insights on music careers. Learn to shift from a scarcity mindset to "making the pie bigger" in negotiations, embrace lifelong upskilling, and discover your true value as an artist.🔗 Connect with Jessica PhillipsWebsite: https://www.jessicaphillipsclari.netInstagram: @jessicaphillipsclarinetLinks: https://www.jessicaphillipsclari.net/links--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Michelle talks with baritone Lucas Meachem about authenticity on and offstage, social media as service, the grind to sustain an international career, cultural nuance in Europe, casting realities, family collaboration with Irena, and advice to stay classy, prepared, and present.🔗 CONNECT WITH LUCAS MEACHEMWebsite: https://lucasmeachem.com/Instagram: @lucasmeachem--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Classical pianist/educator Ben Laude shares his path from Tonebase to YouTube creator: a 16-part Chopin Podcast with a searchable Opus Index and hosting the Warsaw Chopin Competition. He champions sports-style analysis, explores monetization via Patreon, and urges creatives to write ideas down.🔗 CONNECT WITH BEN LAUDEWebsite: https://benlaude.com/YouTube: @benlawdyInstagram: @benlawdy--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Neuroscientist and violist Molly Gebrian shares science-backed practice tips from her book, Learn Faster, Perform Better. She advocates for short micro-breaks and interleaving (switching between tasks) to consolidate learning. Molly emphasizes that breaks and sleep are crucial for making progress and that musicians shouldn't limit their careers to "stay in the box." 🔗 CONNECT WITH MOLLY GEBRIANWebsite: https://www.mollygebrian.com/Instagram: @mollygebrian--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Chloe Weston chats with pianist, singer-songwriter, and coach Michelle Lynne about her multifaceted career—from Candlelight tours and a forthcoming album to co-leading The Fearless Artist Mastermind. Fresh from Porto Piano Fest, they dig into overcoming perfectionism and fear of visibility, embracing lifelong learning and mentorship, and setting healthy boundaries between personal self and public brand. Michelle shares practical touring/routine tips, the power of delegation, and closes by urging artists to honor the teachers and inner circles that sustain their journeys.🔗 CONNECT WITH CHLOE WESTONFollow her podcast: Pianists Not Practicing Instagram: @ChloeWestonPIanist--The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/--🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

Dominik, a musician, producer, and Head of Sales, shared practical advice on cold outreach and negotiating for artists, emphasizing a business-minded approach.He stressed the importance of knowing your potential client and choosing the right communication channel. He uses A/B testing to determine which methods—like email, social media (Instagram, LinkedIn), or direct calls—are most effective for a particular contact. Dominique advised against using general email addresses (like office@...) and provided humorous but effective tactics, such as asking for a direct number or using provocative subject lines like "Open Demand" to cut through the noise and create urgency.For the content of any outreach, he championed providing value and displaying empathy (understanding the other party's position) over sympathy or self-indulgent, lengthy bios. Instead of focusing on "I, I, I," an artist should explain how booking them will solve a problem for the venue—such as increasing revenue or filling calendar slots.In negotiations, Dominik emphasized that a price is simply the perceived value you successfully communicate. He encouraged artists to first engage in discovery by asking questions to understand the client's needs and budget. A successful negotiation involves making the other party comfortable saying "no" so a mutual and actionable agreement can be reached, rather than settling for an easy "yes" that leads nowhere. Finally, he encouraged everyone to just keep trying, as the fear of failure is worse than the act of sending an email that might not get a response.✨ Connect with Dominik Landolt:Instagram – @landoltdominikWebsite - www.landoltdominik.com/✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC

In this episode, classical music manager Antonia Paulus explains the difference between booking agents and artist managers. She highlights the need for a sustainable career strategy beyond short-term gigs, focusing on artistic identity, branding, and long-term vision. Antonia also discusses the challenges and rewards of this approach in the music industry.✨ Connect with Antonia Paulus:Instagram – @paulusmusiccopenhagenWebsite - www.paulus-music.com✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind:Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.comInstagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC