The Rogue Academic

After meeting at the Jazz Educator's Network conference where Greg gave a talk on paths to success which divert from the typical "go to school, get a job, etc." it was evident that there was a LOT more to the story here from Gregs beginnings as a die hard Jazz Clarinetist through his rise to internet fame in the early days of YouTube and beyond. Greg's perspective on modern musicianship are a brea...

Milennials are among the most highly educated and underemployed generations in the history of the United States. We did as we were told, we went to school, we got the degrees, and then the industries which we aimed to be employed in dried up, were de-regulated making our degrees worthless, or just outright murdered in broad daylight. Eric shares his career trajectory and all the twists and turns w...

Lexie Signor and Brandon Hall share critiques they've been given throughout the years of their schooling, highlighting their inherent ignorance in some cases, flaws, and well-intentioned directions in others. In doing so, we discuss some of the things being allowed to continue in higher ed that should perhaps be questioned or changed in the future.

After many years in marketing and having taught Marketing at the University of Chicago, Tracy is bring her exptertise to the masses with her company the PR Accelerator which empowers creatives all over the country to promote themselves well even without the aid of a publicist.

Today, we remember the names of those who have been murdered by ICE. While there is not much I can really do to make any sort of dent in the evil that is overtaking our country and killing our fellow citizens, I can at the very least not remain silent and use my voice to raise awareness. I take my job as a trumpet player as seriously as a priest regards their calling- we have a job to do. So today...

Dr. Travis Reed and I chat about the importance of betting on yourself, taking that big leap, and being brave enough to make that big pivot to the next exciting chapter of your career. His journey is unique but still in so many ways relatable to all of us who are yearning for more time at home with the family and floofs we love. Enjoy!

Performing is hard, but performing under pressure is harder! Mental health and wellness specialist Tristan Brooks talks about their struggles with gender identity, maintaining their mental health as a performer and helping those around them who may struggle with mental health as well. They have a private practice in the UK dedicated to helping folks survive and thrive in the face of any number of...

Josh is a specialist in the area of music law and was kind enough to share his time with us to chat about all things related to the legal side of producing your own music. He describes some common mistakes, how to avoid them, and a little about his journey to becoming the Internet's favorite Music Industry Attorney!

In a truly inspiring hour and change, Gunhild shared her perspective on the music industry, jazz history, trumpet playing philosophy and life with us all in one fabulous interview. From her start with her family band to her rise to fame today, she has amassed a wealth of wisdom and insight on making music and conveying your heart's story. Dare it, do it!

This discussion covers all the bases from business, to work-life balance and everything in between. Clare is a truly self-made, self-promoted musician based in the greater Indianapolis area and she was kind enough to share some of the lessons she learned along the way with our host, Dr. Lexie Signor. Both attended the IU Jacobs School of Music and have experienced many similar road blocks on the w...

Joe Leyva has been a heavy trumpet player on teh west coast for years and regularly books dates across the country. While his career has been storied and colorful, he recognizes that the next generation is looking for a seat on the bandstand and he and Lexie chat about the do's and don't's of working your way into the music industry.

While Lexie was on the straight and narrow, Brandon took the path less traveled, did more things the "wrong way" than the "right way" yet still, they both ended up at the same conclusion- higher ed. is a zombie, and if you want to get anything done... you better do it yourself (because someone is gonna try to cock-block you no matter what you do anyway...)

Sometimes being ghosted isn't as simple as it seems. It's likely rooted in echoes of self-sabotage. In this episode, we dig in on some reasons for self-sabotage, some ways they've affected the career of our host, and we'll give you some ways to push past them.

From Jazz piano, to AI, to gender identity and back, this is a must-listen conversation on some of the most relevant topics in our world today. Sam's insight and experiences are invaluable and we are grateful for her time and courage to share them with us!

A little backstory- Lexie and Cassie worked together at Sweetwater briefly before deciding to head out and create better lives for themselves as lesson teachers. Cassie is a WEALTH of information on everything from audio engineering to mental health, as well as the nuts and bolts of building a business from the ground up. She teaches flute in California and you can catch her on TikTok as well: @ta...

This is the villain origin story of founder Dr. Lexie Signor sharing with us the harrowing tales of how many times she did all the right things and then got screwed over by a system built to benefit folks who do not identify as "others." If you're frustrated about not being able to progress down a traditional path with your career, this may shed some light as to why and furthermore HOW to leave th...