Adventurous Spirits

Last episode of 2023! Let's reflect on this year's rewards and set some intentions going forward. Three takeaways to figure out your own level-up and how to get there. SONGS Anything (only on Patreon) The Fool's Waltz (from the MYSTERY album) For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth (Handel's Messiah cover) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to expl...

Where does courage come from? When a new adventure looms, it's equal parts exciting and daunting. Let's talk about how to beef up your inner resolve in order to embrace something new. SONGS Gun Shy (only on Patreon) Ben's Song (from the HOME EP) Sender of Ships (only on Patreon) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore your own experience with this t...

In a world of extremes, what does it mean to walk the line of love and kindness in our relationships with others? When does it help to be nice? When does it hurt? SONGS The Power of Kindness (from the Mystery album) Try Again (only on Patreon) Here (from the Mystery album) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore your own experience with this topic. Every person...

This week I'm taking a page out of the experience of Klondike gold prospectors. 1896 was a transformational year for some people... what lessons can our adventurous spirits learn from their example? SONGS Pyrite Road (streaming on Spotify) Leap of Faith (coming soon to Patreon) You Are Always With Me (only on Patreon) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore...

Question: when are you ready? Answer: never, but you can pick your moment. Let's talk about the leap of faith! When have you looked at the unknown and run at it full speed? Any regrets? It's been 12 years since I took a major one, and there is a LOT I would do differently... but I never would have learned what I know now if I hadn't taken that leap. SONGS Leap of Faith (only on Patreon...

Pretend: as in playtime, as in imagining a world and writing/acting/filming it. ALSO as in playing a version of yourself that you believe is necessary in the world of your current experience. Today we talk about both! Subscribe to Power Notes - daily memos to your inner go-getter: http://cortneymatz.substack.com/subscribe SONGS: The Least Pretending (only on Patreon) Wandering Stars (only on Patre...

Do you ever feel like your personality can be inconvenient for society? Digging deep into the evergreen topic of fitting in while retaining your individuality... do we ever grow out of this?? Today's song: WANDERING STARS (only on Patreon) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of singing, stories and prompts to explore your own experience with this topic. Every personal growth journey needs a go...

5 DAYS OF POSSIBILITY: http://cortneymatz.substack.com/subscribe Talking about fear of the unknown, and the role of faith - does it make you feel MORE stable or LESS so? Talk to me if you want someone to help figure this out: cm@cortneymatz.com Today's song: The Possibilities (from the HOME EP) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore your own experience wit...

Most of us have too many ideas. But what do you do when you need A specific idea - when you feel stuck and don't know how to unstick yourself? Today's song: WHAT COMES NEXT (only on patreon.com/cortneymatz ) Big change coming! Hop on my email list to get the news: http://eepurl.com/dsgdYD Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore your own experience with...

Today is special. It's the day after some big wins! Come run around the track with me (metaphorically) to relive the highlights. SONGS Sunglasses (only on Patreon) Time Machine (from the MYSTERY album) The Story's Not Over (from the MYSTERY album) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore your own experience with this topic. Every personal growth journey...

We adventurers are no strangers to the pressures of life! Whether it's the challenge of a new and formidable project or financial pressure (and who knows what else), there seems to be a consistent answer as to how to deal with it. SONGS Irony, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Starting Line Prayer, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prom...

I'm back from my break, and boy am I excited! Let's dig into the joys of picking a thing and doing it 100% (drawn from the movie, Gran Turismo). SONGS Dragonsong, by Cortney Matz (from Mystery album) Everything I Build, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Sender of Ships, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes of songs, stories and prompts to explore your own e...

Do affirmations work? Those brief sentences that put into words what you aspire to - but don't yet see happening? I'll tell you some of mine - are we brainwashing ourselves? SONGS Artist Song, by Cortney Matz (streaming everywhere) The Story's Not Over, by Cortney Matz (from MYSTERY album) Wildfire, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) If you want to explore affirmations for yourself, che...

We've talked about comfort zones, but this week's topic raises the double edge of DIScomfort - how do you challenge yourself to grow and learn? Alternatively, how do you give yourself the help you need when things are tough? SONGS Baby Bugs, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Real Love, by Cortney Matz (coming to Patreon August 31) Starting Line Prayer, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Tha...

Introverts are often characterized by withdrawal and quietness. But many of us are learning to step outside of ourselves and make connections with the world. Let's chat about how! SONGS Dragonsong, by Cortney Matz (from Mystery EP) (Talk Like You're Supposed to) Be Here, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) The Possibilities, by Cortney Matz (from HOME EP) Join me at the piano for 30 minutes...

How do you find perspective on what really matters in life? Whether you're a "big picture person" or not, we all need space to prioritize - especially amid life's surprises. SONGS Here, by Cortney Matz (from HOME EP) Wildfire, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon) Artist Song, by Cortney Matz (streaming everywhere) NEW: my collection of musical nature meditations is now available to...

The Japanese art of shinrin-yoku is not QUITE as mysterious and enigmatic as it may sound. But it works to relive stress! Join me for this special episode exploring nature and its powerful influence on your wellbeing. If you'd like to try forest bathing, here's a free 10-minute guide: https://mailchi.mp/b567a5e0e884/walk-in-the-woods SONGS Walk in the Woods, by Cortney Matz (from Walk in t...

Do you have to pick? Most of the time it seems like I do. And it's so easy to lament the one even though I have clearly obtained the other. But which, you ask? Let's consider this. I would love to hear your thoughts! SONGS Home Sweet Home, by Cortney Matz (from HOME EP) Ships, by Cortney Matz & Hans Obma (only on Patreon) The Story's Not Over, by Cortney Matz (from Mystery album) T...

What do you do when you're partway through a trip, project, or y'know... career... and then realize: this isn't actually what I want at all? When is it time to start over? SONGS Pyrite Road, by Cortney Matz (from Mystery album) Miracle, by Cortney Matz (from Mystery album) Pretending, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) The world is full of intimidating but thrilling endeavors, and we are p...

Have you ever had to re-route your direction in response to "the ob-stackles in your path" (per Homer, as quoted by O Brother, Where Art Thou? ) like, all the time? Yeah me too. Let's talk about how navigation works when it comes to finding your way in life, creativity, and planet Earth. SONGS Solitary Road, by Cortney Matz (from HOME EP) Gun Shy, by Cortney Matz (only on Patreon.com...

The term "pioneer" is a little tricky given modern sensibilities, but I do appreciate the concept behind it - we adventurous spirits do have a tendency to forge our own path. How do you re-orient and rediscover your destination along the way? SONGS Tough Guy, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) Can't Go Wrong, by Cortney Matz & Ward (Patreon only) Remember, by Cortney Matz (Patreon on...

Some days I just have no patience for the mundane! What helps you connect with the bigger, deeper, grander scope of life and history and your place in the world? SONGS What Comes Next, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) Eternity, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) Satisfy Me, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) The world is full of intimidating but thrilling endeavors, and we are people who pursue them! This w...

When you've done all you can do to start, complete or make progress on any given project... inevitably there is nothing to do but wait. SONGS Anything, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) Wandering Stars, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) Believe in Us, by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) The world is full of intimidating but thrilling endeavors, and we are people who pursue them! This weekly musical podca...

Ever finish a big project or hit a major milestone and get hit with... The Letdown?? Here are some suggestions and takeaways from my experience with this - the low that goes with each high, the natural law of up and down. SONGS Daydreams for a Day Job - by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) The People That Walked in Darkness - by Handel The Least Pretending - by Cortney Matz (Patreon only) This week I wa...

How do you show someone that you care? How do you build trust with others? As much as I love going deep and digging into the important things, it's hard to do that without starting small. SONGS The Power of Kindness, by Cortney Matz (from the Mystery album) Together, by Cortney Matz (from Home EP) Bless You, by Cortney Matz (on Patreon only) Every personal growth journey needs a soundtrack! Jo...