Songwriting For Guitar Podcast

In 2007 I was sitting on a phone call with the manager of McFly and Busted, multi-platinum-selling bands that were selling out Wembley Arena. He gave me key advice, I completely ignored it. Didn't touch it for almost nine years! Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass:  https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Watch & Subscribe To Podcast YouTube:  https://www.youtube....

Suno is everywhere right now but is it actually helping songwriters, or quietly sabotaging their careers? In this episode, Mike and Matty Finn dive deep into AI music generation, breaking down why relying on Suno might feel like a shortcut but is actually shooting yourself in the foot if you're serious about songwriting as a career. Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwriti...

In this episode, I sit down with music supervisor Jessica Gramuglia to talk about what's actually happening on the other side of that inbox. Jess has worked in music supervision at Warner Brothers TV and has seen thousands of cold emails from songwriters, publishers, and artists trying to land sync placements. She's not holding back. We break down the emails that get instantly filed into her "Who...

This podcast has been downloaded over 100,000 times. And I almost deleted it. I took a 7-month break. I coach songwriters on showing up every day and I wasn't doing it myself. No consistent system, even for the guy teaching systems. In this episode, I'm being honest about what happened, why I almost killed the whole thing, and what's changing now. If you've been stuck, sitting on half-finished son...

This week on the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, I’m joined once again by my friend Lij Shaw, award-winning music producer, host of the #1 iTunes podcast Recording Studio Rockstars, and owner of the Grammy-awarded The Toy Box Studio in East Nashville. Lij has been making records for over 30 years, working across rock, jazz, classical, and everything in between. In this conversation, we dive deep i...

Most creatives say “I’ll start in the new year,” but waiting for January is just procrastination dressed as planning. In this episode, Mike breaks down why a casual approach leads to casual results, and how taking even small action in December creates confidence, clarity, and real momentum heading into 2026. If you want better songs, better skills, and better outcomes, don’t wait for the calendar,...

Black Friday is here, but before you smash that “Add to Cart,” let’s talk. In this episode, Mike breaks down the real trap most songwriters and producers fall into this weekend, buying more gear instead of getting better. If you’ve ever convinced yourself that a new plugin, pedal, or shiny piece of equipment would finally “unlock your creativity,” this episode is a must-listen. You’ll also learn h...

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Emmy Award-winning composer and producer Mike Meiers challenges you to stop sitting on the sidelines and start taking real action in your songwriting journey. Mike breaks down the mental blocks that keep so many songwriters stuck, waiting for the perfect time, fearing failure, or getting trapped in perfectionism. He digs into the truth that mu...

In this episode, Mike reveals the three most common songwriting mistakes that quietly sabotage your songs, and how to fix them. From overcomplicating your chords and cramming too many lyrics to ignoring dynamics, He breaks down how these habits disconnect emotion and dull great ideas.  Whether you’re working on your first EP or refining your catalog for sync, this episode will give you t...

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike shares five strategies to help you finish more songs and break through creative roadblocks. If you’re stuck tweaking the same demo or waiting for inspiration, this one’s for you. Learn how to set real deadlines, stay accountable, build simple systems, celebrate wins, and work with mentors to grow your catalog. Enroll In Mike's Comprehensi...

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike dives into the transformative power of co-writing, one of the most effective tools a songwriter can utilize. Mike discusses how collaboration can help you overcome creative blind spots, expand your professional network, and fast-track your growth as a songwriter! Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Guitar Essentials 2025 - &n...

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike dives deep into the demo process, a vital step in songwriting that can make or break your song's potential. Demos act as a crucial filter between initial voice memos and the polished studio product, helping songwriters determine which ideas are worth pursuing. Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Guitar Essentials 2025 - &nbsp...

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast , Mike dives into the skill of active listening and how it can transform your songwriting. Instead of passively enjoying music, he shows how dissecting melodies, rhythms, and lyrics can reveal the choices that make songs impactful. Drawing parallels to Michelangelo’s detailed study of anatomy, Mike emphasizes the value of analysis in honing art...

What if you had to start your music career from zero—no songs, no gear, no connections? In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast , Emmy-winning composer Mike Meiers unpacks what it takes to rebuild from scratch. From handling criticism and setbacks to sharpening your skills and building relationships on limited resources, Mike shares why resilience and mentorship are the fastest paths...

Mike sits down with Emily Belue, who went from aspiring musician to Sync Creative Manager at Capitol Christian. Emily shares her journey through the competitive Nashville scene, the challenges she faced, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and why adaptability and strong relationships are essential in today’s fast-changing music industry Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Gui...

Join Mike as he sits down with Nick from Oneder Effects, explore the gritty, honest, and inspiring journey from punk rock stages to boutique pedalboards. In this episode, they dig into how life on tour with The Swellers prepared Nick for running a business, how storytelling fuels his creative process, and what it really means to stay connected in an ever-changing music world. Whether you're into g...

In this episode, Mike dives into the world of Musiversal, a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing music production. Join us as we chat with Christian and David about how Musiversal connects producers with top-tier session musicians globally, offering a unique blend of remote collaboration and creative expertise. Discover how this platform is transforming the music industry by providing access to...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Sean O’Keefe, producer, engineer, and creative force behind records from Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, Beach Bunny, and more. Sean shares his journey from drummer to multi-platinum producer, opening up about what it really takes to build a lasting career in today’s constantly evolving music industry. Mike dives deep with Sean on the psychology behind gr...

In this solo episode, Mike shares a fresh perspective inspired by Mark Hoppus’ new book Fahrenheit 182 . After reading about Hoppus’ experience with cancer and Blink-182’s return to the stage, one phrase stuck: “the bonus round.” Mike explores how that idea applies to life as a songwriter—acknowledging the challenges we face, without sugarcoating them, but also recognizing the chance we have to ke...

You’ve got one song you love. Maybe you’ve even started imagining what it’ll sound like fully produced. But before you drop serious cash on production, ask yourself—is it  really ready ?  In this episode, Mike gets real about the common trap songwriters fall into: rushing into production before the songwriting is ready. He shares the mindset shift that can save you literally thousands of...

This week, Mike sits down with Duncan and Aaron, the founders of Songwriting Magazine , a UK-based publication (available in both print and digital formats). But they’re more than just publishers —they’re creators in the trenches with us! That's what makes their magazine so good, they understand what songwriters and musicians need! They strive to deliver inspiration by bringing in&n...

Consistency is key—but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This week, we’re exploring what truly fuels it: dreams. Dreams spark ambition, give us purpose, and makes commitment easier. Science backs it up—imagination boosts resilience and deepens creativity. When our goals are personally meaningful, staying consistent feels natural. I’ll share a moment from a recent trip home- how going through a literal...

Consistency is a total game-changer.  It’s your secret weapon in the music industry and it's THE difference between staying stuck and moving forward. If you want to build confidence as a musician and shake off imposter syndrome, commitment to consistency is the missing piece you need. And here’s the secret—consistency doesn’t mean buckling down, being misera...

Ever find yourself in a situation so bizarre you just have to laugh? In this episode, we dive into one of the strangest stories Mike has ever encountered as a business owner. It all started with a mysterious flood of return-to-sender mail at the Songwriting for Guitar P.O. box—envelopes filled with stickers from an unexpected source. In this episode, Mike shares how this series of events taught hi...

  This podcast episode offers closing thoughts for the special audio release of “The Songwriting Guitarist” (available now in full exclusively on the SFG podcast)! In this essential book, Mike dives into the deep questions every songwriter should ask themselves, the role the guitar plays in our songwriting lives, how to improve our skills without spending frustratingly long hours each day, an...