The Fearless Artist Podcast

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 LAUDE Website: https://benlaude.com/ YouTube: @benlawdy Instagram: @benlawdy -- The...

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...

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 acc...

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 – @dustintheindustryplant Website - https://www.industryplantmu...

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 a...

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 o...

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, bu...

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 MEACHEM Website: https://lucasmeachem.com/ Instagram: @lucasmeachem -- The Fearless Mastermind Webs...

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. -...

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/chloeswindler...

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...

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...

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 – @dustintheindustryplant Website - https://www.industryplantmu...

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 trai...

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, exercis...

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 rea...

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 h...

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 st...

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 shift...

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...

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 beyo...

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" busines...

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 ener...

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 s...

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 – @ToriLongdon Website - https://www.torilongdon.com ✨ Explore The Fearles...