082 – The Art of Showing Up: Finding Your Natural Voice

Creativity Excitement Emotion

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Sometimes you stumble into things. Song ideas. Promo ideas. Even opportunities of the highest order. The trick? There isn’t one. Or, if there is one, it’s to stay consistent. Keep showing up and doing the work while remaining open-minded about your approach and where things can take you. Creativity Excitement Emotion? Still here. Still going. And your courageous host David has some things to say about last week’s episode and what he realized about a famous Seth Godin quote. Download the PDF Transcript Sponsors: Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.” The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here! Highlights: 00:17 – Digging the new vibes? 00:47 – Shuffling the reshuffle 02:25 – Podcasting is the new blogging 07:34 – How well do you criticize yourself? 09:20 – Repurposing and expanding 12:04 – Deeper realizations 13:12 – Concluding thoughts Summary: In this thoughtful follow-up episode, David explores the unexpected evolution of his podcast format, reflecting on Seth Godin's insight that "podcasting is the new blogging." He shares how last week's more personal, introspective episode inadvertently revealed a more authentic direction for the show while continuing to navigate the challenges of success and increasing demands on his time. Key Themes & Takeaways The organic discovery of authenticity in content creation, when letting go of predetermined formats The parallel between blogging and podcasting as platforms for personal reflection and connection The importance of self-awareness in artistic development, while acknowledging our blind spots The balance between maintaining good habits and adapting to increased professional demands Format Evolution David shares a crucial realization about the podcast's direction: The previous week's more personal format emerged naturally, without intentional experimentation Every other platform in his portfolio focuses on other people, making this podcast unique as a space for personal updates The combination of music, reflection, and personal insights created an unexpectedly resonant format The power of authentic voice over structured content "I wasn't trying to experiment and find a new format for the show," David reflects. "That's not what I had in mind. And yet that seems to be where we landed." The Changing Media Landscape The episode provides valuable insights into content creation trends: Podcasting's adoption curve has taken nearly 20 years to reach mainstream consciousness The potential for being in "the midst of the podcast revolution" despite the rise of video content The value of cross-platform publishing through tools like the Blubrry PowerPress plugin, which automatically distributes content across platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio The continuing relevance of audio content in a video-first world Seth Godin's prescient observation about "podcasting being the new blogging" has proven remarkably accurate. When he made this prediction in 2014, podcasting was still considered a niche medium. His insight wasn't just about the technological shift, but about the democratization of personal broadcasting. Just as blogs allowed individuals to bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers, podcasting has enabled creators to build intimate, direct relationships with their audiences through consistent, authentic content. Action Steps for Artists Drawing from David's experiences and insights, creators can consider these practical steps: Embrace natural evolution in your content creation, allowing authentic formats to emerge organically rather than forcing predetermined structures. Develop self-awareness about your craft while remaining open to feedback and coaching – as David notes about musicianship, the ability to be self-critical without being self-defeating is crucial. Create systems that protect your core practices (meditation, exercise, artistic practice) even during busy periods. Schedule these activities first and build other commitments around them. Map your content ecosystem strategically. Consider how different platforms serve different purposes – perhaps your podcast provides personal insights while your social media showcases others. Use AI and other tools thoughtfully to enhance and deepen your content without losing authenticity. As David demonstrates with his episode summaries, technology can help extract additional value from your content. Practice regular self-reflection about what's working and what isn't in your creative practice. Consider starting a podcast with these specific steps: Begin with a clear understanding of your unique perspective and what you can offer consistently Invest in basic quality equipment – good audio is non-negotiable Plan a sustainable publishing schedule that you can maintain long-term Use distribution tools like Blubrry PowerPress to maximize your reach Create supplementary content (show notes, summaries, quotes) to increase engagement Build relationships with other podcasters in your niche for potential collaborations The Power of Perspective David delves into the unique value proposition of personal content: "A podcast is always a person's perspective at the end of the day. And that's what's going to continue to make it valuable... you're getting the perspective of the person who's speaking. And that perspective can be a valuable thing, depending on what you need to learn right now and the things that you're interested in engaged with right now." Looking Forward While maintaining transparency about potential changes, David emphasizes: The importance of sustainable scheduling and time management A desire to focus on 2-3 major categories of work rather than 4-5 Commitment to maintaining healthy habits and routines The possibility of temporary pauses or reshuffling of priorities Additional Context This episode reflects broader trends in content creation and personal branding. Recent studies from Edison Research show that 41% of Americans now listen to podcasts monthly, with the highest growth occurring in creative and educational categories. The evolution David describes – from structured content to more personal sharing – mirrors the broader shift in digital media away from polished, corporate-style content toward more authentic, creator-driven formats. The podcast industry's maturation parallels blogging's evolution in interesting ways. Just as blogs evolved from personal diaries to powerful platforms for thought leadership and community building, podcasting has grown from a tech-savvy niche to a mainstream medium for authentic connection. Edison Research's "The Infinite Dial 2024" report indicates that podcast listeners are among the most engaged and loyal audience members in digital media, spending an average of 8.1 hours per week with their favorite shows. Particularly relevant for artists is the finding that podcast listeners are 45% more likely to follow creators across multiple platforms and support them through direct monetization methods like Patreon or merchandise purchases. This suggests that podcasting can serve as a powerful foundation for building a sustainable creative career. This episode serves as both a testament to the power of organic evolution in creative work and a masterclass in transparent creator-audience communication. Through personal reflection and industry insight, it offers valuable lessons about finding one's authentic voice while maintaining professional growth and personal well-being. The parallel between blogging's evolution and podcasting's current trajectory suggests we're still in the early stages of discovering how this medium can serve creators and their audiences.

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#Business #David Andrew Wiebe #Music #Entrepreneur #Music Career