A conversation around vulnerability, long-haul artistry, and the case for communication over perfection—through the lens of a 35-year run in one of the most high-pressure chairs in the orchestral world.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and musical hero, Joshua Smith—Grammy-nominated Principal Flute of The Cleveland Orchestra. We trace his early musical journey (yes, it all started with a cool flute case), how showtunes and theatre taught him phrasing and stage presence, and why he's not interested in perfection as a goal. Josh shares how curiosity helps him meet the pressures of a 35-year career, why he resists having a rigid "formul," and how meditation, yoga, and his recent sabbatical re-anchored him into his "beginner's mind". We also talk about his new audition books, The Audition Method and how his core artistic value – communication – has guided him all these years.

Favorite quote: "You can't really have freedom and safety at the same time".

Who this is for

If you're in a high-pressure performing environment and want to know how to cultivate a healthy long-term approach to high-standards and limitless curiosity and freedom in the process, this one's for you.

Timestamps

(03:10) Early days in music (acting, musicals, phrasing, communication)

(12:10) Life is the high-pressure chair (pressure, curiosity, authenticity, perfection, inner-critic, shame, vulnerability, freedom)

(36:50) Yoga, meditation, sabbatical, hobbies + creativity, audition book)

(58:25) Rapid fires

Mentioned

• Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
• Beethoven Symphony No. 9
• Brené Brown on perfectionism & vulnerability
• Tara Brach (talks), Yoga Nidra
• Slow Horses (series)
• The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (novel)
• New York Times Book Review (podcast)

Guest

Joshua Smith — Principal Flute, The Cleveland Orchestra (Grammy-nominated), author of The Audition Method (flute; series also includes clarinet & violin). IG: @JoshuaSoloFlute • Web: soloflute.com

Connect with me

IG: @mindfulopus • Web: mindfulopus.com

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