Welcome to The Fearless Artist Podcast where we empower classical musicians to build their own thriving careers. In each episode, we will explore the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurship, teaching you the Fearless Mindset with practical steps and strategies to build a sustainable career. https://podcast.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/
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60 recent
August 21, 202656 min
How to rewire your brain and learn to motivate yourself with Coach John Blackburn
Coach and drummer John Blackburn joins Michelle to unpack the “hamster wheel” for musicians, using NLP, clear goals and identity shifts to build stability without losing freedom. Learn to “push your own buttons” and design routines that support your art and life. ✨ Connect with John Blackburn: Instagram – @coachjohnblackburn Website - https://www.john-blackburn.com/nextsteps ✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind: Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.com Instagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind 🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne 📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
August 14, 202651 min
The Art of Strategic Networking for Modern Musicians
In this crossover episode, Michelle and Ghenadie reflect on their experience at Classical in Budapest and share practical strategies for making meaningful connections at music-industry conferences. They discuss researching attendees, prioritizing key contacts, preparing a concise elevator pitch, using social media effectively, starting authentic conversations, and knowing when to move on gracefully. Their conversation expands into the future of classical music, including audience development, music education, innovative concert formats, streaming royalties, and the growing influence of AI. They explore why artistic excellence and genuine human connection still matter more than chasing trends. Along the way, they discuss confidence, self-management, career mistakes, and the importance of taking chances instead of rejecting yourself before anyone else can. ✨ Connect with Ghenadie Rotari Website - https://www.ghenadierotari.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ghenadie_rotari_accordionist ✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind: Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.com Instagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind 🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne 📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
August 7, 202645 min
HOW TO MAKE 1 MILLION AS A MUSICIAN WITH PAUL THE TROMBONIST
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 realized the true power of direct audience connection. From there, he expanded into workshops, courses, webinars, and premium group programs for committed adult music students. Paul explains that he made his first million not through fame or a huge following, but by mastering conversations, offers, and paid advertising—converting roughly 1% of his leads into customers. He stresses that success comes from listening carefully to the market, refining offers based on feedback, and staying consistent through setbacks. His message is encouraging: musicians do not have to stay trapped in burnout and scarcity, but can build profitable businesses while continuing to make music. ✨ Connect with Paul Nowell: Instagram - @paulthetrombonist Website - paulthetrombonist.com ✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind: Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.com Instagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind 🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne 📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
July 31, 202636 min
Keep it 100 on the land, the sea, the sky
In the 100th episode of The Fearless Artist podcast, Michelle reflects on the growth of the show and the lessons she has learned. The podcast was created to offer an honest look at freelance classical music careers, challenge perfectionism and comparison, and provide musicians with advice. Michelle discovered that guests are often willing to share their knowledge and that her solo episodes, despite causing her the most anxiety, frequently connect most with listeners. Hosting has helped her become a better listener and ask deeper questions. She credits the podcast’s consistency to teamwork, accountability, simple guest outreach, and a willingness to produce a minimum viable version instead of waiting for perfection. Her first episode lasted only nine minutes, and she avoided checking statistics for six months to protect the project from self-criticism. Guests taught her valuable lessons about emotional marketing, strategic career planning, negotiation, audience data, and making concertgoers feel welcome. Michelle also learned to schedule interviews around her energy levels and stop overthinking solo recordings. Her central advice is to begin with the smallest practical step, track what works, accept early awkwardness, seek support, and make gradual improvements. Consistent action, rather than perfection, allows creative projects and careers to grow. -- The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/ The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/ -- 🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne 📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
July 24, 202652 min
How to negotiate and earn more money as a musician with Jessica Phillips
Met clarinettist and Juilliard professor Jessica Phillips shares her MBA insights on music careers. Learn to shift from a scarcity mindset to "making the pie bigger" in negotiations, embrace lifelong upskilling, and discover your true value as an artist. 🔗 Connect with Jessica Phillips Website: https://www.jessicaphillipsclari.net Instagram: @jessicaphillipsclarinet Links: https://www.jessicaphillipsclari.net/links -- The Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/ The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/ -- 🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne 📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
July 17, 202634 min
Michelle Lynne on empowering musicians to build thriving careers
In this episode, David speaks with pianist and entrepreneur Michelle Lynne. Not only does Michelle embody what a modern musician is today, but she empowers other musicians to have their own thriving careers. As well as performing across the world with immersive performances, she is the co-Founder of The Fearless Artist Mastermind, coaching musicians on their careers, and has taught entrepreneurship at conservatoires in the Netherlands. In this conversation, we dive into the power of entrepreneurship and self promotion for musicians. We look at some of the challenges that musicians are facing in their careers and how to overcome them. We also explore the impact of AI, the power of telling stories in performances, and the power of continual learning. Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn The Classical:NEXT Podcast: Hosted by David Taylor Produced by Aliena Haig Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast www.classicalnext.com
July 10, 20261 hr 0 min
How to blow up your YouTube channel and create a new career path with The Chopin Pod creator Ben Laude
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 Fearless Mastermind Website - https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/ The Fearless Mastermind Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessartistmastermind/ -- 🎵 Intro/Outro Music by Michelle Lynne 📽️ Produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
July 3, 202649 min
Mentorship, Vocal Training, and the Future of Opera with Matthew Rose
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 directors. He reflects on the importance of vocal efficiency, honest self-awareness, choosing the right repertoire at the right time, and treating singing as both an art and a profession. With warmth, humor, and candor, Matthew also discusses arts funding, the future of opera, and why passing on knowledge is essential to keeping the industry alive and thriving. ✨ Connect with Matthew Rose : Instagram – @matthewrosephotos | @tosti_int_singing_academy | @spoleto_vocal_arts_workshop_ ✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind: Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.com Instagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind 🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne 📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
June 26, 202644 min
How not to be a starving artist and make it work with Met tenor Ben Bliss
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 accept impressive-looking contracts without understanding taxes, travel costs, housing, agent commissions, insurance, and other hidden expenses. Ben explains how freelance artists are essentially running small businesses, even though few conservatories teach budgeting, taxes, investing, negotiation, or long-term financial planning. He emphasizes that every gig offer should be carefully budgeted before saying yes, and that contracts are always worth negotiating. A major theme of the conversation is replacing fear and avoidance with knowledge, structure, and control. Michelle and Ben also discuss student loans, choosing schools wisely, burnout, the emotional rewards of performing, and the importance of building financial stability so artists are not forced to accept every opportunity out of desperation. Ben encourages listeners to start investing, even with one dollar, as a first step toward confidence and freedom. The episode is a candid, practical conversation about how musicians can protect both their art and their future. ✨ Connect with Ben Bliss: Instagram – @mrbenbliss Book - https://makingitworkbook.com ✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind: Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.com Instagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind 🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne 📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
June 19, 202654 min
Practical ways to market and brand yourself as a classical musician with creative strategist Dustin Boyer
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.industryplantmusic.com/ ✨ Explore The Fearless Mastermind: Website – thefearlessartistmastermind.com Instagram – @thefearlessartistmastermind 🎵 Intro, Outro music by Michelle Lynne 📌 Episode produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
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