Still Here, Still Trying
Still Here, Still Trying is a podcast about the honest, imperfect work of being human, the moments we carry, the connections that hold us up, and the hope that keeps us moving forward, even when the path feels unclear. Hosted by Mike Baker, author of The Optimist’s Way, musician, healthcare leader, and lifelong advocate for connection through creativity, this podcast explores the spaces where life, art, leadership, and healing overlap. These conversations aren’t about quick answers or big solutions. They’re about showing up. Reflecting on what we lose, what we learn, and what we find along the way. Whether it’s through stories from leadership and healthcare, insights from the creative process, or reflections on music, mental health, and resilience, the heart of this podcast is simple: we’re all figuring it out. If you’re looking for a space grounded in honesty, hope, and human connection — welcome. You belong here. 🎙️ New episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen. 🎵 Music, writing, art, and more at mikebakerhq.com 📚 Grab The Optimist’s Way on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4RqPS6g Because small moments matter. Stories matter. You matter. Still here. Still trying.
Episodes
🎙️ Episode 7 – When the Story Changes
Sometimes life shifts in a way that’s hard to explain.
The plan made sense. The rhythm felt right.
But something changes, and suddenly, you’re standing in a story that no longer fits.
In this episode, I’m talking about those quiet turning points. The ones where leadership feels uncertain, identity feels blurry, and the version of yourself you thought you knew starts to evolve.
I’ll sh...
Episode 6: Hope in a Crazy World
Still Here, Still Trying with Mike Baker
There’s a strange heaviness in the air lately. People are tired in ways they can’t explain. The news is relentless. Politics feel like a battleground. The pressure to stay informed, stay productive, stay afloat — it adds up.
In this episode, I talk about what it means to survive without shutting down, and how we stay hopeful when the world aro...
In this episode, I’m walking through the songs from The Optimist’s Way — not as background music, but as part of the bigger conversation about staying hopeful, staying human, and finding connection through small acts of courage.
Each track carries something different. Let the Light In is about learning to open up again. The Quiet Kind of Bravehonors the everyday strength no one sees. What You Water Will Grow reminds us...
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about connection. How easy it is to overlook. How much it matters. And how the smallest moments — a conversation, a laugh, someone asking how you’re really doing — can remind us we’re not alone.
This episode is about those moments. It’s about the ways we carry heavy things quietly, the ways connection can hold us up, and why showing up for each other matters more than we realize.
If you’...
What if the space left behind by loss isn’t empty at all?
In this episode, I’m sitting with the idea that everything we lose — roles, relationships, old dreams, even outdated versions of ourselves — creates space for something new to take shape. Space for healing. Space for connection. Space for hope.
These seasons of letting go aren’t easy. They rarely come with clear answers or immediate relief. They often leave us st...
Raw honesty hits different when it comes straight from the creator's heart. Welcome to my first podcast episode, where I peel back the layers on my album "Too Much Noise" - a collection that didn't come from press releases or marketing strategies, but from watching people I love struggle silently while the world keeps spinning.
These songs weren't primarily born from my darkest moment...
This first episode is where it all begins — a conversation about showing up, staying open, and remembering that even on the hard days, we’re still here. Still trying.
I’m sharing the heart behind my music, the stories behind these songs, and why this podcast matters to me. It’s about connection, honesty, and creating something for the people who feel like they’re carrying a lot but still moving forward anyway.
If you’ve...
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