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

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,