Balanced Artist

Balanced Breakdown is a short wrap up of the discussion with our most recent guest, where we pick apart some of the tidbits we can apply to our creative lifestyles as Balanced Artists.    

Crystal Shawanda is a Canadian singer/songwriter, JUNO winner, CCMA winner, now living in Nashville. Coming from a Native family, she grew up on a reserve in Northern Ontario. She hit the country music scene with a  #1 smash “you can let go”. 

She then followed her heart(and raspy voice), and made a pivot into the blues world. A genre that feels more authentic to who she is as an artist. 

If you'd like to learn more, you can check out the full episode. 
Here is where to find Crystal: 

http://crystalshawanda.co 
https://www.facebook.com/crystalshawandaofficial
https://www.instagram.com/crystalshawanda 
https://twitter.com/crystalshawanda
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCarmUNYsNmD9yYBt1BKm7Iw 

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Let’s Connect!

https://www.balancedartist.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic 

https://www.instagram.com/balancedartist  

Crystal Shawanda is a Canadian singer/songwriter, JUNO winner, CCMA winner, now living in Nashville. Coming from a Native family, she grew up on a reserve in Northern Ontario. She hit the country music scene with a  #1 smash “you can let go”. 

She then followed her heart(and raspy voice), and made a pivot into the blues world. A genre that feels more authentic to who she is as an artist. 

In this episode: 

-Is fame really what you expect it to be? Or is it a numbing and isolating experience. 

-How close should you be with the  people you employ? 

-Why not being authentic to yourself will make you feel stifled in your creative journey.  

-Finding the confidence to make a pivot in the middle of your career.  

-Her responsibility as an Indigenous artists in the public eye as a role model.  

-Why having engaged subscribers on social media are far more valuable than bought subscribers & how to still sell CD’s in a world of streaming.  

http://crystalshawanda.co
https://www.facebook.com/crystalshawandaofficial
https://www.instagram.com/crystalshawanda
https://twitter.com/crystalshawanda
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCarmUNYsNmD9yYBt1BKm7Iw 

……………………………………………………
Let’s Connect!

https://www.balancedartist.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic 

Balanced Breakdown is a short wrap up of the discussion with our most recent guest, where we pick apart some of the tidbits we can apply to our creative lifestyles as Balanced Artists.   

Carlos is an American actor and singer. He starred on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush  and was a member of the band Big Time Rush. He’s been on a number of TV shows, including ER, and Dancing with the Stars. He started a YouTube channel with his wife Alexa where you can get a glimpse into their family life. Most recently they both star in the movie The Mighty Oak. 

If you'd like to learn more, you can check out the full episode.
Here is where to find Carlos:

https://www.instagram.com/therealcarlospena 

https://twitter.com/TheCarlosPena 

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealCarlosPenaVega 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3jFBe-opFLhjg6cmMVkOwg 

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Let's Connect! 

https://www.balancedartist.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist/ 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic/ 

Carlos is an American actor and singer. He starred on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush  and was a member of the band Big Time Rush. He’s been on a number of TV shows, including ER, and Dancing with the Stars. He started a YouTube channel with his wife Alexa where you can get a glimpse into their family life. Most recently they both star in the movie The Mighty Oak. 

In this episode: 

-How to stay married even while competing against each other on Dancing with the stars.  

-How to find time to be creative as a parent. 

-How the enneagram allows you to understand how you operate in the world relative to others. 

-Is living in Hawaii as awesome as everyone else in the world thinks it is, or is it a motivation killer? 

-How to create your own opportunities, instead of waiting for something to be presented.

-Vegan and vegetarian diet. The struggles with living in a house where everyone’s diet is different. 

https://www.instagram.com/therealcarlospena 

https://twitter.com/TheCarlosPena 

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealCarlosPenaVega 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3jFBe-opFLhjg6cmMVkOwg 

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Let's Connect! 

https://www.balancedartist.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist/ 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic/ 

Balanced Breakdown is a short wrap up of the discussion with our most recent guest, where we pick apart some of the tidbits we can apply to our creative lifestyles as Balanced Artists.   

Robert Mack is an ivy-league-educated Positive Psychology Expert, Celebrity Happiness Coach, Executive Coach, and Author. 

A creative career can come with many emotional hurdles. From big wins, to an abundant amount of rejection. If we have a healthy baseline level of happiness, it will help  us continue to put our best work out into the world without getting derailed.

Roberts work has been endorsed by Oprah, Vanessa Williams, and many others, and he ​has been a regularly featured guest expert on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Access Hollywood, E! Networks, OWN, and in magazines like GQ, Self, Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. 
 
If you'd like to learn more, you can check out the full episode.
Here is where to find Robert:

http://www.coachrobmack.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/robmackofficial/ 

https://www.facebook.com/robmackofficial 

https://twitter.com/robmackofficial 

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Let’s Connect!
https://www.balancedartist.com -

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist - 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic 

Robert Mack is an ivy-league-educated Positive Psychology Expert, Celebrity Happiness Coach, Executive Coach, and Author. 

A creative career can come with many emotional hurdles. From big wins, to an abundant amount of rejection. If we have a healthy baseline level of happiness, it will help  us continue to put our best work out into the world without getting derailed.

Roberts work has been endorsed by Oprah, Vanessa Williams, and many others, and he ​has been a regularly featured guest expert on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Access Hollywood, E! Networks, OWN, and in magazines like GQ, Self, Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. 
 
In this episode: 

-How to raise our baseline level of happiness 

-How having kids can make you LESS happy  

-How we get happier as we get older by becoming more regulated 

-How Perfect health, income and relationships only account for 10% of your overall happiness.  

-How it use to be 30 year old's who use to suffer from depression, but as of 2000 - it's now 13 year old's. 

http://www.coachrobmack.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/robmackofficial/ 

https://www.facebook.com/robmackofficial 

https://twitter.com/robmackofficial 

…………………………………………………… 

Let’s Connect!
https://www.balancedartist.com -

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist - 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic 

Balanced Breakdown is a short wrap up of the discussion with our most recent guest, where we pick apart some of the tidbits we can apply to our creative lifestyles as Balanced Artists. 

Brian Vander Ark is the lead singer and songwriter for The Verve Pipe.  Their biggest hit "The Freshmen" hit #1! 

His solo career includes four studio albums. One of which he recorded a series of songs with Jeff Daniels. It’s hard to picture Harry from dumb and dumber singing, but here it is.  

In 2007, he created the Lawn Chairs and Living Rooms House Concert Series, and has played over 800 shows in the homes of his fans.   

Brian is also a speaker, telling his story to financial institutions, schools, and non-profits. 

Check out Brian’s Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/brianvanderark 

If you’re a song writer or musician, and want feedback from a Rockstar, it will only cost you $10. 

https://www.brianvanderark.com/ 

https://www.thevervepipe.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/brianvanderark/ 

https://twitter.com/brianvanderark1 

https://www.facebook.com/bvamusic/ 

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Let’s Connect! 

https://www.balancedartist.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist/ 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic/ 

Brian Vanderark is the lead singer and songwriter for The Verve Pipe.  

His solo career includes four studio albums. One of which he recorded a series of songs with Jeff Daniels. It’s hard to picture Harry from dumb and dumber singing, but here it is.  

In 2007, he created the Lawn Chairs and Living Rooms House Concert Series, and has played over 800 shows in the homes of his fans.   

Brian is also a speaker, telling his story to financial institutions, schools, and non-profits. 

Balanced Artists can learn from Brian's resilience. How to get back up when the industry knocks you down. How to create opportunity from circumstance and finding unique ways to monetize your art by thinking outside the box. 

In this episode: 

-Why partnerships are so beneficial in creating a good balance for success 

-How to spend 1.2 million dollars recording an album that he considers a failure 

-How to re-invent yourself after a down turn in your career(he released a comeback album the week after 9/11).  

-He talks about meeting Willie nelson, and collaborating with Jeff Daniels(Dumb & Dumber, Speed, The News Room). 

Check out Brian’s Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/brianvanderark 

If you’re a song writer or musician, and want Bryan's feedback on some of the music you're creating , it will only cost you $10 to become a member. 

https://www.brianvanderark.com/ 

https://www.thevervepipe.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/brianvanderark/ 

https://twitter.com/brianvanderark1 

https://www.facebook.com/bvamusic/ 
………………………………………………………………………… 
Let’s Connect! 

https://www.balancedartist.com 

https://www.facebook.com/BalancedArtist/ 

https://www.instagram.com/rorygardinermusic/ 

Have you asked yourself why do you want be an artist? Because you want to monetize the thing that you love?

Do you even want to monetize it?

If you got into the creative arts specifically for fortune, you’re probably doing it wrong, because there are way easier ways to make money.

Or maybe the fame or attention you’re after?

That craving for attention may be resolved with a long overdue hug from your parents, or just release a sex tape.

A balanced artist can achieve all this stuff without stress or burning out or appearing naked on camera. I did music full time, and it wasn’t for me. Late nights, lots of travel, missed birthdays and no energy to create. I thought, this was how I was going to live the good life. Wrong. 

There are way easier ways to make money. Surfing the internet in an air conditioned cubical, is way easier than playing music at a wedding catering to all of bridezillas demands.

They say there are 2 reasons you haven’t broken through with your work. 1) It’s not good enough 2) Not enough people have seen it. You need to amplify one or both of those. But if your consistently doing what you do, there is no way you’re going to get worse at it. And your fan base is only going to grow. Your value rises with each and every release. 

Which brings me to the next group of people: The ones who won’t release anything because it needs to be perfect before the world sees. You’re comparing yourself to Beyonce, and compared to her, everybody sucks. But believe it or not, there is an audience out there that is going to resonate more with what you do than what Beyonce does. The only way to discover that audience is release your work, so that it can be discovered.

When you’re balanced, you’re along for the journey, not cutting corners. Most people think satisfaction is waiting for them on the mountain top. Then when they get there, they discover It’s waiting for them at another higher peak. They need to understand that the satisfaction is in the hike. If you can’t find it there, then you’re pursuing art for the wrong reasons. You’re motivated by extrinsic values that don’t move you emotionally. 

If your motivation isn’t aligned properly then you’re creating work that is popular in the moment, but doesn’t connect with the audience you’re trying to speak to. That’s a hack. By creating art from your authentic voice, you are sustaining longevity and organic growth in the work that you create over a long period of time.

If you’re new to this podcast, what we’ve done in season 1 is interviewed creators from all walks of life. Musicians, actors, comedians, happiness coaches, marriage experts, to try to give insight in how you can apply some of their knowledge to your own situation. 

Season 2 is a series of short episode about one particular topic that you can listen quickly to hopefully spark an idea a new point of view with whatever you may be working on at the moment. As always, if you want to connect, you can reach me @rorygardinermusic @balancedartist. Our website is balancedartist.com, join the mailing list for monthly goodies.