Grind and Flow

How does singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega conquer creative dry spells? (Hint: Form is your friend!) Also - caregiving in a time of widespread crisis and how it informed her acclaimed new album, "Flying With Angels." PLUS! Her inside scoop on a legendary career.

#caregiving #songwriting #selfcare

Get coached on plowing through self-imposed road blocks. Also...nifty tips for Life Organization and beginning with the end in mind.

Maybe this could power up your next project: creative rules from classic Looney Tunes animator Chuck Jones. This framework is a frequent go-to for our guest, Producer-Composer-Creative Director Brandon Bush (Megan Moroney,John Mayer). From the outside, Brandon looks to be in constant maker mode, also creating music for Film, TV, Video Games and Live Theater. How does he stay grounded and inspired?

Anger can fuel you work, but don't let it be the headline...so says Actor-Comedian Scott Thompson (The Kids In The Hall). In a conversation taped at City Winery in Atlanta, Scott dares to go deep and personal, including revelations about God, Pee Wee Herman and Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Scott is a regular on Schwarzenegger's current Netlfix series FUBAR.)

His latest standup special (“Dana Gould: Perfectly Normal”) is now available on YouTube and iTunes. Hear how this widely-revered comedian once aced his audition for SNL, but didn’t make the cut (SPOILER: Things worked out!) Plus...other tales from an eclectic career that includes writing for The Simpsons and Parks and Recreation.  Also -- Dana shares the work and life inspiration he takes from the late David Lynch.

Somehow, he managed to only “discover” his instrument after decades of playing. How does that work exactly? And how can we – musicians and non-musicians alike --  learn from the improvisational journey of Performer-Composer-Storyteller OkCello?

Seriously… what's the deal with negotiating? Or public speaking? Why do these endeavors make us feel so icky? Comedian/Motivational Speaker Jeff Justice lays out practical tips to be better at both. Jeff is in high demand for sold out, hands on seminars on the fundamentals of stand-up comedy and applied humor that can enhance your personal and professional life .

After dropping an album she thought was "too personal, too weird" and specific to her Scandanavian upbringing in North Dakota, Americana guitarist-songwriter Brennen Leigh connects in meaningful ways with audiences around the world.

Dive into the weeds of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s remarkable origin story – from making demos in his bedroom at age 12 to getting mentored by jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and later walking away from certain fame on tour with Lady Gaga.

VARIETY tapped his latest album, Stellar Evolution, for their Best of 2024 list and describes him as “one of the great rising talents making records right now.” Hear how Aaron Lee Tasjan navigates anxiety and connects with audiences, plus how he learned that practice can sometimes get in your way.