This week’s show dives into the ever-so-near goals and habits push for the New Year’s Resolutioners. Here’s a quick play-by-play for you…

If you’d rather listen on Apple Podcasts, click here.

Chapter 1: Introduction

I introduce the theme of habits, and discuss what’s working and what’s not in my life with three takeaways from a podcast I was listening to earlier today...

And we kick things off with “Keep It Warm” by Miles Recommends.” (read a cool review we got back in the day here…)

If you’re creepin’ like TLC and still yet to subscribe, please consider doing so below. Every new subscriber I get validates me leaving social media this month… and if you’re a coach, we have a paid tier called “the den” where we take this stuff to the practical level to help you stay out of burnout and be more valuable to your people. 🐻

Chapter 2: Practical Habit Formation

Drawing from James Clear’s “Atomic Habits,” I share practical tips for habit formation, including the two-minute rule and creating conditions for success. I talk about where I’ve made better decisions in my life and three takeaways from the Diary of a CEO Podcast I was listening to that might help you...

Key Points

* The two-minute rule for habit formation.

* Creating conditions for success.

* Importance of flexibility and adaptation in habits.

* Mini 2 minute meditation to think about your goals & habits: “what if it was fun?”

Chapter 3: Coach’s Corner - Insights from Jeremy Grünsteiner

My pal, Jeremy Grünsteiner and I catch up… Jer is a weightlifting coach from Fargo and he shares his insights on setting up the right vision and making it stick. The discussion includes personal anecdotes and the importance of a strong mindset. You’ll dig it. But you won’t see his face. Our phones were being misfits… so here’s us from last summer’s series we did called Coach’s Corner…

Key Points

* Setting up a vision for success.

* Overcoming scarcity mindset.

* Long-term planning and goal setting.

Chapter 4: The Philosophy of Tao

I delve into the philosophical aspects of Tao, explaining its relevance to both physical exercise and spiritual growth. I read a passage called “Spine” and discuss the concept of Tao as a guiding path in life.

Key Points

* Tao as a metaphor for life’s journey.

* Integration of physical and spiritual practices.

* The role of Tao in personal development.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Community Building

If you’re looking to go deeper into this kind of stuff, or just want to live a more impactful life, join me next Saturday for a virtual workshop. Details are here and you can take 20% just cause with the code mikedrop in the checkout.

As always, thanks for watching/listening and please share this out with someone you care about. 👇🏼

On this lovely pilot episode of my new radio style podcast, I talk shop about the new direction and my ambition with this endeavour...

I wanted to make an all-inclusive space on the internet for all of my thoughts. And I have lots of them… from all the things that interest me, like sports, music, philosophy, communication, leadership, fitness… you name it…without any care for what I should do for business. I realized long ago that I’m deathly allergic to labels, boxes and cages, so this weekly podcast is my answer to the mainstream “just be one thing” marketing mentality”. 🖕

Stories in Stereo is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts like this and and support my dream of travelling the world and recording cool people and strange things in beautiful places with neat instruments, consider joining for only $111 a year.

Today I decided when I woke up I’d do something with load & capacity…

because no one seems to understand the reason they get sick, injured or burnt out...and then I decided to put on display the benefits of my Alpha beats for Focus. There’s even a little guided meditation sandwiched in there for you.

I discuss the difference between active and passive recovery and also the difference between working in and working out. It’s a pretty good show and I think you’ll enjoy it.

Takeaways

* Load represents the amount of stuff going on in life.

* Capacity is the ability to handle that load.

* Both passive and active recovery techniques are essential for stress management.

* Breathing techniques can enhance recovery and performance.

* Music can serve as a powerful tool for recovery.

* Meditation can sometimes add stress rather than alleviate it.

Shout Outs

Shout out to @roshomusic for the beautiful handpan serenade and to all my future sponsors for getting ahead of the game and offering to support this show and it’s undoubted awesomeness.

My goal is to travel the world and record strange things in beautiful places with unconventional instruments to produce medical-grade music and help to heal the world... together I bet we can do it. But it starts with you listening to this show once a week. Price of admission is an honest rating and review wherever you like to listen to these shows.Okay, that’s all for now. I hope you enjoy the show.

Oh, oine more thing.If you liked what I was talking about with the music stuff, I’m putting together a small cohort in the New Year to teach people the 5 Sonic Codes. It’ll be pay-what-you-can or flat rate $297 US for the 5 day intensive. To get on the waitlist or to learn. ore just message me here.

K luv u bye.

Welcome inside.

I’ve been feeling the pull to create in a different way. Slower. Truer. Less noise. Less performing. More presence. More humility.

That’s what this Journal is for.

Stories in Stereo is where I share the parts of my work that rarely make it to social media. The reflections behind the music. The lessons that show up in my coaching. The things I learn in the gym, in the studio, and in the moments when life forces me to take a breath and pay attention.

I call it Stories in Stereo because everything important happens in more than one channel.

There’s the story you tell…

The story underneath…

The breath behind it…

The tension in your body…

The soundtrack shaping your mood…

The movement that clears your mind…

It all matters. It all belongs here.

This Journal brings all that sh*t together.

If you stay on the free tier, you’ll get the weekly reflections. The personal notes. The simple truths that help you feel a little steadier and more connected to yourself.

If you join the paid tier, you’ll get the deeper work. The sonic meditations. The focus tracks. The storywork prompts. The movement tools. The quiet sessions that help you sleep better, think clearer, and rebuild your foundation from the inside out.

I made this space because I needed a home for the kind of work that fails to fit into a reel or an algorithm. Work that feels personal. Work that feels human. Work that actually helps.

I’m glad you’re here.

Take your time.

Explore.

Settle in.

Your story has a soundtrack.

Let’s hear it.

It feels good to be back on the mic. Today I am happy to re-introduce the MusicFit Underground, a creative collective in Calgary, Alberta where wellness professionals, coaches and healers get together to transform their messages into music. I highlight the Music Fit League (MFL), a 12-week program that gamifies music creation, turning coaches into artists. Participants become characters in our version of Gotham City, the mythic underground scene known as The UNDRGRND, marking a new era in Calgary’s creative scene. I’m now looking for coaches who are interested in using music, storytelling and creativity to express their brand and join the league to redefine their brands as bands.

If that is you or someone you know, please reach out through my Substack and I’ll shoot over some more info.👇🏼

In this video and reflection, I invite heart-led leaders to reconnect with the most powerful tool they’ve got, their own voice.

If you landed here, it’s likely because you’re facing what I call “a mountain.” A seemingly insurmountable obstacle in the way of you becoming your best self. You’ve probably tried it all. The courses, the coaches, the plant medicine, and yet… here you are. How annoying, right?

Spoiler alert: I’m typically the guy people like you come to when all the shortcuts fail. In this video, you’ll get my raw storytelling and a lived metaphor from a near-death mountain climb. I reveal how disconnection from self-expression can silently sabotage clarity, confidence, and impact. And why you should care.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

* Why your heart and gut are the real decision-makers

* My ABC Method of Personal Transformation:🅰️ Awareness — name the story🅱️ Beliefs — shift the narrative🅲 Creation — express it through music or message

* How unspoken truth creates energetic weight

* Why personal storytelling is essential for coaching, leadership, and growth

* How music becomes a tool of empowerment, healing, and self-discovery

🔑 Takeaways:

* Clarity comes from feeling, not forcing

* Finding your voice is a spiritual practice

* Empowerment = expression

* Your beliefs can be rewritten

* Creation is the final step of transformation

🧘 Bonus:

Includes a guided meditation to help you make aligned decisions using my Co-CEO Decision Making Method (heart + gut, not mind).

🎯 This Is For You If…

* You’ve built success, but feel disconnected from your voice

* You want to turn your story into music, message, or movement

* You’re ready to step into your next level of truth and transformation

📥 Apply for my Mentorship:

If this video activates something in you… Trust that ping.Custom mentorship journeys are now open.

* 🎧 Watch the full video above

* 📍 Apply here & book a call → Mentorship Vibe Check Call

* 🎤 Let’s figure out where you’re at, where you wanna go, and if I’m you’re guy

If you watched the video and you’d rather creep, creep like TLC from afar, consider subscribing to my publication. It’ll always be free, because knowledge belongs to everyone. I publish multiple times per week, and I would love to give you the inside lane when it comes to healing through story and sound. ⬇️

In this engaging conversation, we dip in as a fly-on-the-wall at the latest MusicFit Brunch n' Learn hosted by Mike Schwartz with a very special guest, Calgary's Alternative, X929's Logan Middleton. They discuss the best practices for getting your indie band on the radio. The conversation explores the relevance of radio in the current music landscape, emphasizing its role in audience building and artist exposure. The importance of music licensing and royalties and tactical strategies for artists to engage with radio stations effectively are highlighted. The conversation concludes with a focus on the significance of networking and community support within the Calgary music scene, encouraging artists to collaborate and promote each other.Head here: https://www.skool.com/music-fit-collective-6208/about for access to our community, our hot, new 6-week artist development camp and the full recording of this brunch n' learn, including the top secret song reviews from Calgary's finest.

In this episode of MusicFit Radio, host Mike Schwartz breaks down the key to making strategic decisions in your music career. If you’ve ever found yourself saying yes to every gig or opportunity, only to feel burnt out and unfulfilled, this episode is for you. Mike introduces the three critical components every musician should consider: cash, cred, and chops.

Learn how to filter opportunities effectively by asking yourself if they contribute to your financial gain, enhance your credibility in the industry, or help you improve your skills as an artist. Mike emphasizes that not every gig needs to pay well, but it should either boost your reputation or challenge you to grow as a musician.

Discover practical examples and insights on how to leverage opportunities that hit at least two out of the three criteria, ensuring that your time and energy are spent on gigs that truly matter. Whether you’re an emerging artist or a seasoned pro, this episode provides the tools you need to navigate the music industry with intention and purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💰 How to prioritize opportunities based on cash, cred, and chops

📈 The importance of knowing your worth and valuing your time

🎤 Real-life examples of gigs that enhance your career

🚀 Strategies to filter out the noise and focus on what moves the needle

Follow Mike on Instagram at @musicfitmike and stay connected with Music Fit Records for more insights and updates.

Ready to take your music career to the next level? Visit musicfitrecords.com and register for the MFL, the only professional music league on the planet.

In this episode, we dive deep into MusicFit Afterhours—the in-person experience that brings the MFL community to life. These aren’t just shows. They’re intimate, high-energy gatherings where artists and fans connect, real challenges are addressed, and new music is tested in front of a live, engaged audience.

We break down how Afterhours solves the biggest problems artists face, from feeling disconnected from their audience to finding real-time feedback on their work. Plus, we’re talking about how every moment is recorded and documented, giving artists the kind of high-quality content that fuels their career growth.

And for the fans? This is where MFL Season Ticket Memberships come in. At every Afterhours event, we invite music lovers to go beyond the show and join the movement—unlocking exclusive content, merch, and an online community built for true music fans.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🎤 How Afterhours events provide real-world solutions for artists and fans
📡 The power of content ownership and how artists benefit from full access to their recordings
🤝 Why Afterhours is the key external force of the MFL, bringing the online and offline worlds together
💡 How fans can become Season Ticket Holders and gain access to exclusive perks, merch, and community experiences

🔗 How to become an MFL Season Ticket Holder and get access to exclusive content, community perks, and merch
📺 Where you can watch past Afterhours performances and behind-the-scenes moments.
🎶 How to stay connected with MusicFit Records and be the first to hear about upcoming Afterhours events.

Follow along on Instagram at @musicfitrecords and @musicfitmike

Learn more about the MFL and get your Founding Member Lifetime Pass for ONLY $79 here: MusicFit Lifetime Pass

Artists, wanna play in the MFL? Apply here.

Got questions or thoughts on this episode? Hit us up in the comments or tag us on social media! Let’s keep building a music community that moves people. 🎶🔥

Welcome back to MusicFit Radio, the ultimate destination for bands and fans eager to break free from the traditional constraints of the music industry. In this episode, host Mike Schwartz unveils the revolutionary Music Fit League (MFL), a groundbreaking initiative that gamifies artist development by treating musicians like athletes. Discover how the MFL bridges the gap between artists and fans, creating a dynamic ecosystem that empowers musicians with the skills and confidence needed to thrive.

Mike dives into the challenges faced by independent artists, from overwhelming industry complexities to the struggle of standing out in a saturated market. Learn how the MFL redefines artist development through its three core principles: learning through action, rewarding progress, and building a thriving ecosystem. Each season presents a series of challenges designed to foster real-time skill development in areas like audience engagement and live performance strategies.

Explore how the MFL celebrates growth at every step, offering mentorship opportunities and exclusive experiences as artists achieve milestones. Fans play an active role in this journey, deepening their connection with the music and its creators while brands align with a vibrant movement focused on authenticity and collaboration.

Join Mike as he discusses the importance of metrics that matter, ensuring that every point earned reflects tangible progress toward career goals. The MFL is more than a healthy competition; it’s about building sustainable careers and fostering meaningful connections.

If you're ready to rewrite the playbook on success in the music industry, this episode is a must-listen!

(00:00) Intro

(01:30) The MusicFit League is transforming artist development through gamified experiences

(05:00) The MFL and real-time problem-finding and problem-solving

(7:48) MFL as a discovery platform

(8:00) Gamified Artist Development for Calgary's emerging artists

(9:21) Closing remarks, re-writing the rules of success and the music economy.

Stay tuned to MusicFit Radio. For more information please check out our socials

@musicfitrecords and follow Mike at @musicfitmike

Welcome to MusicFit Radio, the go-to podcast for bands and their fans who are ready to break free from feeling broke and burnt out. Hosted by Mike Schwartz, the mastermind behind the MusicFit Method, this episode is all about engagement. Dive into the essentials of transforming your band into a thriving business by nurturing your audience and building a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Explore the importance of creating genuine connections with your followers through newsletters and community platforms like Grouped. Discover how to identify your ideal clients—bands, brands, and fans—and engage them effectively to foster a supportive network that attracts superfans and brands alike.

Mike shares insights on leveraging community spaces to provide value and foster direct communication with your audience. Learn why relying solely on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be risky, and how creating a dedicated community can ensure a more personal and lasting connection with your fans.

Uncover strategies to turn followers into superfans, from inviting them into the songwriting process to hosting unique live events that leave a lasting impression. Understand the power of nurturing these relationships to create memorable experiences and content that resonates.

Whether you're a band looking to scale your business or an artist seeking to deepen your fan connections, this episode offers actionable advice to elevate your music career. For more information and to explore engagement tools that suit your artistic journey, visit www.musicfitrecords.com and join the conversation with MusicFit Records on social media.

(00:00) Music Fit Radio is the official education station for bands and their fans

(00:28) Music Fit Radio is where we examine the proper way to build a band

(01:19) Bay: How do artists build an audience? How do they nurture it

(07:43) The goal is to build a community of artists through social media

(08:03) Turning your followers into fans is key to monetizing your music