The Mind Over Finger Podcast

Ever finish practicing with tight shoulders, a sore neck, or the feeling that something just shouldn't be this hard? What if the answer isn't more practice, but a better understanding of how your body moves? In this episode, flutist and Body Mapping educator Jolene Madewell shares how small changes in movement and awareness can make a remarkable difference in your sound, comfort, and confidence.

In this conversation, we explore:

· How Body Mapping helps you release unnecessary tension and play with less effort.

· Why trying to maintain "good posture" might actually be making your playing harder.

· How understanding your ribs, shoulders, and breathing can unlock technical passages that have felt impossible.

· Simple movement experiments you can try in the practice room to play with greater freedom.

· How feeling your feet, widening your awareness, and reconnecting with your body can quiet your mind when performance nerves kick in.

If you've been working harder and harder without getting the results you want, this conversation might change the way you approach your instrument.

Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, join the Music Mastery Experience.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

GUEST

Website: https://www.joleneharju.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joleneflute/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/practiceroomrevelations/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JoleneHarjuMadewell

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What if the dream job you've worked so hard for isn't the life you actually want? In this candid, funny, and inspiring conversation, internationally acclaimed violinist Anthea Kreston shares the lessons behind her extraordinary career and new memoir, Crescendo: Chronicles of an Adventurous Violinist. From burnout at Curtis to performing with the renowned Artemis Quartet, Anthea reminds us that thriving in music means more than collecting achievements.

In this episode, we explore:

· Overcoming perfectionism and reconnecting with the joy of making music.

· Knowing when to push through challenges and when it's time to change direction.

· Setting bold goals and creating a music career that reflects your priorities.

· Creative practice strategies that make learning more effective and enjoyable.

· Embracing failure, redefining success, and building a fulfilling life on your own terms.

A refreshing reminder that you can pursue excellence without losing yourself along the way.

Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, join the Musician's Edge Challenge.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

GUEST

Website: https://antheakreston.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antheakreston

GRAB HER BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3WcVlQZ

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

You spent weeks, maybe months, preparing for an audition. And then, suddenly, it's over. Whether you won, advanced, or didn't get the result you wanted, there's so much more to take away from the experience than a committee's decision. In this episode, I'm sharing six practical steps to help you learn from every audition and turn that experience into valuable preparation for your next win.

In this episode, you'll learn:

· What to do immediately after an audition to capture valuable information without overanalyzing.

· How to recover emotionally and physically, regardless of the result.

· Why acknowledging your effort and progress helps you become a better musician.

· How to evaluate your audition objectively and separate facts from assumptions.

· How to distinguish preparation problems from difficulties performing under pressure.

· How to turn what you've learned into a stronger plan for your next audition.

Every audition has something valuable to offer. Let's make sure you get all of it!

If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What happens when the goals you set no longer fit the life you're actually living?

In this first episode of Season 9, we're exploring how to pursue meaningful musical goals while making space for rest, relationships, health, and the things that make you feel fully alive.

In this episode:

• Reassessing your priorities as your life changes • Creating boundaries around practice and work • Making real space for rest and recovery • Staying process oriented when a project feels overwhelming • Building a schedule that supports both the musician and the human

Because the musician will thrive more when the human is thriving.

Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk.

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Scientific links from the episode:

· Goals aligned with personal interests and values Sheldon & Elliot, Goal Striving, Need Satisfaction, and Longitudinal Well-Being: The Self-Concordance Modelhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10101878/

· Psychologically disconnecting from work Wendsche & Lohmann-Haislah, A Meta-Analysis on Antecedents and Outcomes of Detachment from Workhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.02072/full

· Process, performance, and outcome goals in sport The Performance and Psychological Effects of Goal Setting in Sport: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysishttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2116723

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Ben Ullery, Principal Viola of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, joins me for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, lifelong learning, and what it takes to keep growing as a musician while performing at the highest level.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why curiosity is one of a musician's greatest assets
• What happens after you land your dream job
• The role of visualization in performance
• Why perfection isn't the goal
• How to keep growing throughout your musical career

If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

GUEST

Website: https://benullery.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bullerbot/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@benullery

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What if the goal isn't to work harder, but to find the right pace?

In this episode, I talk with science writer Elizabeth Svoboda, author of The Art of Pacing, about flow, energy management, recovery, and the habits that help high performers sustain excellence without burning out.

You'll hear about:

• Why pacing matters more than most people realize

• How to create the conditions for flow in practice and performance

• What elite performers understand about recovery, resilience, and long term success

If you're tired of feeling like your performances don't consistently reflect what you're capable of, let's talk.

Whether you're preparing for auditions, navigating performance pressure, rebuilding confidence, or looking for more freedom and consistency on stage, I'd love to help.

Book a free discovery call HERE and let's explore what support would serve you best.

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

GUEST

Grab the Art of Pacing here: https://amzn.to/4ewVAMa

Website: https://elizabethsvoboda.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svobodster/reels/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.a.svoboda

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What happens when the audition is closer than you expected and the preparation feels impossible?

In this episode, I'm talking about how to handle high pressure performance situations when time is short, nerves are high, and your brain keeps telling you it's not enough. We dive into mindset, performance psychology, nervous system regulation, and the surprising ways urgency can actually work in your favor.

In this episode:

• Why resisting the situation drains the energy you need to perform

• How to stop spiraling and start preparing effectively

• What short timelines can teach you about trust, resilience, and performance under pressure

Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What does it actually take to win a major orchestra audition?

In this deeply personal episode, I take you behind the scenes of my winning audition for the Lyric Opera Orchestra at 47 years old. I'm sharing the real preparation process, the mental work, the conditioning, and the mindset shifts that carried me through 90 days of intense preparation and into the audition room.

In this episode:

• How I prepared mentally, physically, and musically while working full time and raising a family

• Why trust under pressure matters more than "feeling confident"

• The surprising gap between how a performance feels and how it actually sounds

If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and win that next audition, join me inside The Music Mastery Experience.

Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What if confidence is not the absence of doubt?

In this deeply honest conversation, violinist Robert Sanders shares what changed internally as he navigated auditions, pressure, comparison, and eventually won a full time position with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz. This episode is not about becoming fearless. It's about learning how to stop fighting yourself so aggressively underneath the pressure.

In this episode:

• Why self doubt does not disappear even at a high level

• How Robert shifted from battling doubt to "dancing" with it

• The surprising mindset shift that changed his audition experience

• Why learning to work with yourself changes everything under pressure

If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.

Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Robert Sanders

Website: www.robertsandersviolin.com

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

You know that feeling when you walk off stage thinking, "I can play so much better than this"? In this episode, I unpack three powerful patterns I saw during the Musicians Edge Challenge with more than 300 musicians and why so many performers lose access to themselves under pressure even when they've prepared brilliantly.

In this episode:

• Why your best playing can feel impossible to recreate on demand

• What really happens when a different version of you shows up on stage

• Why many musicians keep trying to solve the wrong problem

If you're ready to close the gap between how you play in the practice room and who you become under pressure, the Music Mastery Experience is open for enrollment now. Inside MME, we work on performance preparation, self trust, mindset, nervous system regulation, and the hidden patterns that shape your performances. Enrollment closes May 20 and we begin June 1. Learn more at mindoverfinger.com/mme

Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE

Book your free consultation with Renée HERE

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

Mind Over Finger

Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.

Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.

Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.

Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger

https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger

https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

THANK YOU:

Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.