In this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sat down with Rob Bach, a music industry veteran and founder of Spinney Media, to dig into the deceptively simple but deeply impactful advice: “Be flexible.” Rob shared how these two words—originally passed down from his father as parenting wisdom—became his life mantra through the ups and downs of work, family, and entrepreneurship. From navigating career shifts and family changes to helping musicians break out of digital-only thinking, Rob’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptation. His openness about learning through change, collaborating with others, and understanding your true purpose (not just sticking to rigid plans) offers wisdom for everyone striving for progress in uncertain times. Whether you’re a creator, a parent, or facing your own big decision, Rob’s story will inspire you to loosen your grip on “how things should be” and lean into creative, iterative solutions that actually move you forward.

Connect With Rob Bach
Website: https://www.spinneymedia.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbach/

If Relatable Wisdom speaks to you—if a quote shared makes you pause, smile, or see things differently—consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a minute, leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday voices and the wisdom they carry. Your support means the world.

Every episode has more to it than what you hear. Join the Relatable Wisdom newsletter to get thoughtful reflections, behind-the-scenes extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a calm space to stay inspired between listens.Sign up here: https://relatablewisdom.com/join

If the quotes and stories you hear here offer you comfort, clarity, or connection, you can help support the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every small contribution helps keep these everyday voices and shared wisdom going strong.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq

Want to be a guest on Relatable Wisdom? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/relatablewisdom

Chapters

00:00 Rethinking Music Industry Strategies
00:52 Welcome and Guest Introduction
01:29 Meet Rob Bach
01:48 Physical Music Distribution Explained
01:53 Rob’s Favorite Quote: “Be Flexible”
02:00 Flexibility in Parenting and Life
03:07 What Flexibility Really Means
03:40 When Plans Meet Reality
04:38 Flexibility in Careers and Businesses
05:04 Management Lessons on Flexibility
05:11 Why People Get Stuck
06:49 Learning Flexibility Through Experience
07:42 Staying Open to New Paths
08:07 My Own Flexibility Story
09:23 Focusing on Purpose Over Process
09:47 Breaking Free from Old Routines
10:18 Reframing Problems with Others
11:14 Expanding a Music Career Beyond Streams
12:26 The Realities of Building a Fanbase
13:03 Spinning Media’s Approach
13:40 Standing Out in a Crowded Music Market
14:37 The Power of Collaboration
15:17 Rob’s Career History Before Spinning Media
16:13 The Leap to Entrepreneurship
17:30 Lessons from Amazon and Beyond
17:42 Pursuing Meaningful Projects
18:59 Knowing What Shouldn’t Change
19:20 Learning and Iterating with Customers
20:01 Final Reflections on Flexibility
20:10 Rob’s Business Journey
21:08 Staying Valuable in Business
21:25 Adapting to Change and Listening
22:05 Making Physical Albums Accessible
22:20 Where to Connect with Rob
22:41 Wrapping Up and Appreciation
22:47 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off