This week’s episode gets weirdly personal (even for me) as I talk about the wart I kept on my foot for 20 years—yes, really—and how it became the perfect metaphor for the stuff we refuse to let go of just because it’s familiar. Including, maybe, this very podcast.

I get real about why I’m questioning whether to keep going with the show after 51 episodes, why we all hold onto things that don’t serve us, and I ask you to help me figure out if this show is actually worth it.

If you’ve ever clung to a habit, a relationship, or a project just because it’s always been there, this one’s for you. And if I’ve ever added any value to your week—even once—please email me at [email protected] so I know I’m not just talking to myself.

Peace out, Girl Scouts.

This week, I got absolutely wrecked by my soon-to-be 7-year-old in the middle of a sweaty, muddy lawn project—and honestly? She was right. In this short but punchy episode, I unpack a real moment of being out-parented and reminded what actually matters.

If you’ve been putting work, side projects, or chores ahead of making memories with your people, this one's your gentle (and kind of funny) wake-up call. There’s a witch cackle, a callback to episode one, and maybe a guilt trip—but in the best way.

🎧 Listen if you need a gut check on your priorities—and a laugh along the way.

🧠 No homework this week. Just something to think about.

💬 Subscribe, share, and push someone on a swing today

Hey—you ever feel like your first draft, sketches, or song just “don’t work”? In this episode of Help Me Understand Music, I sit down with local musician Jacob Fannin to dive into why the real value is in putting in the reps, how to turn every “no” into fuel for your next “yes,” and why you should make joy—not metrics—your true North Star. Whether you’re writing your first song or your thousandth, you’ll walk away with a fresh mindset on trusting your own timeline and loving the process.

🔑 What We Cover

0:00 Intro & Jacob’s journey

1:20 Why your first attempts have to suck

3:05 Jacob’s “song‑a‑day” challenge: reps over perfection

5:30 Embracing failure on stage (and in life)

7:45 Why comparing yourself only leads to burnout

9:10 Final takeaway: the joy is in the journey

👉 Connect with Jacob Fannin

Facebook ▶️ https://facebook.com/JacobFanninMusic

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app:

• Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Google Podcasts

👍 If this resonated, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 to catch every new episode!

💬 Drop a comment below—what’s one “bad” creative attempt you learned from?

#JoyInTheJourney #Creativity #Failure #SongADayChallenge #HelpMeUnderstandMusic

“You’re not stuck. You’re just pushing around a jelly wall.”

That line hit me like a brick — or rather, a jelly block — and it came from one of the realest conversations I’ve had in a long time. In this episode, I reconnect with an old friend who calls me out (lovingly), reminds me that perfection is overrated, and challenges me to stop comparing and start creating. We talk about breaking through mental barriers, why being "kooky" is part of the process, and how all great things start with a slightly delusional belief that something might just work.

This one’s funny, raw, and filled with reminders that you're not alone on the journey. Oh — and it might inspire a jelly wall tattoo.

This week I sat down with Kim Mauthe, social media wizard and events coordinator for Mile of Music — along with her intern, Mikenzi (who instantly became my favorite person for handing me water mid-recording, and not getting hit by the elevator door while leaving the building... ;). Kim shares what it’s been like helping build one of Wisconsin’s coolest music festivals from the ground up — and how a freshman year “no marketing ever” declaration didn’t exactly go as planned. We get into UWM’s weird artsy film scene, music as community, and how even the most rhythm-less among us (hi) can still feel like we belong. Also, I may or may not have lied about playing drums in high school. Tune in.

You should also check out these artists who will be at Mile of Music!

Flamy Grant - What did you drag me into?

TAE & The Neighborly - Let it Rain

Jennifer Harlee & Kate Stenson - Spit Out the Old* (Sorry I say world in the pod D: )

Moonglow - You

PS: Reach out at [email protected] - if interested in being my **unpaid** Podcast intern!

After 46 episodes, I’m realizing this podcast isn’t just about personal development tips—it’s about becoming more you. In this raw, reflective episode, I share where the show is heading, what I’ve been hiding, and why it’s okay not to have all the answers. If you’re craving connection, authenticity, and the freedom to pivot, press play.

Jordan Hiller sits down with old friend Sara Valley—once a dedicated behavioral-health professional, now a full-time creator, mom, and co-host of the new podcast Behind Open Doors. In this candid conversation you’ll hear:

Why a seemingly “normal” workday became the day Sara handed in her resignation—and what led her to walk away from a stable income

How stepping off the career ladder gave her space to launch an Etsy shop, paint murals, record a podcast and, most importantly, be present for her young kids

The hard-earned lesson that true success isn’t a climbed rung but a chosen path—and how Sara’s son summed it up best when he filled in “Mom is happiest when…”

Tune in to discover what it really takes to go from career-focused to life-focused—and get inspired to carve out your own runway for change.

Make sure to follow Sara's new Podcast "Behind Open Doors" on Spotify!

In this unfiltered and deeply personal episode, Jordan sits down with Nicholas Raymond—lead singer and drummer of Traveling Suitcase—to explore what music really means. From growing up dancing to Prince to drawing emotional parallels with film scores, Nicholas shares how music has shaped his identity, fluidity, and freedom. Warning: explicit language and raw honesty ahead.

Hey—it’s Jordan. This episode is a little different. I’m starting a new segment called Help Me Understand, and I’m kicking it off with something I’ve never really “got”: music.

I’ve always felt a little disconnected from music. I didn’t grow up obsessed with bands or genres, and to be honest, I used to fake it just to fit in. But with a massive music festival coming to my hometown soon, I want to finally figure out what makes music so powerful for other people—and hopefully, for me too.

If you’re a musician, a music lover, or just someone who’s ever felt seen by a song, I’d love for you to come on this journey with me. Let’s explore what music really means, how it brings people together, and why it has the power to move us.

🎵 Got a favorite artist or a story about how music changed you? Email me at [email protected].

Today’s episode of What’s Your 1 THING? is powered by cold medicine and chaos. I threw out an "Ask Me Anything" on Twitter (or X, whatever we’re calling it now) — and you delivered.

We’re talking naps, personal development books nobody finishes, kitchen appliances as life metaphors (I am officially a turkey baster now), why Raising Cane’s might just make you rich, and the true test of self-control: the Costco sample aisle.

Plus, a heartfelt answer on what to do when you're stuck between overthinking and trying to get your life together. Spoiler: it doesn't involve reading another self-help book.

This is the most unhinged, hilarious, and unexpectedly helpful episode yet.

NightQuill, naps, and turkey basters — let's go.

🎯 Submit your AMA questions for a future episode! what'[email protected]

🎯 If you loved it (or just want to roast me), leave a review and share it with your favorite professional overthinker.