The Honesty Pill Podcast

Guest: Nikki Abissi, professional trombonist Key Topics: Nikki's musical journey from growing up around NYC to attending Juilliard, New World Symphony, and becoming an orchestral musician Dealing with performance anxiety, negative self-talk, and the importance of mindset work The "3 envelope" audition preparation strategy Bringing a sense of "play" back into music practice Losing your professional identity and how to rebuild Nikki's invention of the "Extend Bone" slide extension device Being newly diagnosed with ADHD as an adult The value of normalizing struggles and being vulnerable Takeaways: Have strategies and techniques for audition prep beyond just the music Find ways to quiet the analytical brain and focus on performing Titles don't matter as much as value you provide - build an authentic platform Normalize discussing mental health, mindset, and personal struggles Read "Peak" by Anders Ericsson on developing expertise deliberatively Memorable Quotes: "My other superpower is I don't care about being vulnerable and honest." "Your title doesn't matter. What matters is can you solve a problem for someone." Stay Connected with Us: Subscribe to the Honesty Pill YouTube Channel for the latest episodes and updates. Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and exclusive updates. Sponsor Message: This episode is brought to you by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Visit Yamaha Corporation of America to learn more about their products and services.

Episode Title: Productivity, Mindset and Overcoming Roadblocks with Cami McLaren Introduction: In this insightful episode, we explore strategies for productivity, mindset shifts, and overcoming roadblocks with our guest Cami McLaren, founder of McLaren Coaching. Cami shares her unique perspective as a former lawyer who transitioned into coaching musicians and professionals from various fields. Get ready to dive into practical tips, thought-provoking discussions, and personal insights that will empower you to unlock your full potential. Key Discussion Points: Mindset MattersProductivity TipsCoaching for GrowthBuilding a Successful BusinessOvercoming Roadblocks Conclusion: Cami McLaren's insights offer a fresh perspective on productivity, mindset, and overcoming obstacles. Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, or simply seeking personal growth, this episode provides valuable tools and strategies to help you thrive in your pursuits. Connect with Cami McLaren: Additional Resources: Stay Connected with Us:

Show Notes: Episode Title: S3E40 - Emmanuel Ceysson: Mastering the Harp YouTube Video Link: Watch Here Introduction: In this captivating episode, we delve into the fascinating world of harp mastery with Emmanuel Ceysson. Join us as we explore his remarkable journey from starting the harp at the tender age of 7 to becoming a renowned professional harpist. Emmanuel shares insights into the challenges he faced as a male harpist, the intricacies of the pedal harp, and his unique approach to overcoming performance anxiety. Key Discussion Points: Early Beginnings and Unique Sound: Challenging Stereotypes: Understanding the Pedal Harp: Historical Perspectives: Preparing for Auditions and Performance: Orchestral Experience: Overcoming Performance Anxiety: Conclusion: Emmanuel Ceysson's story is a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and passion in pursuing one's musical dreams. Whether you're an aspiring musician or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of harp performance and the art of mastering one's craft. Connect with Emmanuel Ceysson: Instagram @emmanuel_ceyssonWebsite Additional Resources: YouTube Channel Acknowledgment: Special thanks to Emmanuel Ceysson for sharing his expertise and experiences with us. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful conversations with talented musicians like Emmanuel. Stay Connected with Us: Honesty Pill YouTube ChannelInstagram Sponsor Message: This episode is brought to you by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Visit Yamaha Corporation of America to learn more about their products and services.

In this episode of the Honesty Pill podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Thompson, a functional nutritionist with a unique background as both a musician and a nutrition expert. Stephanie shares invaluable insights on the pivotal role nutrition plays in a musician's performance, energy levels, and overall well-being. She delves into common dietary myths, offers practical advice for improving nutrition, and introduces her transformative program, "Play Like an Artist, Fuel Like an Athlete." Show Notes: Highlighting the Gap: Stephanie opens the discussion by addressing the often-overlooked aspect of nutrition in musicians' training compared to athletes. She emphasizes that musicians, much like athletes, require proper fueling of their bodies to perform at their best. Myth-Busting Diets: The conversation shifts to debunking popular diet trends, including keto and intermittent fasting, underscoring the importance of finding what genuinely works for each individual's unique needs. From Musician to Nutritionist: Stephanie shares her personal journey from being a professional orchestra musician to pursuing a career in functional nutrition. Her transition was motivated by her desire to help musicians navigate the complexities of food, energy, and nutrition. Introducing the Program: Stephanie introduces her upcoming program, "Play Like an Artist, Fuel Like an Athlete," a six-week deep dive designed to empower musicians with knowledge and strategies to optimize their nutrition, energy, and performance. The program aims to create a bridge between the worlds of music and athletics, highlighting the critical role of nutrition in artistic excellence. For more information and to enroll in the program, visit: Play Like an Artist, Fuel Like an Athlete Conclusion: This episode sheds light on the crucial, yet often neglected, aspect of nutrition in the lives of musicians. Stephanie Thompson's expertise and personal journey inspire a holistic approach to musicians' health and performance, promising a path to not only excel in their craft but also improve their quality of life through better nutritional practices.

S3E38 Elizabeth Rowe: How to Break Free from Limiting Beliefs Podcast Summary In this episode, host Christopher Still speaks with acclaimed flutist Elizabeth Rowe about redefining success, moving past harsh self-criticism, addressing implicit bias in classical music, coping with professional setbacks, and making hard choices to align with your values. Guest Bio Elizabeth Rowe is the principal flute of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She is also an advocate for women’s rights and gender equality in classical music and a career/leadership coach for musicians and other high achievers. Key Takeaways Don't reduce your identity solely to a job title or label. Figure out what success and fulfillment mean for you personally. Meet yourself with compassion instead of criticism. Friendliness enables lasting excellence more than harshly driving yourself. Acknowledge that everyone has implicit biases. Be honest about your limited experience with certain groups in leadership roles. Fall with awareness and acceptance. Reflect on what you can learn personally from setbacks while recognizing institutional problems. Make the uncomfortable choice you can understand and live with. Difficult experiences often prove to be immense gifts. Memorable Quotes "The way that we achieve sustained excellence is by meeting ourselves where we are with friendliness, with encouragement, with compassion." "We are all biased. Before we can advocate for structural changes, we need to own our individual roles and responsibilities." "Part of what is important to me as I'm moving through this myself is to be really clear that big feelings doesn't make something wrong." Resources Mentioned Elizabeth Rowe's website: https://iamelizabethrowe.com/ Book: "More Time to Think" by Nancy Kline Elizabeth's guide: "The High Achiever's Guide to Moving Past Failure" Connect with Elizabeth Rowe Website: https://iamelizabethrowe.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamelizabeth.rowe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelizabethrowe/ Additional Links Elizabeth's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7lbT0485wI&t=367s

Show Notes: Hey everybody, welcome back to the Honesty Pill Podcast! 🎵 Today, we’re diving into a rich conversation that's all about music, mentorship, and those magic moments that only happen in the orchestral world. We're hanging out with Neil Kimel - a phenomenal horn player, who’s been lighting up audiences from the stages of incredible orchestras and, nowadays, is lighting a fire in the next generation of musicians over at Northwestern. Neil’s got stories and wisdom that span from the audition room to to the practice room. In This Episode: Get a backstage pass to Neil’s journey from playing the horn in Chicago’s vibrant music scene to becoming a beacon of guidance and inspiration at Northwestern. Explore the nuanced world of auditions, where Neil spills the beans on what it’s like to hear auditions and how to really make a mark. Highlights: Navigating Orchestra Auditions Dive into Neil’s relationship with the horn, auditions, and cinema Auditions Unveiled: Get the inside scoop as Neil takes us through the transition from auditioning to listening in auditions, revealing what really makes a performer stand out. Links: DePaul University Music Programs: https://music.depaul.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-a-z/Pages/neil-kimel.aspx Take Away: Neil’s journey through music, education, and the beautiful moments in between is a tune you don’t want to miss, whether you’re an upcoming musician or someone who just loves a good, harmonious tale. His stories and tips shed light on the commitment, the art, and the pure joy found in a musical journey. A Big Thank You: Big thanks to our sponsor, the Yamaha Corporation of America. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and diverse perspectives on music, practice, performance, and the business behind it all. Honesty Pill Links: Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter Honesty Pill Podcast Visit Our Blog Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Additional Programs: Audition Accelerator Program: Dive into our intensive course designed to unlock your audition potential, empowering you with strategies, feedback, and insights to nail those high-stakes auditions. Learn more & Enroll Online Business Accelerator Program: Elevate your musical career with our program geared to equip you with the essential tools, strategies, and insights to build and scale your online music business effectively. Learn more & Enroll

Show Notes: Welcome to the first episode of Season Three of the Honesty Pill Podcast! We're kicking off this season with a deep dive into the intersection of music mastery, performance, and entrepreneurship—a crucial area for musicians looking to expand and excel in their careers. We're chatting with Michelle Lynne, a musician who's not just sticking to the stage. She's weaving her talents as a pianist and singer with her knack for entrepreneurship, showing us how musical skills can open doors to diverse and rewarding career paths. Michelle’s here to break things down, share her story, and provide some inspiration for fellow musicians wanting to wear multiple hats in the music world. In This Episode: Discover Michelle's journey from musician to musical entrepreneur, influencing audiences and students around the globe. Understand the importance of entrepreneurship in music and find the balance between musical passion and business savvy. Pick up some practical tips on personal branding, marketing, and building an online community around your musical journey. Highlights: 1. Music Meets Entrepreneurship: Learn how to translate musical talents into diverse and successful careers. Understand the entrepreneurial mindset that’s key for musicians wanting to make a mark in the industry. 2. Building Brand and Community: Discover strategies for crafting a strong brand and fostering community connections, essential for sustaining a musical career. Learn about the power of networking and effective communication in establishing collaborative musical opportunities. Connect with Michelle Lynne: Website: Michelle Lynne's Website Instagram: @michellelynne Additional Links: The Fearless Artist Mastermind: TheFearlessArtistMastermind.com Stream "Hold On" Now: MichelleLynnePianist.com/New-Release Opus 16 Concerten: Opus16Concerten.nl Candlelight Concerts: CandlelightExperience.com Conclusion: Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with inspiring stories, actionable advice, and practical tips. Michelle’s insights highlight the unlimited opportunities available in music, encouraging a balanced approach to building a fruitful musical career. A Big Thank You: Big thanks to our sponsor, the Yamaha Corporation of America. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and diverse perspectives on music, practice, performance, and the business behind it all. Honesty Pill Links: Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter Honesty Pill Podcast Visit Our Blog Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Additional Programs: Audition Accelerator Program: Dive into our intensive course designed to unlock your audition potential, empowering you with strategies, feedback, and insights to nail those high-stakes auditions. Learn more & Enroll Online Business Accelerator Program: Elevate your musical career with our program geared to equip you with the essential tools, strategies, and insights to build and scale your online music business effectively. Learn more & Enroll

Episode 35 of the Honesty Pill Podcast is LIVE! My guest today is one of the most sought after young orchestral conductors in the classical music scene, Elim Chan. Here's a pop quiz for you: How many professional, female orchestra conductors can you name right now? Ready...go! How'd you do? Not so great? Need some help? I'm going to introduce you to just a few of the industry leading orchestral conductors who happen to be women, and whose names you need to know. We talk about life in Belgium, what it's like to travel the globe conducting the world's most prominent orchestra, and what rather unusual sport Elim likes to enjoy to wind down after a long week (hint: she's got a slick right hook!) We also address classical music's long standing gender problem, and what our arts organizations and schools need to be doing about it. Enjoy and Happy Listening! Chris @ Honesty Pill The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Links Elim's website: https://www.elimchan.nl/

My guest today is actor, improviser, writer, producer and comic genius, Roni Geva. So, a nihilist, a realist, and an optimist walk into a bar... That's actually not a joke, just the backstory of how my guest today became the incredible human being that she is. A disclaimer and a trigger warning for this episode: the actor Will Smith is part of our conversation, but this interview was recorded before the slap heard 'round the world occurred. So when we don't bring up that topic, you will understand why.Also, this episode discusses abortion. Roni us one of the most hilarious, bubbly people I have ever met, and she is also a master at shining a spotlight on history, civil rights, and other very serious things. This episode is not totally serious--there's some amazing, behind-the-scenes info on how TV shows and movies are made. Also, we'll teach you a little bit of Hebrew. Enjoy and Happy Listening! Chris @ Honesty Pill The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha!

My guest today is the E-flat Clarinetist at the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York, Jessica Phillips. We’re going to talk about her performance career, auditions, and how she ended up playing in one of the most regarded opera orchestras in the world, but Jessica has a lot more going on in her life than just playing the clarinet. We’re going to dig into her life as an educator, musician entrepreneur and advocate for the arts. Happy listening! Chris @ Honesty Pill Links: http://www.jessicaphillipsclarinet.com/ https://www.metorchestramusicians.org/ https://www.metopera.org/

My guest today is performer, coach and entrepreneur Elizabeth Gentner. And I just want to give you all a heads up, this was a heavy episode and we hit a lot of topics as you can tell from that intro clip, that I think are really critical and important to talk about so I am going to be quiet and let Elizabeth do most of the talking on this episode. I do just want to set this up by asking you the question, What do you think about the word, “Diva”? Is it a good thing? Is it a negative thing? Have you ever referred to someone as a diva, and if so, what were you trying to communicate? We’re going to get Elizabeth’s definition and find out why she is taking that word back, and even went as far as to name her website, coaching and brand after the word by becoming, The Red Diva.com.

My guest today is transformational voice coach, singer, pianist, musician, composer, author, multi-instrumentalist and teacher, Helane Marie Anderson. For those of you who have been listening to the podcast for a while, and were wondering, “What is a sound healer” that I always mention in the intro, you’re going to find out exactly what that is and why you need to know about it in today’s episode. Helane has had an incredibly varied career doing all of the things I just mentioned, including being a praised in LA Magazine as “a healer who sings like an angel, taking you into the celestial world with her voice paired with crystal singing bowls, chimes and alchemical bowls.” Enjoy and Happy Listening. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Website: www.sacralsounds.com Instagram: @sacralsoundsla Facebook Page: Sacral Sounds Book: "You are Meant to Sing"

My guest today is the founder of “Audition Confidential” coaching for musicians, and cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Gloria Lum. If you've ever wanted a helicopter view of the orchestra audition process, taken an audition and not advanced, or been involved at an audition where nobody even got hired, this episode is for you. Gloria is going to unpack exactly what committees are looking for, and give you some strategic ways to make sure you are giving it to them when it counts…under pressure. And a quick announcement that Gloria’s program “The 360 Method to Audition Preparation” specifically designed to help cellists nail their auditions is launching in a few weeks. You're going to find out where you can book a totally free discovery call and learn more about that during our conversation. OK let's hop into my conversation with Gloria and find out what rocket science has to do with audition strategy. Enjoy and Happy Listening. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Website: Audition Confidential Instagram: @auditionconfidential Facebook: Audition Confidential Group

My guest today is Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Trumpet, Tom Hooten. We’re going to talk about the three rules that Tom applies to EVERYTHING when it comes to playing the trumpet. He’s going to share the details with you, right here. Think a player like Tom just sits around thinking and reading about nothing but the trumpet all day? I am willing to bet that the book he is going to recommend is NOT on your current reading list. And stick around until the end, because Tom has just launched a really accessible and impactful video series called, “Studio Time with Tom” that you are going to want to check out. Enjoy and happy listening! The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Instagram: @tomhooten Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomHootenTrumpet/ Website: https://tomhooten.com/ Email: Trumpetmastery2020@gmail.com Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/s?me=AKME9HG4KQMU5&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER

My guest today is Los Angeles Philharmonic violist Mick Wetzel, who in addition to being a world class musician, is also the founder of The Viola Pro coaching for musicians on auditions, competitions and really tactical ideas on how to practice. We’re going to talk about his own audition journey, how he learned to deal with performance anxiety and pressure, and exactly what Mick does in his OWN practice room to get ready to walk on stage at the Walt Disney Concert Hall week after week. Mick is also going to debunk a huge myth about whether or not talent has anything to do with being successful. What a great topic. I have to say, being a brass player and aiming my trumpet directly at the back of Mick’s head in the LA Phil for the past decade and a half, the fact that we are still friends speaks to Mick’s incredibly professional and friendly demeanor. And he’s a pretty big dude too, so I’m really grateful we get along. Listen all the way to the end of this one, because The Viola Pro has some brand-new programs coming up that you are going to want to know about. Enjoy and happy listening! The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Mick Wetzel (Facebook) mick.wetzel (Instagram) theviolapro (Instagram) theviolapro.com (website)

My guest today is the self-proclaimed “Unfussy Oboist” Jennet Ingle. I love that title…can’t wait to hear the explanation. Jennet, who in addition to being the Principal Oboist of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, is also the creator of tons of online resources for musicians, including her signature group program, Invincible Oboist, that helps oboists get past the struggle to find ease in their playing. Sounds pretty good! She also created the Reed Club, that meets every Monday online for social connection and actual making of fantastic oboe reeds, and a group for beginning reed makers called, “Zero to Reedmaker” which has group classes and elements of accountability. She even has a big announcement about a book that she just wrote and that’s coming out soon! Wow…that’s a lot of reed talk, and since I am the opposite of an expert on making or playing oboe reeds, let’s get right to my conversation with Jennet Ingle. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS @jennetingleoboist on Facebook @jennetingle on instagram www.jennetingle.com is my website @jennetingle on YouTube

My guest today is composer and founder of “The Wizarding School for Composers” …can’t wait for you guys to hear about that… musician entrepreneur Joseph Sowa. Musicians, let me ask you a question…you PLAY music all the time…but have you ever WRITTEN a piece of music? DO you even have a clue how you might go about trying to do that? And, if you were going to work on writing a piece of music…how would you know when it’s done? We’re going to get a behind the scenes glimpse at what a professional composer’s creative process looks like. So, you’ve written a piece of music…now, how do you get it performed? Joseph is going to talk about ways to effectively grow your network and connect with the people who have the connections to get your music on stage. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Show Notes and Links http://www.josephsowa.com

My guest today is the Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, one of the most friendly musicians you could ever work with, my friend and colleague, Matt Howard. Sports, sports, and more sports…today’s episode is a straight up masterclass on how being a professional musician is completely parallel to being a professional athlete. Think your tenure process was tough? Make sure you listen all the way to the end for an unbelievable story about the types of hoops LA Phil musicians jump through to make our boss, Gustavo Dudamel happy. Worried that you got a “late start” in classical music? Wait until you hear the surprising success timeline for someone who later became one of the world’s premiere orchestral players… And when he finally decided that we wanted to go to college for music, he only applied to one college, into which he did not get accepted. Sound like a roadmap to success? You might be surprised… Matt’s going to share some amazing advice on how to prepare for an audition, how to effectively use a metronome, and we’re even going to find out who he thinks is the greatest drummer of all time. You’re even going to get a free percussion rudiments lesson from Matt, totally for free by listening to this podcast…you’re welcome. Enjoy and happy listening! The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Matthew Howard, LA Phil Bio

My guest today is vocalist, voice coach and podcast host Gina Morgano, and her website bio copy is so awesome I’m not even going to try and find a better way to say it, so let me just read this for you… “Gina Morgano is a radical romantic who believes in using her voice as an instrument of peace. She interprets uplifting stories with timeless fancy, inspiring hope so that goodness may shine.” Well, I don’t know about you listener, but can we agree that all of us could use a little more shining goodness in our world right now? Yes? Okay. Good. What else can I tell you about Gina… She’s a vocal soloist, chorister in her sixth season as a performer with National Chorale at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall, and is also an avid recitalist and cabaret artist throughout the country. And just to jump off her resume credentials for a second, Gina is a true creator. You are going to find a ton of inspiration and knowledge on her website ginamorgano.com Enough teasing, let’s get into my conversation with Gina! The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Links www.GinaMorgano.com @GinaMorgano on FB, TY and IG contact@ginamorgano.com

My guest today is Scott Quackenbush, Principal Trumpet Omaha Symphony, Owner and Founder of Creative Measures, and it’s worth mentioning that as a fellow homebrewer of excellent beer, Scott has developed a killer Double IPA recipe, which, by the way…I’m still waiting on that bottle to arrive in the mail, Scott… We’re going to tackle the questions: And Scott is going to give you deliberate practice strategies for musicians with ADHD that are TOTALLY relevant for anyone… If that’s not enough, we’re even gonna talk smack about people who we went to elementary school with… Ok…that’s enough teasing…here we go… The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Show Notes and Links Register for Scott's list and get his "In-STEP Practicing: 5 Practice Strategies for ADHD Musicians" guide right HERE. www.takecreativemeasures.com https://www.instagram.com/takecreativemeasures https://www.facebook.com/Creative-Measures-106974531097248 Youtube: Take Creative Measures The ONE book to read on ADHD, "Driven to Distraction" by Edward Hallowell.