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THE GRITTY MUSICIAN | A Podcast for Musicians in Progress

My name is Bruce, and I am a university music educator. My journey towards a full-time career in music took many twists and turns – some so jarring that I wondered if I had what it took to survive the trip! What came out of these struggles was my grit. Why grit? Grit combines passion, ambition, toughness and strength of character. If you want a career in the arts, grit will be what separates you from the pack. Are you scared about where your career in the arts is headed? Do you wonder if you have what it takes to endure the journey? The Gritty Musician Podcast is here to help you!
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Now displaying: 2017
Sep 25, 2017

This week's episode is pretty straightforward and to the point. I am about to enter my busiest season of professional work thus far this school year, and I have a few points of perspective to help handle the potential overwhelm and some rituals and lifelines that get me through each day. 

Sep 18, 2017

Well, what can I say? It seems like a summer can't go by without a significant podcast hiatus. I had a lot of real life happen since my last episode, and it's given me enough distance and perspective to make this the show you deserve. If you take the 10 minutes to listen, I think you'll appreciate what I have to say today.

Jun 18, 2017

In today's episode, "A Profile in Grit," I want to tell you about someone who has taught me more about grit than anyone I’ve ever known. I hope you enjoy this week's episode, which was recorded only on my digital recorder - I apologize for the occasional pop or bump - I've tried to edit them out as best I can!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. You all have my admiration and respect!

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On the web: www.grittymusician.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/grittymusician
Twitter: www.twitter.com/grittymusician
Host Twitter: www.twitter.com/faskemusic
Like the show? Tell a friend! Love the show and want to help? Send Bruce an email to grittymusician@gmail.com. There are lots of ways to help!
Jun 13, 2017
Hey Gritty Musicians! This week’s episode was inspired by another person’s podcast episode. Check out the show here:
 
https://www.aaronmchugh.com/protect-the-asset-episode-123/
 
Aaron is rapidly becoming one of my heroes. Here is the top line of his bio: 
 
"I want to help you restore balance and discover your path to a well-lived life. I write and speak on how to make adjustments to your thinking, your beliefs and your habits. The rewards are experiencing more joy, adventure and connection.”
 
I like it. I like it a lot. And his story can serve as a lesson for those of us out there who are struggling in this area. He is a writer, podcaster, adventurer, and author of the best selling book, Fire Your Boss: A Manifesto to Rethink How You Think About Work.
 
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to fire my boss. I like my boss! But I DO want to rethink how I do my work so that I can be better at all aspects of my life. I work hard at my job year round. I’m not saying that because I want an award or pity from you. I say it because I think you work hard at your job too, and I bet that neither of us take the kind of time off we need to take.  It’s not about “deserving” the time off. It is about creating the sort of sustainability in our lives that give us long term effectiveness, and more importantly, long term health.
 
Look, I may get hit by a bus crossing the street tomorrow.  I may be diagnosed with an incurable terminal disease next year.  But what is the point of living if we can’t consistently take time to pause? I believe that mastering the concepts presented in this week’s episode to be the single biggest indicator of long term success in life. More on this to come in the future, as I unpack a new approach to life throughout the year!
Jun 4, 2017
I’m in a nostalgic mood today, friends. Today’s episode was recorded on the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation, and I have several thoughts knocking around in my head about the past 20 years.
 
This episode is centered around three lists: the goal sheet that I completed around graduation; the reality of what these past 20 years looks like, and how my current life, though very different from my plan, is better than I could imagine. I wrap things up with the list I would like to take back in time and share with myself.
 
I WANT YOUR QUESTIONS! Whether you are at the center of your own journey, or helping someone else along the way, I am happy to answer as best I can!
 
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On the web: www.grittymusician.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/grittymusician

Twitter: www.twitter.com/grittymusician

Host Twitter: www.twitter.com/faskemusic

Like the show? Tell a friend! Love the show and want to help? Send Bruce an email to grittymusician@gmail.com. There are lots of ways to help!

May 29, 2017

"Cold brew, a new start, and a story." It seems like a pretty clear title for the first episode of Bruce's relaunched podcast, The Gritty Musician! Today's episode starts with super-concentrated coffee drinks, an explanation for the change in show branding, and a story to help college students trying to explain to mom and dad why their grades weren't as good this spring as they were back in the fall!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the reboot. We're glad you're here!

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www.grittymusician.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/grittymusician

Twitter: www.twitter.com/grittymusician

Host Twitter: www.twitter.com/faskemusic

Like the show? Tell a friend! Love the show and want to help? Send Bruce an email to grittymusician@gmail.com. There are lots of ways to help!

May 19, 2017

Sometimes in life, it is important to stop and take stock of what really matters. Right now, my wife really matters. My family, career, and faith matter. This podcast matters, but right now, I need to take some time to figure out how to deliver great content worthy of your time and attention. 

I only ask one thing of you - please stay subscribed - it takes very little space on your device, and when I DO come back with new content, you'll be the first to hear it!

Thank you for all of your support, friends! 

Apr 23, 2017
Our mind is our most powerful tool, but one that we have to handle responsibly! Make sure that the same creative forces that push you to regularly improve and evolve as a musician don’t turn into the dark creative enemy that starts writing chapters of your story to discourage you!                                     

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIN, iHeartRadio, and at www.getsomegrit.com. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @getsomegrit so reach out today!

Enjoying the show? Tell a friend! Want to do more? SUBSCRIBE in iTunes! Want to do even more? Leave a review in iTunes!
 
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the use of his music!
Apr 11, 2017

Hey everybody! Today’s episode is a short one, but I think the message is still solid. When was the last time you took a break? Working hard is super important, but when you start to see diminishing returns, it’s important to take a break, if only for a few minutes. We’ll be back next week with a much longer episode, I promise!

___                                             

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIN, iHeartRadio, and at www.getsomegrit.com. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @getsomegrit so reach out today!

 
Enjoying the show? Tell a friend! Want to do more? SUBSCRIBE in iTunes! Want to do even more? Leave a review in iTunes!
 
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the use of his music!
Apr 3, 2017

I love technology!  I am surrounded by iDevices and can't imagine my life without their benefit - but sometimes, it's nice to have alternatives. This week, I take a few minutes to talk about the benefit of keeping an actual paper notebook and pen in addition to my technology - and five reasons why I believe it can be of benefit to you, too.

1. It makes me slow down!

2. Hundreds of color options.

3. It can be more convenient when used in conjunction with tech.

4. People appreciate and handwritten note!

5. If for not other reason...it brings me joy.

Please visit www.getsomegrit.com/writingtools for my suggestions (and links) to materials that will get you started.

                                                   

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIN, iHeartRadio, and at www.getsomegrit.com. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @getsomegrit so reach out today!

 
Enjoying the show? Tell a friend! Want to do more? SUBSCRIBE in iTunes! Want to do even more? Leave a review in iTunes!
 
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the use of his music!
Mar 26, 2017
This episode's topic outlines my return to reading after years of not being much of a reader, how reading has really helped me with some struggles that I thought I might never overcome, and how I believe reading is the best thing you can do right now to "break the logjam" in the creative part of your mind.
 
My list of ten books that have really made a difference include:
 
"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield
"Fully Alive: Lighten Up and Live by Ken Davis
"Psycho-Cybernetics" by Dr. Maxwell Maltz
"The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle
"The Little Book of Talent" by Daniel Coyle
"The Dip" by Seth Godin
"Effortless Mastery" by Kenny Werner
"Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown
"The Art of Happiness" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
and the Holy Bible :)
 
If you're having any trouble getting back into reading, maybe I can help! Shoot me an email at getsomegritpodcast@gmail.com.

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIN, iHeartRadio, and at www.getsomegrit.com. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @getsomegrit so reach out today!
 
Enjoying the show? Tell a friend! Want to do more? SUBSCRIBE in iTunes! Want to do even more? Leave a review in iTunes!
 
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the use of his music!
 
 
Feb 13, 2017
This week’s topic is near and dear to me, and I hope that if this episode speaks to you, that you’ll keep this in mind as you go through the week. You probably know the word margin as a part of your word processing software.  If you look on a page in a book, the margins are the blank spaces around the text.  The narrower the margin, the more words you can fit on the page.
 
Margins exist in many facets of life: financial, emotional, etc. The more margin you have, the better! It’s easy to justify giving up ground when you call it “working hard” or “not settling for average.”  It’s hard to stand your ground, be confident in the work you do, and let the world know when you’ve reached your limit. You have to learn how to say no! Remember, “Each time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else.”
 
The things on your calendar should fall pretty squarely into three categories:
 
1. something that is directly tied to our job description
 
2. something we simply do because we want to do it in our free time
 
3. something we do because when we don’t do it, others make us feel guilty about not doing it
 
The first two are healthy, but the third is not! Want to learn how to trip the guilt trippers? Tune in next week!
 

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIN, iHeartRadio, and at www.getsomegrit.com. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @getsomegrit so reach out today!
 
Enjoying the show? Tell a friend! Want to do more? SUBSCRIBE in iTunes! Want to do even more? Leave a review in iTunes!
 
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the use of his music!
Feb 9, 2017

Folks, there is A LOT of anxiety in the world right now. Whether it is justified or not justified is up to your politics and personal opinions, but I think we can agree that 2017 is starting to feel more like an extension of 2016 than a separate, bright and shiny new year. In this episode (the first episode of 2017, I know, I know...) I take a few minutes to talk about the sadness, frustration and general anxiety I feel from so many people around me these days, and an idea for how to counter those feelings with something good.  

If you love the show, let someone know!  There are lots of ways to reach us.  If you want to help, tell someone who could benefit from listening.  If you want to do more, SUBSCRIBE, and if you are an overachiever, leave us an iTunes review!  If you aren’t tech savvy and want some help with subscribing or leaving a review, email me at getsomegritpodcast@gmail.com and I will walk you through it. :)
 
 
Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for the use of "Eyes Gone Wrong" and "Memory Lane."
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