A career in music can be a roller coaster ride of emotions: high achievement, followed by low moments crippling self doubt, over and over again. I have been on this ride for nearly twenty years, and the common trait amongst all successful professionals is clear - grit. At your greatest moments, grit will keep you grounded. At your lowest, grit can lead you out of the dark place and back on the path forward. Join Bruce each week for stories, strategies, and insights to help you no matter wher ...
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Just a short update for any listeners out there, to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you, and have some thoughts about how to make this a more sustainable project moving forward.
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Take 10 minutes and escape from everything going on around you. You may not be able to afford a vacation at the moment, but this can help you get away and find your center. This is bonus content for those of you who are on the podcast feed - I want you to have access to this first, before I post it on social media for everyone else. Big thanks to K…
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What a crazy time! I haven't posted anything here in a long, long time, and this short reminder serves two purposes - to give a gentle reminder to all of us and to see if anyone is listening out there. Wanna help me out? Send me a quick note to grittymusician@gmail.com and let me know you're still listening. More content to come, starting real soon…
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Well, you asked for it, and here it is! Thanks so much for the support of the short little "podlet" I uploaded this past weekend. I spent most of the ride home from Texarkana deep in thought, and the results are this episode today. As always, thanks for your support and interest. If you know someone who needs to hear this, please share! -Bruce…
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I'm curious...do you miss me? I have been doing other kinds of media as of late, like YouTube and Facebook Live streaming, but I miss podcasting! I'm willing to bring back the show if you'd like me to! Please let me know if you'd like more episodes!
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Welcome back! It's the first episode of 2018, and the first episode in about 10 months. Once again, real life has gotten in the way of my best intentions. A career in music isn't always clean, neat, and direct. You will have to do without some things in order for other things to happen, but that doesn't mean you have to be miserable. If your heart …
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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.
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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.…
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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…
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003 - "Learning to play as hard as I work."
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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 spea…
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002 - "One slip of paper away from happiness."
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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,…
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001 - "Cold Brew, a new start, and a story."
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"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…
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"Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello." [Get Some Grit]
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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 - i…
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"What is Your Fear Antidote?" [Get Some Grit]
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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, Stit…
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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! i…
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"The Pen is (sometimes) Mightier Than the Phone!" [Get Some Grit]
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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 ma…
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"Becoming a Bookworm...Again!" [Get Some Grit]
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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…
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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 yo…
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"Be What You Don't See In The World" [Get Some Grit]
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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 …
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Get Some Grit Podcast Episode #31 - 2016 Reflections Welcome back to Get Some Grit, the show where we learn the many ways that grit can serve artists as they press towards their goals. You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio! No matter what you’re going through, GRIT is the armor that will protect you from the barr…
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"To Grad School or Not To Grad School? That Is The Question." [Get Some Grit]
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Get Some Grit Podcast Episode #30 - To Grad School or Not to Grad School? That is the question. Welcome back to Get Some Grit, the show where we learn the many ways that grit can serve artists as they press towards their goals. You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio! No matter what you’re going through, GRIT is th…
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Welcome back! Episode 29, "Failing Forward" is a bit of a mixed bag of a show. Follow along as best you can! First and foremost, GSG is now on iHeartRadio! We are expanding our reach to serve you, the listener, better each week. Check out the weekly Twitter poll for your vote on future episode topics! @getsomegrit On my most recent Indiana road tri…
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"5 Tips to THRIVE in Final Exam Week" [Get Some Grit]
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Tomorrow marks the last day of classes on my college campus, and final exams begin on Wednesday. When I was a student, I felt like I had a pretty good plan to get through exam week each semester, but now when I look back on it, I wonder how I made it through. Here are five tips that can help you get through finals relatively unscathed and ready to …
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Episode 27 is a call to action episode! This week, I take a few minutes to talk about why growth of the show is important to me, and why my original plan for this week's episode fell through. :( Like the show? Tell a friend and spread the word on social media, using the links below! Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for “Eyes Gone Wrong" a…
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Just a short message during Thanksgiving week! Frustrated because your "recipe" for life doesn't seem to be working? It's OK!!! Have a great holiday, everyone! We all have lots to be thankful for. Like the show? Tell a friend and spread the word on social media, using the links below! Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for “Eyes Gone Wrong.…
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After more than a year, we’ve finally reached the milestone of 25 episodes. Rather than celebrate, of course, I dig into why things happened this way, and what I can do to learn from my experience. :) I spend lots of time analyzing my behaviors, and trying to find patterns, to break the bad ones and nurture the good ones. This spawns a talk on the …
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Hey friends! This week's episode is about the worth of the product you create, and how the pursuit of perfection shouldn't stifle you from sharing your art with the world! Whether you make music, paintings, sculpture, write books, etc, it is important to remember that there is merit in your creation, even if it isn't yet everything you want it to b…
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"Should I Stay or Should I Go?" [Get Some Grit]
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Don't worry, despite the title of this week's show, your host isn't going anywhere! In this week's (late) episode, Bruce answer's a listener's email which asks the question, "Should I stick with it, or is it time to go do something else?" This is a question everyone eventually faces, and Bruce's answer, of course, is nowhere as simple as "yes" or "…
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This week's episode is a gentle reminder that there may be forces at work in the world around you that cause the funk so many of us feel this time of year. Hang in there, my friends! Like the show? Tell a friend and spread the word on social media, using the links below! Thanks to Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com for “Eyes Gone Wrong” and “Memory L…
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Hey friends! This week's episode is centered around a list I found on a faculty member's door several years ago during grad school that really convicted me. I felt like he had written it specifically for me! The list comes from David Gordon, Oregon based musician and teacher. You can learn more about David Gordon at his website, www.spiritsound.com…
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I love technology! Don’t you? If you’re a musician, you use it for all sorts of things. Practicing, listening, networking… At home and abroad, I Instagram pictures of my food and bad misspellings on signs. I tweet inspirational quotes and random musings. I create podcast artwork and record my episodes on my Macbook. At work, I record student lesson…
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In this episode, Bruce talks about the role of the past in our current lives, and how anger and pain can be a direct result of dwelling on a past that we can no longer change. Crucial to "living in the present moment" are the teachings of Eckart Tolle, who's book "The Power Of Now" is known world over for changing the lives of countless people. Tol…
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"Judge, Jury, And Executioner" [Get Some Grit]
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Come along for 18 minutes of my opinions about a topic that has helped my grit tremendously, but one that is very much outside of my public speaking comfort zone - my faith. This isn't an episode that evangelizes to anyone - it's more of a rant on some of my fellow Christians out there. We have to do better! Hope you enjoy it. Opening and closing m…
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This week, after a couple of weeks break, talks about the moment I like to call “The Spark” when I first found the thing in life I do that I am not only passionate about, but love sharing with others. What was your “spark” moment? More importantly, what are you doing now to help others have their spark moments? A short show, but in my totally parti…
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"Spring Break? Or Spring Repair?" [Get Some Grit]
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This week is sort of an "a la carte" show. We start with some stats about you, the listener, followed by a brief discussion of research on the topic of grit, and then wrap with the beginnings of my own spring break and how I came up with this week's title. Links from this week's show: Grit Research Article by Emily Hanford: http://americanradiowork…
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Today's show is a somber one - one that I struggled through multiple attempts before finally completing. I will not go into a lengthy description here, but fair warning - the topic is suicide, and this week I discuss my faith and quote multiple Bible verses. If that isn't your thing, please feel free to pass on this specific episode and catch up wi…
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In this solo episode, Bruce discusses how he finally stepped foot into a gym for the first time last Sunday night is the final "action step" needed to follow through on a discussion from over a year ago - and quite possibly the most important action step of his adult life up to this point. Gary Doherty's book, The Ignition Point: Striking the Match…
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"Interview with Michael Swann" [Get Some Grit]
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After several "one man shows," Get Some Grit finally has finally conducted an interview! This week, we welcome our first guest, Michael Swann! Michael is an old friend from the trombone world who stays busy with all kinds of musical endeavors, despite a few bumps and bruises along the way. You can learn more about Michael by following him on Twitte…
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"What To Do While You're Waiting for Opportunity to Knock" [Get Some Grit]
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In this episode, Bruce explores a few tips needed for a successful beginning to a freelance career. Young professional musicians just starting out, listen up! Topics discussed include:Getting and Staying Organized, Speaking with gig contractors, How to pay your bills while you wait for your "big break" plus more!…
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This short, three minute track is a bonus for any Get Some Grit iTunes subscribers and a "thank you" for taking the extra step to subscribe to the podcast feed, rather than listen via the website. I have a new recording space treatment, and wanted to give this a try right away. :) Are you stressed? Do you need three minutes to relax and breathe? Ch…
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In this episode, Bruce talks about two important things he is doing to shift thinking from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, and why it is so important to do so for long term health and happiness. Check it out and spread the word! Links from this episode: www.fiveminutejournal.com Weight Watchers: www.weightwatchers.com Check out Cliff Rav…
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Hey GSG friends, I've been trying to record Episode 14 today to no avail - my voice is leaving me. Here is a short, short update just to keep everyone updated. We will resume normal recording as soon as my voice returns!
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"Looking Back, Moving Forward" [Get Some Grit]
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In the first episode of Get Some Grit in this new year, Bruce talks about his "leave of absence" from the show, his 2015 holiday season, and a new outlook for 2016. Lots of good stuff in this episode, if you're OK with really honest and frank talk! Enjoy! Are you enjoying the show? Tell a friend! On the web: www.getsomegrit.com? Email: getsomegritp…
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In episode 009, Bruce takes a moment to look back on the "Yes" moments of his life that might easily have been "No" moments if fear had taken over his desire for something more. How often do the "No" answers you give come from a place of fear rather than reality? Are you enjoying the show? Tell a friend! On the web: www.getsomegrit.com? Email: gets…
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Episode 8 - The Importance Of Vulnerability
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In episode 8, Bruce discusses the importance of vulnerability in our lives, the traits we have that get in the way of vulnerability, and why it's so important to embrace vulnerability in all parts of our lives. This episode is inspired and based on the TED Talk below, hosted by Dr. Brene Brown, author and research professor at the University of Hou…
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In Episode 7, Bruce sits down during his "Miracle Morning" to record the FOURTH attempt at this episode! Topics include reactions to Hal Elrod's GREAT book, "The Miracle Morning" and how a friend's family tragedy has given new urgency to a familiar struggle, plus more.
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Episode 6 is a bit of mashup and a little diversion from the normal chatty format. I offer some insight into my thoughts on negativity vs pessimism and a request to listeners for help. Don't worry...I'm not asking for money!!!
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In Episode 5, I take a few minutes to discuss how an emotional heart problem we face in today's hyper-connected world is blocking us from communicating effectively with each other - and how we can break the cycle!
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In Episode 4, Bruce discusses how worry can cripple a person's ability to live their life at the fullest. When worry fuels your energy and drive, it is a recipe for disaster. By focusing on gratitude rather than worry, there is a shift in your thinking that happens almost immediately.
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In episode 3, Bruce uses a quote by Woodrow Wilson and a short passage from the Bible New Testament book of 1 Corinthians to demonstrate the "instructions" he has found for defining his role as one half of a long distance relationship. "You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope an…
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