Key Conversations

In this season finale, we dive deep into a crucial topic for musicians: nervous system regulation. Understanding how to master this skill can be transformative for your career and personal well-being. Episode Highlights: What is nervous system regulation? How dysregulation manifests in two ways: Hypoactivation: Wanting to shut down, hide, or feeling depressed. Hyperactivation: Increased heart rate, hypervigilance, perfectionism, and anxiety. The stories and fears that affect musicians: Fear of being seen. Worry about not being good enough. Fear of rejection or criticism. The disconnect between mind and body: Even if you know you're safe, your body may still react based on past experiences. Cheryl’s personal experience with anxiety and regulation: Learning to communicate with anxiety as a protective part of herself. Cultivating compassion for the body's response to fear. Practical tools to regulate your nervous system: Down-regulation techniques: Breathing through your

Episode Summary: For years, I avoided co-writing, assuming it would lead to creative clashes and headaches. But when I decided to make my fourth album a collaborative effort, everything changed. The process opened doors, built amazing friendships, and brought unexpected opportunities. In this episode, I’m sharing my top tips and tricks for successful co-writing sessions, from finding the right collaborators to breaking the ice and setting clear intentions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Co-Writing is Worth It: How collaboration creates connections, opens doors, and leads to surprising opportunities. How to Find Co-Writers: Tips for reaching out to communities, attending conferences, and leveraging masterminds like Amplify. Nailing the Logistics: Why follow-ups and scheduling integrity are key to making sessions happen. Breaking the Ice: Questions and strategies to ease into a session and spark creativity. Setting Intentions: The importance of defining goals, understanding parameters, and findi

Episode Summary: Are you ready to transform your live shows? In this episode, we dive deep into the art of live show banter—the stories, conversations, and moments between songs that can make or break your audience's connection with you. Whether you're performing on a big festival stage, at an intimate venue, or even streaming live online, mastering your banter is key to building stronger relationships with your fans and achieving your career goals. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why repetitive, uninspired song intros (e.g., "This next song is about…") don't work. How to craft engaging, specific anecdotes that draw your audience in. Tips on using "Easter eggs" in your storytelling to enhance your audience's experience. The importance of being clear on your goals—whether it's growing your email list, selling merch, or building your fan base. Creative ways to involve fans in achieving your goals during live shows (e.g., using QR codes, contests, or fan volunteers). How to avoid feeling like a "nag

Episode Summary In this episode, we’re diving deep into the magic of systems and how they can transform your personal life and music career. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with organization, the key might be as simple as putting the right systems in place—or optimizing the ones you already have. I’ll share the systems I use daily to stay productive, balanced, and stress-free. From calendars to apps and platforms, get ready for a complete toolkit to help you rock your life and career! What You'll Learn in This Episode: What a system is and how it simplifies your life and business. The importance of creating shared systems with partners and teams. How to use calendars effectively for balance and communication. Tools for managing finances, music metadata, pitches, and collaborations. Why you need platforms like Kajabi, Airtable, and Telegram. Key Tools and Resources Mentioned: Calendars: iCal & Google Calendar - Organize your life into color-coded categories. Finance Sy

In this episode, Cheryl dives into the three different types of productivity, breaking down the benefits and limitations of each, and revealing which one truly makes the biggest difference in a music career. Key Highlights: Rethinking Hustle Culture: Cheryl kicks off the episode by challenging the “hustle culture” mentality, which often fuels a scarcity mindset—the belief that if you don’t act immediately, someone else will, or that opportunities won’t come around again. She explains how this mindset can create a constant sense of urgency, stemming from a lack of trust in one’s own abilities. Recognizing Scarcity Mindset as Urgency: Cheryl emphasizes the importance of recognizing scarcity thinking when it shows up as urgency, reminding listeners that skills and opportunities are abundant when approached from a grounded, confident place. The 3 Types of Productivity: Busy Work Cheryl describes busy work as tasks that look productive but don’t actually move the needle. She shares a personal example from

In this episode, Cheryl Engelhardt shares her personal revenue generation strategy as a successful independent musician. She provides a transparent look into the various income streams that sustain her music career, acknowledging that the options available may differ based on genre and individual circumstances. This episode is packed with real-world insights into income diversification and highlights the importance of financial resilience in the unpredictable music industry. Key Takeaways: Licensing Music for TV, Film, and Commercials: Cheryl explains how she licenses her music for various media, with commercials being her top revenue source. Starting her career in the commercial world helped her establish valuable connections, leading to a significant $15,000 paycheck from a single ad. Sales and Streaming: Cheryl highlights the importance of both physical and digital music sales, especially for New Age music fans. With over 3 million streams on her latest work, she leverages platforms like iTunes, Bandc

New project new artist name? (Deep branding for musicians) Episode Summary: In this episode, Cheryl dives into the often confusing world of branding for musicians. She explores how to align your brand with your true values, how to identify and connect with your ideal fan, and how to manage multiple music projects under a single, cohesive brand. Cheryl shares personal experiences and tips on how to avoid the common pitfalls of rebranding with every new project. Learn how to stay consistent with your identity while also allowing room for artistic growth and change. Key Takeaways: Your Brand and Commitment Statement: Your brand should align with your core values and artistic mission. Always refer back to your commitment statement (as discussed in a previous episode). Identify Your Ideal Fan: Narrow down your target audience. Focus on the specific traits of your super fan to guide your branding decisions. Remember, it’s better to focus on a niche group than trying to appeal to everyone. Branding as th

Episode Summary: In this episode, Cheryl B. Engelhardt dives into one of the key secrets to her successful touring career—house concerts! Discover how Cheryl managed to never lose money on tour by booking intimate performances in fans’ homes, even on her "off" days. Whether you're a touring musician or someone looking for a unique way to engage with your fanbase, house concerts can be a lucrative and powerful way to grow your superfans while adding flexibility to your tour schedule. Cheryl shares her best tips for booking, structuring, and maximizing these personal events. Key Takeaways: House Concerts as a Game-Changer: Cheryl shares how booking house concerts between regular venue gigs helped her grow her fanbase and never lose money on tour. Personal Connections with Fans: Performing in a fan’s living room allows for deeper connections, turning attendees into superfans. Seasonal Opportunities: House concerts aren’t limited to tours. Cheryl highlights how these events work well during holidays and betwe

Uncovering Self-Sabotage: How to Expand Your Life and Stop Getting in Your Own Way In this episode, we’re diving into a deeply personal topic that affects many musicians: self-sabotage. We'll explore how to overcome the mental and emotional barriers that keep you from growing your music career and achieving your fullest potential. Key Topics Covered: Thermometers as an Analogy for Comfort ZonesWe often adjust our internal "thermometers" to maintain what's familiar, even if it's not comfortable. This analogy illustrates how what we've normalized in the past may still dictate our present lives and music careers. The Comfort Zone ExplainedFamiliarity is mistaken for safety, which is why we stay in comfort zones—whether it’s financial struggles or performance anxiety. Even if it’s detrimental, our brains cling to what’s worked in the past for survival. Examples of Self-SabotageMany musicians sabotage their success due to normalized beliefs like the “starving artist” mentality. When new opportunities arise

Summary: In this episode of Music Business Breakthrough, we dive into the essential strategies for growing your fan base by integrating social media with your email list. Cheryl breaks down why email is still the most effective tool for connecting with fans and driving action, whether it’s purchasing tickets, buying merch, or streaming your songs. Discover actionable tips on how to convert social media followers into email subscribers and build a more personal connection with your audience. Key Takeaways: Why Email Over Social Media: While social media is a “one-to-many” platform, email feels more personal, leading to higher engagement and action. Email remains the most effective way to request support, whether that's for sales, ticket purchases, or streams. Clarity in Your Requests: On social media, focus on one clear, singular request to drive followers to your email list, rather than overwhelming them with multiple calls to action. Creating an Exclusive Landing Page: Make it easy for people to sign up

In this episode, we dive into the complex yet familiar feelings of stage fright, performance jitters, and anxiety that many musicians face. Whether it's stepping onto a stage, presenting to a live audience, or even sending an important email to your fans, these emotions often stem from something deeper—fear of being seen. Cheryl breaks down the origins of this fear and provides actionable steps to heal it. What Is Covered: The root of performance anxiety: Fear of being seen. How early childhood experiences can manifest as stage fright. Rewiring your nervous system to feel safe in the spotlight. A step-by-step guide to having a conversation with your younger self. How addressing past experiences can reduce anxiety, panic attacks, and other somatic symptoms. The path to healing and unlocking your full performance potential. Key Takeaways: The fear of being seen often stems from childhood experiences where we were seen but it didn’t go well. Performance jitters are your body’s way of saying it do

In this episode, we break down the key elements of a successful pitch, whether you're emailing a music supervisor, venue, or potential collaborator. Pitching can be daunting, but with a clear strategy, it becomes much simpler. We dive into the before, during, and after phases of pitching and offer practical tips to help you craft concise, effective pitches that get results. Key Topics: • Before You Pitch: Set a clear intention for each specific interaction. • Crafting Your Pitch: Keep it brief and solve a problem for the recipient. Focus on being concise. Build relevance by mentioning how you found them. Position your offer as a solution to their challenges. Include only one link in your email signature (preferably to your website). • The Yes/No Request: The most crucial part of the pitch. Ask a specific, easy-to-answer question. Provide multiple scheduling options if booking a meeting or event. • Subject Lines: Write them last and keep them short, clear, and curiosity-driven. • Follow-up St

In this episode, we dive into practical financial systems for musicians and freelancers, focusing on organization rather than just making money. We cover everything from separating personal and business finances to the benefits of LLCs and how to maximize travel points. Key Topics Covered: Separate Personal and Business Finances: Importance of using separate bank accounts and credit cards for personal and business-related expenses. Tax Benefits: How keeping your finances separate makes it easier to prove you're running a business, allowing for tax deductions on expenses like gear, coaching, and travel. Financial Structure in Relationships: Managing personal accounts to avoid financial conflicts, especially when combining finances in partnerships. LLCs Explained: Why musicians should consider creating an LLC to protect personal assets and the potential tax benefits of doing so. Credit Card Travel Points Hacks: Strategies to maximize points for travel by using specific cards and transferring points

In this episode, Cheryl B. Engelhardt dives deep into one of her favorite topics: time management for musicians. She shares a game-changing strategy that challenges the traditional use of to-do lists and instead emphasizes the power of a calendar system. Cheryl explains why to-do lists can often become overwhelming and how shifting tasks into a structured calendar can create more time, reduce stress, and ultimately help you become more effective in your music career. Key Takeaways: Ditch the To-Do List: Cheryl highlights the limitations of to-do lists, which often become overwhelming and lead to a sense of constant pressure. Instead, she advocates for transferring tasks directly into a calendar, where they can be managed in time and space. Embrace the Calendar System: By scheduling tasks in a calendar, you can alleviate mental clutter, trust your future self to complete tasks, and create a reliable structure that supports your goals. Flexibility within Structure: Cheryl discusses the importance of being f

In this episode, Cheryl B. Engelhardt dives into one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of a musician's journey: goal setting. But, like, PRO-level goal setting! Cheryl introduces the concept of "Champagne Wins"—specific, celebratory milestones that go beyond traditional goal-setting and push you to aim higher. She explains why typical goals like "getting more followers" fall short and how defining a clear, measurable objective can lead to greater success and satisfaction in your career. Key Takeaways: Champagne Wins: Goals should be so specific that you know exactly when to celebrate. Cheryl shares her personal experience of setting a seemingly unreasonable goal—getting a GRAMMY® nomination—and how that led to her breakthrough success. SMART Goals with a Twist: While SMART goals are common, Cheryl advocates for pushing beyond "reasonable" and embracing ambitious, clear-cut objectives that inspire action and accountability. The Importance of Sharing Goals:

In this episode, Cheryl dives deep into the powerful concept of "Commitment vs. Default." If you’ve ever found yourself feeling stuck despite doing all the “right” things in your music career or life, this discussion is for you. Cheryl explores how our subconscious default behaviors, often formed in childhood, can hold us back from achieving our true potential. She walks listeners through identifying these default behaviors and replacing them with a commitment that aligns with their true values and goals. Key Takeaways: Commitment vs. Default: Understand the difference between your automatic, survival-mode behaviors (your default) and the empowered, intentional actions that align with your goals (your commitment). Identifying Your Default: Cheryl guides you through exercises to identify the “tantrum statement” that reveals your default behavior. Crafting Your Commitment: Learn how to create a commitment statement that reflects your true values and can serve as a compass for decision-making. Rea

In this first episode of season six of the Music Business Breakthrough podcast, Cheryl introduces a transformative framework known as the "Musician Success Cycle," designed to help musicians navigate the complexities of their careers with clarity and strategic focus. The cycle is a practical tool for understanding where musicians stand in their career development and what actions to prioritize at different times. The concept of the Musician Success Cycle arose from a personal experience shared by Cheryl when on tour in Switzerland in 2007. This led to the development of a cyclical model for managing a music career, acknowledging that a musician's journey is not linear but rather involves recurring phases. Phase 1: Learning and Determining This phase focuses on goal-setting and acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge. Musicians assess what they want to achieve in this cycle and identify any learning opportunities, such as courses or workshops, that can support their goals. Phase 2: Cr

In this very special and timely episode, GRAMMY-nominated artist Joanie Leeds (www.joanieleeds.com) shares about the recent drama in her category of Best Children's Music. Join us as we have an important, introspective, yet SUPER fun conversation about activism, female empowerment, and the GRAMMY process. Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/cbemusic)

Today, meet Chris KEATS and Josh Bradford in Day 12 of our 12 Days of AMPLIFY. This is a series where we're talking about the success seen this year (yes, during a pandemic) from our amazing independent musician community. If you want to be a part of this magic, head to www.inthekey.co/amplify to sign up!KEATS: http://www.keatsofficial.com Josh: http://www.instagram.com/joshbradfordmusic Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/cbemusic)

Today, meet Sharman Nittoli and Emma Back in Day 12 of our 12 Days of AMPLIFY. This is a series where we're talking about the success seen this year (yes, during a pandemic) from our amazing independent musician community. If you want to be a part of this magic, head to www.inthekey.co/amplify to sign up!Emma: http://www.emmabackmusic.com Sharman: http://www.sharmannittoli.com Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/cbemusic)