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What’s Your Superpower?
In this episode of the 52 Cues podcast, we explore "superpowers"—those innate skills that emerge naturally and effortlessly. We talk about recognizing these abilities, understanding their value, and applying them effectively within the production music industry to ensure both success and personal fulfillment in your career!
What Are You Afraid Of?
In this episode of "The 52 Cues Podcast," Dave Kropf discusses the transformative power of fear in music production, offering insights into overcoming creative and industry challenges. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, he reveals how fear can fuel innovation and success in the evolving music landscape.
What Can Golf Teach Us About Production Music?
Join me in this exciting episode as I introduce Shane Jensen, a distinguished member of the 52 Cues Family. Shane is not only a talented musician but also a former professional golfer. We delve into how his experiences on the golf course have enriched his musical journey. Discover the intriguing parallels and valuable lessons that golf has brought to his artistic endeavors in the studio.
How to Handle Discouragement
Whether getting rejected by a client, ghosted by a publisher, getting placements that pay pennies to the dollar, or never getting placements at all, this gig can be pretty brutal at times. So how do we deal with that? This week, I thought it would be an excellent idea to have another 52 Cue Family roundtable to discuss handling discouragement.
A huge thanks to Jesse Carrigan, Rolf Schild, Mark Justin, Michael Sinay, Kristopher Smith, Cory Lavine, and Ralph Martin for joining me on this episode!
Getting Unstuck
Have you ever felt resistance to the smallest tasks? Recently, a minor chore presented itself, and I was overwhelmed with reluctance. A trivial 30-second task suddenly felt like climbing a mountain. It wasn’t the task itself, but the emotion behind it, which was problematic. I realized this resistance highlighted a pattern: I’ve been avoiding many such tiny tasks, letting them accumulate into an overwhelming list. And that doesn’t feel good.
Signposts: Curves Ahead!
Stay alert. Listen to your intuition. While it may not be right every time (thanks, lizard brain!), when you open your heart and mind, you realize these aren’t just random events. There's something – a science, a magic, an intelligence – we've yet to fully grasp.
Turning Pro
What separates hobbyists from professionals in music composition is not talent, but mindset, accountability, dedication, and an ability to embrace failure! In this episode, we talk patience, persistence, self-actualization, and the acceptance of failure as part of the road to success.
Your Learning Journey
I once had the task of introducing tech-averse individuals to new technology. It made me reflect on the learning curve. Traditionally visualized as a steady uphill climb, I find this representation misleading. I’ve been lucky enough to teach thousands of students in my higher education career, and I’ve noticed a different pattern.