Staying Sane In The Music Game artwork

Staying Sane In The Music Game

17 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago -

One of the main problems in the music industry is that we who live and work within it, don't readily admit to our ‘madness’, but looking at the path we've chosen - to invest ourselves in this world of slim chances and cut-throat deals - there has to be a little madness, right? “We're not mad,” I hear you all cry, “we're musicians!”

But however you cut it, staying sane in such a competitive and ruthless industry is not straightforward. Trust me, I am speaking from experience - I am not ‘sane’ - and almost every artist I have worked with would say the same about themselves. This particular and beautiful form of 'insanity' characterises many music professionals today and, once we admit this to ourselves, we can openly explore the issues and reasons surrounding why and how we are mad!

Once we've done that we can begin the journey of learning to manage ourselves within a specific framework that acknowledges and accounts for our eccentricities; building on them and affording us happier and more organised lives amid the inevitable chaos. Or, we could just pretend we're OK, bury our feelings deep and await the inevitable explosion as the pressure of self-loathing and neuroses builds over time in a half-hidden part of our personality that, actually, others can see only too easily. But self-destruction is not a good look!

That is the reason for the book 'Staying Sane In The Music Game' and this podcast channel. It’s a way for us to begin having the open and honest conversations we need to reveal a path of radical change and personal growth. My work in the music industry has led me into many dark and tumultuous places and from each one I’ve learnt valuable and enduring insights which I have picked apart carefully and put back together into a guiding framework and structure that you can use, your way, to live your unconventional life without too much trial and error.

Musicians and business professionals alike are exposed systematically to extreme behaviours, attitudes and situations all of which will require a tenacious mind and acute awareness to identify, harness and thrive from. This book will give you the mindset and tools to do just that. We will be speaking to high level pros in the music business and musicians to discuss these topics and their journeys.

Through these conversations and the tools we can all grow and learn and make ourselves more resilient. Here’s to Staying Sane! This Podcast will discuss all aspects of what that may involve!

The Podcast is powered by the book Staying Sane In The Music Game.

The BOOK, KINDLE AND AUDIOBOOK is available in all the usual stores now. For more info and all the links go to: www.stayingsane.org

Music Arts Performing Arts stayingsane staying sane music game mental health wellbeing spirituality
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Episodes

#16 - Ian Little

October 23, 2020 11:00 - 2 hours - 244 MB

WE'RE BACK with SEASON 2! After a really successful Season 1, building from zero to hero, we ended up with 10s of 000s of people listening which is incredible! Then lockdown happened. It hit me hard, of course, being in management I have had to take some serious time to re imagine what everything looks like professionally. Feeling like things are starting to take shape, feeling fresh and ready to go again. Ready to bring another season with a new framing; As a creative being who has chose...

#15 - Beginning, Middle & End and the Life Computer Game

March 02, 2020 13:00 - 13 minutes - 25.4 MB

I was really tired late last Sunday night when recording this and sat with it for a week, but decided to put it out. It is authentic although I sound tired, I am happy with the content. I hope you find it inspiring and useful. Two profound thoughts discussed. That is seeing the beginning, middle and end in every aspect of life AND when struggling, what if we look at life as if it were a computer game to make it more fun! As always this podcast is powered by the book, Staying Sane In The Mus...

#14 - Too Stressed?!?!

January 23, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 40.4 MB

This one discusses exactly as the title says. A follow on from the Stress Podcast. It has been a hard start to the year and here is a resource of a conversation to help us all think more deeply about our response to stress. The podcast is powered by the book Staying Sane In The Music Game - www.stayingsane.org

#13 - The Flow State

January 20, 2020 00:30 - 16 minutes - 29.9 MB

Weirdly this podcast seems to have disappeared from the feed somehow! So I have re uploaded it for those that didn't hear it. This follows on from the Being Brave episode. Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has been researching, talking and writing about flow states since the 70s. Google him for more info! I outline his findings in brief here to build awareness about how we may access this state. thank you to all the new listeners, you sharing this pod with others has helped a lot as the fig...

#12 - Being Brave

January 08, 2020 16:00 - 20 minutes - 38.4 MB

Firstly, thank you to all the new listeners, you sharing this pod with others has helped a lot as the figures have gone through the roof! So thank you for your support and please continue to press those share buttons and share with your friends. This episode discusses where the line is, between, coming up with the gold, which is original, brilliant, authentic and genius or producing something safe, cliché and unoriginal? There must be a formula and that is what I discuss here. As well as a f...

#11 - Stress!

December 19, 2019 00:00 - 14 minutes - 16.3 MB

In this bite sized podcast, I discuss Stress! The thing that universally affects us all at one time or another. There are different levels and circumstances that lead to stress. I talk about my experience of today, where I suffered from stress and how I approached that feeling. I explore various tools that we can employ that can help us cope with stress. This is a podcast you can revisit at times of stress if you find it useful. Please also share this podcast with people you know who ma...

#10 - Staying Sane Touring

November 27, 2019 22:30 - 1 hour - 186 MB

In this episode I sit with Keith Cooper who has managed several platinum selling artists (also features in Podcast #5). We discuss the arduous environment of touring and things that come up on a regular basis. Nowadays more than ever, artists have to spend as much time as possible on the road. It is a unique experience and we discuss as many angles as possible from our experiences. I toured as a drummer, tour manager and manager. Keith experienced touring at the highest levels of the in...

#9 - Impact

October 23, 2019 00:58 - 13 minutes - 31.4 MB

What happens if instead of thinking about our own motivations and what we want, we start to look outside ourselves and what we can offer. Thinking about the incredible impact we can have on just one person. If we decide not to meet up with someone because 'I'm tired, low energy, can't be bothered', what impact does that have? On the other hand, if we value what we can bring and think 'how will I make this person's life experience better' what positive effect we have on someone else's life. In...

Integrity

October 21, 2019 05:00 - 16 minutes - 7.33 MB

This episode is on the subject of Integrity. I lay out an example of how i let my integrity slip today. I am going to start producing regular bitesized podcasts on things that come up day to day. The book Staying Sane In The Music Game is a blue print for how I would like to be in life. But, as a human, I have to live with my mistakes and reflect on my own behaviour. Therefore, I use this medium as an exploration for my pitfalls as a human. I hope that being open and honest, about my expe...

#7 - Live Psychotherapy Session

August 03, 2019 23:00 - 41 minutes - 76 MB

We are excited to release this podcast.  How many times have you been told to 'go get some help' or 'go and  talk to someone about issues' ? Maybe someone suggested psychotherapy  or counselling? Well, we demonstrate here using the author of Staying Sane In The  Music Game - Brett Leboff and a trained professional psychotherapist,  just what that may look like.  "I really feel that this is a public service, most therapists or their clients would not be open to doing this. I agreed and persu...

#7 - Live Psychotherapy Session

July 30, 2019 17:00

We are excited to release this podcast. How many times have you been told to 'go get some help' or 'go and talk to someone about issues' ? Maybe someone suggested psychotherapy or counselling? Well, we demonstrate here using the author of Staying Sane In The Music Game - Brett Leboff and a trained professional psychotherapist, just what that may look like. "I really feel that this is a public service, most therapists or their clients would not be open to doing this. I agreed and persuade...

#6 - Help Musicians UK & L.A.D

May 15, 2019 09:59 - 55 minutes - 64.5 MB

This podcast was an interview that I did with the 'Your Music Industry Podcast' by the Liverpool Audio Network and Help Musicians UK. It was a great interview and I think you'll get a lot from it with regards to understanding my journey, the book content and inspiration for how to live the healthiest lives in the music industry. In 2016, Help Musicians UK undertook research which suggested that people working in the music industry are 3 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety ...

#5 - Keith Cooper

January 23, 2019 17:09 - 1 hour - 191 MB

Ladies and Gentlemen so excited to step things up with Keith Cooper on the Podcast. Keith managed the Brit Award winning Finley Quaye when the multi platinum selling album 'Maverick A Strike' was released which had multiple hit singles on it including 'Sunday Shining' and 'Even After All'. He also managed Cut Chemist from Jurassic 5, legendary Drum n Bass Producer Aphrodite which meant bringing us the era defining 'Aphrodite' album, as well as Ian Brown of the Stone Roses. Furthermore, he man...

www.StayingSane.org - #3 Sam Tucker

November 23, 2018 20:16 - 2 hours - 247 MB

We're back! Sam Tucker is a booking agent, but has also been involved in production at festivals, been a tour manager and promoter. We talk about his experiences, the journey he had to go on to get to where he is and how he is Staying Sane In The Music Game. I really enjoyed this one, possibly the most entertaining one yet. A very dynamic conversation and one that lasted over 2 hours. Spread the word to a friend who you know will enjoy it. For more information, free resources and more about t...

#4 - Mampi Swift, DJ Friction, Christine Brown Flex FM

November 23, 2018 20:16 - 1 hour - 195 MB

Here is the 4th Podcast from Staying Sane In The Music Game, we will be continuing these at least every month so stick with us and spread the word to everyone you think who can benefit from these important conversations about MENTAL HEALTH in the music industry. This show is taken from the live broadcast on FLEX FM (www.Flexfm.co.uk). This is a very special show hosted by legendary Drum n Bass Producer and DJ MAMPI SWIFT. He hosted myself - Brett Leboff to talk about the book Staying Sane In ...

www.StayingSane.org - #2 John Railton

October 18, 2018 00:59 - 1 hour - 192 MB

In this episode of the podcast Brett Leboff talks to John Railton AKA 'Rails', who has tour managed some of the biggest names in music across the world. BUT on top of that has toured the world himself playing Bass in bands. Many times, he tour managed the band AND played Bass! We go behind the scenes of that lifestyle and some of the bands he has worked with. We go under the hood and really delve into the highs and lows of that role and that live. It was a fun chat and again it follows our lo...

Staying Sane In The Music Game #1

August 10, 2018 15:00 - 1 hour - 207 MB

The very first podcast from Staying Sane In The Music Game's author Brett Leboff. In this podcast we interview the drummer from Vessels Tim Mitchell. The live melodic techno band are signed to PIAS and have been touring for 12 years. Tim and Brett discuss all manner of topics to do with how the band and Tim are Staying Sane! For information on the book which is available now go to www.stayingsane.org