🎙️ Episode SynopsisIn this episode of Take a Cue, Jen and Erik get honest about work-life balance—and why it’s something they’re still figuring out themselves. Recorded at the end of winter break, the conversation dives into burnout, seasonal demands of the school year, family life, side gigs, and the blurred lines between music as a job and music as a passion. From learning how to say no, to building systems that protect your time, to modeling healthy balance for students, this episode offers real talk, hard-earned perspective, and reassurance that balance isn’t perfect—but it is possible.🎯 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy work-life balance isn’t a 9–5 concept for music teachersThe seasonal ebb and flow of the school yearBurnout: how it starts, how it feels, and how to avoid itLearning to say no (and why it’s so hard)Building systems that save time and mental energyThe importance of non-productive hobbiesFinding supportive colleagues (“marigolds”) who protect your sanitySetting boundaries between school, family, and personal lifeModeling sustainable music-making for studentsWhy balance looks different at different stages of your careerResources & Mentions from This Episode 🎵Breathing room & seasonal planning 🌱Airtable 🗂️ – referenced as a system-building tool (see prior episode)MakeMusic Cloud / SmartMusic 🎼 – student practice toolsMarching band & extracurricular commitments 🏈🎺“Marigold” colleagues 🌼 – positive professional support systemsNon-music hobbies 🚲📚 – biking, reading, creative outletsFind Take A CueHome: ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/takeacue⁠⁠Support: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/takeacue/support⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/TakeACuePodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TakeACuePodcast/CreditsHosts: Erik Donough (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@edonough, ⁠erik@donough.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Jen Wise (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenwisemusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠jenwisemusic@gmail.com⁠)Edited by: Erik DonoughTheme music by Music_Unlimited: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artwork by Arooj: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fiverr.com/em_arooj⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠