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Start the year with a jolt of creative permission! We sit down with Grammy-winning cellist Mike Block to trace the real path from conservatory discipline to cross-cultural collaboration. Mike opens up about the moment improvisation unlocked joy, how Silk Road Ensemble and Mark O’Connor reframed his identity, and why adding genres isn’t about collecting tricks—it’s about finding communities, languages, and listeners who expand what your instrument can do.

We dig into the rapid rise of multi-genre string playing at conservatories and beyond, and what that means for technique, career design, and confidence. Mike shares how his string camp turns stand-bound readers into agile collaborators by removing sheet music, mixing levels, and setting real performance stakes. We explore early music education with fresh eyes: Suzuki’s strengths, where ear-first creativity can fit, and why a global repertoire helps kids hear themselves in the music sooner. The line that sticks: classical training doesn’t monopolize technique; it just organized it first.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Mike’s Shark Tank appearance with Forte 3D—why he chose Bach for investors, what it takes to argue for access on national TV, and how affordable, durable instruments can open doors for students everywhere.

If you’re a string player, educator, or curious listener who’s felt the pull beyond one lane, this conversation gives you the frameworks, stories, and practical breadcrumbs to move forward.

Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the nudge, and leave a 5-star review to help more musicians find their voice with us!

Mentioned in the episode:

Forte3D instruments: https://forte3d.com/

Guided Practice Sessions: https://www.guidedpracticesessions.com/

Mike's Summer Improv Camp: https://www.mikeblockstringcamp.com/

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Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!

Kyleen King, violist and string arranger for Brandi Carlile, opens up about musicians' mental health challenges and her journey toward becoming a therapist for touring musicians. She shares unfiltered insights about the psychological toll of touring life and the community support that's helping her transition into social work.

• The reality gap between performing onstage and the other "22.5 hours" of touring life
• How musicians mask suffering through performance both on and off stage
• The isolation of touring despite being surrounded by people constantly
• Kyleen's pursuit of a social work degree to help fellow musicians with mental health challenges
• The success of her community-funded education through GoFundMe
• The myth of individualism versus the reality of community interdependence
• Growing industry recognition of musicians' mental health needs
• Organizations like Backline offering mental health support to musicians

Text us your feedback via the link in our show notes, join our email list through our website, or support us through Patreon to help us keep these conversations going!

Support the show

Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!

Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!

Liz and Steph reunite after an eight-month podcast hiatus, bringing with them powerful stories of personal transformation through health challenges.

With remarkable vulnerability, Steph shares her breast cancer journey—the fear, the treatments, and ultimately the strength she discovered within herself and from her support network. Her experience serves as both inspiration and gentle reminder about the life-saving importance of regular mammograms.

Meanwhile, Liz opens up about navigating life with rare Addison's disease, describing her evolution from merely managing symptoms to exploring deeper healing possibilities. Her realization that autoimmunity requires listening to her body's limits represents a profound shift away from the constant hustle that once defined her professional life. Together, these parallel health journeys have given both musicians a new perspective on what truly matters.

The conversation weaves through serious topics with natural moments of lightness—from Netflix recommendations to memories of watching Celine Dion's documentary together. What emerges most clearly is how this extended break has crystallized their vision for the podcast's future. Though they'll produce fewer episodes moving forward, they're recommitting to the deep, curiosity-driven conversations that have fueled their own personal growth since the podcast's pandemic-era beginnings..

This isn't just a return—it's a renewal of purpose. As they prepare to welcome guests again (with one interview already recorded), Steph and Liz invite listeners to connect beyond social media, through their email list, and direct messaging.

At its heart, this episode celebrates the sustaining power of community during life's unexpected challenges. Have you experienced similar transformations through difficult periods? We'd love to hear your story. Text us above!

Support the show

Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!