Reflection Reverb: Radical Simplicity

In my work, one pattern often shows up - especially for folks who think deeply, feel a lot, and lead in some capacity:

There’s a constant pressure to say or do something important. To prove you have insight, ideas. To speak up at the right time, in the right way.

But here's the thing: that pressure often does the exact opposite. Pressure muddies your message. It makes you second-guess yourself. It turns your natural insight into performance. Over-compensating for feeling of inadequacy.

Sometimes creative leadership is less about having a plan, and more about being present.

Can you trust what you know — and share it simply, without the performance?

That doesn’t mean dumbing yourself down. It means resisting the urge to overcomplicate. It means noticing the difference between forcing insight vs. letting it land.

“Simple is not the same as basic.”

Some of the most powerful words I’ve ever heard were also the simplest:

“I believe you.”

“You are wanted.”

“This isn’t working anymore.”

None of those require an outlined manifesto. But they change everything when they arrive at the right moment. People don’t always need you to dazzle. They need you to be honest. Clear. Uncomplicated.

Sometimes your best leadership move is not to say something groundbreaking, but to speak a truth that’s been waiting in the wings unsaid.

Real resonance is quiet. And clear. And unrehearsed.

Reflection Questions:

Let’s tune into that. Grab a notebook, a voice note, or just take a quiet walk and ask yourself:

·         Am I trusting my own inner knowing? Or looking for others to validate it first?

·         What’s something I know to be true - even if it sounds weird or unconventional, and nobody gets it? Am I judging it as right or wrong?

·         What am I trying to *prove* when I speak?

·         Where in my life have I been trying too hard to be understood?

·         Am I adding complexity where simplicity would actually serve me better?

·         Have I been trying to say “the right thing,” or the *real* thing?

·         What conversation or decision have I been overthinking?

·         Are we overexplaining? Holding back because we think people won’t get us?

Try this:

Pick one area of your life that feels unnecessarily complex - a routine, a conversation, a relationship, a belief, a corner of your house. Do one thing to simplify it. Declutter. Cancel something. Say the honest thing you've been avoiding.

When you feel the pressure to impress, pause. Don’t force it. Trust your words come when they’re exactly right. You might be surprised what comes through when you stop trying to sound deep and just speak simply and clearly.

You’re not here to be understood by everyone.

You’re here to land with the right people.

And if it doesn’t land with everyone? That’s not your cue to shout louder. It’s your cue to trust that the right people will hear you when the moment is right.

Reverb Recap

Simplicity isn’t about adding more noise. It’s about distilling things down to their essence. A single sentence can change a life - not because it’s complex, but because it’s true.

You don’t have to try so hard to inspire.

You are profound - and when you speak from knowing, it shows.

This is the kind of inner work I do with clients in my 1:1 coaching - not just business planning, but recalibrating how you lead and create in a way that actually fits you. Not the society or industry mold. You.

Transformation and creativity can be simple.

Let clarity be your amplifier.

Reflection Reverb: Mediocrity or Radical Authenticity?

REBEL WITH A CAUSE: What if trusting that being YOU is the most rebellious thing you could do?

Have you ever had that moment when you look around and wonder, “What do I actually bring to the table?” It’s not imposter syndrome exactly—more like a subtle wondering if your voice even matters. I’ve noticed that question being surfaced right now.

There’s a kind of quiet ache that comes when we feel like we’re not fully seen. Maybe we’re doing the work, showing up, holding it down—and yet, part of us still wonders if we’re making a real impact.

You might be in a season that pulls at the thread of authentic expression.

Not the curated kind. Not “branding.”

But the way you naturally move, speak, show up. The kind of presence that quietly leads just by being real. You might feel a tension right now—either the urge to shrink back and question your value, or a desire to be seen, maybe louder than usual.

That energetic undercurrent invites us to sit with the idea of *contribution*. But not the flashy, "look-at-me" kind. More like:

What does it mean to make a difference just by being yourself?

It might sound simple, but being yourself—truly yourself—is actually one of the hardest things to do in a world wired for conformity and comparison.

Could you dare to show up as you are, and let that be enough?

Notice though… are you standing for something, or a rebel without a cause? We can fall into the trap of trying to stand out just to be different – it’s a mental pressure to THINK we need to be unique rather than relaxing into the real “who of you”.  Are you shrinking back, afraid your real voice won’t be accepted? Either way, we lose touch with our real power—the kind that doesn’t need applause to be impactful.

Questions for Reflection:

·         Where do I feel pressure to prove my worth?

·         What does “authentic” look and feel like for me right now?

·         Am I expressing myself or performing myself?

·         Where in my life do I feel like I’m faking it just a little?

·         When was the last time I felt proud of something, even if no one else saw it?

·         Is there a part of me that’s quietly waiting for permission to speak, dress, act, or create differently?

·         Am I rebelling for something meaningful—or just reacting?

Try This:

Create without a goal:  Journal, draw, sing, or speak without planning to share it. See what emerges when there’s no pressure. Make space for play.

Notice where your presence uplifts others—quietly. You don’t have to call it leadership for it to lead.

Wear your weird. Choose one thing—clothes, music, a hobby—that expresses your flavor, even if it’s not “on trend.” Something that feels like you—not for attention, but because it IS you.

Let your timing speak louder than your promises.

Reverb Reminder:

The most powerful thing you can amplify this week is yourself —no edits, no upgrades, no performance. Just the truth of who you are, held with confidence.

True contribution doesn’t need a stage. It needs alignment. When you show up in your own skin—without the mask, without the polish—you give the rest of us permission to do the same.

And honestly? That might be your most powerful act of leadership.

NOW IS THE TIME

Now is the time for artists to take hold of the industry and transform it.

In fits and starts, life is struggling to return to equilibrium. It feels like the industry is collectively circling, stalking the “opening bell”, ready to pounce on any and everything they can book to make up for lost momentum and income.

Of course they are. This has been financially devastating for artists, venues, and everyone who supports the industry. There have been so many creative moments bringing hope, but are still overshadowed.

Sometimes it feels like we're on the downhill side of hope. But I can’t help feeling like it’s a moment of power.

Opportunity was creeping closer.... but still feels just out of reach. But what if it could be different?

What if…. Artists had power?

What if this crackling energy could be channeled as one into rising up and creating a new way of doing business?

Who would you be?

So many of us struggle between being our real self, and letting our fears leave us spinning, trading truth for money. The panic is palpable.

Luke warm, and settling.

Hiding.

Grinding on.

Giving up.

What would it feel like if you only played for YOU? No fear, no second-guessing, no attachment to "societal success"?

What would be different?

The world is craving REAL. Especially now. Some of the first images as the world grappled with CV-19 were the Italians serenading one another. It was a gorgeous, raw, and a most powerful display of human connection. THAT’S why we listen to music.

TO FEEL. To have COMMUNITY. To be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

We listen because the entirety of our lives are reflected back to us and make us feel not so broken and not so alone. We feel hope and joy and pain and love.

THAT is art. THAT is a true gift to bring all of humanity.

Why should that gift be molded into something it’s not to fit a perceived ideal? The power is lost, the connection is lost, the truth is lost.

So…. Are you feeling it too? What if life WAS different?

Now is the time to create a new reality. A new industry. What would that look like?

W️HAT DO YOU WANT IT TO BE?

SURVIVAL

Does it feel like you’re in survival mode right now? Hell most of us are. Few shows, if any. Burned out on the FB Live thing. Venues closed. Tours rescheduled. Broadway canceled. Wondering how long it’s going to last and wtf are we going to do?

Definitely survival mode. But that’s ok.

Did you know there’s power in it? Not in a primal, “survival of the fittest” way, but a productive way…..If we can allow. Power lies in the dark. Transformation. Genius.

BUT it’s only found by leaning in to what’s going on inside. (I know, what does that even mean?) Ever hear that question…. “How are you REALLY doing?” Do you answer it truthfully? Are you hiding from yourself, sweeping the darkness under the rug? Most of us try to flip it around, rationalize it all, and find that positive attitude.

Stop it. Feels a little controversial to say that.

But seriously, stop it. Quit trying to “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” and “put on your big girl panties”. It’s OK to feel overwhelmed, tired, and scared. It’s OK to be worried and spinning in every direction. It wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t feel all of the emotions that are triggering - especially right now. That’s all part of our human experience. So go ahead and wallow.

Here’s the thing tho… The spinning doesn’t stop until you allow. Lean in to that human-ness. Empty it allll the way out. Not a vent here, or bitch session there. That’s like fixing a cavity but leaving the decay underneath the filling.

THIS is where you can pause that circular conversation of doom going on in your mind…Not by forcing a smile or looking for the bright side.

Keep looking closer…

>What is this situation trying to tell you?

>Where is that darkness coming from?

>Why is it keeping you from showing up? There’s time to be playing and creating and building your business like you want to, but just… aren’t.

>What’s going on?

Only by digging in can we begin to alchemize those feelings of darkness, (or what I call The VOID), into our success. So, How are you REALLY doing?