I spent years as a musician, designer, and writer making the same mistakes over and over—here's what I'd tell my younger self to save years of suffering.

📬 If this resonated with you, you'll love my newsletter. I send one email a week with ideas like this: https://ktfpod.com/#newsletter

I don't feel like an expert, but when I look back at 35 years of creative work as a musician, graphic designer, and writer, I realize I've learned some hard lessons that my younger self desperately needed to hear.

In this episode, I'm sharing five lessons that would have saved me years of self-doubt, scattered energy, and creative frustration. These aren't just nice ideas – they're the practical shifts that made me happier, more authentic, and actually productive.

Whether you're just starting out or decades into your creative journey, I think these lessons will resonate with you too.

🤟 Come join my creative community: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

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I can improvise jazz without fear, so why does unscripted speaking terrify me?

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I've been making this podcast with fully scripted episodes for a year and a half because I was terrified of not knowing what comes next. But here's the paradox: I'm a jazz drummer. I improvise music all the time without fear. So why is speaking so different?

In this episode, I'm finally going off script (well, mostly - I have notes) to show you how the same principles that let jazz musicians improvise freely can help anyone become a better, more confident communicator. I share three practical exercises based on improv comedy, working memory research, and my own experience performing.

Fair warning: this took me four attempts to record, my phone died halfway through, and I'm still uncomfortable doing this. But that vulnerability? That's where real connection happens.

If you struggle with public speaking, lose your train of thought in meetings, or just want to think more clearly on your feet, this one's for you.

🎧 Check out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/

🤟 Join the Patreon community: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

BTW, the background music in this episode is stuff I wrote and recorded in my home studio. I'm thinking about making an actual album out of it. Let me know if you'd be interested in that. https://ktfpod.com

Dr. Charles Limb - Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BomNG5N_E_0

Alan Alda - 3 Things: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrOnk0JnXW4

#unscripted #workingmemory #creativecareer

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What happens when you lose sight of why you're creating—and how do you find your way back?

📬 If this resonated with you, you'll love my newsletter—I send one email a week with ideas like this: https://ktfpod.com/#newsletter

This week I'm feeling lost and questioning what really motivates my creativity.

In this episode, I explore three ideas that help when you don't know why you're creating: relaxing into the process, giving yourself permission not to have all the answers, and reframing the ego question by focusing on service rather than achievement.

If you've ever wondered whether your creative work is driven by genuine purpose or just ego, or if you've lost sight of why you even create, this conversation is for us.

🎧 Check out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/

🤟 Join the Patreon community: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.