A Note on This Episode:

I’ve also released this Episode on my personal Podcast (The Mike del Ferro Podcast), but because I’m now also focusing on Mindset Episodes in this series, I felt it was useful to share it here as well.

A big part of my musical identity and my approach to the "inner game" comes from the 10 years I spent with Toots Thielemans. I learned so much from Toots about mindset and professional mentality, and I talk about those experiences a lot in this interview.

-

I recently sat down with Alexandre Piret, a dedicated researcher and musicologist who is currently conducting in-depth academic research on the life and music of Toots Thielemans.

In this episode, which is part of my Podcast series "Echoes of Toots Thielemans", where I interview Harmonica Players, Alexandre interviews me about my ten-year collaboration with Toots. It was a humbling experience to revisit those memories—not just the technical aspects of accompanying such a unique instrument, but the personal moments we shared on tours around the world.

We discuss the nuances of Toots' playing, the chemistry we built on stage, and the "echoes" of his influence that I still feel in my own music today. If you are interested in the history of jazz or the legacy of Toots, I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Send me a text message with your comments, questions and requests for topics

Find Mike's Music, Schedule, Podcasts, Sheet Music (PDF's) and Socials on www.mikedelferro.com

For private online Sessions and Webinars, requests for Topics or other Questions, Email to: clinics@mikedelferro.com

Or send a Voice Message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/mikedelferro

Join the forum/user groups on Telegram.

I also host another, personal Podcast: "The Mike del Ferro Podcast". Listen my Mike’s travel stories, interviews with fascinating people I have been encountering on my international journey, some psychology for musicians , humor and much more. Listen on your favorite Podcast app

Mike del Ferro's YouTube Channel

Listen to Mike on Spotify / Apple Music and Tidal

Instagram

Facebook

Piano Transcriptions / SheetMusic and PDF's as played by Mike

Piano Tutorials

Twitter

...

Hi Everybody, Mike del Ferro here.

First off, I want to say that the success of Self Management for Musicians has been incredible, and I deeply appreciate every one of you who listens and shares the show.

However, I have faced a challenge recently: I cannot be as productive as I want to be due to my heavy international touring schedule all year round. I want to keep providing the information you appreciate, but the editing time has become a bottleneck.

Here is how I am solving this:

• Introducing AI Narration: I have been experimenting with AI-generated voices, and I am very impressed with the quality. Moving forward, I will be utilizing this technology for narration. This is a massive time-saver regarding editing and will allow me to return to a consistent schedule.
• New Schedule: Thanks to this workflow change, I will be back to producing and releasing new episodes every 2 weeks.
• New Name & Focus: I have decided to dedicate more episodes to the mental aspect of our industry. To reflect this, I am officially changing the name of the podcast to "Self Management and Mindset for Musicians".

I love sharing my experiences with you, and these changes ensure I can keep doing that consistently, no matter where I am in the world.

Let me know what you think of these developments, and please keep sharing this podcast with your colleagues.

Send me a text message with your comments, questions and requests for topics

Find Mike's Music, Schedule, Podcasts, Sheet Music (PDF's) and Socials on www.mikedelferro.com

For private online Sessions and Webinars, requests for Topics or other Questions, Email to: clinics@mikedelferro.com

Or send a Voice Message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/mikedelferro

Join the forum/user groups on Telegram.

I also host another, personal Podcast: "The Mike del Ferro Podcast". Listen my Mike’s travel stories, interviews with fascinating people I have been encountering on my international journey, some psychology for musicians , humor and much more. Listen on your favorite Podcast app

Mike del Ferro's YouTube Channel

Listen to Mike on Spotify / Apple Music and Tidal

Instagram

Facebook

Piano Transcriptions / SheetMusic and PDF's as played by Mike

Piano Tutorials

Twitter

...

In Dutch, but you can also watch this Episode on YouTube with English Subtitles or Listen with Automatic Translation.

Pianist en Wereldreiziger Mike del Ferro vertelt openhartig over muziek, discipline en creatief ondernemen. Hij wordt geïnterviewd door advocaat en jurist Edgar Stam van "Team Juridische Zaken".

Dit gesprek is onderdeel van de podcast "Bulletproof Ondernemers", waarin Edgar diverse ondernemers spreekt over hun uitdagingen en successen.

🎙️ Host: Edgar Stam: https://hub.htjz.nl
Connect with Edgar on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-stam-329401/
Edgar's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BulletproofOndernemers

🎧 Luister / volg deze Podcast op Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DsWVa23ltilGXPZBjGltq?si=9a9f60d618754cb3

Wat als je creativiteit kunt inzetten als businessmodel — wereldwijd?

Mike del Ferro reisde door 120 landen, speelde met de grootste artiesten ter wereld
en ontdekte dat muziek niet alleen kunst is, maar een ondernemersvaardigheid.

Hij bouwde een internationale carrière zonder plan, zonder zekerheid,
maar met discipline, nieuwsgierigheid en totale toewijding aan zijn vak.

Je hoeft geen wereldster te zijn om groot te denken.
Je hoeft geen perfecte strategie te hebben om wereldwijd impact te maken.
Je moet alleen durven vertrouwen op je unieke geluid — letterlijk of figuurlijk.

Mike laat zien dat elke ondernemer — creatief of niet —
kan groeien door discipline + nieuwsgierigheid + lef.

Van de favela’s van Brazilië tot opera-huizen in Europa,
van jazzclubs tot grote festivals —
Mike gebruikte elke plek als springplank,
en elke ontmoeting als inspiratie.

Zijn carrière is geen toeval.
Het is het resultaat van duizenden uren vakmanschap
en beslissen dat je blijft spelen — óók als niemand luistert.

In dit gesprek met Edgar Stam deelt Mike:
1️⃣ Hoe je creativiteit omzet in een schaalbare carrière
2️⃣ Waarom discipline het grote verschil maakt tussen talent en succes
3️⃣ Hoe je overal ter wereld kansen ziet — en pakt
4️⃣ Wat AI betekent voor muzika

Send me a text message with your comments, questions and requests for topics

Find Mike's Music, Schedule, Podcasts, Sheet Music (PDF's) and Socials on www.mikedelferro.com

For private online Sessions and Webinars, requests for Topics or other Questions, Email to: clinics@mikedelferro.com

Or send a Voice Message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/mikedelferro

Join the forum/user groups on Telegram.

I also host another, personal Podcast: "The Mike del Ferro Podcast". Listen my Mike’s travel stories, interviews with fascinating people I have been encountering on my international journey, some psychology for musicians , humor and much more. Listen on your favorite Podcast app

Mike del Ferro's YouTube Channel

Listen to Mike on Spotify / Apple Music and Tidal

Instagram

Facebook

Piano Transcriptions / SheetMusic and PDF's as played by Mike

Piano Tutorials

Twitter

...