203 - Money, Music & Shame

2025-10-04

Talking about money in music is awkward enough. But shame? That’s the hidden weight nearly every musician carries. In this episode, I open up about my own journey with money — the free gigs, the low fees, the times I felt like asking to be paid made me “less of an artist.” I share how shame shaped my early career, how I’ve learned to push past it, and why charging what you’re worth is not only okay — it’s essential. We’ll dig into:• Why so many musicians secretly feel shame about charging 💸• The hidden...

Talking about money in music is awkward enough. But shame? That’s the hidden weight nearly every musician carries.

In this episode, I open up about my own journey with money — the free gigs, the low fees, the times I felt like asking to be paid made me “less of an artist.” I share how shame shaped my early career, how I’ve learned to push past it, and why charging what you’re worth is not only okay — it’s essential.

We’ll dig into:
• Why so many musicians secretly feel shame about charging 💸
• The hidden costs of playing for free (and when it actually makes sense)
• How to reframe “breadhead” stigma into professionalism
• Negotiation strategies that don’t feel icky
• Why your self-worth and your rates are more connected than you think

If you’ve ever felt guilty, awkward, or ashamed about money in your music career — this one’s for you.

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