Write on Track: A Songwriting Podcast

Experiencing anxiety and maintaining a healthy self-esteem are two aspects of being an artist that are important to talk about. I’m honored to welcome Emme Lentino onto the show for a very authentic chat about anxiety and self-esteem in the music industry. Mental health is important to both of us, so what we discuss in this episode is close to our hearts. The quote for this episode is by Chelsea Handler: “I still get anxiety about things I have to do professionally, and I’m pretty sure I always will. Knowing that’s part of the process helps me focus not on the worry itself but on the sense of accomplishment I’ll feel afterward. I get more from going through with something than from walking away.” Emme and I had such an open and honest conversation about anxiety and self-esteem that I’m honored to share. We talk about overcoming anxiety, balancing what we have to do as songwriters and artists and being mindful of what we can handle, knowing when to take a step back and reflect on how what we’re doing is affecting our creativity and mental health, setting boundaries and having a routine, overcoming performance anxiety, dealing with anxiety while networking with music industry professionals, having a healthy relationship with social media, developing a positive mindset to maintain a healthy self-esteem, protecting our mental health, treating ourselves with kindness, and more. My conversation with Emme is so inspiring, and I hope you enjoy it. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Graphic design is such an essential part of an artist’s brand and music career. From artwork for releases to promotional graphics, each piece of art should be created with intention. I’m so honored to bring you an inspiring and informative conversation about graphic design for artists with one of my graphic designers, Eddie Davis. The quote for this episode is by Edward de Bono: “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” I love my conversation with Eddie about graphic design. We talk about the importance of creativity, balancing personal preferences with what’s effective in the market, understanding the vision of the project, the purpose the artwork is meant to serve, the difference between a standalone piece of art and one that’s part of a greater project, setting expectations in writing, establishing a brand identity, the importance of paying attention to details, the process of creating artwork for a music release, creating promo graphics, finding a balance between the value of the music artist and graphic designer, and more. I enjoyed having Eddie on the show for such a fabulous conversation. I hope it gives you an informative overview of graphic design for artists. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Inspiration is all around us, and as songwriters, we have to trust inspiration. Sometimes, it can be difficult to know which song ideas hold the most potential. It can be hard to embrace new ideas when doubts cloud inspiring moments. Still, finding ways to open our hearts and minds to inspiration leads to our most amazing songs. I’m so excited to welcome Trace Ellis onto the show to chat all about trusting inspiration. The quote for this episode is by Prince: “Sometimes ideas are coming so fast that I have to stop doing one song to get another. But I don’t forget the first one. If it works, it will always be there. It’s like the truth: it will find you and lift you up. And if it ain’t right, it will dissolve like sand on the beach.” Trace and I explore inspiration in such an honest way. We talk about knowing which songs hold potential, writing more than one song at a time, what inspiration means to us, noticing what inspires us to write, overcoming negative thoughts and insecurities that make us doubt our inspiration and songwriting, revisiting songs with a fresh perspective, deciding factors for our best songs, and more. I enjoyed my conversation with Trace, and I hope it inspires you. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Let the games continue! I’m so excited to share Forte Face Off 2 of Up the Scale. Please welcome Daniel Nesci, Luke Wood, and Peter McDermott. Which of these shining star contestants will come out on top and move on to the semi-finals? Listen to find out! Daniel, Luke, and Peter have outstanding episodes of Write on Track, so be sure to give those a listen and catch up on the other amazing conversations. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

As songwriters, the gift of our craft allows us to pour our thoughts and feelings out and turn them into songs that bring us comfort. I’m delighted to share a very special conversation with Emily Faye that explores finding comfort in saying goodbye and the journey of writing vulnerable songs. The quote for this episode is by Maya Angelou: “I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.” My conversation with Emily is unique and completely different from the other conversations on the show. I loved getting to explore the universal experience of saying goodbye in such a beautiful and honest way. We talk about the meaning of home, the story behind Emily’s single, “When It Comes to Leaving,” the comfort of the songwriting process, knowing when a song is a special one, the power of songs with universal messages, the magic of performing vulnerable songs unplugged, releasing a vulnerable and comforting song, production and genre decisions, the beauty of acoustic and reimagined versions of songs, advice for writing vulnerable songs, co-writing a personal song, and more. I loved having Emily on the show, and I hope our conversation brings you comfort and inspires you. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Developing our voices as artists is a complex and evolving journey. In order to find our artist voices, we have to jump hurdles, explore our sound, commit to becoming better singers, and so much more. I’m super excited to welcome Dani Galasso back onto the show to chat all about cultivating the artist voice. The quote for this episode is by Gemma Sugrue: “You want to find singing that feels like breathing.” Dani and I share our experiences with finding our voices in an open and honest way, and we cover so much during our conversation. We talk about how singing should feel natural, the benefits of covering songs, the inspiration of vocal competition shows, overcoming psychological barriers to love our voices, how the concepts and messages we explore in our original songs shape our artist voices, the importance of recording for vocal development, being active and committed when it comes to improving our voices, and more. I loved having Dani back for another outstanding conversation, and I hope it inspires you. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Networking is absolutely key for songwriters. It requires many personal and professional skills to network effectively and build a good reputation in the music industry. I’m so honored to welcome Kevin McCarty, who is the co-founder and CEO of We Should Write Sometime, onto the show to talk all about networking for songwriters. The quote for this episode is by Sallie Krawcheck: “My advice for folks on networking is give, give, give. You will later receive. But you are really planting these seeds. Some of them will die, and they won’t become anything. Many of them will take many, many years before they pay off for you if at all.” Kevin and I cover so much in our conversation. We discuss being selfless and giving back to the music industry, showing kindness and being a good person, the beauty of collaboration, efficiency in finding co-writers, the importance of research, the mission of We Should Write Sometime and a detailed overview of the app, and more. My chat with Kevin was such a delight. I hope you enjoy it, and if you’re a songwriter, be sure to check out We Should Write Sometime. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

One of the most beautiful things about being a songwriter is that growth is endless. As we grow as people, we change as writers. Songwriting is a journey that’s full of learning, evolving, and special moments of realization. I couldn’t be more honored to welcome Sebastian Javier onto the show to chat all about growing as a songwriter. The quote for this episode is by Paul Simon: “It’s very helpful to start with something that’s true. If you start with something that’s false, you’re always covering your tracks. Something simple and true, that has a lot of possibility, is a nice way to begin.” Sebastian and I explore growing as songwriters in such an open and honest way. We discuss authenticity and truth in our writing, things we keep in mind while writing, writing and releasing music in both English and Spanish, realizations of growth and change, the importance of trust, lessons learned, sources of inspiration, and so much more. This is truly an honest and inspiring conversation, and I hope you enjoy it. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

As songwriters, our goal is to allow listeners to connect to our music on a meaningful level. A way that we do this is through musical expression. No matter what the lyrics are saying, the musical choices we make lead to listeners feeling a certain way. We have the ability to evoke emotions both while writing and performing songs, whether that be live or on a studio recording. I’m so honored to welcome Jenny Colquitt onto the show to explore musical expression. The quote for this episode is by Karl Lagerfeld: “Music gives color to the air of the moment.” Jenny and I cover so much in our conversation about musical expression. We talk about the role music plays in our songwriting processes, setting lyrics to music, the magic when the lyrics and melody fit together, dynamics in songs, musical variety, and more. Jenny and I hope you enjoy listening to our processes, stories, and insights. We truly had a great chat that I’m glad I’m able to share on the show. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Let the games begin! I’m so beyond excited to kick off Up the Scale: A Write on Track Game Show. Please give a warm welcome to Allison Leah, Matteson Gregory, and Niki Kennedy. They’re the shining star contestants of Forte Face Off 1. Who will come out on top and move on to the semi-finals? Listen to find out. Allison, Matteson, and Niki have fabulous episodes of Write on Track, so be sure to give those a listen and catch up on the other outstanding conversations. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Happy one year since sharing the Write on Track trailer! I can’t believe it’s already been a year. Thank you so much to everyone who made the first year of this show so special. To celebrate, I’m so beyond excited to announce Up the Scale: A Write on Track Game Show. Listen to the announcement to learn what Up the Scale is all about, and get ready to hear many familiar voices. It’s going to be such a fun adventure that I hope you’ll enjoy. Here’s to a new Write on Track journey! Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Music and business are so closely related. In order to be successful in the music business, musicians have to develop their musicianship while also diving into the world of entrepreneurship. I’m so honored to welcome Dr. Fabiana Claure onto the show to talk all about music entrepreneurship and succeeding as a musician. Fabiana is a pianist, business strategist for musicians, educator, and the founder of her flagship program, Musician’s Profit Umbrella. The knowledge and skills she has acquired over the years led her to become a shining star in music entrepreneurship. The quote for this episode is by Thomas Edison: “Vision without execution is hallucination.” Fabiana and I had such an informative and inspiring conversation that I’m blessed I’m able to share. We talk about the entrepreneurial mindset, skills necessary for success, developing a clear vision that aligns with personal values, the balance between personal and professional development, accountability, tips for avoiding burnout, and more. I can’t thank Fabiana enough for taking time to speak with me. I learned so much from my conversation with her, and I hope you enjoy listening to all of her wisdom and advice. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

I’m so honored to welcome Jason Davis onto the show to give a glimpse into the music industry. He has been in the business for over two decades and is part of some outstanding companies, including One One 7, Noble Management, and Higher Level Agency. Jason has worn many hats and played different roles over the years, and he has so much knowledge to share from what he’s learned along his journey so far. During our conversation, we discuss songwriting, recording demos, A&Rs at record labels, artist management, valuable lessons, and more. Also, Jason shares the inspiration behind his two books, Your Love Pursues and Business Backwards. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to chat with Jason. His journey inspired me, and I hope it inspires you, too. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

The music business is always changing, and despite moments of success, there will always be obstacles we have to face as songwriters. I’m honored to welcome Lisa McEwen onto the show to chat all about jumping songwriting hurdles in a mindful way. The quote for this episode is by Wendy Starland: “The people who come out on top in music business have persistence. It is key! Fall down seven times; stand up eight. It takes a lot of courage and an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities.” Lisa and I talk all about the many obstacles we have to overcome and share advice for how to do so in a mindful way. We discuss overcoming shiness and finding the courage to put ourselves out there, imposter syndrome and dealing with thoughts and feelings of unworthiness, rejection and getting ignored, self-awareness, having supportive people around us, and more. This is truly an outstanding conversation that is full of priceless gems. Through sharing our own experiences, Lisa and I paint a realistic picture of what it’s like to be a songwriter. We hope our honesty and advice empowers you to jump the hurdles in your path as you continue on your songwriting journey. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

It’s May 1, which means it’s the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month. Music has the ability to bring us comfort and empower us when we need it most. I’m delighted to welcome Matteson Gregory back to the show for a very special and important conversation about finding comfort and empowerment through music. The quote for this episode is by Taylor Swift: “People haven’t always been there for me, but music always has.” Matteson and I have such an open and honest conversation about how music has been there for us. From comforting us and making us feel less alone to empowering us, music has been something we both turn to during challenging times. We experience these feelings of comfort and empowerment both as songwriters and listeners of music. Matteson shares the story behind her song, “War with Myself,” and goes deep with what it means to her, favorite lyrics, and more. I do the same with my debut single, “Into Focus.” Then, we share our top five favorite songs by other artists that bring us comfort and empower us. Also, Matteson and I share advice for writing these kinds of songs, talk about the beautiful community aspect of music, and much more. We hope this conversation puts a smile on your face and makes you feel seen and heard. Just like Taylor Swift said, music will always be there for you. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Being a solo artist requires so much love for the craft of songwriting, dedication to learning how to navigate the music business, and commitment to growing as a person and musician. I’m honored to share an outstanding conversation with Peter McDermott all about the life of a solo artist. The quote for this episode is by Aretha Franklin: “Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.” Peter and I paint the reality of being a solo artist in an honest way. It takes a lot to be an artist, and we pull back the curtain by sharing our own experiences and advice. We talk about showing confidence, enhancing our musicianship, exploring our sound through covering songs, the freedom that comes with being a solo independent artist, the challenges we face, and lots more. Our conversation is truly genuine, and we hope it gives you a realistic glimpse into our lives as solo artists. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Many songwriters dream of having their songs recorded by artists, and some dream of getting a publishing deal. The world of pitching songs and getting signed by a publisher is a complex one. It takes a lot of dedication, knowledge, and skill to be a professional songwriter, and it’s key to continue to grow as a songwriter and build connections in the music industry. I’m so honored to bring you a fantastic conversation with Nancy Deckant. She has so much experience with songwriting and publishing, and she shares lots of gems during our conversation. Nancy and I chat all about writing songs that hold potential, recording demos, the roles of a publisher and an overview of publishing deals, networking, and more. Nancy also shares details about her organization, DiscoverSooner, a fabulous platform to connect songwriters and publishers worldwide. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to have Nancy on the show. I hope you enjoy our informative, inspiring, and fun conversation. , Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Music with positive messages brings so much light and hope into the world. I’m delighted to welcome Greg Pierson and Stephan Young from the Christian music duo, the Pierson-Young Project, onto the show to chat all about writing music with positive messages. The quote for this episode is by Pablo Casals: “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” I truly had such an uplifting and inspiring conversation with Greg and Stephan. Positive music comes from the heart, and it has the ability to touch the lives of people all over the world. Greg and Stephan share incredible stories and give amazing advice for writing music with positive messages. My conversation with them is full of stories, special moments, inspiration, and much more. I hope you enjoy it. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

Recording vocals is such a fun and complex process. After we finish writing our songs and get them ready for the studio, we have so much to think about when it comes to vocals, from portraying emotion to crafting background vocals and so much more. I’m beyond excited to welcome back Allison Leah to talk all about recording vocals. The quote for this episode is by Grimes: “I feel like vocals are to music what portraits are to painting. They’re the humanity. Landscapes are good and fine, but at the end of the day, everyone loves the Mona Lisa.” Allison and I truly had a blast chatting about vocals. We talk about coloring our vocals with emotion, recording lead vocals, making our songs sparkle with background vocals, and more. Our conversation is full of laughs, stories, and lots of tips and tricks for recording vocals. This is a genuine chat about vocals like no other, and Allison and I hope you enjoy it. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”

As songwriters and artists, we always have to find ways of staying creative and keeping momentum. Especially because of the reality of the world these past few years, we’ve had to adapt and find new ways to continue doing what we love and moving our careers forward. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Avery Raquel onto the show for such a fun and honest conversation about staying creative and keeping momentum. The quote for this episode is by Jimmy Dean: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” Avery and I recognize that we can’t control what’s thrown at us in our lives, so we have to find ways to adjust to change. We share how we stay creative and find songwriting inspiration, pursue new endeavors to expand our horizons and stay connected with the music industry and beyond, continue to record and release music, and so much more. I loved chatting with Avery. Our conversation is so authentic and full of inspiration and laughs. We hope you enjoy it. Are you enjoying Write on Track? Do you have a topic suggestion for an episode? Would you like to be a guest? Email me at writeontrackpodcast@gmail.com. Also, I’d love to connect with you. My official website is and you can find me on Twitter at Instagram at and Facebook at you so much for listening. Until next time, stay “write on track!”