The Circus Life Podcast

"Life is a circus and this is The Circus Life." Justin Trawick begins each of the podcasts he records with partner & co-host Sean Russell with this tagline before introducing Sean, the show's sponsors and the guests for the episode.

The Circus Life podcast airs its 35th episode today, with yours truly as a guest of the show along with the super talented Levi Stephens and Addverb Bottle Co. founder Nathan Cristler! The first Circus Life podcast aired on August 12, 2013 and all the episodes are available both on their website and via iTunes. I listen to the new episodes, which come out each week on Tuesday's, via the Podcasts App on my iPhone as I get ready for work. The episodes are comprised of interviews, stories and performances from musical acts, local business owners and generally interesting people who Justin and Sean come across in their daily lives (hence, my "in").

Justin is a local DC singer-songwriter and does quite a bit of work to help promote other local acts as well through his "The 9 Singer Songwriter Series" and a new video project with photographer/videographer Rafael Suanes, of RCS Photography, called "Unrehearsed DC" in addition to The Circus Life. He also has a band, Justin Trawick and the Common Good, with fiddler Pete Daniels, mandolin & banjo player Josh Himmlesbach and upright bassist Jean Finstad.

Sean is multi-platinum award-winning sound engineer (remember Paul Pfau from last week? Sean did his album, just as a point-of-reference for you, dear loyal reader). His bio lists his work with industry titans such as India Arie, Damien and Stephen Marley, Idan Raichel, KIX, Roy & Yvonne, and Dobe Gnahore.  He engineers for producers such as Gordon Chambers (Aretha Franklin), Rich Harrison (Christina Aguilera, J-Lo),  Jim Ebert (Butch Walker, Cowboy Mouth), Glen Ellis (TroubleFunk, Chuck Brown).

The podcast is recorded out of Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church and, though not the quickest trip from the city, I was happy to make the trek to Virginia for my first show recording a couple weeks ago. I studied Music Industry briefly at JMU and have spent a little time in the studio for various musical ventures. I have to admit, I was pretty excited to be back in the studio environment again.

As I mentioned, I'm a fan of the show and have listened to most, if not all, the episodes, so I had a basic understanding of what I was getting into. I had never met Levi or Nathan before, and honestly, I think it was helpful to keeping the show interesting. Sometimes I think if people know each other too well, especially in a scenario where you are recording voices and don't have the option for video or audience participation, the participants may be too familiar with each other and make references to things that the listener may not understand. In our case, I think the fact that we didn't really know anything about each other allowed for genuine reactions and kept us engaged with each other while keeping it interesting for the audience.

So, I'm not going to tell you about the show, because you should listen to it, but I will let you know that I personally chat about a lot of the different "hustles" I currently participate in - the DC MEETMarket, Ulysses Room and our amazing clients at Tea Time DC, event planning at Strawberry Milk Events and of course, this blog! I also tell my favorite WWII veteran story from when I used to run association reunions.

I am now accepting offers to work in radio by the way. Please comment below or contact me directly. Please & thank you.

I'll also be briefly appearing on next week's episode, airing April 8th with a bunch of amazing people- musicians Mundy & Paul Pfau, rapper Laelo, pie lady Jacqueline Francis, photographer Rafael Suanes and of course Justin & Sean. It's the Pie Show (yes, I got free delicious pie) and I provided the whiskey.

Be sure to listen to the show and check out The Circus Life on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Additionally, videos of the musical performances are posted to their website and YouTube each week!

I highly recommend you also check out  all the guests, but because this post is fairly specific to episode #35 and I'm going to single out Levi Stephens. After spending even more time with him after the show, not only am I a fan of his music, but this guy is a great person as well. He's just kicking off his college tour but for for local DCists, he'll be at the Cherry Blossom Festival next weekend (April 6) and plays at Solly's on U Street fairly often. Dates for his shows are HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3C0p4sBWks&list=PL0266F1D2BB513C78

I'd also like to thank any new readers, led here from the podcast! Be sure to sign up for updates to the blog and follow me on Twitter and Instagram!

Finally- support local music, myself & Justin this Friday at The 9 Singer Songwriter Series' first UNPLUGGED show- Friday, April 4th at Hierarchy in Adams Morgan. Doors at 8pm. Show at 8:30. Details HERE!

Quote of the Day: Sunday Well-Spent

Quote of the Day: You're Mad

Quote of the Day: Inspire Your Work

I need this reminder sometimes!

Quote of the Day & a Word About Courage

Courage. This is a word I've thought about often in my 30 years on this earth. Many times I have heard, or spoken of, the courage of people in the military or civil service who dedicated themselves to protecting my freedoms,  serving my country, and allowing me to go about my daily life. But really, courage was something I learned about as a young kid moving schools and just dealing with growing up. It's not easy being the new kid and I have very specific memories of moments where I chose to be brave so that I would fit in or so that I wouldn't find myself alone.

This is the courage I've been reflecting on today. The courage to be oneself. I often say that I am happy for all the things my life has dealt me because I love who I am and where I am today. Of course, this doesn't mean that I don't still find myself encountering instances where I need quite a bit of courage.  And the more I reflected on this, the more I realized that more than ever, despite my generally feeling comfortable in my own skin and knowing "who I am", I look to find courage within myself to get through the day.

(Just in case you needed a little clarification - Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines "courage" as : mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty)

Here are just a few instances in which I found myself needing to muster up a bit of courage (all from yesterday, by the way):

• I went to a coffee shop where  1. I had never been before and 2. at which there was no menu (annoying even though I usually just drink black coffee - what size do I order? do they have multiple kinds of black coffee? etc).... | New situations are always intimidating and require courage to say to yourself "I am not the only person who has ever done this for the first time" and "There are no dumb questions when something is new to me or anyone else for that matter."
• Seeing my ex's engagement photos... | I've been, for the most part, single since this particular ex and I broke up several years ago (partly by choice and then the other part not by choice- ha!). Anyone who's been in the situation where someone they love moves on and finds what you thought you had with that person, with someone else, has experienced the need to muster up some courage to affirm that things really do happen for a reason. AND, of course you remember that amazing trip you took and they way you used to laugh together, but, oh, uh... remember that time he made you feel disrespected or the fact that he couldn't show up on time to anything and it drove you nuts? It takes courage to acknowledge that the other person has found something that they feel is the right fit for their life AND to acknowledge that they WEREN'T the right fit for yours.
• Apologizing and trying to "fix" a situation in which I sent too many text messages to someone while under the influence of bourbon. and vodka. and a crush... | I tend to talk quite a bit. I am recognizing, over the last couple months, that I talk even more when I'm subconsciously nervous - especially when trying to make a romantic connection with someone. It takes courage to make these observations and acknowledge that sometimes you can be a little bit ridiculous ... (all with the best of intentions)! Finding the courage to recognize places in your life where you can make improvements or grow can be really difficult, but also the most rewarding!

The final thing I'll say about personal courage is this: each day we make the choice to be honest with those around us. Honest in being our true selves instead of someone we think someone else wants us to be, honest in that we are human and make mistakes, honest in not making excuses when we do make mistakes or don't give a situation our best self, and honest in acknowledging that each day we all deal with a lot of situations that may not be easy for us but that we find the courage to face because we are being our true selves, with all our downfalls and all our strengths.

Where did you find yourself needing a little extra courage today?