Unstarving Musician 341 | What 'making it' actually means (not what social media tells you)

Many of us write about gratitude this time of year. This year's list came relatively easily for me. Still, it’s mixed with some difficult questions I’m sitting with about work, health, and what success actually means.

Before the holiday break, I wanted to share both what I’m grateful for and what I’m learning. Some of it’s uncomfortable. Some of it might resonate if you’re dealing with similar tensions.

Three things on my mind

1. Day jobs might be the smartest path

After conducting over 300 interviews for this podcast, the musicians who seem happiest often have additional income streams that aren’t dependent on their music. They’re not trying to extract every dollar from their music. They’re protecting their art by not depending on it to pay for everything.

The “make it or quit” narrative is destructive. The question isn’t “How do I make music my only income?” It’s “How do I structure my life so I can keep making music without destroying myself financially?”

2. What “making it” actually means

For most of us, “making it” won’t mean quitting our day jobs or selling out venues. It’ll mean something quieter, as in we’re still making music in five years, not burned out, not broke, not resentful.

That’s it. That’s making it. Sustainability is the win.

3. The line between celebrating and numbing

After a long day, I’m inclined to pour a glass of wine or crack open a beer. After dealing with frustrating metrics or an unexpected bump in the road of life, I eat (and drink) more than I need. The question: Am I processing, or am I numbing?

If work and life make me depend on these release valves, should I fix the source of the stress instead of just managing the symptoms?

🎧 Listen to Episode 341

Silver laptop, notebook, and coffee cup on brown wooden table — Photo by Arina Krasnikova

Holiday break

This is the last episode of 2025. The next episode will drop on January 2, 2026. 🎉

Liner Notes Insider extended edition

This week’s Insider edition includes deeper thoughts on what these lessons mean for our creative work, plus some questions worth asking ourselves as we head into 2026.

If you’re not yet a Liner Notes subscriber, learn more about the free edition here → Liner Notes

Liner Notes Insider subscribers get the complete reflections. Learn about Liner Notes Insider here → Liner Notes Insider

Peace, love and guacamole,
Robonzo

P.S. - My old friend Glen passed away the week before Thanksgiving. We met in the mid-80s in Arlington, Texas. It had been months since we’d spoken when I found out he was sick. Loss has a way of clarifying gratitude - it makes us stop and actually count what we have while we still have it.

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Introducing Sparticups

Just in time for the holidays, I've immortalized my beloved cat Sparticus in an awesome coffee mug.

Spartacus was a 15.5 pound tabby who Sami and I adopted in California. He traveled the South and North American continents with us and lived his last days with us in Querétaro, Mexico. This cup features one of my favorite pics ever of him.

This mug design was originally a gift for Sami – now it's an homage to the most gentle cat we've ever known.

View/buy your Sparticup!

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