Dream Life Club

Sumi discusses the very real challenges building a career as an indie artist (you're not alone!!) and how to overcome them and win.

In this solo episode, Sumi breaks down the mindset shift that separates people who actually get better at something from those who stay stuck at the same level. Using her own piano journey and the 12 rules for mastery from Wynton Marsalis — one of the most celebrated trumpet players of all time — she gets into what focused growth really looks like and why most of us are working hard just to maintain, not improve.

This podcast episode features the esteemed Michelle Lewis, an award-winning songwriter and a prominent advocate for music creators' rights. We delve into her remarkable journey from crafting chart-topping singles for artists such as Amy Grant and Cher to her current role as the CEO of SONA, the Songwriters of North America. Lewis articulates the challenges faced by songwriters in an evolving music industry, particularly highlighting the detrimental impact of streaming on their earnings. Through her advocacy work, she emphasizes the importance of representation and equity for women and underrepresented groups in the music industry. We explore her insights on navigating the complexities of creativity and leadership, as well as the significance of being actively involved in decision-making processes that affect the livelihoods of creators.

Sumi talks about the the “Last Lap Syndrome,” that moment where you’ve done 80–90% of the work… but can’t seem to finish a creative project and put it out into the world.
In this episode, Sumi shares:
why creatives (especially those with ADHD tendencies) get stuck before the finish line
the real reason finishing feels harder than starting
how she has personally delayed projects for years (!!) and what she's doing differently now
simple systems and mindset shifts that actually help you close the loop

If you’ve ever had a creative project that's been almost done for too long… this one’s for you.

Sumi shares a little personal peek into her new attempt to start world building as an artist and what this means for her artistic evolution - and yours!