First published on May 8, 2018Join 2 commentators in the conversation
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Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick
002: State of the Start
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The whole point of Sonitotum is to share my own experiences so we can all learn while I try to make things, find success, and stay sane.
To that end, it’s important that listeners understand where I am as far as prosperity, productivity, mental and emotional health, and creativity at this very early stage, so that everyone knows I really am right at the beginning… at most, maybe just a step or two ahead of you.. if that!
So this episode, I spell it all out: the state of Matt at the start of Sonitoum… and what I hope to achieve.
It doesn’t end with this episode, either. Every month, I share my previous month’s revenue and expenses as an independent creator and creative freelancer, and on my Now page, you can see what I’m up to… well, now.
I hope you enjoy the episode, and I hope you’re willing to share where you stand, too… let me know by leaving a comment!
For me, a podcast is much more than just talking into a microphone and putting the result out into the world. It’s an invitation to a relationship; to community.
I strive to be as transparent, honest, and vulnerable as possible in this, and every episode. Let me know that’s valuable to me and return the favor:
Tell me what you think about the episode, and if you’re willing, please let me know where you’re at in terms of your own creative, emotional, and financial state, and what you hope to achieve. Let’s hear from you in the comments!
The best way to listen to Sonitotum With Matthew Wayne Selznick is to subscribe in a podcast app so you receive new episodes automatically. You’ll find Sonitotum at Apple Podcasts, Google Play Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or anywhere you get your podcasts. To subscribe manually in any podcast provider, simply copy / paste the RSS feed: https://www.mattselznick.com/feed/podcast/sonitotum
The Music!
The opening theme song of Sonitotum is “Anastasia” written, performed, and recorded by yours truly, Matthew Wayne Selznick. You can hear or buy the full song on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon.com, iTunes, or just about anywhere you can buy or stream music online.
The closing and interstitial music is a little ditty I call “Gwinton,” also by yours truly, Matthew Wayne Selznick. It’s super-short and really just a looping thing, so it’s not available outside of the show.
On both songs, I play a 1972 Gibson Ripper bass guitar and a Fender “Bullet” Squire electric guitar. On “Anastasia,” the drums are performed on an Akai Professional MPD218 MIDI drum pad controller. For “Gwinton,” the drums are royalty-free loops found in the excellent Mixcraft Pro Studio software, which was also used to record, mix, and master both “Anastasia” and “Gwinton.”
Interested in starting your own podcast? Need help managing your existing show? I can help you like I help The What Matters Most Podcast and The Possibility Podcast with Mel Schwartz, among others. Reach out!
Affiliate Declaration
Many of the links in these show notes are to products and services with which I have an affiliate relationship. This means that when you purchase that product or engage in that service, or, in some cases, related products or services, I may receive a modest commission at no extra expense to you. This is a great way to help support Sonitotum and my related creative endeavors, so thanks for doing business with these companies!
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Wow, sounds like you’re spread thin now–can’t imagine what it was like before you simplified your life. I’m a northern New England gal and the cost of living out in CA seems so outrageous. Of course wages may be lower, but I have a full-time job and make about $2400 a month and am living comfortably (but simply). Do you have any flexibility to maybe move (with your mom, of course) to a more affordable area of the country to take some of that financial strain away? Sorry that’s incredibly personal and you don’t have to answer.
Good for you for looking after your mom. I have elderly parents too, about 1-1/2 hours away, and try to help them as much as I can. In perspective, the time I spend with them has more value than the time I lose working on a creative project. I get a “soul refreshment” being able to help them after all they’ve done to help me in my life, and when they’re no longer with us I won’t have any regrets. My younger brother is able to help them some, which takes a weight off my shoulders, but my older brother is not very attentive to them (even though he lives within 15 miles of them, he’s probably only visited them 3 times in the past year). It’s too bad your sister can’t be more involved.
Thanks for the podcast. Just curious ; I have racing-thought syndrome (my own term) when I try to go to sleep and have been using guided meditations to help me focus on “clearing” my thoughts before bed. I know there are guided meditations on a myriad of subjects, including procrastination and creativity and motivation, etc. Have you used any of these? If so which ones? I’m also beginning a tai chi practice (followed by chai tea–haha) which I think will help my brain “chill” a bit as well as work out the musculoskeletal kinks from sitting at a computer all day. What kind of exercise do you find helps you with your creative balance?
Moving somewhere else (and bringing my mother with me) isn’t an option for many reasons, not least of which is that I wouldn’t be able to convince my mother to move… too disruptive and exhausting, since that doesn’t just involve moving… there’s also finding new doctors she would trust, setting up social services in a new county and / or state, and so on. Given that she’s eighty two and unwell, the stress of the ordeal would probably shorten or end her life… and then I’d would have uplifted myself for, essentially, no benefit to anyone.
It is, indeed, too bad my sister won’t be more involved. I’ve given her many opportunities and ways she could.
As for racing-thought syndrome and guided meditations, yep! I do indeed use a lot that you can find on YouTube, and also via Audible’s free (or perhaps free-for-Amazon-Prime-members) offerings. As for which ones… that might be a good blog post! Adding it to the list of potential editorial content… stay tuned!
Tai chi fascinates me, and it’s something I’ve thought of getting into for many years. Is this the year..?
Episode 071 of Sonitotum explores the pitfalls of comparison, the need for validation, and how and why we need to get out of our own heads and break patterns of negative thinking to lead a creative life.
In this episode of Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick, I put YOU in the driver's seat regarding some upcoming content... plus, how about an opportunity to get my advice on your fiction at 25% off the regular rate? Listen, comment, and subscribe!
Rebecca Burns
Wow, sounds like you’re spread thin now–can’t imagine what it was like before you simplified your life. I’m a northern New England gal and the cost of living out in CA seems so outrageous. Of course wages may be lower, but I have a full-time job and make about $2400 a month and am living comfortably (but simply). Do you have any flexibility to maybe move (with your mom, of course) to a more affordable area of the country to take some of that financial strain away? Sorry that’s incredibly personal and you don’t have to answer.
Good for you for looking after your mom. I have elderly parents too, about 1-1/2 hours away, and try to help them as much as I can. In perspective, the time I spend with them has more value than the time I lose working on a creative project. I get a “soul refreshment” being able to help them after all they’ve done to help me in my life, and when they’re no longer with us I won’t have any regrets. My younger brother is able to help them some, which takes a weight off my shoulders, but my older brother is not very attentive to them (even though he lives within 15 miles of them, he’s probably only visited them 3 times in the past year). It’s too bad your sister can’t be more involved.
Thanks for the podcast. Just curious ; I have racing-thought syndrome (my own term) when I try to go to sleep and have been using guided meditations to help me focus on “clearing” my thoughts before bed. I know there are guided meditations on a myriad of subjects, including procrastination and creativity and motivation, etc. Have you used any of these? If so which ones? I’m also beginning a tai chi practice (followed by chai tea–haha) which I think will help my brain “chill” a bit as well as work out the musculoskeletal kinks from sitting at a computer all day. What kind of exercise do you find helps you with your creative balance?
Matthew Wayne Selznick
Hi Rebecca — always nice to see your comments.
Moving somewhere else (and bringing my mother with me) isn’t an option for many reasons, not least of which is that I wouldn’t be able to convince my mother to move… too disruptive and exhausting, since that doesn’t just involve moving… there’s also finding new doctors she would trust, setting up social services in a new county and / or state, and so on. Given that she’s eighty two and unwell, the stress of the ordeal would probably shorten or end her life… and then I’d would have uplifted myself for, essentially, no benefit to anyone.
It is, indeed, too bad my sister won’t be more involved. I’ve given her many opportunities and ways she could.
As for racing-thought syndrome and guided meditations, yep! I do indeed use a lot that you can find on YouTube, and also via Audible’s free (or perhaps free-for-Amazon-Prime-members) offerings. As for which ones… that might be a good blog post! Adding it to the list of potential editorial content… stay tuned!
Tai chi fascinates me, and it’s something I’ve thought of getting into for many years. Is this the year..?
(I love chi tea as well…)