What happens when you build a successful life but abandon the one thing that makes you feel whole?

Tara Shannon did everything right. Thirty years in music and business, a thriving career, a beautiful family. But somewhere along the way she stepped away from music — and a life-changing health scare brought her back.

In this episode of Music Explored Podcast, Anthony Lewis sits down with Tara Shannon — Canadian singer-songwriter, record label founder, music coach, author of You and the Music Business, and Executive Director of the Ottawa Festival Network — for a conversation about what it really means to build a life in music on your own terms.

This is not a conversation about getting discovered. It's about stopping the wait for someone else to give you permission to live the life you want. Tara's coaching philosophy starts with one principle — to succeed in the business of music, you first have to succeed in the business of you.

They cover the Cinderella myth the music industry keeps selling, why looking for external validation keeps musicians stuck, how mindset is at the core of every successful artist she's coached, and what it means to redefine success on your own terms.

Whether you're a working musician, an independent creator, or someone who put their passion on the back burner — this one will stay with you.

🎧 Listen on all streaming platforms — link below

🎙️ Hosted by Anthony Lewis

🎧 Co-hosted by Diriki

📍 Toronto, Canada

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Music is woven into who I am

02:00 — The void of abandoning your passion

04:00 — Stop waiting for permission to live your life

06:00 — The Cinderella myth the industry keeps selling

08:00 — To succeed in music, succeed in yourself first

12:00 — Why we look for validation outside ourselves

16:00 — What Tara's coaching actually looks like

20:00 — Working with artists at every level

24:00 — You and the Music Business — what the book is really about

28:00 — Redefining success beyond money and stuff

Note — confirm exact timestamps against your edit before uploading

CONNECT WITH TARA SHANNON

Instagram: @tarashannonmusic

Book: You and the Music Business

Website: jointara.com

CONNECT WITH MUSIC EXPLORED

Instagram: @musicexploredpod

• Website: musicexplored.com