In this episode, host Leslie Pagel interviews Elliott Obermaier, guitarist for the indie rock/indie pop band Six Foot Blonde. Elliott describes stepping away from a traditional career path after graduating college to making music his profession. He discusses reactions to being a professional touring musician and shares how doubts were eased through the band’s tight-knit community and love of playing guitar. Elliott shares guiding beliefs: working hardest at what he loves (inspired by IU professor Glen Gass and his Beatles expertise) and a family metaphor of being a disciplined, “green” leaf in the wind - open to life’s direction while maintaining health, discipline, and self-care. He speaks about staying grounded by calling friends outside the music world, and reframing touring as something he “gets to do.” He advises listeners to start small and stay consistent, be honest yet forgiving, seek inspiration actively, and build consistency through habits. The episode closes with Elliott encouraging listeners to listen to and share music and attend shows.

00:00 Welcome to Purpose Project + Meet Elliott Obermaier (Six Foot Blonde)
01:06 Choosing Music Over the “Safe” Career Path
02:21 From Anthropology to Building a Music Community in College
06:08 Graduation Curveball: Losing the 9–5 Offer & Saying Yes to Touring
08:10 Balancing the Grain: Remote Work to Fund the Band Life
10:05 “You’re Actually in a Band?” Reactions, Skepticism, and Credibility
14:47 Doubts & What Kept Him Going
16:23 Who Is Six Foot Blonde? Origin Story, Tours, and a Healthy Road Culture
19:28 Beliefs That Shaped the Path: Do What You Love + “Leaf in the Wind”
23:29 Discipline + Self-Care to Let Life Happen (The “Green Leaf” Mindset)
24:34 Finding What You Love Early vs. “Do What You Love” Advice
26:31 Letting Go of Control When Life Throws a Curveball
28:07 Living in Alignment: Noticing When You’re Off-Center
29:26 Touring Highs, Ego Traps & the Reminder: “You Get to Do This”
32:37 Staying Grounded on the Road: Friends, Perspective & Honest Check-Ins
33:50 Advice for Going Against the Grain: Start Small, Stay Consistent
36:54 Slumps & Burnout: Rest vs. Excuses + How to Find Inspiration Again
41:48 Closing Reflections: Responsibility, Community, and Purpose 

Be sure to check out Six Foot Blonde: https://www.sixftblonde.com/

Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life’s purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:
Instagram: @purpose.project
LinkedIn: @purposeproject-media
TikTok: @purpose.project

Captions are auto generated.

Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life's purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:
Instagram: @purpose.project
LinkedIn: @purposeproject-media
TikTok: @purpose.project

Captions are auto-generated.