S2 EP7 - Challenges and successes as an AuDHD musician | Joanna Sternberg

Talented musician and illustrator Joanna Sternberg speaks with me about the themes in their music, the dangers of people pleasing, inspirations, navigating the industry, and the empowering impact of trusted friends. We also speak about the benefits and challenges that come from neurodivergent diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Joanna offers suggestions for how aspiring musicians can move from having their music as a private practice to one they can share with friends and beyond.

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming up in this episode
03:16 Jo's introduction
05:33 Themes in 'I've Got Me'
09:58 Themes in 'People Are Toys To You'
11:41 What sobriety offered Jo
12:38 What neurodivergent diagnosis offered Jo
13:30 The impacts of people pleasing
16:11 What Jo's music offers them and others
20:36 Elliott Smith and other inspirations
23:45 Social anxiety challenges
28:18 Jo's journey in the music industry
32:00 Difficultly knowing who to trust
34:48 Suggestions for developing music practice
36:32 Trusted friends help building confidence
37:30 Jo's voice, it's evolution, and vocal trends
45:57 Jo's advice for using social media
48:00 Band names vs one's own name
50:40 Jo asks about Sam's 'Kalou' music
52:45 Balancing self-hatred and self-awareness
54:15 Relating to autism
55:50 Jo's self-support strategies
58:00 Sam's outro

Joanna's music: https://joannasternberg.bandcamp.com/
Joanna's website: https://www.joannasternberg.com
Working to Work website: https://kalou.co.uk/w2w.html
Sam's music: https://kalou.bandcamp.com/