Part of the Holistic Musician Academy

Music Education EPISODES

Safety, Trust and the Piano w/ Pallavi Mahidhara
March 12, 2026

Safety, Trust and the Piano w/ Pallavi Mahidhara

(Rec. 23rd Oct 2025) Photo: © Peter Pavlov When a serendipitous turn of events resulted in Mahidhara's international debut being on one of the most visible stages of the world, the cascade of events that followed leading to a...

Listen to the Episode
From Busyness to Sustainability w/ Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir
Dec. 16, 2025

From Busyness to Sustainability w/ Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir

Sæunn happens to be one of the most respected cellists in the world, performing with orchestras like the Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and Iceland Symphony, and in venues like Carnegie Hall, Barbican, and Suntory Ha...

Listen to the Episode
Where the Music Lives: Bandmates, Cities and the home within w/Corey Congilio
Nov. 18, 2025

Where the Music Lives: Bandmates, Cities and the home within w/Corey …

In this episode, I reconnect with guitarist, educator, and fellow Effortless Mastery retreat graduate Corey Congilio—a musician whose presence in the Nashville scene is more than skill; it’s a standard. Corey’s work as a pion...

Listen to the Episode
Surrender, Mortality and why Sound Remains w/ Rez Abbasi
Nov. 4, 2025

Surrender, Mortality and why Sound Remains w/ Rez Abbasi

In his third appearance on Tapasya Loading, guitarist, composer, and educator Rez Abbasi joins T.L. Mazumdar for a conversation that begins with music but doesn’t end there. Born in Karachi and raised in California, NYC-based...

Listen to the Episode
The Toll of Hustle Culture on Artists
Oct. 14, 2025

The Toll of Hustle Culture on Artists

In the fast-paced world of independent artistry, the concept of "hustle" has evolved from a symbol of self-reliance to a relentless pressure to produce and promote without pause. This episode delves into the historical roots ...

Listen to the Episode
Otherness, Art, and the The Myth of the ‘Professional Musician’ w/ Soumik Datta
Oct. 6, 2025

Otherness, Art, and the The Myth of the ‘Professional Musician’ w/ So…

Composer, sarodist, and cultural shapeshifter Soumik Datta joins T.L. Mazumdar for a conversation that goes far beyond the usual talk of craft and career. Born in Mumbai and raised in London, Soumik grew up between cultures, ...

Listen to the Episode
Between Tradition and Reinvention w/ Harini Iyer
Sept. 23, 2025

Between Tradition and Reinvention w/ Harini Iyer

What happens when social expectations collide with artistic vision? In this episode, vocalist, producer, and founder of Tamil Jazz Collective, Harini Iyer shares her journey of carving out a path beyond conventional definitio...

Listen to the Episode
The Myth of the Music Career
Sept. 2, 2025

The Myth of the Music Career

While the myth of sudden discovery and rapid success still tempts many artists, the reality is a system surprisingly young. And yet, one that continues to dominate artists' perceptions of success. The fascinating history of m...

Listen to the Episode
Redefining Rockstar w/ Graham Cochrane
Aug. 26, 2025

Redefining Rockstar w/ Graham Cochrane

(Rec. 5th March 2025) Some revolutions begin in the mind of someone who never set out to be the loudest in the room. Graham Cochrane’s story is a reminder that the word “rockstar” doesn’t always mean what we were taught it do...

Listen to the Episode
Strings Attached: Love and Music—Sustaining Both w/ Kiran Ahluwalia & Rez Abbasi
April 1, 2025

Strings Attached: Love and Music—Sustaining Both w/ Kiran Ahluwalia &…

What does it take to sustain both a marriage and a creative partnership—without one overshadowing the other? In this long-awaited conversation, we sit down with Kiran Ahluwalia & Rez Abbasi, a powerhouse couple who have built...

Listen to the Episode
Relationship-building, personality development & being a supportive collaborator as a musician w/ Ferenc Nemeth
Jan. 28, 2025

Relationship-building, personality development & being a supportive c…

NYC-based Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth is a Grammy-award-winning musician and educator who continues to push the boundaries of jazz drumming, composition and education with his unique approach of self-development and artis...

Listen to the Episode
Classical vs Jazz Piano Production, Mastering the Inner Metronome and Building a Sustainable Music Business with Charles Szczepanek
Dec. 10, 2024

Classical vs Jazz Piano Production, Mastering the Inner Metronome and…

Fireside chat with award-winning Pianist/Producer/Educator & Entrepreneur Charles Szczepanek. Watch the extended, unedited taping session here (includes additional footage and transcripts).

Listen to the Episode
Lost and Found in Berlin & Defining Success and Failure in the Artist's Practice w/ Kavall
Oct. 21, 2024

Lost and Found in Berlin & Defining Success and Failure in the Artist…

Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Kavall explores space in his practice that transcends and expands both extrinsic and intrinsic representations of the same in what is arguably an unprecedented manner. Founder of...

Listen to the Episode
Balancing Power and Vulnerability  As a Performing Artist w/ Johannes Stange
Sept. 24, 2024

Balancing Power and Vulnerability As a Performing Artist w/ Johannes…

I’m excited to welcome Johannes Stange, a long-time friend and one of my most cherished collaborators on this episode . Johannes is a rare archetype—a multi-hyphenate artist whose standards of excellence continue to inspire m...

Listen to the Episode
Redefining the Role of a Global South Asian Vocalist w/ Shruti Ramani
Sept. 9, 2024

Redefining the Role of a Global South Asian Vocalist w/ Shruti Ramani

Canada-based Indian Jazz Vocalist Shruti Ramani speaks to T.L. Mazumdar

Listen to the Episode
Navigating Self-doubt, Addiction and Virtuosity as an Independent Musician w/ Rebecca Mardal
Aug. 26, 2024

Navigating Self-doubt, Addiction and Virtuosity as an Independent Mus…

Get free access to the complete episode, additional footage with transcripts, and exclusive content HERE .

Listen to the Episode
What is Toxic Pedagogy? What Musicians Need to Understand.
Aug. 13, 2024

What is Toxic Pedagogy? What Musicians Need to Understand.

Read the blog post here: https://www.tapasyaloading.com/blog/what-is-toxic-pedagogy/ Download my FREE 'Artist Mindmap'. A one-page mini-masterclass for independent musicians. Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic....

Listen to the Episode
Sensitivity vs. Fragility: An Artist's Perspective
July 30, 2024

Sensitivity vs. Fragility: An Artist's Perspective

The importance of discerning between sensitivity and fragility.

Listen to the Episode
Internalizing Our Haters (Solocast)
July 23, 2024

Internalizing Our Haters (Solocast)

How global musicians and artists can overcome toxic criticism and cultural biases.

Listen to the Episode
Reading Between the Lines as a Blind Musician in the 21st Century w/ Jens Gebel (Ft. Veronica Reiff)
April 30, 2024

Reading Between the Lines as a Blind Musician in the 21st Century w/ …

Multi-instrumentalist & Composer Jens Gebel speaks to T.L. Mazumdar

Listen to the Episode
Riding Passion and Unity To Reach the 'Seventh Sky' w/ Jonathan Ihlenfeld Cuñado
April 13, 2024

Riding Passion and Unity To Reach the 'Seventh Sky' w/ Jonathan Ihlen…

Spanish-German Bassist, Composer-Producer & Educator talks to T.L. Mazumdar.

Listen to the Episode
Unpacking Performance, the 'Hang', Vulnerability, and Solopreneurship in Online Spaces as a Musician w/ Corey Congilio
March 28, 2024

Unpacking Performance, the 'Hang', Vulnerability, and Solopreneurship…

Guitarist and Solopreneur Corey Congilio speaks to T.L. Mazumdar

Listen to the Episode
Merging Engineering, and Artist Mindsets as a Multi-cultural Multi-hyphenate w/ Rajesh Mehta
Feb. 14, 2024

Merging Engineering, and Artist Mindsets as a Multi-cultural Multi-hy…

Innovator & Musician Rajesh Mehta Speaks to T.L. Mazumdar

Listen to the Episode