What I Learned After Recording 100 Podcast Episodes
Épisode 100
mardi 30 septembre 2025 • Durée 26:22
After 100 episodes of Be a Better Artist, this milestone isn’t about views, likes, or follower counts—it’s about meaning, persistence, and the impact you create. In this episode, I share the biggest lessons from the journey so far: why chasing numbers is a trap, how to keep going when you want to quit, the power of persistence, learning to be proud of your work (even when it’s not perfect), and why real connection with people matters more than metrics.
If you’re a creative struggling with motivation, battling self-doubt, or feeling stuck in the numbers game, this episode is for you.
Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.
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(13:49) Quality, perfection & being proud of your work
(18:49) Real connection, trust & audience impact
(25:01) Wrap-up & how to support
Cameron Paxton – Dome Keeper Composer Interview
Épisode 99
mardi 23 septembre 2025 • Durée 03:06:18
We sit down with composer Cameron Paxton, best known for his work on the hit indie game Dome Keeper. From growing up in a music-filled home to serving in the Air Force and eventually carving a path into game audio, Cameron’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovery.
We explore what it means to balance youthful creative urgency with the more deliberate craft of maturity, how to chase sparks of inspiration before they fade, and why discipline is just as important as inspiration. Cameron shares lessons from his journey through rock bands, tape recorders, game jams, and ultimately finding his voice in game music.
This episode is about more than music — it’s about the art of becoming. Whether you’re a musician, creative, or simply curious about the philosophy behind making art, you’ll walk away with insights to fuel your own journey.
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cameron-paxton/608985830
Bandcamp: https://cameronpaxton.bandcamp.com/
Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.
https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
Support this podcast by becoming a member:
https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/
Want me to answer your question?
Ask it on social media:
Feeling Stuck? Why Moving Abroad Might Save Your Life
Épisode 98
mardi 3 juin 2025 • Durée 34:09
Are you feeling stuck in life — drifting, lost, and disconnected from who you truly are? In this episode, I share my personal story of how changing my physical environment — and eventually moving abroad — became the catalyst for profound internal change.
We explore how emotional attachment to people and places can silently shape your identity, limit your potential, and keep you locked in outdated versions of yourself. I dive into the difference between reinvention and reconnection, why some environments make growth nearly impossible, and what it means to truly start from a clean slate.
If you've ever felt trapped by your city, your relationships, or your past — this conversation is for you.
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TIMESTAMPS:
What Causes Creative Burnout?
Épisode 97
mardi 27 mai 2025 • Durée 50:34
In this episode, we explore some of the mental causes behind creative burnout. We dive deep into the psychology of stress, the danger of unspoken expectations, and how your internal “mental software” might be running faulty code that leads to frustration, exhaustion, and creative stagnation. If you’re a creative person constantly feeling depleted, stuck, or under pressure to “do more,” this episode is for you.
(00:17:53) The Hidden Burnout of Pleasing Everyone
Social Media is Destroying Your Creativity
Épisode 96
mardi 20 mai 2025 • Durée 34:42
In this episode we explore the effects of deleting your social media apps from your phone.
Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.
https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00:00) – The Decision to Delete the Apps
(00:01:44) – The Power of Getting Fed Up
(00:02:44) – Scrolling in the Bathroom
(00:03:34) – Breaks That Don’t Recharge
(00:04:56) – Information Overload Isn’t Learning
(00:06:30) – Willpower is Limited, Use It Wisely
(00:07:48) – You’re Fighting Tech Giants
(00:08:23) – A Moment in Nature and Self-Reflection
(00:09:25) – Saving Willpower for What Matters
(00:11:42) – Protein Bars and Mindful Choices
Magnus Pålsson / Souleye – VVVVVV Soundtrack Composer Interview
Épisode 95
mardi 13 mai 2025 • Durée 02:57:08
Magnus Pålsson is a composer best known for their soundtrack for the video game VVVVVV under the artist name Souleye. He opens up about ego death, creativity, and building a gamified platform for personal growth. A raw, inspiring conversation about transformation, vulnerability, and what it means to live truthfully in a digital age.
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Damjan Mravunac
Épisode 93
mercredi 17 juillet 2024 • Durée 03:16:34
Damjan Mravunac is a Croatian composer and musician, best known for his music for the Serious Sam video game series, as well as the Talos Principle 1 and 2 video games.
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/damjan-mravunac/726774063
Bandcamp: https://damjanmravunac.bandcamp.com/
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00:00) Parenting
(00:05:02) Music Tech & Production
(00:14:05) Personal Music Journey
(00:24:50) First Gig, Croteam, Serious Sam
(00:31:24) Dreaming Big, Creative Restriction
(00:38:25) Procrastination, Workflow, Routine
(00:45:07) Sound Design
(01:01:09) Studio Setup, Remote Work
(01:14:00) Networking, Game Music Industry, Advice for New Composers
(01:28:15) Talos Principle 1 and 2
(01:45:07) Inspiration, Composition, and Mixing
(02:00:45) Approach to Game Soundtracks
(02:07:31) Mixing and Composing Simultaneously
(02:16:15) Evolution of Technology in Music
(02:27:29) Impact of War on Creativity
(02:30:03) Digital Technology's Impact on Creativity
(02:34:06) Work-Life Balance and Parenting
(02:41:07) Passion for Music and Creative Process
Paul Kilduff-Taylor
Épisode 92
mardi 9 juillet 2024 • Durée 03:21:18
Paul Kilduff-Taylor is a composer and artist known for his music as nervous_testpilot as well as _ensnare_. He is also the co-founder of Mode 7, an indie game publisher and development company, known for titles like Frozen Synapse, Fight in Tight Spaces, and Tokyo 42.
Peppsen (Petter Sumelius) is a Finnish composer now residing in Sweden. He is known for his music mod for the video game Rimworld, as well as Shapez; a factory-building and automation game. He is also the composer for the upcoming and awaited Shapez 2.
(02:05:54) Challenges with Sleep and Coping Mechanisms
(02:15:00) Emotion and Decision Making
(02:23:33) Music Tech Talk
(02:30:02) Mixing Techniques
(02:45:02) Upcoming Exciting Music Tech
(02:49:42) Balancing Work and Life
(02:56:05) Future Plans and Projects
(02:59:12) Definition of an Artist
(03:18:33) Message Sent to Everyone's Phone
Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.
https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/
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