The Musician Centric Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis
Podcast details
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The Musician Centric Podcast
Liz and Stephanie
Frequency: 1 episode/23d. Total Eps: 73

Two professional violists, Liz O'Hara and Stephanie Knutsen, explore diverse perspectives in the music field through conversations together and with friends. Whether gaining fresh insights from industry innovators or laughing their way through a show like Mozart in the Jungle, Liz and Steph hope to inspire musicians, particularly freelancers, to feel a sense of agency in their lives.
**Note: This podcast was formerly titled the ViolaCentric podcast**
Recent rankings
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Apple Podcasts
🇩🇪 Germany - musicInterviews
21/07/2025#70🇩🇪 Germany - musicInterviews
20/07/2025#45🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
29/06/2025#91🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
28/06/2025#73🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
27/06/2025#53🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
26/06/2025#28🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
30/05/2025#81🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
03/04/2025#95🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
02/04/2025#52
Spotify
No recent rankings available
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See all- https://www.instagram.com/schulmanart
682 shares
RSS feed quality and score
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See allScore global : 57%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Breaking the Silence: Healing, Health, and Finding Strength After Our Hiatus
Season 5 · Episode 1
mercredi 19 mars 2025 • Duration 21:31
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
Liz and Steph reunite after an eight-month podcast hiatus, bringing with them powerful stories of personal transformation through health challenges.
With remarkable vulnerability, Steph shares her breast cancer journey—the fear, the treatments, and ultimately the strength she discovered within herself and from her support network. Her experience serves as both inspiration and gentle reminder about the life-saving importance of regular mammograms.
Meanwhile, Liz opens up about navigating life with rare Addison's disease, describing her evolution from merely managing symptoms to exploring deeper healing possibilities. Her realization that autoimmunity requires listening to her body's limits represents a profound shift away from the constant hustle that once defined her professional life. Together, these parallel health journeys have given both musicians a new perspective on what truly matters.
The conversation weaves through serious topics with natural moments of lightness—from Netflix recommendations to memories of watching Celine Dion's documentary together. What emerges most clearly is how this extended break has crystallized their vision for the podcast's future. Though they'll produce fewer episodes moving forward, they're recommitting to the deep, curiosity-driven conversations that have fueled their own personal growth since the podcast's pandemic-era beginnings..
This isn't just a return—it's a renewal of purpose. As they prepare to welcome guests again (with one interview already recorded), Steph and Liz invite listeners to connect beyond social media, through their email list, and direct messaging.
At its heart, this episode celebrates the sustaining power of community during life's unexpected challenges. Have you experienced similar transformations through difficult periods? We'd love to hear your story. Text us above!
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Rest and Reset: How a health emergency shed new light on our journey
Season 4 · Episode 12
jeudi 13 juin 2024 • Duration 26:19
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
What happens when your body sends you warnings that something is seriously wrong? Join us as we recount Liz's unexpected journey through debilitating health challenges, including severe migraines and a frightening ER visit. After numerous consultations and tests, Liz was diagnosed with Addison's disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting cortisol production. We discuss the emotional and physical hurdles faced during this time, the impact on her career, and the immense relief that comes with a definitive diagnosis and effective treatment. This episode is a raw and honest conversation about the importance of listening to your body and the twists and turns life can take.
We also tackle the often frustrating reality of getting medical professionals to take women's health concerns seriously. Sharing personal stories of perseverance and eventual validation, we highlight the importance of advocating for one's health and the benefits of functional medicine. Our discussion takes an intriguing turn with a surprise encounter with Alban from the Buzzcast podcast, which led us to explore Buzzsprout's new feature...TEXT US ABOVE☝️!!
Steph reflects on her memorable trip to California for a unique class, and we encourage listeners to embrace their multifaceted identities and step out of their comfort zones this summer! What are you excited about this summer? TEXT US ABOVE 👆!
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Building A Multi-Dimensional Music Career: with Trombonist Ernest Stuart, Part 1
Season 4 · Episode 5
mercredi 7 février 2024 • Duration 35:43
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're shaking things up with a slight change to our episode lengths this year...so let us know what you think! This is the first of two parts of our conversation. Stay tuned to the feed for Part Two, available in a matter of days.
Pull up a chair and join the intimate discussion with Ernest Stewart, whose vast trombone performing experience transcends genres. Ernest now works with Mid Atlantic Arts, bringing his insights from stage to the boardroom, and shedding light on the significance of artists steering the grant-making wheel. We navigate through the complexities of the music industry, the untold value of mentorship, and the balancing act between growth and vulnerability. Ernest's story, punctuated with humor and warmth, serves as a beacon for any creative soul navigating the ever-evolving path to artistic fulfillment!
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
Mentioned in this episode:
MidAtlantic Arts Foundation: https://www.midatlanticarts.org/
Ernest's website: http://erneststuart.com/
Ernest's album, Solitary Walker: listen here
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Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Emily MacMahon and Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Mozart in the Jungle Recap! Season 2, Episode 3
Season 4 · Episode 3
mardi 12 décembre 2023 • Duration 32:38
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
Join us as we rewind the scenes of the sometimes-celebrated TV show, "Mozart in the Jungle"! Rodrigo finds out what too many bacchanals means for his housing status and Bradford moves in with Lizzie and Hailey. Gloria reveals a 'shocking' new talent and we're introduced to a very charming oboist with a wealth of musical experiences, but it's all leading us up to Hailey's inevitable debut with the NYSO. Because 5th oboe always goes on tour, right?
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
************************
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Jerod Tate on the creative process of composing, his American Indian Identity and our community of artists
Season 4 · Episode 4
jeudi 30 novembre 2023 • Duration 01:04:51
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
Our guest today is Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, a composer, pianist and member of the Chickasaw Nation! Jerod shares valuable insights on his journey of self-discovery, embracing his roots, and the significant role they play in his artistic expression.
Jerod tells us about his creative process, how he balances artistic productivity with parenting, and the significance of finding support in challenging times. Always grateful, he is juggling life's demands like the rest of us! We loved getting to know more about the man behind the explosion of modern American Indian music, and we know you will too!
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
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Mentioned in this episode:
Jerod's website: https://jerodtate.com/
Rosette String Quartet on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosetteSQ/
----------------
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Emily MacMahon and Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Mozart in the Jungle Recap! Season 2, Episode 2
Season 4 · Episode 2
mercredi 22 novembre 2023 • Duration 41:41
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
And now for something completely different! As a big fan of reality show podcast recaps, Steph convinced Liz to dive into the MITJ universe. Neither of us had watched this series or heard much about it, and you can bear witness as our innocence is ripped away!
Well, we weren't deterred by Season 1, so join us as we recap Season 2: episode-by-salacious-episode. In this series we follow Hailey, the fresh-faced freelance oboist, Rodrigo, the ever-Boho young conductor, Cynthia, the jaded veteran cellist and the whole crew of pros in the music scene that orbits the New York Symphony. Will Hailey survive the cut-throat ‘jungle’ with her love of music still in-tact?
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
Want to see a video of this? We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
************************
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Mozart in the Jungle Recap! Season 2, Episode 1
Season 4 · Episode 1
jeudi 9 novembre 2023 • Duration 45:25
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
And now for something completely different! As a big fan of reality show podcast recaps, Steph convinced Liz to dive into the MITJ universe. Neither of us have watched this series or heard much about it, and you can bear witness as our innocence is ripped away! Join us as we recap Season 2: episode-by-salacious-episode. In this series we follow Hailey, the fresh-faced freelance oboist, Cynthia, the jaded veteran cellist and the whole crew of pros in the music scene that orbits the New York Symphony. Will Hailey survive the cut-throat ‘jungle’ with her love of music still in-tact?
Ready to step back into the chaotic world of Hailey and the NYSO? The NYSO is in tense labor negotiations, Rodrigo is battling his inner and outer critics and Thomas is hard at work on his first symphony. As if that's not enough, we've also got a line-up of new faces, including the symphony's new lawyer, Nina, and her peculiar request for a private performance of Bach from Cynthia (who doesn't just love Bach?!)
As any satire does, MITJ never fails to bring up an evergreen topic in orchestral circles: Can a conductor be too close to the musicians? Does the traditional view of the conductor as a strict father figure hold up? There's lots to discuss and joke about - thanks for laughing along with us!
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
************************
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Astrid Baumgardner on Coaching Creatives: How to Find Your Most Fulfilling Career Path as an Artist
Season 4 · Episode 3
mercredi 25 octobre 2023 • Duration 53:38
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
Have you ever felt stuck in a career that doesn't resonate with you? With an exciting transition from law to career coaching, our guest Astrid Baumgartner has plenty of wisdom to share, having journeyed through such a change herself. Her invaluable insights from her book, Creative Success Now, are a beacon for those seeking authenticity and fulfillment in their professional lives.
What if you could uncover your own strengths and values, and align them with your career choices? We talk with Astrid about about taking a strengths assessments, her real-life students' paths to fulfillment, and the role that just plain 'happiness' plays in achieving your goals. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, personal stories and practical tools for self-discovery and success!
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks, bonus content...and as mentioned access to our #joylovescompany sessions beginning on Nov 28th!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
Mentioned in this episode:
Astrid's website: https://www.astridbaumgardner.com/
...and her book: Creative Success Now : https://www.astridbaumgardner.com/book
The 'High 5' strengths assessment: https://high5test.com/
The CliftonStrengths Test: https://high5test.com/cliftonstrengths-free/
************************
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Emily MacMahon and Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Podcast Cover art and logo by Jenny Hamson www.jennyhdesign.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season, Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Revolutionizing Music: From the Stage to Arts Administration with Aubrey Bergauer
Season 4 · Episode 2
mercredi 11 octobre 2023 • Duration 57:55
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
In this episode, we welcome the dynamic Aubrey Bergauer, the brilliant mind behind the upcoming book 'Run it Like a Business.' Aubrey brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to our conversation, shedding new light on arts administration, nonprofit organizations, and her unique strategies for building and retaining arts audiences. With a passion for working offstage to bring performing arts to life, Aubrey's insights are sure to ignite your imagination for the future of our field.
As we delve deeper into the realm of arts administration, we highlight the critical role of data in evaluating art, the need for connection in music, and the potential benefits of vertical integration for arts organizations. From examining the user experience in classical music to discussing the importance of changing the narrative in arts administration, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. This conversation is a great reminder that the world of music doesn't end at the edge of the stage!
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
Mentioned in this episode:
Aubrey’s website: https://www.aubreybergauer.com/
Aubrey's book, Run it Like a Business - pre-order it here!
************************
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Emily MacMahon and Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!
Nick Kendall on The Struggles of 'Classical Music' and Empowering Musicians to Carve Their Own Path
Season 4 · Episode 1
mercredi 27 septembre 2023 • Duration 50:24
Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!
Welcome back from summer vacation! Well, if your school changed names and had a big makeover, that is...ViolaCentric is now MusicianCentric. We've rebranded our podcast to create more inclusive conversations that resonate with all musicians. With a fresh line of merchandise and a revamped Patreon, we're thrilled to be joining you for a fourth Season!
What better way to get into it than by talking to our first guest, violinist Nick Kendall. We discuss his career journey, both as a solo artist and as part of the Grammy Award-winning ensemble, Time for Three. We look at the orchestral industry's struggles, the impact of digital media on our brains, and the power of improvisation. Our field is rapidly evolving and there are countless ways musicians can forge their paths, break away from traditional beliefs, and create something beautiful that resonates with audiences. Tune in for a candid, inspiring, and musical conversation!
**If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing a quick review for our podcast!
We have a Patreon site! Support us and get perks and bonus content!
www.patreon.com/musiciancentric
Mentioned in this episode:
Nick Kendall’s website
************************
Our website: www.musiciancentric.com, for merch, joining our email list, and contacting us with stories and feedback!
Episode edited by: Emily MacMahon and Liz O’Hara
ViolaCentric Theme by: JP Wogaman, www.wogamusic.com
Additional music by: Freddy Hall with www.musicforpodcasts.com
Thank you to our Sponsor for this season:
Potter Violins: www.potterviolins.com
Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!
Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!