51: Life, Death, and Creation with Kate Schutt

Kate Schutt is an award-winning singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer whose voice NPR calls “glassily clear and glossily sweet.” Her songs have won top honors from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and ASCAP. American Songwriter calls Kate’s newest album, Bright Nowhere, illuminating and “the work that ought to bring her the wider recognition she so decidedly deserves.” Kate has shared stages with Terri Lyne Carrington, Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Scott Colley, and Bernard Perdie, to name only a few. When not making music, Kate is an elite life coach who specializes in helping people navigate big, pivotal, powerful moments, like being ready to die, creating new careers, starting new businesses, and chasing gold medals. Her TEDx talk, A Grief Casserole, has had over 50k views and has been called “nothing short of life-changing for people struggling with grief and loss.” In this conversation, we go deep on the subjects of grief, death, and loss. Kate shares how she sat with her mom as she was dying, and how that experience led to the songs on her new album. Join us to hear Kate’s story, her wisdom about the creative process, and her inspiring music. Show Highlights:Kate’s journey as a musician, which began with piano and guitar at age 11How songwriting for Kate is a process to get an answer to something—a very SLOW process with precision and restraintHow Kate uses folders to create her “word horde” files of ideas and words to be used in songwritingHow Kate marries music and lyrics in her songwriting processHow Kate’s reading shows creative energy and the amplification of poetry, perfectly explaining who she is and what she doesThe story of Kate’s mother’s cancer journey and the four-plus years that Kate enjoyed being with her and caring for her to maximize her quality of lifeHow Kate’s song, Victory on the Road to Defeat, came about during her mom’s illness as a commentary on the western system of medicineHow Kate was galvanized to be frank and honest with her mom during her illness–and how loved ones can show up for each other in similar instancesWhat it means to “pre-grieve” and prepare yourself for the death of a loved one–and even your own deathWhy Kate has “ready to die” practices to remind her that we are all “on the edge” between life and deathWhy Kate’s experience with the loss of her mother has made her more aware of the sacredness of time and the need for people around her to know what they mean to herWhat it means to Kate to live in her purposeHear Kate’s answers to rapid-fire questions about helpful advice, grounding habits, favorite hot beverage, last meal on earth, morning routine, inspiring people, something people might not know about her, and what’s bringing her joy right now.Resources:Connect with Kate:  www.kateschutt.com, Facebook, Instagram, and TwitterLook for Kate’s album, Bright Nowhere, wherever you buy music!Connect with me:Sign up for Your Magnetic Blueprint, an eight-week intensive program for spiritual entrepreneurs to supercharge their online business and wealth!  Are you an online business owner? Join my free Facebook group: