Fearless Singer: Recent Episodes
Mel Lathouras
Fearless Singer Podcast is about redefining fear one song at a time.
Join your painfully honest, humorous, big-hearted host, Mel Lathouras, to talk about what’s holding us back from living our creative, musical dream lives.
We will undo untrue narratives that stop us from singing and expressing ourselves fully. And talk to absolute bosses who are doing this work and succeeding. We’re going to rise with them. And use these unique voices of ours.
Make sure you head over to www.mellathouras.com for the show notes. Or go to www.fearlesssinger.com.au for a treasure chest of free resources to get you singing to your full potential.
In this Fearless Singer podcast - we're talking about one of the biggest challenges many of us singers face - performance anxiety.
And we have a special guest, Singer, Actor & Entrepreneur Kylie Stephenson, who shares her journey of overcoming it.
Kylie is a natural performer but struggled with anxiety and fear blocks, making it difficult to pursue her passion for singing and performing.
This led to her taking an extended break from her performing career and singing lessons – she also bravely decided not to continue her tertiary studies in Music.
However, with inner work, practice, and passion, she's overcome her fears and is performing again and now fronts a gigging pop band.
In this episode, you will hear about some of the challenges Kylie faced as a young creative child, growing up Hyper Sensory in the 90s in Mt Isa, feeling too quirky and sensitive for those around her, and being raised in a sports-obsessed family.
Despite this, music programs were available at her school, and Kylie was encouraged to join the concert band, playing the oboe for a year, which she reckons sounded more like a constipated duck. 😆
This led her to be a part of school musicals, where a Music Teacher told her that she was cast as a particular character due to her natural ability to sing ‘off key’. Don’t you love unwoke adults in Education?
This was one of the critical events that rattled Kylie's confidence and even affected her in class. She recalls being anxious about putting her hand up or being put on the spot to answer a question. We can all relate to that one!
If you struggle with pitch, you will find Kylie’s story of developing her voice fascinating and encouraging.
Kylie worked consciously and consistently to develop her pitch and singing skills, and she can now rely on her muscle memory and trust her pattern recognition.
Also, if you identify as neuro-divergent, you will also gain a lot from Kylie’s accounts about being hyper-sensory and how it contributed to her anxiety. She talks about taking on the emotions of those around her and often feeling overwhelmed by her surroundings.
But she has learned to manage her anxiety through Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), mindfulness, and other embodied practices.
Kylie discussed how she used tapping to overcome nerves around her first gig in her new band.
She even used EFT and goal setting to attract her perfect band – which happened quickly! And then, within weeks, they had their first paid gig.
I know you will find Kylie as inspiring as I do!
I always love to hear from you! Please let me know what resonates in this episode for you! Hit reply!
And by the way – if you are keen to prioritise your singing and creativity this year and want a hand to get started, it’s now Term 2, and the Fearless Singer School Doors are open!
It's group coaching, mentoring, vocal resources galore and transformative with a beautiful community! Come on over! www.fearlesssinger.com/school
Love
Mel Xx ❤️🔥🎵
As singers, our voices and our mind are our instruments. And really, it’s our brain that is calling all the shots. The voice is also intrinsically linked to our nervous systems, so if we are suffering from stress or not expressing our truth often enough, a physical manifestation will appear in the voice. One of our lovely and talented Fearless Singer Members – Bernie – calls it her ‘glitch’! I love that she’s named it fondly and uses its appearance as a friendly reminder to check-in. I have not told this story for a while now, but there was a part of my instrument that I couldn't access: my low notes. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the resonance I wanted, and I always felt like something was holding me back. At the time – I thought I might have a small larynx. And it was physically impossible for me to reach these notes. It wasn't until I discovered Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping that I could finally break through the barriers that were holding me back!
Get ready to be inspired by Emma Sparks' remarkable journey from crippling anxiety to confidently slaying iconic Julie London songs. In the latest episode of the Fearless Singer podcast, Emma shares her transformational experience with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Quantum Energetics, which helped her reprogram old beliefs that no longer served her and adopt the persona of a confident and fearless performer.
Host Mel and Emma also discuss the power of "acting as if" and embodying a character to reach our goals more quickly, which can be applied to any area of life, whether in business, relationships or skill development. Emma's creativity doesn't stop at singing, as she is a Renaissance woman with multiple creative passions, including design, illustration, crafts, and photography.
Listen to the podcast to learn how Emma's experiences and lessons can be applied to your life, and join Fearless Singer Mel's online workshop on Emotional Freedom Technique for Singers to conquer fear and anxiety, improve vocal technique, and step into your power as a singer and performer. Don't miss out on this transformative experience! Book here!
In this episode of Fearless Singer, you'll discover how to use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to take your singing to the next level and build a career around your passions. Fearless Singer Mel Lathouras shares her personal experiences with EFT and how it helped her become a full-time singer and coach. You'll learn how EFT can help you become a detective to old narratives embedded in your psyche that may hold you back from singing in your full voice and showing up authentically on stage. The episode also covers Quantum Energetics and how it can help you create a character based on the version of yourself already doing what you desire. Don't miss out on this transformative experience!
Fearless Singer Workshop: Emotional Freedom Technique for Singers: Sing with Confidence & Live Them Dreams is on Mon 3 April 2023 7:30pm.
In this interactive 2-hour Workshop, you'll discover the powerful Emotional Freedom Technique. Learn to be a detective of what's holding you back from singing in your full voice, commanding the stage and living the life of your dreams. This is the closest thing to magic! Don't miss out on the transformative experience! 50 Spots Only! Book in! The replay will be available for 30 days. ❤️🔥🎵
Book here: https://www.fearlesssinger.com/fearless-singer-confidence-manifest-with-eft-emotional-freedom-technique
Looking for some inspiration to follow your passions and carve your own path? Look no further than this week's episode of our podcast! Our special guest, Kerri Layton, is a UK-based jazz singer and business coach who has followed her passion for music, jazz, and education to create a thriving business helping female musicians achieve balance, joy, abundance, and creative impact.
Kerri's unconventional journey into music is a testament to the power of following your passions, no matter where they may lead. In our interview, she shares the importance of knowing your worth as a performer, particularly in a male-dominated industry, and encourages women musicians to embrace their diva energy while remaining respectful and humble.
But Kerri's passion for music doesn't end there. As a former youth worker and drama teacher, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of music and performing arts in the lives of young people who have had a challenging start in life. And she continues to incorporate that passion into her work as a business coach.
So whether you're a musician looking to navigate the industry or simply someone searching for inspiration to follow your own passions, you won't want to miss this episode. Tune in now and let us know what resonates with you!
Trigger Warning: This episode does contain mention to addiction and overdosing.
In this episode of the Fearless Singer Podcast, Mel Lathouras talks about the power of stories and how they can help us reconnect with our childlike sense of wonder and magic. Mel shares how her family's gifted storytellers influenced her, and how storytelling can transport us to new worlds, inspire us to imagine new possibilities, and deep dive into magical thinking. She discusses the importance of making time for creativity, fun, and imagination, and how being creative can lead to a surge of energy that can help us tackle the nitty-gritty of life. Mel encourages listeners to create their own stories, use storytelling as a form of self-expression, and find inspiration in the stories of others. The episode emphasizes the benefits of storytelling in sparking joy in our everyday lives and helps us see things from different perspectives. Whether dealing with real-world matters or not, Mel believes that imagination and being creative can lead to a more expansive state to tackle life admin mode.
I'm back with another Fearless Singer episode about recognising our shadow artist traits and embracing our inner child to create, sing and show up more freely!
Before we dive into this episode, I want to give you the heads-up that I’ll be discussing anthropophobia, relating to my mental health struggles as a young one.
I understand this can be a sensitive topic for some, but please be assured that l navigate this topic carefully and with understanding.
Now, a question for you - have you ever felt like your inner child was being stifled? That playful, curious part of you that loves to sing and create?
In this episode, I share my journey of discovery and honouring my shadow artist to allow my inner child to come out and play, including starting my solo project.
Honestly, my inner child had been sitting on the sidelines for a while, watching "adult Mel" nurture everyone's talents and projects before embarking on her own.
But I realised that I needed to practice what I preached! You can only serve to your fullest potential if you honour and serve your creativity first.
So, "Little Mel" was born!
It's a nod to all the early R&B singers with the prefix "Little" in front of their name (Little Ann, Little Richard), but it's also about embracing my inner child who sings and creates without that suffocating self-consciousness.
I share how I overcame my fears of vulnerability by:
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recognising my sabotaging behaviours
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quietening my inner critic
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allowing my inner child to play without limitations
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and connecting to my service as a musician.
I also got clear on Little Mel's purpose, which I shared in last week’s episode: reminding us of the importance of self-love and spreading positive energy into the world through our stories and music. And to share this journey with you and inspire you to embrace your creativity fearlessly.
I've got some journal prompts for you to explore:
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When did you last sing at the top of your lungs like nobody was watching?
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When did you last create something just for fun without worrying about what others might think?
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Was there a pivotal time in your life when you lost touch with your playful and creative side? If this one feels unsafe, explore it with a professional.
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How can you invite this playful, curious side into your life daily? Remember, you can start super small.
I intend this episode to encourage you to love yourself and your voice and share your stories and ideas with the world. It's all about that adage, "feel fear and do it anyway."
So, be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes to empower you to overcome your fears and embrace your creativity.
And please let me know what resonates with you in this episode! I love hearing from you!
Until next time, keep singing and showing up fearlessly! The world needs your unique voice and perspective through song!
Love your Fearless Singer, mate,
Mel ❤️🔥🎵 Xx
I know I'm not alone in feeling that life can be a rollercoaster, and the journey of a creative is no exception.
From tech troubles to feeling drained, I had a doozy of a week leading up to this podcast episode.
I did my head in with troubleshooting a lot of sticky tech stuff, which you will hear about.
And I did a number on my life force – I felt pretty defeated and detached.
But luckily, the Universe delivered a Netflix special created by Jonah Hill about his therapist Phil Stutz, author of the Tools.
And while the documentary was nothing short of beautiful and cathartic – there was one question posed by Stutz that completely changed my life!
“Would you rather be right or create?”
I’ve only heard it as, “Would you rather be right or happy?” And because the word “happy” doesn’t mean much to me, I’ve always dismissed it.
But because “to create” brings me such joy, and it is loaded with “servitude”, the answer is simple. I choose to create!
You can listen to me unpack this here.
It also prompted me to write a mission statement for my new solo music project – Little Mel. For when my ego tries to protect me from the dangers of performing, and I’m suffering from a post-show vulnerability hangover.
Sometimes it feels easier to connect to the service of teaching and coaching than to performing or making music.
But being a channeler of music and standing on stage vulnerable in front of others is an incredible act of service.
So as my Valentine’s present to you, I give you my Little Mel Mission Statement.
I call it Love Spells by Little Mel.
I believe in…
☽ The Magic of Music. It’s something greater than ourselves that transports us and heals us.
☽ Elevating our inner child - the part of us that dances, dreams, sings and creates without fear.
☽ Love in all its forms. And giving Those around you the grace to be completely themselves. And remember to do the same for yourself.
☽ The power of Live music and performance; it brings people together, inspires us and makes us feel alive.
This is what Little Mel represents - a celebration of all that is beautiful, of all that is raw, of all that is kindness.
I intend the music I sing to be a love spell, cast with every note, every chord, every lyric.
A love spell for the listener to fall head over heels for themselves. And that this love lingers and grows.
As I always do, I hope this resonates with you and encourages you to keep singing. Remember, by being yourself and going for your dreams, you can change lives.
Love from your Fearless Singer mate
Mel X ❤️🔥🎵
In this latest episode of the Fearless Singer Podcast, I dive into overcoming the illusion of lack. I share my personal story of how a simple sign on an electricity box changed my perspective and opened space for opportunities!
As creatives, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that external things we don’t have are stopping us from bringing our dreams to life. But what if I told you, you have everything you need to achieve your goals?
Despite being incredibly privileged, the illusion of lack last week had me good while walking to a gig with a friend.
I do a lot of work changing my thought patterns, but it still sneaks up on me occasionally.
However, as miracles do, the “You Have Everything You Need” sign appeared on a city electricity box and interrupted my negative loop.
I began focusing on the incredible people in my life, the amazing experiences I continue to have, the supportive community I'm a part of, my vision, my teachers, my soulmates, and of course, the music.
It made me feel so good! It was a flux of gratitude and subsequent serotonin.
This all happened over the course of days, and I talk about this in the episode.
Still, this moment cascaded into unexpected money wins and, most excitingly, discovering that I had the space, equipment, and furniture ALREADY to create a second music studio right here at Fearless Singer HQ, opening up so much more opportunity!
I talk about the importance of shifting our perspective, focusing on the good, and aligning with the flow of gratitude.
I also share practical tips on how to do the same in your life and tap into the abundance already available to you.
So, if you feel like you need more resources or time to achieve your dreams, tune in.
You DO have everything you need – put on your opportunity goggles!
I have to say - I love giving ‘Learn From my Mistakes’ advice. I have been a reactive creator for mmmm 😆 all of my life. And until now, I’ve got a way with it.
However - it’s time to go to a new level of functioning and thriving as a singer/entrepreneur/creator - if I want to fit all of my juicy projects into my life.
The reality is that our jobs as creatives aren’t straightforward. We manage multiple projects, and in the whirlwind of life and business, we forget the things like - practising our craft, building our repertoire or even grocery shopping.
So in this episode, I share some simple life-hacking strategies, as taught by the leading experts in habits and productivity, including James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
The three areas I’ve marked as needing attention in my life are:
Decluttering (and continuing this process daily, weekly and monthly to ensure I only have things that are either here for me to function or are meaningful)
Planning and Scheduling Non-Negotionable Time to develop my craft, content creation and administration.
Movement! Something I know will ultimately improve my life force but am achingly resistant to.
In this episode, you have the inside dirt on my processes so far!
Like today - I’ve marked out what projects I’d like to happen over the coming months.
I have also blocked out 8 am to 10 am every morning to practice singing, improvising and building my repertoire. And marked days of the week when I batch content.
I will keep you posted on how I go!
Also, please let me know if you already do this.
And I’d love to know what projects you are working on this year so I can be one of your cheerleaders!
P.S. I’m opening the doors to the Fearless Singer Membership BUT have a cap of FIVE people. So if you are reading this, here’s the 25 % discount code link. 🤫
I give you my last podcast episode for the year!
One of my 2022 goals this year was to start a podcast, and now I have 14 episodes, which you can stream from Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or on Instagram.
I’m telling you this podcast would never have happened if I had carried on with my previous conditioning and wiring that convinced me that everything I created had to be perfect before putting it out there.
And I’m not kidding myself that there aren’t people who think the same about my work.
My skin doctor the other day told me she detested free-form podcasts – “present your knowledge in neat 20min package.” Mine are flowy, messy, quirky and far from perfect.
But I’ve trained my nervous system to be OK about that.
Also, criticism does not scare me anymore. I even take it as a compliment that someone is taking an interest.
This episode is about this.
The more we can train our nervous system to be comfortable with messy processes, imperfect conditions and end products – the more we can get to work doing the things we love. And then, in the end, we discover we have written 50 songs, penned the novel, and painted 100 portraits.
To be prolific is to detach from the outcome and learn to love the process.
And who knows after you’ve learnt 100 songs – only a handful, maybe those special performances that make people’s hair stand up on their arms.
Or that 130th song is a winner.
But always come back to the love of the process.
It’s my sincere hope that in my free-form rambles – there is a little nugget that can shift your perspective to help you go on to create AMAZING things in your life – both personally and creatively.
Also, if you want to hit some massive singing, musical, and creative goals in 2023 – please don’t miss out on the 25% off the Fearless Singer Membership!
This deal finishes on the 26th of December – when the code expires.
You can enrol here and save $1250.
One of the most potent mindsets shifts I made to get to where I am today - a gigging singer, show producer and creator of Fearless Singer – is playing with I am statements.
Even while working in completely unrelated fields, I would tell myself and others that I am a successful singer and creative entrepreneur.
Even when I was not actually “successful”. 😆 In fact, I wasn’t even gigging. Also, Fearless Singer was just an idea at that stage.
The power of “I am” statements lends itself to the Law of Assumption, which is the philosophy that we can change anything in our lives, if we change the beliefs and assumptions we hold about it.
So while I wasn’t gigging or creating, the desire was there. And I knew I could reach my goals faster if I assumed the identity of a full-time singer and creative.
In this episode, I talk about how I used this law and consistent action to get where I am today. I go into more detail about the system I use and give examples – so feel free to lift this and apply it to yourself.
I also continue to use this principle to reach new goals; if you consciously practice it, the quicker you get at it.
And you can use it to change ANYTHING.
While you could use it to reach tangible goals such as performances, career change, income level, holiday trips etc., you can also use it for specific vocal technique-related issues.
In other news, enrollments for the Fearless Singer Membership are now open for 2023. Check it out for savings on lessons, courses, access to community and inspirational-style accountability.
Award-winning Jazz Singer, Songwriter, Educator and Entrepreneur Sharny Russell is lovingly regarded as our Jazz Mumma here in Brisbane and on the entire East Coast of Australia. She is the epitome of a Fearless Singer in every sense of the term. Despite being told that she would never sing again after a horrific car accident, Sharny has gone on to have a celebrated career as a singer, an ABC recording artist, an APRA award winner and an educator at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the Jazz Music Institute (JMI).
Sharny Russell's Piano Method for Jazz Singers: Easy, Stylish Self-Accompaniment
Singing Manifestations 101 Online Masterclass
Book your seat for Singers Manifestations 101 Online Masterclass here.
In this episode, Bernie speaks candidly about turning 60 and realising that her dreams of performing and living a full-time creative life would not happen without her taking some kind of plunge.
Living in New York for several years, Bernie and her partner returned to Brisbane in the wake of Covid.
It was then that Bernie realised she was at crossroads. She could continue along the path she was going or start working towards her creative aspirations.
Now, Bernie is a Fearless Singer Jazz Club member, has sung at the Jazz Music Institute and other jams and is working towards her one-woman show. She also writes for publications.
Bernie’s other aspiration is to gain a full motorbike license to scoot a Vespa around West End, which makes an incredibly hilarious story – even though it was traumatic for her at the time. It’s well worth the listen!
Without further ado, please meet the Fearless Bernie.
P.S I'm sorry, I get a little bit sweary in this hence the explicit content. I will endeavour not to swear in the future.
Are you ready for the kind of transformation that feels luscious, wildly creative and perhaps a little jazzy? Together we can redefine fear to create a deep-seated level of confidence and a brain wired to only see unlimited creative opportunities. Learn more here.
In this episode, I share with you how my fear of dancing and being a part of the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse show Women In Voice gave me a good old dose of it. It felt real and downright disempowering however, I got through it with some metacognitive questioning and the powerful self-healing modality Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Tapping).
If this resonates with you, please let me know! I love to hear from you. Also, I have a free tapping series on my website to help with the fear of singing in front of others. ❤️🔥🎵 You can get it here: https://bit.ly/Release_FearlessSinger
In this episode, Fearless Singer Mel Lathouras talks about how the emotion of shame can manifest in so many ways in relation to our singing and performing and often stops us from doing so. She gives examples from her own singing and performing practice as well as what she encounters from students. This episode gives strategies on how to clear this from our psyche so we can get on with doing what we love - singing!
A journey from London Boy Singers to Soul Jazz - guitarist Harvey Blues has followed the call to make music his life's work.
A punk at heart, Harvey taught himself the Blues as a 14-year-old, was a full-time gigging musician in London in his early 20s to starting over again in Australia in his 30s. After sustaining an injury from factory work in Australia, Harvey made the life-changing decision to make music his full-time gig. He has nearly completed his jazz degree, going to Uni for the first time in his early 50s, performs regularly with the iconic blues band - Blues Arcadia and now has his soul jazz band - Harvey Blues and the Keitels - playing at all the hippest venues in Brisbane.
Harvey LOVES singers and regularly co-teaches with me in the Fearless Singer Jazz Club course. Speaking of which, we kick off Round 2 next Wednesday, 3 August 2022, at 8 pm. If you want to learn SIX jazz standards in a fun, supportive community over six live classes, enrol here: https://bit.ly/FSJazzClub
In this Fearless Singer episode, we hear from Greek Singer, Ellinikes Fones Co-Founder and Music Therapist Katerini Manolatos. We discover where her love for music and singing came from as well as her journey from singing classical repertoire to singing and performing Greek music. She shares about her experience as a music therapist and how singing can enhance our lives and how it can connect us with a community. I know you will love her as much as I do!
Follow Kat
@amusicalodyssey
@ellinikesfones
@humbirdmusic
For more of Fearless Singer, follow @mellathouras
In this episode, Fearless Singer Mel Lathouras talks about how when we align with service as singers, no matter what our ability level is, it switches off our critical mind. It doesn't matter if you are a shower singer or perform to the public, we are putting good energy out to the world and changing lives in the process.
In this episode, I talk about how our greatest singing teachers are often our favourite singers! The best part is that we can dive into the treasure trove of their teaching by listening to their recordings. If you want to learn to sing jazz, start by listening to Ella Fitzgerald.
This idea was inspired by Cardi B who said if we want to be successful we need to “watch the recipe” of successful people. This same principle can be applied to singing.
Access the replay to the ‘Hip Like Ella: An Introduction to Jazz Singing’ Workshop is here. It’s free!
In this episode, I talk about how we can learn to be the ‘music producers’ of our singing voices - taking a more impartial approach when listening back and experimenting with our voices in “practice”. Rather than letting a shitty recording or performance spiral us into emotional turmoil. 😆
I also talk about the Fearless Singer Jazz Retreat coming up on June 4 and 5th 2022.
Find more details and enrol here.
Be sure to head over to www.mellathouras.com for the show notes or go to www.fearlesssinger.com.au for a treasure trove of free resources to get you started or help you with your singing journey.