The Mind Over Finger Podcast

Ben Ullery, Principal Viola of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, joins me for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, lifelong learning, and what it takes to keep growing as a musician while performing at the highest level.
In this episode, we explore:
Why curiosity is one of a musician's greatest assets
What happens after you land your dream job
The role of visualization in performance
Why perfection isn't the goal
How to keep growing throughout your musical career
 
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
GUEST
Website: https://benullery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bullerbot/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@benullery
 
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What if the goal isn't to work harder, but to find the right pace?
In this episode, I talk with science writer Elizabeth Svoboda, author of The Art of Pacing, about flow, energy management, recovery, and the habits that help high performers sustain excellence without burning out.
You'll hear about:
• Why pacing matters more than most people realize
• How to create the conditions for flow in practice and performance
• What elite performers understand about recovery, resilience, and long term success
 
If you're tired of feeling like your performances don't consistently reflect what you're capable of, let's talk.
Whether you're preparing for auditions, navigating performance pressure, rebuilding confidence, or looking for more freedom and consistency on stage, I'd love to help.
Book a free discovery call HERE and let's explore what support would serve you best.
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
 
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
GUEST
Grab the Art of Pacing here: https://amzn.to/4ewVAMa
Website: https://elizabethsvoboda.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svobodster/reels/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.a.svoboda
 
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What happens when the audition is closer than you expected and the preparation feels impossible?
In this episode, I'm talking about how to handle high pressure performance situations when time is short, nerves are high, and your brain keeps telling you it's not enough. We dive into mindset, performance psychology, nervous system regulation, and the surprising ways urgency can actually work in your favor.
In this episode:
• Why resisting the situation drains the energy you need to perform
• How to stop spiraling and start preparing effectively
• What short timelines can teach you about trust, resilience, and performance under pressure
 
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What does it actually take to win a major orchestra audition?
In this deeply personal episode, I take you behind the scenes of my winning audition for the Lyric Opera Orchestra at 47 years old. I'm sharing the real preparation process, the mental work, the conditioning, and the mindset shifts that carried me through 90 days of intense preparation and into the audition room.
In this episode:
• How I prepared mentally, physically, and musically while working full time and raising a family
• Why trust under pressure matters more than "feeling confident"
• The surprising gap between how a performance feels and how it actually sounds
 
 
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and win that next audition, join me inside The Music Mastery Experience.
Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What if confidence is not the absence of doubt?
In this deeply honest conversation, violinist Robert Sanders shares what changed internally as he navigated auditions, pressure, comparison, and eventually won a full time position with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz. This episode is not about becoming fearless. It's about learning how to stop fighting yourself so aggressively underneath the pressure.
In this episode:
• Why self doubt does not disappear even at a high level
• How Robert shifted from battling doubt to "dancing" with it
• The surprising mindset shift that changed his audition experience
• Why learning to work with yourself changes everything under pressure
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Robert Sanders
Website: www.robertsandersviolin.com
 
 
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.