A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of being on the Fearless Artist Podcast with pianist and co-founder Michelle Lynne. Some of you might remember her as a 2025 guest speaker at 360.

Within the first few minutes, we were already deep in it.

We talked about uncertainty, self-doubt, and what it actually means to build a life in music when nothing feels guaranteed.

And I wanted to share one idea from that conversation that stayed with me.

It’s simple, but it lands every time:

You have more to share than you have to prove.

As we move through Women’s History Month and reflect on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” I keep coming back to this idea of sharing versus proving.

Because the women who made lasting impact in music weren’t waiting for permission.

They were building.

They were sharing what they knew. Creating what didn’t exist. Making space where there wasn’t any.

Think about Nadia Boulanger, who taught generations of composers — including Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones — from her Paris apartment and Fontainebleau.

At a time when women composers were dismissed and conducting was considered out of reach, she didn’t wait.

She created her own space and became one of the most influential teachers of the 20th century.

Or Marin Alsop, who founded her own orchestra when she couldn’t access conducting opportunities.

She didn’t wait for permission.

She built the platform first.

And today, musicians are doing the same thing in new ways — building studios, concert series, podcasts, newsletters, collectives.

Not asking if they’re allowed.

Just creating.

Because:

When you give, you gain.

When you share instead of waiting to be “ready enough,” you build authority.

When you create opportunities instead of waiting for them, you build agency.

When you make space for others, you build community.

And it all comes back multiplied.

This was also the heart of my conversation on the Fearless Artist Podcast:
You can listen to the full conversation here

We talked about shifting from:

“Will I make it?”

to

“How will I make it work?”

One keeps you waiting for approval.

The other puts you in motion.

We also talked about something simple but powerful:

How you introduce yourself.

Instead of only saying:
“I’m a clarinetist”

Try:
“I’m a clarinetist who also…”

Suddenly, you’re not shrinking into a single label anymore.

You’re showing the full picture of who you are.

Performer. Teacher. Creator. Collaborator. Builder.

You’re not asking for space.

You’re building it.

That’s the shift.

That’s what “Give to Gain” actually looks like in practice.

Here’s my question for you this week:

What’s one thing you’re going to share instead of prove?

Maybe it’s a post. A message. A project. A collaboration. A piece of work you’ve been sitting on.

Whatever it is — share it.

Don’t wait for permission.

Build your table.

xo,
Ixi

📝 P.S.

If you’re ready to build that table with a community of musicians who are doing the same thing, that’s exactly what we’re creating in the Thrive Membership.

We’re in the middle of a revamp with monthly activities, new guest experts, and more opportunities to share, gather, and learn from each other.

Join the Thrive Membership here

The Practice with Purpose framework is $99 for 2 6-month planners! It includes:

• the complete framework ($37 system)
• your 2 physical planners included (a $80 value, shipped to your door)
• training modules and ongoing resources

A system built on alignment, connection and flow.