River of Suck

Mar 03 2024 36 ep. 60 mins 19
River of Suck Podcast artwork

You have to suck at something before you can be good at it. River of Suck is real-talk about struggles with confidence, self-doubt and becoming the youest you. Host Andy Reiner and guests ranging from musicians to scientists parse tough questions about maintaining a healthy attitude in the face of impossible-seeming obstacles, fear and "thought piranhas."

  Education  Music
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


36 - Melody Walker - Do Your Worst Idea!

Mar 03 2024 96 mins  
“What if everything just turns out ok?" Visit with Nashville songwriter Melody Walker in this latest episode of River of Suck podcast with an ear to the challenges of being a musician in a changing world. Join the conversation as Melody shares insights on songwriting, addresses sexism in the bluegrass scene, and discusses maintaining boundaries and resilience in the industry. He

35 - Darol Anger - Reserve of Amazingness

Dec 09 2023 51 mins  
Dive into the River of Suck as fiddle legend, Darol Anger, shares hard-earned wisdom with River of Suck listeners in this fun and insightful episode. Delving into his personal odyssey through time with the violin, Darol explores the significance of technique in music and the importance of pushing one's musical limits. With grace and humor, he navigates through the River of Suck a

34 - Jacob Jolliff - Extension of the Hang

Nov 15 2023 65 mins  
Live from Fiddle Hell Massachusetts, Andy chats with contemporary mandolinist Jacob Jolliff! From bluegrass to jazz, Andy and Jacob compare notes on their time at Berklee with John McGann, the evolution of their musical goals, the magic of listening, as well as the virtues of getting lost (in the groove)! If you ever wonder what it takes to shred, look no further! You, too, may fin

33 - Christian Howes - Becoming a Better Friend to Yourself

Sep 14 2023 54 mins  
Violinist, educator, and composer, Christian Howes, joins host, Andy Reiner, on an exploration into the River of Suck. Together, they delve into the art of setting achievable goals, and of finding the best ways to approach practicing. Christian shares his personal journey, exploring fear's role in personal growth and offering practical strategies to conquer it. Listen in for an ins

32 - Judy Hyman - Better Than Last Week

May 22 2023 55 mins  
Join host Andy Reiner and his special guest Judy Hyman in this live episode at Fiddle Hell Online as they explore the journey of her band, The Horse Flies. From working as a librarian to becoming a film scoring composer, Judy shares her experiences of balancing her passion for music with a serious job. Dive into the creative process as they discuss the importance of perseverance,

31 - Julian Carr - Swan Dive Superhero

Apr 11 2023 53 mins  
Julian Carr explains that being a professional skier and cliff jumping world-record holder is less about being fearless than you might think. Sharing his experiences with host Andy Reiner, Carr relays how being cool, calm, and collected in the presence of fear can change your life. This episode promises that fear is not a roadblock and that trusting yourself is key. Carr talks abou

30 - Kween Werk - Inclusive Spaces

Mar 15 2023 82 mins  
Being unique in a society that sets expectations and ingrained biases can be a difficult task. However, Kween Werk, our guest, illustrates how her individuality enables her to thrive in her surroundings. As a social justice activist and environmentalist, she acknowledges that being a woman of color has made her feel like an outsider in the spaces she cherishes. Nonetheless, discove

29 - Jason Anick - There Is No Top of the Mountain

Dec 27 2022 69 mins  
Join jazz violin virtuoso, Jason Anick, as he shares his personal journey through the River of Suck. Jason and host, Andy Reiner, explore strategies for reframing shortcomings, navigating comparisons to others, and reimagining the growth mindset. In a River of Suck podcast first, Jason’s father waltzes into the conversation to share childhood stories about Jason. And Jason reveal

28 - Chris Turner - Harmonica Traveler

Nov 01 2022 98 mins  
Sit down with harmonica master, Chris Turner, as he recounts his wild and often misadventurous stories with host Andy Reiner. Together, they discuss profound topics such as the ways which music keeps us alive, how art is bigger than what we make it to be, and what music really is. From free jazz jam sessions to going through a minefield as a stowaway, Chris reflects on all the chao

27 - Martha Mooke - Vibe Wizard

Sep 01 2022 47 mins  
Embark on a magical journey through the universe of sound guided by the Vibe Wizard herself, electric violist Martha Mooke. Martha has created musical arrangements for the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Sturgill Simpson, performed alongside Elton John and Philip Glass, and is a trailblazer in strings education. Explore the philosophy of improvisation, listen to host Andy Reiner muse