Exclusive insights from the forefront of the music world, uncovering the creative process, cutting-edge technology, and the business acumen driving the industry forward.
What if the word potential was actually holding you back?
Karl Phillips grew up in Barbados being told he had it — by teachers, coaches, piano instructors. And somewhere along the way, hearing it over and over made him feel like he already had what he hadn't yet built. A biology degree. A master's degree. Counting seagulls on an island in the Pacific. Applying to every police department in Michigan and getting denied — even to volunteer.
Then he met Eric Thomas. Then CJ. Then Jamal.
And even surrounded by some of the most driven voices in personal development, Karl found himself doing the one thing that stops most people cold: comparing himself to everyone around him instead of going inside.
In this episode, Karl shares the journey behind his book Moving Past Potential: Break Free of Self-Limitations to Unleash Your Best Life — the real story of how he went from lost to leading, what faith actually means when you live it out loud, and why 1 in 3 people will face exactly what he faced.
One of those conversations you'll want to replay.
📖 Get the book + free community: thegcguide.com
📲 S2S Podcast: @s2spodcast on Instagram
🎵 This episode is sponsored by Mauril — a free app by CBC/Radio-Canada for learning real Canadian French and English through authentic shows, documentaries and podcasts.
📱 Download free on App Store (https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/mauril/id1537014937) | Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radiocanada.mauril&hl=) | mauril.ca (https://mauril.ca/en/?utm_source=podpass&utm_campaign=roc.na-campagne-notori%C3%A9t%C3%A9-26-27&utm_medium=payant&utm_term=mauril&utm_content=musicexplored-aud-demo-)
This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Mauril, developed by CBC/Radio-Canada.
Mentioned in this episode:
Links to the app & website : Download on iOS | Download on Android | mauril.ca
This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Mauril, developed by CBC/Radio-Canada.
3 Sept 2026
Stop Waiting for Permission | Tara Shannon
What happens when you build a successful life but abandon the one thing that makes you feel whole?
Tara Shannon did everything right. Thirty years in music and business, a thriving career, a beautiful family. But somewhere along the way she stepped away from music — and a life-changing health scare brought her back.
In this episode of Music Explored Podcast, Anthony Lewis sits down with Tara Shannon — Canadian singer-songwriter, record label founder, music coach, author of You and the Music Business, and Executive Director of the Ottawa Festival Network — for a conversation about what it really means to build a life in music on your own terms.
This is not a conversation about getting discovered. It's about stopping the wait for someone else to give you permission to live the life you want. Tara's coaching philosophy starts with one principle — to succeed in the business of music, you first have to succeed in the business of you.
They cover the Cinderella myth the music industry keeps selling, why looking for external validation keeps musicians stuck, how mindset is at the core of every successful artist she's coached, and what it means to redefine success on your own terms.
Whether you're a working musician, an independent creator, or someone who put their passion on the back burner — this one will stay with you.
🎧 Listen on all streaming platforms — link below
🎙️ Hosted by Anthony Lewis
🎧 Co-hosted by Diriki
📍 Toronto, Canada
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 — Music is woven into who I am
02:00 — The void of abandoning your passion
04:00 — Stop waiting for permission to live your life
06:00 — The Cinderella myth the industry keeps selling
08:00 — To succeed in music, succeed in yourself first
12:00 — Why we look for validation outside ourselves
16:00 — What Tara's coaching actually looks like
20:00 — Working with artists at every level
24:00 — You and the Music Business — what the book is really about
28:00 — Redefining success beyond money and stuff
Note — confirm exact timestamps against your edit before uploading
CONNECT WITH TARA SHANNON
Instagram: @tarashannonmusic
Book: You and the Music Business
Website: jointara.com
CONNECT WITH MUSIC EXPLORED
Instagram: @musicexploredpod
Website: musicexplored.com
6 Aug 2026
My Ceiling Is His Floor | Chris & Jaden Baker
What happens when a father pours everything into his son — not just musically, but as a man — and then watches that son surpass every expectation?
In this episode of Music Explored Podcast, Anthony Lewis sits down with Pastor Chris Baker and his son Jaden Baker from The Bridge Frisco for one of the most powerful conversations we've had on this show. Jaden is a Grammy Award winning musician currently touring globally with Israel Houghton, and Chris is the music pastor who didn't just raise a musician — he raised a man of character first.
Together they talk about the intentionality behind Jaden's development, the tension and honor that comes with working alongside your father in ministry, what the road teaches you that the church stage can't, and why your talent gets you called but your character keeps you.
Chris drops one of the most memorable lines we've heard on this show — "My ceiling is his floor" — and everything that surrounds it is just as powerful.
This one is for every musician trying to figure out how to carry themselves, every parent wondering how to pour into their child's gifting, and everyone building something that's meant to last beyond them.
Timestamps for show notes:
00:00 — You can't take people where you don't go
02:00 — Introducing each other
05:00 — Was it intentional? How Chris shaped Jaden's path
12:00 — My ceiling is his floor
14:00 — The tension of working with your father in ministry
19:00 — Playing multiple instruments — Jaden's preference and why
22:00 — From church musician to touring with Israel Houghton
26:00 — What the road teaches you that the church can't
30:00 — Don't chase doors — let your gift open them
31:00 — What to do when your standard exceeds your environment
38:00 — Preparation — spiritually, mentally, musically
42:00 — Structured spontaneity and Sunday morning preparation
45:00 — The Brazil and Asia tour coming up
50:00 — Staying rooted in your home church while touring the world
Who has been a guest on Music Explored Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Sarah Rose Black
Drumeo founder
female drummers
Distinguished drummer
Filmmaker
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
28,159
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 64 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
98
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
0
Contact Music Explored Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Music Explored Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
