Songwriting For Guitar Podcast

Ever write a song that just doesn't land, and you can't figure out why? Try the Three Room Test: split your song into lyrics, melody, and chords, and check if each one delivers the same feeling on its own. Nine times out of ten, one room is sending a completely different message than the other two, and that's your real problem, not the mix. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/

Two songwriters, same Zoom feedback session. One showed up in bed and got defensive at every note. The other said thank you before we even started and took notes the whole time. Same feedback, two completely different nights and it's a reminder that a feedback session was never really about the song. It's a snapshot of where you're at as a songwriter. Mike breaks down both reactions and why your attitude is one of the only things in this business you fully control. If you've ever gotten notes and felt that sting, this one's for you. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/

I n this one, Grace and I get into what it's actually like producing in a 96% male industry, the comments that tell her the mix is wrong before anyone's even heard the whole song, and why she leans into being called a "female producer" even though she hates the stigma attached to it. A nd we talk about Girls Who Write, the community she built in Nashville that's grown from five friends in an apartment to 60+ women at a time, because the thing most people are actually missing isn't more information. It's knowing they're not the only one figuring it out alone. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/

In this one, CB, SFG Coach/Nashville based Artist, breaks down what artist identity actually is, the songs, the visuals, the way you dress, the genre you're willing to claim out loud. We get into why so many songwriters dodge the genre question "it's hard to describe my sound" and why that's usually just another way of thinking you're the exception to the rule. Spoiler: you're not, and that's actually good news. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

Your guitar isn't the problem. How you're recording it is. SFG Coach, Zachary and I get into why so many home demos end up sounding muddy, and it's almost never the playing. It's proximity, it's reflections you don't even know are happening in your room, it's reaching for a plugin instead of fixing it at the source. We also get into the "rule of three" for mixes, why relaxing (not tensing up) is actually what makes you sound tighter, and why Suno can't replace the thing you're actually trying to build. If your demos have been sounding thin, flat, or just off, this one's for you. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

I told you my biggest regret in music a couple weeks ago. This one's the flip side. 600+ songs. Written on purpose, knowing most of them wouldn't go anywhere. Here's why I'd do every single one again, plus the three other things that built my songwriting career from the ground up. If you're in the middle of your own reps right now and it feels pointless, this one's for you. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

Ever write a line you thought was great, only to realize it's just a list of facts with no feeling behind it? In this one I sit down with Alden Hedges, touring bass player, songwriter, and one of our SFG coaches, to talk about why that happens to almost every songwriter, and what actually separates a lyric that lands from one that doesn't. Alden shares some brutally honest lines from his own catalog, the "maybe I can do better" mindset that keeps him improving without burning the notebook, and why your own voice, not the polished stuff you see online, is the one thing nobody else can write for you. If you've ever finished a lyric and thought "this is fine" but knew deep down it wasn't quite there yet, you'll walk away from this one with a real shift in how you think about your next verse. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

I sat down with Alex Lake, a producer who's worked on ad and brand campaigns for DIRECTV, BuzzFeed, and WWE Legends, and asked him to break down what actually happens between "I wrote a great song" and that song landing in a commercial. Turns out most of us are thinking about it completely backwards. Alex pulls back the curtain on how brands actually pick music for ads and commercials (it's not what you think), why your "perfect" track gets tossed before anyone even finishes listening, and the one shift in mindset that separates songwriters who get placements from the ones sending emails into the void. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

Four things quietly killing your songwriting and you've probably got at least one. Matty Finn and I break down the patterns we see over and over: no direction, knowledge over application, unwillingness to write bad songs, no consistent systems. Application over knowledge. Once you know which one's yours, you can move past it. Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/mike-premium-overview

In 2007 I was sitting on a phone call with the manager of McFly and Busted, multi-platinum-selling bands that were selling out Wembley Arena. He gave me key advice, I completely ignored it. Didn't touch it for almost nine years! Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/mike-premium-overview

Suno is everywhere right now but is it actually helping songwriters, or quietly sabotaging their careers? In this episode, Mike and Matty Finn dive deep into AI music generation, breaking down why relying on Suno might feel like a shortcut but is actually shooting yourself in the foot if you're serious about songwriting as a career. Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/mike-premium-overview

In this episode, I sit down with music supervisor Jessica Gramuglia to talk about what's actually happening on the other side of that inbox. Jess has worked in music supervision at Warner Brothers TV and has seen thousands of cold emails from songwriters, publishers, and artists trying to land sync placements. She's not holding back. We break down the emails that get instantly filed into her "Who Are You?" folder, why following up aggressively is killing your chances, and why AI-generated pitch emails are making things worse, not better. But this isn't just about what NOT to do. Jess shares the one email that actually worked perfectly (hint: it involved Maren Morris before she was famous), what makes her want to actually listen to your music, and why relationships will always beat cold pitches in sync licensing. If you’re a songwriter trying to get your music placed in TV, film, or ads, this is the episode you need to hear before you send another email. Want to stop writing songs that go nowhere? Apply for coaching → https://songwritingforguitar.com/coaching-application Grab my book "The Songwriting Guitarist" → https://songwritingforguitar.com/book New here? Start with the podcast → https://songwritingforguitar.com/podcast Watch the Video Podcast Every Friday at 9am Central → https://www.youtube.com/songwritingforguitar

This podcast has been downloaded over 100,000 times. And I almost deleted it. I took a 7-month break. I coach songwriters on showing up every day and I wasn't doing it myself. No consistent system, even for the guy teaching systems. In this episode, I'm being honest about what happened, why I almost killed the whole thing, and what's changing now. If you've been stuck, sitting on half-finished songs, or waiting for the "right time" to start, this one's for you. Watch The Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/zP_FOHu2rR0 J oin the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/mike-premium-overview

This week on the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, I’m joined once again by my friend Lij Shaw, award-winning music producer, host of the #1 iTunes podcast Recording Studio Rockstars, and owner of the Grammy-awarded The Toy Box Studio in East Nashville. Lij has been making records for over 30 years, working across rock, jazz, classical, and everything in between. In this conversation, we dive deep into Lij’s newest record and the wild, unexpected journey it took to make it, from creative risks and production choices to the mindset shifts that shaped the final result. If you’re an artist, producer, or songwriter who wants to.... Make braver creative decisions, this episode is for you. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

Most creatives say “I’ll start in the new year,” but waiting for January is just procrastination dressed as planning. In this episode, Mike breaks down why a casual approach leads to casual results, and how taking even small action in December creates confidence, clarity, and real momentum heading into 2026. If you want better songs, better skills, and better outcomes, don’t wait for the calendar, start now and give yourself the creative advantage. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

Black Friday is here, but before you smash that “Add to Cart,” let’s talk. In this episode, Mike breaks down the real trap most songwriters and producers fall into this weekend, buying more gear instead of getting better. If you’ve ever convinced yourself that a new plugin, pedal, or shiny piece of equipment would finally “unlock your creativity,” this episode is a must-listen. You’ll also learn how to reflect on past Black Friday decisions so you can shop smarter, grow faster, and make choices that actually support your creative journey. Watch the Weekly Video Podcast: https://shorturl.at/qmP6f Join the Next Songwriter Reset Masterclass: https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/songwriterreset Hire a Coach: https://sfg-accelerator.com/ Apply For The UK Retreat: https://hitmakersretreat.com/ Work With Mike: https://sfg-accelerator.com/fall-intensive

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Emmy Award-winning composer and producer Mike Meiers challenges you to stop sitting on the sidelines and start taking real action in your songwriting journey. Mike breaks down the mental blocks that keep so many songwriters stuck, waiting for the perfect time, fearing failure, or getting trapped in perfectionism. He digs into the truth that music already comes with its own set of obstacle, so adding your own self-sabotage on top of that isn’t helping you move forward. This episode gets heavy real fast! Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Guitar Essentials 2025 - https://tinyurl.com/yyv4j95n 👉 Tracking Guitar Like A Pro - https://tinyurl.com/5hc97cak Work Directly With Mike & The SFG Team 👉 Apply For One on One Coaching - https://tinyurl.com/mr3fax48 Join The 2 Day Clunky To Confident Challenge 👉 https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/2daychallenge Watch the full Video Podcast on YouTube 👉 Watch It Here - https://youtu.be/5XvTO6cGHsc

In this episode, Mike reveals the three most common songwriting mistakes that quietly sabotage your songs, and how to fix them. From overcomplicating your chords and cramming too many lyrics to ignoring dynamics, He breaks down how these habits disconnect emotion and dull great ideas. Whether you’re working on your first EP or refining your catalog for sync, this episode will give you the tools to elevate your songwriting and arrangements. Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Guitar Essentials 2025 - https://tinyurl.com/yyv4j95n 👉 Tracking Guitar Like A Pro - https://tinyurl.com/5hc97cak Work Directly With Mike & The SFG Team 👉 Apply For One on One Coaching - https://tinyurl.com/mr3fax48 Join The 2 Day Clunky To Confident Challenge 👉 https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/2daychallenge Watch the full Video Podcast on YouTube 👉 Watch It Here - https://youtu.be/zIhqKNBN3og?si=PNuCblIIQjlbjlHs

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike shares five strategies to help you finish more songs and break through creative roadblocks. If you’re stuck tweaking the same demo or waiting for inspiration, this one’s for you. Learn how to set real deadlines, stay accountable, build simple systems, celebrate wins, and work with mentors to grow your catalog. Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Guitar Essentials 2025 - https://tinyurl.com/yyv4j95n 👉 Tracking Guitar Like A Pro - https://tinyurl.com/5hc97cak Work Directly With Mike & The SFG Team 👉 Apply For One on One Coaching - https://tinyurl.com/mr3fax48 Join The 2 Day Clunky To Confident Challenge 👉 https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/2daychallenge Watch the full Video Podcast on YouTube 👉 Watch It Here - https://youtu.be/QS0Lchj_GqQ

In this episode of the Songwriting for Guitar Podcast, Mike dives into the transformative power of co-writing, one of the most effective tools a songwriter can utilize. Mike discusses how collaboration can help you overcome creative blind spots, expand your professional network, and fast-track your growth as a songwriter! Enroll In Mike's Comprehensive Guitar Courses 👉 Guitar Essentials 2025 - https://tinyurl.com/yyv4j95n 👉 Tracking Guitar Like A Pro - https://tinyurl.com/5hc97cak Work Directly With Mike & The SFG Team 👉 Apply For One on One Coaching - https://tinyurl.com/mr3fax48 Join The 2 Day Clunky To Confident Challenge 👉 https://www.songwritingforguitar.com/2daychallenge Watch the full Video Podcast on YouTube 👉 Watch It Here - https://youtu.be/rKj-tm7Zv9E