Reflections From a Decade in Music City (with Aaron Espe)

After experiencing challenges with panic attacks, Aaron Espe figured out how to build a career that works for him. Aaron is currently a full-time songwriter based in Nashville Tennessee.

In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, I chat with Aaron about songwriting, creativity, and adapting to creative adversity.

I first heard his music in 2012 when I was presenting the music podcast, Lost on Radio. Aaron was our artist of the week with his track, Hanging By a Thread. I felt an instant connection to his sound and have been keeping a close ear on his work ever since.

His book, On Songwriting: Practical Tips and Insights from a Decade in Music City will be an important part of my reference library from now on. It’s a fantastic guide for anyone creating things to help rekindle focus, clarity, and a sense of possibility.

In our conversation, Aaron Espe and I discuss:

• The importance of being adaptable and flexible in a creative career (and being unable to co-write songs led Aaron to write a book)


• What inspired him to carve his own path rather than taking the conventional songwriting routes he was “supposed” to follow


• The GPS Method and The Painting Method for writing songs (and which we naturally gravitate to)


• Where inspiration comes from and processes for writing when it’s not there


• The power of co-writing as a way to grow your skills and network


• And much more…