Ep 161: Dissect Podcast with Cole Cuchna
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Ep 161: Dissect Podcast with Cole Cuchna
Episode 161: Show Notes
What does it take to shift your path and find success in doing what truly lights you up on the inside?
We are joined today by an amazing individual whose journey and dedication to pursuing meaningful work is something to be inspired by. Cole Cuchna is the host of Dissect, an incredibly well-received podcast aimed at countering our scrolling culture. A serialized music podcast where he examines a single album every season but doesn’t merely discuss the musical arrangements of the songs in these albums, but talks about the history, the culture, the philosophy, and the storytelling done by the musicians as well as the impact of the times in which those songs were created.
In our conversation with Cole today, we hear about his childhood and significant moments that impacted his path through life, his thoughts on the hard-work ideology taught to him by his parents, and what eventually led him to leave his band and the touring lifestyle.
He shares how he faked his way into his music program, the debate that ensued post-graduation, and the story behind falling in love with coffee. We then dive into the birth of Dissect, and he walks us through his process of gathering insights and interpretations for each song on the album.
Cole’s story is relatable, and his journey is proof that you don’t have to choose between following your passion and paying the bills. To hear why he believes Beethoven and the likes stood the test of time, don’t miss out on this great episode.
Key Points From This Episode:
Giving the World Everything: a backstory of our Guest, Cole Cuchna.
Activities that were part of his central creative outlet and that shaped his childhood.
The first thing he hears when listening to music; everything but the lyrics.
The coolest thing; Jimi Hendrix bent over a burning guitar.
His thoughts on the ideology that his parents taught him growing up.
A heart-to-heart with his parents about dropping out of college.
He shares his process of writing music (when he couldn’t yet read music).
He talks about his motivation in the early days while he was still in the band.
His thoughts on what made bands either fail or succeed.
The elements of a good song, according to Cole.
The straw that broke the camel’s back and led to Cole quitting the band.
How he faked his way into the music program at Cal State Sacramento.
How he managed to pay his tuition (with a wife and kid on the way).
Executing things as if they were the truth and pushing through the difficult to achieve your passion.
His thoughts and process of what it looks like to break down a music piece.
We talk about workarounds and how deficiencies can provide a unique advantage.
The plan after graduating, the debate that ensued, and falling in love with coffee.
We talk about the Serial Podcast and the most important podcast season, ever.
How he navigated hosting a podcast while hating the sound of his voice.
We dive into the birth of Dissect, the premise for the initial ideal, and how it all came together.
He talks about the process of launching Dissect and the challenges he overcame.
How Cole gathers his insights and interpretations: the process.
The reaction and response he gets from both listeners and potential collaborators.
How he knew that Spotify was the right deal, at that time.
Navigating a lack of fulfillment.
How he chooses the artists he ends up dissecting.
Cole’s thoughts on success and finding meaningful work in your life.
Why Beethoven, and the likes, stood the test of time.
He expands on a quote about giving the world everything.
Tweetables:
“Maybe compared to a non-artist, I was naturally gifted, I would say. And that would continue for most of my life. Anything creative, I found a way to do pretty well.” — Cole Cuchna [0:07:49]
“I’ve found that anything that I've come to like, I usually – well, I always work really, really hard at it. It's really hard for me to fake that, though. If I don't care, I won't work hard.” — Cole Cuchna [0:13:56]
“The hard part about being in a band is that everyone thinks a little differently and has different motives. There can be a disconnect in the way that you get successful.” — Cole Cuchna [0:19:22]
“[When writing songs] I always tried to [find the] balance between being creative and innovative, but also, still appealing broadly to an audience.” — Cole Cuchna [0:21:34]
“Everything that I've ever decided to do felt like the right thing at the moment. [And] I tried to execute that thing as if that were the truth.” — Cole Cuchna [0:30:19]
“I just really loved how composition can be a wormhole into history and what you can learn about society, history, and just what it means to be human. I mean, that's really the underlying foundation of all art is translating human experience into something creative.” — Cole Cuchna [0:35:28]
“Anything that I end up liking creatively, I can't help but start to formulate what my version of that thing be.” — Cole Cuchna [0:45:31]
“Dissect ended up representing everything that I've ever done in my life into one thing.” — Cole Cuchna [0:46:35]
“Podcasting is at its best when you are yourself, whatever that is.” — Cole Cuchna [0:55:33]
“I think I found solace in the idea of Dissect going away one day. What I know about myself is that I will not be satisfied until I find the next meaningful thing.” — Cole Cuchna [01:15:10]
“I do think we intuitively connect to meaningful work and something that educates us about our experience on earth. I think all the great artists, when you really get into it, communicate that in some way. I feel like that's the magic of music — that things can be communicated without language.” — Cole Cuchna [01:17:08] Longer Quote
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: