Welcome to the
Beyond Measure Podcast

The Beyond Measure Podcast – with Christina Whitlock – is one of the friendliest spaces on the airwaves.

Studio music teachers of all instruments and voice types are welcome here:

where your experience is valued and your time is respected.

Come hang with me:

your self-appointed “Anytime” Piano Teacher Friend

when you need to talk to someone who KNOWS.

"I love listening to this podcast while I am walking or cooking. Short, to the point, and encouraging - you don't want to miss an episode!
Kay Lowry Independent Teacher

Play Episodes Directly Here:

or follow/subscribe on the Podcast Platform of your choice

165: Cheers to Changing Perspectives Before Performance
165: Cheers to Changing Perspectives Be...
In today's ultra-practical episode, I'm sharing THREE necessary changes of perspective we should all remem...
00:21:24
April 22, 2024
164: Cheers to Reducing Confusion, Intimidation, and Embarrassment in the Lesson
164: Cheers to Reducing Confusion, Inti...
Today's episode riffs on a well-known quote from mathematician, Larry Martinek: “Children don’t hate math....
00:20:17
April 15, 2024
163: Cheers to Spending Like an Artist
163: Cheers to Spending Like an Artist
We all know: financial decisions are incredibly personal. Yet, if we all prioritize that which matters to us, it...
00:22:03
April 08, 2024
ENCORE REPLAY: Cheers to Mixing Business with Compassion
ENCORE REPLAY: Cheers to Mixing Busines...
Today's episode features a replay of one of "those" episodes that we ALL could (or, perhaps, should?...
00:15:34
April 01, 2024
162: Cheers to Stating the
162: Cheers to Stating the "Obvious"
Today I am sharing three (somewhat embarrassing) stories to illustrate the importance of communicating things that...
00:18:48
March 25, 2024
161: Cheers to Calling EGO What it Is
161: Cheers to Calling EGO What it Is
The last several podcast episodes have danced around an important TeacherTruth that is a bit unsavory. Today, we&#...
00:18:07
March 18, 2024
160: Cheers to Fueling Recital Participation with FOMO
160: Cheers to Fueling Recital Particip...
Today we address "those families" (we all have them from time to time!) who just don't make studio e...
00:25:57
March 11, 2024
159: Cheers to Releasing the WEIGHT of
159: Cheers to Releasing the WEIGHT of ...
Teaching sometimes feels synonymous with the idea of identifying "potential", right? AND YET - the noti...
00:19:30
March 04, 2024
ICYMI: Cheers to Being a Piano Teacher
ICYMI: Cheers to Being a Piano Teacher
While on a self-imposed vocal rest, Christina takes the opportunity to share with you an episode of the "What...
00:30:12
February 26, 2024
158: Cheers to Advice for My Younger Teacher Self
158: Cheers to Advice for My Younger Te...
Today, I'm revising the top piece of advice I would give to my early-20's Teacher Self, if I could. I...
00:19:12
February 19, 2024
157: Cheers to What's Working in This Season
157: Cheers to What's Working in This S...
One important practice in my life is regularly listing What's Working for me, and, conversely, What's Not....
00:24:25
February 12, 2024
156: Cheers to Lessons Learned in (Pre-Teen) Counseling
156: Cheers to Lessons Learned in (Pre-...
Today I'm sharing three Piano Teacher Takeaways I learned - of all places - in the counselor's office. ...
00:19:22
February 05, 2024
155: Cheers to Studio Traditions
155: Cheers to Studio Traditions
Today I'm sharing all things TRADITION, including ideas from Instagram friends far and wide. Find all ment...
00:23:24
January 29, 2024
154: Cheers to My No. 1 Practice Hack
154: Cheers to My No. 1 Practice Hack
...it's probably not what you think it is! Find a full transcript, related links, and more in at ChristinaWhi...
00:14:08
January 22, 2024
153: Cheers to One SIMPLE Lesson Activity
153: Cheers to One SIMPLE Lesson Activi...
Today's episode features one easily-actionable lesson activity, as well as some big-picture takeaways from the...
00:14:53
January 16, 2024
152: Cheers to What it Means to PLAY
152: Cheers to What it Means to PLAY
It's easy to SAY we prioritize the role of PLAY in what we do, but how often to we *actually* sit and consider...
00:19:23
January 08, 2024
151: Cheers to Remaining Teachable (My One-Word for 2024)
151: Cheers to Remaining Teachable (My ...
Choosing a Word of the Year is a practice I only take on when I find a word that feels undeniably applicable. This...
00:21:17
January 02, 2024
Encore Replay: Cheers to Finishing
Encore Replay: Cheers to Finishing "Up"...
When this episode originally aired, the amount of "buzz" it created convinced me this was a message we a...
00:17:18
December 18, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Naming Your Studio Vibe (Originally Episode 096)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Naming Your St...
Today's encore replay features an important reminder: People don't always buy services and/or products. Mo...
00:21:26
December 11, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Money Talk (originally Episode 037)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Money Talk (or...
Why is talking about money so difficult? Today's encore replay looks into the why's-and-how's of finan...
00:19:10
December 04, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to the Upcoming GIFT of January (originally Episode 104)
Encore Replay: Cheers to the Upcoming G...
While it may seem premature to be talking about January, today I'm share a key consideration to making sure yo...
00:17:06
November 27, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Solid Before Spectacular (originally Episode 041)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Solid Before S...
Today's Encore Replay features a real "ah-ha" moment in my life, and I hope it has a similar impact ...
00:20:46
November 20, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to Experience > Correction (originally Episode 99)
Encore Replay: Cheers to Experience > C...
Today's replay features one of "those" episodes: the ones that end up teaching *me* just as much as ...
00:21:13
November 13, 2023
Encore Replay: Cheers to My Rule of Three (originally episode 049)
Encore Replay: Cheers to My Rule of Thr...
In the first of the year-end Encore Replays, Christina introduces her Rule of Three (episode 049). Year-End Encor...
00:17:39
November 06, 2023
150: Cheers to Taking Time Away from Teaching
150: Cheers to Taking Time Away from Te...
Today's episode reminds us: Just because you *can* teach without taking a break, it doesn't mean you *shou...
00:20:04
October 30, 2023
149: Cheers to The Best Advice for Studio Parents
149: Cheers to The Best Advice for Stud...
Years ago, I happened upon a piece of parenting advice that really stuck with my Teacher Brain. Today, I'm sha...
00:16:06
October 23, 2023
148: Cheers to The Forgotten Step in Teaching Teenagers
148: Cheers to The Forgotten Step in Te...
If there's one area studio music teachers can find solidarity in, it's navigating the struggles of those b...
00:18:17
October 16, 2023
147: Cheers to Goals as Stepping Stones (Not Destinations)
147: Cheers to Goals as Stepping Stones...
Today's episode makes an thought-provoking parallel between doing the laundry and music study. HINT: Both in...
00:18:15
October 09, 2023
146: Cheers to the Irrevocable Title of Musician
146: Cheers to the Irrevocable Title of...
Musicians are not defined by the number of hours they practice, the kinds of performances they give, or whether or...
00:10:39
October 02, 2023
145: Cheers to
145: Cheers to "Kids These Days"
This one's been brewing for awhile, friends: It's time to take a tough look inward, recognizing how our ex...
00:17:17
September 25, 2023
144: Cheers to Prioritizing Lasting Value
144: Cheers to Prioritizing Lasting Val...
Focus On That Which Will Last: These are words that save me ALL THE TIME in my personal and professional life. But...
00:13:55
September 18, 2023
143: Cheers to Metronome Musings
143: Cheers to Metronome Musings
Today, we're talking about finding success with the most polarizing device in all of music teaching: the metro...
00:21:41
September 11, 2023
142: Cheers to Being Your Own Method
142: Cheers to Being Your Own Method
Inspired by the well-known philosophy of Frances Clark, today I'm sharing a handful of my (many!) thoughts rel...
00:17:17
September 04, 2023
141: Cheers to The Things We Know (and the Things We Don't)
141: Cheers to The Things We Know (and ...
One of the fascinating mind games of MusicTeacherWorld is this: we have to simultaneously accept the fact that (1)...
00:15:03
August 28, 2023
140: Cheers to Identifying Emotional Labor in Teaching
140: Cheers to Identifying Emotional La...
Today, we talk about naming things that may have gone un-named in your studio. Listen in for an important discussi...
00:14:42
August 21, 2023
139: Cheers to BRAVERY in Communication
139: Cheers to BRAVERY in Communication
Today, Christina dishes out a bit of tough love for those of us (ahem) who are conflict-avoidant and prefer to &qu...
00:18:53
August 14, 2023
138: Cheers to The Things We Do *Not* Do
138: Cheers to The Things We Do *Not* D...
Inspired by an enthusiastic response to a particular One Thought Thursday email, today we are BOLDLY naming the ...
00:21:08
August 07, 2023
137: Cheers to Questions and Answers by Frances Clark (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
137: Cheers to Questions and Answers by...
The ninth and FINAL stop on our summer bookshelf tour is here, friends! I am excited to wrap up this series with a...
00:18:03
July 31, 2023
136: Cheers to Under Pressure by Lisa Damour (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
136: Cheers to Under Pressure by Lisa D...
Today's episode covers a (maybe?) unlikely piano-teacher recommendation, exploring the "Epidemic of Stres...
00:21:49
July 24, 2023
135: Cheers to The Ways Children Learn Music by Eric Bluestine (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
135: Cheers to The Ways Children Learn ...
Phew! This is a BIG topic to handle in my usually-bite-sized show. Listen in for ways I utilize MLT-inspired philo...
00:28:13
July 17, 2023
134: Cheers to Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
134: Cheers to Burnout by Emily and Ame...
Today, we look at the real causes of (and preventions for) that nasty thing called Burnout. Check out shownotes ...
00:21:20
July 10, 2023
133: Cheers to Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
133: Cheers to Big Magic by Elizabeth G...
Today, we examine what I consider to be the Anthem of Creative Living for artists in many disciplines: Big Magic, ...
00:14:59
July 03, 2023
132: Cheers to The Mindful Musician by Vanessa Cornett (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
132: Cheers to The Mindful Musician by ...
Our fourth stop on the Summer Bookshelf Tour is a fabulous journey into the world of mindfulness. It comes with an...
00:19:44
June 26, 2023
131: Cheers to The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
131: Cheers to The Gifts of Imperfectio...
Our third stop on the Summer Bookshelf Tour is a work I re-read every January because it's THAT good. The Gift...
00:20:15
June 19, 2023
130: Cheers to Intelligent Music Teaching by Robert Duke (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
130: Cheers to Intelligent Music Teachi...
Our second stop on the Summer Bookshelf Tour is Christina's most-recommended music text: Intelligent Music Tea...
00:17:13
June 12, 2023
129: Cheers to Atomic Habits by James Clear (Summer Bookshelf Tour)
129: Cheers to Atomic Habits by James C...
Cue the party horns! Today, Christina launches her first-ever SUMMER SERIES on the podcast. Each week through June...
00:18:22
June 05, 2023
BONUS EPISODE: Cheers to Continuing Legacies...
BONUS EPISODE: Cheers to Continuing Leg...
SURPRISE, FRIENDS! It's my first-ever BONUS episode, focusing on my continued obsession with the legacies we l...
00:15:13
May 31, 2023
128: Cheers to Contemplating Change
128: Cheers to Contemplating Change
Today's episode is part of a three-way podcast takeover, featuring myself, Nicola Cantan (of Vibrant Music Tea...
00:27:05
May 29, 2023
127: Cheers to Measuring Progress
127: Cheers to Measuring Progress
Research shows standardized tests only measure academic progress for a specific type of student. Let's not be ...
00:21:14
May 22, 2023
126: Cheers to Mixing Business with Compassion
126: Cheers to Mixing Business with Com...
Studio teachers often equate compassion with financial compromise. Today, Christina discusses alternative approach...
00:18:49
May 15, 2023
125: Cheers to Music as the Ultimate Comfort
125: Cheers to Music as the Ultimate Co...
Today, we talk about the serious distinction between music teacher and counselor, all while helping students disco...
00:18:58
May 08, 2023
124: Cheers to Knowing When to Say Goodbye
124: Cheers to Knowing When to Say Good...
There seems to be a lot of chatter in TeacherWorld over dismissing students. Today, Christina explores when this i...
00:20:55
May 01, 2023
123: Cheers to the Surprising Ones
123: Cheers to the Surprising Ones
Today we pay homage to the students who surprise us - in the very best of ways. Check out links to similar epis...
00:15:10
April 24, 2023
122: Cheers to Building a Business that Supports Your Community
122: Cheers to Building a Business that...
We’re really going for it; talking about a rarely-discussed aspect of establishing tuition rates today. Money st...
00:17:26
April 17, 2023
121: Cheers to the Sum of the Whole Experience
121: Cheers to the Sum of the Whole Exp...
Do you ever struggle to move on from a less-than-optimal lesson? Join Christina today as she reminds you of the im...
00:14:37
April 10, 2023
120: Cheers to Improving Your Teaching THIS Week
120: Cheers to Improving Your Teaching ...
Christina is summoning her Bossy Big Sister Energy to encourage you to do ONE specific thing, guaranteed to make y...
00:18:57
April 03, 2023
119: Cheers to Being Equally Human (a storytime episode)
119: Cheers to Being Equally Human (a s...
By listener request, a new "storytime" episode, focusing on a few favorite conference encounters - all b...
00:17:40
March 27, 2023
118: Cheers to Conference Ponderings
118: Cheers to Conference Ponderings
On the brink of the 2023 MTNA National Conference, I am sharing some thoughts and tips related to conference atte...
00:26:42
March 20, 2023
117: Cheers to Being a Good Boss (to Yourself)
117: Cheers to Being a Good Boss (to Yo...
As (largely) self-employed professionals, we don't talk about "bosses" very often.  Maybe we should.... Che...
00:16:39
March 12, 2023
116: Cheers to Question Marks and Exclamation Points
116: Cheers to Question Marks and Excla...
Sometimes, the simplest ideas have the greatest impact. Today, I'm sharing one small phrase that has helped me com...
00:08:57
March 06, 2023
115: Cheers to New Student Interviews
115: Cheers to New Student Interviews
Today we discuss a few highlights related to New Student Interviews.  Before you bring new students into your...
00:23:00
February 27, 2023
114: Cheers to Transfer Students
114: Cheers to Transfer Students
Today we explore transfer students and a handful of important considerations before bringing them into the studio....
00:23:19
February 20, 2023
113: Cheers to Asking,
113: Cheers to Asking, "To Pass or Not ...
Today I tackle a listener's request to examine when it's time to stick it out with student repertoire, and when it...
00:21:19
February 13, 2023
112: Cheers to The Case for Routine in Piano Lessons
112: Cheers to The Case for Routine in ...
Episode 112 ponders the question:  What routines ARE working for us in our lessons? Visit christinawhitlock.co...
00:21:11
February 06, 2023
111: Cheers to an ENCORE replay: Adjudication Success
111: Cheers to an ENCORE replay: Adjudi...
A case of laryngitis may have derailed Christina's plans for this episode, but she hopes you enjoy Plan B, which f...
00:18:28
January 30, 2023
110: Cheers to
110: Cheers to "Replay Strategies" in t...
Episode 110 continues to examine the way we sequence our lessons. Looking for alternatives to the endless cycle of...
00:20:29
January 23, 2023
109: Cheers to Examining Your Lesson Structure
109: Cheers to Examining Your Lesson St...
Episode 109 begs the question: Are you structuring your lesson in an optimal way?  Listen in for some ideas t...
00:16:51
January 16, 2023
108: Cheers to Un-Hurrying Your Elementary-Aged Students
108: Cheers to Un-Hurrying Your Element...
Why are we in such a hurry to get our younger students onto the next big thing? Well, it's time for a confession: ...
00:19:19
January 09, 2023
107: Cheers to Being On Your Way
107: Cheers to Being On Your Way
Join Christina for an important reminder at the start of a new calendar year. Sign up for the FREE Webinar, St...
00:16:43
January 02, 2023
106: Cheers to A Thrill of Hope
106: Cheers to A Thrill of Hope
The phrase "A Thrill of Hope" may come from a classic Christmas song, but it's a sentiment that holds value for me...
00:16:48
December 19, 2022
105: Cheers to Saying It Out Loud
105: Cheers to Saying It Out Loud
I'm sharing a favorite reminder today for managing ALL the teacher feelings and intentions. I hope you enjoy! ...
00:18:50
December 12, 2022
104: Cheers to the Upcoming Gift of January
104: Cheers to the Upcoming Gift of Jan...
Don't roll your eyes at my mention of January just yet...  Today I'm sharing a GAME-CHANGING perspective to k...
00:15:29
December 05, 2022
103: Cheers to The (Often-Debated) Value of University Education
103: Cheers to The (Often-Debated) Valu...
Today, I'm tackling that all-too-often-debated question of the value of collegiate education for studio music teac...
00:21:34
November 21, 2022
102: Cheers to Understanding the Student in Front of You
102: Cheers to Understanding the Studen...
In today's episode, I'm sharing a frequently-missed point of consideration when it comes to understanding why our ...
00:21:51
November 14, 2022
101: Cheers to Reframing
101: Cheers to Reframing "Mistakes"
Today we chat about our important role in helping students see "mistakes" as learning opportunities.   For mo...
00:18:42
November 07, 2022
100: Cheers to Showing Up (and 100 Episodes!)
100: Cheers to Showing Up (and 100 Epis...
Today, we celebrate what happens when you show up - in anything - with consistency.  We also hear from severa...
00:31:13
October 31, 2022
099: Cheers to Experience > Correction
099: Cheers to Experience > Correction
Today, we talk about an easy pitfall of music teaching:  Leaning too heavily on corrections, rather than musi...
00:18:10
October 24, 2022
098: Cheers to the Secret Reason We Overschedule Ourselves
098: Cheers to the Secret Reason We Ove...
Today I make a rather unflattering confession, in hopes it might help you understand a lesser-discussed reason we ...
00:15:49
October 17, 2022
097: Cheers to Unique Creative Ambition
097: Cheers to Unique Creative Ambition
Today, we tackle those desires, ideas, and passions that are uniquely YOURS. Connect with Christina: Suppo...
00:17:55
October 10, 2022
096: Cheers to Naming Your Studio Vibe
096: Cheers to Naming Your Studio Vibe
Today, we take a look at your studio vibe, while also exploring the notion that consumers purchase feelings moreso...
00:22:35
October 03, 2022
095: Cheers to Rethinking Team Sports
095: Cheers to Rethinking Team Sports
Today we talk about one of the most contentious factors in Studio Music Teacher World:  Team Sports (dun dun ...
00:23:30
September 26, 2022
094: An Extended Toast to Fall Transitions
094: An Extended Toast to Fall Transiti...
Today's quick episode features an opportunity to re-focus our efforts as studio music teachers.  I hope you e...
00:08:15
September 12, 2022
093: Cheers to Principles of Written Communication
093: Cheers to Principles of Written Co...
Today, I'm sharing my five guiding principles for written communication.  Whether you choose to use mine or n...
00:18:57
September 05, 2022
092: Cheers to Increasing Parental Communications (AKA: MY Primary Goal for This Academic Year)
092: Cheers to Increasing Parental Comm...
As promised, today I'm unveiling *MY* primary studio goal for the upcoming academic year.   As mentioned ...
00:22:40
August 29, 2022
091: Cheers to Goal-Setting That Works
091: Cheers to Goal-Setting That Works
In a profession constantly unveiling new ideas and materials, musicians rarely need help setting goals.  Inst...
00:21:16
August 22, 2022
090: Cheers to Handling Our Fall Scheduling Grievances
090: Cheers to Handling Our Fall Schedu...
It's no secret that scheduling can be the bane of the studio teacher's existence.  I may not have magical sol...
00:21:01
August 15, 2022
089: Cheers to Thinking Like a Beginner
089: Cheers to Thinking Like a Beginner
Most teachers will claim they know the importance of thinking like a beginner, but putting the beginner mindset in...
00:22:41
August 08, 2022
088: Cheers to Graduating Seniors (and the lessons they teach us)
088: Cheers to Graduating Seniors (and ...
Our students teach us every bit as much as we teach them.  This is especially true of graduating seniors. &nb...
00:22:48
August 01, 2022
087: Cheers to Valuing Your Time
087: Cheers to Valuing Your Time
This episode is in response to the MANY conversations I've had with listeners the past two weeks as we've discusse...
00:19:23
July 25, 2022
086: Cheers to Downsizing Your Studio Roster
086: Cheers to Downsizing Your Studio R...
Today's episode features a hefty discussion of the mindset involved in downsizing your studio - for whatever the r...
00:23:10
July 18, 2022
085: Cheers to Finding More Students
085: Cheers to Finding More Students
Today, we chat about my #1 tip for finding new students (along with a few others).   Mentioned in thi...
00:19:27
July 11, 2022
084: Cheers to a Summer Favorite
084: Cheers to a Summer Favorite
Today, I’m re-sharing a favorite episode from last summer. I hope it gets your creative teacher brains turning i...
00:21:58
July 04, 2022
Episode 83: Cheers to Relationships and Results
Episode 83: Cheers to Relationships and...
Today we talk about the importance of focusing on relationships, rather than results.   Mentioned in this ep...
00:14:57
June 27, 2022
Episode 82: Cheers to the Creative Life
Episode 82: Cheers to the Creative Life...
Today we celebrate (and recommit to) the importance of the Creative Life. Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 4...
00:19:15
June 20, 2022
Episode 81: Cheers to 40 Lessons Learned
Episode 81: Cheers to 40 Lessons Learn...
As Christina celebrates the big 4-0 this week, she spends this episode reflecting on 40 lessons learned thus far a...
00:17:22
June 13, 2022
Episode 80: Cheers to Mentoring Relationships
Episode 80: Cheers to Mentoring Relatio...
Today we talk about the importance of mentoring relationships in studio teacher life.   Mentioned in th...
00:21:09
June 06, 2022
Episode 79: Cheers to Work AND Heart
Episode 79: Cheers to Work AND Heart
Today, we examine what it looks like to set boundaries in our work, even when our occupation is fueled so mightily...
00:18:21
May 23, 2022
Episode 78: Cheers to Wrapping Up a School Year
Episode 78: Cheers to Wrapping Up a Sc...
Today, Christina shares four considerations for wrapping up an academic year. Mentioned in this Episode: Episo...
00:19:33
May 16, 2022
Episode 77: Cheers to Highlighting Accomplishments
Episode 77: Cheers to Highlighting Acc...
With the end of another school year on the horizon, I think it's more important than ever to spend some time helpi...
00:14:35
May 09, 2022
Episode 76: Cheers to My Zero-Energy List
Episode 76: Cheers to My Zero-Energy Li...
Today I’m sharing my Zero Energy List; which is a collection of three things I downright refuse to spend mental ...
00:21:32
May 02, 2022
Episode 75: Cheers to Recital Magic
Episode 75: Cheers to Recital Magic
Today’s episode is an impromptu set of post-recital reflections, geared towards making sure teachers aren’t gu...
00:22:29
April 25, 2022
Episode 74: Cheers to the Chatty Ones
Episode 74: Cheers to the Chatty Ones
Today we talk strategy when it comes to those strong verbal processors (aka: The Chatty Ones).   Mentioned ...
00:19:32
April 18, 2022
Episode 73: Cheers to Being a Teacher in the World
Episode 73: Cheers to Being a Teacher i...
...just a quick little story from last week (of course, with a music teacher twist).  Related to this episod...
00:10:54
April 11, 2022
Episode 72: Cheers to Better than Perfect
Episode 72: Cheers to Better than Perfe...
In response to last week's episode on disappointment, today I'm offering five things that are BETTER than being pe...
00:16:18
April 04, 2022
Episode 71: Cheers to Bouncing Back When You Disappoint Yourself
Episode 71: Cheers to Bouncing Back Wh...
The aftershocks of falling short of our own expectations can be a difficult part of musician/music teacher life. &...
00:21:33
March 28, 2022
Episode 70: Cheers to a Pep Talk for Spring
Episode 70: Cheers to a Pep Talk for Sp...
There’s a lot to love about spring, but the teacher’s schedule is not necessarily one of them… Email an...
00:20:13
March 21, 2022
Episode 69: Cheers to Studio Families (A Spring Break Replay)
Episode 69: Cheers to Studio Families ...
Today's episode is a replay of Episode 11 (Cheers to Believing the Best). It dovetails nicely with last week's epi...
00:18:59
March 14, 2022
Episode 68: Cheers to Symbiotic Studio Relationships
Episode 68: Cheers to Symbiotic Studio ...
Today's episode tells the story of how a 4th grade Latin lesson led me to one of my most fundamental beliefs about...
00:20:23
March 07, 2022
Episode 67: Cheers to The Best Advice I Received as a Student
Episode 67: Cheers to The Best Advice I...
What do driving a car and performing a musical instrument have in common? It turns out, a lot… Mentioned in thi...
00:13:24
February 28, 2022
Episode 66: Cheers to Preparing Students for Performance (Part 3: Action Items)
Episode 66: Cheers to Preparing Student...
Part three of the series highlights some of my favorite actionable preparation tips, as well as introduces my (sim...
00:21:50
February 21, 2022
Episode 65: Cheers to Preparing Students for Performance (Part 2: Mindset)
Episode 65: Cheers to Preparing Student...
Today, in the second of a three-part series on prepping students for performance, we tackle mindset. I’m sharing...
00:23:00
February 14, 2022
Episode 64: Cheers to Preparing Students for Performance (Part 1: Timelines)
Episode 64: Cheers to Preparing Studen...
The first episode in this series on Preparing Students for Performance focuses on the #1 stumbling block students ...
00:23:43
February 07, 2022
Episode 63: Cheers to Recurring Life Lessons
Episode 63: Cheers to Recurring Life Le...
I'm curious: Do you feel like there is a particular lesson life seems to teach you over and over again?  ...
00:15:17
January 31, 2022
Episode 62: Cheers to Not Missing the Point
Episode 62: Cheers to Not Missing the ...
We are ALL guilty of "missing the point" from time to time. Today's episode includes reflections from a favorite b...
00:16:28
January 24, 2022
Episode 61: Cheers to the Challenging Ones
Episode 61: Cheers to the Challenging O...
Challenging students:  We've all been there, done that - right?  Today, I hope to help you make the most...
00:20:36
January 17, 2022
Episode 60: Cheers to “Spending” Time
Episode 60: Cheers to “Spending” Ti...
Today, I offer you a break from the rest of the world’s New Year chatter to “be a better you”, and, instead,...
00:19:01
January 10, 2022
Episode 59: Cheers to Welcoming 2022
Episode 59: Cheers to Welcoming 2022
Today we welcome 2022 with an “extended toast”, along with a BIG announcement on how you can begin supporting ...
00:13:33
January 03, 2022
Episode 58: Cheers to Wrapping Up 2021
Episode 58: Cheers to Wrapping Up 2021
Short and sweet, this extended toast is being offered up today in hopes of encouraging you to reflect on your most...
00:07:33
December 27, 2021
Episode 57: Cheers to Naming What You Want
Episode 57: Cheers to Naming What You W...
Being in a service-oriented profession, I think we can sometimes get lost in thinking of the many needs/wants of o...
00:10:13
December 20, 2021
Episode 56: Cheers to Embracing Change
Episode 56: Cheers to Embracing Change
So much of the time, our studio struggles come down to changes we don’t expect or resist (for whatever reason). ...
00:14:16
December 13, 2021
Episode 55: Cheers to Making Favors Known
Episode 55: Cheers to Making Favors Kno...
After spending the last two weeks talking about avoiding exceptions, I thought it fitting to wrap up this series b...
00:16:47
December 06, 2021
Episode 54: Cheers to Sanity-Saving Policies
Episode 54: Cheers to Sanity-Saving Pol...
Today’s episode explores three policies most saving my sanity this season of life. * Mentioned in this episode...
00:19:49
November 29, 2021
Episode 53: Cheers to Considering Exceptions
Episode 53: Cheers to Considering Excep...
As teachers and business-owners, we are faced with requests for exceptions ALL THE TIME. As a general rule, I te...
00:14:51
November 22, 2021
Episode 52: Cheers to Navigating a Lesson When Your Student Hasn’t Practiced
Episode 52: Cheers to Navigating a Less...
This episode serves as a follow-up to last week’s Practice Manifesto. Links mentioned: December Performance ...
00:22:58
November 15, 2021
Episode 51: Cheers to My Practice Manifesto
Episode 51: Cheers to My Practice Manif...
Student practice is an undeniable staple of music study success. But - as any seasoned studio teacher knows, some ...
00:18:51
November 08, 2021
Episode 50: Cheers to Your Questions…and My Answers
Episode 50: Cheers to Your Questions…...
In our first-ever Q+A episode, Christina tackles listener questions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podc...
00:17:47
November 01, 2021
Episode 49: Cheers to My Rule of Three
Episode 49: Cheers to My Rule of Three
Join Christina for an introduction to the Rule of Three: her favorite piece of marital-advice-turned-teaching-stra...
00:17:31
October 25, 2021
Episode 48: Cheers to Your Inner Critic (a follow-up)
Episode 48: Cheers to Your Inner Critic...
Responses to last week’s episode on dealing with our inner critics were so strong, I felt it worthy of our time ...
00:19:18
October 18, 2021
Episode 47: Cheers to Your Inner Critic
Episode 47: Cheers to Your Inner Critic
In a society that often tells us to ignore/stomp/conquer our inner-critics, I’m offering an alternative perspect...
00:17:58
October 11, 2021
Episode 46: Cheers to Lessons Learned (and Confirmed)
Episode 46: Cheers to Lessons Learned (...
The Beyond Measure Podcast turns ONE today (well, technically, tomorrow…)! 🥳 In celebration, I am sharing f...
00:21:11
October 04, 2021
Episode 45: Cheers to Naming Your Objective
Episode 45: Cheers to Naming Your Objec...
One of my most beneficial takeaways from graduate school was the importance of naming my objective: in lesson plan...
00:14:14
September 27, 2021
Episode 44: Cheers to the Relentless Defense of Imagination
Episode 44: Cheers to the Relentless De...
I think most music teachers would agree that Imagination and Creativity rank pretty high on our list of human prio...
00:17:02
September 20, 2021
Episode 43: Cheers to Studio Mantras
Episode 43: Cheers to Studio Mantras
Keeping with last week’s theme of making our words count, Christina shares a simple yearly practice of selecting...
00:22:22
September 13, 2021
Episode 42: Cheers to Talking Less
Episode 42: Cheers to Talking Less
The ability to speak succinctly is a strength in many effective educators, but it doesn’t always come naturally ...
00:16:54
September 06, 2021
Episode 41: Cheers to Solid Before Spectacular
Episode 41: Cheers to Solid Before Spec...
With the definite risk of oversharing, today I talk about the importance of being solid, before striving for spect...
00:19:55
August 30, 2021
Episode 40: Cheers to Pulling Yourself Out of a Funk
Episode 40: Cheers to Pulling Yourself ...
Even the most enthusiastic teachers have days that feel hard. Today we’re talking about my favorite tips to get ...
00:21:38
August 23, 2021
Episode 39: Cheers to Making Peace with Student Exits
Episode 39: Cheers to Making Peace with...
Today, we tackle everyone’s least-favorite truth of teaching: Sometimes, students quit. It’s gut-wrenchingly h...
00:21:08
August 16, 2021
Episode 38: Cheers to a Less-Conventional August
Episode 38: Cheers to a Less-Convention...
Getting back into the swing of a new academic year can often feel like an uphill battle. Today, Christina shares a...
00:21:44
July 19, 2021
Episode 37: Cheers to Money Talk
Episode 37: Cheers to Money Talk
Talking about money may be one of the least-loved aspects of running an independent music studio, but (of course!)...
00:18:34
July 12, 2021
Episode 36: Cheers to Teacher Truths
Episode 36: Cheers to Teacher Truths
Today’s episode features three of my “12 Teacher Truths” I use in pedagogy courses for pre-college and unive...
00:18:35
July 05, 2021
Episode 35: Cheers to Easier Than You Think
Episode 35: Cheers to Easier Than You T...
How many times do we lose sleep over a looming change, only to realize later the THOUGHT of making change was *so*...
00:16:59
June 28, 2021
Episode 34: Cheers to Online Engagement
Episode 34: Cheers to Online Engagement...
In this SUPERSIZED episode, Christina shares her Top 10 personal rules for interacting with other teachers online....
00:26:37
June 21, 2021
Episode 33: Cheers to Crazy Talk
Episode 33: Cheers to Crazy Talk
By necessity, independent music teachers tend to be a fairly rational bunch. BUT - when was the last time you let ...
00:19:23
June 14, 2021
Episode 32: Cheers to “Tell Me More”
Episode 32: Cheers to “Tell Me More...
Today, we’re talking about a game-changing phrase that can make us better educators, as well as better humans. B...
00:16:49
June 07, 2021
Episode 31: Cheers to Challenging Colleagues
Episode 31: Cheers to Challenging Colle...
Last week was all warm and fuzzy, as we talked about the benefits of befriending our local colleagues...but let’...
00:18:39
May 31, 2021
Episode 30: Cheers to YOUR Local Teacher Friends
Episode 30: Cheers to YOUR Local Teache...
Beyond Measure is BACK after a refreshing 2-week hiatus, and today Christina is offering up her #1 piece of advice...
00:19:08
May 24, 2021
Episode 29: Cheers to Acknowledging Rest
Episode 29: Cheers to Acknowledging Res...
Let’s face it: especially this time of year, rest is HARD for ambitious teachers. Rather than making you feel gu...
00:21:07
May 03, 2021
Episode 28: Cheers to My Happy Birthday Obsession
Episode 28: Cheers to My Happy Birthday...
The Happy Birthday song is one of the most frequent requests musicians receive, at every level of study. It also s...
00:23:30
April 26, 2021
Episode 27: Cheers to Recital Success (part 2)
Episode 27: Cheers to Recital Success (...
Your Anytime Piano Teacher Friend is back with the motherload of recital thoughts in today’s episode. Let’s ge...
00:24:37
April 19, 2021
Episode 26: Cheers to Recital Success (part 1)
Episode 26: Cheers to Recital Success (...
Recitals get a bum reputation sometimes, but they hold enormous potential for happy students and happy families! T...
00:20:30
April 12, 2021
Episode 25: Cheers to The Small Stuff
Episode 25: Cheers to The Small Stuff
Today we’re talking about the importance of paying attention to The Small Stuff, because it’s oftentimes more ...
00:20:15
April 05, 2021
Episode 24: Cheers to Adjudication Success
Episode 24: Cheers to Adjudication Succ...
Many of us get requests to adjudicate events throughout the year, but judges’ training is often minimal, at best...
00:18:59
March 29, 2021
Episode 23: Cheers to The Musician You Are Today
Episode 23: Cheers to The Musician You ...
For all its (countless!) benefits, music study can sometimes foster a sneaky spirit of discontentment. After all, ...
00:18:15
March 22, 2021
Episode 22: Cheers to Questioning Techniques
Episode 22: Cheers to Questioning Techn...
Asking more questions is a (nearly) fool-proof way to deepen the engagement level of your students. Let’s encour...
00:16:33
March 15, 2021
Episode 21: Cheers to Considering Performance Anxiety
Episode 21: Cheers to Considering Perfo...
There are volumes upon volumes of research concerning the best ways to cope with performance anxiety available, bu...
00:19:46
March 08, 2021
Episode 20: Cheers to Preserving Gratitude
Episode 20: Cheers to Preserving Gratit...
What’s a teacher to do when we know our brain holds tight to negative feedback, while dismissing positive words ...
00:20:28
March 01, 2021
Episode 19: Cheers to Making the Most of Online Lessons
Episode 19: Cheers to Making the Most o...
Ah, virtual lessons: love ‘em or hate ‘em, their existence in our profession is, at this point, inevitable. Le...
00:24:00
February 22, 2021
Episode 18: Cheers to Teacher Warm-Ups
Episode 18: Cheers to Teacher Warm-Ups
I probably don’t have to sell you on the importance of warming-up as a musician, but have you ever considered wh...
00:17:26
February 15, 2021
Episode 17: Cheers to Finishing “Up”
Episode 17: Cheers to Finishing “Up...
In recent years it has dawned on me how much more attention we give the START of our lessons than the END of our t...
00:16:10
February 08, 2021
Episode 16: Cheers to Page Turning Stories
Episode 16: Cheers to Page Turning Stor...
A recent restless night led me to realize I have a strange number of memories connected to the often-uncelebrated ...
00:16:35
February 01, 2021
Episode 15: Cheers to Asking Questions
Episode 15: Cheers to Asking Questions
As we wrap up the New Year Series on self-reflection practices for music teachers, I am suggesting two simple-but-...
00:16:06
January 25, 2021
Episode 14: Cheers to Student Evaluations
Episode 14: Cheers to Student Evaluatio...
Writing student evaluations can feel like a daunting task, but - done right - it can be a mutually-beneficial part...
00:22:06
January 18, 2021
Episode 13: Cheers to Simple Philosophy-Building
Episode 13: Cheers to Simple Philosophy...
A written philosophy of teaching can be enormously helpful in many ways, but - like so many things - we tend to ma...
00:17:51
January 11, 2021
Episode 12: Cheers to One Word (for Teachers)
Episode 12: Cheers to One Word (for Tea...
Today’s episode puts a teacher-twist on the traditional “One Word” Philosophy. This tried-and-true strategy ...
00:25:40
January 04, 2021
Episode 11: Cheers to Believing the Best
Episode 11: Cheers to Believing the Bes...
2020 has put us all through the wringer (and a few spin cycles!). Listen in for a mini-guide to understanding conf...
00:19:22
December 14, 2020
Episode 10: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Considerations, Part 2
Episode 10: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Consi...
Join me for the second (and final) brainstorm of holiday studio activities this year. There’s a little something...
00:19:21
December 07, 2020
Episode 9: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Considerations - Part 1
Episode 9: Cheers to Holiday (Re)Consid...
Traditions can be lovely, but can also leave us stuck in the status-quo, giving us very little return on investmen...
00:24:34
November 30, 2020
Episode 8: Cheers to Giving Thanks
Episode 8: Cheers to Giving Thanks
As creatives, it’s important to make sure we are supporting our own. So, today, we celebrate and give thanks for...
00:18:49
November 23, 2020
Episode 7: Cheers to Laughter
Episode 7: Cheers to Laughter
As you and I continue to build our podcast friendship, I thought it was time we simply shared a few laughs (the ki...
00:22:08
November 16, 2020
Episode 6: Cheers to Being Wrong
Episode 6: Cheers to Being Wrong
I know it’s hard to believe - but none of us are right 100% of the time (even music teachers!). Today, I’m pro...
00:18:55
November 09, 2020
Episode 5: Cheers to the Quiet Ones
Episode 5: Cheers to the Quiet Ones
Teaching fact #792: We never know exactly what our quiet students are thinking. Let’s ponder hard-to-read studen...
00:22:20
November 02, 2020
Episode 4: Cheers to Why
Episode 4: Cheers to Why
Join me for a reflective episode today, as we consider the very first question I was asked in my first piano pedag...
00:18:44
October 26, 2020
Episode 3: Cheers to Seasons
Episode 3: Cheers to Seasons
Whether we take the time to notice it or not, our studios steadily change seasons from year to year. Take a deep b...
00:15:36
October 19, 2020
Episode 2: Cheers to Enough
Episode 2: Cheers to Enough
The term “enough” is dicey for musicians. We know there is never “enough” practice time, and we often feel...
00:20:58
October 12, 2020
Episode 1: Cheers to Teachers!
Episode 1: Cheers to Teachers!
Pandemic life or not, only music teachers know how much of our time and energy it *actually* takes to keep our stu...
00:24:44
October 05, 2020
Trailer
Trailer
An under-sixty-second glimpse of the Beyond Measure Podcast with Christina Whitlock. --- Send in a voice messag...
00:00:58
August 29, 2020

Guest Podcast Appearances

click for a list of links

Christina Whitlock on Sounds of Encouragement
Sounds of Encouragement
Christina Whitlock on All Keyed Up
All Keyed Up
Christina Whitlock on the TopCast
the TopCast
Christina Whitlock on Key Ideas Podcast
Key Ideas
Christina Whitlock on Music Studio Startup Podcast
Music Studio Startup
Christina Whitlock on the Dynamic Music Teaching Podcast
Dynamic Piano Teaching
Christina Whitlock on the Piano Pantry Podcast
Piano Pantry
Christina Whitlock on Integrated Music Teaching Podcast
Integrated Music Teaching
Christina Whitlock on the Piano Teacher Primer Podcast
Piano Teacher Primer
Christina Whitlock on Integrated Music Teaching Podcast
Integrated Music Teaching
Christina Whitlock on Teach Music Online
Teach Music Online
Christina Whitlock on the Piano Pantry Podcast
Piano Pantry
Christina Whitlock on What It's Like to Be A Piano Teacher
What It's Like to Be
Artists for Joy with Meredith Hite Estevez
Artists for Joy
Sign Up to Get One Thought Thursday
Click to Explore the Studio Foundations Course
Support Beyond Measure on Patreon