Rephonic
Artwork for The Fourforty

The Fourforty (440) with Eric Branner

Eric Branner
Music Education
Piano Pedagogy
Music Teachers National Association
Level It Up
Popmatics
Pete Mccoy
Terry Clayton
Bryce Butler
Seattle Times
Burnout
Music Entrepreneurship
Heartwood Guitar
Sloan School Of Music
Seattle, United States
Music Learning Theory
Narciso Solero
Eric Branner
Adult Piano Education
Tiktok
Kawai America Corporation

The FourForty Podcast is where musicians and music teachers share their journeys as educators, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders. Each conversation explores the real work of building a meaningful career in music... and the impact it makes beyond the studio.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes35Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Fourforty

Latest Episodes

John Kozicki quit a marketing career and a touring band to teach guitar. He then built two music schools around a single conviction: students play longer, learn more, and have more fun when they're playing with other people.

John is the founder of M... more

In this solo episode, Eric shares three things that have been on his mind.

First, the story of Fons becoming MakeMusic Studio, from a 2016 studio management platform built for his own guitar students, through the years of growth, becoming part of th... more

Jason Sifford is a piano teacher, composer, and performer based in Iowa City. He runs an independent studio, writes pedagogical music published by Willis/Hal Leonard and FJH Music, composes original musical theater for a children's theater program th... more

Leila Viss has spent her career helping musicians find and trust their own creative voice. In this conversation, she shares the philosophy behind Space to Create, what her son’s accident taught her about music and grief, and why the opposite of anxie... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jason Sifford
Piano teacher, composer and performer based in Iowa City
Jason Sifford Studios
Episode: Making a Resilient Living with Jason Sifford
Leila Viss
Pianist, teacher, composer, author, and creator of Space to Create
Space to Create; Colorado Bach Ensemble (via church work)
Episode: The Opposite of Anxiety is Creativity with Leila Viss
Roberto Hermosillo
Grammy-nominated artist, studio performer, TV actor, music director, school owner, and music teacher
Roberto's Music Studio
Episode: Roberto Hermosillo on Building a Modern Music Career
Jaclyn Mrozek
Piano teacher, presenter, host of Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast
Scrappy Piano Teacher
Episode: Jaclyn Mrozek of the Scrappy Piano Teacher
Narciso Solero
Pianist, piano teacher, pedagogy lecturer based in the Washington, DC area
Private studio in Falls Church, Virginia
Episode: Level It Up! Narciso Solero's Framework for Teaching Piano Repertoire
Elizabeth Swift
Prolific composer, creator of Saga Land, published by Alfred Music
Alfred Music
Episode: Composer Elizabeth Swift on Creativity, Saga Land, and the Art of Saying Yes
Anne Katherine Davis
Pianist, educator
Mexico online teaching community
Episode: Anne Katherine Davis on MLT, Audiation, and the Science of Musical Thought
Tim Topham
Director of TopMusicCo and leading voice in modern piano pedagogy
TopMusicCo
Episode: Beyond the Method: Tim Topham on Creative Teaching in a Distracted World
Lisa Neher
Opera singer, composer, professor, entrepreneur, founder of New Wave Opera
New Wave Opera
Episode: Follow Your Curiosity: Designing a Sustainable Music Career with Dr. Lisa Neher

Host

Eric Branner
Host of The Fourforty Podcast (440) and The FourForty Podcast, focusing on journeys as educators, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders in music.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 14 ratings
  • Must-listen for serious entrepreneurial musicians and founders

    This isn’t just a podcast about music. It’s not just a podcast about the business of music. It covers what’s missing from nearly every music, business and entrepreneurship school: pragmatic real-life examples of what the real world after school is like. And for experienced serial musical entrepreneurs, this is a must listen to stay current on what’s happening in the music and studio teaching professions. And if you’re any other kind of Founder or envisioning being one, Eric Branner’s biography i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrBaritone
    United States5 months ago
  • It Resonates

    Just like strummed guitar strings which create resonant melodies and harmonies, this podcast will create deep resonances in your psyche about business for Creatives. Don’t just listen…learn, take notes, and apply the wisdom from those who strike a chord with you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sounds of Encouragement
    United States9 months ago
  • Entrepreneurship Goldmine

    A must listen for any musician who desires to chart a path to real impact and livelihood through music. Mindset shifts, business tweaks, and illumination of the various ways to achieve success- you’ll be inspired each time you listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RVA Mama
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners say it resonates with creative entrepreneurship and practical career-building.
Described as an entrepreneurship goldmine for musicians seeking real impact and livelihood.
Must-listen for serious entrepreneurial musicians and founders. | Praises pragmatic real-life examples and ethical leadership.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David Chang on Music, Mindset, and Building an Impactful Business with Joy
Q: What role did mindset and consistent inputs play in your growth, and how do you sustain it?
Mindset training is core—treating practice as a form of daily input, designing containers for growth, and staying disciplined about practice and content creation to keep momentum even when results aren't immediate.
The Path of a Pioneering Educator: Rob Hampton on Purpose, Joy, and Pricing
Q: What's the core idea behind The Jam, and why is it central to your teaching business?
The Jam reframes performances as authentic audience-focused experiences rather than exams, which reduces performance anxiety for students, creates memorable shows, and strengthens word-of-mouth advocacy among families and the community.
The Path of a Pioneering Educator: Rob Hampton on Purpose, Joy, and Pricing
Q: How did you structure your funnel and tools to grow Heartwood Guitar into a membership site?
I used free chord charts and lead magnets to build a mailing list, then deployed an automated drip email sequence and quarterly sales pushes to convert members, while offering ongoing courses and Q&A to maintain engagement.
The Path of a Pioneering Educator: Rob Hampton on Purpose, Joy, and Pricing
Q: What was the idea or source of pricing psychology that helped you differentiate yourself early on?
A friend challenged me to rethink what I charged, pointing out that I should aim higher and teach more elite students, which reshaped my mindset about value and allowed me to set higher rates that reflected the quality and outcomes I delivered.
The Three-Legged Stool: Building a Successful Music Career with Joe Bergamini
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting today and hoping to play Broadway or similar stages?
Show up, take any gigs you can, build a vast network of good players, and relentlessly pursue better opportunities through consistent, high-quality work and strategic self-promotion; diversify with teaching and other roles.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Fourforty

What is The Fourforty about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are typically educators and entrepreneurial musicians who are building sustainable, non-traditional careers in music. Episodes focus on piano pedagogy, studio management, diversified income streams, community-building, and creative teaching approaches that blend performance with teaching. A standout thread across episodes is the emphasis on practical, real-world strategies for growing studios, pricing, marketing, and nurturing resilient, non-linear career paths. The format frequently features practitioners who run independent studios or boutique teaching businesses, with a strong focus on community impact, mentorship, and sustainable practices for teachers and performers alike.

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How many listeners does The Fourforty get?

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How many episodes of The Fourforty are there?

The Fourforty launched a year ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Fourforty?

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What guests have appeared on The Fourforty?

Recent guests on The Fourforty include:

1. Jason Sifford
2. Leila Viss
3. Roberto Hermosillo
4. Jaclyn Mrozek
5. Narciso Solero
6. Elizabeth Swift
7. Anne Katherine Davis
8. Tim Topham

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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