What I’ve Learned Speaking About Self-Doubt to Musicians and Creatives
From NAMM to intimate songwriting workshops, here’s what resonates
Self-Doubt Workshop for NAMM 2025
When I first began speaking about self-doubt, I wasn’t sure anyone would want to do that kind of shadow work in real time. My own doubts rose up. Am I the only one who talks to that voice in my head?
But what I’ve discovered is this: once one brave soul in the room names their self-doubt, you can feel the collective sigh of relief. Smiles appear. Heads nod. Something real has entered the space.
Every talk I give—whether at NAMM, Pandion, or in a small creative circle—is different. It’s like riding the lightning to see what wants to emerge. Some attendees are puzzled by my work, saying they don’t relate to a “doubtful passenger.” But most begin to see their self-doubt in a new light: not as a villain, but as a part of themselves trying to protect them—just reacting to unfamiliar terrain.
“We Teach What We Need to Learn” – Mom
One of my biggest influences was my mom, who passed away while I was writing Doubt Riding Shotgun. She had a phrase that stuck with me: “We teach what we need to learn.”
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At first, I felt shame hearing that—like I wasn’t “qualified” to teach something I was still learning. But over time, I came to see her words as permission: permission to teach from humility, curiosity, and embodied experience.
Each talk I give is not a lecture, but a practice.
I’m still learning. And each time I share, I deepen my relationship with self-doubt.
“We teach what we need to learn.” — Mom
What Audiences Have Taught Me
Here are four things I’ve learned about what makes a talk on self-doubt resonate with musicians, creatives, and workshop participants:
1. Speak from your own story
I always begin with my personal journey. I don’t show up as a guru or someone who has “conquered” doubt. That’s not the point. Instead, I talk about how doubt shows up for me and how I’ve learned to relate to it differently.
“Your talk reinforced my belief in myself and gave me the push I needed to keep sharing my music with the world.” — NAMM Show Attendee
2. Make it interactive and human
At Pandion Music Foundation, the director had this to say:
“Dave led an incredible workshop for our community of music creators… one of our most engaging and conversation-driven sessions yet.”
I use my coaching background to ask questions that help people reflect and engage. Whether it’s journaling prompts or small group sharing, the real transformation happens when people hear others name the same doubts they’ve been carrying silently.
3. Build trust before offering tools
Before diving into techniques, I invite participants to explore the many types of doubt. Here are four that often show up:
Imposter Syndrome – “I’m unqualified.”
Perfectionism – “It’s not good enough.”
Land of Confusion – “I don’t know where to start.”
Analysis Paralysis – “There are too many options.”
Once people identify what’s happening inside, I introduce practices from Doubt Riding Shotgun, such as:
Naming your doubt voice
Writing a thank-you letter to your doubt
Understanding doubt’s fears
Mindfulness and creative rituals
These exercises can be used again and again—and many former attendees have told me they’re still working with them months later.
4. Expect discomfort, growth, and relief
People come in a little guarded. But they often leave with clarity, compassion, and courage.
“I had never considered how to actively address self-doubt before your talk. It gave me a new perspective.”
“Thank you for helping quiet the inner critic in all of us. Hearing how you’ve personally navigated self-doubt in your songwriting journey was incredibly inspiring.”
That’s why I keep doing this. Because if even one person leaves with more hope, or a deeper sense of permission to create—it's worth it.
Curious what a self-doubt session could do for your community?
If you’re hosting an event or want to bring this work to your group, visit my Booking Page for more info.
And here’s a reminder I often share at the end of these sessions:
Self-doubt isn’t always wrong. Sometimes it holds a map that still applies. But if we’re doing something new, we may be off the map entirely—and doubt gets scared. Listening with curiosity helps us discern what part of us is speaking, and who should be driving.
