Unwinding the Stories That Hold Us Back with Johnny Goudie

We all carry stories we tell ourselves. Some are rooted in truth; others are distorted reflections meant to keep us small. Society tells us to go to therapy, to unpack and rewrite those stories — and yes, therapy helps. But some narratives cling like glue. They shift our sense of self. They shape how we move through the world. Sometimes, they sabotage us before anyone else has a chance to. And so, we are pushed — sometimes gently, sometimes by force — to rewire. Rewire our thoughts, our emotional reflexes, our understanding of success, and what it means to be enough. It’s not just mental gymnastics. It’s unlearning what society drilled in: that we must wait, perfect, or be chosen. Instead, we start learning how to choose ourselves. 

This episode explores those inner scripts — the ones keeping you in the "not so safe zone" — and the trap of black-and-white thinking that keeps so many creatives stuck.

If you’ve ever felt frozen by fear, unclear about your next step, or unsure whether you’re even allowed to begin… this conversation is for you.

In episode 6 of Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life, musician and podcast host Johnny Goudie joins Dan and Natalie for a raw conversation about what it really means to build a creative life. Not just a career — a life. One that includes fear, rejection, uncertainty, and still choosing to show up.

Johnny has spent over four decades in music. He’s toured, recorded, been signed, dropped, signed again, and built a podcast empire with over 1,500 episodes. But he doesn’t sell a highlight reel. Instead, he shares a truth that’s harder to post: you will carry stories that tell you you’re not enough — until you choose to stop believing them.

That theme — letting go of certainty, letting in nuance — runs through the entire conversation. Dan calls out how society conditions us:

We’re raised on rules: get good grades, pick a path, stick to the map. But what happens when you want to start something off-map?

That’s where Johnny’s mindset, along with all our guests in Uncharted, stands out.

In other words: if you're going to do it, go all in. That kind of thinking took him from a garage band with his friend Chris Mahart to signing with Lars Ulrich’s label. But it wasn’t just ambition. It was willingness to look foolish — to say yes before having the perfect plan.

The episode also addresses something critical in today’s culture: the illusion of access. Gen Z creators often assume sending a DM is the same as building a connection. Johnny disagrees:

It’s not a lecture. It’s a reality check. Real relationships take time. Presence. Curiosity. Reciprocity.

And underneath that is another shift — from scarcity to abundance. Dan puts it clearly:

In a world obsessed with comparison, Johnny's view — and his longevity — is rooted in a sense of non-competitive generosity. But it wasn’t always that way. He’s open about how jealousy and comparison tripped him up early in his career.

Eventually, he reframed it:

That shift — from internalized scarcity to outward support — is part of the reason he’s stayed creatively active for so long. Not everyone gets there. But when you do, your creative world opens up. Someone else’s win stops feeling like your loss. You stop asking, “Why not me?” and start asking, “What can I make that’s honest?”

And then there’s the moment — his moment — the one many artists chase their whole lives:

It didn’t come on a stage. It didn’t come with applause. It came in a car, alone, after heartbreak. Clarity, unglamorous and true.

What’s even more remarkable? He stayed. Johnny’s story isn’t just about finding your purpose — it’s about holding onto it. In a culture that glorifies the new and discards the seasoned, creative longevity is rebellion. He didn’t pivot away. He didn’t burn out and vanish. He stayed in the room. Again and again.

This is what so few creators talk about: that the work isn’t in the breakthrough — it’s in the endurance. In showing up for the process when the audience shrinks, when the energy dips, when it’s not convenient. Johnny reminds us that greatness often isn’t loud — it’s consistent.

This episode of Uncharted asks you to look deeper:

• What story are you believing about yourself?

• Are you waiting for someone to pick you?

• And what would happen if you stopped?

  
  

Choosing yourself isn’t about glorifying the path. It’s about walking it anyway. It’s resisting the conditioning that says you're only ready when you’ve been validated. It’s about showing up before the applause, before the confidence, before the proof.

You just need to start. Tune in to Johnny's story now on Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life.

Johnny Goudie: Johnny Goudie is an Austin-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and podcaster with a four-decade career. He’s fronted bands like Goudie (Elektra Records), played with touring acts including Ian Moore, Fastball, and the Bodeans, and collaborated as a songwriter with members of the Go-Go’s. He’s also a solo artist and a member of the popular cover band SKYROCKET!.

In 2011, Johnny launched How Did I Get Here?, a podcast blending intimate conversation with deep-dive interviews. It’s since become a beloved archive of music stories featuring legends like STYX and Foghat, alongside rising stars like Jackie Venson.

Beyond the mic, Johnny gives back—working for years with The Austin Music Foundation’s Artist Development Program, and supporting nonprofits like HAAM and The SIMS Foundation to uplift Austin’s music community.

Natalie Peyton studied theatre and film in Australia, New York and LA and performed stand-up on the “three coasts.” She honed her podcast executive skills over the last 4 years developing and producing dozens of podcasts and even hosts a children’s mindfulness bedtime program

Leon Vanstone: Leon brings his curiosity and sharp interviewing skills to the table, facilitating insightful discussions with our mentors, extracting valuable lessons and insights to empower listeners on their own path to growth and achievement.

Dan Dillard: Dan, with his thoughtful approach and engaging style, delves into the minds of our mentors on the podcast, crafting compelling interviews that uncover the wisdom and experiences driving their success and impact.

This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.

If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com

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