Best Tourlife Podcasts (2025)

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#187 Band Together for Community Not Competition 22:31

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22d ago22:31

22:31

🎙️ EPISODE 187: Real Talk: Banding Together as Career Musicians SUMMARY: Feeling stuck, isolated, or overwhelmed in your musical journey? You're not alone. This episode highlights the power of community, emphasizing how important it is for career musicians to band together, support each other, and rise collectively. Nomad shares real-life insights …

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#186: 4 Rules of Networking 13:20

28d ago13:20

13:20

In this energetic episode, Nomad takes listeners on a ride to a non-music event, demonstrating firsthand the power of his four essential rules for building meaningful relationships and standing out as a musician. Key Takeaways: Rule #1: Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up Nomad emphasizes the importance of physically showing up to events, even when you’re no…

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#185: I Need A Gig 10:20

1M ago10:20

10:20

Tired of chasing gigs? You’re not alone. In this real talk session, NOMAD flips the script and explains why letting go may be the key to making work come to you. Show Notes: Why "work begets work" in the gig economy The trap of hustle culture and how to escape it How creating your own momentum leads to unexpected opportunities Practical advice: bui…

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#184: Ghosted 3 Strikes 11:06

1M ago11:06

11:06

Getting ghosted sucks — especially when it’s a gig you really wanted. Here’s how to deal with the silence, follow up like a pro, and protect your mental space. Show Notes: The emotional sting of being ghosted (we’ve all been there) The “3 strikes” method for professional follow-ups How to close loops, track your contacts, and stay mentally free Cre…

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#183: Insincere Sincerity 9:20

1M ago9:20

9:20

Ever met a musician who pours on the love… but disappears when it matters? In this episode, NOMAD calls out fake support and makes the case for keeping it real. Show Notes: What “insincere sincerity” sounds like in the music world How to spot it, avoid it, and never be that person The difference between honest encouragement and hollow hype Why inte…

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#182: Existential Music Crisis 9:31

1M ago9:31

9:31

Feeling lost in your creative journey? You’re not alone. This honest episode dives into the emotional weight of being a creative and how to push through the fog. Show Notes: What it means to have an existential crisis as an artist Why creativity often comes with emotional and spiritual weight The power of reflection, community, and self-awareness T…

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#181: Music Is Not For Musicians 9:13

2M ago9:13

9:13

You’re not making music for other musicians — you’re making it for people. This episode is a wake-up call to shift your focus and build a real audience. Show Notes: Why musicians aren’t your target audience The problem with making music just to impress your peers How to build a connection with real listeners Serving the song, not your ego Want to g…

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#180: Play The Changes 9:54

2M ago9:54

9:54

“Play through the changes” is great advice… until it isn’t. This episode unpacks the deeper meaning behind the phrase — both musically and in life. Show Notes: Jazz school lessons vs. real-world career moves Chops vs. artistry: where the real connection happens Evolving beyond your training and finding your sound Letting go of comparison and stayin…

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#179: Payday Friday | Gig Work Don't Come Easy 11:38

2M ago11:38

11:38

In this episode, dubbed "Payday Friday," Nomad dives into the realities of making a living as a career musician. Joined by industry professional Michael Elsener from Master Music Licensing, they stress the importance of learning from others in your field to fast-track your success. Nomad hilariously points out the difference between a musician's li…

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#178: Creative Flow State | Optimize Your Home Studio 28:39

3M ago28:39

28:39

In this engaging episode of the Career Musician podcast, host Nomad dives deep into the world of home studios and offers invaluable tips and tricks for musicians looking to maximize their creative flow. From his own experience setting up a home studio in a 10x10 room, Nomad shares practical advice on optimizing both the acoustics and aesthetics of …

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#177: Music Publishing 101 | A Few Things To Know 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

In this episode of the Career Musician Podcast, Nomad dives deep into the significance of protecting intellectual property in the music industry. Nomad shares his personal experiences and insights on copyright, trademark, and the intricacies of publishing and licensing music. Through an interesting analogy involving a unique instrument found at Goo…

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#176: Mining the Gigs You Want | A Fresh Perspective 9:07

3M ago9:07

9:07

Mining the Gigs You Want: A Fresh Perspective Welcome to the TCM Podcast, the go-to resource for career musicians looking to enhance their craft, grow professionally, and navigate the ever-evolving music industry. Hosted by Nomad, a seasoned musician and industry expert, the TCM Podcast delivers actionable insights, inspiring stories, and creative …

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#175: What Makes A Pro Musician in 2025? | 3 Things to Know if YOU are a Pro 19:36

4M ago19:36

19:36

In this episode of the Career Musician podcast, host Nomad discusses three crucial factors that distinguish professional musicians from amateurs. Drawing from his 30+ years of experience as a session and touring guitarist, Nomad breaks down the key elements of being a career musician: 1. Dedication - The importance of not waiting for motivation but…

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#174: Grammys For The Win? | Art vs. Sport 37:54

4M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode, Nomad shares his perspective on the 2025 Grammy Awards and award shows in general, recording while commuting to Los Angeles College of Music where he teaches. Key Topics Covered: Nomad's personal perspective on award shows and why he believes art is subjective and difficult to quantify compared to sports Brief history of the Grammy…

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#173: CYO | Master your Money as a Musician by Doing this One Thing 17:25

4M ago17:25

17:25

In this episode, Nomad discusses the concept of CYO (Chief You Officer) from his book "Ethos" and why it's crucial for independent musicians to master self-management. He explains how musicians, as independent contractors, need to wear multiple executive hats and handle everything from operations to finances. Key points covered: - Introduction to t…

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#172: Should You QUIT The Music Industry? 20:16

4M ago20:16

20:16

Should you QUIT the Music Industry? This past Friday was "Quitter's Day", when most people have quit their New Year's Resolutions... Did you? I go over some of the top excuses people give when leaving their dreams behind, and how I rebut and refuse them. If being a Career Musician is your goal, then being strong and resilient has to be in your bloo…

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#171: NAMM President John Mlynczak | Industry, Growth and Networking 48:05

4M ago48:05

48:05

Join us on the TCM Podcast as we dive into the intricacies of the music industry with John Mlynczak, President of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants). Hosted by Nomad, creator of the Career Musician podcast, and co-hosted by Erin Workman from the Los Angeles College of Music, this episode unpacks the significance of NAMM for music makers…

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#170: Why Time Is Every Musician's Secret Weapon 19:10

5M ago19:10

19:10

Welcome to Episode 170 of The Career Musician Podcast: "Time - Your Most Valuable Resource" In this episode, Nomad explores the significance of time management for musicians and how consistent daily efforts can lead to remarkable achievements. Key Highlights: - Mindset Over Motivation: Discover why discipline is more reliable than motivation and ho…

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#169: The Musician's Journey of a Rockstar | Jed Elliott & Chelsea Szabo 1:09:15

10M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

The Career Musician featuring co-founders of The Musician's Journey! Get ready for an insightful conversation with special guests Jed Elliott from the rock band The Struts and executive life coach Chelsea Sabo founder of Verbal Courage on Episode 169 of The Career Musician Podcast. Host Nomad leads a discussion on the highs and lows of being a musi…

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#168: Tito Daniel | Get Your Music Heard on Dash Radio! 36:33

1+ y ago36:33

36:33

Every Tuesday, Nomad feature a new indie artist on "Radio Ready", his new show only on Dash Radio. This episode explains EXACTLY how to submit your music for a chance to be featured on Radio Ready –The Career Musician's new show only on Dash Radio, powered by Smash Haus! Nomad and Tito Daniel explain the process in detail, which btw is very easy...…

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#167: Sherilyn | Stop Faking It And Release Music Like A Pro 32:09

2y ago32:09

32:09

Sherilyn is a Singer-Songwriter, Producer, Podcast Host, and Music Career Coach. After working in the CCM/Worship scene, she set out as an independently published pop alternative artist and launched her own record label & publishing company, Starboard Stride. After touring as a solo artist through the U.S., Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil…

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#166: Jody Friedman | Insider Secrets to Placing Your Music in TV and Film Revealed! 37:17

2y ago37:17

37:17

Jody Friedman is an award-winning songwriter/producer, music supervisor, music publisher, and music licensing coach. He is the co-founder of Elite Music Coaching, an online platform available for independent musicians interested in learning how to have a thriving career in music by consistently licensing their songs to films, tv shows and ads. His …

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#165: Eric Baines | Come From A Small Town? No Problem! You Can Still Win In The Music Biz! 1:05:33

2y ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Eric Baines is a singer, songwriter, and the current bassist for the legendary band Chicago! Eric's music has also been featured on MTV, VH1, NBC, ABCFamily and HBO. He has toured and recorded with country icon, Dwight Yoakam, but he’s taken some crazy turns to get there. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, he moved back to his …

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#164: Belle Johnson | Are You Doing Everything You Can To Stay Employed As A Musician? 48:30

2y ago48:30

48:30

Belle is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and artist with credits such as Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, George Duke, Eric Benet, and Idina Menzel. In her off-time, Belle is always hustling to maintain her position in the biz as a Career Musician. Are you doing everything you can to stay employed? Listen as Belle…

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#163: The NAMM Show Pt. 1 | Feat. Chris Lord-Alge and Asadi 18:20

2y ago18:20

18:20

If you're not familiar with NAMM, its the biggest convention for music gear manufacturers held in Los Angeles at the top of the year, and also in Nashville in the summer. This event is where musicians and music retailers go to make connections, whole sale distribution deals, and endorsement deals. Also, it's a great reunion for people in the busine…

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#162: Big Swede | How Do You Stand Out And Get Your Music Placed In TV And Film? 38:59

2y ago38:59

38:59

Big Swede is a Composer, Producer, Engineer, Sound Designer, Programmer, Multi-Instrumentalist, Remixer, DJ, Drummer, who maintains a prolific recording and production career, doing business as Palm Desert based BIG SWEDE STUDIOS. He makes a variety of styles, from Electronica to Rock, Club/Dance to Hip-Hop, Big Beat to Jazz, Metal to Soundtrack an…

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#161: Michael Walker | Explode Your Music Fanbase And Make A Profit Online 54:33

2y ago54:33

54:33

Michael Walker is leading a revolution in today’s music industry. Having personally reached 17 million views on YouTube, working with Grammy Award-winning producers and touring internationally to perform for hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide - Michael is one of those rare mentors who has actually walked the walk of their own methodology. Star…

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#160: Tangelene Bolton | Here's How You Can Earn A Living Writing Music For Film As A Young Musician 29:49

2y ago29:49

29:49

Tangelene Bolton is a Filipina-American film, TV, and media composer based in Los Angeles, CA. She first got her start working for A-list composers Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Interstellar), Henry Jackman (X-Men, Captain America), and Bobby Tahouri (Game of Thrones, Iron Man). A Berklee College of Music Film Scoring grad…

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#159: Michelle Sabolchick | Here's How You'll Never Be Strapped For Work Again As A Musician 1:33:50

2y ago1:33:50

1:33:50

Michelle is the Founder and Owner of Mixing Music Live, a online program which helps aspiring sound engineers reach their musical goals! For the past 30 years, Michelle has had the wonderful pleasure of helping people enjoy great live performances from their favorite artists all over the world. During that time, she's spent an average of 250 days/y…

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#158: Dylan Berry | How To Avoid Failing As An Indie Songwriter And Win The Music Game 42:27

2y ago42:27

42:27

Dylan of SmashHaus is a career music producer, Radio Host, Entertainment investor who has been very active publicly supporting disruptive change to the antiquated music industry in support of the artist community. He is listed in the top 1% "most prolific" media music producers by IMDB and Founder of NoizSociety, a secret society of leaders in the …

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#157: Music's Biggest Names Selling Out 14:03

2y ago14:03

14:03

Why are celebrity music artists selling their publishing catalogs at an alarming rate? Take a deep dive with Nomad & Lola, two independent music artists who have also worked in the music biz for over 30 years with some of the biggest stars in the industry. There are several reasons why celebrity music artists are selling their publishing catalogs a…

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#156: What Do Music Awards Really Mean For Artists? 11:01

2y ago11:01

11:01

Many people think that winning a music award is the key to success, but is this really true? Others seem to believe that winning a music award is the secret to becoming a superstar. Is that really the case? Listen as Nomad and Lola discuss the 2023 Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl halftime performance by Rihanna. Nomad talks about his perspective a…

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#155: Garrett Hope & Arthur Breur | Ultimate Music Business Summit 51:51

2+ y ago51:51

51:51

The Ultimate Music Business Summit is a three-day virtual conference with over two dozen presentations designed to help you grow your career. Learn how to kill the Impostor Syndrome, break through your Upper Limits, stop asking permission, be honest about what you want, and start making money! https://twitter.com/ultimatemusicb1 https://www.faceboo…

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Road Life #48 with - Deano Merch Guy Touring Merchandise Manager/Seller. 54:03

2+ y ago54:03

54:03

Touring merchandise manager/seller. Saving Abel - Rick Monroe - Pop Evil - Atreyu - Jacob Banks and more to comeBy Rick Monroe

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Road Life #47 with - Charlie Huhn Singer/Guitarist Ted Nugent - Humble Pie - Foghat. 37:05

2+ y ago37:05

37:05

American rock singer and guitarist. He got his start playing with Vic Amato, Andy Dennen and Al Lesert in the band Cirrus, in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan, playing many gigs in West Michigan before joining Ted Nugent in 1978. n 1988 he joined Humble Pie Since 2000, Huhn was the lead vocalist for another classic rock act, Foghat.…

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#154: Scott Page | Pink Floyd to NFTs 52:09

2+ y ago52:09

52:09

Scott Page is a musician, technologist, and entrepreneur known for his saxophone and rhythm guitar work with Pink Floyd, Supertramp, and Toto. Page is CEO of Think:EXP, a Los Angeles-based media company focused on live immersive entertainment. Page worked on and led a number of ventures, including Walt Tucker Productions, an audio video post produc…

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Road Life #46 with - Alan Beeler Bass Player Rick Monroe and the Hitmen 37:50

3y ago37:50

37:50

Alan Beeler Bass Player for Rick Monroe and the Hitmen has always loved going deep, so it makes sense that he would pick up a bass. He currently resides with his mother and cat, as most bass players do, and enjoys the meth-like high of going through excel spreadsheets and color coding various lengths of wire. He also plays the banjo…’nuff said, am …

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Road Life #45 Interview with - Scott Bartlett Guitarist Saving Abel 52:49

3y ago52:49

52:49

Scott Bartlett is best known as the lead guitarist for Southern Rock group Saving Abel (“Addicted”, “18 Days”) but has been creating music under his own brand for years as well. Bartlett’s original music has been described as “decidedly southern rock” influenced heavily by his favorite group, The Allman Brothers Band. He says, “I’m a singer-songwri…

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Road Life #44 Interview with - Shawn Drover Drummer Megadeth/Eidolon/Act of Defiance 54:51

3y ago54:51

54:51

Shawn Drover is a Canadian musician, best known for his work with the American heavy metal band Megadeth. He began playing the drums at the age of 13. In 1993 he founded the Canadian power metal band, Eidolon, with his brother Glen. He uses Sabian cymbals and Yamaha drums, Pro-mark drum sticks, Toca Percussion, Evans Drumheads and Extreme Isolation…

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#153: Henry Donahue | Save The Music 1:18:22

3y ago1:18:22

1:18:22

Save The Music partners with public school districts to jump start their music education programs, so that students, schools, and communities can reach their full potential through the power of making music. Since its founding in 1997, Save The Music has provided new musical instruments, equipment, and technology to over 2,000 schools in almost 300…

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#152: X. ARI | WisdoManiaFest 46:33

3y ago46:33

46:33

A queer Alt-pop singer, songwriter, and mental health advocate; X. Ari founded WisdoManiaFest and WisdoMania Foundation; combining mental health and the arts in order to normalize mental health by creating a safe environment of acceptance and support. X. Ari's life motto is all about turning "Pain into Power" through art and self-care. It is her mi…

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#151: Diversify Or Die 34:30

3y ago34:30

34:30

ETHOS | The Career Musician’s Code approaches the music career with a unique philosophy and provides concrete career insights from Career Musician “Lifer”, NOMAD. https://proseries.thecareermusician.com/ethos NOMAD has been a career musician since the early 90’s and continues to work with some of the best musical talents in the world. In his new bo…

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#150: Leslie Odom Jr. | Tony Award Winning Career Musician 50:53

3+ y ago50:53

50:53

Leslie Odom Jr. is a singer, songwriter, broadway star, actor, and author. He best known for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the musical Hamilton, which earned him a 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in the same year. Odom Jr.’s self-titled debut album charted at #1 on the…

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#149: Ric Feliciano | Mighty Bone 41:23

3+ y ago41:23

41:23

Ric Mightybone Feliciano is a Puerto Rican 35 year music industry veteran. Ric is a trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and lead singer from Brooklyn, N.Y. who has performed with the likes of Billy Joel, Paul Simon, John Lee Hooker, Jr., Pete Escovedo, Willy Torres, Phil Driscoll, Zucchero, Toto, Foreigner, Jimmy Bosch, and many others. R…

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#148: Ralph T. Lofton | Gospel Music B3 Guru 1:57:33

3+ y ago1:57:33

1:57:33

Ralph played the Hammond organ/keyboards for Bobby Jones Gospel on Black Entertainment Television for twelve years and toured with Bebe and Cece Winans. With over 300 project appearances to his credit, Ralph’s career has taken him all over the world and has afforded him the opportunity to accompany numerous artists including the late Whitney Housto…

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#147: Bill Oakley | It's A Shure Thing 1:18:59

3+ y ago1:18:59

1:18:59

Since starting the violin at the age of 4, Bill Oakley has been tirelessly involved in music and various parts of the music business his whole life: Soloing with local symphonies, starting a mobile Dj business, studying classical music in the Alps, performing around country as a house/techno DJ, or running an underground rave production company and…

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#146: Big Mike Hart | Bigs and Bangs Dynamic Duo 1:17:41

3+ y ago1:17:41

1:17:41

Michael “BIG MIKE” Hart Jr. is a talented guitarist, producer, session player, bassist and vocal arranger. His distinctive, classic and retro sound is one of the most sought after sounds in the country. The Sacramento native developed his love for guitar at a young age, and referred to it as the “Holy Ghost!” With a drive like no other, “BIG MIKE” …

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#145: Tod Weidner | Music of The Soul 57:52

3+ y ago57:52

57:52

Tod Weidner has been a foot soldier in the trenches of the Music Wars for decades. He’s played festivals, porches, and everywhere in between, earning his place in the fray and a seat in the van with cerebral, lyric-driven songs that come from the heart of a storyteller beating in the bones of a rock and roller. After putting in his 10,000 hours (an…

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#144: Erin Alden | Sleeping Giant Songwriter 1:08:46

3+ y ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Erin Alden is an LA singer-songwriter, host of The Real Me podcast, for Teen Cancer America which is supported by The Who! Erin was the Former manager for one of LA’s premiere recording studios AfterMaster. Her songs have played their own prominent roles in films and television programs. Most recently: E Network - Keeping up with the Kardasians and…

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#143: Richie Peña | Drums Around The World From Home 1:33:09

3+ y ago1:33:09

1:33:09

Richie Pena is a consummate professional in the music industry with a list of credits and accomplishments that span decades. Best known as a drummer/programmer who has played with or worked on projects for a seemingly endless list of the most respected names in the music world. Richie has always been driven to exceed the boundaries of a traditional…