Musical Synesthesia and Mad Blackbirds

This week I’m joined by traverso superstar and podcaster Darina Ablogina, fresh off the stage from her performance at the Zamus festival in Köln, to chat all things flute, art, social awareness, identity, burnout and wine. Enjoy the lovely ASMR background noise of an ongoing concert through the walls.Grma xYou can find Darina on IG @Darina_Smeshinka and her podcast, (in)sight-reading enlightenment is available at all the usual places.Inline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction04:07 - Selling Me on Traverso15:05 - Podcasters Podcasting27:10 - War, Russia and Identity42:17 - Decolonising Classical Music51:52 - Quick Fire Questions

To celebrate making it over the 150 episode mark, join me on a rant on that “study” claiming to prove material makes no difference to the sound of a flute, before I answer all your questions. The French language in learning, Germans vs Americans, Brannen Coopers and chips are on the menu. Thank you all for tuning in, you’re all lovely diamonds xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Turning 151!03:01 - The “Evidence” of Materials in Flutes09:51 - The Experts on Gold12:50 - German Food and Terrible Guests16:30 - French Language and The Flute20:20 - Method Books and Dream Flutes

Heather O’Donnell is a psychologist and artistic-systemic therapist from the US now working with classical musicians (amongst others) here in Germany. I sat down with her to pick her brain on all things musician’s psychology including trauma, identity crisis, neurodiversity, burnout and abuse, as well as more positive things like flow and the benefits of music for the brain. Grma xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction04:08 - Pianist to Therapist17:03 - Trauma and Precarity27:20 - Neurodiversity and Parenting44:20 - Practice and Flow53:10 - Defining Burnout

Eurovision 2026 is tomorrow night, so I invited Irish DJ, and my wee mate, Tir na Rogue aka Sophia to chat about her Master’s Thesis on politicisation within the contest.From Ukraine and Russia, to the current controversies surrounding Israel, we discuss if Eurovision ever was truly "non-political" as the European Broadcasting Union designed it to be, and if they themselves are contributing to that.Grma xFollow Tir na Rogue/SophiaIG:@tir_na_rogueInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Intro (skip if you fancy)04:05 - American’s Guide to Eurovision16:28 - European Identity, Verka and Voting31:57 - Flo Rida, Jedward and Celine Dion41:25 - LGBTQ+ and Political Support49:43 - Russian Nation Branding59:19 - Ireland, Palestine and 2026

Following several controversies in the online flute space recently, I’ve done a load of research into all the allegations and present them here today, along with some responses and my own opinions. Grma xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Some Context 05:44 - The Research Process08:17 - Blocking and Moderators at Flute Forum18:41 - Mura Certified and Repair Jobs25:41 - Legal Threats and Financial Transparency32:11 - A Better Flute Forum?

Affecting just 1% of the population,  musical synesthesia is a recognised neurological condition linking sounds to colours. Messiaen had it, Scriabin had it; find out if you do too.A brief history of the condition, tests for it, and an important music lesson to learn. Grma xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Flute Forum Honey Dip03:20 - Messiaen and Scriabin09:30 - Overlapping Senses 18:31 - The Brain by Me23:01 - Modern Synesthesia Tests29:05 - A Journey Shared, Listener

Comparing how life is for a freelance / self-employed classical musician in 2026 is France, Germany, The UK and The USA to determine who’s getting the best quality of life.I’m looking at tax rates, social security, health insurances and opportunities, as well as the unique trade unions and government aid available in mainland Europe. Grma xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - The Menu04:20 - Germany19:20 - France27:52 - The United Kingdom33:11 - The USA

Is pro orchestral playing the pinnacle of a flutist’s career, and does it align with our psychological need for security, comfort and happiness?Using Sigmund Freud’s theory on Ego, I ask if the juice is worth the squeeze with regards to the anxiety and jealousy of orchestral fluting.Grma xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Hierarchy of Flute Jobs08:50 - Employment Rates for Musicians21:15 - Freud’s Superego26:33 - Identity Tied to Music 32:43 - Love Letter to the Orchestra

Performers of contemporary classical music often get their feet out for gigs, but the same luxury isn’t afforded to conventional classical music. I take a look at how the Carmelites and a decapitation paved the way for musicians to get the dogs out. Grma xInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - Pots and Pans and Georgian Lemonade04:33 - Asceticism and Isadora Duncan11:35 - The Barefoot Princess15:56 - Dame Evelyn Glennie17:51 - Patricia Kopatchinskaja22:00 - Grounding and Foot Biology

Canadian violinist and filmmaker, Lara St John, sat down with me in Cologne to talk about her upcoming film, Dear Lara. Having received rave reviews at the Santa Barbara Film Festival earlier this year, Dear Lara is a documentary on sexual abuse at major classical music conservatories in orchestras across the world. I loved chatting to Lara, but it goes without saying this episode might be triggering to some of you. If you’re not in the headspace for topics of abuse and trauma, perhaps give this one a miss and come back next week. Grma xFor all news and updates on Dear Lara go to:www.dearlara.filmInline G Merch ⭐️www.Inlineg.myshopify.comInline G Patreon ⭐️www.patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcastInline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up to the Patreon helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit xIntro music: Rhythm=Power by Spodo Komodo. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the creator.Chapters:00:00 - An Intro from me03:45 - Lara on Dear Lara’s early receptions20:41 - Is the music all there is in this game?36:42 - How do we change the industry?46:33 - Identity as classical musicians