The Daily Stoic

The National’s Matt Berninger On Ego, Collaboration, and Slowing Down

Dec 19, 2020

Matt Berninger, lead singer of indie rock band The National, discusses the unglamorous reality of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and the creative challenges posed by the pandemic. He laments the pressures of ego and explores how collaboration fuels artistic growth. Berninger shares insights on embracing emotional depth while navigating self-awareness, reflecting on his journey from advertising to music. He highlights the importance of risk-taking in evolution and authenticity, making a case for emotional processing as essential in art.

01:06:55

Episode guests

Matt Berninger

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

5min

Creative Connections in Music

21min

Navigating Emotional Turbulence Through Self-Awareness and Stoicism

3min

Artistic Introspection and Evolution

20min

Embracing Uncertainty and Innovation in Business and Fitness

2min

The Art of Long-Term Collaboration

20min

Exploring Ego, Obstacles, and Authenticity

2min

On today’s podcast, Ryan talks to the lead singer of indie rock band The National about the false glamour of the rock n’ roll lifestyle, staying creative during the pandemic, and how he has sustained a successful career in the music industry.

After quitting a career in advertising in his thirties, Berninger went on to form The National in 1999. The band has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Boxer and the Grammy-nominated Trouble Will Find Me. In October he released his debut solo album, Serpentine Prison.

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