EP#70: What to do With Other People's Advice as a Woman in Music

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How many times have you been given advice on your music, recording or production, even though you didn't ask for it? Or perhaps you’re always looking for advice rather than trusting your own internal resources and instincts? For many women in music, getting advice can feel like a tricky terrain to traverse without getting mansplained at, stereotyped or thrown a unhelpful red herring.

So, inside this episode, Isobel examines the types of advice we might receive as musicians, if women really are more likely to receive unsolicited advice than their male counterparts and the effects this might have on our careers. Crucially, Isobel outlines three questions to ask yourself before seeking out advice and one principle to stick by if you’re on the receiving end of it.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:41} The most common types of advice musicians might receive
{05:54} Are women in music *really* more likely to receive unsolicited advice?
{10:32} How might this affect our confidence and careers?
{13:40} How to respond to unsolicited advice
{15:39} Women can also give bad advice
{18:41} How to get good quality advice on your music
{23:00} Next week’s teaser

REFERENCES
A Study of Unsolicited Advice >>

8 Types of Advice >>

How the gender bias in performance reviews impact womens' careers >>

Women in Music: 9 Female Producers on the Challenges They Face and How We Can All Support Women Beatmakers in Today’s Industry >>

The Best Advice to Women in Music from Female Musicians >>

Music Feedback: When to Take the Opinions of Others Seriously and When Not to Care >>

Check out Jeia here >>

Check out SADIVA here >>

Check out Saaaz here >

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

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