Episode 1: Students of Life with Jake Tavill

info@indigosoulnyc.com (Indigo Soul NYC) — Thu, 7 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, the crew sits down with Jake, founder and CEO of Indigo Soul NYC, for a conversation about artistry, purpose, community, and burnout. Jake reflects on growing up as a musician, the people who shaped his creative life, and how collaboration became central to his vision for building spaces where artists can thrive. The episode also explores what artists sacrifice in pursuit of meaningful work, why creative community matters more than ever, and the importance of learning balance before passion turns into burnout.

01:25 How the podcast came together

05:30 Jake’s beginnings as a musician and artist

08:00 What it means to truly be an artist

09:00 Early influences, music community, and loss

11:10 Why Jake started Indigo Soul NYC

13:05 The importance of collaboration in art and culture

15:45 The Pop-It question: toxic traits and overworking

Jake Tavill:

Founder and CEO of Indigo Soul NYC, Jake is an artist, songwriter, producer, and engineer whose goal in life is to create, and empower others to create moving art. A graduate of NYU Tisch’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Jake has released a number of albums, coordinated the renowned GroundUP Music Festival, worked with talented musicians from Jazz to Pop, scored for Film/TV (notably K-Dramas), and performed for audiences across the world. Jake started Indigo Soul NYC to harness the power of the artistic community he had seen grow disconnected yet ever more inspired, through creating accessible resources and support to encourage collaboration across genre, background, and medium to shape the future of culture and make an impact on society.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media