How to stay true to who you are – with Steph Strings
EPISODE 2As her music career continues to soar, Steph is determined not to let success take her away from the people and values that make her who she is. Ren and Steph explore how knowing what matters can guide the choices we make, how to keep going despite fear, and how failure can become one of our greatest teachers. If you’re trying to follow your dreams without losing sight of who you are, this conversation is for you.
Chasing a dream often comes with sacrifices – the challenge is knowing which ones you’re willing to make. Steph Strings, Australian singer-songwriter and virtuosic guitarist, has experienced a meteoric rise – from busking at Melbourne markets to captivating audiences around the world with her distinctive acoustic sound and electrifying live performances.
“ The fear is good because it just shows that I just bloody care about it.”
STEPH STRINGS
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REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Take a moment to reflect. Each episode leaves you with questions worth more than a quick answer. There are no right answers — just an invitation to listen to what comes up.
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Whose definition of success am I following — and does it actually fit me?
What are my top three values — and are they guiding the choices I make?
If I imagined myself at 80, looking back, what would I be glad I prioritised?
TRY THIS
Turn the conversation into action. Insight fades fast unless you do something with it. The exercise below is a small, practical experiment inspired by this episode’s guest — designed to move an idea from your headphones into your week. Start before you feel ready.
The Failure Reframe
Inspired by Steph Strings’ reflections on failure, this worksheet will help you look differently at something that didn’t go to plan — with curiosity and self-compassion — and discover what you might take from the experience.
GUEST SPOTLIGHT
STEPH STRINGS
Steph Strings is a Melbourne/Naarm singer-songwriter and guitarist whose distinctive sound crosses folk, blues and indie rock influences. Since building an audience by sharing her music online, Steph has taken her live show around the world, selling out headline dates across Australia, the UK, Europe and Canada and touring alongside artists including Vance Joy, The Cat Empire and Ziggy Alberts. In 2026 she released her debut album, Feel Alive, a 12-track exploration of emotion that sees her move confidently across genres. At the heart of Steph’s work is a commitment to following her own instincts — both in the music she makes and the life she is building around it.
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