Elaine Ryan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Elaine, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity has always been the quality I value most. Intelligence and energy are powerful, but without integrity, they can easily be misused. I admire people who follow through on their word, act with honesty, and approach others with fairness…that’s what builds real trust and progress. For example, we see in areas like technology and climate change what can happen when intelligence and energy aren’t balanced by integrity: the advances may be impressive, but without ethical grounding, they risk creating real harm. That’s why, for me, integrity is the foundation. Once that’s in place, intelligence and energy can be directed toward something truly worthwhile.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Elaine Ryan, an indie-folk songwriter, author, and sync agent. My new book, Living a Music-Centered Life (out October 15th on Amazon), is a warm, no-BS guide for independent musicians who want to build a fulfilling life around their art. It draws on my own journey and on conversations with other artists, and it’s about finding that balance between creativity, livelihood, and well-being.
Alongside writing, I work as a sync agent with Unicorn Sync, helping artists get their music placed in film, TV, and ads. I also founded Sync Music for a Change, a nonprofit initiative that combines music licensing with activism. Each month, we host listening sessions where artists can submit songs to be heard by music supervisors, and their submissions double as donations or for causes and charities like supporting kids health, climate change, refugee support, and voting rights. It’s a way for musicians to make professional connections while also fueling meaningful change.
On the music side, I have a full-length album coming out in the next few months and have been releasing singles from it every few months this year. Across all of these projects, my goal is the same: to create and support music that is authentic, sustainable, and impactful.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a curious kid who loved to sing and dance. The performing arts drew me in, but I was also a strong student and someone with a lot of empathy. From early on, I knew I wanted to do something that helped others. As I grew, the world told me that being ‘successful’ meant chasing status and money. For a while, I almost followed that path. I even considered law school. But ultimately I chose music. Looking back, I’m so glad I trusted that part of myself, because music has allowed me to stay true to both my creativity and my desire to make a difference.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You’re already alright. And I ended up writing a song with my friend Justina Shandler about that sentiment. You don’t have to be any different from who you really are. You’re already alright. And guess what? That song is absolutely beloved by 5 year old girls! The number of friends I have who have told me their kids love that song is amazing! Justina and I both find it so funny and adorable that we wrote this little girl anthem. But it was really a song written to our younger selves so I guess that makes sense!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think what many smart people get wrong today is something people have been getting wrong for a long time: the idea that there’s a perfect future waiting for you if you just make enough money or achieve enough status. Life is happening now. When we focus only on individual success, we risk overlooking the broader impact of our choices. You can see it in the rush to expand AI without fully considering its consequences, or in the way hypercapitalism has driven environmental damage. Even well-intentioned goals, like working hard to provide for your family, can fall short if we don’t also consider how our work or policies affect other families. True wisdom, I think, lies in balancing ambition with awareness, integrity, and care for the bigger picture.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m out in nature. I grew up in Vancouver, surrounded by mountains, trees, and the ocean, so those landscapes feel like home to me. My favorite kind of peace is being in nature with people I love: camping with good friends, where there’s time and space for both quiet reflection and having a good chat. Sitting around a fire, sharing songs and s’mores…can’t beat it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elaineryan.ca
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaineryanmusic/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/elaineryanmusic
Image Credits
RF Create (photos)
Kam Bains (book cover art)
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