“I'm super busy with my job, but it’s because I’m putting myself in positions to keep myself busy with projects that I really truly want to do." U.S. soldier and professional flutist Natalie Magaña is one of the most caring people I've known. She goes in-depth about the trials and tribulations of her life, and how the Army has been a powerful and positive experience on episode 7 of the Making Noise podcast.
There are a few people who knew me really well during graduate school. Both the good and the bad. Natalie is one of those people. We worked on a lot of projects together during that time, music and otherwise, and still do to this day. Most recently she put on a YouTube performance titled ...in all but name... where she performed my piece Approaching Cyrrhus written for her. I've always admired Natalie's endless support to those around her. She has a way of talking about something personal but spinning it as a way to provide support to others. This is one of the many reasons I am so excited to have her on the podcast.
Some of the things we discuss:
Natalie’s path to the Army “I grew up around the airforce”
The challenge of joining the military in your late 20’s when everyone else is just out of high school
Privileges that are granted as a soldier
The effectiveness of the Army teaching group responsibility
“Right in the first semester of my master's degree all of my life is exploding”
How Connor Nelson impacted Natalie and helped in making a big life decision
Shoutout to Troy Paolantonio
Dating and ghosting
Shoutout to Rhy Burgess
The meditative quality of trigger therapy