Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Fink.
Todd, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got deeply interested in music and the mind around the same time in college. I remember riding on a capacity train from Philly to DC in the morning and the air conditioning was broken on a super hot day. Everyone was miserable but I noticed something inside that wanted to find a way to transcend the situation.
I saw another young man with a guitar, and I asked to borrow it. I proceeded to walk up and down the aisle singing and playing popular songs. People were mumbling things like “the heat is bad enough.” But I did not stop and eventually, someone made a song request and then another and another. Gradually, the passengers started to enjoy the music and sang together. More people from the other cars started to squeeze in too and it turned into a joyful party.
The conductor entered the car and thanked me. He took off his hat and passed it around to collect tips and gave me all the money, which was more cash than I ever had at one time. The people were truly appreciative and disappointed to have to leave the train. That experience really inspired me to be an agent of goodwill and harmony and I realized the power of music as a vehicle for that.
In 2004, my brother and I started The Giving Tree Band which has been an adventure of nearly 1000 concerts and several albums and continues to grow and evolve.
I also had the opportunity to study psychology and later meditation which I continue to pursue also. I am constantly giving lectures and conducting workshops for schools, organizations, and municipalities to spread awareness about wellness and mindful living.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. You need challenges to grow and fully appreciate what you have and what is all around. As an artist, sometimes you have to make a lot of sacrifices. But those are only briefly hard and quickly elicit a deeper sense of purpose and inner fulfillment.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Giving Tree Band story. Tell us more about the business.
The Giving Tree Band is very special because there has always been a vision of not just musical harmony but cultural and ecological harmony. The band has been an extension of our strong personal sense of environmental stewardship. That is why we have made carbon-free albums and found instrument builders who use naturally-fallen trees and reclaimed woods. We have collaborated with many non-profits over the years to raise funds and awareness for important causes. We have a commitment to a healthy, plant-based spiritually-grounded lifestyle that can be a good example for young people.
I have also worked in behavioral healthcare for the past 16 years and started a free monthly mindfulness class in Plainfield that has supported hundreds of people from all different backgrounds to deepen their relationship with themselves and lead happier lives.
I have lectured at Duke University, Roosevelt University, Benedictine University, Lewis University and more. I have a podcast coming soon that discusses the art of balance with psychological insights from art, science, and spirituality. Details can be found at www.MichaelToddFink.com
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see mindfulness as part of a peaceful revolution. We now have plenty of science to back what has been experienced for thousands of years of direct experience of meditators. Studies show that practicing mindful techniques changes and strengthen significant regions of the brain involved with higher cognition, memory, learning and all metabolic processes in the body.
There are approximately 40 million adults with an anxiety disorder in America and 25% of all teens are affected. It is time for a major shift and it is underway. I am happy to have a small role in this process to help usher in the needed changes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegivingtreeband.com and www.michaeltoddfink.com
- Email: toddfink@hotmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thegivingtreeband
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thegivingtreeband
Image Credit:
Taylor Castle, Bud Branch, Stefano Fortunati, Jon Marro, Feather And Twine Photography, Peyton Anne Frank
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