S3:E2 - The Song That Made Me Stop Shrinking Myself | Liability by Lorde

🎧 Episode Description

What if the thing standing between you and the life you want isn't a lack of talent... but the belief that you need permission to pursue it?

In this episode of One Song One Story, I'm joined by Sumi X — artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, and creative force — for a conversation about identity, self-belief, and finding the courage to trust your own voice.

Sumi's song choice is "Liability" by Lorde, a track that has accompanied her through moments of doubt, growth, and transformation. What begins as a conversation about a song quickly becomes an exploration of creativity, entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we're allowed to become.

From growing up using music as both an escape and a source of expression, to walking away from a successful consulting career to pursue a creative life on her own terms, Sumi shares the highs, lows, and lessons she's learned along the way.

We explore:

🎵 Why some songs feel like they understand us better than we understand ourselves

🚀 Leaving behind security to pursue a creative calling

🧠 Navigating imposter syndrome and self-doubt

✨ The connection between entrepreneurship and creativity

🎤 Finding the confidence to stop shrinking yourself and start taking up space

❤️ Why opportunity rarely arrives on your doorstep — and what happens when you go looking for it instead

This is a conversation about courage, authenticity, and learning to trust yourself enough to build the life that's calling you.

If you've ever wondered whether you're capable of more than the path you're currently on, this episode will resonate.

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Welcome Sumi X

02:38 If today were a song

04:57 Growing up with music

08:41 Using music as escape and expression

12:24 Discovering creativity and identity

16:03 Building a successful consulting business

20:17 The decision to pursue music full-time

24:45 Song reveal: Liability by Lorde

28:12 Why this song matters

31:46 Imposter syndrome and self-doubt

36:20 Being "too much" and learning to embrace it

40:14 Creativity, entrepreneurship and risk

44:38 Opportunity doesn't come knocking

48:25 Finding your voice

52:47 What the song means today

56:01 Who should cover the song?

58:43 Final reflections

1:01:12 Where to find Sumi X

1:02:08 Closing thoughts