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How do artists stay connected to their identity when creativity becomes a career?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Nick Perloff-Giles, better known as Wingtip, about imposter syndrome, creative identity, career setbacks, heartbreak, touring, and mental health in the music industry.

Nick reflects on the unexpected path that took him from working as a DJ to developing a more personal and emotionally honest sound as Wingtip. He discusses the pressure to succeed, compare yourself with other artists, and keep creating in an industry where progress is rarely predictable.

Josh and Nick explore how music can become closely connected to a person’s identity and self-worth. They discuss what happens when a creative project struggles, how artists adapt when their careers change direction, and why taking creative risks can require both confidence and vulnerability.

The conversation also looks at the emotional experiences behind Nick’s songwriting, including love, heartbreak, relationships, humor, and self-reflection. Nick shares the story behind “Hope They Love You” and discusses how touring, performance, travel, and time away from home can affect mental health.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Imposter syndrome in the music industry
• Separating your identity from your career or creative work
• Responding to disappointment and career setbacks
• The pressure to compare yourself with other artists
• Taking creative risks and experimenting with new styles
• Becoming more personal and emotionally honest in your work
• How heartbreak and relationships influence songwriting
• The story and meaning behind “Hope They Love You”
• How touring can affect stress, mood, and mental health
• Balancing ambition with emotional well-being
• Adapting when life and work do not follow a linear path
• Using humor and self-awareness in creative expression

Wingtip is the artist project of singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Nick Perloff-Giles. His music blends pop, alternative, electronic, and rock influences while exploring relationships, identity, change, and emotional experience.

His breakout song “Rewind” has received millions of streams, and he has also released music including “Heartworks,” “Happiness,” “Strangers,” “Demons,” and “Mr. 29.” In addition to his work as Wingtip, Nick has collaborated as a songwriter with other artists, including Céline Dion and Lauv.

Follow Wingtip at @wingtipmusic and listen to his music on your preferred streaming platform.

About the host:

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com, where he has worked with thousands of adult children and parents affected by family estrangement.

Learn more about Josh and his therapy practice at joshuakorac.com.

This podcast is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute mental health treatment, diagnosis, career counseling, or an established therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.

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