A World of Difference

A World of Difference


Songwriting As Self-Expression: Shannan Copland's Journey From Self-Doubt To Embracing Her Voice

April 10, 2024

Does this sound familiar? Have you ever felt the pressure of unrealistic expectations weighing you down, leaving you questioning your worth? It's a struggle many of us face, especially as women, and it can be incredibly disheartening. But what if there was a way to break free from the cycle and embrace your true self-worth? Let's dive into how embracing individuality and self-worth through empowering messages in music can transform your life.


My special guest is Shannan Copland


Shannan Copland, an indie pop artist based in Portland, Oregon, is recognized for her impactful and relatable music as a singer/songwriter. Born and raised in the SF Bay Area, California, she studied music from a young age, with a strong foundation in piano and vocal training. Collaborating with musicians and educators globally, including ones in Norway, Italy, and Portugal, has enriched her musical style with diverse cultural influences. With a love for piano and voice, she involved herself in every musical opportunity available and her passion for songwriting ignited during her teenage years. After high school, Shannan toured the United States with a group singing in schools and also performed in a theater. Her upcoming release "Enough" is poised to further empower women by promoting self-worth and authenticity. Shannan's music contains powerful messages that resonate with audiences, offering a source of strength and self-acceptance, particularly for women navigating their unique journeys.


Shannan and her husband spent the first decade of their marriage mostly living abroad in Portugal and Italy where they started a non-profit organization together. Working with talented musicians, artists and individuals from around the globe combined with her experiences living abroad have influenced her perspectives on life and the world around her which also reflect in her songwriting. Now, as she releases her own music, Shannan hopes to encourage, inspire, and provoke deeper thought through her music for listeners.


Her newest single “Enough” releases on April 12 and serves as the underlying anthem of much of her music. With its driving pop rock beat, “Enough” inspires listeners to be their authentic selves, reject image management, and not let other’s opinions or standards hold them back from achieving their aspirations.


"You are enough. The world may think otherwise of you, but it doesn't matter. Their opinions do not change your worth. Stand in that worth." - Shannan Copland


In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Discover how Shannan Copland's indie pop music inspires self-acceptance and empowerment for women.
  • Explore the profound impact of music on boosting self-worth and confidence for women.
  • Uncover the creative songwriting process and inspirational sources behind empowering music for women.
  • Understand the diverse cultural perspectives on modesty and beauty and their influence on harmful expectations for women.
  • Embrace the empowering messages in Shannan's music that uplift and empower women to embrace their individuality and worth.

Uncover Shannan's Inspirational Songwriting Process

Shannan Copland's songwriting process stems from personal experiences and challenges societal expectations, offering a reflective and empowering narrative. Her music reflects her journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of embracing individual differences. By sharing her vulnerabilities and struggles, Copland connects with her audience on a profound level and inspires them to embrace their worth through her empowering messages.


The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Sign up for Shannan Copland's newsletter on her website, ShannanCopland.com, to get an early sneak peek and listen to her new song Enough before its official release on April 12.
  • Follow Shannan Copland on Instagram and other social platforms at ShannonCoplandmusic to stay updated on her latest releases and news.
  • Listen to Shannan Copland's new song Enough on Spotify or your preferred music streaming platform on April 12, and share it with your friends and family to spread the empowering message.
  • Show your support for Shannan Copland by adding her music to your playlists and sharing it with others who may benefit from her inspiring and uplifting songs.
  • Stay tuned for Shannan Copland's upcoming releases, including a fun summer song and an emotional track for Mother's Day, to continue experiencing her meaningful and thought-provoking music.


"I want people to, after they hear this song, just to feel liberated and feel that they're worthy and that they can go out and face whatever challenges they have ahead in their own skin and be confident in that."

- Shannan Copland


Boosting Self-Worth through Music

Copland's music serves as a source of empowerment for women, promoting self-acceptance and confidence. By delivering messages of self-worth and authenticity, her songs help listeners overcome feelings of inadequacy and societal pressures. Through her music, Copland advocates for celebrating one's uniqueness and finding strength in one's individuality.


"There's only one you, and we want you to keep being you. So keep making a difference wherever you are." - Lori Adams Brown


Explore Shannan Copland's Empowering Music

Shannan Copland's music offers a powerful message of self-worth and authenticity, resonating with women seeking empowerment. Her songs embody a sense of liberation and encourage listeners to embrace their individuality. Through her music, Copland inspires her audience to recognize their value and celebrate their unique qualities.


The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introducing Shannon Copland and her Music


00:01:14 - Shannon's Musical Journey and Mentors


00:07:01 - The Pressure of Expectations and Self-Worth


00:09:33 - Empowering Women and Girls Through Music


00:13:18 - Overcoming Barriers as a Singer-Songwriter


00:15:14 - Exploring Cultural Perspectives on Beauty and Modesty


00:18:09 - Nuances of Modesty and Purity Culture


00:20:32 - The Larger Narrative of Shannan's Music


00:24:43 - Musical Influences on Shannan's Style


00:26:44 - Teaser of "Enough" and Closing Remarks


00:31:32 - Embracing Uniqueness


00:32:23 - Shannon's Music and Message


00:33:20 - Amplifying Shannon's Voice


00:34:27 - You Are Enough


00:35:35 - Keep Being You


Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:02 - Introducing Shannon Copland and her Music

Lori introduces Shannon and her upcoming release of a new song called "Enough" on April 12. Shannon's background in music and her passion for songwriting is also highlighted.


00:01:14 - Shannon's Musical Journey and Mentors

Shannon discusses her early interest in music, her studies, and the influential mentors she has worked with. She emphasizes the impact of her experiences on her musical journey.


00:07:01 - The Pressure of Expectations and Self-Worth

Shannon reflects on the pressure of meeting expectations in her religious upbringing and the importance of recognizing one's worth beyond external opinions. The impact of societal expectations on women and girls is also discussed.


00:09:33 - Empowering Women and Girls Through Music

Shannon shares the inspiration behind her song "Enough" and the message of self-empowerment and worth it conveys. She discusses the hope of empowering future generations of women through her music.


00:13:18 - Overcoming Barriers as a Singer-Songwriter

Shannon opens up about the internal and external barriers she faces as a songwriter, including self-doubt and the pressure of image management. She emphasizes the importance of living authentically and embracing one's true self.


00:15:14 - Exploring Cultural Perspectives on Beauty and Modesty

Shannan discusses her experiences in Italy and how it shed light on cultural perspectives on beauty and modesty, challenging her upbringing and beliefs.


00:18:09 - Nuances of Modesty and Purity Culture

Shannan and Lori talk about the different nuances of modesty and purity culture within different cultures and religions, highlighting the complexity of the topic even within the United States.


00:20:32 - The Larger Narrative of Shannan's Music

Shannan shares that "Enough" is a powerful anthem within her music, aimed at inspiring and empowering listeners. She also discusses her other upcoming songs, each with a specific theme and emotional impact.


00:24:43 - Musical Influences on Shannan's Style

Shannan talks about her vocal similarities to Carrie Jo and her love for Celine Dion and rock bands like Maroon 5 and Coldplay, which have influenced her music and style.


00:26:44 - Teaser of "Enough" and Closing Remarks

Shannan gives a teaser of the song "Enough" and Lori expresses her gratitude for Shannan's impactful music and the transformational journey that has shaped her as an artist.


00:31:32 - Embracing Uniqueness

Lori emphasizes the importance of embracing our uniqueness and bringing our true selves to the world. She highlights the uniqueness of individuals, including her own twins, and encourages listeners to recognize their own value and contribution.


00:32:23 - Shannon's Music and Message

Lori discusses Shannon's upcoming song release and the empowering message it carries. She encourages listeners to be among the first to access the song and share it with others, emphasizing Shannon's authenticity and the impact of her lyrics.


00:33:20 - Amplifying Shannon's Voice

Lori expresses her excitement for releasing Shannon's music and amplifying her voice. She emphasizes Shannon's deep thinking, caring nature, and the inspiration her music provides, encouraging listeners to add Shannon to their playlists.


00:34:27 - You Are Enough

Lori reiterates the message of worthiness and human dignity, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and respect for others. She encourages listeners to embrace their uniqueness and make a positive difference in the world by being themselves.


00:35:35 - Keep Being You

Lori concludes by reinforcing the significance of being true to oneself and making a difference simply by being authentic. She encourages listeners to continue embracing their uniqueness and contributing positively to the world.



For those who are different and want to make a difference.