Touring Brains: Boundaries, Burnout, and Being OK, with Courtney and Paul Klimson
Gig Gab - The Working Musician's PodcastShow Notes
You see how life on the road quietly rewires your brain, from grief and burnout to decision fatigue and STC (Sleepy, Tired, and Crabby), and how Courtney and Paul built The Roadie Clinic to give crews a place to tell their story and get real help. Through flights, heat‑canceled shows, and jumps from Fallon to Timberlake, John Legend, Drake, and beyond, you learn to Always Be Performing for your own mental health with boundaries, support systems, and even AI to protect your headspace.
You’re handed concrete ways to care for yourself and your people: snow policies and “last chance to say no” moments, non‑negotiable laundry time, color‑coded calendars that lower stress, and simple communication habits that keep relationships from snapping under pressure. By the end, you’re invited to treat your brain like your most critical piece of touring gear—and to build a crew culture where dignity, respect, and mental health are baked into every gig.
00:00:00 Gig Gab 526 – Monday, March 23rd, 2026
March 23rd: National Puppy Day
Guest co-hosts: Courtney Klimson and Paul Klimson
00:01:43 Choosing Niles, Michigan for The Roadie Clinic
2019: From living in NYC to “the middle of nowhere” Michigan (but it’s right near an airport)
With lots of puppies!
00:04:05 The Roadie Clinic and the whole Human Experience
After some family tragedies, Courtney joined Paul on a European leg of the Timberlake tour to support him through the grief
00:07:56 Hottest Day in Central Park doing a show for John Legend
And Paul winds up with a sprained ankle but the show must go on…until it’s canceled for the heat!
Then off to Sicily the next day… and Courtney joins again!
00:13:24 On the flights, Courtney
00:15:40 “The Show Must Go On”
Institute a snow policy
00:17:40 And so exists The Roadie Clinic
Remote assistance: tell me your story, how can I help?
Works closely with MusiCares
RoadieDocRx
Decision Fatigue can sometimes be solved by AI
00:26:30 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.
00:28:03 Where are you going today, Paul?
John Legend to Timberlake to Drake
Multi-colored calendars to save the marriage…and the business
00:30:18 From being the monitor/foldback engineer at Fallon to meeting lots of bands
…and managers. “Protect the brand” worked to develop relationships
00:32:55 What Gets the Gig Done?
What can I do best that serves the team?
Scovill’s Back Lounge
00:37:02 The @ Rule of Texting
STC = Sleepy Tired and Crabby
00:39:38 Is this the last opportunity I have to say “no”?
00:43:55 Laundry time matters!
00:45:26 Studying Roadie Brains
A lot of Parkinsons, PTSD, Strokes
From Fallon to Timberlake
00:47:15 Tricks of being efficient with engineers
Step one: Communicate the Input List and Stage Plot
00:50:43 Paul Klimson’s Talkback System
00:54:00 We’re going to win because we’re efficient and we care about humans
Dignity and Respect
Superbowl Halftime Show – Minneapolis
Jimmy Fallon Show … and SNL
How are you using AI?
00:57:14 Gig Gab 526 Outtro
Follow Paul and Courtney Klimson
@TheRoadieClinic
Contact Gig Gab!
@GigGabPodcast on Instagram
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