Instagram story viewer> @samstrikerdotcom> Posts

Sam Striker

@samstrikerdotcom

869

followers

1898

following

• Always building
• Always learning
• CEO/Co-Founder @nativedarkness
• Co-Founder @lyraaudio
VIII:XVIII

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

I am OVER THE MOON excited to finally start talking about this...

About two years ago, I began talking with a couple of friends about an idea that I had: a tool for Dungeon Masters to create audio interactivity in the worlds they were creating. This is how Lyra came to be.

The coolest part about the app is the team behind it. Coming from a game audio background brings a specific skillset that I knew was missing from tabletop.

I am truly out of my element on this one, so I had to bring on even more talent to create the tabletop dream team ™. So we did it. We are sharing information all about the team and progress here: @lyraaudio

I am so. Freaking. Excited.

More soon. by @samstrikerdotcom

64

10

4 months ago

12 years ago on Christmas Eve I proposed to D’Laina. This time of year will always be deeply special because of this. What an amazing time of year.

🎥 @michaelosbornk

Thanks Luke and @john.wesley.osborniv for the serenade! by @samstrikerdotcom

29

5

9 months ago

Felt under the weather this morning, so I wasn’t able to make it out here at the time I usually do. Which really bothered me.

It has been 8 years since my dad died. A little shadow that follows me everywhere I go. But it’s a welcome presence because it doesn’t hurt very badly.

But there’s another, pernicious thing that seems to follow me and it has been with me much longer. It seems to make all of the beautiful things painful.

I can’t let myself fall out of routines. Even if it is only for a day to let myself rest. I talk myself into thinking: “well if I don’t do this today, it’s a slippery slope. Pretty soon I won’t be doing it at all anymore. And what will that lead to?” It’s apparent that, at least in the moment, life will fall apart because I didn’t respond to this voice.

Recently I took an unusual route home, for no real reason, and this voice told me: “your business will fail because you did that.” This was a shocking realization that I have struggled with this craziness my entire life. Unlocking an entire memory box of experiences that would seem hilariously insane to most people.

I’m not going to complain about my lack of posting this year. Business has been crazy in every direction, the economy is difficult, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t update my resume out of fear of losing my income. We are still making it, but the fight continues.

The real battle this year has been my mind. I’m reading a book right now where it refers to the untrained obsessive-compulsive brain as a “haunted house” and I’ve never heard a more apt description.

A perfect example is this: I worry if I don’t do this sacred little routine every year, this piece will quickly go away and I will lose it forever. Permanent loss. I know this is not true (heart), but I still don’t know (brain). Does that make sense?

That’s going to be my focus this year. Letting myself fall out of some routines. Letting this evil internal voice become duller. Loving my wife. Loving my brain. Leaning on Christ. All under the banner of “just figuring this shit out.”

It’s OK that I showed up late tonight.

I miss you. by @samstrikerdotcom

33

18

9 months ago

Back to the lake house as we put 2024 to rest, let's look at this past year.

1 year ago I said that a few things would happen. For the sake of transparency, I want to give an update on all of it.

First, I said this year that @nativedarkness would do 7-figures in revenue. I am happy to say that we crossed that goal in December!

Second, I said that I would post more. This vague goal lost some momentum at the beginning of the year when D'Laina's health took a dip. I don't really feel too sorry about this, but I definitely could have been better about picking that back up once she improved.

Third (and what I'm most excited to share), I said that I wanted to start helping those around me in the audio / music space to make a living doing what they love. My goal was to help them skip past all of the avoidable mistakes that I made.

With that said - I'm proud to introduce @audiopreneur.club!

APC is going to be a free group where I show composers and sound designers what 99% of their competition is not doing. This is not a random number: for every 100 composers you meet, statistically only one of them doing all of the things I teach.

Not only is the group going to be free (at least in the beginning) but I also plan on doing free 5-day, 1-on-1 challenges. This is where I can dive deeper into issues and personalize your attack plan.

For those who are not aligned with this but still want to support me: please follow @audiopreneur.club.
And if you really want to help, please share it with any music composers or sound designers who want to make a living doing what they love.

Now back to enjoying this view. 2025 is going to be an amazing year. I am stoked to bring others along for the ride. by @samstrikerdotcom

36

1

2 years ago

What a year it's been. Wish you were here to see it. So much music I could have shown you. Wish I could have shown you how well the busines has grown and introduce you to my team.

Back when I was a music producer, I used to show him every band I was working with. Even when he had opinions, he always wanted to hear. I can't recall one time he said "no" to me wanting to show him something. Even as an adult, that meant so much to me.

A huge part of this loss journey has been coming to terms with the fact that sentimental objects will slowly be lost. I don't know if anyone can relate to this, but I tend to hold on to sentimental things with a death grip. It's as if when I start throwing things away the memories will start to fade with it.

I'm not going to throw things away to prove a point, but this year, I'm also not going to hold on to anything purely because anxiety or fear tells me to. I know the memories will last. And even when those eventually start to fade, I think I'll be left with the handful of very special moments to nobody can take away from me.

I miss you, Dado. Can't believe it's been 7 years. by @samstrikerdotcom

31

8

2 years ago

Pic unrelated: I thought it made my muscles look bigger than they actually are.

Honestly the best feeling in the world is watching your friends succeed. Whether it's seeing their business take off, get the job offer, or see their marriage thrive, I can't get enough of it.

I used to get super jealous of this stuff. Real talk. And it's pretty embarrassing to admit. There were years of me holding these feelings deep inside. On the outside it was: "I'm so happy for you!" And "I always knew you could do it!" While I was secretly burning with jealousy. Which would come out in thoughts like: "well, his dad funded his business." Or "she had a wealthy upbringing." Or "He married into it."

Most shameful of all: if I couldn't discount their success, I would post a picture of myself that I thought made me look good, and in my head I was thinking, "at least I look better than them."

Yuck. What a loser.

This came from the belief that there is only a limited amount of success to go around. As in, the statistics ranked my likelihood of success as low if more people around me were successful. But anyone who knows anything understands this is not actually the case - It's quite the opposite.

I truly believe the day I became successful was the day I chose to let that go. And ironically, financial success soon followed.

It is very freeing.

Yes, btw, I did eat 3 plates of BBQ.

📷 @amberhourphoto taken in Dallas, Texas by @samstrikerdotcom

51

10

2 years ago

8

0

2 years ago

Yes, that was a six-figure mistake. But I don't live with regrets.

Or at least I try not to.

It's really difficult to look at mistakes I've made in my business and not wallow in regret. I am a hyperoptimizer so seeing where I could have done something better - only in hindsight - can feel like being trapped and forced to stare at my mistake.

And trust me, this has happened more than once.

I have wasted advertising spend, put the wrong team members on projects, made bad hiring decisions, and many more things that have cost me thousands of dollars.

But I refuse to let myself live in regret.

Aside from the obvious lessons that I have learned from all of these mistakes and the way it has afforded me the opportunity to help others avoid them, it has given me an immense amount of peace.

Because I used to think that if you didn't regret you didn't learn - but now I know that is a lie. You can absolutely learn from your mistakes without living in regret.

And that makes life pretty cool. taken in McKinney, Texas by @samstrikerdotcom

33

5

2 years ago

11

0

2 years ago

Anyone else need some kind of fidget toy while they work?

I'm 12 lol.

I think part of growing up is finding ways to work with your disabilities rather than try to muscle through them. This is something I've been learning a lot more recently.

Anyone else have any ADHD tips they'd like to share? taken in McKinney, Texas by @samstrikerdotcom

13

1

2 years ago

10 years! I cannot believe it's been a decade.

I love you so much, baby!

It feels so short to have been 10 years, but at the same time it feels like a lifetime. I feel like a completely different husband these days, but sometimes I feel like a worse husband. Not fishing for compliments- It's all a part of growing!

To everyone who stood next to me that day, I'm extremely grateful. To everyone who was there, you should comment any memories you have of that day. It was such a blur. taken in McKinney, Texas by @samstrikerdotcom

61

10

2 years ago

I still struggle to believe that I add value and this book has totally exposed me. Even in the face of contrary evidence, reviews, and loyal customers.

It's a heart over mind type of thing. Does that make sense?

I'm working on it.

Not only do I 100% recommend Creating a Storybrand, I also recommend following @stopthestarvingartist - Lennon understands this on the deepest level and has been a constant source of encouragement for me. taken in McKinney, Texas by @samstrikerdotcom

16

5

2 years ago