The Mindful Hustle
The Mindful Hustle is the podcast for high-achieving entrepreneurs ready to scale their business by mastering their mindset, identity, and energy. Hosted by Donnie, each episode features raw, insightful conversations that explore the inner world behind outer success. If you’re driven, growth-minded, and ready to become the version of yourself who effortlessly attracts results—this is your space.
The Mindful Hustle
Episode 22 Music, Peace & Higher Consciousness with Jazz Legend Rick DellaRatta
In this deeply moving and enlightening episode of The Mindful Hustle, host Donnie sits down with jazz legend, composer, and humanitarian Rick DellaRatta — founder of the Jazz for Peace movement. Known globally for his virtuosity and vision, Rick has shared the stage with music’s elite and been honored alongside philanthropic icons like Bono and Elton John. But it wasn’t fame or accolades that redefined his path — it was 9/11.
Rick recounts the pivotal moment he witnessed the tragedy of September 11th from his New York rooftop, and how that day led him to write a poem — which later became Jazz for Peace, a global initiative using music to unite cultures, solve real-world problems, and elevate human consciousness.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Rick opens up about:
His early musical journey, improvising as a 6-year-old on a piano he believed was a gift from Santa Claus
How jazz and classical greats like Thelonious Monk and Bach shaped his sound and soul
The spiritual power of music to raise consciousness from fear and greed to wisdom and compassion
Why peace is underfunded — and how even 1% of what we invest in war could radically transform the world
His famous quote on the power of humanity, creativity, and intelligence to avoid destruction
A stunning live performance of his “Jazz for Peace” poem, improvised in the moment exclusively for this episode
Rick doesn’t just talk about peace — he’s engineered systems to make it real. From donating instruments to schools to bringing Israeli and Palestinian musicians together at the UN, his mission goes far beyond the stage.
Whether you're an artist, activist, entrepreneur, or seeker, this episode will challenge you to see the world — and your potential — in a radically different light. It’s not just about music. It’s about waking up.
If you’ve ever felt called to do more, be more, or contribute to a better world, Rick’s story will reignite your purpose.