Kurt Stein Emergency Fund

My name is Mike Boyd, and I’m a professional musician, a publicist at Thrill Jockey Records in Chicago, and a former student/mentee of Kurt Stein. As a longtime friend of the man, myth, and legend that is Kurt Andrew Stein, I'm taking it upon myself to kick off a GoFundMe to help him get back on his feet after a litany of troubles. These complications include a terrifying car accident that has left him without a vehicle or a home, which has left him in both physical and financial turmoil. Throughout these adversities he is continuing to look for work, care for his beloved dogs and has been left alone to deal with a cascade of problems no one person should bear on their own.

TL;DR: Kurt has been there for all of us in one way or another. Now he needs our help, and the man doesn't know how to ask for it himself. Please seriously consider giving him a hand however you can, and sharing this link.

UPDATE: Since we are well on our way to our minimum goal, we are setting a higher goal which can help make a deeper impact on Kurt’s situation. We’re blown away by all the support from his community.

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THE STORY

After barely pulling through the insane difficulties of a self-employed musician and educator navigating Covid lockdowns and complications, Kurt was ready for his next chapter. He wanted to try something new. He needed a change and a chance to heal, and grow, on all levels. He saved, scrapped, and scrounged to get an RV, Jeep, mobile studio, and equipment in order to travel cross-country with his dogs. With dreams of interviewing people he knows around the country from all walks of life for a series/podcast/channel, playing gigs, lecturing, and expanding his scope in his lifelong journey as an educator, artist, entrepreneur, philosopher, and modern day renaissance man, Kurt set forth on his new adventure.

Then, disaster struck. As Kurt was about to officially embark on his journey, after over two years of planning, a friend hundreds of miles away called for his help. Like he always does, Kurt took this dilemma as an opportunity to test-run his new mobile setup. Along the way, his RV and Jeep flipped in an accident that totaled both vehicles, injuring his fearsome and lovable dog duo Buddha and Beaker, as well as exacerbating Kurt's previously existing issues like a returning pinched nerve in his back that makes it difficult to walk. From the due car payments, to the lost prep costs/gear, the loss of work/opportunities, and the vehicles' insurance not totally covering costs that have left him in the lurch, Kurt has subsequently incurred some very serious debts. Kurt has no family, significant other, or safety net to turn to for help. Our man is stressed to the maximum. Our friend deserves better, much better.

In addition to the accident, Kurt's family has been struggling with their own serious medical problems and financial struggles. He is worried about them and desperately wants to help them in whatever way he possibly can. With his debts, lack of transportation, and beloved pets, it has been impossible for Kurt to stabilize financially, or even find affordable housing. With two (beautiful and well-behaved) pitties he rescued during lockdown, and a 30 year old snake, most renting associations won't take him. This is not even including the up-front costs of renting or home ownership (which he was denied during Covid). His plan was to attempt to at least semi-relocate, or travel for a while anyway.

Currently, Kurt is living out of his music studio with no shower or access to drinkable water, and eating out of a dorm fridge. THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. He's receiving weekly water deliveries from close friends, and taking the chance to wash and workout at the gym when he has the energy to bike across town. The margins are razor thin, the situation he faces is obviously overwhelming, and Kurt has nothing left to give. The man of steel and zeal we know and love with seemingly endless energy and passion to guide or assist others any way he can, and who always pulls himself up stoically and heroically in the face of adversity, is in dire straits and completely burned out trying to deal with the fallout of the events of the past few years.

THE GOAL

Ultimately, Kurt needs help getting back on his feet so he is able to even consider his next steps. He is living the very definition of burnout. Despite all the adversity, Kurt has kept his head up, remained vigilant, and passionate about the zillion things we know he's enthusiastic about. To be clear, we've set the monetary goal on the extreme LOW END, and it just gets him some short term footing. At every turn, there's more that can be done. In the short term, financial support is the #1 thing he needs urgently and immediately from all of us around the world that know and love him. Without question, Kurt Stein is an asset and inspiration to everyone who crosses his path.

THE FUTURE

With all the stress and pressure of his hardships Kurt has not had the mental, emotional, or physical capacity to focus on the passions that drive him and have helped his community of friends and students grow over his past 2 decades of teaching. Kurt has unsurprisingly ambitious goals for his future as an educator, scholar, guru, and artist. Where most folks search for something to focus on in life, Kurt can’t help but chase his calling and life’s work. It’s all he knows. He is one of the hardest workers anyone knows, and loves to help others succeed, face their fears, and chase their dreams. In the solitudes of lockdowns, and even now, Kurt has been delving deeper into the worlds of the science of sound, philosophy, audiology, neurodivergence, and beyond.

Kurt is open to all types of remote work from here, there, and anywhere, or relocation for a suitable job or opportunity for his vast skill set. If given a little time, support, and understanding, he has some exciting and innovative plans to create a very unique podcast, music education platform, and creative consultative. Kurt has been actively working on laying the groundwork for these projects throughout the last few years, until the freak accident derailed all of his plans and emptied his funds to launch his new direction.

HOW ELSE TO HELP

(Reach out to Kurt directly for any of the below!)

Some things Kurt would love leads, guidance, or assistance on:

If you'd like to help Kurt by sending some supplies for him or the pups his way, the best mailing address is:

Kurt Stein

718 Pine St.

Omro, WI 54963

KURT IS AVAILABLE FOR

Online lessons in:

Creative consulting for:

Work for hire in: