Alle afleveringen
103 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Reissued: Dolan Morgan + Emily Hope Price
3 november 2026 · 35 min
While we're busy making season eight, the SongWriter is reissuing a few favorite episodes. In this one, author Dolan Morgan reads a story called "The New Middle Class," and cellist and songwriter Emily Hope Price shares a live recording of her song, with the same title, that she wrote in response.
"The New Middle Class" was recently re-published by Vol. 1 Brooklyn. Lees meerChapters
13:04
"The New Middle Class"
30:58
Emily's song: "The New Middle Class (live)”SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
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Reissued: Laurie Woolever + Mike Ruffino
6 oktober 2026 · 47 min
While we're busy making season eight, the SongWriter team decided to reissue a few favorite episodes. In this one, SongWriter's own Laurie Woolever reads a story she wrote for the podcast (and later published in her memoir, Care and Feeding), about an intense day in Sri Lanka. Composer Mike Ruffino, who did all of the music for most of Anthony Bourdain's television shows, uses sounds and instruments recorded during that shoot to create a song of transition, dedication, and loss.
Mike's memoir is Adios, Motherfucker. Lees meerChapters
10:46
Laurie's story
40:39
Mike's song: "Devotion Cycle Part II: Climate Control”SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
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AI Dreams: Jennifer Egan + Rhett Miller
4 juni 2026 · 56 min
At a live performance at Joe's Pub in New York City, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan shares a chapter from her recent novel The Candy House. NYU’s Dr. Chris Barrie speaks about AI, and tries to disentangle its potential as a threat to, or a savior of, humanity. Songwriter Rhett Miller (The Old 97s), who is an old friend and an admirer of Jennifer’s, performs a brand new song in response. Lees meer
Chapters
05:46
Jennifer Egan reads a chapter of The Candy House
16:28
A conversation about AI with Dr. Christopher Barrie
50:22
"Near Eureka" performed live by Rhett MillerSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Caregiving After Disaster: Sonia Khan & Ian Lovatt + Tom Marsh
19 mei 2026 · 54 min
Married couple Sonia Khan and Ian Lovatt tell the story of a near-death experience and the long journey of recovery. Caregiving researcher Dr. Brianna Morgan speaks about ageism and giving a voice to people living with compromised communication abilities through poetry. Composer and drummer Tom Marsh remembers life-altering advice Ian gave him, and shares a new song called "Illuminate." Lees meer
Chapters:
01:02
Sonia begins the story
28:39
Dr. Brianna Marsh speaks about caregiving
48:57
Tom Marsh debuts "Illuminate"SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Isabella Rossellini & Diana Reiss + Sharon Van Etten
5 mei 2026 · 49 min
Filmmaker and actress Isabella Rossellini describes the night she went to see Temple Grandin speak at Hunter College, and ended up enrolling in graduate school to study animal behavior at the age of 60. Isabella’s friend and professor Dr. Diana Reiss speaks about her research work with animals, and the importance of seeing them not just as species, but as individuals. Rock star Sharon Van Etten explains why this project meant the world to her, and performs a new song titled "for Isabella." Lees meer
Chapters:
09:30
Isabella Rossellini describes how Darwin decoded animal intelligence using photography
24:11
Dr. Diana Reiss tells a story about a dolphin who turned her training methods back on her
38:39
Sharon Van Etten speaks about the catharsis of writing about intensity and darknessSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Forgiveness After Genocide: Laurence & Aloys + Solange & Vedaste
21 april 2026 · 51 min
In this episode Niyonagira Laurence recounts her experience of the Rwandan genocide. She talks about the process of forgiving Mutiribambe Aloys – a neighbor who killed members of her family – after he returned to the village from prison. Aloys speaks how terrifying it was to return to the village, and what happened when his son fell in love with Laurence’s daughter. Dr. Valentine Ngalim speaks about his research on forgiveness in Kenya. Laurence’s daughter Uwizeyimana Solange remembers processing her understanding of the genocide as a child, and how she decided to marry Aloys’s son, Uwizeyimana Vedaste. Vedaste describes the song he wrote about their story, “Imboni Y’ibyiza.” To read an English translation of the song, you can go to the SongWriter episode page. Lees meer
Chapters:
00:02:25
Laurence and Aloys' story
00:21:48
Dr. Valentin Ngalim's perspective on forgiveness
00:38:52
Solange and Vedaste's storySongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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A Troublesome Cat: Bruce Holsinger + The Golden Hours
7 april 2026 · 53 min
At a live performance at The Guild in Charlottesville, Virginia, bestselling novelist and professor Bruce Holsinger reads a short story he wrote about a troublesome cat. Dr. Jennifer McQuiston speaks about the connections between animal welfare and human flourishing, her time at CDC, and her current work as a veterinarian. Super group The Golden Hours (which combines Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum) performs a brand new song in response called "One More Photo," and talks about developing their mission and sound. Lees meer
Chapters:
02:42
Bruce reads "River Cat"
28:06
Dr. McQuiston talks about her work
48:30
"One More Photo" by The Golden HoursSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, Joyce Carol Oates, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Ali Selim + Carla Kihlstedt
24 maart 2026 · 51 min
Filmmaker and director Ali Selim shares a story about his complicated relationship with his father. Dr. Emily Gaarder talks about her work in restorative justice, and explains why she sometimes refers to forgiveness as “the F-word.” Songwriter Carla Kihlstedt recalls her long connection to Ali and his work, and shares a brand new song.
Special thanks to FilmNorth for hosting the live event, and to New England Conservatory's Department of Recording and Performance Technology Services, and to audio engineer Collin Register. Lees meerChapters:
00:02:38
Ali Selim's story
00:16:28
Dr. Emily Gaarder's perspective
00:42:29
Carla Kihlstedt's "I Am a Fish"SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, Joyce Carol Oates, and George Saunders. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Forgiveness in Rio: Maria Rezende + Pedro Mann
10 maart 2026 · 34 min
Brazilian poet and film editor Maria Rezende reads a poem about a man who could not forgive her. Dr. Rita de Cacia Oenning da Silva and Kurt Shaw speak about how the poem made them think about national issues of reconciliation and justice. Songwriter Pedro Mann speaks about a difficult relationship with his father, and shares a song on forgiveness called "Perdoa." Lees meer
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Unicorn-Level Positivity: Helen Cho + Alison Mosshart (The Kills)
24 februari 2026 · 41 min
Director Helen Cho shares a story that she wrote for SongWriter about learning to appreciate her mother’s perspective on caregiving and life. Dr. Komal Patel Murali talks about the burdens and challenges of first generation immigrants, especially in their relationships with their parents. Songwriter Alison Mosshart of The Kills talks about her long friendship with Helen, and how she wrote a rocker about rebellion and joy. Lees meer
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Caregiving and Reconciliation: Silas Howard + Dorian Wood
10 februari 2026 · 47 min
Filmmaker and director Silas Howard reads a story about caring for his mother in the years before her death. Dr. Fayron Epps speaks about her research in caregiving, and about caregivers who struggle with complicated and often painful family memories. Songwriter and performer Dorian Wood speaks about rejecting “chrono-normativity,” and shares a song called “Winooski (Time-Shifting Waltz).” Lees meer
Chapters
00:05:31
Silas Howard reads a piece about his mother's struggle with addiction and dementia
00:21:12
Dr. Epps speaks about her work in the faith community and with the families struggling with the challenges of caring for people experiencing dementia
00:30:05
Dorian Wood talks about her work and practiceSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Flourishing After Disaster: Patrice Francis + Selah Moonie
27 januari 2026 · 46 min
Bahamian playwright and teacher Patrice Francis performs a dramatic piece about recovering from Hurricane Dorian, live at the Fuze Art Fair at Bahamar. Patrice wrote the piece based on the research of Dr. Stephanie Hutcheson, who describes what she learned about post-traumatic growth. Songwriter Selah Moonie talks about holding on to her inspiration and artistry in an economic environment that prizes cover songs, and plays a brand new song with her band. Lees meer
Chapters
00:02:50
Patrice Francis performs a piece she wrote in response to Dr. Hutcheson's research
00:23:10
Dr. Hutcheson speaks about grief and resilience
00:30:36
Selah Moonie speaks about writing her new songSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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The Echo of Theodicy: Kaveh Akbar + Jamila Woods
13 januari 2026 · 35 min
At a live show at Metro in Chicago, bestselling author Kaveh Akbar reads a poem about empathy that he wrote for Jamila Woods. Jamila and Kaveh are old friends, and they discuss empathy in a brutal world, and the echo within questions of theodicy. The University of Chicago’s Dr. Eman Abdelhadi speaks about community, empathy, and belonging, and about her speculative fiction novel Everything for Everyone. Jamila Woods finishes the episode with the premiere of a brand new song called "Ordinary As Air."
The show was a fundraiser for A Long Walk Home, a local non-profit that provides opportunities for girls and young women. Lees meerChapters
00:01:34
Kaveh Akbar introduces a poem he wrote for Jamila Woods
00:05:26
Dr. Eman Abdelhadi talks about her research on empathy
26:29:39
Jamila Woods introduces her new songSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
30 december 2025 · 49 min
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen (The Sympathizer) gives a talk about belonging at a live performance at the Litquake Festival. San Francisco State University’s Dr. Russell Jeung speaks about founding Stop AAPI Hate and Asian identity and belonging. He describes how the pandemic seems to have revived and strengthened longstanding hate towards Asian Americans, and explains his term for collective action against this, “flocking.” Thao Nguyen (of the Get Down Stay Down) plays a new song called “Keep It Moving.” Lees meer
Chapters:
00:04:58
Viet Thanh Nguyen speaks about belonging at a live event during in San Francisco.
00:27:05
Dr. Russell Jeung speaks about his research on belonging, collective action, and the founding of Stop AAPI Hate.
00:40:20
Thao Nguyen introduces her new song.SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Fear & Political Polarization: Beth Macy + Palmyra
16 december 2025 · 49 min
Journalist and bestselling author Beth Macy (Dopesick) reads a piece she wrote to accompany her new memoir Papergirl, about her family's struggle with opposing political views. She describes a slow process of reconnecting with her conservative brother through simple things like fly fishing and the love of music. The University of Virginia’s Dr. Rachel Wahl talks about how hard it can be to break through polarization, and gives some simple advice for people struggling with the issue. The band Palmyra –whose guitarist and singer is Beth’s youngest child – talks about trans rights, and plays a song written in response to Beth's story titled “Appalachian Adam’s Apple Smile.” Lees meer
Chapters:
00:01:36 Distorted Connections: Beth Macy tells a story about family and political polarization, and the power of music
00:15:46 Breaking Polarization: Dr. Rachel Wahl discusses ways to engage, even across tremendous divides in politics and even facts.
00:25:29 The Conduit of Music: the members of Palmyra discuss identity, the ways that music connects us, and the exhaustion and overwhelm of today.
00:43:54 "Appalachian Adam's Apple Smile," the new song by PalmyraSongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Season 7 Trailer
2 december 2025 · 1 min
The trailer for season seven includes mention of the themes we'll be working on, and some of the upcoming guests, including Jennifer Egan, Jamila Woods, Kaveh Akbar, Rhett Miller, and others!
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Ben Okri + Matshidiso
17 december 2024 · 1 uur 7 min
Poet, author, and playwright Ben Okri reads his story “A Wrinkle in the Realm,” and talks about music and dream logic. Stanford’s Dr. Tomás Jiménez speaks about polarization, belonging, and empathy. And podcaster and songwriter Matshidiso returns to SongWriter, and co-writes a song with Ben Okri Lees meer
You can hear Matshidiso's recent single, Dreams, and her first episode with Charlie Gilmour, and songs Ben Okri co-wrote with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur) and Tony Allen, Cosmosis, and with Harper Simon, Wishes and Stars
A playlist of Ben Arthur's songs featured in season six (as instrumentals or written as a response to an episode) can be found on Apple Music or Spotify
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Sarfraz Manzoor + SK & the Kings
3 december 2024 · 45 min
At a live performance in London, journalist, filmmaker, and author Sarfraz Manzoor reads a piece he wrote for SongWriter about the things he had to learn for himself. Researcher Dr. Elizabeth Gulliford talks about her work at the Jubilee Center for Character & Virtues, and the ways reconciliation and forgiveness work within Sarfraz’s story. And SK and the Kings perform a brand-new song written in response called "Lessons." Lees meer
For the live show, Ben wrote a song in response to Sarfraz's story - and inspired in part by a comment author Salman Rushdie made on Ezra Klein's pod - called "Love and Be Loved." It's streaming now on Apple Music, Spotify, etc
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Asli Perker + Tuna Kiremitçi
19 november 2024 · 40 min
Turkish journalist and author Asli Perker shares a story she wrote for SongWriter about a terrible car accident, and how it helped to make her the artist she is today. Scientist and researcher Dr. Itir Erhart talks about how art and empathy interact. And songwriter, poet, and crime novelist Tuna Kiremitçi performs a brand-new song written in response. Lees meer
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Hala Alyan + H.Sinno
5 november 2024 · 44 min
Palestinian poet and clinical psychologist Hala Alyan shares her poem “Dear Gaza,” about guilt, memory, and hope. Scientist Dr. Salma Mousa talks about her research on empathy and polarization, and describes how soccer star Mo Salah’s prominence led to a demonstrable drop in anti-Muslim hate speech and violence in his hometown of Liverpool. H.Sinno, who is the lead singer of the Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila, shares a brand-new song called “Re-Arson.” Lees meer
For a live show, Ben wrote a song called "Yellow Dress," which is available as a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen via Bandcamp, as well as Apple, Spotify, etc.
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
22 oktober 2024 · 56 min
Poet Maggie Smith reads her viral poem Good Bones and reflects on what it means to raise children in a world that is both beautiful and frightening. She also shares What I Carried, a poem about fear and love, and how both shape the lives of parents and kids. Psychologist Dr. Chrissy Salley from the Courageous Parents Network joins to talk about caregiving, resilience, and how families can have honest conversations with children. Jazz chanteuse Kat Edmonson closes the episode with Fear, Fear, a haunting new song inspired by Smith’s work. Lees meer
Chapters
4:00 Good Bones: How a viral poem became a “disaster barometer” for dark times
13:00 What I Carried: Fear, love, and the truths parents share with their children
27:00 Caregiving Research: Building resilience and honesty in families with Dr. Chrissy Salley
52:00 Fear, Fear: Kat Edmonson’s haunting new song inspired by Maggie SmithA broadside of "Good Bones" is available, as is the pre-order for Maggie's upcoming book, "Dear Writer"
SongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears as a segment on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com.
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Naz Riahi + Rahill
8 oktober 2024 · 46 min
Filmmaker and author Naz Riahi tells a heartbreaking story she wrote for SongWriter about the loss of a beloved pet, and how her experience of grief was shaped by the war in Gaza. Neuroscientist Dr. Meghan Myer explains the way empathy maps on to different parts of our brains, and talks about her imaging research. And songwriter Rahill Jamalifard of the band Habibi plays a brand-new song written in response. Lees meer
The song is available on Rahill's Bandcamp, and all proceeds benefit Gaza Mutual Aid
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Ina Cariño + Alex Wong
24 september 2024 · 41 min
Filipinx American poet Ina Cariño shares a brand new “sonnet crown” poem that they wrote for SongWriter on the subject of family and empathy. Scientist Sarah Nila describes her experiments exploring empathy with children and mothers in the Philippines, and how Ina’s poem contains echoes of her findings. And producer and songwriter Alex Wong performs a brand-new song called “Murmurations,” that includes violin by Ina and vocals by Sarah. The song is only available on Bandcamp, and is a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen. Lees meer
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Kate Cohen + Jesse Cohen-Greenberg
10 september 2024 · 35 min
Author Kate Cohen reads a piece she wrote for SongWriter about how – despite her firm atheism – the Jewish religious ritual that she grudgingly allowed in her wedding is what she remembers and treasures most from that day. Scientist and author Dr. Arielle Levites explains how religious ritual can act as a pathway for connection or alienation, and discusses her research. And Kate’s son Jesse Cohen-Greenberg performs a brand-new song written about his parents’ wedding day. Lees meer
SongWriterPodcast.com
Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast
Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast
TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast
X.com/SnogWriterSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Freddy Mutanguha & Hope Azeda + Peace Jolis
27 augustus 2024 · 38 min
Freddy Mutanguha, who is the CEO of the Aegis Trust – the organization that built the Kigali Genocide Memorial – describes surviving the genocide, and visiting the childhood friend who murdered his mother in prison. Woven into Freddy’s story are poems that Rwandan art activist and author Hope Azeda wrote about speaking to children about the genocide. Dr. Pamela Wadende describes the scientific mechanics behind forgiveness, and her experience of Rwanda. And Rwandan songwriter Peace Jolis shares a brand-new song called “BAHO.” Lees meer
SongWriterPodcast.com
Twitter.com/SnogWriter
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TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastFor the live performance, Ben wrote a new song called "Kigali (ft. Peace Jolis)," which is streaming now on Apple Music, Spotify, and elsewhere.
Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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W. Kamau Bell + Las Cafeteras
13 augustus 2024 · 49 min
During a performance at KQED Live, comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell tells a story about his father’s 80th birthday party, and an extraordinary moment of collective effervescence. Scientist Dr. Shira Gabriel explains the mechanics behind collective effervescence, and one of Kamau’s favorite bands, Las Cafeteras, shares a brand-new song called “Home.” Lees meer
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TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastFor the live performance, Ben wrote a song in response to Kamau's story as well, which is streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and elsewhere.
Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Imbolo Mbue + Crys Matthews
30 juli 2024 · 33 min
Bestselling Cameroonian-American author Imbolo Mbue shares an excerpt she chose from How Beautiful We Were, about a village’s collective fight against a fictional oil company. Scientist Dorsa Amir describes her research with the Shuar natives of Ecuador, and how cooperation against a common threat and polarization both contain risks and benefits. Activist and songwriter Crys Matthews describes how collective action is at the center of her work, and shares her brand-new song “Restitution.” Lees meer
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TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Joyce Carol Oates + Ali Sethi
16 juli 2024 · 30 min
At a live performance at Queens College, legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads a piece about her beloved late husband Charlie Gross, called “Hospice / Honeymoon.” Psychologist and author Dr. Allison Applebaum talks about caregiving, and shares insights from her recent book, Stand By Me. And global superstar Ali Sethi shares a brand-new song written in response. Lees meer
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TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastSeason six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Susan Orlean + Diana Gameros
2 juli 2024 · 42 min
At a live performance at KQED in San Francisco, bestselling author and New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean tells a story about homing pigeons, and the heartbreaking implications of their extraordinary intelligence. Researcher Dr. Laura Simone Lewis shares her work with bonobos and chimpanzees, and the ways that their intelligence guides their understanding of home. And Mexican American activist and songwriter Diana Gameros performs a new song written in response. Lees meer
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TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastFor the live performance, Ben wrote a song in response to Susan's story, "I Can Only (Come Home)," which is streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.
Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation
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Season 6 Trailer
18 juni 2024 · 2 min
Season 6 is here, with the return of friends like Joyce Carol Oates and Susan Orlean, and new ones like W. Kamau Bell, Imbolo Mbue, Crys Matthews, and Ali Sethi! Lees meer
Episode 1 is out July 2nd
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Pre-Season Six Bonus Episode
4 mei 2024 · 10 min
Bonus episode! News of the mildly delayed season six, as well as some upcoming live shows, including: Lees meer
5/11 Joyce Carol Oates + Ali Sethi with special guests Tony Trischka and Dr. Allison Applebaum at LeFrak Concert Hall in Queens, NY
6/13 Susan Orlean + Diana Gameros with special guest Laura Simone Lewis at KQED in San Francisco
7/10 W. Kamau Bell + Las Cafeteras with special guest Shira Gabriel at KQED in San FranciscoAlso a peek at what the good folks who have premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts have been enjoying - an excerpt of an interview with Jakob Ewald of Slaughter Beach, Dog conducted by Ruby Arthur.
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David Sedaris + Jacob Ewald (Slaughter Beach, Dog)
7 november 2023 · 30 min
Bestselling author David Sedaris reads an excerpt from Theft By Finding, a collection of his diaries from when he was a young artist. Jacob Ewald of the pop indie band Slaughter Beach, Dog (and formerly Modern Baseball) recounts how reading the book backstage at a college show had the effect of giving him permission to call himself a songwriter, and to take his art seriously. He shares a brand new song written from the perspective of a frustrated painter, “Get Me Through the Night” Lees meer
Audio from Theft by Finding is provided courtesy of Hachette Audio.
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Raven Leilani + Elysian Fields
24 oktober 2023 · 30 min
Bestselling author Raven Leilani reads an excerpt of her short story “Breathing Exercise,” and talks about art, racism, and carnality in her work. Raven shares how her brother – who died of ALS – introduced her to art, as well as her favorite bands. Lees meer
Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields explains that she has been a Raven Leilani fan since her debut novel, Luster, and shares the band’s newest song, “The Contortionist”
Listeners are invited to share their art made in response to episodes – however directly or indirectly – at the SongWriter Community Art page
Content warning: There are brief mentions of violence and suicide in this episode
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George Saunders + Ben Arthur
10 oktober 2023 · 46 min
This is part one of a two-part episode featuring "Sea Oak" by George Saunders. Part one contains a song written by Ben Arthur, Vienna Teng, and George Saunders; Part two contains a new song written by Craig Finn. Lees meer
Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads a comic-but-serious zombie story called “Sea Oak” – which was made into an Amazon TV show starring Glenn Close – and shares wisdom on writing dark things.
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about heartbreak, advice from Bruce Springsteen, and shares his song “Swan’s Glen.”
You can hear the song by Ben, Vienna, and George, "Love Don't (Fall Apart)" on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.
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George Saunders + Craig Finn
10 oktober 2023 · 46 min
This is part one of a two-part episode featuring "Sea Oak" by George Saunders. Part one contains a song written by Ben Arthur, Vienna Teng, and George Saunders; Part two contains the song written by Craig Finn. Lees meer
Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads a comic-but-serious zombie story called “Sea Oak” – which was made into an Amazon TV show starring Glenn Close – and shares wisdom on writing dark things.
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about heartbreak, advice from Bruce Springsteen, and shares his song “Swan’s Glen.”
You can hear the song by Ben, Vienna, and George, "Love Don't (Fall Apart)" on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.
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Dave Eggers + Vienna Teng
26 september 2023 · 36 min
Bestselling author, screenwriter, and founder of McSweeney’s, Dave Eggers reads an excerpt from his short story, “The Museum of Rain,” and talks about the way music informs his creative process. Dave says the song Vienna wrote for the episode, “hit him like a truck,” and expresses his delight that Vienna decided to make the song a fundraiser for the non-profit 826 Valencia. Lees meer
Songwriter Vienna Teng makes a second appearance on SongWriter, describing how this song, and the one she wrote for an episode with Kurt Andersen, make up two-thirds of her written output over the last decade! Vienna talks about reading Dave’s story out loud to her young family during the pandemic, and explores self-doubt and creativity before sharing her song, “The Riversitter (The Museum of Rain).” The song is for sale exclusively on Bandcamp, and all proceeds benefit 826 Valencia
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Andrew Sean Greer + Torquil Campbell & Daniel Handler
12 september 2023 · 38 min
Andrew Sean Greer won the Pulitzer Prize for his comic novel, Less. For this episode he reads an excerpt from the follow up book, Less is Lost, and describes how he thinks of the book as more serious than many readers. For the songwriter in this episode, Andrew requested Torquil Campbell of the band Stars, and Torq secretly invited Andrew’s close friend Daniel Handler (aka the wildly popular children’s author Lemony Snicket) to collaborate on it. Unbeknownst to many of his fans, Daniel is a seriously experienced songwriter and session musician, who has collaborated with Death Cab for Cutie, The Decembrists, and Magnetic Fields, and he and Torq trade anecdotes, make fun of each other relentlessly, and talk about the truly sweet surprise they cooked up together for Andrew, a song called "Not the Best." Lees meer
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Sally Rooney + Sam Himself
29 augustus 2023 · 26 min
Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You? is a follow-up to her wildly successful novel Normal People, which was made into a popular series on Hulu. The newest novel is about falling in love in the digital age – her exquisitely-drawn characters struggle to connect with each other, and slowly expose their vulnerabilities to each other over time. Lees meer
Songwriter Sam Himself describes how he fell in love REMOTELY during the pandemic, and had the bizarre, terrifying, and ultimately beautiful experience of meeting the woman he already knew so intimately from their written conversations and phone calls – and was already deeply in love with – in person for the first time.
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Kevin Allison + Carolyn Kendrick
15 augustus 2023 · 34 min
Kevin Allison is a storyteller, the host of the wildly popular RISK! podcast, and a former member of MTV’s The State. He tells a story about meeting his future husband in the days after 9/11, and talks about how late he came to dating and self-acceptance, and wrestles with a recently broken heart. Carolyn Kendrick is herself a star in the podcast world, as she produces the popular podcasts “You’re Wrong About” and “You Are Good.” She talks about her own reactions to 9/11, and shares her brand new song, “What If.” Lees meer
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Dolan Morgan + Self Help
1 augustus 2023 · 29 min
Author and illustrator Dolan Morgan reads an excerpt from his story, “The Quartering Act,” which combines fantasy and emotional realism to explore self-loathing and trauma. Lees meer
Melissa Faliveno and John Walsh from the band Self Help talk about their reactions to the story, and share their new song, “3A.”
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Charlie Gilmour + Matshidiso
18 juli 2023 · 29 min
Charlie Gilmour reads an excerpt from his bestselling memoir, Featherhood, which connects the story of raising an abandoned magpie with explorations around his father, noted actor and poet Heathcoate Williams, and his stepfather, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. British musician and podcaster Matshidiso shares the story of coming to grips with her own father, and shares a live recording of her song, “Who Can Tell a Bird” Lees meer
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Jean Hanff Korelitz + Warren Zanes
4 juli 2023 · 40 min
Bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz reads an excerpt from her recent novel, The Latecomer, and talks about the connections and disconnections she feels between her job and the movies and tv shows that are made from her work (Hugh Grant, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey). Jean reads from The Latecomers – a rambling multi-generational picture of a family dealing with secrets and trauma – and talks about how it was inspired by the work of John Irving. Lees meer
Jean’s friend Warren Zanes, who was in his brother’s band, the Del Fuegos, talks about his long collaborative friendship with Tom Petty, his jobs as an author and a professor, and plays his song, “The Aftermath of the Accident.” He also discloses some complicated history with his brother, and connects it to the book.
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M. Gessen + Maria Sonevytsky
13 juni 2023 · 35 min
New Yorker staff writer, Russian dissident journalist, and author M. Gessen (@MashaGessen) tells the story of being called in for a death-defying meeting with Putin, and how it confirmed the dark conclusions in their bestselling biography of him, Man Without a Face. Ukrainian American musician and scholar Maria Sonevytsky (@MarusiaSays) talks about the war, and plays her song, “Culture War” Lees meer
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Daniel Bergner + Bob Bergner
6 juni 2023 · 34 min
New York Times writer Dan Bergner reads an excerpt from The Mind and the Moon, which explores the lives of three people coping with serious mental illness and the pharmaceutical and medical systems brought to bear on their treatment. Dan’s brother Bob is one of those featured in the book, and he describes his journey and the very inspiring way that he lives as a pastor, an artist, and an activist. Bob also plays “A Song for Dad,” about his complicated feelings on saying goodbye in his father’s later years. Lees meer
Content warning: though there are no graphic or upsetting details in this story, it does mention suicide.
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Neil Gaiman + FourPlay
23 mei 2023 · 23 min
Bestselling author and storyteller Neil Gaiman (@NeilHimself) talks about his long collaborations with the FourPlay String Quartet (@FourPlaySQ), and their new album, Signs of Life. Neil describes how he first wrote a letter to a friend who was suffering a series of miscarriages, and how that became the song "The Wreckers," and discloses his own painful experience with miscarriage.
Lara and Tim from FourPlay talk about the anxieties and joys of working with Neil, and how they composed the beautifully spare and delicate music to accompany Neil's performance. All music in this episode is by, and courtesy of, FourPlay. Lees meerhttps://SongWriterPodcast.com
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Cheryl Strayed + MILCK
9 mei 2023 · 38 min
Cheryl Strayed (@CherylStrayed) returns to SongWriter to read another letter from "Tiny, Beautiful Things" (which is now a series on Hulu!), a lovely and very personal meditation on the subject of self-forgiveness.
Dr. Suzanne Freedman of the International Forgiveness Institute talks about the scientific mechanics behind the often misunderstood practice.
And finally songwriter MILCK (@MILCKMusic) - whose song "Quiet" became the unofficial anthem of the women's march - plays a song written in response, "I'm Alright, You're Alright." Lees meerThis episode was made possible by a grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation, and parts of this content first appeared at the 2022 Global Scientific Conference on Human Flourishing. For more, go to HumanFlourishing.org
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Season Five Trailer
25 april 2023 · 2 min
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Blake Lemoine + Jonathan Mann
6 september 2022 · 35 min
Former Google engineer Blake Lemoine (@cajundiscordian) describes how he came to the conclusion that LaMDA, an AI developed by Google, is sentient. Blake details what LaMDA is, how he tested its capabilities and limitations, and what LaMDA fears most. Songwriter Jonathan Mann (@SongaDayMann) talks about writing a song every day for 14 years, some of his big hits, and about his wildly successful NFT project. Jonathan wrote a song inspired both by the ethics of engaging with LaMDA and one of his favorite episodes of Star Trek Lees meer
Blake's conversation with LaMDA
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Questlove + Chris Pierce
23 augustus 2022 · 27 min
Questlove (@Questlove) reads an excerpt from his critical history of modern America, Music is History, about songwriter Bill Withers. Songwriter Chris Pierce (@ChrisPierce) talks about his own interactions with Withers, and performs a multi-level tribute called “Just As I Am” Lees meer
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Mary Gauthier + Kelley McRae
9 augustus 2022 · 25 min
Grammy Award-winning songwriter Mary Gauthier (@MaryGauthier_) talks about her memoir Saved By a Song, and describes grappling with her history as an adopted child and the birth mother who refused to meet her. Songwriter Kelley McRae (@KelleyMcRae) talks about her long admiration for Mary’s art and philosophy, and her struggles with organized religion, and performs her song "What Do You Do?" Lees meer
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