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SongWriter turns stories into songs

Ben Arthur
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SongWriter is a storytelling and songwriting podcast where stories become brand new songs. In each episode, a celebrated writer shares a story, and a musician writes and performs a song inspired by it — revealing how narratives turn into music, lyrics, and emotion.

Hosted by Ben Arthur, SongWriter features conversations and performances from artists including Questlove, Joyce Carol Oates, George S... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes109Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic CommentaryMusic Interviews

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Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

Latest Episodes

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 l... more

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... more

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 ... more

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 brothe... more

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Recent Guests

Russell Jeung
Professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
Episode: Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
Beth Macy
Author of Dope Sick
Episode: Season 7 Trailer
Dr. Rachel Wall
Professor at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: Season 7 Trailer
Ben Okri
Poet, novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and climate activist.
Episode: Ben Okri + Matshidiso
Dr. Salma Mousa
Academic researching polarization and empathy, Egyptian Canadian background.
Episode: Hala Alyan + H.Sinno
Maggie Smith
Poet, teacher, and writer, known for her reflective and emotional poetry.
Episode: Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Kat Edmonson
Singer-songwriter known for her poetic lyrics and unique sound.
Episode: Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Chrissy Salley
Pediatric psychologist and Director of Clinician Engagement for Courageous Parents Network.
Courageous Parents Network
Episode: Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Megan Meyer
Assistant Professor in Psychology at Columbia University, specializing in social neuroscience.
Columbia University
Episode: Naz Riahi + Rahill

Host

Ben Arthur
Host of SongWriter, dedicated to transforming stories into songs and exploring the connections between narrative and music with esteemed guests.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 71 ratings
  • Fantastic!

    Love this show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not Ben’s Auntie
    United States7 months ago
  • Fantastic!

    Can’t ask for more than a clever conceit, solid execution, and top-tier guests. This show has all of that, thoughtfully curated by host Ben Arthur. Good, good stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cowboyji
    United States2 years ago
  • 46369927 stars!!!

    Beautiful pairings!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mspassell
    United States2 years ago
  • This is my podcast, I think it's good

    Podchaser
    5
    Ben Arthur
    5 years ago
  • Wonderful concept, wonderful host

    Attended a live taping of the show in Cleveland, and immediately fell in love with the concept and how Ben conducted the interview. Looking forward to following this show for as long as it runs!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BZ Douglas
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the unique pairing of storytelling and music, creating an emotional and engaging listening experience.
Feedback often mentions the quality of host Ben Arthur, noting his ability to conduct interviews that resonate deeply with audiences.
Listeners praise the clever concept and solid execution of episodes, highlighting the thoughtful curation of topics and guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Echo of Theodicy: Kaveh Akbar + Jamila Woods
Q: What aspect of the song were you hung up on?
Jamila Woods reflects on revamping a song inspired by past events, highlighting a shift from questioning to looking at humanity's role.
The Echo of Theodicy: Kaveh Akbar + Jamila Woods
Q: How does your research relate to those subjects?
Dr. Abdelhadi discusses the social structures influencing individual behavior and the importance of condemning systems while cultivating empathy.
Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
Q: Why do stories activate us in ways that the statistics, the data do not?
People get mobilized and activated through emotional engagement, and stories resonate at a deeper level than mere statistics.
Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
Q: Your research primarily focuses on belonging. How did you end up there? Like, what brought you to that subject?
During COVID, I noticed the rise of anti-Asian hate and created a website to collect stories of individuals who experienced direct discrimination, which led to questions about exclusion and belonging.
Fear & Political Polarization: Beth Macy + Palmyra
Q: What is your recommendation for dealing with polarization?
Dr. Wahl suggests prioritizing personal relationships and mutual respect prior to addressing political disagreements.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About SongWriter turns stories into songs

What is SongWriter turns stories into songs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast revolves around the transformative process of turning stories into songs, engaging with various creative minds from the realms of literature, music, and other artistic fields. It consistently explores themes of identity, trauma, empathy, and the intricate connections between narrative and music. Notably, it features a diverse group of prominent guests including writers and musicians, facilitating conversations that navigate personal experiences alongside broader societal issues. This unique intersection of storytelling and songwriting creates a thought-provoking listening experience for those interested in the arts and emotional expression.

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Which podcasts are similar to SongWriter turns stories into songs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SongWriter turns stories into songs:

1. Sound Opinions
2. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
3. Fresh Air
4. Switched on Pop
5. The Book Review

How many episodes of SongWriter turns stories into songs are there?

SongWriter turns stories into songs launched 7 years ago and published 109 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact SongWriter turns stories into songs?

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What guests have appeared on SongWriter turns stories into songs?

Recent guests on SongWriter turns stories into songs include:

1. Russell Jeung
2. Beth Macy
3. Dr. Rachel Wall
4. Ben Okri
5. Dr. Salma Mousa
6. Maggie Smith
7. Kat Edmonson
8. Chrissy Salley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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