Maggie Rogers, a singer-songwriter celebrated for her hit "Alaska" and her recent master's from Harvard Divinity School, shares her inspiring journey. She discusses her transformative detour into academia and how it shaped her music career. The conversation dives into balancing creativity with mental health, the emotional depth of her new album "Don't Forget Me," and the contrast between light and dark themes in her songs. Maggie also reflects on navigating fame, vulnerability, and the spiritual connection that happens during live performances.

Maggie Rogers has never been one to mince words. Aside from her powerhouse voice, one of Maggie’s superpowers is her ability to write pop songs fueled by radical emotional transparency. And while it’s thrilling when an artist bares their soul, that level of constant vulnerability can be unsustainable.In 2019, after releasing her Grammy-nominated debut, Heard It In A Past Life, and then touring the album relentlessly, Maggie was desperately in need of time away from the spotlight. Just before the pandemic she retreated to her parent’s home in coastal Maine. There, she began writing and recording for her follow-up album, Surrender. Maggie also started to think deeply about her role as a pop star, and the relationship between herself and the audience. In 2021 she enrolled in a masters program of religion and public life at Harvard Divinity School. There, her studies focused on the spirituality of public gatherings and the ethics of power in pop culture. On today’s episode, producer Leah Rose talks to Maggie Rogers about how comforting it was for her to become a student again. Maggie also recalls the time she took motorcycle lessons to re-channel the massive amounts of adrenaline she experienced on her first tour. And, we’ll hear the song from Maggie’s new album that she says is the perfect distillation of where she is at now as an artist. You can hear a playlist of our favorite Maggie Rogers songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maggie Rogers, a singer-songwriter known for her viral discovery by Pharrell and her spiritual exploration in music, shares her transformative journey through Harvard Divinity School. Kathleen Hanna, co-founder of the Riot Grrrl movement and author of 'Rebel Girl,' discusses the punk scene's impact on feminism. Together, they explore the therapeutic nature of songwriting, the legacy of powerful anthems, and the empowering experiences in all-female spaces. Delve into their candid conversations about authenticity, creativity, and the evolution of their powerful voices in music.

Maggie Rogers, a singer-songwriter who gained fame with her hit "Alaska," shares her journey from burnout to earning a master's degree at Harvard Divinity School. She dives into how nostalgia influences her songwriting and the emotional connections she makes through music. Kristen Wiig, the comedic genius from SNL, discusses her role in Apple TV+'s Palm Royale and her bond with Carol Burnett. They explore the absurdities of comedy, gender dynamics in the industry, and the transformative nature of personal storytelling.

Maggie Rogers joins Zane Lowe to discuss her album 'Surrender', the vulnerability of making music, exploring identity and artistic responsibility, and the struggle of expressing emotions in a love song.