SongWriter turns stories into songs

New Yorker staff writer, Russian dissident journalist, and author Masha 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”https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast

Dan Bergner, a New York Times writer, discusses his book The Mind and the Moon, exploring the lives of individuals with mental illness. He reads an excerpt about his brother's journey. His brother, Bob, is a pastor, artist, and activist. Bob shares his inspiring story and performs 'A Song for Dad.' The podcast also touches on mental illness, artistic creativity, and upcoming episodes.

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.https://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast

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." This 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.orghttps://SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast

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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 TrekBlake's conversation with LaMDAhttps://SongWriterPodcast.com/Blake-Lemoine-Jonathan-MannTwitter.com/SnogWriterFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast

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”https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Questlove-Chris-PierceTwitter.com/SnogWriterFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast

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?"https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Mary-Gauthier-Kelley-McRaeTwitter.com/SnogWriterFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast

Bestselling author Jonathan Franzen reads an excerpt from his newest novel, Crossroads, and talks about a band that he loves, Wussy (@WussyMusic). Franzen also speaks about his relationship with music, and reveals why marijuana is not a good drug for him. Lisa and Chuck from Wussy talk about their long collaborations, and about the song they wrote in response to Crossroads, called "All My Life." They also discuss the death of band member John Erhardt, and how they are trying to reimagine their work without him.https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Jonathan-Franzen-WussyTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast

Bestselling author Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) reads an excerpt from her memoir, Somebody's Daughter, about her complicated relationship with her mother, and some unforgettable advice about family from her grandmother. Filmmaker and songwriter Be Steadwell (@BeSteadwell) performs a song constructed of sinuous vocal loops that speaks directly to Ashley, and Be describes the empathy she feels with Ashley's experience as a vulnerable Black child.https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Ashley-C-Ford-Be-SteadwellTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcast