Life in Seven Songs

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, shares insights on the transformative potential of artificial general intelligence. He opens up about personal challenges and how music, especially Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, grounds him. Altman reflects on his journey from a tough career setback to embracing the vibrant community of Burning Man, illustrating how psychedelics and music can bring about profound change. He also discusses family, grief, and the legacy he hopes to create, offering listeners a glimpse into the human side of advanced technology.

Rhodessa Jones is a performance artist who turned her life as a nude dancer into a theatrical revolution. From her days in a San Francisco peep show, where she danced to Prince’s “Soft and Wet,” Jones crafted her provocative experiences into a one-woman show that shook up the theater world. Ever since, she’s used her art to empower a generation of women to share their own stories. Here are her songs. How I Got Over – Mahalia Jackson Cupid – Sam Cooke I Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan Soft and Wet – Prince What's Going On – Marvin Gaye A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke Listen to Rhodessa Jones’ full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

A giant in the field of politics, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich—who stands just under 5 feet tall—has spent a lifetime fighting for, yes, the little guys. He shares how dealing with grade school bullies prepared him to battle for the middle class. Here are his seven songs. Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers Chain Gang – Sam Cooke Baby I Need Your Loving – The Four Tops Lady Madonna – The Beatles Metaphor – The Fantasticks Suzanne – Judy Collins Listen to Robert Reich’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Daniel Handler, or Lemony Snicket as you may know him, is the author of more than two dozen books, including the 13-book best-selling saga for young adults called "A Series of Unfortunate Events.” In much of Daniel’s work, terrible things happen to people. In this episode, we unpack why. These are his songs. Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" Mvt III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Ludwig van Beethoven Where or When - Julie London Let's Go Crazy - Prince Beethoven (I Love To Listen To) - Eurythmics Enlightenment - Sun Ra The Night You Can't Remember - The Magnetic Fields Main Title and Anatomy of a Murder - Duke Ellington Listen to Daniel Handler’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

The 89-year-old behind some of the world’s most famous buildings, including Apple’s “Spaceship” headquarters in Cupertino, the Reichstag in Berlin, Wembley Stadium in London and Hearst Tower in New York, shares how growing up in a working-class family and dropping out of school at 16 led to a career transforming workplaces and breaking down class barriers. These are his songs. I'll Walk Beside You — John McCormack Symphony No. 7 "Sinfonia antartica": I. Prelude. Allegro maestoso — Ralph Vaughan Williams West Side Story, Act 1: Prologue (Original Broadway Cast Recording) — Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim The Twist — Chubby Checker Prelude & Fugue No. 12 in F Minor, BWV 857, WTC I — J.S. Bach King Arthur, Z. 628, Act 3: Prelude While Cold Genius Rises - Frost Scene. "What Power Art Thou" — Henry Purcell Bésame Mucho — Andrea Bocelli Listen to Norman Foster’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Raunchy, risk-taking and always hilarious, Margaret Cho has had a legendary career as a stand-up comic, actress and musician. She says her success is because of all the trauma she’s survived, not despite it. These are her songs. (They Long to Be) Close to You — Carpenters Eleanor Rigby — The Beatles Doot-Doot — Freur Our Lips Are Sealed — The Go-Go’s Groove Is in the Heart — Deee-Lite Wonderwall — Oasis Chandelier — Sia Listen to Margaret Cho’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

We’ve received numerous requests from our listeners about our theme music, and we're excited to share the full track with you today! Composed exclusively for 'Life in Seven Songs' by the talented Kate Davis and Zubin Hensler, this music is an integral part of our show. Enjoy!

Sir Jony Ive, the legendary British industrial designer and former Chief Design Officer at Apple, reflects on his inspiring journey from a shy child disassembling objects to creating iconic devices like the iPhone. He shares anecdotes about his creative rapport with Steve Jobs and the nostalgic pull of San Francisco. A standout moment includes his emotional connection to the Apple Watch, which he considers his proudest achievement. Also discussed are the influences of music, particularly The Police and U2, on his design philosophy and optimism for the future.

Music producer and musician D’Wayne Wiggins has mentored superstars like Beyoncé, Kehlani and Zendaya, all while touring with his own Grammy award-winning band Tony! Toni! Toné!. In this episode, D’Wayne reveals how he found his sound and helped others do the same. These are his songs. Hot Fun in the Summertime - Sly and the Family Stone Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix Strawberry Letter 23 - The Brothers Johnson Imagination - Earth, Wind & Fire The Jam - Graham Central Station Be Thankful for What You Got - William DeVaughn What's Really Going On (Strange Fruit) - D'Wayne Wiggins Listen to D’Wayne Wiggins’ full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Host Sophie Bearman sits down with London Breed, the 45th mayor of San Francisco, and the first Black woman to hold the position. London opens up about how her life was shaped by the challenges that plague San Francisco, how she’s been criticized for being outspoken, and why she says that makes her uniquely qualified for the job. Here's her playlist. Get Me Bodied – Beyoncé Candy Girl – New Edition Push It! – Salt-N-Pepa End of the Road – Boyz II Men I’m Every Woman – Whitney Houston Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill Truth Hurts – Lizzo Listen to London Breed’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.