Rephonic
Artwork for Broken Record

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

Pushkin Industries
Songwriting
Music Industry
Rock Music
Hip Hop
R&B
Stevie Wonder
Jazz
Grammy Awards
Music Production
Pushkin Industries
Country Music
Mental Health
Los Angeles
Will Smith
Deftones
Chicago
Life & Times
The Light For Days
FKA Twigs
Musical Collaboration

Music and storytelling meet on Broken Record, where artists across genres and generations sit down to explore the joy, chaos, and vulnerability of creating—and what it means to devote a life to music. From legendary icons to groundbreaking new voices, each episode captures artists in conversation sharing the inspirations and experiences that shape their craft.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes431Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Broken Record

Latest Episodes

Brittany Howard has never been the type to do things quietly. Whether it was fronting Alabama Shakes with a voice that could fill a room and level it in the same breath, or striking out on her own with two solo records that pulled her sound in wilder... more

In Revisionist History's new season The Staten Island Problem, senior producer Ben Naddaff-Hafrey investigates the story of what was, at the time, the biggest secession movement in the U.S. since the Civil War. The Staten Island Problem reconstructs ... more

Harvey Mason Jr. grew up steeped in music. His father, Harvey Mason Sr., was half of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters rhythm section and played on countless sessions through the '70s and '80s. After a brief detour through college basketball, Harvey Mason... more

My friend W. Kamau Bell has a new show out, Who's With Me?. Known for having conversations about the issues that divide, enrage, and confuse us, Kamau sits down with someone he admires to give them their flowers, ask his most burning questions, and i... more

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

Skiz Fernando
Wu-Tang Clan biographer and hip-hop journalist
Wu-Tang Clan/hip-hop journalism
Episode: Wu-Tang v. Shaolin | From Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem
Daphne McWilliams
Filmmaker from Staten Island
Self
Episode: Wu-Tang v. Shaolin | From Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem
Harvey Mason Jr.
CEO, Recording Academy
Recording Academy
Episode: Harvey Mason Jr.
Daveed Diggs
Actor, rapper, Hamilton and Clipping star
Clipping; Hamilton
Episode: Daveed Diggs on the Need for Artistic Expression | From Who's With Me? with W. Kamau Bell
Melissa Auf der Maur
Musician, author, photographer and cultural curator
Independent artist
Episode: Melissa Auf der Maur
Johnny Marr
Guitarist known for The Smiths and extensive collaborations
Musician
Episode: Rewind: Johnny Marr
Joe Jackson
Guest musician discussed in interview
Musician (Joe Jackson)
Episode: Joe Jackson
Ed O'Brien
British musician, guitarist of Radiohead
Radiohead
Episode: Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien
Phillip Bailey
Vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Episode: Earth, Wind & Fire

Host

Leah Rose (and contributors), Bruce Headlam, Justin Richmond
Core hosts guiding conversations with guests across music, production, and storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 7.5k ratings
  • Broken records

    MusicNew said that while it would take the company some time before just a few days before making revisions of a proposed merger agreement for its existing business line and a plan that will make a big impact for both companies and its customers and new businesses that would help them grow the company out there is still much work that could go ahead in a year to be put to rest over time for new customers and the future plans to emerge as well in terms to market the future of their business as ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    city Cody pass
    United States4 months ago
  • Best Music Podcast. But one criticism

    I love Broken Record. I find it so insightful. I learn so much from my favorite artists, it really is a gift.

    I just played the bonus episode, George Michael - Beyond the Controversy, and thought it missed the mark.

    It glossed over George's music, and betraying the episode title, it dwells too much on the controversial, and iconography bits.

    "Listen Without Prejudice" isn't mentioned at all, and to to many, this was a major album of the era. While the first album had the sales, this seco... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doug why
    United States4 months ago
  • Bruce Headlam face palm

    Bruce, stop dropping scale terminology every 5 minutes. Audience doesn’t know what you’re referring to (mixolydian) and you’re not impressing someone like Richard Thompson. You don’t know what you’re talking about half the time. Was embarrassed for you in that interview.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    bcsquest
    United States4 months ago
  • Patrick Watson

    I enjoyed that interview and learnt a few things. Patrick nailed what makes Quebec/ Montreal different from other places. 🫶

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mvbjvlkbjlkjo
    Canada4 months ago
  • Where’s Rick?

    Why do you still have Rick Rubin in the title of the show? He hasn’t been on an episode I’m years.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    WatchDaawg
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critique episodes for heavy focus on certain guests or topics and desire more live music snippets.
Many appreciate technical and behind-the-scenes insights into production and songwriting.
Listeners praise deep, thoughtful conversations and strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#28
United States/Music
Spotify
#45
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#28
United Kingdom/Music
Spotify
#39
Australia/Music
Apple Podcasts
#23
Australia/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Harvey Mason Jr.
Q: What was that experience like co-producing with Dark Child?
He talks about collaborating with Rodney Jerkins, learning to navigate high-profile productions, and how early mentoring shaped his approach to excellence and teamwork in the studio.
Harvey Mason Jr.
Q: Was it tough to adjust your mindset?
Yes, he explains the shift from a top athlete mindset to pursuing music, the discipline learned in sports, and how it fueled his work ethic in the studio after ACL injury.
Harvey Mason Jr.
Q: What was your role on the team?
The guest describes his evolving role from a recruited scorer to a defender and vocal team leader, then transitioning into basketball management and mentorship roles, reflecting on the lessons that translated to his later music career.
Daveed Diggs on the Need for Artistic Expression | From Who's With Me? with W. Kamau Bell
Q: How do you balance indie/artistic projects with big mainstream opportunities?
It's about staying true to the core process, treating each project as an experiment, and ensuring you have a strong, trusted team and clear communications about credits and roles to avoid conflicts when the scale shifts.
Daveed Diggs on the Need for Artistic Expression | From Who's With Me? with W. Kamau Bell
Q: What was the origin story of your collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hamilton?
The connection began through Freestyle Love Supreme and a chance collaboration that evolved into a partnership; the project bridged street rap with Broadway sensibilities and opened doors to broader audiences while staying rooted in the artists' communities.

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 Broken Record

What is Broken Record about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Music-focused interview series that pairs legendary collaborators with contemporary artists to explore creativity, collaboration, and the evolving music industry. Episodes span songwriting craft, production techniques, and the storytelling behind iconic records, with occasional live performances and behind-the-scenes career insights. Notable strengths include high-profile guests, thoughtful curatorial conversations, and a consistent emphasis on process, craft, and the human side of making music. Potential listeners should enjoy deep-dive artist conversations, production retrospectives, and candid career reflections across genres from rock to pop to hip-hop. A standout trait is the show's ability to balance intimate artist portraits with bro... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Broken Record?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Broken Record:

1. Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin
2. Song Exploder
3. Rolling Stone All Access
4. The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
5. Life of the Record

How many episodes of Broken Record are there?

Broken Record launched 9 years ago and published 431 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 Broken Record?

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What guests have appeared on Broken Record?

Recent guests on Broken Record include:

1. Skiz Fernando
2. Daphne McWilliams
3. Harvey Mason Jr.
4. Daveed Diggs
5. Melissa Auf der Maur
6. Johnny Marr
7. Joe Jackson
8. Ed O'Brien

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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