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Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

SongWriter turns stories into songs

Ben Arthur
Empathy
Forgiveness
Caregiving
Music
Storytelling
Gaza
Rwanda
Polarization
Poetry
Home
Grief
Immigration
Animal Intelligence
David Sedaris
Parenting
Art
Genocide
Trauma
Belonging
Collective Effervescence

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 monthlyEpisodes117Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic InterviewsMusic Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

Latest Episodes

At a live performance at Joe's Pub in New York City, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan shares a chapter from her recent novel The Candy House. NYU’s Dr. Chris Barrie speaks about AI, and tries to disentangle its potential as a threat to, or... more

Married couple Sonia Khan and Ian Lovatt tell the story of a near-death experience and the long journey of recovery. Caregiving researcher Dr. Brianna Morgan speaks about ageism and giving a voice to people living with compromised communication abili... more

Filmmaker and actress Isabella Rossellini describes the night she went to see Temple Grandin speak at Hunter College, and ended up enrolling in graduate school to study animal behavior at the age of 60. Isabella’s friend and professor Dr. Diana Reiss... more

In this episode Niyonagira Laurence recounts her experience of the Rwandan genocide. She talks about the process of forgiving Mutiribambe Aloys – a neighbor who killed members of her family – after he returned to the village from prison. Aloys speaks... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sonia Khan
Story subject, caregiver in the episode
Unaffiliated
Episode: Caregiving After Disaster: Sonia Khan & Ian Lovatt + Tom Marsh
Ian Lovatt
Story subject, near-death brain hemorrhage survivor
Unaffiliated
Episode: Caregiving After Disaster: Sonia Khan & Ian Lovatt + Tom Marsh
Tom Marsh
Composer, drummer, and songwriter who wrote the episode's theme song in response to Ian's story
New York City-based musician, producer
Episode: Caregiving After Disaster: Sonia Khan & Ian Lovatt + Tom Marsh
Dr. Brianna Morgan
Assistant professor and geriatric/palliative care nurse practitioner, researcher featured in interview
Villanova University
Episode: Caregiving After Disaster: Sonia Khan & Ian Lovatt + Tom Marsh
Isabella Rossellini
Actress, model, and ethologist with a deep interest in animal behavior
Independent artist/writer
Episode: Isabella Rossellini & Diana Reiss + Sharon Van Etten
Diana Reiss
Marine mammal scientist and cognitive psychologist
Temple University; marine research
Episode: Isabella Rossellini & Diana Reiss + Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten
Musician and songwriter
Artist
Episode: Isabella Rossellini & Diana Reiss + Sharon Van Etten
Valentine Ngalim
Professor, discussing forgiveness and reconciliation rituals
University of Bamenda; Templeton World Charity Foundation grant recipient
Episode: Forgiveness After Genocide: Laurence & Aloys + Solange & Vedaste
Bruce Holsinger
Bestselling author; reading River Cat
Author
Episode: A Troublesome Cat: Bruce Holsinger + The Golden Hours

Host

Ben Arthur
Host of Song Writer, introduces guests and curates the discussion

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 71 ratings
  • Fantastic!

    Love this show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not Ben’s Auntie
    United Statesa year 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 States3 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 States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful pairing of stories and songs and the host's thoughtful curating.
The format feels intimate and inventive, with music acting as a powerful narrative extension.
Guests are diverse and deeply insightful, offering fresh perspectives on art and life.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Troublesome Cat: Bruce Holsinger + The Golden Hours
Q: What was your first reaction to reading River Cat?
The guests describe the visceral and accurate depiction of cat behavior and its impact, highlighting how the story resonates with anyone living with cats and the authenticity of the domestic chaos.
Unicorn-Level Positivity: Helen Cho + Alison Mosshart (The Kills)
Q: Tell me about your connection to Helen, and what it meant to be drawn into this.
I met Helen on a Bourdain shoot in Nashville and we instantly clicked as friends, which has carried over to how I admire her creative talent.
Unicorn-Level Positivity: Helen Cho + Alison Mosshart (The Kills)
Q: What were your reactions to Helen's piece?
I particularly enjoyed when she was reflecting on her time as a child and speaking about her fluency in English, how it resonates with my own experience.
Flourishing After Disaster: Patrice Francis + Selah Moonie
Q: What was it like creating this piece?
Patrice expressed initial anxiety in starting the piece, but as she engaged with the research and began writing, hope emerged that the rest would follow.
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.

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?

SongWriter turns stories into songs blends intimate storytelling with musical response. Each episode features a storyteller who shares a personal tale and a musician who crafts and performs a song inspired by that narrative, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how narratives become lyrics, melodies, and emotion. Notable elements include cross-disciplinary conversations, live musical responses, and explorations of forgiveness, reconciliation, and resilience across cultures and genres. A recurring strength is the seamless pairing of nonfiction storytelling with original music, creating a unique space for empathy, cultural insight, and creative collaboration.

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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. Pivot
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Opinions

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

SongWriter turns stories into songs launched 7 years ago and published 117 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. Sonia Khan
2. Ian Lovatt
3. Tom Marsh
4. Dr. Brianna Morgan
5. Isabella Rossellini
6. Diana Reiss
7. Sharon Van Etten
8. Valentine Ngalim

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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