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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
David Sedaris
Parenting
Animal Intelligence
Art
Genocide
Trauma
Belonging
Creative Expression

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 monthlyEpisodes115Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusic CommentaryMusic

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Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

Latest Episodes

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

At a live performance at The Guild in Charlottesville, Virginia, bestselling novelist and professor Bruce Holsinger reads a short story he wrote about a troublesome cat. Dr. Jennifer McQuiston speaks about the connections between animal welfare and h... more

Filmmaker and director Ali Selim shares a story about his complicated relationship with his father.  Dr. Emily Gaarder talks about her work in restorative justice, and explains why she sometimes refers to forgiveness as “the F-word.” Songwriter Carla... more

Brazilian poet and film editor Maria Rezende reads a poem about a man who could not forgive her. Dr. Rita de Cacia Oenning da Silva and Kurt Shaw speak about how the poem made them think about national issues of reconciliation and justice. Songwriter... 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

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
Jennifer McQuiston
Veterinarian and CDC veteran focusing on One Health
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (former)
Episode: A Troublesome Cat: Bruce Holsinger + The Golden Hours
The Golden Hours
Band featuring Lauren Goens, Daniel Goens, David Wax Museum, Suze (Slezak)
The Golden Hours (band)
Episode: A Troublesome Cat: Bruce Holsinger + The Golden Hours
Ali Selim
Filmmaker and director, wrote the story read on the episode
Episode: Ali Selim + Carla Kihlstedt
Maria Rezende
Carioca poet and performer from Rio de Janeiro
Episode: Forgiveness in Rio: Maria Rezende + Pedro Mann
Pedro Mann
Musician and producer from Rio de Janeiro
Episode: Forgiveness in Rio: Maria Rezende + Pedro Mann
Rita de Cacia Oenning da Silva
Scientist exploring polarization, empathy, and forgiveness
Episode: Forgiveness in Rio: Maria Rezende + Pedro Mann
Kurt Shaw
Philosopher and founder of Usina da Imaginação, researcher
Usina da Imaginação
Episode: Forgiveness in Rio: Maria Rezende + Pedro Mann

Host

Ben Arthur
Host and storyteller, Ben Arthur engages in conversations with writers and musicians, weaving narratives into songs, and providing insights into the creative process.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 71 ratings
  • Fantastic!

    Love this show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not Ben’s Auntie
    United States10 months 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 States2 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.

The intimate and personal nature of the interviews garners positive feedback, with many expressing excitement for future episodes.
Listeners appreciate the clever concept of transforming stories into songs, highlighting the thoughtful execution and top-tier guests.
Fans of Ben Arthur's music express that the podcast not only showcases great storytelling but also enriches their understanding of the songwriting process.

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?

Exploring the intersection of storytelling and songwriting, this podcast captivates listeners by transforming personal narratives into original music. Each episode features a distinguished guest writer who shares their story, which is then interpreted by a musician through an evocative song performance. The blend of deeply personal anecdotes, musical creativity, and insight into the artistic process lends a unique perspective on how tales are woven into lyrical compositions. Listeners can expect engaging discussions with notable artists across various genres, providing an intimate glimpse into the mind of both writers and musicians. This podcast is particularly noteworthy for its focus on collaboration and the emotional journey that accompa... more

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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 New Yorker Radio Hour
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Arts & Ideas
5. The Rest Is Politics: US

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

SongWriter turns stories into songs launched 7 years ago and published 115 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on SongWriter turns stories into songs?

Recent guests on SongWriter turns stories into songs include:

1. Valentine Ngalim
2. Bruce Holsinger
3. Jennifer McQuiston
4. The Golden Hours
5. Ali Selim
6. Maria Rezende
7. Pedro Mann
8. Rita de Cacia Oenning da Silva

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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