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Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

SongWriter turns stories into songs

Ben Arthur
Empathy
Music
Home
Poetry
David Sedaris
Caregiving
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Animal Intelligence
Immigration
Parenting
Gaza
Creative Expression
Human Flourishing
Honeymoon Hospice
How Beautiful We Were
Collective Effervescence
Grief
Theft By Finding
Homing Pigeons
Culture

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 monthlyEpisodes104Founded7 years ago
Categories
MusicMusic InterviewsMusic Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

Latest Episodes

Poet, author, and playwright Ben Okri reads his story “A Wrinkle in the Realm,” and talks about music and dream logic. Stanford’s Dr. Tomás Jiménez speaks about polarization, belonging, and empathy. And podcaster and songwriter Matshidiso returns t... more

At a live performance in London, journalist, filmmaker, and author Sarfraz Manzoor reads a piece he wrote for SongWriter about the things he had to learn for himself. Researcher Dr. Elizabeth Gulliford talks about her work at the Jubilee Center for C... more

Turkish journalist and author Asli Perker shares a story she wrote for SongWriter about a terrible car accident, and how it helped to make her the artist she is today. Scientist and researcher Dr. Itir Erhart talks about how art and empathy interact.... more

Palestinian poet and clinical psychologist Hala Alyan shares her poem “Dear Gaza,” about guilt, memory, and hope. Scientist Dr. Salma Mousa talks about her research on empathy and polarization, and describes how soccer star Mo Salah’s prominence led ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Ben Okri
Poet, novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and climate activist.
Episode: Ben Okri + Matshidiso
Dr. Salma Mousa
Academic researching polarization and empathy, Egyptian Canadian background.
Episode: Hala Alyan + H.Sinno
Maggie Smith
Poet, teacher, and writer, known for her reflective and emotional poetry.
Episode: Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Kat Edmonson
Singer-songwriter known for her poetic lyrics and unique sound.
Episode: Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Chrissy Salley
Pediatric psychologist and Director of Clinician Engagement for Courageous Parents Network.
Courageous Parents Network
Episode: Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Megan Meyer
Assistant Professor in Psychology at Columbia University, specializing in social neuroscience.
Columbia University
Episode: Naz Riahi + Rahill
Hector Flores
Member of Las Cafeteras, a band known for infusing social justice themes into their music.
Las Cafeteras
Episode: W. Kamau Bell + Las Cafeteras
Dr. Shira Gabriel
Expert in collective effervescence, providing insights on human connection and experiences.
Episode: W. Kamau Bell + Las Cafeteras
Diana Gameros
Mexican American activist and songwriter
Episode: Susan Orlean + Diana Gameros

Host

Ben Arthur
Host of SongWriter, dedicated to transforming stories into songs and exploring the connections between narrative and music with esteemed guests.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 70 ratings
  • Fantastic!

    Love this show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not Ben’s Auntie
    United States5 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 Statesa year 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
    4 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 States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the unique pairing of storytelling and music, creating an emotional and engaging listening experience.
Feedback often mentions the quality of host Ben Arthur, noting his ability to conduct interviews that resonate deeply with audiences.
Listeners praise the clever concept and solid execution of episodes, highlighting the thoughtful curation of topics and guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ben Okri + Matshidiso
Q: What is your reaction to Ben's story?
It's a metaphor for assimilation, highlighting the gains and losses in trying to fit in.
Hala Alyan + H.Sinno
Q: What was your first reaction to the song?
I am very moved to be part of documenting this moment and contributing to the narrative surrounding Palestine.
Hala Alyan + H.Sinno
Q: How does it feel to be sort of at the center of this creative constellation?
I felt extremely privileged to be part of a project alongside artists whose work I've admired for years.
Hala Alyan + H.Sinno
Q: What was your reaction when you first read that poem?
I felt moved and saw it as a significant moment to document the experiences around Palestine, especially concerning the current situation.
Fear, Parenting, and Finding Light in Darkness: Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson
Q: What's your reaction to the song?
It's hauntingly beautiful, managing to juxtapose light and dark and capture the tension in the poem.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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?

The podcast revolves around the transformative process of turning stories into songs, engaging with various creative minds from the realms of literature, music, and other artistic fields. It consistently explores themes of identity, trauma, empathy, and the intricate connections between narrative and music. Notably, it features a diverse group of prominent guests including writers and musicians, facilitating conversations that navigate personal experiences alongside broader societal issues. This unique intersection of storytelling and songwriting creates a thought-provoking listening experience for those interested in the arts and emotional expression.

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How many listeners does SongWriter turns stories into songs get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers SongWriter turns stories into songs has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to SongWriter turns stories into songs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SongWriter turns stories into songs:

1. The Working Songwriter
2. Library Talks
3. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
4. City Arts & Lectures
5. 3 Books With Neil Pasricha

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

SongWriter turns stories into songs launched 7 years ago and published 104 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on SongWriter turns stories into songs?

Recent guests on SongWriter turns stories into songs include:

1. Ben Okri
2. Dr. Salma Mousa
3. Maggie Smith
4. Kat Edmonson
5. Chrissy Salley
6. Megan Meyer
7. Hector Flores
8. Dr. Shira Gabriel

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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