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SongWriter turns stories into songs

Ben Arthur
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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 monthlyEpisodes109Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for SongWriter turns stories into songs

Latest Episodes

Bahamian playwright and teacher Patrice Francis performs a dramatic piece about recovering from Hurricane Dorian, live at the Fuze Art Fair at Bahamar. Patrice wrote the piece based on the research of Dr. Stephanie Hutcheson, who describes what she l... more

At a live show at Metro in Chicago, bestselling author Kaveh Akbar reads a poem about empathy that he wrote for Jamila Woods. Jamila and Kaveh are old friends, and they discuss empathy in a brutal world, and the echo within questions of theodicy. The... more

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen (The Sympathizer) gives a talk about belonging at a live performance at the Litquake Festival. San Francisco State University’s Dr. Russell Jeung speaks about founding Stop AAPI Hate and Asian identity ... more

Journalist and bestselling author Beth Macy (Dopesick) reads a piece she wrote to accompany her new memoir Papergirl, about her family's struggle with opposing political views. She describes a slow process of reconnecting with her conservative brothe... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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

Russell Jeung
Professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
Episode: Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
Beth Macy
Author of Dope Sick
Episode: Season 7 Trailer
Dr. Rachel Wall
Professor at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: Season 7 Trailer
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

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 States7 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 States6 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.

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.
The Echo of Theodicy: Kaveh Akbar + Jamila Woods
Q: How does your research relate to those subjects?
Dr. Abdelhadi discusses the social structures influencing individual behavior and the importance of condemning systems while cultivating empathy.
Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
Q: Why do stories activate us in ways that the statistics, the data do not?
People get mobilized and activated through emotional engagement, and stories resonate at a deeper level than mere statistics.
Belonging & Collective Action: Viet Thanh Nguyen + Thao Nguyen
Q: Your research primarily focuses on belonging. How did you end up there? Like, what brought you to that subject?
During COVID, I noticed the rise of anti-Asian hate and created a website to collect stories of individuals who experienced direct discrimination, which led to questions about exclusion and belonging.

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. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. The Book Review
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. NPR's Book of the Day
5. Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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

SongWriter turns stories into songs launched 7 years ago and published 109 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. Russell Jeung
2. Beth Macy
3. Dr. Rachel Wall
4. Ben Okri
5. Dr. Salma Mousa
6. Maggie Smith
7. Kat Edmonson
8. Chrissy Salley

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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