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Artwork for Wheels Off

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller

Rhett Miller
Songwriting
Creativity
Music Industry
Creative Process
Mental Health
Austin
Music
Nashville
Briscoe
Social Media
After the Party
Lucinda Williams
Gavin Rossdale
Imposter Syndrome
Jon Dee Graham
The True Believers
Authenticity
Writing
Touring
Bush

Rhett Miller, musician and frontman for the Old 97s, hosts “Wheels Off” a show about the messy reality of the creative life. Conversations with musicians, writers, artists, actors, and comedians about the pivotal moments that shaped their work, what it means to create in a digital age and grapple with the challenges, and the joy, of living a creative life.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes251Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsMusicArts

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Artwork for Wheels Off

Latest Episodes

Rhett welcomes Tift Merritt — Grammy-nominated songwriter and one of Americana's most influential voices — to talk about Sugar, her first album in nearly a decade, recorded live in Nashville and shaped by everything that happened in the years between... more

Josh Ritter has built a twenty-year career writing songs that collapse the distance between folk tradition, literature, and revelation. He joins Rhett from his home in Brooklyn where he’s doing what he calls “rehaunting” his world — the intentional p... more

YouTube

Aaron Lee Tasjan joins Rhett for a conversation about joy as armor, the craft of songwriting, and the long game of staying creatively alive.

Tasjan talks about why he does his best work from a higher, more positive frequency — and what that actually... more

YouTube

Author Emily Franklin joins Rhett to talk about her 25th novel, Love and Other Monsters — the untold origin story of Frankenstein and the monsters we create on the page. They get into what it takes to sustain a prolific creative life. Emily also open... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Josh Ritter
Singer-songwriter
Songwriter
Episode: Josh Ritter on Songwriting, Mentorship, and the Creative Life
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Musician and songwriter
Episode: Aaron Lee Tasjan on Joy, Songwriting, and Learning to Let Go
Emily Franklin
Novelist and author of Love and Other Monsters
Author
Episode: Emily Franklin: Love and Other Monsters, Writing 25 Books, and the Creative Life
Anthony Horowitz
Renowned mystery and crime writer; author of Susan Ryeland series, Hawthorne and Horowitz, and a veteran of James Bond and Sherlock Holmes novels
Author
Episode: Anthony Horowitz: Why the World Needs a Good Whodunit
Alexis Krauss
Lead member of Sleigh Bells, rock duo
Sleigh Bells
Episode: Alexis Krauss (Sleigh Bells): Creativity, Instinct, and the Long Game
Kevin Kinney
Musician, frontman of Drivin N Cryin
Drivin N Cryin
Episode: Kevn Kinney: Songwriting, Sobriety, and 40 Years of Doing It His Way
Jared Mezzocchi
Two-time Obie Award-winning theater artist, director, multimedia designer, playwright, and actor.
Episode: Jared Mezzocchi on Creativity, Grief, and Building “Impossible” Theater
Jonathon Linaberry
The man behind the music of The Bones of JR. Jones and creator of the album Radio Waves.
The Bones of JR. Jones
Episode: The Bones of J.R. Jones
David Fleming
Writer and senior writer at ESPN with over three decades of experience, known for his compelling storytelling in sports writing.
ESPN
Episode: David Fleming

Host

Rhett Miller
Host with a track record of interviewing musicians and artists about the creative life

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 697 ratings
  • Great

    Awesome show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qwertyJYM
    United States3 months ago
  • Fun Listening

    I very much enjoy Rhett’s podcast, Wheels Off. Having been a fan of Rhett’s since I first saw him live at a Bar Mitzvah in NYC and later found out attended same school back in TX, I was attracted by the wit, turn of phrase, and clever references in his songs, not to mention his performance style and use of great head of hair. Who better to conduct these interviews about creative process in songwriting, psychology of success, and the backstories of so many well and some lesser-known artists than... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rcroe
    United States4 months ago
  • Uneven

    I am a big fan of Rhett’s music. For the most part, I enjoy his podcast, especially interviews with Americana artists. But something went wrong with his interview of one of my musical heroes, James McMurtry. The audio quality seemed to waver and it was hard to hear some of McMurtry’s comments. Also, I would have enjoyed more discussion about McMurtry‘s songs and less about Rhett’s songwriting journey. And I thought he would discuss McMurtry’s father, the famous author and bookstore owner.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Maxx Roby
    United States8 months ago
  • Rhett is an renaissance man

    I’ve been a 25+ fan of Rhett and The Old 97s. I have seen them 6+ times and listen to just about everything they have done. How am I just learning about Rhett’s podcast? I guess I e been Asleep at the Wheel (see what I did there). Rhett is insightful, empathetic and a quietly greater interviewer. I highly recommend this pod and is now in my rotation. Sorry I missed the first 200 episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rob the innovator
    United Statesa year ago
  • Wheels Off

    This is a great podcast. My husband and I binge listen to it on road trips. We love the format, the amazing conversations about the creative process. It’s very inspiring. Please keep them coming. Thanks, Rhett!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Creative practices
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is viewed as inspiring for creatives and useful for learning craft and mindset.
Guests and host are described as thoughtful and insightful.
Listeners consistently praise depth and empathy of conversations.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Josh Ritter on Songwriting, Mentorship, and the Creative Life
Q: Did you ever get to meet Pete Seeger?
He shares a memorable encounter with Pete Seeger, including meeting him in an elevator and at the Clearwater Festival, and receiving encouragement about finding a place in the world to dig in and make an impact with songs.
Josh Ritter on Songwriting, Mentorship, and the Creative Life
Q: So what are you working on at the moment?
Ritter explains he is re-haunting his world upon returning home from touring, seeking weirdness, synchronicity, and new connections in everyday life to fuel his writing and keep his artistic energy fresh.
Kevn Kinney: Songwriting, Sobriety, and 40 Years of Doing It His Way
Q: What advice would you give a young musician today starting out in a world of shifting distribution and streaming?
Focus on your best song first on your demo, be prolific with a residency approach to gigs, and build a sustainable routine that values performance and connection with the audience over quick fame.
Kevn Kinney: Songwriting, Sobriety, and 40 Years of Doing It His Way
Q: When you come up against negative inner voices or imposter syndrome, what strategies keep you going on stage?
I switch into stage mode by dressing the part—boots, outfit, and mindset—reminding myself that I'm here to give the audience a solid, engaging experience, which helps push through doubt.
Jared Mezzocchi on Creativity, Grief, and Building “Impossible” Theater
Q: How do you cope with the emotional hurdles in your career?
Jared focuses on building his sense of self and strengthening his emotional resilience through practices like reflection and prioritizing his own creative instincts over others' opinions.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wheels Off

What is Wheels Off about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Wheels Off features candid, in-depth conversations with musicians, writers, and other creative professionals about the real-life, often imperfect journey of making art. Episodes explore disciplined creative routines, the balance between solitude and public performance, and the evolving landscape of creativity in the digital age. Guests share behind-the-scenes stories, craft insights, and personal growth moments—from songwriting processes and collaboration to dealing with adversity, impostor syndrome, and long-running careers. The episodes tend to center on authenticity, resilience, and the messy realities that shape remarkable work, making it a strong fit for listeners who want practical creative guidance, inspiration, and nuanced storytell... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Wheels Off?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wheels Off:

1. That's How I Remember It
2. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
3. Rolling Stone All Access
4. The Bob Lefsetz Podcast
5. One Song

How many episodes of Wheels Off are there?

Wheels Off launched 8 years ago and published 251 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 Wheels Off?

Recent guests on Wheels Off include:

1. Josh Ritter
2. Aaron Lee Tasjan
3. Emily Franklin
4. Anthony Horowitz
5. Alexis Krauss
6. Kevin Kinney
7. Jared Mezzocchi
8. Jonathon Linaberry

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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