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Artwork for Wheels Off

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller

Rhett Miller
Songwriting
Creativity
Music Industry
Creative Process
Mental Health
Austin
Nashville
Briscoe
Social Media
After the Party
Lucinda Williams
Imposter Syndrome
Gavin Rossdale
Jon Dee Graham
The True Believers
Music
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 monthlyEpisodes248Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicPerforming ArtsArts

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Artwork for Wheels Off

Latest Episodes

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

Anthony Horowitz, one of the world's most prolific and versatile storytellers, joins Rhett for a conversation about creativity, craft, and the enduring power of the mystery novel. Horowitz reflects on a career built from the most unlikely of beginnin... more

YouTube

Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells joins Rhett to talk about making music for 17+ years, trusting instinct over trends, and navigating anxiety, identity, and the pressures of the modern music industry.

Follow Alexis @alexiskrauss

Follow Sleigh Bells @sl... more

YouTube

Rhett catches up with Kevn Kinney, frontman of Atlanta roots-rock institution Drivin N' Cryin, one day after his 65th birthday and on the eve of a new album. Recorded while Rhett's the Old 97's are deep in sessions at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, the conv... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Murry Hammond
Long-time friend of Rhett and member of Old 97s.
Old 97s
Episode: Murry Hammond
Amanda Shires
Acclaimed fiddle player and singer-songwriter known for her personal and evocative songwriting.
ATO Records
Episode: Amanda Shires

Host

Rhett Miller
Host of Wheels Off

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 695 ratings
  • Great

    Awesome show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qwertyJYM
    United Statesa month 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 States2 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 States6 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 States9 months 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.

Guests consistently deliver actionable insights into the creative process.
Listeners praise the host's empathy and depth in interviews with artists.
The show is described as deeply inspiring and human-focused.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Jared Mezzocchi on Creativity, Grief, and Building “Impossible” Theater
Q: What are you working on at the moment, and how does it light you up?
Jared is currently engaged in multiple projects, including a show about content moderation during the pandemic and a new work about the 1944 circus fire in Hartford, embracing the 'impossible' in theater.
Briscoe
Q: What would you tell the 21-year-old version of yourself?
To give it time and trust the process, focusing on developing their craft without comparing to others.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wheels Off

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

A thoughtful deep-dive into the realities of creating across music, writing, and performance. Conversations explore the messy, human side of artistic life—embarking on creative journeys, navigating fear and self-doubt, and balancing commercial pressures with authentic expression. Episodes often center on process, collaboration, and resilience, with guests ranging from musicians to writers and actors, offering practical insights for anyone pursuing a creative path in a digital age. The show stands out for its empathetic, curiosity-forward interviewing style and for spotlighting both personal growth and the craft behind successful art.

A notable strength is the consistent emphasis on the emotional and logistical realities of making art, incl... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Wheels Off?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wheels Off:

1. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
2. Song Exploder
3. Fresh Air
4. Norah Jones Is Playing Along
5. Sound Opinions

How many episodes of Wheels Off are there?

Wheels Off launched 7 years ago and published 248 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. Emily Franklin
2. Anthony Horowitz
3. Alexis Krauss
4. Kevin Kinney
5. Jared Mezzocchi
6. Jonathon Linaberry
7. David Fleming
8. Murry Hammond

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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