
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.
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 248 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | MusicPerforming ArtsArts | |||

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
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
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
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
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Awesome show
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
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.
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!
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!
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Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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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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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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
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