SONG DIVING - An American Songwriter Podcast

We dive in with Jason Mraz to talk about songs like “I’m Yours,” “I Won’t Give Up,” “Lucky,” and “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” and we get into songwriting as meditation, creative prompts as a doorway into inspiration, and the joy and doubt that can come with a song that suddenly arrives all at once.We also geek out on the music and voices that shaped the way he hears and writes songs, from Michael Jackson and Ani DiFranco to Willie Nelson and the humor and warmth of Hee Haw playing at his grandmother’s house.Along the way we talk about how songwriting began as a “parlor trick” for his friends, how he almost didn’t believe in “I’m Yours,” and why now is the right time to share the gospel album he originally recorded as a Christmas gift for his grandmother.It’s a conversation about the songs that heal us, the songs that surprise us, and what can happen when you let yourself become an instrument for inspiration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Andrew Farriss of INXS to talk about songs like “Need You Tonight,” “New Sensation,” and “Never Tear Us Apart,” and how those songs came together during the making of their album Kick, which went on to sell over 20 million records.Along the way, we explore the music and voices that shaped how he hears and writes songs, from The Beatles, who he saw live as a kid before they broke big, to the threatening groove of The Rolling Stones, to the complex simplicity of Simon & Garfunkel.We talk about writing with Michael Hutchence, a poet turned lyricist who started with an aversion to singing and ultimately became one of the greatest frontmen of all time.We also talk about trusting instinct over rules, and how one of their biggest hits began with an extra bar added by accident while rushing out to catch a cab.It’s a conversation about restraint, feel, and how moments you can’t plan turn into songs that last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Steve Earle, singer-songwriter known for songs like “Guitar Town,” “Copperhead Road,” and “Transcendental Blues.”Along the way, we explore the music and voices that shaped how he hears and writes songs, from Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan to Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Steve talks about chasing songs across Texas and Nashville, and what he learned as a student and peer of the songwriters who set the bar.We also talk about how songs let you sing things you might not say out loud, and the storytelling, empathy, and characters behind songs like “The Devil’s Right Hand,” “Tom Ames’ Prayer,” and “John Walker’s Blues.”It’s a conversation about how a songwriter is shaped by the music around them, the rooms they find their way into, and the people who show them what’s possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with I’m With Her, the trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, whose voices and playing intertwine on songs like “Overland,” “Ancient Light,” and “Mother Eagle.”Along the way, we explore the music that shaped their sound, from Joni Mitchell and Dan Fogelberg to the classic trio blend of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt.We talk about discovering their sound while arranging John Hiatt’s “Crossing Muddy Waters,” chipping away at songs night after night on tour, and the magic of live recordings like their new album “Sing Me Alive” that capture a moment exactly as it happened.It’s a conversation about collaboration, curiosity, and the joy of three voices finding their way into something they can only create together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Dan Wilson, Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and frontman of Semisonic, to talk about the songs he’s written, including “Closing Time,” “Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks, “Someone Like You” by Adele, and “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton.Along the way, we explore the music that shaped his creative voice, from The Beatles and Bob Marley to Bonnie Raitt and Randy Newman, and the lessons he carried forward into his own songwriting.We talk about which George Harrison song can kill a party vibe, the insane ambition of trying to unite the world with a song, and why the best pop songs might double as children’s books.It’s a conversation about loving songs and writing them with hope, compassion, and what rings true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Ani DiFranco to talk about the songs she’s written, including 32 Flavors, Genie, and This Bouquet, along with the music and voices that shaped how she hears and writes songs, from Suzanne Vega to Betty Carter to Baaba Maal.Ani talks about her new book "The Spirit of Ani," learning patience in her songmaking, collaborating with spirit, and the impossible work of finding words to describe feelings. It’s an open conversation about presence, trusting the process, and standing at the far edge of a long creative era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Cooper Alan to explore the songs he’s written and the music that shaped his creative voice. We talk about the two sides of his personality and artistry, the heartfelt and emotionally grounded side and the fun, wild, and humorous side, and how both show up in his songwriting. Cooper also reflects on the wide-ranging music he drew from while learning to entertain bar crowds before he was old enough to even be in them, from Tom Petty and Eric Church to Uncle Kracker and Eminem. It’s an open, inviting conversation about writing songs that juggle honesty and entertainment, and leave room for both heart and humor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows to explore the songs he’s written, including “Round Here,” “A Long December,” and “Butterfly in Reverse,” and the music that shaped his creative voice from R.E.M. to Richard Thompson to Run DMC. Adam reflects on returning to songwriting after a long quiet stretch, the instincts and influences that guide his work, and the moments when you realize a song isn’t finished yet. A thoughtful, generous conversation about following your fascination, trusting your instincts, and keeping songs alive over time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive in with Rufus Wainwright to explore the songs he’s written and the songs that wrote him. Rufus reflects on the listening moments that shaped his creative voice—from childhood records to a life-changing Nina Simone album—along with songwriting, ambition, and the long arc of a body of work at the crossroads of pop, opera, folk, and the great American songbook. A thoughtful, revealing look at a truly singular artist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this rare interview with Ray Lamontagne, Ray goes deep into writing the songs on his remarkable debut album “Trouble,” celebrating its 20th anniversary. And he talks about the songs that wrote him including Everly Brothers, Paul Simon, and Metallica. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices