SongWriter Podcast Launches Season 3

SongWriter, the podcast of stories and “answer songs” has returned for Season 3 and will be distributed by the American Songwriter Podcast Network. 

Videos by American Songwriter

SongWriter is the creation of songwriter and host Ben Arthur and features all-star literary and songwriting greats. The podcast format includes a story or an excerpt read by the author, and a song written in response by the songwriter, as well as interviews with the artists. 

“I keep being surprised by how the conversations with the artists turn out to be my favorite part of the show,” Arthur says of Season 2. “I love learning how these incredible artists shape — and are shaped by — their stories.”

Season 3 includes a diverse and extraordinary list of artists, from Grammy-winning country stars like Amanda Shires, to MacArthur geniuses and bestselling authors George Saunders and Jonathan Lethem, not to mention Tift Merritt, Toshi Reagon, Joyce Carol Oates, Roxane Gay, and Mary Gauthier. The podcast is bi-monthly with 13 episodes planned for this season. 

The first episode stars bestselling author Cheryl Strayed – whose memoir Wild was turned into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon – and songwriter Maia Sharp, whose songs have been covered by Cher, Trisha Yearwood, and Bonnie Raitt. 

Strayed reads a letter from her beloved advice column, Dear Sugar, about losing her mother at a young age, and how small, unexpected moments and mementos can offer hope and solace. Maia talks about a recent break-up, and how Strayed’s writing meant to her during a difficult time. 

“I was with someone who’s just amazing…and there was something in me saying that I had to go,” Sharp says. “You know, I just felt a little crazy.”

She also introduces her song, “It’s Always Good to See You,” which is on Sharp’s upcoming album, Mercy Rising (out May 7).

“I love Cheryl’s story, love hearing her warmth and wisdom in telling it, and had such an interesting and illuminating conversation with Maia,” Arthur says.

Check out the first episode below or head over to the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Episode 2 will be released on May 18 and features Roxane Gay, Celisse, and Toshi Reagon.

Ben Arthur is a songwriter and the host of SongWriter. He’s @MyHeart on Twitter, and his newest song is “Hey Sugar.”

Fear and political polarization: Beth Macy + Palmyra – SongWriter turns stories into songs

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 brother through simple things like fly fishing and the love of music. The University of Virginia’s Dr. Rachel Wahl talks about how hard it can be to break through polarization, and gives some simple advice for people struggling with the issue. The band Palmyra –whose guitarist and singer is Beth’s youngest child – talks about trans rights, and plays a song written in response to Beth's story titled “Appalachian Adam’s Apple Smile.”Chapters:00:01:36 Distorted Connections: Beth Macy tells a story about family and political polarization, and the power of music00:15:46 Breaking Polarization: Dr. Rachel Wahl discusses ways to engage, even across tremendous divides in politics and even facts.00:25:29 The Conduit of Music: the members of Palmyra discuss identity, the ways that music connects us, and the exhaustion and overwhelm of today.00:43:54 "Appalachian Adam's Apple Smile," the new song by PalmyraSongWriterPodcast.comInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastTikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastYouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com. Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

1. Fear and political polarization: Beth Macy + Palmyra 49:11
2. Season 7 Trailer 01:21
3. Ben Okri + Matshidiso 01:06:50
4. Sarfraz Manzoor + SK & the Kings 45:12
5. Asli Perker + Tuna Kiremitçi 40:26