SongWriter turns stories into songs

SongWriter is a storytelling and songwriting podcast where stories become brand new songs. In each episode, a celebrated writer shares a story, and a musician writes and performs a song inspired by it — revealing how narratives turn into music, lyrics, and emotion.Hosted by Ben Arthur, SongWriter features conversations and performances from artists including Questlove, Joyce Carol Oates, George Saunders, Steve Earle, David Sedaris, and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. The show blends the craft of writing, the creative processes of art, and intimate connections between authors and musicians.If you love great stories and great songs — and want a behind-the-scenes look at creativity from some of today’s most influential artists — this is your next listen.

SongWriter turns stories into songs is a music podcast hosted by Ben Arthur, with 101 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 82. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ben Arthur hosts SongWriter turns stories into songs, a music show with 101 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #13

  AI Dreams: Jennifer Egan + Rhett Miller

  Jun 3, 202656 minS7

  <p>At a live performance at Joe's Pub in New York City, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan shares a chapter from her recent novel The Candy House. NYU’s Dr. Chris Barrie speaks about AI, and tries to disentangle its potential as a threat to, or a savior of, humanity. Songwriter Rhett Miller (The Old 97s), who is an old friend and an admirer of Jennifer’s, performs a brand new song in response.</p><p>Chapters</p><p>SongWriterPodcast.com<br>Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast<br>Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast<br>TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast<br>YouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcast</p><p>SongWriter is a...

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  Episode #12

  Caregiving After Disaster: Sonia Khan & Ian Lovatt + Tom Marsh

  May 19, 202654 minS7

  <p>Married couple Sonia Khan and Ian Lovatt tell the story of a near-death experience and the long journey of recovery. Caregiving researcher Dr. Brianna Morgan speaks about ageism and giving a voice to people living with compromised communication abilities through poetry. Composer and drummer Tom Marsh remembers life-altering advice Ian gave him, and shares a new song called "Illuminate."</p><p>Chapters:<br>01:02<br>Sonia begins the story<br>28:39<br>Dr. Brianna Marsh speaks about caregiving<br>48:57<br>Tom Marsh debuts "Illuminate"</p><p>SongWriterPodcast.com<br>Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast<br>Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast<br>TikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcast<br>...

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  SongWriter turns stories into songs

  Isabella Rossellini & Diana Reiss + Sharon Van Etten

  May 5, 202649 minS0

  <p>Filmmaker and actress Isabella Rossellini describes the night she went to see Temple Grandin speak at Hunter College, and ended up enrolling in graduate school to study animal behavior at the age of 60. Isabella’s friend and professor Dr. Diana Reiss speaks about her research work with animals, and the importance of seeing them not just as species, but as individuals. Rock star Sharon Van Etten explains why this project meant the world to her, and performs a new song titled "for Isabella."</p><p>Chapters:<br>09:30<br>Isabella Rossellini describes how Darwin decoded animal intelligence using photography<br>24:11<br...

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  Episode #10

  Forgiveness After Genocide: Laurence & Aloys + Solange & Vedaste

  Apr 21, 202651 minS7

  <p>In this episode Niyonagira Laurence recounts her experience of the Rwandan genocide. She talks about the process of forgiving Mutiribambe Aloys – a neighbor who killed members of her family – after he returned to the village from prison. Aloys speaks how terrifying it was to return to the village, and what happened when his son fell in love with Laurence’s daughter. Dr. Valentine Ngalim speaks about his research on forgiveness in Kenya. Laurence’s daughter Uwizeyimana Solange remembers processing her understanding of the genocide as a child, and how she decided to marry Aloys’s son, Uwizeyimana Vedaste. Vedaste describes...

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  Episode #9

  A Troublesome Cat: Bruce Holsinger + The Golden Hours

  Apr 7, 202653 minS7

  <p>At a live performance at The Guild in Charlottesville, Virginia, bestselling novelist and professor Bruce Holsinger reads a short story he wrote about a troublesome cat. Dr. Jennifer McQuiston speaks about the connections between animal welfare and human flourishing, her time at CDC, and her current work as a veterinarian. Super group The Golden Hours (which combines Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum) performs a brand new song in response called "One More Photo," and talks about developing their mission and sound.</p><p>Chapters:<br>02:42<br>Bruce reads "River Cat"<br>28:06<br>Dr. McQuiston talks about her work <b...

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