Best How To Grow As An Songwriter Podcasts (2025)

1
What made Graham Greene an icon? Talent, discipline and luck 33:09

8h ago33:09

33:09

Canadian icon Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves, The Green Mile, Wind River) is one of the most recognizable Indigenous actors in North America. Recently, he was honoured with a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from the Governor General's Awards, which recognizes his prolific career on stage and screen. In this career-spanning interview, Graham …

1
How Boxcutter celebrates Toronto, hip-hop and young artists 17:39

7h ago17:39

17:39

Reza Dahya helped shape the sound of Toronto hip-hop as the host of “OTA Live” on the iconic Canadian radio station FLOW 93.5. Now, he’s released his debut film, “Boxcutter,” which is a love letter to Toronto and all the young artists who are trying to find their place. Reza joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the movie and how it pays tribu…

1
What if Macbeth was set in the world of biker gangs? 36:39

1d ago36:39

36:39

Acclaimed Canadian theatre maker Robert Lepage is back at the Stratford Festival with a new take on Shakespeare's “Macbeth.” This new production tells the same classic story of greed, betrayal and murder, but it’s set during the brutal Quebec biker wars of the ‘90s. Robert joins Tom Power to talk about putting a new spin on this Shakespearean trage…

1
Why Robert Adam won’t be singing their queer country music in the U.S. 14:54

1d ago14:54

14:54

Country artist Robert Adam is Calgary's self-proclaimed “Dream Angel Cowboy.” But they say celebrating queer identity isn’t always easy in their home province of Alberta or in Nashville, where they made their upcoming full-length album, “Governed by the Seasons.” Robert joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about finding their musical community, mak…

1
Alessia Cara is an introvert in an extrovert’s industry 25:09

2d ago25:09

25:09

Alessia Cara has a unique talent for capturing the inner life of someone growing up in the digital age as they deal with love, acceptance and rejection. On the Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter’s fourth and latest album, “Love & Hyperbole,” she opens up about her feelings of being an introvert in an extrovert’s industry. Earlier this year, …

1
What made Oscar Peterson so exceptional 27:39

2d ago27:39

27:39

Robi Botos is a Juno-winning Canadian jazz pianist who was hugely influenced by the late Oscar Peterson — one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. He opened for Oscar in Switzerland and he even gave Oscar’s daughter piano lessons. In celebration of the Canadian jazz legend’s centenary (he would have turned 100 on Aug. 15), Robi sits down with…

1
Just Start: How David Rosen Built a Life in Music, Podcasting, and "The Pup Pups" 51:34

3d ago51:34

51:34

From Vinyl to Film Scores: How David Rosen Found His Musical Calling In this episode of Second Verse, host Becky Boyland chats with David Rosen, a versatile indie artist whose journey spans from growing up in a family-owned record store to producing rap music, composing film scores, and creating comedy rock about his pets. David shares the importan…

1
Teddy Swims was terrified to shift away from covers 36:19

3d ago36:19

36:19

Teddy Swims first won over the internet with his viral YouTube covers of hits like “You're Still The One” by Shania Twain and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. But his success performing covers left him questioning whether he’d ever be capable of writing original songs that were just as good. Now, Teddy is one of the biggest artists in th…

1
Alicia Moffet's pop career had a few false starts 13:10

3d ago13:10

13:10

Alicia Moffet grew up being told she was going to be the next big thing. She was 12 when her covers started going viral on YouTube, 14 when she won the Canadian singing competition show “The Next Star,” and 16 when she placed second on another singing competition show, “La Voix.” But during that time, Alicia learned that if you’re not prepared for …

1
Counterpoint 06-09-25 Scott Harris discusses: Israel's seizure of Gaza bound aid ship violates international law; June 14th No Kings National AntiTrump protests; Trump attacks LGBTQ community; Imposition ... 1:19:37

3d ago1:19:37

1:19:37

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.…

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#198: Why I Never Release Music Without This Promotion Calendar 12:16

3d ago12:16

12:16

Struggling to promote your music on social media without burning out? You’re not alone. In this episode, Marc Matthews introduces his 30-day music release promotion calendar for indie musicians, a practical tool designed to eliminate guesswork, boost engagement, and help you post purposefully. You’ll learn what a social media content calendar for m…

1
Hannah Moscovitch is trying to unredact her life 30:54

4d ago30:54

30:54

Hannah Moscovitch is a Governor General’s Award-winning Canadian playwright whose work often takes a sharp and uncompromising look at the internal lives of women. Her play “Red Like Fruit,” tells the story of Lauren, a journalist covering a high profile domestic violence case who starts to reexamine her own past experiences with men. Hannah tells T…

1
How writing about love is similar to writing about murder 21:19

4d ago21:19

21:19

Bestselling romance writer Uzma Jalaluddin is switching gears. Her new novel, “Detective Aunty,” is a murder mystery, set in a fictional neighbourhood in Scarborough, Ont. Uzma joins Tom Power to talk about the overlap between writing a romance and a “cozy” murder mystery, how writing about love is similar to writing about murder, and why she alway…

1
Cynthia Erivo says her new album makes her feel “totally naked” 35:45

7d ago35:45

35:45

Cynthia Erivo discusses her vulnerable new record “I Forgive You”, and all the big musical theatre roles that built her career. From her childhood obsession with Brandy to her performance as Elphaba in the movie musical Wicked, Erivo talks to Tom Power about her life as a singer, and all the surprises she encountered along the way.…

1
Katie Tupper says that songwriting helped her settle into her identity 11:07

7d ago11:07

11:07

Hailing from Saskatoon, Katie Tupper didn’t have a big queer community to help her find herself. Now, she’s embracing her bisexuality, and singing soulful songs about the kinds of love she always wanted. Katie Tupper sits down to talk to Tom Power about bi erasure, and how fans are responding to her music.…

1
“It becomes more personal as you go along” — Wes Anderson on creating films about family 25:09

8d ago25:09

25:09

The Phoenician Scheme is Wes Anderson’s latest feature film. And if you are a fan of deadpan screw ball humour, meticulously shot and edited behind a colour pallet of muted earth tones, you will not be disappointed. But for his thirteenth feature film, Wes is leaning a little more into action and even violence to tell his new father daughter comedy…

1
Christopher Stowell on the future of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet 27:42

8d ago27:42

27:42

Christopher Stowell is the new artistic director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet – Canada's oldest ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. He’ll speak with Tom about why ballet is his “family business,” his career as a principal dancer and ballet leader, and what the future holds for the Royal Winnipeg Ba…

1
Suddenly struck by pain, Gabrielle Drolet learned to write and draw again 23:39

9d ago23:39

23:39

A few years ago, the cartoonist and writer Gabrielle Drolet developed a condition that made her unable to use her hands. It kept getting worse over time, and as Gabrielle searched for a diagnosis, she also had to find new ways to make art. Her new memoir “Look Ma, No Hands” is the story of an artist coming to terms with disability, adapting to the …

1
Savannah Ré bet on herself, and it led to a creative breakthrough 23:09

9d ago23:09

23:09

Whenever life got tough, Savannah Ré’s mom always used to quote a specific, motivational verse from the bible. Those words have now inspired Savannah’s new album, “Formed.” She tells Tom Power about the creative turn she’s taken on her new record, and the risks and rewards that come with going independent. Fill out our listener survey here. We appr…

1
Singing His Song: Phil Lovell’s Journey from Welsh Classrooms to Songwriting 54:36

10d ago54:36

54:36

Phil Lovell: From Classroom to Songwriting - A Journey of Creativity and Persistence In this episode of Second Verse, host Becky Boyland chats with Phil Lovell, a retired teacher turned songwriter who crafts thoughtful songs in English and Welsh. Phil shares his journey from nurturing his musical passion quietly while working in education for over …

1
Rebellious and reflective, Billy Idol looks back on a life in music 34:08

10d ago34:08

34:08

Turning 70 this year, legendary punk-rocker turned MTV Icon Billy Idol is back with his ninth studio album. “Dream Into It” reflects his life and career, with songs documenting his early days, his massive breakthrough, his drug addiction, and finally his rebirth. He tells Tom Power about why he’s looking back now. Fill out our listener survey here.…

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Dawn Macdonald on the mess and beauty of growing up in the Canadian North 18:39

10d ago18:39

18:39

Dawn Macdonald is a poet based in Whitehorse, Yukon whose 2024 debut poetry collection “Northerny” takes an honest, raw and unsentimental look at growing up and living in Canada’s North. Now, “Northerny” is the winner of this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize, Canadian First Book Prize. Dawn tells Tom Power about growing up off the grid without running w…

1
Counterpoint 06-02-25 Scott Harris discusses: Groups demand Dems effectively challenge Trump's autocracy; Project Esther equates dissent w terrorism; Group files human rights complaint against US for complicity ... 1:24:47

11d ago1:24:47

1:24:47

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.…

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#197: Why I Don’t Touch Plugins Before Doing This - The Art of Static Mixing (feat. Nate Kelmes) 44:21

11d ago44:21

44:21

Why do some mixes, even with top plugins and techniques, still sound off? The answer might lie in a step you’re overlooking: the static mix. In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews talks with mix engineer Nate Kelmes to explore: What is a static mix in audio mixing? And why is a static mix important before adding effects? Nate explains how…

1
Ep.17: The Art of Feedback // Giving It, Taking It, Growing From It 37:54

11d ago37:54

37:54

Do you struggle with receiving feedback??? In this episode, we dive into the nuances of feedback in the creative process, particularly in music and songwriting. KMO shares the emotional challenges of receiving critiques about his voice, emphasizing the growth it spurred. David highlights the importance of understanding the recipient's goals and pro…

1
Losing her voice taught Melanie Fiona to speak up for herself 21:43

11d ago21:43

21:43

After over a decade away from the spotlight, Canadian singer Melanie Fiona is back with an EP. “Say Yes” is her first record since she won two Grammys in 2012. She tells guest host Talia Schlanger how her intense burnout led to her spiritual awakening, and why she’s saying yes to singing again.

1
The wrestling saga at the heart of The Halluci Nation’s new EP 20:28

11d ago20:28

20:28

When Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of The Halluci Nation watched wrestling as kids, they had to look past stereotypes and tropes to find Indigenous heroes in the ring. Now, their new EP “Path of The Baby Face” uses wrestling to tell a more empowering story. The music duo tell guest host Talia Schlanger about their collaboration with wrestling…

1
Wiz Khalifa found peace in not needing praise 25:29

14d ago25:29

25:29

Wiz Khalifa just dropped his latest album ‘Kush + Orange Juice 2,’ the sequel to his 2010 mixtape that introduced him to the world. Khalifa joins Tom to talk about his early days as a hip-hop artist, why he’s never cared about being a celebrity, and what important lessons he learned from Snoop Dogg.

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Sister Ray trades rejection for joy on their new album Believer 24:00

14d ago24:00

24:00

The Alberta folk singer-songwriter Sister Ray is known for writing songs about heartbreak and sadness. But they decided to try something different with their new album “Believer”— their latest record is all about love and connection. Ella Coyes of Sister Ray tells Tom Power about how “freeing” it is to write about joy, how growing up around Métis a…

1
Why Sook-Yin Lee adapted her ex’s memoir about paying for sex 24:46

15d ago24:46

24:46

In Sook-Yin Lee’s film, “Paying For It,” a couple whose romantic attraction is waning decide to open up their relationship. While Sonny explores dating, her introverted boyfriend, Chester, opts to hire sex workers. The story is based on Sook-Yin’s real-life former relationship with Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown, who released a bestselling graph…

1
Amy Millan realized grief didn’t need to be a secret, so she wrote an album about it 24:57

15d ago24:57

24:57

Amy Millan from the band Stars is back with her first solo record in fifteen years. Millan tells Tom how her album “I Went To Find You” was inspired by the loss of her father at five years old. Plus, she tells the story behind her new song “Make Way for Waves.”

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Justice’s best advice for artists: revel in your mistakes 24:22

16d ago24:22

24:22

You might not remember every song on the radio from 2007, but if you were anywhere near a club or dancefloor, you might remember the electronic duo Justice. Their debut album, with that glowing cross on the front, was impossible to ignore. Justice redefined electronic music for a new generation, and became one of the most influential acts of their …

1
This choreographer thinks of her work as “painting” on dancers 15:16

16d ago15:16

15:16

Jennifer Archibald is one of North America’s busiest and most in-demand choreographers. At the end of May, she’ll debut her first piece for the National Ballet of Canada called “Kings Fall,” one of nine world premieres that she’ll go on this season. Archibald tells Tom Power about the commonality between chess and her journey in choreography and th…

1
Building Momentum: The Art of Saying Yes with Music Mentor Greig Watts 49:25

17d ago49:25

49:25

Finding Success by Saying Yes: Greig Watts' Journey from Banking to Hit Songwriting In this episode of the Second Verse podcast, host Becky Boyland interviews Greig Watts, a music publisher and songwriting mentor who transitioned from a career in banking to co-founding DWB Music. Watts shares his inspiring journey of pursuing his passion for music,…

1
From CIA to Ohana: Courtney B. Vance stars as Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch 29:29

17d ago29:29

29:29

Courtney B. Vance is known for playing men of power and purpose — from Johnnie Cochran in “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” to Uncle George Freeman in “Lovecraft Country,” Vance now takes on Cobra Bubbles in the live action remake of Lilo & Stitch. He joins Tom Power to talk about the emotional depth of Bubbles in the new remake, how growing up as a Bl…

1
“Having the space to fumble" shaped Hanorah’s music 13:09

17d ago13:09

13:09

Hanorah is a singer-songwriter from Montreal who’s opened for Mavis Staples, and grew up listening to Etta James and Joss Stone. On her latest EP “Closer Than Hell,” Hanorah moves beyond her early soul influences and explores a new voice. Hanorah tells Tom about surprising herself when she began songwriting, why she’s happy she didn’t win “La Voix”…

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Counterpoint 05-26-25 Scott Harris discusses: The deadly impact of Trump & GOP House budget bill; Trump's white supremacy on full display in meeting w S. African Pres.; Veterans fast demanding humanitarian ... 1:21:11

18d ago1:21:11

1:21:11

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.…

1
#196: What Gear Do I Need to Produce Music at Home? Our Essential Home Studio Setup Tools 40:44

18d ago40:44

40:44

Starting music production at home? This episode of Inside The Mix is your step-by-step guide to building the best home studio setup for beginner music producers. Marc Matthews and Tim Benson unpack exactly what gear you need to produce music at home, without breaking the bank. They walk through a basic home studio equipment list for new producers, …

1
Sarah Levy on finding her voice after Schitt’s Creek 22:17

18d ago22:17

22:17

Sarah Levy comes from a pretty funny family. Her dad is the comedy legend Eugene Levy, her brother is Dan Levy, and all three of them were on the Emmy-winning show “Schitt's Creek.” But Sarah says the funniest one of them all is her mom, who’s also the person in her family who’s had the biggest influence on her comedy. Sarah joins Tom Power to talk…

1
Dan Mangan’s new album was a surprise even to him 16:59

18d ago16:59

16:59

What happens when you let go? Dan Mangan found out when he stopped trying to make the best record of his career — and he ended up with one of the best records of his career. The Juno-winning singer-songwriter says it all goes to show that surrendering control might be the key to making something great. Dan sits down with Tom Power to tell us how a …

1
Michelle Zauner isn’t afraid to say no anymore 36:29

21d ago36:29

36:29

In 2021, Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner got everything she’d ever wanted: her memoir “Crying in H Mart” became a surprise New York Times bestseller, and her band’s breakthrough album “Jubilee” received multiple Grammy nominations. But all of that success came at the cost of her mental and physical health, so she moved to Seoul to regroup. Now…

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How Crystal Shawanda found her peace through song 14:09

21d ago14:09

14:09

What do you do when the world around you is anything but calm? For the Juno-winning Indigenous blues artist Crystal Shawanda, the answer was to go inward. She joins Tom Power to talk about her powerful and deeply personal new track “This Peace,” which channels her family’s strength, her culture and her own journey of self-discovery to find calm in …

1
Yanic Truesdale was told he spoke too quickly after Gilmore Girls 31:29

22d ago31:29

31:29

When Yanic Truesdale was growing up in Quebec, he used to watch American TV with his grandmother — but he didn't speak any English, so she had to translate the whole show to him line by line. When he started getting cast in TV roles, no one was prouder of him than his grandmother. Since then, Yanic has become a beloved actor all over the world, par…

1
The Last of Us star Noah Lamanna on their breakthrough role 19:28

22d ago19:28

19:28

Canadian actor Noah Lamanna stars as Kat in the new season of the hit HBO show “The Last of Us.” Noah joins Tom Power to talk about the moment they found out they’d be on one of the biggest shows on TV, what it’s like working with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, and how the film and TV industry has evolved for non-binary actors.…

1
Benito Skinner’s life changed when he dropped the golden boy act 23:10

23d ago23:10

23:10

Comedian Benito Skinner grew up attending Catholic school in Idaho, where he didn’t feel safe being an out gay man. Instead, he concealed his sexuality and threw himself into football. Now, Benito is mining that awkward and uncomfortable time in his life for his art. He’s the creator and star of “Overcompensating,” a new comedy show from A24 and Am…

1
How shy kids found the humanity in AI art 28:24

23d ago28:24

28:24

The Canadian indie pop band and filmmaking collective shy kids consists of three multi-hyphenate friends: Matthew Hornick, Walter Woodman and Patrick Cederberg. They’re musicians, but they’re also filmmakers, animators, writers, directors and technology advocates. Matthew, Walter and Patrick sit down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about th…

1
Ep.16: Signed vs. Independent: The Truth About Both Paths 52:08

24d ago52:08

52:08

In this episode, KMO and David dive into the evolving dynamics between record labels and independent artists. They explore the history of record labels, the impact of technology on music distribution, and the pros and cons of signing with a label versus staying independent. Key topics include ownership, creative control, and the changing standards …

1
Chris Evans of AudioGust: Why It’s Time to Start, Ship, and Repeat 1:02:42

24d ago1:02:42

1:02:42

Hooky Anthems and Disenchanted Optimists: Chris Evans Finds Joy in Music's Second Act Join host Becky Boyland on the Second Verse podcast as she chats with Chris Evans, an alt/indie rock artist, songwriter, and producer known as AudioGust. Dive into Chris's fascinating journey from '80s rock bands to a successful software career and back to music. …

1
How The Lion King musical creator pulled off the “impossible” 35:19

24d ago35:19

35:19

For nearly 30 years, “The Lion King” musical has been captivating audiences, becoming the highest-grossing production of all time, in theatre or in film. But when creator Julie Taymor was approached to make the stage show, she had never seen the original animated Disney movie it's based on. Julie joins Tom Power to tell us the story behind the prod…

1
Iceland’s former first lady Eliza Reid on her debut novel 17:59

24d ago17:59

17:59

Bestselling Canadian writer Eliza Reid has written plenty of non-fiction, but she’s just released her first novel, “Death on the Island.” It’s a murder mystery involving diplomats in Iceland — a place that’s quite familiar to her, considering she served as the country’s first lady from 2016 to 2024. Eliza sits down with Tom Power to talk about her …

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How To Grow As An Songwriter Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen