Best Jon Watkins Podcasts (2026)

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"The Space Between Us" by P.A. Cornell + "Memories of the MindMine" by David Marino 1:06:06

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13d ago1:06:06

1:06:06

This episode features "The Space Between Us" by P.A. Cornell (©2025 by P.A. Cornell) read by Justine Eyre and Stefan Rudnicki, and "Memories of the MindMine" by David Marino (©2025 by David Marino) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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2025 Wrap-Up: Gals Chat, A Corn Cob, Alaska, and One Man, ep. 333 1:12:57

19d ago1:12:57

1:12:57

To send 2025 off into the great abyss, we have a sensational year-end Basic Folk roundtable featuring Lizzie's group chat: Kaïa Kater, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, and Isa Burke. It can feel so challenging to know which media you can trust and whose takes you can really take to the bank. There is no one we trust more to wrap-up this wild and wacky year than…

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"HagioClass" by José Pablo Iriarte + "The Hub Living Among the Stars" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees 48:43

20d ago48:43

48:43

This episode features "HagioClass" by José Pablo Iriarte (©2025 by José Pablo Iriarte) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "The Hub Living Among the Stars" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees (©2025 by Oyedotun Damilola Muees) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"Us, in Another Universe" by A.C. Wise + "Crickets in Lost Light" by Jonathan Olfert 1:06:28

27d ago1:06:28

1:06:28

This episode features "Us, in Another Universe" by A.C. Wise (©2025 by A.C. Wise) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Crickets in Lost Light" by Jonathan Olfert (©2025 by Jonathan Olfert) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332 59:12

1M ago59:12

59:12

Our episode with Madison Cunningham was one of those all-time Basic Folk moments where a guest gets really deep really quickly. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to speak with this brilliant young torchbearer of the folk tradition to celebrate the release of her new album, 'Ace.' Cunningham grew up in the church, an environment which shaped he…

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"You Always Told Her You'd Give Her the World" by Aimee Ogden + "Reality Check" by Nancy Kress 50:41

1M ago50:41

50:41

This episode features "You Always Told Her You'd Give Her the World" by Aimee Ogden (©2025 by Aimee Ogden) read by Mirron Willis, and "Reality Check" by Nancy Kress (©2025 by Nancy Kress) read by Justine Eyre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"The Cold Burning Light of Her" by Sam W. Pisciotta + "Operation: Grapevine" by Joel W.D. Buxton 27:21

1M ago27:21

27:21

This episode features "The Cold Burning Light of Her" by Sam W. Pisciotta (©2025 by Sam W. Pisciotta) read by Roxanne Hernandez, and "Operation: Grapevine" by Joel W.D. Buxton (©2025 by Joel W.D. Buxton) read by Scott Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"Visible Damage" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman + "How to Build a Homecoming Queen: A Guide by a Bad Asian Girl" by Tina S. Zhu 52:30

2M ago52:30

52:30

This episode features "Visible Damage" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (©2025 by Nina Kiriki Hoffman) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "How to Build a Homecoming Queen: A Guide by a Bad Asian Girl" by Tina S. Zhu (©2025 by Tina S. Zhu) read by Si Chen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Frazey Ford Revisits the Subtle Grooves of 'Indian Ocean', ep. 331 51:19

2M ago51:19

51:19

Frazey Ford has always loved soul music. She fell in love with Otis Redding at age 11 and discovered people like Ann Peebles along the way, but it was Al Green that really knocked her out. She loved the layers, the expression, and especially his voice. She completely dove in and even started an Al Green cover band. Although she had been perfecting …

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"Beneath the Umdlebe Tree (Or: A Vegetable Love Story)" by Modupeoluwa Shelle + "Elegy for Zephyr One" by Gene Doucette 1:18:28

2M ago1:18:28

1:18:28

This episode features "Beneath the Umdlebe Tree (Or: A Vegetable Love Story)" by Modupeoluwa Shelle (©2025 by Modupeoluwa Shelle) read by Mirron Willis, and "Elegy for Zephyr One" by Gene Doucette (©2025 by Gene Doucette) read by Stefan Rudnicki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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"How to Setup Your Mourning Robot" by Angela Liu + "In the Zone" by Lisa M. Bradley 52:45

2M ago52:45

52:45

This episode features "How to Setup Your Mourning Robot" by Angela Liu (©2025 by Angela Liu) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "In the Zone" by Lisa M. Bradley (©2025 by Lisa M. Bradley) read by Roxanne Hernandez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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The Barr Brothers Rally Around Mysticism, ep. 330 1:01:25

2M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In the eight years since The Barr Brothers last released an album, Andrew has been drumming with people like Feist, Mumford & Sons, and Broken Social Scene while Brad released a solo record and underwent incredible personal change. Brad made the huge decision to get sober, which he talks about candidly in our Basic Folk interview. Anything you read…

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"Thaw" by An Owomoyela + "Drosera regina" by A.L. Goldfuss 1:21:40

2M ago1:21:40

1:21:40

This episode features "Thaw" by An Owomoyela (©2025 by An Owomoyela) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Drosera regina" by A.L. Goldfuss (©2025 by A.L. Goldfuss) read by Susan Hanfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"Dating Fortune" by Sean McMullen + "Everyone Hates the Auditor" by Megan Chee 50:48

3M ago50:48

50:48

This episode features "Dating Fortune" by Sean McMullen (©2025 by Sean McMullen) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Everyone Hates the Auditor" by Megan Chee (©2025 by Megan Chee) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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David Wilcox Can Heal Your Heart in Two Minutes, ep. 329 1:11:03

3M ago1:11:03

1:11:03

Asheville-based songwriter David Wilcox has been through some s-h-i-t. A difficult childhood in Northeast Ohio sent him seeking answers – mostly on his bicycle – in an attempt to get away. He has spent his lifetime leaning into his problems and digging into their roots at the source: his own heart. He decided to see what lessons his heart had been …

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"The Porniest Porn in Porntown" by Stephen Graham Jones + "Dirge and Gleam" by Micah Dean Hicks 1:19:51

3M ago1:19:51

1:19:51

This episode features "The Porniest Porn in Porntown" by Stephen Graham Jones (©2025 by Stephen Graham Jones) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Dirge and Gleam" by Micah Dean Hicks (©2025 by Micah Dean Hicks) read by Janina Edwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"At the Bottom of the Bonfire" by Martin Cahill + "O Mechfighter, O Starsinger" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu 55:44

3M ago55:44

55:44

This episode features "At the Bottom of the Bonfire" by Martin Cahill (©2025 by Martin Cahill) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "O Mechfighter, O Starsinger" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (©2025 by Osahon Ize-Iyamu) read by Janina Edwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Kathleen Edwards: Making up for 30 Years of No Tears, ep. 328 1:07:00

3M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Kathleen Edwards claims that she's now a pretty frequent crier after not crying for the first 30 years of her life. One reason for this change is the connectedness she has been feeling since leaving music and starting her coffee shop, Quitters. In our Basic Folk conversation, Edwards tears up talking about the cover of her new album 'Billionaire,' …

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"City of One" by Stephen S. Power + "Human Voices" by Isabel J. Kim 1:13:36

3M ago1:13:36

1:13:36

This episode features "City of One" by Stephen S. Power (©2025 by Stephen S. Power) and "Human Voices" by Isabel J. Kim (©2025 by Isabel J. Kim), both read by Stefan Rudnicki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Peter Rowan: The Bluegrass Buddha's Tex-Mex Roots, ep. 327 1:08:54

4M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Legendary Massachusetts-born, California-based musician Peter Rowan is best known for his bluegrass roots. A practicing Buddhist, he did time in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys as well as in the short-lived and epically important Old & In the Way with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. However, his latest album 'Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce' celeb…

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"On an Unusual Kind of Spatially Distributed Haunting" by Bogi Takács + "The Girlfriend Experience" by C.Z. Tacks 47:25

4M ago47:25

47:25

This episode features "On an Unusual Kind of Spatially Distributed Haunting" by Bogi Takács (©2025 by Bogi Takács) read by Janina Edwards, and "The Girlfriend Experience" by C.Z. Tacks (©2025 by C.Z. Tacks) read by Justine Eyre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"The Place I Came To" by Filip Hajdar Drnovšek Zorko + "Apeiron" by Cadwell Turnbull 55:53

4M ago55:53

55:53

This episode features "The Place I Came To" by Filip Hajdar Drnovšek Zorko (©2025 by Filip Hajdar Drnovšek Zorko ) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Apeiron" by Cadwell Turnbull (©2025 by Cadwell Turnbull) read by Janina Edwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Rissi Palmer & Miko Marks: "Buckle Bunny," No Cringe, and My Black Country, ep. 326 1:07:02

4M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

This time on Basic Folk, we are checking in with country singer-songwriter and Color Me Country radio host Rissi Palmer and Americana country artist Miko Marks. The two close friends both came up as Black women in country music in the early part of the 21st century where they experienced gatekeepers and discrimination in the industry, but undeniabl…

1
"Beginning Before and After The End" by Jake Stein + "Last Meal Aboard the Awassa" by Kel Coleman 24:05

4M ago24:05

24:05

This episode features "Beginning Before and After The End" by Jake Stein (©2025 by Jake Stein) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Last Meal Aboard the Awassa" by Kel Coleman (©2025 by Kel Coleman) read by Justine Eyre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
Vibe Coaches: Maya de Vitry, Ethan Jodziewicz, Joel Timmons, & Shelby Means, ep. 325 1:12:09

4M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

Maya de Vitry, Ethan Jodziewicz, Joel Timmons, and Shelby Means are on Basic Folk today talking about their new collaborations. Maya produced both Shelby and Joel's debut solo albums this year; Joel and Ethan play in Maya's band; and the two couples (Joel & Shelby are married and Ethan & Maya are partners) are all very close friends. They met in Na…

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"Anti-Capitalism vs. the Man of Flowers" by Naomi Kanakia + "To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter" by V.M. Ayala 57:02

4M ago57:02

57:02

This episode features "Anti-Capitalism vs. the Man of Flowers" by Naomi Kanakia (©2025 by Naomi Kanakia) read by Roxane Hernandez, and "To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter" by V.M. Ayala (©2025 by V.M. Ayala) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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"The Dream Tourists" by Sarah Langan + "Savannah and the Apprentice" by Christopher Rowe 1:04:19

5M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

This episode features "The Dream Tourists" by Sarah Langan (©2025 by Sarah Langan) and "Savannah and the Apprentice" by Christopher Rowe (©2025 by Christopher Rowe), both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
Paul Brady on Tina Turner, Irish Music and Not Being Too Famous, ep. 324 54:33

5M ago54:33

54:33

Bob Dylan once called Paul Brady a "secret hero" and meant it as a compliment. The Irish songwriting legend has not been bothered by the fact that his profile has not risen as high as some of his peers. Starting off in the world of traditional Irish music, Brady spent time in the hugely influential Irish group Planxty until they disbanded in 1975. …

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Everyone Has a Friend in Joe K. Walsh, ep. 323 49:59

5M ago49:59

49:59

Originally from northern Minnesota, Joe K. Walsh grew up in Duluth and became enthralled with the mandolin (his primary focus, currently) after hearing the first David Grisman Quintet record. His dad got the young Joe his own mando. He ended up getting very serious about the instrument and found himself studying at Berklee College of Music in Bosto…

1
"Dad went out to get the milk" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu + "Feast of Famine" by Adam-Troy Castro 1:05:46

5M ago1:05:46

1:05:46

This episode features "Dad went out to get the milk" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (©2025 by Osahon Ize-Iyamu) read by Mirron Willis, and "Feast of Famine" by Adam-Troy Castro (©2025 by Adam-Troy Castro) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
Everyone Belongs at the Olive Klug show, ep. 322 52:36

5M ago52:36

52:36

Olive Klug and I (Cindy) recorded this interview in my closet while they were in Portland, Maine to play a show. They stayed along with their band Cori, Haley, and Payton and it was a real pleasure to be around them for a few days. You can tell that Olive is at their best around their band and it is a true collaboration on stage. Shoutout to the wh…

1
"Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B..." by David Anaxagoras + "It Might Be He Returns" by Fatima Taqvi 1:05:32

5M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

This episode features "Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B Regarding Post-battle Deployment of A. Thanatensis" by David Anaxagoras (©2025 by David Anaxagoras) and "It Might Be He Returns" by Fatima Taqvi (©2025 by Fatime Taqvi) both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me…

1
Gina Chavez: From Choir Kid to Latin Grammy Nominee, ep. 321 1:05:37

5M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

New bestie Gina Chavez speaks about her journey in music, her deep love for connecting with people, and the influence of her mixed cultural background on Basic Folk. Her parents are of Mexican and Swiss-German descent. Her father, although second generation Mexican-American, was not raised with Spanish language or any Mexican culture. Gina discusse…

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Tony Kamel Believes in Life and You Should Too, ep. 320 41:34

6M ago41:34

41:34

You may recognize the voice, face, and vibe of wonderful human being Tony Kamel from his acclaimed bluegrass group, Wood & Wire. But Tony is on Basic Folk today to talk about his wonderful solo albums, including his latest, 'We're All Gonna Live.' The album, which just came out, is a realist-optimist's guide to navigating a complex and often heartb…

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"Finding Love in a Time Loop: A How-To Guide" by Leah Cypess + "You Knit Me Together in My Mother's Womb" by Paul Crenshaw 53:21

6M ago53:21

53:21

This episode features "Finding Love in a Time Loop: A How-To Guide" by Leah Cypess (©2025 by Leah Cypess) and "You Knit Me Together in My Mother's Womb" by Paul Crenshaw (©2025 by Paul Crenshaw), both read by Justine Eyre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Kora Feder is the Future of Political Folk Songwriting, but also Has Too Many Craft Projects, ep. 319 41:53

6M ago41:53

41:53

On this episode of Basic Folk, Kora Feder talks about her new album, 'Some Kind of Truth,' as well as reflecting on the incredible changes and growth she's experienced since we last spoke in February 2020. One of the impacts of the pandemic on her music career was the necessity of exploring other artistic ventures like crafting hats and lino-cuttin…

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"Un-Pragmagic: A Tyler Moore Retrospective" by Spencer Nitkey + "Domestic Disputes" by Naomi Kanakia 38:42

6M ago38:42

38:42

This episode features "Un-Pragmagic: A Tyler Moore Retrospective" by Spencer Nitkey (©2025 by Spencer Nitkey) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Domestic Disputes" by Naomi Kanakia (©2025 by Naomi Kanakia) read by Judy Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Tami Neilson: On Taking Wynonna's Call, Her Scary Near-Death Experience, and Willie Nelson, ep. 318 1:13:32

6M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

In recent years, Tami Neilson has been learning to carry both great joy and great sorrow simultaneously. The New Zealand-based, Canada-born powerhouse's new album, 'Neon Cowgirl,' is named after the towering electric figure on a sign that's overlooked Broadway in Nashville, watching over Tami's career since she was 16 years old. The songs were born…

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"How to Win Against the Robots" by Katherine Crighton + "A Dish Best Served Cold..." by Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe 1:24:25

6M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

"How to Win Against the Robots" by Katherine Crighton (©2025 by Katherine Crighton) read by Judy Young, and "A Dish Best Served Cold Or An Excerpt From The Cookbook Of The Gods" by Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe (©2025 by Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Indigo Girls: Activism Through Fashion and Community Through Food (REISSUE), ep. 317 57:13

6M ago57:13

57:13

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This is our last Reissue for now, so please enjoy! This episode featuring separate interviews with The Indi…

1
"What Else, What Else, in the Joyous City? " by sadoeuphemist + "The Lord of Mars" by Meghan McCarron 1:22:12

6M ago1:22:12

1:22:12

This episode features "What Else, What Else, in the Joyous City? " by sadoeuphemist (©2025 by sadoeuphemist) and "The Lord of Mars" by Meghan McCarron (©2025 by Meghan McCarron) both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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Joy Oladokun Writes Worship Music for Youth Group Rejects (REISSUE), ep. 316 51:18

6M ago51:18

51:18

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Joy Oladokun, was originally posted on February 24, 20…

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"All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" by Marissa Lingen + "A Week at the Raven Feather Salon" by Carrie Vaughn 1:14:08

6M ago1:14:08

1:14:08

This episode features "All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" by Marissa Lingen (©2025 by Marissa Lingen) read by Roxanne Hernandez, and "A Week at the Raven Feather Salon" by Carrie Vaughn (©2025 by Carrie Vaughn) read by Susan Hanfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
Watchhouse in Conversation with Jacob Sharp (Mipso) (Bonus) 45:55

7M ago45:55

45:55

(Editor's Note: Oh, WOW! A bonus, surprise episode with Watchhouse? Yes! And it is a treat. We are pleased to have Jacob Sharp of Mipso as our guest host in conversation with his friends Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz of Watchhouse, talking about their new studio album, 'Rituals.' The record was co-produced with Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues. T…

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Chris Thile: Calvin and Hobbes, Classical Music, and Curiosity (REISSUE), ep. 315 1:21:20

7M ago1:21:20

1:21:20

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing Chris Thile was originally posted on September 9, 2021 aft…

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Dar Williams: Music was Decided for Me (REISSUE), ep. 314 1:03:07

7M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Dar Williams originally posted on October 14, 2021. Enjoy!) Dar Williams…

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"My Mother, the Supervillain" by Benjamin Blattberg + "See Now the Misfortune..." by Lowry Poletti + "When the Faerie King..." by Vanessa Fogg 57:48

7M ago57:48

57:48

"My Mother, the Supervillain" by Benjamin Blattberg (©2025 by by Benjamin Blattberg) read by Roxanne Hernandez, "See Now the Misfortune of the Thinking Tenax" by Lowry Poletti (©2025 by Lowry Poletti) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "When the Faerie King Toured the Human Realm" by Vanessa Fogg (©2025 by Vanessa Fogg) read by Susan Hanfield. Learn more…

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John Hiatt is Actually Not Scared to Talk about His Feelings (REISSUE), ep. 313 51:06

7M ago51:06

51:06

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing John Hiatt originally posted on August 5, 2021. In 2021, …

1
"Eyes Grown Thick on the World" by Will McMahon + "The Twenty-One Second God" by Peter Watts 1:11:17

7M ago1:11:17

1:11:17

This episode features "Eyes Grown Thick on the World" by Will McMahon (©2025 by Will McMahon) and "The Twenty-One Second God" by Peter Watts (©2025 by Peter Watts) both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
Anaïs Mitchell: 2019 Pre-Broadway interview on Hadestown, Lamb Rearing, and Untangling Third Wave Feminism (REISSUE), ep. 312 51:22

7M ago51:22

51:22

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) Listening back, I feel like this 2018 interview with Anaïs Mitchell holds up. Originally published on Jan…