Best Opera For Everyone Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep. 136 Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges 1:57:06

Play Pause

19d ago1:57:06

1:57:06

Can an opera, that most complex of art forms, take you back to childhood? Unlikely though it might seem, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges (“The Child and the Enchantments”) does just that through the talents of composer Maurice Ravel and writer Colette. This one-act opera, fantastical though it is, can transport you to all-too-real, seemingly lost memori…

1
Love, Loyalty, and Monsters | Shield of Sparrows Deep Dive 9:08

2d ago9:08

9:08

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi returns to the world of Devney Perry’s Shield of Sparrows and explores why this fantasy romance has captured the hearts of readers. Brandi breaks down the emotional layers, the monster mythology, and the complicated line between love, loyalty, and bravery. She also spotlights the high…

1
#195: My Philadelphia Audition - What It Felt Like To Make the Finals 1:28:50

12d ago1:28:50

1:28:50

In this episode, I share the full story of my recent audition for the Principal Trumpet position with the Philadelphia Orchestra — one of the highest-profile trumpet auditions in the world. I made the finals, but the real takeaway wasn’t the result. It was the stillness, clarity, and confidence I felt throughout the entire process, even when things…

1
Why Everyone's Talking About Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid 7:42

9d ago7:42

7:42

Send us a text Atmosphere is a story about courage, ambition, and the quiet strength it takes to live authentically when the world tells you not to. Brandi explores how Taylor Jenkins Reid blends heart, history, and humanity to create a story that feels both intimate and expansive. If you love emotional character arcs and stories that reach for the…

1
Podcast #120 From Hollywood Sets to Santa Cruz - The story behind HWY 17 studios with RJ Allen and David Mong 54:00

12d ago54:00

54:00

From blockbuster films like Zodiac, Transformers, and The Pursuit of Happyness to the hit TV series Brooklyn 99, Ryan “RJ” Allen and David Mong have seen it all. Now, these two industry veterans are bringing their decades of on-set experience to the coast of Santa Cruz — as the founders of HWY 17 Studios, a state-of-the-art production facility offe…

1
Love and Other Words: A Slow Burn That Stays With You 7:44

20d ago7:44

7:44

Send us a text Love and Other Words is the kind of slow burn that sneaks up on you. Every chapter adds another clue, another emotional layer, and the alternating timeline gives it a nostalgic, bittersweet rhythm. It is technically a romance, but it is also a story about self-discovery. It is about reopening your heart after years of keeping it clos…

1
The Knight and The Moth: A Story That Bleeds and Heals 6:28

23d ago6:28

6:28

Send us a text The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig cuts deep. It is raw, poetic, and unforgettable. In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores Gillig’s breathtaking writing style and the emotional themes that make her work both painful and healing. Rachel Gillig’s prose feels alive: sharp, mythic, and deeply human. If The Knigh…

1
Podcast # 119 Tam and Susan O'Conner Fraser much more than Radio hosts! 54:00

24d ago54:00

54:00

In this episode we have the extraordinary pleasure of speaking with Tam and Susan O'Conner Fraser, You may know them as Santa Cruz Voice hosts for " Think Local First” they are a dynamic duo whose lives have been anything but ordinary. From Tam’s childhood traveling with the circus in Kansas City, Missouri, to Susan’s grounded upbringing in Pittsbu…

1
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah + Adaptation Talk 7:42

1M ago7:42

7:42

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah — a raw, emotional story of survival, love, and the strength it takes to endure both wilderness and heartbreak. Set in the rugged beauty of Alaska, this novel asks what happens when isolation becomes both a sanctuary and a prison. Brandi brea…

1
Podcast #118 We welcome Heather Houston — a singer, song weaver, and founder of Sisters in Harmony, whose voice carries the waters of remembrance and healing. 53:55

1M ago53:55

53:55

Have you ever felt a song move through you — not as performance, but as prayer? In this week’s episode of Song as Medicine, we sit in circle with the luminous Heather Houston, singer, composer, and founder of Sisters in Harmony. Together we explore how song becomes healing, how harmony weaves community, and how the voice itself can open the heart’s…

1
We speak with Lori Schulman and Jordan Best the Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors of the Santa Cruz Opera Project, a company that believes ‘Opera is for Everyone.’ 54:00

1M ago54:00

54:00

What happens when you mix Puccini with a pint? You get Opera on Tap! Lori Schulman and Jordan Best, the powerhouse duo behind the Santa Cruz Opera Project — the company that’s redefining what opera looks (and sounds!) like on the Central Coast. Hear how a 3-hour parking-lot conversation turned into a thriving company, why they believe opera is for …

1
Podcast #116 Two Rock Titans of Santa Cruz John Michael & Otis Coen 53:55

1M ago53:55

53:55

Get ready for a powerhouse conversation with two of Santa Cruz’s most iconic entertainers — John Michael, the dynamic frontman and vocal impressionist behind The John Michael Band, and Otis Coen, the multi-talented musician known for his soulful blend of rock, Motown, and blues. With careers that span decades, both artists have lit up stages across…

1
The Mean Ones: Trauma, Horror, and Healing with Tatiana Schlote 16:55

2M ago16:55

16:55

Send us a text In this chilling and deeply introspective episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi sits down once again with acclaimed horror author Tatiana Schlote (also known as The Buff Writer) to discuss her latest psychological folk horror novel, The Mean Ones. The story follows Sadie, a 29-year-old woman haunted by the trauma of witnessi…

1
Love, Lies, and Murder: Exploring The Perfect Marriage 8:18

2M ago8:18

8:18

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into Jeneva Rose’s dark, twisty psychological thriller, The Perfect Marriage. Sarah Morgan, a high-powered defense attorney, steps in to defend her husband Adam when his mistress is brutally murdered, revealing the morally gray complexities of their relationship. Jeneva Ros…

1
Podcast #115 🍷 From Aubergine to Vin Vivant — A Conversation in Every Pour 53:59

2M ago53:59

53:59

Two award-winning sommeliers, John Haffey and Ryan Cooley, traded Michelin stars for ocean air and opened Vin Vivant — Capitola’s newest wine bar where world-class bottles meet coastal ease. In this 54-minute interview, we dive into their journey from the precision of Aubergine to the freedom of building their own vision — a place where wine feels …

1
Podcast #114 We talk to Christie Licker founder of Caroline's Thrift shop, which she named after her daughter who died 53:59

2M ago53:59

53:59

We had the honor of welcoming Christy Licker, founder of Caroline’s Nonprofit Thrift Shop in Aptos, to the show. Caroline’s was created in memory of Christy’s daughter and has since become a beacon of generosity, raising millions for local nonprofits that support children and families in need. 💙 You can support Caroline’s mission by shopping second…

1
Exploring The Women on Platform Two 6:37

2M ago6:37

6:37

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony — a powerful historical novel set in 1970s Dublin, when contraception was still illegal. The story follows Mara and Bernie, two brave women who risk everything to smuggle contraceptives and fight for bodily autonomy. Brandi ex…

1
Ep. 135 The Rake's Progress 1:58:18

2M ago1:58:18

1:58:18

Which is stronger: the temptations of a shadowy wish-granter, or the love of a virtuous woman? In The Rake’s Progress, Tom’s true love Anne seeks to save him from himself, seeking to unwind the schemes of the literal devil. Yet when the dust settles, it is hard to say who has triumphed… Tom is saved, but it is a messy and piteous sort of salvation.…

1
Friends, Lovers, and Summer Escapes: Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation 9:12

2M ago9:12

9:12

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi takes listeners on a heartfelt journey through Emily Henry’s bestselling romance, People We Meet on Vacation. We dive deep into Poppy and Alex’s annual summer trips, their opposites-attract dynamic, and the slowburn tension that has made readers laugh, cry, and swoon. Through dua…

1
Podcast#113 Tina Quick Serial Careerist and Hobbyist 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

By goaheadandtellme

1
#194: Ron Von Dreau - The Secret to Growing a 60+ Student Music Studio 1:17:51

3M ago1:17:51

1:17:51

In this episode of That’s Not Spit, It’s Condensation, I sit down with tubist and teacher Ron Von Dreau to talk about what it takes to build and sustain a thriving private teaching studio. Ron has taught in Texas for decades, managing studios of 60–80+ students while also teaching at the university level, directing band programs, and balancing free…

1
Locked in Mystery: The Woman in Cabin 10 Deep Dive 6:52

3M ago6:52

6:52

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, the hosts dive into Ruth Ware’s gripping psychological thriller, The Woman in Cabin 10. Set aboard a luxurious cruise liner, the story follows journalist Lo Blacklock as she uncovers a chilling mystery, navigating deception, danger, and the frustration of a world that tries to silence her. T…

1
Is Powerless the Next Big Fantasy Hit? 8:56

3M ago8:56

8:56

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores the thrilling YA fantasy debut, Powerless by Lauren Roberts. Journey through the brutal kingdom of Aaliyah, where magic determines worth, as ordinary Paedyn Gray defies the odds in deadly competitions filled with sharp-witted heroines and enemies-to-lovers tension. Also featu…

1
Podcast #112 An interview with Christophe Bellito of Toadal Fitness 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

By goaheadandtellme

1
Podcast#111 Elizabeth Borelli on The Mediterranean Diet 53:55

3M ago53:55

53:55

By goaheadandtellme

1
#193: 4 Skills That Separate Audition Winners from Everyone Else 54:40

3M ago54:40

54:40

In this episode, I'm going to break down the real reason auditions feel so brutal—and what separates the winners from everyone else. It's not luck. It's not just talent. It's a learnable set of skills that anyone can develop. If you’ve ever walked off stage thinking “I thought I was ready… what happened?”—this is for you. You’ll learn: ✅ The mindse…

1
The Stories That Shape Us: A Deep Dive into The Lost Bookshop 8:40

3M ago8:40

8:40

Send us a text In this enchanting episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi delves into Evie Woods’ The Lost Bookshop, a novel that beautifully blends historical fiction with magical realism. Through the intertwined lives of Opaline, Martha, and Henry, Woods explores themes of belonging, love, and the transformative power of literature. Brandi…

1
Ep. 134 King Arthur by Henry Purcell 1:57:51

3M ago1:57:51

1:57:51

King Arthur stands astride the intersection of history, myth, legend, and politics. In every age of the history of Britain, he is reinterpreted for new audiences and new purposes. When composer Henry Purcell and poet-librettist John Dryden set out to write their opera about Arthur, they did so following a century in which England had seen monarchs …

1
Summer, Love, and Growing Up: Exploring Jenny Han’s Classic 5:52

3M ago5:52

5:52

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into Jenny Han’s beloved novel, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Known for capturing the magic and melancholy of adolescence, Han tells a story about love, family, and the bittersweet process of growing up. Host Brandi discusses the themes that resonate with readers—from the excitement an…

1
Motives, Power, and Transformation in Rose in Chains 6:29

3M ago6:29

6:29

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive deep into the layered world of Rose in Chains. Rather than focusing solely on plot, we turn our attention to the characters who breathe life into the narrative. Host Brandi unpacks the motivations, conflicts, and relationships that shape the series’ intricate drama, highlighting the …

1
Podcast# 110 Meet Up Group Leader Susan Lovegren and Theresa Salzburg Artist, and Healer 54:01

4M ago54:01

54:01

By goaheadandtellme

1
Jennette McCurdy’s Journey: Surviving Stardom & Reclaiming Power 7:16

4M ago7:16

7:16

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi explores Jennette McCurdy's bestselling memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. Known worldwide as Sam Puckett on iCarly and Sam & Cat, McCurdy steps beyond the spotlight to share a raw and honest account of her childhood stardom, her fraught relationship with her mother, and her …

1
#192: Doug Lindsey - Master Lip Trills and Unlock Effortless Trumpet Technique 1:31:26

4M ago1:31:26

1:31:26

In this episode, we break down how to master lip trills, develop faster and cleaner technique, and play with more freedom—without adding tension. You’ll learn why “lip trills” aren’t actually about the lips, how to train your air and embouchure for effortless control, and the exact exercises that build dazzling technique you can trust in any perfor…

1
Dark Truths & Dead Air: Carter Wilson’s Tell Me What You Did 4:03

4M ago4:03

4:03

Send us a text In this gripping episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi dives into Carter Wilson’s chilling new thriller, Tell Me What You Did. The story follows Poe Webb, a true crime podcast host whose own past is darker than any confession she’s aired. When a mysterious guest claims to be her mother’s killer, Poe is forced to confront sec…

1
Podcast # 109 Edith Kultein 100 years young! 58:34

4M ago58:34

58:34

By goaheadandtellme

1
Ep. 133 Semele by Handel 2:01:42

4M ago2:01:42

2:01:42

It might at first sound like it would be nice to be the lover of the king of the Olympian gods, attended by divine spirits, and living in a luxurious palace among the clouds. But this happily-ever-after turns sour after Princess Semele asks Jupiter for the gift of immortality. After a bit of intrigue amongst the gods–not least among them Jupiter’s …

1
Time, Language, and Identity: Two Novels That Redefine Reality 5:10

4M ago5:10

5:10

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we explore two genre-defying novels that challenge how we perceive time, language, and identity. First, we dive into Alexander Boldizar’s The Man Who Saw Seconds, a pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller about Preble Jefferson, a man who can see five seconds into the future. This g…

1
One of Us Is Lying: Secrets, Pressure & High School Suspense 7:39

4M ago7:39

7:39

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into the tangled web of secrets and social pressure in One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus. Brandi explores the layered character dynamics of Bronwyn, Addie, Nate, and Cooper—each navigating the intense scrutiny of high school while hiding truths that could change everything. From th…

1
Exploring Magic and Family in 'The Spell Shop' 5:47

5M ago5:47

5:47

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into the magical world of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. With a charming blend of spellcraft, family tension, and entrepreneurial spirit, this cozy fantasy explores what it means to forge your own path. We also spotlight Ali Hazelwood’s Problematic Summer Romance and share the la…

1
Religion, Rebellion, and Rome: Talking Vesta with Marcia Twain 34:04

5M ago34:04

34:04

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, host Brandi sits down with author Jeffrey Hops (writing as Marcia Twain) to explore Vesta and Her Children—a powerful historical novel set in the twilight of ancient Rome. From gender and legacy to religious identity and crumbling empires, this story offers a bold reimagining of the forces t…

1
#191: Victor Djonorh - What Middle School Band Directors Really Do (And Why It Matters) 1:13:50

5M ago1:13:50

1:13:50

In this episode of That's Not Spit, It's Condensation, I sit down with Victor Djonorh, longtime band director at Summit Middle School and assistant director at Edmond Santa Fe, to dive deep into the realities of teaching music at the middle and high school level. We cover: 🎵 How he accidentally became a tuba player 🎓 Lessons from his time at Oklaho…

1
Ep. 132 Verdi's Aida 1:58:36

5M ago1:58:36

1:58:36

The young Aida loves the dashing military commander Radamès, and he adores her with a burning passion.Their mutual love is, however, somewhat complicated by the fact that Aida is a slave, enslaved by a princess who is equally smitten with the heroic warrior. Further complicating matters, Radamès’ military renown is founded on successfully prosecuti…

1
Podcast #108 The Bookclub ladies of Reading between the Wines 53:13

5M ago53:13

53:13

By goaheadandtellme

1
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Power, Passion & Identity 6:22

5M ago6:22

6:22

Send us a text In this special episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we trade dragons for drama as we dive into the glitzy, heartbreaking world of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. From old Hollywood glamour to raw emotional truths, we unpack Evelyn’s unapologetic ambition, her complex identity, and the love story that defined …

1
#190: Johanna Yarbrough - From Orchestral Challenges to Teaching with Impact 1:19:53

5M ago1:19:53

1:19:53

In this episode, I’m joined by Johanna Yarbrough, who recently transitioned from her role as second horn with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to become the Professor of French Horn at Louisiana State University. What begins as a conversation about career trajectory quickly unfolds into a vulnerable and deeply insightful look at the realities of orch…

1
Unraveling the Dark and Twisted World of Verity by Colleen Hoover 7:10

5M ago7:10

7:10

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we unravel the chilling layers of Verity by Colleen Hoover—a psychological thriller that’s haunted BookTok and divided readers with its jaw-dropping twists. Is it genius or manipulative madness? We weigh in. Then, we shift gears into the magical realm of Wings of Starlight, a fantasy romance…

1
Podcast#107 A chat with Dr Michael Franzblau 53:41

5M ago53:41

53:41

By goaheadandtellme

1
Found Family, Emotional Baggage & Summer Love in "Just for the Summer" 7:26

6M ago7:26

7:26

Send us a text In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, we dive into the delightful emotional rollercoaster that is Abby Jimenez’s Just for the Summer. With its blend of found family, romantic tension, and emotional baggage, this rom-com delivers both laughs and depth. Then we shift to the sun-soaked pages of Emily Henry’s Beach Read, a fan-favor…