Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! One of my favorite and most insightful interviews on Basic Folk has to have been from Ben Arthur. Ben let the walls come down and allowed us to both dig into his psyche. It was a rare privilege to be able to strip feelings and actions down to their studs and really examine what’s going on. I’d recommend checking out Ben’s previous appearance on Basic Folk… that is, after you take a listen to his wonderful podcast, SongWriter. The concept is amazing: some of the best writers present their stories followed by an answer song written specifically for the tale by some of our favorite songwriters. Enjoy!

SongWriter is a podcast of stories and “answer songs,” featuring performances by Amanda Shires, Roxane Gay, Mary Gauthier, Joyce Carol Oates, Tift Merritt, and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. Each episode includes a story from an author or storyteller, and a song written in response, as well as conversations about inspiration, art, and music. Host by songwriter and previous Basic Folk guest, Ben Arthur. 

In this episode of SongWriter, bestselling author Cheryl Strayed reads a letter about her mother from her celebrated advice column “Dear Sugar,” and songwriter Maia Sharp talks about a recent break-up and performs her song “It’s Always Good to See You.”

Cheryl’s memoir Wild was made into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon, and Maia has written songs for Bonnie Raitt, Cher, and Trisha Yearwood.