Life in Seven Songs

You probably know Mary Louise Kelly’s voice as the co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered. But you may not know that the veteran journalist has faced her fair share of challenges – from discovering she had severe hearing loss at 40 to making an agonizing choice between work and motherhood while reporting from a Black Hawk helicopter over Baghdad. In this episode, recorded live at the 2025 Aspen Ideas Festival, Sophie dives deep with the former national security correspondent, whose tales from the front lines are almost as exciting as her tales of falling madly in love in her fifties. Here are her songs: Debbie Gibson - Only in My Dreams James Baskett - Zip a Dee Doo Dah Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion Oasis - Champagne Supernova Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten Ylvis - The Fox What Does The Fox Say Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason

In our first ever live episode, recorded at the 2025 Aspen Ideas Festival, Sophie sits down with Walter Isaacson, the acclaimed journalist behind the definitive biographies of visionaries like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Leonardo da Vinci. In this episode, Walter reveals why – despite a career spent chronicling some of the greatest minds in history – the most formative “character” in his life story might be the city of New Orleans, where he grew up. Here are his songs. The Neville Brothers ft. The Dixie Cups - Brother John Iko Iko Sweet Emma Barrett (The Bell Gal) and Her Dixieland Boys - When The Saints Go Marching In Irma Thomas - Its Raining The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil Bruce Springsteen at New Orleans Jazz Festival 2006 - My City of Ruins The Rolling Stones and Irma Thomas - Time is on My Side Jon Batiste - FREEDOM Listen to Walter Isaacson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at ⁠lifeinsevensongs⁠.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ⁠lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com⁠.

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and 2024 MacArthur Fellow who writes books for young people – but he didn’t finish a book until he was 17. Instead, Jason found his literary voice in the rap lyrics printed in cassette tape liner notes. In this episode, Jason traces his journey from a kid disconnected from his assigned reading in school to becoming one of the most influential voices in young adult literature. He opens up about his fraught relationship with his father, spinning Bob Marley records by hand on a broken turntable, and why he doesn’t want to be a parent despite having “dedicated [his] life to kids.” Here are his songs. Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y. Goodie Mob - Soul Food Tracy Chapman - Talkin' Bout a Revolution Bob Markey & The Wailers - Is This Love Camp Lo - Luchini AKA This Is it Billy Joel - Vienna Clarence Carter - Patches

Griffin Dunne was a Hollywood insider long before he became the successful actor he is today – in fact, he might not have survived childhood if Sean Connery hadn’t pulled him from the bottom of a pool. But Griffin’s story, captured in his memoir The Friday Afternoon Club, is much more than a catalog of celebrity encounters. In this episode, Griffin opens up about his parents’ divorce, landing his breakout role in An American Werewolf in London, the sudden tragedy that changed his family forever, and the music that has accompanied a life lived in the spotlight’s glare and shadow. Here are his songs: Volver Volver by Vicente Fernandez Last Train to Clarksville by The Monkees Nature's Way by Spirit Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto. Sehr Iangsam by Gustav Mahler Life During Wartime by Talking Heads Sailing by Christopher Cross Cortez the Killer by Crazy Horse and Neil Young Listen to Griffin Dunne’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at ⁠lifeinsevensongs.com⁠. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ⁠lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com⁠.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What if God was one of us?” you probably have Joan Osborne to thank. But you might not realize that Osborne didn’t actually write her chart-topping hit. In this episode, the singer-songwriter traces her evolution from a Catholic girl in Kentucky singing in church choirs, to accidentally discovering her voice at a New York blues bar covering other artists, to finally writing her own songs and sharing hard-won wisdom with her daughter. Here are her songs: So Long, Farewell - Sound Of Music I Saw Three Ships - The Oxford Trinity Choir God Bless The Child - Billie Holiday How Blue Can You Get - BB King Shine A Light - The Rolling Stones Crazy Baby - Joan Osborne Nobody Owns You - Joan Osborne

As the creator and host of “Death, Sex & Money" – the hit podcast about "the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more” – Anna Sale has tackled her fair share of tough questions. In this episode, Anna shares the songs that helped her navigate life’s most uncertain moments – from leaving her home in West Virginia for Silicon Valley’s limitless possibilities, to figuring out how a radio reporter in New York City could build a life with a wildlife ecologist in Wyoming, to the moment her beloved show was (briefly) cancelled. Here are her songs: Bill Withers - Lean on Me Luscious Jackson - Here The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize Lucinda Williams - Side of the Road Townes Van Zandt - If I Needed You Sly and The Family Stone - Que Sera Sera Whatever Will Be Will Be Tony Toni Tone - Feels Good

W. Kamau Bell has made a career out of asking uncomfortable questions about race in America – both as a standup comedian and in his award-winning CNN series, United Shades of America. In this episode, Kamau shares the soundtrack to his life story – from bombing onstage as a young standup to inheriting “the family hardware store” of fighting racism. Here are his songs. Wade In The Water - Jireh Gospel Choir Rappers Delight - The Sugarhill Gang Times Up - Living Colour Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles Swing Low Street Chariot - 103rd Street Gospel Choir Featuring Pat Lewis Head Over Heels - Tears For Fears To Be Young Gifted and Black (2005 Remix) - Nina Simone Listen to W. Kamau Bell's full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at ⁠lifeinsevensongs.com⁠. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ⁠lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com⁠.

Long before Natasha Rothwell started stealing scenes as Belinda on The White Lotus or Kelli on Insecure, she was a self-described people-pleaser and peacemaker (yes, she’s a Libra). In this episode, Natasha reveals how creating some of the most iconic characters on TV today has been a form of self-discovery – one that has transformed her from a military kid trying to fit in into a creative force who has fallen deeply in love with herself. Here are her songs. Riverside by Kirk Franklin & The Family Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra, Count Basie Oh My God - Jay-Z I Have Nothing - Whitney Houston You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette She Used to Be Mine (from Waitress) - Sara Bareilles Fix You - Coldplay Listen to Natasha Rothwell’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Damian Woetzel got addicted to dance when he was 11 years old. While his “dirty secret” is that ballet was never that hard for him, his experience as a young boy in the world of dance wasn’t always easy. In this episode, Damian takes us backstage on his remarkable journey from being called “twinkle toes” in high school, to becoming a principal dancer and choreographer for the New York City Ballet, to his influential second act as the president of The Juilliard School and an advocate for arts education. Here are his songs. Knee Play 5 - Philip Glass We are the World 1985 - USA for Africa More Than This - Roxy Music Fast Car - Tracy Chapman Tom Traubert’s Blues - Tom Waits Other Song - Caroline Shaw Freedom - Jon Batiste Listen to Damian Woetzel’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

At the age of 16, David Archuleta captured hearts as the runner-up on American Idol. But behind the charismatic performer on stage was a young man struggling to reconcile his Mormon upbringing with his queer identity. In this episode, David shares how he nearly got married to women several times, contemplated suicide, and ultimately let go of everything he’d been taught it meant to be “good.” Here are his songs: Fast Car - Tracy Chapman Amor Prohibido - Selena It’s Okay To Cry - SOPHIE Jireh - Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music (feat. Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine) If It’s Not God - Maddie Zahm Hell Together - David Archuleta Freedom! - George Michael Listen to David Archuleta's full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

David Sheff’s memoir Beautiful Boy became a #1 New York Times bestseller and a major film, chronicling his son Nic’s harrowing battle with meth addiction. But before that, David was a music journalist who interviewed legends like John Lennon and Yoko Ono—an encounter that unexpectedly shaped his future as a father. In this episode, David traces how music once brought him joy, then grief—and, ultimately, a way back to his beautiful boy. Here are his songs. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - John Lennon Why - Yoko Ono Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles Astral Weeks - Van Morrison Smells Like Teen Spirit - Patti Smith This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) - Talking Heads Listen to David Sheff’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Richard Misrach is one of the most influential photographers of his generation, known for his haunting, large-scale images of the American West. His work captures both the region’s breathtaking beauty and the profound ways humans have altered the landscape. His photographs are housed in the collections of MoMA, the Whitney, and the Getty—but for Misrach, they serve a deeper purpose: creating a historical record. Here are his songs. Angel from Montgomery - Bonnie Raitt Misirlou - Dick Dale & The Del Tones Effendi - McCoy Tyner Trio The Times They Are a-Changin’ - Bob Dylan Music for 18 Musicians - Steve Reich La Vie en Rose - Grace Jones The Garden - Jacob Bloomfield-Misrach Listen to Richard Misrach’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. See some of the art mentioned in this episode here: https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/18/richard-misrach-photographer-life-in-seven-songs/ Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Journalist, author, and playwright Sarah Shourd shares the songs that helped her though a childhood steeped in violence and poverty, and the 410 days she spent in solitary confinement as a political hostage in Iran. From screaming along to Rage Against the Machine as a teenager to belting out ‘Crazy’ by Seal in her prison cell, Sarah’s always used her voice. Now, she speaks out against the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and mass incarceration. Here are her songs. She’s Got her Ticket - Tracy Chapman Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine Crazy - Seal At Last - Etta James ELEMENT. - Kendrick Lamar Suit of Armour - Danika Smith This Joy - Resistance Revival Chorus Listen to Sarah Shourd’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Over the last three decades, Rufus Wainwright has released 10 studio albums, written two operas, and countless songs for TV and film. He’s been praised for his originality—Elton John once called him the songwriting GOAT. But in this episode, Rufus explains why having the confidence to be himself was really just about survival. Here are his songs: 1. Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland 2. Heart Like a Wheel - Kate & Anna McGarrigle 3. I'm Losing You - Kate & Anna McGarrigle 4. Raspberry Beret - Prince 5. Begin the Beguine - Ella Fitzgerald 6. La Donna è Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti 7. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen Listen to Rufus Wainwright’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Actor, producer, and director Rita Wilson is known for her performances in films like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Now and Then.” Her name can be found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in credits for massive hits like “Mamma Mia!” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” (She's also been married to one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Tom Hanks, for the past 37 years.) But despite her success, Rita spent her entire career dreaming of a different one—to be a singer-songwriter. In this episode, Rita talks about taking risks later in life, grappling with regret and grief, and finally finding her voice as a musician. Here are her songs. Ode to Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry Everything I Own - Bread She’s Leaving Home - The Beatles California - Joni Mitchell I will Always Love you - Linda Ronstadt Slip Slidin’ Away - Paul Simon Some Things I'll Never Know - Teddy Swims Listen to Rita Wilson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Writer and director Cord Jefferson charts his journey from being a rule-following kid to an angry teenager to an adult with depression. After a lifetime of rejection, Cord shares what helped him finally make "American Fiction," the Oscar-winning film that was always in him. Here are his songs. Flamenco Sketches - Miles Davis The What - Notorious B.I.G. (Feat. Method Man) Boxcar - Jawbreaker My Old School - Steely Dan This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow Ben's My Friend - Sun Kil Moon Listen to Cord Jefferson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

On this special episode, we’re featuring a conversation from our friends at the Professional Book Nerds podcast, a podcast from the book nerds at OverDrive. Every week host Joe Skelley chats book recommendations on a theme with his friends and bookish experts, interviews authors and personalities, and encourages people to check out all the amazing resources their library has to offer. Ranked number 5 of the top 100 book podcasts, this is the place for book nerds! In today’s episode, Joe chats with author Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) LIVE during his book tour for And Then? And Then? What Else? Joe and Daniel talk about Tim Curry, sharing your personal life publicly, and what exactly it’s like being Lemony Snicket. Listen to more episodes of Professional Book Nerds and follow the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/professional-book-nerds/id1065515588

Cofounder and CEO of Nextdoor, Nirav Tolia, looks back on his childhood in small-town Texas, and how an inner conflict about belonging may have led to him creating the first social network for neighbors. With his commitment to building community, it’s no surprise two of his seven songs include the words ‘home’ and ‘house’ in their titles. Take me Home, Country Roads – John Denver The Reflex – Duran Duran World in My Eyes – Depeche Mode Eye of the Tiger – Survivor If My Heart Was a House – Owl City Con Te Partirò – Andrea Bocelli Beautiful Day – U2 Listen to Nirav Tolia’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions?

From Nirvana to BB King, The Rolling Stones to Radiohead, legendary rock photographer Jay Blakesberg has been documenting music icons for nearly 40 years. His work has been published in thousands of magazines, documentaries and books, but what he’s most known for is creating a seminal photographic archive of the Grateful Dead. Here are his songs. Hey Jude – The Beatles Black Water – The Doobie Brothers Wooden Ships – Crosby Stills & Nash Eyes of The World – Grateful Dead Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) – Talking Heads Tangled up in Blue – Bob Dylan Attics of My Life – Grateful Dead Listen to Jay Blakesberg’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

From her groundbreaking role playing one of the first openly gay characters on television, to her iconic appearances on David Letterman — where she repeatedly made the host speechless — actor and comedian Sandra Bernhard has always been unapologetically herself. And yet, decades into her career, she says she still discovers new layers every time she performs. Here are her songs. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) – Doris Day Stop! In The Name Of Love – The Supremes Like A Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan People's Parties – Joni Mitchell You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Sylvester Lose Again – Linda Ronstadt Edge Of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks Listen to Sandra Bernhard’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.