Backstory Sessions

This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with Lee Newton to talk about music that doesn’t just entertain—but means something. With deep roots in traditional country and a passion for preserving its storytelling soul, Lee brings authenticity, strength, and heart to everything she sings.   In this episode, Lee shares the journey behind her music, including the emotion and purpose woven into her...

🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives Episode: Whey Jennings – Baptized by Fire   In this powerful episode of Backstory Sessions, we sit down with rising country artist Whey Jennings to talk about his deeply personal new album, Baptized by Fire.   Whey opens up about the journey behind the music—the struggles, the redemption, and the moments that shaped both his life and his sound. C...

This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with legendary singer-songwriter Lobo, the voice behind timeless hits like “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo,” “I’d Love You to Want Me,” and “Don’t Expect Me to Be Your Friend.” With a career spanning decades, Lobo helped define the warm, storytelling style of 1970s folk-pop and continues to connect with audiences around the world.   In this episode, Lob...

🎙 Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives Guest: Paul Locander 📅 March 8, 2026   Every story begins somewhere—and often long before the spotlight.   In this episode of Backstory Sessions, we sit down with author Paul Locander to explore the inspiration behind his gripping novel Power & Way. Paul shares the personal experiences, faith, and creative journey that shaped his storytelling...

Love stories don’t all begin the same way. Some begin with decades of shared memories. Some begin with laughter. And some are built slowly — with loyalty, devotion, and a steady presence that never fades.   In the final installment of our February Love Stories series, we sit down with Jim Paulk — a man whose life reflects a love that endured through time, change, and commitment.   With warmth, hum...

Building a Sweet Life Together   Love doesn’t always begin with fireworks. Sometimes it begins with friendship, shared dreams, and the quiet decision to build something meaningful side by side.   In this heartfelt February Love Stories episode of Backstory Sessions, Kevin and Jenn share the story of how they met, how their relationship evolved, and how working together on The Sweet Life has shaped...

Sometimes love begins in the most ordinary places… over coffee, across a table, in the middle of an ordinary day at Panera.   In this episode of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, Kim and Marty share the story of how a simple meeting turned into something neither of them expected—but both of them needed. What started as conversation became connection. What began as chance became choice.   Their sto...

Love sometimes looks like sacrifice. Sometimes it looks like patience. And sometimes, it looks like a son who chooses to stay.   In this powerful episode of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, we sit down with author Mark Steven Porro to talk about one of the most profound forms of love there is—the love of a caregiver for a parent. At age 55, Mark stepped away from his independent bachelor life to...

Backstory Sessions Podcast — Love Stories Edition Guest: Christopher Wyze | “Her Name In My Song”   What happens when love leaves—but the music stays?   In this heartfelt Valentine’s Love Stories episode of Backstory Sessions, Cat sits down with Christopher Wyze of Christopher Wyze & The Tellers to explore the real story behind his powerful song, “Her Name In My Song.” More than just a breakup...

In our Valentine’s Day edition of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, we sit down with John and Anna, whose journey reminds us that love has no expiration date and no single timeline. Their story is filled with unexpected turns, deep devotion, and the kind of connection that proves it’s never too late for your life to change in the most beautiful way.   You’ll hear how they found each other, what su...

What are the odds that a quick stop at a gas station turns into a lifelong love story? For Jeff and Camille, it was destiny—with a soundtrack by Sting and a little help from the universe.   In this episode, Jeff and Camille share the unforgettable story of how they met during an ordinary moment that became anything but. Bonding instantly over their shared love of Sting, their first date quickly re...

February is for love and Gary and Gwyn will make you want a love like theirs.   Some love stories are loud. Some are dramatic. And some are quietly powerful.   Gary and Gwyn’s is the kind that grows stronger with time.   In this episode, they share their journey — the early days, the challenges, the laughter, the lessons, and the deep commitment that has carried them through the years.   It’s a st...

We end our January author's month with 11 year old Chayton Hudson. Chayton has published 16 books available on amazon. Hear all about The Adventures of Chaycat and Jordy Rabbit.

Miles Spencer, founder and CEO of Reflekta.ai. Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, media creator, and mentor, I've witnessed the immense value of preserving stories. I speak with my dad daily, even though he passed away eight years ago, because Reflekta allows us to share dynamic, spontaneous conversations just like we did before. As we talk, his responses continue to evolve, and our connect...

The Cove Schools was the first of its kind in the nation—a school for those who (in 1948) were referred to as brain-injured children. My own difficulties are a pretty good cluster of the issues many Cove students were dealing with: low IQ, poor coordination, medical conditions, hyperactivity, distractibility, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities. There were no programs, much less schools,...

Join our conversation with creative Gary Bryant. We discuss his many projects. Ace of Hearts  The sequel (Things Aren't What They Seem, also published) In progress: Missing (the third and final book of the series) Currently conducting interviews for the book about the tornado. Ace Johnson: Mysteries with Heart (My audio theatrical adaptation of Ace of Hearts) Regional Book Fair,

What are your resolutions or goals for 2026? What do you give yourself permission to let go of in the new year? Tune in as Cat and Willie discuss some top resolutions and why they might be successful or not.

This week, Colin Stough joins us for a candid conversation about his journey, staying grounded through change, and the stories that shape his music. Guest host Willie Carr helps guide a thoughtful discussion on creativity, resilience, and what it means to grow in the public eye.   We also dive into Colin's new song, "Best For You," and the personal meaning behind this powerful release.

Catch a cozy, no-filter chat with Louie James as he opens up about growing up near London, how classic American cinema lit his imagination, and the wild adventures of indie filmmaking that shaped his career. We dive into his intense roles, physical stunts in River of Blood, and the twists of performing in the new time-loop horror Manor of Darkness — releasing December 9th. Louie talks acting train...

Hey Chris — excited to share a sneak peek of Season 3 of Backstory Sessions. It’s that warm, old-school country variety you remember: live audiences, brotherly chemistry, comedy bits, and unforgettable moments (yes, Randy Travis stole the show). We’re taping at the Stockyards studio, touring hard, and dropping new country and gospel records soon — consider this your invite to grab a seat, laugh al...

Looking for a gift idea? Tune in as Cat suggests some ideas and discusses them with tonight's co-host Willie.

Hello Backstory fans! — Come and hang out with us as we close out season 16 with a fun interview with Nell Campbell (Columbia)from Rocky Horror. She spills how she was literally tapped into the role, how the Time Warp came to be, and why Rocky Horror still lights up people’s lives 50 years later. It’s full of backstage stories, fan love, and a sneak peek at her one-woman show All’s Nels That Ends...

Hello Backstory fans!  Grab a seat and listen in: this episode wraps up our Resilient series with raw, real stories that somehow turn fear into hope. We chat about the upcoming show, behind-the-scenes writing challenges. We also have a powerful conversation with our guest, Donna Mills about her daughter’s fight with leukemia — it’s heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. Tickets are on Eventbrite...

Hello Backstory fans! Meet Robert and Melissa Wyatt: a retired soldier and his partner who turned their ancestral church into a cozy home and a buzzing farm. Their story’s full of grit, funny moments, and old-school Appalachian know-how — from maple syrup and hickory cane corn to sauerkraut lessons and heirloom seeds. They’ve weathered floods, raccoons, and crop failures, but they keep innovating,...

Hello Backstory Fans! Welcome to our first episode about Resilience. Find out how this idea came about, and what we are doing in the coming weeks. This episode is a cozy, honest chat with our guest Fernanda Frey about moving to the U.S. with two suitcases, learning English through volleyball, surviving surgeries and single motherhood, and ultimately building a life she’s proud of. It’s the kind of...