Dear Balladeer

S2E5: On this, the 5th episode of the second season (and perhaps the last- we’re taking a TBD break), I have the pleasure of talking with Luke Concannon , New England-based, Old England-grown singer-songwriter and community builder. We talk about spirituality, finding hope in the midst of turmoil, creativity, and meaning-making, framed around his song Coventry .  Thanks to everyone who h...

S2E4: Naomi Westwater (they/she) is a singer-songwriter and culture curator from Eastern Massachusetts. In this episode we dive into the ways that cataclysmic nature events (like the covid-19 pandemic and climate change) intersect with relational upheaval, as we discuss a question from an immunocompromised person who is feeling isolated by their friends. This episode features Naomi’s recent releas...

S2E3: Andrew Pauls is many things and one of those is a success story for long-distance relationships. He is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, grant expert, and engaged community member in his town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For this episode Andrew digs into his own life experience as we chat about a question regarding long distance relationships, and Andrew shares his song Can I...

S2E2: Second episode of the second season with the second Rachael of 2024 (that’s Rachael Kilgour )! In this intimate and in-person interview (recorded in the closet of our AirBnB at the Folk Alliance International conference) Rachael and I discuss the complexities of moving far away from one’s family (as framed by Rachael’s song “Ontario” ).  Do you have a predicament?  Submit it to the...

S2E1: We’re kicking off season 2 with a chat with Rachel Sumner! We get into a wide range of topics, from the creative flow to structuring a stand-up routine, to grounding techniques for when you run into an ex in public. This episode features Rachels’ new single “So What” off of her upcoming album “Heartless Things” (out May 10). Do you have a predicament?  Submit it to the show! For a full-...

S1E11: In our final episode of the season I have the pleasure of speaking with Brooklyn-based Hallie Spoor , coined “the Adele of Americana.” We answer question about wanting to be heard via Hallie’s song “Heart Like Thunder,” and take some detours along the way including conversations around being a cat-parent, making music videos with friends, and the difficulties of finding balance in life as a...

S1E10: In our 10th episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Nashville-based songwriter, Nina de Vitry, about how to deal with feeling overwhelmed. Nina gives great advice in person as well as in her songs, so we have a lovely time laying out some options for the letter-writer using Nina’s song “Being With Myself” Do you have a predicament?  Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advic...

S1E9: In this cozy October episode we chat with Corey Laitman (of the band Cloudbelly) about taking risks, overcoming fear, following your excitement, open communication, sex and non-monogamy, and more! We frame the conversation around the Cloudbelly song “Marrow” (which you can buy in CD form on Bandcamp ).  Resources: Shira Erlichman ;  In Surreal Life Audre Lorde Adrienne Maree Brown...

S1E8: Welcome back from our one-month-long break! To usher you back into the DB world, enjoy our conversation with Brooklyn-based Kyle Morgan! In this conversation we cover the Dillsburg Farm Fair, the strife of being a youngest child, and the ways that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has taught Kyle about moving on.  Do you have a predicament?  Submit it to the show! For a full-spec...

S1E7: In this summery laughter-filled July episode, Minnesotan songsmith and writer Siri Undlin (also known as Humbird ) and I alternate chatting and laughing. We discuss pulling all nighters while reading, gruesome fairytales, children who are more emotional evolved than adults, and a question from a letter-writer who is dealing with the tension of wanting to support a friend in need while still...

S1E6: In this month’s episode Conor Garvey offers his insight on self-sabotage! Garvey is a Maine-based songwriter, teacher, adventurer, facilitator of the human experience, and self-anointed expert in self-sabotage. We talk about the glory of camp, experiences of getting in our own way, avoiding it, and the importance of trusting our past selves. Do you have a predicament?  Submit it to the...

Today’s episode delves into the treacherous territory that is deciding whether or whether not to tell a friend that you are in love with them. To help us answer this question we have the pleasure of speaking with Western Mass indie-pop-folk staple, Kimaya Diggs . We also get some good insight from Kimaya’s song, “But I Do.”  Do you have a predicament?  Submit it to the show! For a full-s...

S1E4: Today we look at a letter from someone who’s hoping to spice up their sex life in a way that helps them explore their gender and sexuality as a queer non-binary person! We were lucky enough to be able to talk to alt-pop icon and queer, fat, poly activist Heather Mae about her song “In My Head,” (also featuring Crys Matthews ) which tackles communication, letting go of shame, and more! Do you...

S1E3: Today we tackle the topic of where to live and what to do! When I consulted my songwriting peers seemingly everyone had written their own spin on the song. I’ve spent the last year writing songs on the topic so today we look at a few questions on the topic via an original song I co-wrote with Alec Spiegelman called “City Song/Where I Want To Be Found” (an unreleased bop!) . On this episode w...

S1E2: Today we look at an age-old question: how to love again.   Eleanor Buckland and I ( Sadie Gustafson-Zook ) dive into this question posed by a listener who recently moved, has been experiencing heartbreak, and wants to know how to move on and get into a meaningful relationship. This episode features Eleanor's song  "You Don't Have to Know" !  Follow Eleanor on  instagram ,...

S1E1: Welcome to Dear Balladeer! In this inaugural episode of Dear Balladeer myself ( Sadie Gustafson-Zook ) and Eliza Edens discuss a letter about creative dry spells and grief. This episode features Eliza's song "Julia" ! Follow Eliza on instagram , buy their music , and learn more at their website ! Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen t...