Hear Us Out

This week on Hear Us Out , we're joined by Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award nominee Matthew Morrison. Known to many as Will Schuester on Glee , Matthew is also an accomplished Broadway performer who recently returned to the stage as Bobby Darin in Just in Time . In this episode, we discuss his return to Broadway and his musical theater roots, reflect on the lasting impact Glee has had on his life...

Tony Award-winning actress Lauren Patten joins Hear Us Out to discuss her remarkable career on stage and screen, from her breakout performance as Jo in Jagged Little Pill to her starring role in the Tony Award-nominated play Becky Shaw . Lauren reflects on the artistry behind moving between musicals and straight plays, the importance of vulnerability in performance, and how she prepares to tell de...

What makes a performance feel real ? In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with Edwin McCain to explore the emotion, imperfection, and humanity behind great music. Best known for timeless songs like “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask for More,” Edwin shares stories from the studio, why first takes often capture something magic, and how authenticity connects artists and audiences on a deeper lev...

Singer-songwriter Howie Day has spent more than two decades creating music that resonates deeply with listeners around the world. Best known for the multi-platinum hit "Collide," Howie's songs have become part of the soundtrack to countless memories, relationships, and life moments. In this episode of Hear Us Out, hosts Dr. Eric Sandler and Dr. Michelle Schechter explore the role of sound in songw...

In this episode of Hear Us Out , we welcome acclaimed musicians Dave Eggar, Tasha Warren, and Phil Faconti to discuss their powerful new project, Motherload. The trio takes us behind the scenes of the album's creation, sharing how their diverse musical backgrounds came together to shape a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. We explore the creative process, the importance o...

What does it take to create harmony that moves millions of people? In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with Ben Bram; the Grammy-winning arranger, producer, and longtime creative force behind Pentatonix. Ben shares the story behind shaping one of the most recognizable vocal sounds in modern music, from intricate harmonies and vocal production to the emotional impact of the human voice. We...

In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with Brad Cohen, Mayor of East Brunswick and Congressional candidate, for a conversation about leadership, community, and the challenges of public service. Brad shares what it’s like to lead at the local level, the lessons he’s learned from governing, and how those experiences shape his vision for representing his community on a national stage. We dive...

In this episode, we speak with Richard Pocker, author, and someone who has personally navigated life with deafness and cochlear implants. Richard shares his own journey; the challenges of hearing loss, the decision to pursue cochlear implants, and what it feels like to reconnect with sound in profound and sometimes surprising ways. We dive into the technology, yes, but also the human side: the emo...

What makes a live performance feel human? This week on Hear Us Out, we sit down with acclaimed audio engineer and producer Josh Rogosin, the creative force behind the sound of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and the founder of Global Sound Concerts . After engineering more than 800 Tiny Desk performances, Josh is now traveling the world capturing artists in meaningful spaces — recording raw, intimate per...

Why do certain voices stay with us long after the song ends? In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with singer-songwriter Sahara Moon for a powerful conversation about music, identity, and the emotional impact of sound. Together, we explore what makes a voice feel authentic, how vulnerability shapes songwriting, and why some sounds connect with us on a deeper level. Sahara shares her creati...

In this episode, we sit down with Lily Vakili—a singer-songwriter known for her raw honesty, powerful vocals, and genre-blending sound. Lily opens up about her creative process, the stories behind her music, and the personal experiences that shape her songwriting. We dive into the realities of building a career as an independent artist, the challenges of staying authentic in a fast-moving industry...

What makes a voice truly connect—and why do some performances stay with us long after the curtain falls? In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with Broadway star Carrie St. Louis to explore the emotional and human side of singing, storytelling, and sound. From the demands of live theater to the intimacy of vocal performance, Carrie shares how she approaches using her voice not just as an in...

Step into the world of Broadway with Gabrielle Carrubba, known for her heartfelt portrayal of Zoe Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen. In this episode, Gabrielle shares what it was like stepping into the iconic role after understudying it, ultimately making her Broadway debut as Zoe and bringing her own voice to a story that continues to resonate with audiences around the world. We also dive into her dynam...

How do we hear music and why do certain songs create such a powerful emotional response? In this episode of Hear Us Out , we’re joined by Glen Phillips, lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket, for an in-depth conversation on music, hearing, and the science of sound perception. We explore how musicians listen differently, what makes a song emotionally impactful, and how elements like pitch, tone, and...

The curtain is up! This week, Cecelia Trippiedi of Heathers Off Broadway production, joins us to talk all things theater—from auditions and rehearsals to the thrill of live performance. She shares behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned in the industry, and what makes Off Broadway such a powerful creative space. If you love the stage, this one’s for you. Episode Sponsor: www.oaktreeproducts.com...

What does it mean to feel—and how does sound help us get there? In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with Claire Kwon, star of Maybe Happy Ending , on broadway, to explore how music and sound shape emotion, memory, and connection. Through the lens of a show that blurs the line between technology and humanity, Claire shares how she approaches storytelling in a way that feels deeply human—ev...

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Becraft to talk about her journey from performing as a dancer for the Brooklyn Nets to building a powerful presence as a content creator on Instagram and TikTok. Melissa shares what it was really like dancing on an NBA stage, the discipline and mindset required to perform at that level, and the identity shift that came when that chapter ended. We dive into...

In this episode of Hear Us Out , we’re joined by Haley Bennett, Broadway conductor extraordinaire, to go behind the scenes of life in the orchestra pit. Haley shares what it’s like to lead a Broadway orchestra, collaborate with performers and directors, and bring a musical production to life night after night. From interpreting complex scores to keeping every performance in perfect sync, Haley off...

In this episode, we sit down with trumpeter, vocalist, and bandleader Jon Lampley—known for lighting up stages with O.A.R., co-founding the genre-blending band Huntertones, and performing as part of the house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . Jon shares the story behind his musical journey, from early influences and the grind of the practice room to touring the world and performing on s...

In this episode of Hear Us Out , we’re joined by music director Jason Aron, whose career spans Pop music, and high-profile live productions. Most recently, Jason has worked extensively with the Jonas Brothers and directed the Back in Time documentary, bringing his signature musical expertise to both iconic pop projects and compelling storytelling on screen. Jason takes us behind the scenes of musi...

On this episode of Hear Us Out , we’re joined by Broadway powerhouse Jasmine Forsberg, who is currently lighting up the stage in the hit musical Six on Broadway. Jasmine takes us behind the crown to talk about what it’s really like performing in one of Broadway’s most electrifying shows. From the journey that led her to Six , to the energy of performing for packed audiences night after night, she...

This week on Hear Us Out , we’re joined by legendary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Warren Haynes. From his work with Gov't Mule to his years with The Allman Brothers Band, Warren has helped define the sound of modern Southern rock and the improvisational spirit of the jam scene. In this conversation, he opens up about the evolution of his playing, the stories behind the songs, and what keeps...

This week on Hear Us Out , we’re joined by Tony Award winner Nevin Steinberg , one of Broadway’s most influential sound designers. Nevin has shaped the sonic world of some of the most iconic productions of the last decade; from the record-breaking Hamilton and emotionally charged Dear Evan Hansen to the Tony-winning Hadestown and the acclaimed Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street . He’s...

In this episode of Hear Us Out , we sit down with Hannah Kevitt, who is preparing to take over the lead role of Clare in the Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending . Hannah shares what it’s really like stepping into a principal role on Broadway—from the responsibility of inheriting a character audiences already love to the day-to-day realities of rehearsals, performance schedules, and staying g...

This week on Hear Us Out , we sit down with World Cup alpine skier Robin Gillon. Competing at the highest level of one of the fastest sports on the planet, Robin shares what it takes to race when communication, trust, and focus are everything, and how living with hearing loss has shaped his approach both on and off the slopes. From the mental game of elite skiing to adapting in environments built...