Sullivan's Unheard Voices

On this episode of Sullivan’s Backstage Pass, Shawn sits down at the legendary Music Millennium in Portland with Terry Currier, owner of Music Millennium, for a conversation about music, community, and the lasting power of physical media. Terry has dedicated his life not only to vinyl records, but also to promoting live music and building a space where recorded music and live performance support o...

Day One, Part Two is here. This episode continues the conversation from World Beat Festival with a focus on two things that matter deeply to me: belonging and kindness. World Beat is more than an event — it’s a space where people from many cultures come together, share what makes them unique, and remind us that diversity is something to celebrate, not fear. In a world that can feel divided, that k...

Sullivan’s Unheard Voices goes live from the World Beat Festival for a vibrant episode celebrating multiculturalism, community, and the beauty of cultures from around the world. Surrounded by music, food, art, and traditions from many different communities, this special live recording captures the energy of a festival built on connection, celebration, and shared experience. In this episode, we hig...

Invicta rolls into Sullivan’s Backstage Pass like a thunderclap in steel-toed boots — loud, fast, unfiltered, and absolutely locked in. Shawn Sullivan sits down with a band that doesn’t just play metal, they  live** it, and the conversation digs into their roots, the story behind the name Invicta, the chaos and joy of live shows, and the raw truth that nobody needs to be in a mosh pit to belong at...

Sullivan’s Backstage Pass sits down with musician, writer, and storyteller Ken Scholes for a rich conversation about songwriting, live performance, creativity, and the lifelong journey of becoming fully yourself. Ken shares how storytelling has shaped his music from the beginning, how his artistic path has evolved over time, and why connection, compassion, and honest expression matter so much in b...

In this episode of Sullivan’s Unheard Voices, Shawn sits down with Terry from Salem Multicultural Institute and World Beat to talk about the power of cultural celebration, community connection, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. Terry shares the inspiring story behind Salem Multicultural’s origins, the impact of the World Beat Festival, and why building understanding across cultures...

Anni Piper joins the show to share her journey from Sydney, Australia, to the blues-rock scene, talking about her musical roots, gritty vocals, songwriting process, live performance, and the stories behind her latest music. She opens up about creativity, family, touring, and how real-life experiences shape the songs she writes.

In this episode of  Sullivan’s Backstage Pass , Shawn Sullivan sits down with guitar powerhouse Rafael Tranquilino for a conversation about music, family, discipline, and the real meaning of connection on stage. Rafael shares how growing up in a musical family in Mexico City shaped his path, how his father pushed him to study and keep improving, and why he still believes the best performances come...

In this episode of  Sullivan’s Unheard Voices , Shawn sits down with  Karolle Hughes , owner of  Books-N-Time , an independent bookstore in  Silverton, Oregon , for a conversation about  books, reading, local business, community support, and the importance of shopping local . This episode is perfect for viewers searching for  Oregon podcasts ,  bookstore interviews ,  small business stories ,  ind...

On this episode of  Sullivan’s Backstage Pass , Shawn Sullivan sits down with Anthony Estrada for a deep and soulful conversation about the roots of the blues, the power of live performance, and the lifelong journey of becoming a musician. Ant shares his origin story, from beating on a drum as a child to developing a sound shaped by family, faith, and the legends who helped define the blues. This...

On this special episode of  Sullivan’s Unheard Voices , Shawn Sullivan shares powerful conversations from the Salem Autism Walk, highlighting the voices of autistic individuals, family members, advocates, and community organizations working every day to create more inclusive and supportive spaces. From school advocacy and early childhood support to self-advocacy, family resources, and sensory-awar...

On this episode of  Sullivan’s Unheard Voices , host  Shawn Sullivan  sits down backstage with Cody Weathers, Jean, and Sean of  Cody Weathers and the Men Your Mama Warned You About  for a conversation that covers the band’s origin story, their musical chemistry, and the unique sound that makes them stand out. The group describes their style as  bluesy acoustic scat-rock , and the discussion gives...

On this episode of Sullivan’s Unheard Voices, Shawn Sullivan sits down with Rabbi Fora, a candidate for governor of Oregon, for a powerful conversation about what kind of state — and what kind of country — we want to live in. Fora speaks candidly about poverty as a policy choice, arguing that too many people in power are willing to let families suffer under systems that keep them one medical bill,...

On this episode of  Sullivan’s Backstage Pass , Shawn sits down with Nelson Kerr of the Bonton Rulers for a warm, wide-ranging conversation about music, blues, performance, and the joy of playing live. Nelson shares how music was part of his life from childhood, from listening to records at home to discovering the blues and falling hard for the expressive power of guitar-driven music. The conversa...

On this episode of  Sullivan’s Backstage Pass , we step into the world of Joel Astley—a harmonica player whose sound carries the weight of real life, not just rehearsed notes. Joel’s path into music is anything but ordinary, shaped deeply by his journey through recovery, which now fuels the raw honesty and emotional depth in every performance. Joel shares how the blues became his language—a way to...

On this episode of Sullivan’s Backstage Pass, Shawn Sullivan sits down with Levi Velasquez and Conner Kelly of The Black Hole, the Arizona blues rock band known for its soulful playing, tight stage chemistry, and hard-driving live show. The conversation explores how both musicians got started, what drew each of them into the blues, and why the genre still shapes their sound and songwriting. Conner...

In this episode of Sullivan’s Unheard Voices, host Shawn Sullivan opens up about his personal journey with autism — exploring the path from childhood trauma and confusion to self-discovery, diagnosis, and ultimately, acceptance. Through raw honesty and reflection, Shawn sheds light on the challenges and breakthroughs that shaped his sense of identity. This conversation emphasizes the vital need fo...

Sullivan's Unheard Voices: A Solo Medical Rant on Systemic Healthcare Failures In this raw, solo episode of  Sullivan's Unheard Voices , host Shawn Sullivan returns to the studio after a month's hiatus to share his deeply personal frustrations with the U.S. healthcare system, framing it as a story of unheard voices—especially for disabled veterans like himself. Shawn recounts a traumat...

Show Notes: Episode — “Wayne Hamilton: The Rhythm of a Lifetime” In this inspiring episode, Wayne Hamilton sits down to share the story of his lifelong journey through the world of music — from his first moments performing as a child to becoming a respected professional in the industry. With warmth and candor, Wayne reflects on the key moments that shaped his path and the lessons he’s learned alon...

This episode dives deep into the journey of a gifted musician and performer who opens up about the realities behind the spotlight. Nikki and Shawn explore everything from the thrill and vulnerability of live performance to the creative process of music production. The conversation offers a raw look at navigating media attention, building resilience in an unpredictable industry, and staying centere...

On this episode of  Sullivan's Backstage Pass , host Shawn Sullivan welcomes Pacific Northwest blues musician Al Polito for an insightful interview exploring his musical origin story, creative process, live performance philosophy, and the unique blues community. Al shares how he captures the muse for inspiration, the vital role of venue energy in performances, and the timeless relevance of blues m...

In this powerful episode, Greg opens up about his journey from hazardous material response to firefighting—and the harsh realities he faced when his government employer failed to honor workplace accommodations. Despite his disability affecting only a small portion of his duties, Greg was forced to take a 30% pay cut, highlighting the persistent discrimination that employees with disabilities can e...

In this lively and heartfelt episode of  Sullivan’s Backstage Pass , host Shawn Sullivan sits down with international blues and Americana vocalist, songwriter, and author Alison Joy Williams for an in-depth conversation about a life spent in music. From her first experiences playing clarinet in elementary school to fronting bands on stages across the United States, Europe, and beyond, Alison trace...

Sullivan’s Backstage Pass welcomes Portland-based musician, composer, and Norse-mythology-loving creator Justin Radford of Väinämöinen Studios for a lively deep dive into the craft and heart of making music. In this episode, we explore how his passion for myth, storytelling, and sound design shapes his work, including the rock musical he built around Norse legends and the Finnish demigod whose nam...

On this episode of Sullivan’s Unheard Voices, host Shawn Sullivan sits down with Kerry Lengel, creator of the KBOO radio program Neuro Emergent, for a raw, no-holding-back conversation about the state of the news and the world. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by the journalism industry, the evolving landscape of news reporting, the role of an editor, monopolistic practices, and t...