The Sauce with Dawn Burns

Join Dawn Burns in conversation with vocalist, songwriter, and loop artist Hannah Laine. Her new single “Show Up” leads a five-track solo album that showcases her soulful, piano-driven sound. A Michigan native and Earth Radio member, Hannah blends rich influences into deeply personal music that reflects her roots, voice, and vision.

Join Dawn Burns for an inspiring conversation with Chicago’s own Toiné Houston. More than just an artist, Toiné is a movement—renowned for her razor-sharp lyrics, soul-stirring delivery, and unmistakable voice. Blending hip-hop, spoken word, and live instrumentation, she creates immersive experiences that stay with you. As the visionary behind The ToinéXperiment, she leads a genre-defying fusion b...

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with Bryan Lubeck, Billboard Magazine’s “Critic’s Choice” artist known for his romantic Spanish guitar fused with smooth urban grooves. With millions of streams and radio plays, Bryan shares insights on his early life, signature style, and how the pandemic shaped his creative journey.

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with award-winning jazz vocalist Alyssa Allgood. Hailed as “assured and daring” by DownBeat , Alyssa discusses her musical journey and her album of all original music. With rich storytelling, soulful improvisation, and a focus on self-love, Alyssa is a bold voice in today’s jazz scene.

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with jazz trumpeter Eric Jacobson, known for his soulful sound and inventive style. A dedicated performer and educator, Eric shares insights on creating music, teaching jazz in Milwaukee, and how family shapes his writing. Hear how tradition and innovation meet in his work, both on stage and in the classroom.

Join Dawn Burns for a soulful conversation with Andréa Lisa, a South African-born, New Zealand-raised artist whose debut album Silver Lining blends heartfelt storytelling, rich vocals, and healing energy. Discover the spirit behind her genre-defying sound and the journey that fuels her passion to uplift through music.

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with acclaimed jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig. A four-time GRAMMY nominee with over 200 album credits, Conrad has played with legends like Joe Henderson, Horace Silver, and Eddie Palmieri. He’s known for his celebrated “Latin Side” projects and long tenure with the Mingus Big Band. Tune in as he shares insights from his 40-year career, collaborations with jazz gre...

Join Dawn Burns as she talks with singer-songwriter Phillip-Michael Scales. Nephew of blues legend B.B. King, Phillip-Michael initially avoided the blues despite playing guitar. After his uncle’s passing, he embraced the genre, discovering deeper connections through identity, politics, and legacy. Now, he’s crafted a unique sound he calls “Dive Bar Soul,” blending indie rock storytelling with blue...

Join Dawn Burns as she talks with artist Brandon Lott, a South Bend native blending R&B, neo-soul, and global sounds into powerful music that inspires reflection and explores the mind, heart, body, and soul.

Join Dawn Burns for a special episode featuring Chuck Wild, Emmy®-nominated composer behind Liquid Mind®. From 80s synth-pop with Missing Persons to studio work with legends like Zappa and Jackson, Chuck’s 53-year career is vast. Discover why Liquid Mind is his passion and hear about his latest release, Liquid Mind 15. A heartfelt conversation not to miss.

Join Dawn Burns for this episode, shining a spotlight on South Bend Civic Theatre’s production of Company by Stephen Sondheim. Executive Director Aaron Nichols, lead actor Sean Leyes, and director David Ferrell share why this musical resonates today, explore its timely themes, and reflect on the personal and cultural questions it boldly raises.

Children’s author Chelsere Johnson joins Dawn Burns to discuss his journey from darkness to light through storytelling. Drawing from hardship, he crafts poetic children's books like Hey Young Grasshopper and The Story of the Caterpillar and the Crickets , offering young readers insight, resilience, and hope through the written word.

Dawn Burns speaks with Lisa Kowalski of South Bend Culture Club—celebrating creativity and community while empowering local voices to inspire change..

Dawn Burn speaks with California-born and Indy-raised, Akili Ni Mali who blends R&B, soul, jazz, and pop with powerful vocals and rich storytelling. A standout in Indy’s music scene, she was named a 2025 Art & Soul featured artist. Now in Chicago, she’s bringing her dynamic sound to a new creative community.

Dawn Burn speaks with Chris Greene — Evanston’s Illinois’ jazz pride and a Chicago favorite since 2005. With his celebrated quartet and fan-loved Playtime mixtapes, Greene blends deep community roots with next-level musicianship. Join this ride through the Midwest jazz scene!  #Jazz #Podcast #PlaySPACE #GreeneGrooves

Dawn Burn speaks with Acantha Lang, the powerhouse Soul artist making waves from New Orleans to London. We talked about her acclaimed debut Beautiful Dreams , her rise in the UK soul scene, and the passion behind her music. A journey of grit, grace, and unforgettable soul.

In this episode, Dawn Burns sits down with Andréa Lisa—South African-born, New Zealand-raised artist, and true musical force. She talks about her debut album Silver Lining , her healing sound, and the personal journey that fuels her art. A soulful conversation you don’t want to miss.

Multifaceted actor and New York jazz musician, Bryan Eng speaks with Dawn Burns about making waves across Broadway, TV, film, and iconic venues like the Kennedy Center and Birdland. As the Carlyle Hotel’s youngest resident performer, Bryan’s talent shines in every performance. Explore his inspiring journey and extraordinary career!

Indie Folk Musician Anna p.s. speaks with Dawn Burns about being East coast born and raised, Midwest influenced and rooted. Anna p.s. continues to captivate audiences across the nation with storytelling, introspective lyrics, and the humor encompassed in the human experience.

In Dandelion Roots Run Deep , authors Merrill Ann Clark and Merry Bell Clark share a heartfelt memoir about growing up in rural America. The book reflects on family, community, and a deep connection to the land, exploring themes of resilience, personal growth, and the power of tradition. In this episode, Dawn speaks with Merry Clark, who grew up in Michigan with parents who were pioneers of the or...

Award-winning Canadian instrumental fusion artist Desarae Dee, known as “Toronto’s Queen of Vibes,” blends faith, soul, and vulnerability in her unique sound. A recurring artist on NPR Music’s Jazz in America , she sits down with Dawn Burns to share the latest chapter in her incredible journey, revealing the inspiration behind her music, the challenges she’s overcome, and what’s next for this powe...

Cinema Program Director Rick Herbst and Senior Associate Director Sean Martin of the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC) share an inside look at their roles and the invaluable services the arts center provides. From enriching the cultural experience of students and faculty to serving as a hub for the broader South Bend community, they discuss how DPAC plays a vital p...

Award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Zac Zinger, renowned for his collaborations with icons like Paul McCartney and Branford Marsalis, joins Dawn Burns to discuss his innovative shakuhachi technique and unique multicultural compositions.

Author and historian Aaron Helman speaks with Dawn Burns about his latest book, On the Southernmost Bend . Join them as they dive into South Bend's rich history and Helman’s journey to bring local stories to life. Discover more at aaronhelman.com/books.

Connie Hahn speaks with Dawn Burns about her meteoric rise and compelling musical voice. The pianist explains, “I firmly believe that to create art with substance and quality, the artist must sacrifice a portion of her soul — physically, mentally and spiritually. That to create something truly beautiful, the artist must delve into the savage darkness that lives inside us all.”