We are back with a special episode featuring songwriter Johnsmith and more new episodes coming shortly so please "Follow" or Subscribe to the show! John's beautiful albums that span his forty year career are special soundtracks from his life that have become the accompaniment for so many of his fans lives. One of ten children, John has been singing and making up songs from a young age. One of my favorite quotes from today's conversation, "Remember that your songs are a gift".  Thank you, John, your songs are gifts to us, an inspiration. We are so fortunate that John tours the country perf ..read more

In today's mini-episode I share "Three Ways to Become a Conduit for Effortless Songwriting." Get your Free Songwriting Guide Here: https://www.annesibley.com/events Want to feel inspired again? Write those songs that are on your heart? Hint: It’s all about your energy.  Connecting with inspiration, becoming power charged and letting the music pour through you. Memorize what it feels like to be in a flow state. Three ways to have more inspiration: 1) Listen to music that juices you up &  touches your emotions 2) Connect with your soul family 3) Write your morning pages Key Takeawa ..read more

Laurie Lewis, in my opinion, is the queen of bluegrass. She is a masterful storyteller, performer, and a special human being. It was an honor and an incredibly lovely experience to be with her; to talk with her, laugh with her, and celebrate her songwriting and musicianship.   In this episode, she sings about the town of “Barstow” while she delves into the background of how she came to write it.  Then from her new album, “Trees”, she treats us to a song she wrote during the pandemic when she found out that her friend John Prine, the great songwriter, had passed away.  My own d ..read more

Laura Wortman and Kagey Parish are The Honey Dewdrops. They seamlessly weave a thoughtfulness into every note, harmony, chord that they play and sing in their soulful duet. They first captured my heart in 2008 with their winning performance on “A Prairie Home Companion.” and they spent decades touring the country and sharing their music with audiences far and wide. On today's episode, you'll hear the gorgeous studio versions of two of their songs.  They sing “Garden” a song inspired by Kagey’s walk by a zen garden with yoga platforms where he found this sanctuary that inspired this song ..read more

“If we look around, there is always something to be grateful for and some kindness we can give.” - Katy Oberle Stars and algorithms aligned to connect me with Katy Oberle, a singer-songwriter friend who I like to call a creativity goddess! She uses her love and talents both for mindfulness and music to share her gifts and practices for healing.  Following a career as a therapist, she now runs Katy Oberle Creative where she coaches individuals and businesses in mindfulness practices while deeply nourishing the creative lives of others. On today’s episode we get grounded with Katy and he ..read more

Meet my friend, the peaceful pianist Michael Martinez.  He is a composer who channels music from deep within the heart.  He performs the title track from one of his new albums called “The Stillness Within” as well as a misplaced and forgotten song he revived called “Goodbye“.\ This podcast is special because he joins my songwriting membership group via Zoom as our guest songwriter so you will hear their questions and comments in the end, as well! Michael has been on a deep spiritual journey that I believe you will not only hear but feel through his music.  He is a natural teac ..read more

A beautiful conversation with the courageous and the deep Sarah Sample.  On today’s episode we talk about everything from co-writing songs to singer-songwriters rallying through motherhood and touring. Her courage and vulnerability as a musician (and now also as an oncology nurse) is inspirational. She shares with us a newly released single called “Black Sheep” that she co-wrote with her sister about their religious upbringing. She also treats us to “Love Song” about her beloved husband. We even talk about our dreams of being famous and mourning those dreams as we navigate the reality o ..read more

On today’s mini-episode, I talk about the new song I am working on that is working ME and how to stick with a song that is hard to write because it is so worth it. I also want to hear from you, what are you working on? Do you have a new song? Are you stuck or in a rut?  For all of us at-home songwriters (some who perform their songs out and so who don't), we need support and inspiration or else we get so busy with life and stuck in our heads. Here are some things I touch upon in this mini-episode: How To Stick With A Song That is Hard to Write -Songs are so worth sticking with even when ..read more

On today’s episode, you’ll meet two passionate musicians and teachers building community! Their annual Yosemite Songwriting Retreat in October is a welcoming community filled with wonderful instructors, delicious food, workshops and beautiful community building (in addition to improving your songwriting!). Gail Dreifus and David Budries are as adorable as they sound! They are leaders in music education and community building - they put instruments into people’s hands, teach songwriting and sound design as well as perform in their community uplifting their neighbors. Gail is a longtime educator ..read more

The Shandies are a married couple and musical duo making beautiful music together. Meet my new friends Natalie Wlodarczyk and Shannon Stine and hear them sing their original songs, “With the Grain” and “I Won’t Be Back” live on this episode of The Songwriter’s Podcast. Afterwards you can stream their brand new album everywhere! The new album is called “If You Knew Me”and it is their 4th studio album.  Based in Springfield, Missouri, they officially became the Shandies in 2016.  They have a versatile folk-rock-country-pop style.  Natalie has also been a music therapist for twen ..read more