Self-Help Songwriter Podcast

In this mini-pseudo-songwriting-coaching session I break down my favorite way to structure a song so that it practically writes itself. Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

A super short n sweet solo episode for you today, reflecting on a recent concert I went to by Jeffrey Lewis at Larry's Corner in Stockholm in June 2023.  Support live, non-corporate music! It feeds your soul like nothing else. Listen to the whole song on Jeffrey's YouTubeRead about him on his websiteSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

Welcome to a super special and super PRACTICAL and even a little bit silly podcast episode with the amazing Denby Ananda who breaks down exactly how to develop self-compassion (a pillar of happiness).  ✨Signs you've checked out ✨How she healed her burnout from her successful luxury cake business ✨How to develop emotional literacy ✨What self-compassion actually means and looks like ✨Somatic expression and how to use music for self-healingDenby's InstaSign up for Denby's Newsletter Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

On this very special episode of the Self-Help Songwriter podcast, I share with y'all the lessons I've learned from doing this thing for the past 2 years. I am eternally grateful to the songwriter community and the self-help community for being so generous with me and each other. I discuss:The power of appreciation and intentionThe importance of momentumThe ability to pivot and remain flexibleWhy embarrassment is better than regretand I reveal the BIGGEST lesson I've learned... the OG's might be able to guess it.THANK YOU for being here and a being a part of this community. Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

In this episode, Mette breaks down her very cinematic song RUN LIKE THE RIVER. We talk about-life and how death is a part of it-how to find a producer for your songs-how to start a songwriters circle-how to be brave when you're first starting outMette's linksListen to Run Like the River on Spotify!Follow on InstagramSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

Enjoy my breakdown of one of my favorite books to recommend for songwriting coaching clients and also doing trying to do anything basically: The War of Art!!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

Book your free call with Anna!Today we're breaking down exactly HOW to confront those emotions you've been avoiding for forever. It's so much more peaceful on the other side, we promise! Anna Jordane walks us through:✨How to ACTUALLY heal✨Tips for not succumbing to your emotions and turning into a puddle✨The downfalls of the commodification of the wellness industry✨TELLTALE SIGNS you are AVOIDING your emotionsAnna's websiteFollow Anna on IGI love you for listening!! Remember to rate & review & share the show to spread the message of practical self-help and the power of music! #feelyourfeelings #emotionalhealing #selfhealing #selfhelp #selfhelppodcast #selfhelptips #emotionalgrowthSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

BUY THEIR NEW ALBUM GOOD SONGSI am beyond excited to share this conversation with you. Lewis B Rogers is a local legend in Bloomington, Indiana and one half of Busman's Holiday. We chat about:✨His origin story as a musician✨Why he began writing songs✨How songs come to him✨His songwriting ethos✨The best way to learn songwriting✨How he and his brother work together✨The new album and how his writing has evolvedThis episode is a TREASURE TROVE of advice for songwriters.... I can't wait to hear your favorite part, if you can pick one!Follow them on InstagramListen to the album on AppleListen to the album on SpotifyListen to the song on SpotifyFollow them on SpotifySupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

PRE-SAVE NOW - thank you thank you thank you!I break down my soon-to-be-released song "Don't Sweat (Don't Smile)" - a song I believe the world is just barely ready to hear... listen to the breakdown and let me know what you think! LYRICS:Don't sweat, don't smileKeep it all inside your mindDisappear into yourself You're fine, you're fineDon't jump, don't flyBirds don't want you in their skyJust give up before you try Goodbye, goodbyeStay low, stay dryKeep it on the ground this timeNever look at things that shineThey lie, they lieNo one showed youBut everyone said they told youProves that they don't know youThey try, they tryGet close, stay backEveryone tellin you just relaxThey wont kill you just because you're blackGet sick get wellevery one around you is going to hellThey dont hear those churches bellsOh well oh wellHe said I can't breatheWas down on his kneesWhat's it gonna take?How deep are these graves?They eat their cake then give us gunsAnd watch us fight over their crumbsThey don't know their day is doneThey don't know that we've already wonSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

Today we have a MIND & TIME EXPANDING chat with the amazing Caz Tanner, host of the Further Reaches podcast where she "explores how these individuals are pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, investigating the profound mysteries of human existence, and radically rethinking what it means for us to thrive as individuals and as a collective on earth." We chat about:✨What is Holotropic breathwork and what role does music play in psychedelic journeys in general?✨The difference between being present, mindfulness, and meditation ✨Different types of meditations✨The biggest LIE we're sold about meditation✨Tips for starting a meditation practice✨How music can help you heal yourself ✨HOW TO EXPAND TIMECaz's linksInstagramListen to Further Reacheson Apple on SpotifyWatch on YoutubeJohns Hopkins Psilosybin playlistSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

I am SO excited to bring you the 3rd in the Self-Help Songwriter podcast book summary series. I am breaking down my absolute favorite self-help book: A New Earth. It's so all-encompassing and profound and my semi-organized rant barely does it justice. Please read it yourself and then let me know what you loved the most!We talk about:the EGOhow to recognize the egothe 3 modalities of awakened doing! ... SO MANY TIPS & timeless advice .... My self-healers out there especially will love this episode. Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

Watch the homemade music video to the song we're breaking down right MEOW!!Today we're chatting with the amazing Mel Lathouras aka the Fearless Singer who is a singing and confidence coach as well as a Jazz (and other genres) singer based in Brisbane Australia. This episode will leave you inspired and empowered to go write your own mantra song so you can manifest the life you want using songwriting! This is basically a mini coaching sesh with Mel- I can't wait for you to listen! ✨common fears of singers & creatives & how to overcome them✨owning who you are✨surviving vs. thriving✨writing yourself into a new dimension!!✨reclaiming your sovereignty✨how to find your flow✨connecting and reconnecting with communityMel's LinksFearless Singer WebsiteArtist WebsiteCoursesFREE CourseYoutubeInstagram Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

In today's solo episode, I break down how to be your own friend, why it's CRUCIAL in life, but *especially* when you're on a self-help journey and/or songwriting journey.  Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

I am SO excited to share the first episode in a new series on the Self-Help Songwriter Podcast where we interview a 'self-help' expert about music and self-help. Today we have the incredible Vienda Maria, my mentor and friend. She is a big part of the reason that this podcast exists! We talk about:✨Her relationship with music✨The first CD she ever bought✨The relationship between her joy and her singing practice✨Exactly how journaling changed her life✨The limits of self-help✨Surrender vs. choiceVienda's linksWebsiteSubstackSolo PodcastDuo PodcastFREE Course - pause & pivotAnother free course! - find your purposeOther courses - I have taken & recommend them all highly!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

As a songwriter, it's easy to fall into the trap of writing sad or melancholic songs. After all, it's often said that the best art comes from pain, and there's certainly a lot of truth to that. But as someone who focuses on self-help and positivity, joy and growth, I believe that there's just as much value in writing happy songs. Not more not less, EQUAL. First of all, it's important to understand why we're wired to focus on negative emotions. Our brains are designed to scan the environment for potential threats, and negative emotions like fear and anger are powerful signals that something is wrong. This is known as our negativity bias, and it means that we're more likely to remember negative experiences and emotions than positive ones.But this bias can be problematic, especially if we're trying to cultivate a positive mindset. If we're constantly focusing on negative emotions, it can be difficult to see the good in the world and in ourselves. That's why writing happy songs is so important – it helps to counterbalance our natural negativity bias and shift our focus to the positive.So how can you write happy songs? Listen to hear 5 tips and 10 HAPPY songwriting prompts to get you writing happy songs TODAY!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

I recently had the pleasure of reading "Super Attractor" by Gabrielle Bernstein and let me tell you, it was a game changer. This book is all about tapping into the power of manifestation and creating the life of your dreams. But it's not just about visualizing your ideal life and waiting for it to magically appear, it's about taking action and doing the work to align yourself with the universe and attract all the good things you desire.In this episode I share with you some of my favorite bits that you can use in your self-help AND songwriting journey immediately! Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

There's this idea out there that "you either got it or you don't" when it comes to songwriting. I talk about what I think about that in this episode:) This is a great intro to songwriting episode too if you're looking to get started or looking to get re-inspired. YOU CAN DO IT!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

Today we have full-hearted California songwriter Egalitarian Steve. We have such a fun and inspired conversation as he breaks down his gorgeous (seriously gooorgeous) new song ARMPIT. This episode - and Steve in general - is like a warm hug! So grab some hydration and settle in, as we discuss everything from:✨The Kibitz room - the charms (the staff) and toils (the crowd) of playing at such a legendary bar✨His favorite way to gig (ain't it the truth!)✨How the musical landscape has changed to more individuality ✨The reality of making it work as a musician in 2023 ✨Social commentary on California, the good bad & beautiful✨How the Saturn return can invoke ennui✨The two types of dreamersSteve's LinksApple MusicSpotifyInstagramSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

Lucky Girl Syndrome? How about CONSCIOUSLY LUCKY WOMAN?!Welcome to 2023 Self-Help Songwriter season, I'm kicking things off with a new series!! Breaking down what I learn from the Self-Help books I'm reading and/or listening to. "Conscious Luck" by Gay Hendricks and Carol Kline lays out "8 secrets to intentionally change your fortune." They are:Commit to being a VLP (very lucky person)Release your personal barriers Become a magnet for abundance Have luck worthy goalsTake consistent, bold action.Find your lucky tribeLearn the right place and the right time. Practice radical gratitudeLET'S DISCUSS!!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

PRESAVE MUSTARD SEEDRelease date: January 11, 2023Today we break down my upcoming single release MUSTARD SEED!! I LOVE this song and the feeling I had when I wrote it.  ENJOY this breakdown, loves! As always, let me know what resonates most with you. LYRICS:Everyone starts out the same Little cell of DNAThen we're born and we feel painStart lookin for who's to blameWhere am I supposed to go? Who am I supposed to be?Just start where you are with a mustard seedWe're all made of stars I heardBut we can only breathe on earthWhen you're spinning round the sunDon't forget to have some funThere's no where else to goThere's no one else to be Just start where you are with a mustard seedbridge/You don't have to feelWhat you think is realIt's your hand to dealAnd if you change then so will I Just relax and you might find thatI was right the pain is goneNow I'm right where I belongEverything is infiniteAnd we're all a part of itThere's nothin else to knowThere's nothing else to feelJust start where you are with a mustard seedInspired by Oprah and Gabby Bernstein, this is about the parable of the mustard seed. Grab your Playlist Power Hour PDF (FREE December only, then 11euros) and create all of the playlists you need for your wedding day!! #2023bride vibes! Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

In today's solo episode, I break down my NEW and temporarily free (December 2022 only) PLAYLIST POWER HOUR PDF so that you know exactly what you need (according to me) music-wise if you're doing the music yourself! Perfect for wedding planning on a budget! If it's still December, click here to download your free mini-workbook "Playlist Power Hour"!LOVE YOU FOR LISTENING!! Send this to someone you know who is getting married and loves music! Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

This one's a quickie!! Short but practical... now get to work and send me your playlist!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

In this interview episode of the Self-Help Songwriter podcast, we're joined by local Los Angeles legend, singer-songwriter Billy Kent!We talk about:How music for him went from fun to healing His artistic arcWhat Van Gogh means to himDOES he believe in love?How music saved his lifeBilly's LinksWebsiteInstagramSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

This is a very special episode in loving memory of George Bois who passed away November 5, 2022. He was a cherished member of our music community family in Stockholm who brought sunshine and enthusiasm and silliness everywhere he went so I wanted to talk about him today and give you some ideas for how YOU can be more like George and celebrate every single day of your life!5 ways to be more like George Read your friends poetry over the phoneAttend as many concerts as possibleDance at every opportunitySing a lot! Even if you can't sing and it's inappropriate to the situationNever take anything, especially yourself, too seriously. Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookWork with meSongwriting coachingCelebration Songs Free ResourcesCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!

Today I finally break down what I think is the first song I ever wrote!I discuss:✨How I began writing songs✨My songwriting philosophy✨What you MUST consider when beginning your songwriting journey✨and SO much more! Listen to I'm a fool on SpotifyMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotify & other SpotifyFacebookCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!Songwriting coaching Celebration Songs Support the show

Poison out of a snakebite! Calm down people. Who else is obsessed with her new album Midnights? It's so well-written!In this solo episode, we listen to a clip of Taylor Swift on Jimmy Fallon's show last week and then I break down how we can use this wisdom in our own lives and songwriting process!We talk about how-the experience of creating is AS important as the result- "Art and suffering don't have to be holding hands" -TS- Songwriting allows us to choose meaningsand a few more things:))LINK TO THE FULL INTERVIEW My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookCome to my next free monthly Zoom concert!Get my Free songwriting Worksheet!Get songwriting coaching from me!Have me write a personalized song for you or a loved one!Support the show

Today we have the Irish singer-songwriter Caoimhe Byrne! We break down her gorgeously sad song “Do Not Revive” and we discuss:✨The difference between her “before” songs and her “pandemic” songs✨Her solitary songwriting process✨The way this song snuck up on her✨Where creativity lives inside of us✨The importance of independent music!✨How it feels to have someone cover your song ✨Creative interpretation in generalCaoimhe's linksInstagramiTunesSpotifyFacebookSoundcloudMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotify & my newer Spotify FacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Support the show

Check out this article which says:"On September 29, Iran arrested Shervin Hajipour after the release of “For…”, a song inspired by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman detained for “inappropriate attire” on Sept. 13, 2022. Her death three days later sparked nationwide protests for weeks. The lyrics of “Baraye”—or “For…” or “Because of…” in Persian—were pulled from phases used in Twitter posts about Amini and the public outcry. Hajipour's song on Instagram quickly went viral with 40 million views in two days. It became the anthem, or soundtrack of the protests, sung by defiant schoolgirls, blared on car radios, and picked up by sympathy protestors in foreign capitals."Today, we read and break down the lyrics to BARAYE ("For Freedom").Listen to the song on SpotifyFollow Shervin on SpotifyCOME TO THE JOY ACTIVATION on October 13My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Support the show

In this solo episode I implore you to patronize your local live music scene! It is group THERAPY.  Potentially. Let me know where you go this week!!ENJOY!! LOVE YOU!!Join the next FREE LIVE ZOOM CONCERT!!!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Support the show

Enjoy my conversation with Nashville legend Kent Blazy as we discuss:The evolution of country musicHis 40 years in NashvilleHow Bob Dylan influenced him and basically everyoneHis recording philosophyREALNESS and the role of music in societyand SO MUCH more!Kent's WebsiteListen to Kent on Spotify My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Support the show

We're BACK with a solo episode!! Today I have a super special insider peek at last month's zoom concert! Songs Played1. If I'm Alive2. Butterflies by Kacey Musgraves 3. I'm a Fool4. Mustard Seed5. Inhale ExhaleENJOY!! LOVE YOU!!Join the next FREE LIVE ZOOM CONCERT!!! My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Support the show

This episode is all about the necessity of CELEBRATION. Songs are so intricately connected to human celebrations, but what function do they serve?Let me know what you took away from this episode in a review and 5 star rating- thankyouu!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Book a song session!Support the show

Today it's extra short and extra sweet- I'm reading my favorite poem called "My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is" by Sir Edward Dyer. This is an energetic transmission that will make you feel P O W E R F U L. Let me know what you took away from this episode in a review and 5 star rating- thankyouu!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Book a song session!Support the show

Mistakes are badges of HONOR.  If you're doing everything perfectly then you're not challenging yourself. That's so boring! What is the point of that? You're not doing anyone any favors by playing small.  Every time you're brave, you lift us all up! In this episode I talk about my most recent free zoom concert and my reflections around performing. If you need a creative pep talk, this episode is for you!Let me know what you took away from this episode in a review and 5 star rating- thankyouu!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Book a song session!Support the showSupport the show

In this episode I break down my newly released single ME & MINE!!Listen to the song on Spotify!It's all about high vibe freedom and happiness you can give to yourself. Let me know what you took away from this episode in a review and 5 star rating- thankyouu!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next Song Circle on May 8!Book a song session!Support the show

"Boundaries are important, yes, but once love is at a certain level, boundaries become mere tools of the ego." - Hanna Francis (ME!)In this super vulnerable episode, I share about how I'm allowing a current difficult situation to soften me... although it's difficult. ✨What to do when life breaks you open✨How to turn sadness into gratitude✨The potential problem with boundariesMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next Song Circle on May 8!Book a song session!Support the show

"Music is such a beautiful medium to bridge different dimensions and it makes me so aware that my human perception is so limited because music is just from another world it seems" - Nida KiraThis is a super special episode because I got one of the fantastic women from the Blooming Soul Sister Song Circle to come on and break down the's song when the topic was BLOOMING. Nida Kira is a wellness and style mentor with a background in psychology who I worked with and had a massive inner transformation that is totally reflected in my closet. We have a super deep conversation about music and blooming your soul. We talk about :✨How to feel aligned.✨The positive feedback loop in life (& how to create it!). ✨How music is just a translation of vibration. ✨The importance of acceptance and self-compassion.✨How a circle song is basically magic.✨The one thing that solves every desperate problem.Nida's Links:WebsiteInstagram My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next Song Circle on May 8! Book a song session!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

"Disappointment is sadness in denial" Last week a circle of women came together in my Blooming Soul Sister Circle to hash out the topic of disappointment, and now I have a lot of things to say! Not only did I learn so much from shared wisdom of the women in the circle, but they also inspired me to knew levels of my own understanding as well. I hope you find benefit in them, because this is a tough topic.  So, strap in!In this episode we discuss:✨What disappointment ACTUALLY is.✨What the experience of disappointment can mean to us✨The reasons we get stuck in disappointment✨The answer! How to release yourself from the disappointing experiences you've had in the past. I got you! My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

As I taught in my recent Song Workshop, we live life in songs. It's just like how we perceive everything as a story… humans are natural storytellers and I believe we are all natural songwriters too. The patterns of a song can parallel and reflect the patterns of life. Here are my top 4 tips + tools for heartful songwriting…✨Rhymezone - start with one good line ✨Journaling - anything to tune into you & get honest✨Other songs - anything to get inspiration & vibes✨Tarot Cards - anything to stimulate your intuitionMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Come to the Song CircleSupport the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

"It doesn't make you weaker to trust your fate when you're in the dark." - ME. YES I said that. I sang it too. Today I break down my Heartbreak Song for y'all. Last week we spoke about songwriting as self-help and this song is probably my first best example of that. In this episode I talk about:✨The gifts on unrequited love. ✨The structure I normally follow in songwriting. ✨The structure that seems to appear when songs just FLOW.✨The specific reason that I still have a hard time trusting the universe (super vulnerability time!) ✨How songs can make anything okay.  Come to the Songwriting Workshop on April 4th! Learn how to use songwriting as your own personal tool for emotional resolution. My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Come to the Songwriting Workshop!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

“I think songwriting is the ultimate form of being able to make anything that happens in your life productive.” - Taylor SwiftI AGREE- let's talk about why!In this episode I talk about:✨the emotional experience of songwriting✨why music is so special as an art form✨the effect on others of you having written a songCome to the Songwriting Workshop on April 4th! (If you love songs, you're a songwriter!)My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Come to the Songwriting Workshop!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

Come to the Songwriting Workshop!Hello and welcome to the self-help songwriter podcast, a place for self-healers and music lovers! I'm Hanna Francis, a singer-songwriter who is obsessed with self-help (thanks, anxiety!) and is certain that the answers to life's big questions lie within each of us and on this podcast we search for these answers by analyzing songs with the people who wrote them.Today we have Edith Lundahl on the podcast breaking down her gorgeous and heart-breaking song FOR LOVE. We talk about:✨Her songwriting process that is social and collaborative, unlike mine.✨How humans can hold opposite emotions at once and how beautiful that is!✨The inherent strength in showing weakness. ✨The difference between performing as a musician and performing as a songwriter.Edith's BandsHillfillies Echoes and Rhymes on InstagramMy Hat! (info tbd)Or say very nice things in a message on Facebook!For Love on SpotifyMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Come to the Songwriting Workshop!Image of Edith by Markus AdlerSupport the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

Hello and welcome to the self-help songwriter podcast, a place for self-healers and music lovers! I'm Hanna Francis, a singer-songwriter who is obsessed with self-help (thanks, anxiety!) and is certain that the answers to life's big questions lie within each of us and on this podcast we search for these answers by analyzing songs - sometimes with the people who wrote them and sometimes it's just you and me, baby. This week I go deeper into my Blooming Soul Ethos and how it begins with:✨

Hello and welcome to the self-help songwriter podcast, a place for self-healers and music lovers! I'm Hanna Francis, a singer-songwriter who is obsessed with self-help (thanks, anxiety!) and is certain that the answers to life's big questions lie within each of us and on this podcast we search for these answers by analyzing songs - sometimes with the people who wrote them and sometimes it's just you and me, baby.  This week I'm breaking down the foundations of my Blooming Soul Songwriting process:

Today I have a very special episode for you! I break down the song I wrote for the Blooming Soul Sister Song Circle this week, so it's SUPER FRESH. This episode and this song invite you to reflect on your highest vision of love. What that is now and perhaps even how that has evolved since you were a kid. A lot of us were lacking a healthy relationship model when we were growing up and that skewed not only our experience of relationships, but even our own self-concept! AHH!! Let's attempt to solve all of that in this song.  If you'd like to be a part of the next circle (the limit is only 5 women), go to my website. My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

Best of Episode!! Enjoy clips from every episode from the first two seasons of the Self-Help Songwriter Podcast!! Featuring these unbelievably talented and KIND and philosophical songwriters:✨Tobias Robertson✨YenTing Lo✨Stephen Rappaport✨Maria Lindström✨Allen Finney✨Leah Harris✨Robert Hill✨Fanny Holm✨Galia Arad✨Jonathan Segel Love you for listening! Send to a friend who has good taste in music and/or podcasts! Please rate 5 stars and write a review to support the show- why not!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Join the Song Circle!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

Today's episode is a solo episode- as I like to do once per season. I'm breaking down my new song Inhale Exhale. In this episode I talk about:✨Updates on my self-help journey.✨How forgiveness is necessary for happiness.✨How we all just need a pep talk sometimes.✨How to use breathing as your anchor into the present. ✨How optimism is a decision and an action.✨Some helpful holiday reminders during these dark days!Love you for listening! Please rate 5 stars and write a review to support the show- why not! My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

"The whole idea of doing this record was: it's unnecessary. It's unnecessary for me to do it, but I do it anyway. It's unnecessary for me to be a musician, but I sorta feel like that's all that's interesting about being alive is what's superfluous." - Jonathan SegelToday we have Jonathan Segel on the show! He's known both for his improvisational electronic or avant-garde solo projects as well as being a member of the rock group Camper Van Beethoven.  In this episode, he not only breaks down the song but also the entire concept behind his Superfluity album. Get ready to get your mind blown. If you like meta-stuff, this will be right up your alley.We talk about SO much, including:✨How many drummers play on this song- it's more than one.✨How the universe is indifferent to our existence.✨The philosophical underpinnings of the record and this song's place in it. ✨His suspicion about all the dystopian entertainment out there. ✨He reads us the Dorothy Parker Poem Resume.✨The effect he hopes this album and song has on its listeners. Jonathan's Links:Superflity Album on BandcampBandcampWebsiteMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

Today we have Galia Arad on the show - she's just the coolest, she's a super talented and successful songwriter. We met in Dublin, where she's based,  in 2019, but we're actually from the same hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. So, our meeting was FATED. We had such a fun time catching up and we get into all the things, including:✨How she's been opening for Jools Holland for ten years. ✨Her idea of true success.✨The one element of a show that when it's off will make her panic every time. ✨How to not take an audience reaction personally. ✨How breaking up during a pandemic is not ideal emotionally but great for learning a new skill.✨How to be your own friend.✨How songwriters open their wounds when playing old songs OR are they processing their emotions in a healthy way? Maybe it's good to stew in your own shit?And more stuff like that! If you enjoyed this podcast, leave it a 5 star rating and write a review to let me know what you like about it- that would make me SO happy! And send it to a friend who's into songwriting or self-help!Galia's Links:WebsitePodcastSpotifyTwitterMy Link's:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Support the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

Today we have Fanny Holm on the show, her music is inspired by Americana and roots music, with a touch of Swedish melancholy…and she's also known for her Lucinda Williams tribute shows, which are always so good and so fun. I've known Fanny for years from the Stockholm music scene, and for this episode I invited her over for a meal and wine and we had a chat like we do about music. I just want to give a trigger warning for bullying, which this song is about. She is super open with us and we talk about so much, including:✨Her balloon metaphor for how songs come to her.✨Her traumatic childhood experiences with bullying.✨How punk rock saved her as a teenager. ✨How childhood wounds can take a long time to heal. ✨How there is power in anger. ✨The tiger in the bushes and how anxiety is what helped humans survive. And SO MUCH MORE!If you enjoyed this podcast, leave it a 5 star rating and write a review to let me know what you like about it- that would make me SO happy! And send it to a friend who's into songwriting or self-help!Fanny's Links:SpotifyFacebookYoutubeInstagramMy Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookBook a song session!Photo of Fanny by Fredric DahlgrenSupport the show (http://www.paypal.me/hannafrancis)

“That's what words are, they create a perspective. You can rearrange the words and make anything beautiful.” - Robert HillHello and welcome to the self-help songwriter podcast! I'm Hanna Francis, a singer-songwriter who is obsessed with self-help (thanks, anxiety!) and is certain that the answers to life's big questions lie within each of us and on this podcast we search for these answers by analyzing songs with the people who wrote them. In each episode we invite a songwriter to share an original song. Then, we will break it down together, line by line, and extract the maximum meaning from it. We'll learn how different songwriters translate their life experience or personal philosophies into music. Today we have Robert Hill on the show, my soul-brother and fellow Folklore Center loiterer. Robert writes and sings in the American folk tradition, mixing more traditional fingerpicking root styles with his own brand of Scandinavian psychedelia. In this episode we talk about:✨How he used to write several songs per day (??!!).✨How his current process takes MUCH longer and invites in the subconscious. ✨How Bob Dylan seems like a grumpy genius. ✨This song is his version of “People Are Strange” by the Doors. ✨How there's beauty in everything.✨How destructive tendencies can ultimately act as creative forces. ✨How your perspective is sometimes the only thing you can change.And SO MUCH MORE!Make sure to leave a 5 star rating and review to let us know what you think while helping spread the show!Robert's Links:YoutubeSpotifyFacebookMy Link's:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookStuff we mentioned:The Great Kenny Rogers songVisions of JohannaPhoto of Robert by Ken AnderssonSupport the show