Song & Story

War is always a defeat for humanity. On the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, singer-songwriter Kevin Heider takes us on a sonic trip through history as he reflects on the morality of nuclear war.

Pain is unavoidable in this life. For those who experience it more than others, is freedom possible? Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter, Count the Leaves, ponders this question in her hopeful tune "Elephant."

Some people leave lasting impressions. Why some stick with us while others fade remains a mystery. Singer-songwriter Chris Cole dives into the romance of it all in his song "Mercedes."

It's a beautiful thing when art goes to work for the common good, to keep the flame of our collective conscience burning. Jenny & Tyler's anthemic "Waters Roll" is powerful cry for justice.

Making the most of the time we’re given. Overcoming the fears that keep us from trying. Staying true to who we are. These themes are at the heart of Merlot Embargo’s infectious pop anthem "One Day."

Reflecting on our most formative experiences is an essential part of the growth process. Denison Witmer's "San Francisco" is a moving tribute to the passage of time and the places that remain in our memory long after we've left them.

In lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to have an honest conversation with Michael Vanderburgh (executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Dayton, Ohio) about the struggles of serving the homeless during a global health crisis.

Every relationship has highs and lows. Sometimes love feels like a dream — sometimes it's a storm. Sarah Kroger's beautiful song "I Choose You" lends an honest and hopeful voice to the ups, the downs, and the daily choices we make to stand in love.

Someday all we have known will come to an end. As sobering as this reality may be, it hasn't stamped out man's search for meaning or our desire to love and be loved. In the midst of all the uncertainty, Tyler Hook's "Let's Go" is an invitation to hope.

There’s a lot of hurt in this world. How do we navigate the pain and uncertainty wrought by the impermanence of all things? In this flipped episode, Marie Miller interviews our host, Kevin Heider, about his song “Down by the Sycamore Tree,” a moving narrative about grief and loss.

Upon the release of his new album "Ohio," Kevin Heider walks us through his journey into Springsteen's music. As the Heider family home video archives prove, the roots run deep. "Ohio" is available now on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and more.

Home is a place we sometimes have to leave to find. It's everything we long for. And it's worth fighting for. Marie Miller's boot-stomping anthem about returning to our "Homeland" is imbued with an infectious hope.

There are things in this world that we can’t control. Everyone experiences loss and insecurity. This is why we need each other. In their latest single "Tides," James & the Drifters showcase a cool indie new wave vibe to remind us that we all have so much love to give.

Some stories are told without words. In his original musical compositions, Jimmy Mitchell paints with pianos and strings to separate light from darkness, to tell the story of "The Battle" that rages around and within us all.

In this delightful introduction to season two, our host (singer-songwriter Kevin Heider) sits down with his daughter to discuss her love of music. It concludes with an acoustic in-studio performance of an unreleased song.

Artists evolve. They're always growing, changing, and challenging themselves creatively. As he learns to lament and let go, Wendell Kimbrough’s latest album (“Come to Me”) reflects the evolution of his artistry and his person.

We all get by with a little help from our friends. Sometimes their love is tender — sometimes it's tough. In his clever throwback tune "Two Ways To Be Worthless," Wendell Kimbrough playfully explores the tougher side of love.

Ike Ndolo’s latest album (“Shine”) is a unique experience from start to finish. He tells us a lot more about what went into it in this bonus episode. We also talk about live performance, evolving as artists, fan feedback, dancing, Ike’s quasi-fetish with beautiful hands, and more!

Life is a symphony. We all have a part to play. While questions of identity and purpose are universal to the human experience, the color of a person's skin is a formative detail. Ike Ndolo shares his story as a brother on the outside in "Your Table."

Death is the primordial fact of life. And yet, it seems easier sometimes for the dying to accept death than for the living to accept loss. In a moving homage to those who have passed, the women of Sister Sinjin say “Goodbye” in their own beautiful way.

Fresh air and clarity. We all need it, especially amid the pursuit of love. Uptown Boys Choir puts a delightfully self-deprecating spin on the classic love song in "Bury Me," an indie pop vitamin full of good vibrations.

It's amazing how memories unfold. In the blink of an eye, entire scenes and seasons of life re-play themselves in our minds. Jacqui Treco remembers with gratitude in "Genevieve," a moving tribute to unrepeatable love.

There's no place like home. But what does "home" even mean? That's the question at the heart of Dawson Hollow's triumphant indie-rock epic "Take Me There."

Love is a battlefield. When the fog of war starts to dissipate and the smoke rolls back, that’s when we begin to see more clearly. Scott Mulvahill ponders this part of love and relationships in "Fighting for the Wrong Side."

Our best bet in times of trouble is our relationships — our ability to serve and help others. Singer-songwriter Michelle Mandico appeals to empathy in her captivating "Water Bearer."

Some decisions alter the course of our lives in dramatic ways. And those decisions are often accompanied by an ache, a feeling of desperation: Should I go forward? Should I turn back? Should I start over? Mike Mangione gives the ache atmosphere in his riveting "At Your Gate."

We've all got cages that we long to escape from. We've all experienced the weight of worldly expectations, self-doubt, and seasons of discontent. Collaborative duo Year of the Buffalo takes us on a musical adventure in their song "Leo" to let us know that breaking free is possible.

There are places that stick with us, places we'll remember all our lives. Patrick Mahon's "Allegheny" takes us on a beautiful retreat to one such place in rural Pennsylvania. It's a song and a trip we won't soon forget.

Grief runs on its own clock. And everyone processes it differently. Shame, regret, and that endless barrage of what-if scenarios can make dealing with loss all the more difficult. Maria Price faces it all head-on in her beautiful, honest, and soulful "This Way."

An essential issue of our time is the relationship between men and their machines. When it comes to technology, are you in control? How free is your will? Derek Webb's "I Feel Everything" explores this terrain within the context of a nuanced and uniquely creative morality tale.

Everything gets questioned when a relationship ends. Decisions are second-guessed; movement and growth can seem impossible. Rebecca Roubion embraces the necessary sadness of it all in her heartbreakingly honest and beautiful song "Cripple Me."

It's easy to dwell on chaos and pain, to process the heavy things and lose hold of our joy. But David Wimbish has learned that sometimes we need to slow down, be present, and rest in the slow turn of the earth. Hope is the lens of his "Beautiful Life."

Making sense of our messes can be difficult. So Alanna Boudreau looks to the ephemerality of the seasons for hope. In our debut episode, we discuss this gifted songwriter's "Controlled Burn."

Song & Story officially launches on Tuesday, April 10th. This introductory episode explores songwriting, storytelling, music, and art, and offers insight into the inspiration and origin of this podcast.

This brief introduction provides all the necessary information for Song & Story's official launch date (April 10th), release schedule, and format without offering much else in terms of substance. For a much more interesting and comprehensive introduction, see: A Brief Introduction & A Piece of Maria.