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PODCAST

Nathans & Roncast

Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt

Each episode of the Nathans & Roncast features a deep dive into a single song. Hosted by Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt, this podcast includes conversations with the artists, as well as subject matter experts about the real-life stories behind story songs you know and love.

music music commentary

All Episodes

00:07:25

Songwriting critique groups aren't just about the song

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/06

Aaron discusses what it was it was like to be a young songwriter at the Madison Songwriters Group 20 years ago, and how that experience informs his work co-leading the Philly Songwriters Circle. A song critique is a both a musical and social experience. We make good friends there. We learn about new acts. Collaborations are born over wine in the kitchen. It is also a democratic experience. This is not a performance. The better your song, the more finished it is, the less

en-US

00:07:25

Songwriting critique groups aren't just about the song

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/03/06

Aaron discusses what it was it was like to be a young songwriter at the Madison Songwriters Group 20 years ago, and how that experience informs his work co-leading the Philly Songwriters Circle. A song critique is a both a musical and social experience. We make good friends there. We learn about new acts. Collaborations are born over wine in the kitchen. It is also a democratic experience. This is not a performance. The better your song, the more finished it is, the less

en-US

00:28:50

Serenity Fisher on writing music for the stage

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/27

Michael is on the road this week with Serenity Fisher, his partner in music and life. In this episode, Michael talks with Serenity about her work creating musicals. They include her indie play with music, “Sophie’s Dream,” which she wrote in collaboration with Robin O’Neal. The show was staged at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. She performs songs from the show in her band, Serenity Fisher and the Cardboard Hearts.

en-US

00:28:50

Serenity Fisher on writing music for the stage

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/27

Michael is on the road this week with Serenity Fisher, his partner in music and life. In this episode, Michael talks with Serenity about her work creating musicals. They include her indie play with music, “Sophie’s Dream,” which she wrote in collaboration with Robin O’Neal. The show was staged at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. She performs songs from the show in her band, Serenity Fisher and the Cardboard Hearts.

en-US

00:05:45

The Bob Dylan movie: Why it's so hard to capture...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/22

We’re betting that if you love songwriting like we do, you’ve probably seen the Bob Dylan movie, “A Complete Unknown.” Aaron went out and saw it on Christmas Day, the first day it was open. And he really liked it, especially the acting, the music, and watching all those historical moments unfold right before his eyes. But there’s one thing about this movie that bugged him. Because no matter how many filmmakers try and capture the process of songwriting, it’s a nearly impossible

en-US

00:05:45

The Bob Dylan movie: Why it's so hard to capture...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/22

We’re betting that if you love songwriting like we do, you’ve probably seen the Bob Dylan movie, “A Complete Unknown.” Aaron went out and saw it on Christmas Day, the first day it was open. And he really liked it, especially the acting, the music, and watching all those historical moments unfold right before his eyes. But there’s one thing about this movie that bugged him. Because no matter how many filmmakers try and capture the process of songwriting, it’s a nearly impossible

en-US

00:11:30

When Linda Ronstadt covered Tish Hinojosa

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/13

In 1993, Linda Ronstadt included the song “Adónde voy” on her album “Winter Light.” It was a cover of the original by Tish Hinojosa, and in this episode, Tish tells us the story behind that experience. She was there in the studio when Linda recorded the song. Of course, Tish has long been a friend of the Ronstadt family. We include Tish’s version of the song in its entirety. You can hear Linda’s version on YouTube. And speaking of family relations, in this bonus episode we also

en-US

00:11:30

When Linda Ronstadt covered Tish Hinojosa

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/13

In 1993, Linda Ronstadt included the song “Adónde voy” on her album “Winter Light.” It was a cover of the original by Tish Hinojosa, and in this episode, Tish tells us the story behind that experience. She was there in the studio when Linda recorded the song. Of course, Tish has long been a friend of the Ronstadt family. We include Tish’s version of the song in its entirety. You can hear Linda’s version on YouTube. And speaking of family relations, in this bonus episode we also

en-US

00:24:59

"Canto De La Montaña": Tish Hinojosa's fantasy on a...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/06

In the second half of our conversation with Tish Hinojosa, we speak with her about her time living in Germany, then returning to Texas and having to reestablish her musical connections. She talks about her songs, including what inspired “Colton’s Perfect Heart,” a song about a heart transplant. And we feature “Canto De La Montaña (Song Of The Mountain),” a Spanish-language song inspired by local Spanish radio she heard while she was driving around. It’s a fantasy love song about

en-US

00:24:59

"Canto De La Montaña": Tish Hinojosa's fantasy on a...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/02/06

In the second half of our conversation with Tish Hinojosa, we speak with her about her time living in Germany, then returning to Texas and having to reestablish her musical connections. She talks about her songs, including what inspired “Colton’s Perfect Heart,” a song about a heart transplant. And we feature “Canto De La Montaña (Song Of The Mountain),” a Spanish-language song inspired by local Spanish radio she heard while she was driving around. It’s a fantasy love song about

en-US

00:31:33

How Tish Hinojosa became a songwriter

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/29

Singer-Songwriter Leticia “Tish” Hinojosa is our guest this week. We have a lot in common, namely bringing our heritage into our music and stage shows. Tish was born on December 6, 1955 in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican immigrant parents, growing up with Mexican music playing in the kitchen. She released 16 albums between 1987 and 2024, in English and Spanish and in a variety of genres, including her most recent album, “A Guitar and a Pen.” In our interview, she talks about

en-US

00:31:33

How Tish Hinojosa became a songwriter

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/29

Singer-Songwriter Leticia “Tish” Hinojosa is our guest this week. We have a lot in common, namely bringing our heritage into our music and stage shows. Tish was born on December 6, 1955 in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican immigrant parents, growing up with Mexican music playing in the kitchen. She released 16 albums between 1987 and 2024, in English and Spanish and in a variety of genres, including her most recent album, “A Guitar and a Pen.” In our interview, she talks about

en-US

00:11:22

How can a song this unsettling be this beautiful?

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/16

Michael shines a light into the darkness, examining songs in which the characters make foolish choices, amid the backdrop of beautiful music. The incongruity, he says, can make for incredibly effective songs. He talks about two songs to make his point: Tom Petty’s jangly “To Find a Friend” off of his legendary “Wildflowers” album; and the acoustic trio Barnaby Bright‘s gorgeous murder ballad “Castle Rock.” You might not even know these songs are cautionary tales if you drift off

en-US

00:11:22

How can a song this unsettling be this beautiful?

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/16

Michael shines a light into the darkness, examining songs in which the characters make foolish choices, amid the backdrop of beautiful music. The incongruity, he says, can make for incredibly effective songs. He talks about two songs to make his point: Tom Petty’s jangly “To Find a Friend” off of his legendary “Wildflowers” album; and the acoustic trio Barnaby Bright‘s gorgeous murder ballad “Castle Rock.” You might not even know these songs are cautionary tales if you drift off

en-US

00:21:05

"Prison Bible": John Flynn on prisoners' journey of...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/08

This is the second half of our interview with our friend, the great John Flynn. In this episode, we take a deep dive into his song “Prison Bible.” He talks about the meaning he derives from spending time with people who are, or who have been, in prison. We talk about how a prison bible functions as more than a book; how time in prison can serve as a period of self reflection and self discovery; and how prisoners can be really good listeners. We were surprised to hear John say

en-US

00:21:05

"Prison Bible": John Flynn on prisoners' journey of...

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/08

This is the second half of our interview with our friend, the great John Flynn. In this episode, we take a deep dive into his song “Prison Bible.” He talks about the meaning he derives from spending time with people who are, or who have been, in prison. We talk about how a prison bible functions as more than a book; how time in prison can serve as a period of self reflection and self discovery; and how prisoners can be really good listeners. We were surprised to hear John say

en-US

00:21:54

John Flynn: A new year, New Beginnings

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/01

On today’s episode, we interview the great John Flynn. He’s a folk songwriter who sings about social justice, and then walks the walk. He’s worked against the death penalty, and In 2017, Flynn founded New Beginnings – Next Step, Incorporated. It’s a non-profit dedicated to helping incarcerated and returning citizens successfully transition to freedom. John laughed when Aaron said he has the voice of G-d, but if the big guy had a voice, it would probably sound a lot like John

en-US

00:21:54

John Flynn: A new year, New Beginnings

Nathans & Roncast ·

2025/01/01

On today’s episode, we interview the great John Flynn. He’s a folk songwriter who sings about social justice, and then walks the walk. He’s worked against the death penalty, and In 2017, Flynn founded New Beginnings – Next Step, Incorporated. It’s a non-profit dedicated to helping incarcerated and returning citizens successfully transition to freedom. John laughed when Aaron said he has the voice of G-d, but if the big guy had a voice, it would probably sound a lot like John

en-US

00:06:01

Why 'Hey Jude' is a song for the season

Nathans & Roncast ·

2024/12/18

Aaron didn’t think much of “Hey Jude” when he first heard it, but in this episode of the Nathans & Roncast, he looks at why this 56-year-old song is so relevant right now. His first impression of Paul McCartney’s masterwork was that it was… mushy. But something about this song has given it wings. The Beatles had a tremendous amount of top-shelf content, but Rolling Stone called this the seventh-best song in the Beatles’ catalog. At seven minutes and 11 seconds, it’s really

en-US

00:06:01

Why 'Hey Jude' is a song for the season

Nathans & Roncast ·

2024/12/18

Aaron didn’t think much of “Hey Jude” when he first heard it, but in this episode of the Nathans & Roncast, he looks at why this 56-year-old song is so relevant right now. His first impression of Paul McCartney’s masterwork was that it was… mushy. But something about this song has given it wings. The Beatles had a tremendous amount of top-shelf content, but Rolling Stone called this the seventh-best song in the Beatles’ catalog. At seven minutes and 11 seconds, it’s really

en-US

157 results

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