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PODCAST

The Real MP3s

Hayley St. John

They say never meet your heroes. I disagree! The Real MP3s gets into the real stuff: The off-mic memories, the backstage laughs, surprise acts of kindness, and those unforgettable “you had to be there” moments with the artists who shaped your soundtrack.Hosted by Hayley St. John.

music music commentary

All Episodes

29:04

Free Stuff Has Consequences?

The Real MP3s ·

2026/02/11

Free stuff sounds great… until you’re offered a dragon tattoo, paid in chicken wings you didn’t ask for, and accidentally taken out by a THC cookie. In this episode, I talk about the weird, random, and sometimes questionable “perks” that come with my job... including things I’m very glad I said no to. Consider this a reminder that just because something’s free doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

en

30:05

Alex Weeden & The Room Full of Legends

The Real MP3s ·

2026/02/04

This week’s guest: Alex WeedenAlex is one of those musicians who makes you realize just how small (and wild) the music world really is. We go way back decades, from his early days playing for Miranda Lambert to now touring massive arenas with Parker McCollum. We swap memories, embarrassing nicknames, and stories that casually include Dave Grohl being cool, an awkward moment in front of Reese Witherspoon, and an unreal Paul McCartney encounter. This episode is a full-circle moment.

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24:03

I Should’ve Knocked on Wood

The Real MP3s ·

2026/01/28

In this episode, I talk about two artists I’d love to sit down with for very different reasons. What I didn’t know while recording was that one of those wishes was about to come true. This is your reminder to knock on wood before you say anything out loud.

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23:46

Lee Jennings & The Slow Burn Success

The Real MP3s ·

2026/01/21

This episode is a reminder that doing the work and being a good person still matters. I talk about my conversation with Lee Jennings from The Funeral Portrait... someone who truly embodies patience, hustle, and heart. We covered everything from music influences to Buc-ee’s, and it turned into one of those conversations that sticks with you.

en

24:58

No, I Don't Have Free Tickets, Pt. II

The Real MP3s ·

2026/01/14

Apparently “working in radio” means I personally control all concert tickets… again. In Part 2, I dive into the unhinged requests and awkward messages I get asking for free tickets. I didn’t plan on getting this fired up, but here we are. Consider this a public service announcement.

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28:00

Start The Damn Podcast

The Real MP3s ·

2026/01/07

I’ve been thinking a lot about how many people say “I want to start a podcast”… and then never do. In this episode, I talk about why I finally started The Real MP3s, how it came together, and the insecurities I still battle every time I hit publish. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this might be it. Start the damn podcast.

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23:22

Concerts That Owned Me in 2025, Pt. II

The Real MP3s ·

2025/12/31

If Part 1 was about nostalgia, Part 2 is about whiplash... in the best possible way. One of these shows made me feel everything at once, and the others made me question my hearing (worth it). New year, same obsession.

en

17:45

Concerts That Owned Me in 2025, Pt. I

The Real MP3s ·

2025/12/24

I wasn’t planning on releasing an episode this week, but once I started thinking about the concerts that defined my 2025, I couldn’t stop. In part one of my Top 5 concerts of the year, I’m talking about wildly different shows that all left a mark, from intimate, emotional moments to full-blown legendary performances. Merry Christmas!!

en

23:03

Andrew McMahon & The Accidental Backstage Pass

The Real MP3s ·

2025/12/17

A solo night seeing Andrew McMahon turned unexpectedly magical. After signing every petition available (including the sea turtles... you’re welcome, ocean) and making a few donations, I somehow landed backstage with another passionate fan. The perfect follow-up to last week’s listener story.

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10:55

Listener Stories: Andrew McMahon & The Darker Shade...

The Real MP3s ·

2025/12/10

This week, I’m sharing a listener’s powerful story about how Jack’s Mannequin helped pull her out of depression, and the full-circle moment she had when she finally met Andrew McMahon. She even sent in a poem she wrote. It’s raw, honest, and pretty freakin' beautiful.

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25:00

Wes Scantlin & Whatever The F*** Song That Was

The Real MP3s ·

2025/12/03

This interview with Wes Scantlin lives rent-free in my brain… mostly because nothing went right. He spent ten minutes trying to remember a song, didn’t know what year Come Clean came out, and a dog barked the entire time. Let’s relive it, shall we?

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23:35

You Guys > Y'all

The Real MP3s ·

2025/11/26

Midwestern Thanksgiving vs. Southern Thanksgiving: who wins? I'm diving into the foods, the culture shocks, the family traditions, and the hotdish crash course… Fourteen years in Tennessee and the "you guys" streak continues.

en

26:39

Covid vs. Radio

The Real MP3s ·

2025/11/19

Remember that one in-studio interview with Seether, masked up and fully sanitized? Here's a peek of what it was like in the world of radio during Covid. No, you can't win concert tickets, but... here's a free pizza?

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27:15

There is Nothing More Embarrassing Than This...

The Real MP3s ·

2025/11/12

In this episode, I share a story I never thought would see the light of day. Let’s just say professionalism took a backseat at a music festival when I mixed up Nothing More and Whitechapel. I was ready for poetic lyrics… and got guttural screams instead. Oops.

en

20:14

No, I Will Not Give You a Shoutout.

The Real MP3s ·

2025/11/05

I’m not mad... I’m just burned. From awkward call-ins to questionable shoutout requests, I’m sharing the stories that prove radio is way weirder than it sounds. I'm keeping it real, and maybe a little petty.

en

23:30

Alice Cooper, Pt 2: 'Til Death Do Us Part

The Real MP3s ·

2025/10/29

Just in time for Halloween, I finally meet the king of shock rock himself, Alice Cooper. From his killer (literally) marriage advice to a surprise chokehold and my weird snake phobia, this one’s a graveyard smash.

en

16:25

Alice Cooper, Pt. 1: Shockingly Good Marriage Advice

The Real MP3s ·

2025/10/22

I was just looking for an interview moment… instead, I got marriage advice from Alice freakin’ Cooper. This Halloween, hear how he dropped some shockingly good love lessons and proved that even rock’s wildest legends have a soft spot.

en

23:01

Nashville, But Make It Haunted

The Real MP3s ·

2025/10/15

This isn’t a paranormal podcast...but it is October, and apparently, Nashville’s music scene has some unexpected “guests.” From historic venues to music offices with haunted reputations, these stories might make you leave the stage lights on.

en

19:13

The Best Concert I Never Asked For

The Real MP3s ·

2025/10/08

The best concert I’ve ever seen wasn’t on the calendar. My Halloween plans tanked, and suddenly I found myself at The Hives instead. What happened next? Let’s just say no show has ever topped it.

en

17:01

Ashley McBryde & The Tattooed Lady

The Real MP3s ·

2025/10/01

Some artists leave you with a photo. Ashley McBryde left me with a hair-pulling incident, a “tattooed lady” moment, and proof she’s as badass offstage as on.

en

38 results

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