Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds

Today’s guests are biologist and environmentalist, Dr. Roger Payne, and literary scholar and author, Jonathan Gottschall! This is our exciting final episode before we go on a hiatus to reflect on and pursue all the wonderful insights and ideas we’ve gained from a year of lightning bugs. This show's central topic has been creativity, and this episode is meant to highlight how art is what is most needed right now. On this episode, we talk about the impact of a good story, what it takes for art to create change, and how to bridge the divide while also being specific and poignant. We reflect on what works in the past have inspired change and how some modern “political” works could be adjusted to have more impact and speak to issues in an approach that everyone can digest and take to heart.

Today’s guest is biologist and environmentalist, Dr. Roger Payne. In 1970 Dr Payne recorded “Songs of the Humpback Whale” which stands as the best-selling environmental album in history. This album and it’s popularity crafted the “Save the Whales” movement which then led to the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment ten-year global moratorium on commercial whaling, which was observed by all but a few nations. On this episode we talk about what launched Roger’s passion for whales, how music has existed before humans, and trends within whales singing. We also talk about how creativity is the only way to reach the masses regarding the environment and climate change, and how the future looks very bleak without creative voices.

Today’s guest is pianist and composer Elena Kats-Chernin! Best known for her opera, Wild Swans, Elena also creates orchestral works, solo pieces, as well as music for various mediums from dance to film. You’ll recognize works such as Clocks, Book of Rags, and Orpheus/Odysseus/Poppea. On this episode we talk about focusing on what you will do today instead of what you did yesterday, snippets of old pieces becoming part of something new, and improvising live. We also talk about if tools influence the work, being a working composer, and not reading to save your eyesight. 

Today’s guest is astronaut and test pilot, Michael López-Alegría. Michael has completed three Space Shuttle missions and an International Space Station mission. He holds the record for highest number of spacewalks (also known as EVAs), as well as longest total duration of time in EVA. On this episode, we talk about the ways traveling to space changes your view of life, working with purpose, and the difference between a week-long mission and staying in space for half a year. We also talk about how it feels to wear a spacesuit, how ‘cold’ space really is, and how (in)accurate depictions of space in media are.

Today’s guest is musician, songwriter, and five-time Grammy winner, Keb’ Mo’. He’s a blues musician, having released songs such as Am I Wrong, Good To Be, and Will The Circle Be Unbroken. On this episode, we talk about making music during the pandemic, the different approaches when recording on tape, and how mistakes in music can feel more authentic. We also talk about bands being in time with each other, singing ahead of the beat, and the performance aspects lost when we know we can edit our audio after recording.

Today’s guest is Roy Cooper, the Governor of Ben’s home state of North Carolina. In office, Governor Cooper has placed focus on the arts and preserving art communities during the pandemic. In this episode they talk about the logistics of arts funding, how the arts grow small towns, and public versus private. Ben gives tribute to region that helped shape him, and asks how we can continue to support, preserve, and grow creative pursuits in all forms. 

Today’s guest is actor and singer, Nicholas Barasch. He's starred in the Broadway productions of She Loves Me and West Side Story. Nicholas is currently starring in the Broadway National Tour of Hadestown. On this episode, we talk about becoming a child actor, how to work through puberty and voice changes, and how rejections are the biggest part of an actor’s job. We also talk about how different venues change how you go about a performance, and how to read the room when what an audience engages with can change night to night.

Today’s guest is former U.S. Army General, and CEO and President of Americans for the Arts, Nolen Bivens. His work pushes for arts and arts education in the public and private sectors and emphasizes the importance that creativity has in every aspect in life. On this episode, we dive into talking about military artists, how the United States has always had a relationship with art, and how battles are like orchestras. We also talk about how supporting local artists communities creates positive impacts for towns, and how music is the universal language.

Today’s guest is singer, songwriter, and musician, Cassadee Pope. Cassadee was the lead singer of Hey Monday, and has had a successful solo career. After winning NBC’s “The Voice” in 2012, she’s continued to create hit songs and express her creativity. On this episode we talk about what makes good collaboration, how competition can be a healthy driving factor, and how experiences some may view as selling out can actively be the most creatively challenging. We also talk about the guilt of feeling like you need to be more productive and learning to cut your own vocals. 

Today’s guest is the founder of Kush Audio and Sly-Fi Digital, Gregory Scott. He’s worked to create countless plug-ins and interfaces to help creatives working in audio. He’s also the host of “Kush After Hours,” a program dedicated to teach mixing, mastering, and audio work in inventive and creative ways, giving deep insights to everyone that listens. On this episode, we talk about giving technicians applause, refining established ideas, and how music has become more focused on being technically perfect. We also talk about hearing through someone else’s ears, how to effectively compare two pieces of equipment, and how tools help leverage creativity. 

Today’s guest is stand-up comedian, actress, musician, activist, and author, Margaret Cho. You’ll recognize her from the sitcom she created and starred in,  All-American Girl, as well as various roles in media, being featured in ventures like, Face/Off, Drop Dead Diva, 30 Rock, and many, many more. Margaret is best known for her stand-up comedy routines, where she transforms the stage into a platform of comedic discourse, traversing across topics such as social issues, politics, race, sexuality, and more. On this episode we break down how every comedian has one essential truth that serves as a foundation to build on, the school of thought of improv, how the unexpected can be the most rewarding, and how our attention span serves as an important factor in both creating and consuming comedy. 

Today’s guest is Osteopath, 10-times World Champion in full-contact Filipino Stick-fighting, 8th Dan Black Belt in Filipino Martial Arts, Andrea Wheatly. Andrea is a fighter, inside and outside of the ring. She has been paralyzed four times over her career, relearning to walk in 2014. She is a testament to hard work, dedication, and passion, in every aspect of her career. In this episode we talk about how the pressure of a live performance can lead to better results, pushing with your mind when your body cannot, and learning to see the beauty in life even with hardship.

Today’s guest is Multi-Instrumentalist and Vocalist, Jacob Collier! You’ll recognize him from tracks such as “All I Need,” “The Sun In Your Eyes,” and “In Too Deep.” His music spans across several styles and genres as Jacob looks for new and interesting ways to create. On this episode we talk about how digital instruments have changed how we make music, how physical instruments can have the most impact, and how sometimes the best instrument is the one you can execute from idea to concept in the least amount of time. We also talk about how the piano only has so many notes and how to capture the creative spark and feed it into something larger. 

Today’s guest is actor, producer, writer, and podcaster, Rainn Wilson. You’ll recognize him as Dwight Schrute from NBC’s The Office, the digital media company he co-founded, SoulPancake, the Lidè Foundation with it’s goal to empower at-risk women and girls through the arts in rural Haiti, or from his podcast, Metaphysical Milkshake. On this episode we talk about improv vs. set structure, unique acting exercises, and what it really means to change the words on a page into a living character. We also talk about how entertainment is 1,000 choices a minute, pretending not to care as an artist, and the impact of a surprise. 

Today’s guest is musician, actor, and producer, Peter Frampton. You’ll recognize his work from music groups like: Humble Pie, The Herd, and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. You’ll also see him in movies like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Almost Famous. In this episode we talk about being a fan for someone else’s work and how an artist can be respectful when someone tells them they appreciate their work. We also talk about music versus lyrics, how temporary lyrics can still have impact, and the lasting impact of good lyrics. We also talk about approaching each project from a place of innocence, and how perspective can influence how you make art.  

Today’s guest is literary scholar, Research Fellow, Author, and Editor, Jonathan Gottschall! His latest book, The Story Paradox, highlights the influence of storytellers and how stories can be used for both good and bad purposes. His other work, The Storytelling Animal, shows how human beings are wired to consume stories. On this episode, we talk about how storytellers transport listeners to another state where they’re compliant, the limitations of contrarian jokes, how art is hidden in non-fiction work, if happiness and success are at odds with one another, and how often times the quality of a piece is determined by the hours put in and not raw talent. 

Today’s guest is actress, model, writer, and musician, Lindsey Kraft. You know her from The Shrink Next Door, Grace and Frankie, Getting On, Veep, and more! On this episode we dive into talking about going to a spiritual healer to help people transition from corporate to creative, changing between acting and playing piano, and looking for the truth to tell in songwriting. We also talk about approaching songs as a storyteller, creative ways to take inspiration from other artists, and getting the most out of collaboration. 

Today’s guest is mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, Chris Thile. You’ll know him from his work with the acoustic trio Nickel Creek, the bluegrass group, Punch Brothers, as well as his solo album, Laysongs, released this year. On this episode we talk about how the meaning of folk music changes with cultures, growing up in a musical household, showcasing both work that you worked hard on as well as work that is most authentically yourself. We also talk about what it means to be a weak agnostic, and a performance so good you forget it is an audition. 

Today’s guest is magician Penn Jillette! Half of the comedy magic duo, Penn & Teller, Penn is also a musician, actor, inventor, author, and more. You’ll know him from his years of magic, the hit television show: Fool Us, and his podcast Penn’s Sunday School. On this episode, we talk about creating an even playing field in magic, choosing something you know you won’t be the best at, and developing a trick over 10,000 performances. 

My guest this week is singer-songwriter Dodie. She started out by uploading original songs and covers to YouTube back in 2007, and now she's got almost 2 million YouTube subscribers, 3 EPs, and 1 full-length album. On this episode, we talk about creating a career using YouTube, the best recording session of Dodie’s life, and how a music career starting from YouTube varies compared to a more traditional route. We also dive into talking about constantly growing as an artist, and how to defy expectations, even when people just want you to play your hits.  

Today’s guest is Nick Hornby, best-selling author (High Fidelity, About A Boy, Fever Pitch), award-winning screenwriter (An Education, Wild, Brooklyn) and lyricist (Ben Folds' album, Lonely Avenue). On this episode, we talk about how children can be the most honest characters, how music and writing overlap, combating the urge to abandon an old idea for a new one, and finding out how to set a daily page goal for yourself. 

Join Ben and his special guest Dan Wilson (writer of Not Ready To Make Nice, Someone Like You, Closing Time) LIVE from Ben's writing camp studio in Nashville. Grab a front row seat to join Ben on stage to ask your questions about his career, writing process, and what he has in store for the future! There will also be live trivia and bingo, with an opportunity to win some awesome merch. 

On today’s bonus episode we are joined by Rainn Wilson and Reza Aslan from the podcast Metaphysical Milkshake. We dive in and get a New Week’s Resolution from both Rainn and Reza. Afterwards we create a song using a haiku, a bassoon, and a lot of creativity! 

This episode is the second part of a special crossover event. Check out the other part which is also out TODAY, where Rainn, Reza and I listen to fan voicemails and answer their questions about creativity, art and music. So, head over to the Metaphysical Milkshake feed to listen to the episode and follow, rate and review if you like it! Out every Tuesday, Rainn and Reza welcome amazing guests like Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Mayim Bialik, Jason Isbell and more.

Today’s guest is Andy Grammer, the singer, songwriter, and record producer. You’ll know Andy from hit songs like “Honey, I’m Good”, “Don’t Give up on Me”, and “Good To Be Alive.” On this episode, we dive into how the music industry has changed from an exclusive club to being more spread out, humble beginnings, helping to cultivate the magic of creating a song, and maintaining a business sense without compromising your creativity. Check out Andy’s newest song “Damn It Feels Good To Be Me” out now!