The Other 22 Hours

Michaela Anne, Aaron Shafer-Haiss

An exploration of the creative life, lived in the in-between. A sanctuary for the creative spirit in a results-obsessed world. Moving beyond the highlight reel, hosts and working musicians Aaron Shafer-Haiss and Michaela Anne facilitate intimate, artist-to-artist conversations with renowned musicians, authors, visual artists and actors about the grit required to sustain a life in the arts. From navigating doubt to finding stillness, this is the reality of the work. Unfiltered.

  1. 3 days ago

    Yancey Strickler on artist power, interdependent networks, and a zip file worth thousands.

    What happens when creative people stop looking for a seat at the table and build a table of their own? For generations society has treated an artist's life as an economic sideline, a romanticized piecemeal struggle. Today, we are witnessing a structural revolution. With Colorado recently passing the nation's first Artist Corporation legislation (the Colorado Artist Company Act) in June 2026, we are reissuing our definitive conversation with the architect of that very movement, Yancey Strickler. As the co-founder of Kickstarter, Metalabel, and the Artist Corporations Foundation, Yancey has dedicated his life to equipping creators with the structural tools to act as real entrepreneurs. In this expansive conversation, we trace the line between blue-collar artistry and private equity, explore why the industry trades meaning for convenience, and look closely at how interdependent networks can finally break the cycle of artistic exploitation. In This Episode: Yancey StricklerA-CorpsColorado Legislation, June 2026MetaLabelThe Creative IndependentHipgnosisNirvanaThe Royal Alberta AdvantageEp 68 - Evan Honer“All The King’s Men”Virgil AblohBentoismCS Lewis - “The Inner Ring” Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work.Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Yancey Strickler on artist power, interdependent networks, and a zip file worth thousands.
  2. 22 Jul

    Hrishikesh Hirway on creative wholeness, strategic dilettantism, and surrendering to sandpaper.

    We often treat our creative identities like lanes, fearing that branching out looks like simple dilettantism. This week, we explore the delicate balance of identity and creative output with singer-songwriter Hrishikesh Hirway, the brilliant mind behind hit podcasts The West Wing Weekly and Home Cooking, as well as the globally-acclaimed Netflix series and podcast 'Song Exploder,' which features the likes of Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish, REM, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Despite a decade of monumental success in the podcast and broadcast worlds, Hrishikesh found himself battling a quiet, profound depression born from leaving his primary identity as a singer-songwriter behind. He recently returned to music with his first album in 15 years and joins us for a beautifully tender conversation on breaking through a 10-year writer's block, navigating the vulnerability of cold-calling collaborators, and learning to sit comfortably within a "queer divine dissatisfaction." In This Episode: Hrishikesh HirwaySong Exploder (Podcast / Netflix Series) Alison Russell Linda Ronstadt Talking Heads The Band The Grateful Dead Bob Dylan Phil Weinrobe Ep 117 - Maia FriedmanJeff Tweedy - How to Write One Song (Book) Carl Jung / Depth Psychology The West Wing Weekly (Podcast) Home Cooking (Podcast) Samin Nosrat Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (Book) Josh Malina Allison Janney Jenny Owen Youngs Yep Roc Records John Mark Nelson Matt Ross Spang (Memphis TED Talk) Agnes de Mille Martha Graham Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram. The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work. Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Hrishikesh Hirway on creative wholeness, strategic dilettantism, and surrendering to sandpaper.
  3. 15 Jul

    Amy Grant on unexpected healing, the invitation of aging, and craftopia.

    What does it mean to inhabit a creative life when that container itself changes? We sit down with GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum crossover superstar Amy Grant. Having shaped the landscape of pop and contemporary Christian music for over four decades, Grant found herself navigating an unexpected wilderness following a series of medical setbacks – including a traumatic bike accident – and a rewritten relationship with her own processing speed. In this soulful, luminous conversation, she explores the deliberate art of slowing down, the creative sanctuary of "Craftopia," and why she now views aging not as a loss of identity, but as a continual invitation to let go. In This Episode: Amy GrantVince GillEaglesMac McAnallyJimmy BuffettCoral Reefer BandBarefoot RepublicNPR’s Wildcard podcastRay CharlesCicely TysonRoots (miniseries)Franklin GrahamViktor FranklMan's Search for MeaningGene MillerDr. Jim NettervilleSuleika Jaouad Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram. The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work. Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Amy Grant on unexpected healing, the invitation of aging, and craftopia.
  4. 8 Jul

    James Gardin on deconstructing the sync world, overcoming over-analysis, and the male affordable Lizzo.

    How do you build a sustainable life around your art when the traditional definitions of success feel increasingly narrow? In this conversation, we sit down with musician, songwriter, and educator James Gardin. While his joyous, infectious music has found a global audience through major sync campaigns for brands like Apple, Tommy Hilfiger, and Saks Fifth Avenue, James’s core creative philosophy is anchored in something much more grounded: community, education, and the refusal to second-guess the spark. Together, we explore the nuts-and-bolts realities of the licensing world, the absolute humility required to teach songwriting to eight year olds, and how letting go of the industry's arbitrary rules allows us to finally blaze our own paths. In This Episode: James Gardin Lizzo Marshmello J Dilla Proof Elzhi Slum Village Liza Garza Def Poetry Jam SZA Chance the Rapper Marmoset Musicbed iSpot.tv TuneFind Western States Center Eric Ward All of the Above Hip Hop Academy Trails End Camp Brooklyn Philharmonic Sinners Ryan Coogler Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram. The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work. Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    James Gardin on deconstructing the sync world, overcoming over-analysis, and the male affordable Lizzo.
  5. 1 Jul

    Lukas Nelson on shedding expectations, the antidote to egos, and training like an Olympian.

    It is easy to look at a lifetime spent traveling on a tour bus in a famous family and assume the creative path was completely clear. We sit down with GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter and guitar player Lukas Nelson ('A Star Is Born,' Promise of the Real, Neil Young) for an incredibly honest conversation about moving past the shadow of his father Willie Nelson's towering legacy, and detangling his identity from the cliched drug-induced creative culture. We explore the distinct clarity that arrives with sobriety, the physiological realities of keeping your body moving on the road, and how treating musical discipline like Olympic training allowed him to fully claim his own voice. It’s a masterclass in boundary setting, honoring the natural muse, and discovering that a long-term commitment to your health and your relationships is the ultimate engine for creative longevity. In This Episode: Lukas NelsonPromise of the Real Willie Nelson Merle Haggard Lady Gaga Promise of the Real Neil Young Paramount Theater Red Clay Strays Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia Willie's Remedy All Things Must Pass Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work.Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Lukas Nelson on shedding expectations, the antidote to egos, and training like an Olympian.
  6. 24 Jun

    Judy Collins on collective dreams, keeping the channel clear, and why artist's don't retire.

    "We write to find out who we are." For over six decades, Judy Collins has been a pillar of American music: from GRAMMY awards, platinum records, and Oscar nominations, to writing 8+ books and landing her first No. 1 album at 80 years old. But behind the staggering accolades is an artist who still treats her craft as a sacred, daily blue-collar job. In this conversation, we explore the quiet discipline of her daily routines, the sanctuary of her 48 years of sobriety, and what she calls the "secret channels of songs." Judy shares her philosophy on processing grief through poetry, the necessity of maintaining community in a solitary profession, and turning off the noise to protect the soul. In This Episode: Judy Collins“Catcher in the Rye”J.D. SalingerAntonia BricoMark Ruffalo“Spotlight”Hemangioma“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” - Bob DylanEp 100 - Rosanne CashEp 16 - Rodney CrowellTelluride Bluegrass FestivalJo StaffordBarbara AllenAl KooperAl Grossman Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work.Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Judy Collins on collective dreams, keeping the channel clear, and why artist's don't retire.
  7. 17 Jun

    Annie & Cranston Clements on musical lineage, tour-life advocacy, and 150 hits of acid.

    What does it mean to treat music not as a commodity, but as a multi-generational way of life? We sit down with father-daughter side musicians Cranston and Annie Clements. Cranston, a cornerstone of New Orleans music history, has played guitar with royalty like Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and Irma Thomas. His daughter Annie is a bass player for massive acts including Sugarland, Maren Morris, and Hootie & the Blowfish. The duo brings a unique perspective on lineage, structural hurdles, and the profound beauty of side musicians' journeys. Annie shares her vital advocacy work supporting motherhood in the music industry, including working to correct the stark lack of childcare infrastructure in touring. Meanwhile, Cranston details his wild roots in the 1960s counterculture and how a single performance could dismantle a lifetime of prejudice. It is a study on what it truly means to be a "joy facilitator." In This Episode: Annie ClementsCranston ClementsEp 151 - Rob MooseDejan’s Olympia Brass BandTuesday Night Rodeo ClubMaren MorrisDoja CatJoy OladokunBad BunnyMotorheadDr JohnBoz ScaggsMaria Muldaur“A Uterus is a Feature Not a Bug” - Sarah LacyLucinda WilliamsAngine de Poitrine Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work.Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Annie & Cranston Clements on musical lineage, tour-life advocacy, and 150 hits of acid.
  8. 10 Jun

    Heather Mae on social justice songwriting, the hedonic treadmill, and hearing god during a massage.

    We often look at an artist's career through the lens of industry accolades: the tours, the streaming numbers, the awards. But what happens when you intentionally dismantle your creative ego to build something focused entirely on collective liberation? Heather Mae is an award-winning independent artist, the founder of Singing Resistance Nashville, and a prominent voice in organized musical activism. Following a viral arrest at the Tennessee Capitol while protesting anti-trans legislation, Heather sits down with us to discuss the profound impacts of communal singing, navigating trauma as a neurodivergent and queer creator, and how to balance radical empathy without completely burning out. It’s an expansive, deeply human conversation about moving past the modern traps of artistic productivity to discover what it truly means to be of service. In This Episode: Heather MaeYsaye BarnwellSweet Honey in the RockThe Song School (Planet Bluegrass)National Organization for WomenSinging Resistance NashvilleTennessee Equality ProjectMelody WalkerJustin JonesGloria JohnsonWMOT"Just More Love"Alex PrettiFolk AllianceChris MatthewsEtta JamesMusiCaresMusic Health AllianceCarl JungEp 97 - Fancy Hagood Go Deeper: Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.The Hosts: The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach). More about Aaron’s work.More about Michaela Anne’s work.Credits:  Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

    Heather Mae on social justice songwriting, the hedonic treadmill, and hearing god during a massage.

About

An exploration of the creative life, lived in the in-between. A sanctuary for the creative spirit in a results-obsessed world. Moving beyond the highlight reel, hosts and working musicians Aaron Shafer-Haiss and Michaela Anne facilitate intimate, artist-to-artist conversations with renowned musicians, authors, visual artists and actors about the grit required to sustain a life in the arts. From navigating doubt to finding stillness, this is the reality of the work. Unfiltered.

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