Dear Balladeer

Sadie Gustafson-Zook
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Ever listen to the right song at the right moment and think, "Man, I want to talk to whoever wrote this song!" Well now you can! Dear Balladeer is here to blend the genres of advice podcast with interviews from up-and-coming folk and folk-adjacent musicians! The premise behind Dear Balladeer is that you write in your anonymous advice submissions and I (songwriter and musician, Sadie Gustafson-Zook) band together with my musician friends to find a song to go with that predicament. I then talk with the songwriter about the context for their song and have them weigh in on your advice submission! My Patreon members also get an exclusive extended cut with a more in-depth chat with the songwriter about their writing process! To submit your own quandary, fill out the anonymous link in the Instagram bio for @dear_balladeer!

  1. Flowers Growing Out of Sh**: Making Art When The World is Falling Apart with Luke Concannon

    06/10/2024

    Flowers Growing Out of Sh**: Making Art When The World is Falling Apart with Luke Concannon

    S2E5: On this, the 5th episode of the second season (and perhaps the last- we’re taking a TBD break), I have the pleasure of talking with Luke Concannon, New England-based, Old England-grown singer-songwriter and community builder. We talk about spirituality, finding hope in the midst of turmoil, creativity, and meaning-making, framed around his song Coventry.  Thanks to everyone who has been on the podcast and everyone who has listened! I’ve had fun, and I’m ready for a break :)  Check out all the prior episodes at dearballadeer.captivate.fm/.  References: Books:  Book: “Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art” by Stephen NachmanovichBook: “The Listening Book” by W.A. Mathieu Book: “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chodron Music:  Album: “Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine” by Declan O’RourkeNizlopi

    1 hr
  2. Friend break-ups, Pandemic & Climate Catastrophe with Naomi Westwater

    05/06/2024

    Friend break-ups, Pandemic & Climate Catastrophe with Naomi Westwater

    S2E4: Naomi Westwater (they/she) is a singer-songwriter and culture curator from Eastern Massachusetts. In this episode we dive into the ways that cataclysmic nature events (like the covid-19 pandemic and climate change) intersect with relational upheaval, as we discuss a question from an immunocompromised person who is feeling isolated by their friends. This episode features Naomi’s recent release OBNTS (oh, but nothing’s the same), an ode to friendship breakups.  Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E5 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!

    51 min
  3. Long Distance Relationships with Andrew Pauls

    04/01/2024

    Long Distance Relationships with Andrew Pauls

    S2E3: Andrew Pauls is many things and one of those is a success story for long-distance relationships. He is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, grant expert, and engaged community member in his town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For this episode Andrew digs into his own life experience as we chat about a question regarding long distance relationships, and Andrew shares his song Can I Be Close To You.   Andrew and I happened to be on tour so we got to record this episode live from the comfort of Andrew’s home office in Lancaster.  Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E3 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!

    53 min
  4. Moving Away From Family with Rachael Kilgour

    03/04/2024

    Moving Away From Family with Rachael Kilgour

    S2E2: Second episode of the second season with the second Rachael of 2024 (that’s Rachael Kilgour)! In this intimate and in-person interview (recorded in the closet of our AirBnB at the Folk Alliance International conference) Rachael and I discuss the complexities of moving far away from one’s family (as framed by Rachael’s song “Ontario”).  Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E2 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!

    49 min
  5. Running Into Your Ex and Keeping Your Resolve with Rachel Sumner

    02/05/2024

    Running Into Your Ex and Keeping Your Resolve with Rachel Sumner

    S2E1: We’re kicking off season 2 with a chat with Rachel Sumner! We get into a wide range of topics, from the creative flow to structuring a stand-up routine, to grounding techniques for when you run into an ex in public. This episode features Rachels’ new single “So What” off of her upcoming album “Heartless Things” (out May 10). Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E1 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, subscribe, and send an episode to your favorite people! Your support is invaluable to a wee podcast like Dear Balladeer, and I so appreciate it!

    56 min
  6. Not Being Heard, with Hallie Spoor

    12/04/2023

    Not Being Heard, with Hallie Spoor

    S1E11: In our final episode of the season I have the pleasure of speaking with Brooklyn-based Hallie Spoor, coined “the Adele of Americana.” We answer question about wanting to be heard via Hallie’s song “Heart Like Thunder,” and take some detours along the way including conversations around being a cat-parent, making music videos with friends, and the difficulties of finding balance in life as a musician.  Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E11 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament! References: Wolfpack by Abby Wambach If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, subscribe, and send an episode to your favorite people! Your support is invaluable to a wee podcast like Dear Balladeer, and I so appreciate it!

    1 hr
  7. Feeling Overwhelmed with Nina de Vitry

    11/06/2023

    Feeling Overwhelmed with Nina de Vitry

    S1E10: In our 10th episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Nashville-based songwriter, Nina de Vitry, about how to deal with feeling overwhelmed. Nina gives great advice in person as well as in her songs, so we have a lovely time laying out some options for the letter-writer using Nina’s song “Being With Myself” Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E10 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament! If you enjoyed this episode, consider becoming a member of my Patreon page to gain access to the special extended version of our conversation! In addition to extended episodes of each episode you’ll gain access to exclusive unreleased demos of my original music, the Monthly Cover Club (where you suggest a cover and I cover it!) and more! To learn more visit www.patreon.com/sadiebgz

    1h 5m
  8. Trying Something New (non-monogamy?!) with Corey Laitman (of Cloudbelly)

    10/02/2023

    Trying Something New (non-monogamy?!) with Corey Laitman (of Cloudbelly)

    S1E9: In this cozy October episode we chat with Corey Laitman (of the band Cloudbelly) about taking risks, overcoming fear, following your excitement, open communication, sex and non-monogamy, and more! We frame the conversation around the Cloudbelly song “Marrow” (which you can buy in CD form on Bandcamp).  Resources: Shira Erlichman; In Surreal LifeAudre LordeAdrienne Maree BrownToko-pa TurnerMany Love: A Memoir of Polyamory and Finding Love(s) - Sophie Lucido JohnsonThe Ethical SlutPolysecureClementine Morrigan Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E9 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament! If you enjoyed this episode, consider becoming a member of my Patreon page to gain access to the special extended version of our conversation! In addition to extended episodes of each episode, other member perks include a monthly playlist to accompany each episode's theme, access to a monthly songwriter accountability community zoom, and exclusive demos of my original music! To learn more visit www.patreon.com/sadiebgz

    59 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Ever listen to the right song at the right moment and think, "Man, I want to talk to whoever wrote this song!" Well now you can! Dear Balladeer is here to blend the genres of advice podcast with interviews from up-and-coming folk and folk-adjacent musicians! The premise behind Dear Balladeer is that you write in your anonymous advice submissions and I (songwriter and musician, Sadie Gustafson-Zook) band together with my musician friends to find a song to go with that predicament. I then talk with the songwriter about the context for their song and have them weigh in on your advice submission! My Patreon members also get an exclusive extended cut with a more in-depth chat with the songwriter about their writing process! To submit your own quandary, fill out the anonymous link in the Instagram bio for @dear_balladeer!

Information

  • Creator
    Sadie Gustafson-Zook
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sadie Gustafson-Zook
  • Show Website
    Dear Balladeer