Sullivan's Unheard Voices

Shawn Sullivan

Our podcast is going to be a little different. We are going to elevate the voices of the unheard. We're going to talk to people that have been through it, and lived to tell the story. We're going to talk to people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, victims of systemic oppression, but instead of focusing on the trauma we're going to focus on how they got through it. The hope is you will learn how to get through it too. If you've ever been beat up, cast aside, discriminated against, or otherwise been "othered", then this podcast is for you!

  1. 3d ago

    Sullivan's Backstage Pass: Timmer Blakely

    Sullivan’s Backstage Pass dives into an honest, wildly human conversation with bassist Timmer Blakely about life on the road, musical growth, and the chaos, beauty, and grit that come with a career in music. From touring with Paul Gilbert to holding it down with the Revival Brothers, Timmer talks about the grind, the breakthrough moments, and the strange magic that can turn exhaustion into inspiration. It’s a story about music, community, mentorship, and staying grounded when the road gets long and the universe gets weird. This episode captures the heart of what music really is: connection, resilience, and the kind of real-world experience you can’t fake. If you like behind-the-scenes stories, musician conversations, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, this one’s for you.

  2. 5d ago

    Sullivan's Unheard Voices 147: Olivia Darnell interviews Shawn

    The tables turn on this special episode of Sullivan’s Unheard Voices as Olivia Darnell steps into the interviewer’s chair and Shawn Sullivan becomes the voice in the hot seat. A PNW gal who overcomes obstacles with a smile, Olivia lives by the motto: “embrace the best, inspire the chaos, and live well to tell the tale.” She’s also stepping into a new chapter of her own as she begins to explore launching her own podcast. What follows is a raw, honest, and deeply human conversation about identity, autism, belonging, resilience, and the lived experiences that shape who we become. Olivia brings warmth, curiosity, and authenticity to a conversation that stays true to the mission of Sullivan’s Unheard Voices — amplifying unheard voices, honoring difference, and shining a light on the strength that can grow from struggle. This isn’t just an interview. It’s a role reversal, a reflection, and a reminder that the most powerful stories are often the ones that begin in chaos and end in purpose.

  3. Jul 16

    Sullivan's Unheard Voices: World Beat Day 2 Part 2

    Sullivan’s Unheard Voices: World Beat Day 2 brings listeners back into the heart of a celebration where music, culture, community, and connection take center stage. Inspired by this year’s World Beat Festival conversations, this episode opens the door to stories about accessibility, autism, disability advocacy, family traditions, and the power of shared experience. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful conversations are often the ones that live just beneath the surface, waiting for someone to make space for them. In a world that moves fast and listens slowly, these voices matter. They challenge us to hear beyond the noise, to sit with truth, and to recognize that every story carries dignity, urgency, and value. World Beat Day 2 is not just an episode, it’s a call to pay attention, because when people are finally heard, communities grow stronger, deeper, and more human.

  4. Jul 15

    Sullivan's Unheard Voices: World Beat Day 2 Part 1

    Sullivan’s Unheard Voices | World Beat Day Two Part One | Live Interviews, Culture, Music & Community Join Shawn on Sullivan’s Unheard Voices for World Beat Day Two, Part One, featuring live interviews from one of the most vibrant cultural events in the region. This episode highlights conversations about music, culture, community, accessibility, autism, disability advocacy, family traditions, and the power of safe spaces where people can show up as themselves. Recorded live at World Beat, this episode captures the energy of cultural celebration and the importance of human connection through music and storytelling. From conversations about belonging and inclusion to the ways music helps people communicate, regulate, and express themselves, this episode shows why community festivals matter. If you enjoy live podcast interviews, cultural festivals, community storytelling, music interviews, disability representation, and authentic conversations, this episode is for you. Part Two airs tomorrow.

  5. Jul 13

    Sullivan's Backstage Pass: Cryptic Divination

    Cryptic Divination joins Sullivan’s Backstage Pass for a deep conversation about the band’s origin, creative chemistry, live performance energy, and the process behind writing heavy, dynamic music. In this episode, the band talks about how they came together, why friendship matters on and off stage, how they handle changing time signatures, vocal technique, audience engagement, and the balance between polished musicianship and raw live intensity.If you love metal, progressive rock, band interviews, songwriting, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is for you. Hear how Cryptic Devon Divination builds their sound, prepares for the stage, and connects with crowds through tight musicianship and powerful performances.Topics include:Band origin storySongwriting and riff developmentTime signature changesVocal technique and preserving the voiceLive performance and stage chemistryAudience reaction and crowd connectionRecording the EPWorking with venues and sound teamsSubscribe for more music interviews, band stories, and behind-the-scenes conversations on Sullivan’s Backstage Pass.

  6. Jul 8

    Sullivan's Backstage Pass: Terry Currier and Music Millenium

    On this episode of Sullivan’s Backstage Pass, Shawn sits down at the legendary Music Millennium in Portland with Terry Currier, owner of Music Millennium, for a conversation about music, community, and the lasting power of physical media. Terry has dedicated his life not only to vinyl records, but also to promoting live music and building a space where recorded music and live performance support one another. From the earliest days of Music Millennium, he treated the store as more than a place to buy records — he saw it as a cultural hub where music fans could discover new artists, experience live in-store performances, and connect with the larger music community. The episode also highlights Music Millennium’s long history of supporting local and national artists, hosting live performances, and helping keep Portland’s music scene vibrant and accessible. Through Terry Currier’s story, listeners get a deeper look at how one person’s lifelong devotion to music helped build a Portland institution that continues to celebrate both the recorded and live side of the art form.

  7. Jul 3

    Sullivan's Unheard Voices: World Beat Day 1 Part 2

    Day One, Part Two is here.This episode continues the conversation from World Beat Festival with a focus on two things that matter deeply to me: belonging and kindness. World Beat is more than an event — it’s a space where people from many cultures come together, share what makes them unique, and remind us that diversity is something to celebrate, not fear. In a world that can feel divided, that kind of space matters. It gives people room to be seen, to be proud of who they are, and to feel like they belong. The second theme that really shines through in this episode is kindness. So much of what makes multicultural spaces powerful is not just the music, the food, or the celebration — it’s the way people show up for one another with respect, curiosity, and openness. When we lead with kindness, we make room for connection. We make it easier to learn from each other, to appreciate what we have in common, and to honor the differences that make each culture beautiful in its own way. If these conversations speak to you, please consider subscribing to Sullivan’s Unheard Voices. Your support helps keep these stories going and helps us continue lifting up voices, cultures, and communities that deserve to be heard.

  8. Jul 1

    Sullivan's Unheard Voices 154: World Beat Day 1 Part 1

    Sullivan’s Unheard Voices goes live from the World Beat Festival for a vibrant episode celebrating multiculturalism, community, and the beauty of cultures from around the world. Surrounded by music, food, art, and traditions from many different communities, this special live recording captures the energy of a festival built on connection, celebration, and shared experience. In this episode, we highlight why it matters to honor and uplift cultures from across the globe. Through conversation and storytelling, Sullivan’s Unheard Voices continues its mission of amplifying diverse voices and recognizing the value of inclusion, representation, and cultural exchange.

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About

Our podcast is going to be a little different. We are going to elevate the voices of the unheard. We're going to talk to people that have been through it, and lived to tell the story. We're going to talk to people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, victims of systemic oppression, but instead of focusing on the trauma we're going to focus on how they got through it. The hope is you will learn how to get through it too. If you've ever been beat up, cast aside, discriminated against, or otherwise been "othered", then this podcast is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn Sullivan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shawn Sullivan
  • Show Website
    Sullivan's Unheard Voices