CASSINGLES: A SIDE-A EDUCATION PODCAST

Chris Margolin and Courtney Dawn
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Biweekly

Cassingles is where music, memory, creativity, and survival collide. Hosted by educator and musician Chris Margolin alongside educator, artist, and spiritual creative Courtney Margolin, the show dives deep with the songwriters, punk legends, indie lifers, teachers, producers, and culture-shapers who built their lives around art.

Episodes

  1. 5h ago

    CASSINGLES: KEVIN SECONDS (7SECONDS) - ALL THE FEELS

    Kevin Seconds (7Seconds) | Punk Rock, Purpose, and the Lessons That Last What happens when one of punk rock’s most influential voices sits down to talk about growing up, growing older, and staying true to yourself through it all? This week on CASSINGLES, Chris and Courtney Margolin welcome Kevin Seconds, frontman of 7Seconds, one of the most important and enduring bands in punk rock history. From the early days of the Reno punk scene to helping shape the straight-edge movement, Kevin reflects on the music that raised him, the community that sustained him, and the lessons he's carried through decades of songwriting, touring, and life. Along the way, he shares stories about finding his voice, navigating change, staying creative, and why authenticity matters more now than ever. As always, Chris and Courtney connect the conversation back to the classroom, exploring how music teaches resilience, identity, empathy, and the courage to become who you are. Whether you've been listening to 7Seconds since the beginning or you're discovering Kevin's story for the first time, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and heart. In this episode: The origins of 7Seconds and the Reno punk sceneBuilding community through musicThe evolution of punk rock over four decadesCreativity, aging, and staying inspiredLessons learned from life on the roadMusic as a tool for connection and personal growthWhy authenticity still mattersGuest Teacher: Kevin SecondsHosts: Chris Margolin & Courtney MargolinPodcast: CASSINGLES — Songs That Raised Us. Lessons That Stayed. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and follow for new episodes every Monday and Thursday. 🌐 CassinglesPod.com📸 Instagram: @cassinglespod🎵 Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts #KevinSeconds #7Seconds #PunkRock #PunkHistory #MusicPodcast #Cassingles #StraightEdge #AlternativeMusic #MusicEducation #SongsThatRaisedUs

    47 min

  2. 4d ago

    CASSINGLES: MATTHEW MAYFIELD - TINY BEAUTIFUL SCARS

    What happens when life burns down the version of yourself you thought would last forever? In Episode 2 of CASSINGLES, Chris Margolin and Courtney Dawn sit down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Mayfield for a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the songs that carry us through the darkest chapters of our lives. Known for his emotionally raw songwriting and powerful independent career, Matthew opens up about the winding road from Alabama clubs to national recognition, the realities of navigating the music industry on his own terms, and how heartbreak, healing, and personal growth have shaped both his life and his music. Together, they explore the albums and artists that helped define him, the lessons hidden inside life's setbacks, and why some songs continue to find us exactly when we need them most. Whether you've followed Matthew's career for years or are discovering his music for the first time, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most important chapters begin after everything changes. Guest Teacher: Matthew MayfieldHosted by: Chris Margolin & Courtney DawnPodcast: CASSINGLES — Songs That Raised Us. Lessons That Stayed. Follow Matthew:Matthew Mayfield Follow CASSINGLES:CASSINGLES Podcast #MatthewMayfield #CASSINGLES #Podcast #SingerSongwriter #IndependentMusic #Songwriting #MusicPodcast #ChrisMargolin #CourtneyDawn #AlternativeRock #Americana #IndieMusic #MusiciansLife #StoriesBehindTheSongs #MusicHistory #MusicEducation #PodcastLife #NewEpisode #SongsThatRaisedUs #LessonsThatStayed

    1h 13m

  3. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    WELCOME TO CASSINGLES

    What happens when a song becomes a lesson? Welcome to CASSINGLES, the podcast where musicians become teachers and the songs that shaped our lives become the starting point for unforgettable conversations. Hosted by Chris Margolin and Courtney Dawn, CASSINGLES sits down with songwriters, performers, producers, and artists from across the musical spectrum to explore the stories behind the music—and the life lessons hidden inside it. Each episode features one guest, one song, and one deep dive into memory, creativity, identity, perseverance, and the moments that made us who we are. Whether you're a lifelong music fan, an educator, a songwriter, or someone who still remembers exactly where you were when your favorite song found you, CASSINGLES is for you. New episodes every week featuring guests from rock, punk, folk, country, hip-hop, indie, metal, and beyond. 🎙️ Hosted by Chris Margolin & Courtney Dawn🌐 cassinglespod.com📸 Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @cassinglespod🎵 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere podcasts are available. Songs that raised us. Lessons that stayed.

    2 min

  4. May 28

    CASSINGLES: RON SEXSMITH - MUSIC IS A HEART MAP

    Ron Sexsmith joins Cassingles for a deeply human conversation about songwriting, family, and the strange beauty of making music for a living. Chris Margolin and Courtney Dawn talk with the beloved Canadian singer-songwriter about the craft behind the songs, the long road of a career built on honesty, and what it means to keep creating after the industry has changed around you. Website: cassingles.com Instagram/TikTok/YouTube/Facebook: @cassinglespodcast

    45 min

Trailer

About

Cassingles is where music, memory, creativity, and survival collide. Hosted by educator and musician Chris Margolin alongside educator, artist, and spiritual creative Courtney Margolin, the show dives deep with the songwriters, punk legends, indie lifers, teachers, producers, and culture-shapers who built their lives around art.

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