Life in Seven Songs

The San Francisco Standard
Life in Seven Songs

What songs tell your life story? Host Sophie Bearman asks this question of some of the world’s most fascinating people. Through seven songs, guests reveal the milestones—and the music—that have shaped their lives. New episodes every other Tuesday.

  1. How Damian Woetzel jeté-ed his way from ballet phenom to head of The Juilliard School

    APR 29

    How Damian Woetzel jeté-ed his way from ballet phenom to head of The Juilliard School

    Damian Woetzel got addicted to dance when he was 11 years old. While his “dirty secret” is that ballet was never that hard for him, his experience as a young boy in the world of dance wasn’t always easy. In this episode, Damian takes us backstage on his remarkable journey from being called “twinkle toes” in high school, to becoming a principal dancer and choreographer for the New York City Ballet, to his influential second act as the president of The Juilliard School and an advocate for arts education. Here are his songs. Knee Play 5 - Philip Glass We are the World 1985 - USA for Africa More Than This - Roxy Music Fast Car - Tracy Chapman Tom Traubert’s Blues - Tom Waits Other Song - Caroline Shaw Freedom - Jon Batiste Listen to Damian Woetzel’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    36 min
  2. Embracing ‘amor prohibido’ with singer David Archuleta

    APR 15

    Embracing ‘amor prohibido’ with singer David Archuleta

    At the age of 16, David Archuleta captured hearts as the runner-up on American Idol. But behind the charismatic performer on stage was a young man struggling to reconcile his Mormon upbringing with his queer identity. In this episode, David shares how he nearly got married to women several times, contemplated suicide, and ultimately let go of everything he’d been taught it meant to be “good.” Here are his songs: Fast Car - Tracy Chapman Amor Prohibido - Selena It’s Okay To Cry - SOPHIE Jireh - Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music (feat. Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine) If It’s Not God - Maddie Zahm Hell Together - David Archuleta Freedom! - George Michael Listen to David Archuleta's full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    33 min
  3. John, Yoko, and a 'beautiful boy': How author David Sheff's life was shaped by three relationships

    APR 1

    John, Yoko, and a 'beautiful boy': How author David Sheff's life was shaped by three relationships

    David Sheff’s memoir Beautiful Boy became a #1 New York Times bestseller and a major film, chronicling his son Nic’s harrowing battle with meth addiction. But before that, David was a music journalist who interviewed legends like John Lennon and Yoko Ono—an encounter that unexpectedly shaped his future as a father. In this episode, David traces how music once brought him joy, then grief—and, ultimately, a way back to his beautiful boy. Here are his songs. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - John Lennon  Why - Yoko Ono Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles  Astral Weeks - Van Morrison Smells Like Teen Spirit - Patti Smith This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) - Talking Heads Listen to David Sheff’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    32 min
  4. America, the broken? Richard Misrach photographs the country's splendor and scars

    MAR 18

    America, the broken? Richard Misrach photographs the country's splendor and scars

    Richard Misrach is one of the most influential photographers of his generation, known for his haunting, large-scale images of the American West. His work captures both the region’s breathtaking beauty and the profound ways humans have altered the landscape. His photographs are housed in the collections of MoMA, the Whitney, and the Getty—but for Misrach, they serve a deeper purpose: creating a historical record. Here are his songs. Angel from Montgomery - Bonnie Raitt  Misirlou - Dick Dale & The Del Tones Effendi - McCoy Tyner Trio The Times They Are a-Changin’ - Bob Dylan  Music for 18 Musicians -  Steve Reich   La Vie en Rose - Grace Jones The Garden - Jacob Bloomfield-Misrach Listen to Richard Misrach’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. See some of the art mentioned in this episode here: https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/18/richard-misrach-photographer-life-in-seven-songs/ Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    31 min
  5. Held captive in Iran, Sarah Shourd found solace in a Seal song

    MAR 4

    Held captive in Iran, Sarah Shourd found solace in a Seal song

    Journalist, author, and playwright Sarah Shourd shares the songs that helped her though a childhood steeped in violence and poverty, and the 410 days she spent in solitary confinement as a political hostage in Iran. From screaming along to Rage Against the Machine as a teenager to belting out ‘Crazy’ by Seal in her prison cell, Sarah’s always used her voice. Now, she speaks out against the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and mass incarceration. Here are her songs. She’s Got her Ticket - Tracy Chapman  Killing in the Name -  Rage Against the Machine Crazy - Seal At Last - Etta James ELEMENT. - Kendrick Lamar  Suit of Armour - Danika Smith  This Joy - Resistance Revival Chorus Listen to Sarah Shourd’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    33 min
  6. Rufus Wainwright’s rough road to becoming ‘the greatest songwriter on the planet’

    FEB 18

    Rufus Wainwright’s rough road to becoming ‘the greatest songwriter on the planet’

    Over the last three decades, Rufus Wainwright has released 10 studio albums, written two operas, and countless songs for TV and film. He’s been praised for his originality—Elton John once called him the songwriting GOAT. But in this episode, Rufus explains why having the confidence to be himself was really just about survival. Here are his songs: 1. Over the Rainbow -  Judy Garland 2. Heart Like a Wheel - Kate & Anna McGarrigle 3. I'm Losing You -  Kate & Anna McGarrigle 4. Raspberry Beret - Prince 5. Begin the Beguine - Ella Fitzgerald  6. La Donna è Mobile -  Luciano Pavarotti 7. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen Listen to Rufus Wainwright’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    39 min
  7. Inside actor Rita Wilson's other life as a singer

    FEB 4

    Inside actor Rita Wilson's other life as a singer

    Actor, producer, and director Rita Wilson is known for her performances in films like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Now and Then.” Her name can be found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in credits for massive hits like “Mamma Mia!” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” (She's also been married to one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Tom Hanks, for the past 37 years.) But despite her success, Rita spent her entire career dreaming of a different one—to be a singer-songwriter. In this episode, Rita talks about taking risks later in life, grappling with regret and grief, and finally finding her voice as a musician. Here are her songs. Ode to Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry  Everything I Own -  Bread  She’s Leaving Home - The Beatles  California - Joni Mitchell  I will Always Love you - Linda Ronstadt Slip Slidin’ Away - Paul Simon Some Things I'll Never Know - Teddy Swims Listen to Rita Wilson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    39 min
  8. Director Cord Jefferson on winning an Oscar and writing for love

    JAN 21

    Director Cord Jefferson on winning an Oscar and writing for love

    Writer and director Cord Jefferson charts his journey from being a rule-following kid to an angry teenager to an adult with depression. After a lifetime of rejection, Cord shares what helped him finally make "American Fiction," the Oscar-winning film that was always in him. Here are his songs. Flamenco Sketches - Miles Davis The What - Notorious B.I.G. (Feat. Method Man) Boxcar - Jawbreaker My Old School - Steely Dan This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow  Ben's My Friend - Sun Kil Moon Listen to Cord Jefferson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

    37 min
See All (28)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

What songs tell your life story? Host Sophie Bearman asks this question of some of the world’s most fascinating people. Through seven songs, guests reveal the milestones—and the music—that have shaped their lives. New episodes every other Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    The San Francisco Standard
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The San Francisco Standard
  • Show Website
    Life in Seven Songs

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada