True Conversation

AC
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
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Conversations with artists, musicians, and others that added flavor to the music scene of Athens, GA and beyond. Getting to know the people they are and their personal stories.

  1. Princess Zambi - Drew Walley

    3D AGO

    Princess Zambi - Drew Walley

    Come on in - you're all welcome here - have a seat! Sat down with Drew to discuss growing up in California, and a chance childhood Grateful Dead concert that would change her life. We discuss her passion for music (Bass) and her musical influences - Paul McCartney and Phil Lesh. We chat about her band 'Zambi' and the 'intention' of music as prescribed by Col. Bruce Hampton. We discuss how the jam band 'scene' has changed for good and bad over the past decade, and her life in the LGBTQ community in Asheville, NC.  We talk about her recent confirmation at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville, and the importance of Faith in her life.  We wrap things up with a discussion around Widespread Panic's album 'Everyday' - and why that studio album is both of our favorites.  Reach out to Drew on her socials: (1) Facebook Instagram Song Credit: 'The Light' - Zambi - ℗ 2026 Zambi/Drew Walley 'Shakedown Street (Live at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 5/16/81)' - Grateful Dead - off the album '30 Trips Around the Sun: The Definitive Live Story (1965-1995) - ℗ 2015 Grateful Dead Productions 'Hatfield' - Widespread Panic - off the album 'Everyday' - ℗ 1993 Volcano Entertainment III, LLC 'No Egos Underwater' - Col Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit - off the album 'Mirrors of Embarrassment' - ℗ 1993 Volcano Entertainment III, LLC Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    56 min
  2. Dancing on the Rail w/ Maya Thatch

    5D AGO

    Dancing on the Rail w/ Maya Thatch

    Happy to share a conversation I had with new friend of the show - Maya Thatch! Fresh off of the Phish Sphere shows, we discuss her love of Live music, which comes in the form of Phish and Goose, among others. We discuss growing up in California, and her subsequent move to the mid-west for college, and eventual move to her new home of Colorado. We dive into a brief meeting she had with Rick Mitarotonda, her trip to Viva El Gonzo in 2025, the transformation of Goose with the addition of Cotter after the departure of Jeff and Ben, and what inspired her to become a social media influencer with dance videos over Jam music.  We also discuss emotions that come with songs that speak to all of us - and visit a couple of songs that are special to Maya.  Maya brings an amazing energy to the Jam scene, and her videos make us smile every time she posts. Thank you for what you do, Maya. Don't. Stop. You empower women (and all of the Jam community) with your dance and vulnerability.  Follow Maya Thatch at her socials: Instagram http://www.youtube.com/@MayaThatch Facebook Song Credit: 'Big Modern>Wysteria Lane' - Goose - Live from The Masonic, San Francisco, CA - 5/58/25 - 2025/05/28 The Masonic, San Francisco, CA | Goose 'Cities' - Phish - Live from Sphere, Las Vegas, NV 4/25/26 'Thatch' - Goose - GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI - 2/15/25 - 2025/02/15 GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI | Goose 'Elmeg The Wise' - Goose - The Mann, Philadelphia, PA - 104/25 - 2025/10/04 The Mann, Philadelphia, PA | Goose 'Doc Brown' - Goose - GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI - 2/14/25 - 2025/02/14 GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI | Goose Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    55 min
  3. Health, Wellness, and a Beautiful Life - with Priscilla Tofte

    MAY 6

    Health, Wellness, and a Beautiful Life - with Priscilla Tofte

    Happy to introduce you to Priscilla Tofte - new friend of the show - and our new personal Somatic Breathwork practitioner. Hailing from her new home in Asheville, NC - we had a post-weekend-visit interview to talk about her life, her professional work as a Life Coach and Wellness professional. We discuss growing up in Portland, ditching her corporate career for a more centered Life that grew out of a friend's recommendation to take up a career as a Life Coach, and discuss our session this week in which I got to explore somatic breathwork. It was a fantastic session, and I really look forward to the next! In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we also discuss the Trump administration's plan to fast-track the research, review, and approval of psychedelic 'drugs' for treating a number of mental health conditions. Still a lot of roadblocks to that end, but we discuss the potential impact that the new treatment options would have for a broad set of use cases. We also discuss what led her to start the Facebook group - Climb to Safety - which provides a safe space for people to give and receive love of all kinds. Climb to Safety marks its 7th anniversary this year, and Priscilla also hints at plans to take Climb to Safety to the broader community, outside of the digital world of Facebook.  Please connect with her on Facebook and Instagram - and thank you so much Priscilla - I am excited to watch your client base grow in the mountains of North Carolina and beyond! https://www.instagram.com/prisc.tofte?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== https://www.instagram.com/souljourndaily?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Facebook Song Credit: 'Climb to Safety' - Widespread Panic - off the album 'Carbondale 2000 (Live)' - - - ℗ 2024 Widespread Records 'We Walk Each Other Home' - Widespread Panic - off the album 'Snake Oil King' - ℗2024 Widespread Records Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    50 min
  4. Livin' Her Best Life - Rosie - Host of the Podcast 'Boogie on Rosie Woman'

    APR 21

    Livin' Her Best Life - Rosie - Host of the Podcast 'Boogie on Rosie Woman'

    Met a new friend in our scene - Rose Marie De Leon-Nogueras - and after much laughter at the memes she posts on FB and IG - I HAD to get her on the show. Her life story is one of Love, Loss, and Rebirth, and she is in fact, now living her best life. She was gracious enough to share her story with me, and I was excited to hear about her volunteer work with Divided Sky, her love for The Grateful Dead and Phish, and her love for Cincinnati Reds baseball.  We discuss a chance meeting with Bootsy Collins, which led to a relationship with Patti Collins, and we touch on the interview she had on Patti's show - 'Is Anybody Out There?'.  I'm really happy to call Rosie a friend - and am especially thankful for having the opportunity to hear her story. She's on a mission to help others that may be struggling with addiction, abusive relationships, or anyone out there looking for help in overcoming adversity. Go check her out on her podcast below - and follow her on the Socials for some good laughs!  Thank you Rosie - can't wait until the next time we link up again for a chat! Boosie on Rosie Woman Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/10zfGQwGTxiwRYfV2ET2L5?si=by8-ACtsThu-Pw3PYusaMQ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boogie-on-rosie-woman/id1820820295 Rosie’s Socials: https://www.facebook.com/share/1R48iP8W3H/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/rosiered20?igsh=MTR6bHBsMDA5azh4cw== Song Credit: 'Mike's Song' - Phish - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, GA - 7/31/2015 'Divided Sky' - Phish - The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI - 11/9/96 'Golden Age' - Phish - Moon Palace Resort, Riviera Maya, MX - 1/31/2026 (I think! I forgot to notate - but this is where I think it's from lol) Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    1 hr
  5. Soul Sister - Betsy Franck

    APR 6

    Soul Sister - Betsy Franck

    Betsy Franck is a soulful americana blues rock singer, guitar player, and songwriter.  A Virginia native who has spent 25 years touring and chasing the art of making music, striving to impact her community, raising a family, and doing her best to make it all work in harmony.   Betsy has opened for, performed alongside or recorded with a broad list of heavy hitters including John Popper, Justin Townes Earle, Billie Joe Shaver, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Lucinda Williams, and Randall Bramblett; Betsy is featured on (3) of Randall's albums.   She holds songwriting workshops and throws house concerts to raise awareness for community needs.  She currently plays solo, duo and full band shows featuring original music at festivals, private parties, and intimate venues across the country as well as relishing her role as a lead singer in the storied rock band, Bloodkin. A prolific and tireless songwriter in her own right, her most recent recording efforts have produced (4) singles, and a music video spotlighting Franck's vocal prowess and songwriting mettle while several more projects and recordings are currently in the works. I'm so happy to have had Betsy on the show. It was my pleasure to sit down with her to hear her life story and her musical journey. Be on the lookout for a new Bloodkin album later this year, and keep your eye on Betsy's other projects! Betsy Franck https://www.instagram.com/bffranck?igsh=MXFpZTRwM3A3ZGZ1NA== https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWNFsdQNt/?mibextid=wwXIfr Song Credit: 'Woman in My Heart' - Madi Diaz - off the album 'History of a Feeling' - ℗2021 Anti 'Liquor Ain't Love' - Bloodkin - off the album 'Ravin' Beauties' - ℗2002 Pretty Mean Records 'City of Gold' - off the EP 'Sweeping Up the Porch' - ℗2002 Betsy Franck 'Too Much Trouble' - Betsy Franck - off the album 'Still Waiting' - ℗2022 athensmusic.net 'Birthmark' - Bloodkin - Live from Asheville Music Hall, 7/26/24 'Build to Suit' - Betsy Franck & The Bareknuckle Band - off the album 'Held Up By Progress' - ℗ 2003 Betsy Franck Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    1h 9m
  6. Long Live The Jam Queen! - Annabel Lukins

    MAR 29

    Long Live The Jam Queen! - Annabel Lukins

    Annabel Lukins is the ‘Jam Mom’ - but I call her the ‘Queen of Jam’. She grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City, and was exposed to music from a very young age - which precipitated a life-long journey in the music Scene. We talk about her internship in Radio, her time at MTV, Bonnaroo, Planet Bluegrass, Cloud 9…..we go all the way in…while visiting her first Dead, Phish, and Panic shows. Hard to summarize this episode folks - you just have to give a listen as we walk through years and years of this beautiful soul’s life journey.  Thanks for tuning in - and a BIG thank you to my friend Annabel, for a wonderful conversation. Long Live The Queen!! Song Credit: ‘’Disco’ - Widespread Panic - off the album ‘Light Fuse Get Away’ - ℗ 1998 Volcano Entertainment III, LLC  ‘Althea’ - Grateful Dead - Live from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY - 3/29/1991 ‘David Bowie’ - Phish - Live from Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA - 5/1/1993 ‘Low Rider’ - Widespread Panic - Live at Garton’s, Vail, CO - 1/27/1996 - Sit-N-Ski Tour ‘Nimbus’ - The Jazz Mandolin Project - off the album ‘Tour de Flux (Live)’ - ℗ 2004 DKE Records ‘Tweezer Reprise’ - Phish - off the album ‘The Clifford Ball August 16 & 17, 1996’ - ℗ 2021 Phosh, Inc. Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    1h 8m
  7. Curtis Cockrell - Life, Love and Music

    FEB 25

    Curtis Cockrell - Life, Love and Music

    So excited to share with you all my conversation with Curtis Cockrell. Curtis is the Merchandise Manager for Trey Anastasio Band and Greensky Bluegrass, the sometimes Merchandise Assistant for Phish, and an advocate and interventionist at Intervention 180. Perhaps his greatest passion is his role as Father to his two wonderful children. I was enthralled with his story - as I searched the internet for podcasts about addiction and recovery. As you’ll hear in the episode, he’s had an incredible journey, and I have great admiration for his hard work and dedication toward becoming the man he is today. A truly inspiring life story. We discuss his addiction and recovery journey, and I selfishly picked his brain on that subject, as well as on fatherhood. We of course talk music - and how he became who he is professionally to a couple of our community’s favorite musical acts. Thanks for tuning in - and thank you Curtis! Intervention180.org Connect with Curtis on Instagram & Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/curtiscockrell81?igsh=MW9pM2R6amR3ZTVwOQ== https://www.facebook.com/share/1D7wNwwbCS/?mibextid=wwXIfr Other Podcast Interviews (also available on Spotify): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boogie-on-rosie-woman/id1820820295?i=1000746679502 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gratitudespace-radio/id1521428656?i=1000493489499 Song Credit: ‘She Doesn’t Sleep with the Covers On’ - The Barr Brothers - off the album ‘Let it Hiss’ - ℗ 2025 The Barr Brothers under exclusive license to Secret City Records Inc. ‘Simple’ - Phish - Live from Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN - 11/18/96 - https://youtu.be/Etgo-HOmBpI?si=LMgqRmsQny5wsUyW ‘Circles Around Me’ - Sam Bush - off the album ‘Circles Around Me’ - ℗ 2009 Sugar Hill Records Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    45 min
  8. Tamara Holder-DeMaio - Women's Rights Advocate, Attorney, Philanthropist....and Badass!

    12/22/2025

    Tamara Holder-DeMaio - Women's Rights Advocate, Attorney, Philanthropist....and Badass!

    Tamara Holder is a nationally recognized women’s rights and multi-plaintiff attorney. She was a legal analyst on Fox News Channel for nearly a decade before devoting her entire practice to representing (mostly) women as a feminist lawyer. Tamara has testified before Congress, obtained clemency for the rehabilitated, and worked with the nation’s leading social justice and political figures on legislation that protects women and minority workers. Her work has been recognized in numerous publications. I had such a great time talking to Tamara about her work, love for Live music, and philanthropy. Please use the below link to donate to the Divided Sky Foundation's Women's Scholarship Fund - which she formally established in 2023. The Holidays can be a tight financial time for all of us - but any donation we are able to make will help this tremendous cause.  CAMPAIGN - Divided Sky Women's Scholarship Fund - Campaign Tamara - we've only just met - but I sincerely appreciate all of the work that you have dedicated your life to. Thank you so much for coming on the show - and for the work you do on behalf of Women across the globe.  To my daughters Emily and Laureli - this episode is for you. - Daddy Tamara's Socials: Instagram https://www.facebook.com/share/1DdhnTeFHR/?mibextid=wwXIfr Women’s Rights Lawyer | The Law Firm of Tamara Holder Song Credit: 'Joy' - Phish - off the album ‘Joy (Deluxe Version)’ - ℗ 2009 Phish 'Waste' - Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell - 10/30/20 - The Barn https://youtu.be/LnjXTPJ2XKI?si=4yb7fjWzUm0VxoQh 'Bug' - Trey and Jovi - https://youtu.be/M_KHGeByNjI?si=N1p9nevH3TLw0XPL Send us Fan Mail https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

    43 min
See All (47)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Conversations with artists, musicians, and others that added flavor to the music scene of Athens, GA and beyond. Getting to know the people they are and their personal stories.

Information

  • Creator
    AC
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 True Conversation Ventures, LLC.
  • Show Website
    True Conversation

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