Backstory Sessions

🎙️ NEW EPISODE — BACKSTORY SESSIONS

This week on Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives, we sit down with filmmaker Chris Schwab, director of Dracula: The Night Around Us.

Chris takes us behind the scenes of his modern reimagining of Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire story, sharing how the film came together, what drew him to Dracula, and how he approached putting his own creative stamp on one of horror’s most iconic characters.

We also talk about Chris’s own backstory as a filmmaker, the challenges of directing horror, the visual style of the movie, audience reaction, and what it means to bring the film to Tubi FrightFest 2026.

It’s a conversation about horror, storytelling, filmmaking, creative risk, and why Dracula continues to fascinate audiences generation after generation.

🎧 Listen now to Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives.

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🎙️ NEW EPISODE — BACKSTORY SESSIONS

If you’ve listened to Backstory Sessions for any length of time, today’s guest may already have a familiar voice.

This week, we turn the microphone toward Matt Rifenburg — writer, podcaster, storyteller, and co-author of Love and Jello — to find out a little more about the man behind that voice.

And, as we discover during the conversation, Matt is a bit like an onion: there are a lot of layers. We peel back a few of them as we talk about the many places he’s lived, starting over, podcasting, writing, creativity, resilience, and the difference between being seen as an inspiration and actually writing the complicated truths of your own life.

We also revisit Love and Jello, talk about how those stories continued to evolve through other creative projects, and look ahead to what Matt is writing now.

📚 And there’s more to come!

Matt has new books on the way, so stay tuned for release information about:

❤️ Heart Shaped Box

I’ve said this before, but it deserves repeating: Matt is the author who made me love reading. There is something unmistakably his about the way he tells a story — the humor, the honesty, the observations, and all those layers underneath.

So if you recognize the voice, now’s your chance to learn more about the person behind it.

🎧 Listen now to Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives.

#BackstorySessions #MattRifenburg #LoveAndJello #HeartShapedBox #BarStories #Author #Writer #Podcaster #Storyteller #BooksComingSoon #WritersLife #BehindTheStory #ConversationsWithCreatives #NewEpisode #CreativeWriting

🎙️ NEW EPISODE — BACKSTORY SESSIONS

This week on Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives, we sit down with singer-songwriter Brooke Lee.

Brooke takes us back to the beginning—forming a band as a teenager, moving to Nashville to chase the dream, and building a career that has included opening for artists like Willie Nelson and NEEDTOBREATHE, performing at CMA Fest, and appearing in the reimagined “See the USA in Your Chevrolet” campaign.

We also talk about her recent releases, including the flirty, late-night energy of “Driver Drive” and the much more vulnerable “Mess of It.” Brooke opens up about the relationship that inspired the song, what it means to fight for something until you realize it’s costing you pieces of yourself, and why she wanted the vocal to feel raw, emotional, and honest.

It’s a conversation about ambition, heartbreak, healing, songwriting, and finding the courage to tell the truth in your music.

🎧 Listen now to Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives.

#BackstorySessions #BrookeLee #MessOfIt #DriverDrive #SingerSongwriter #CountryMusic #NashvilleMusic #WomenInCountry #Songwriting #IndependentArtist #BehindTheMusic #ConversationsWithCreatives #NewMusic #MusicPodcast

🎙️ SEASON 19 PREMIERE — BACKSTORY SESSIONS

Season 19 of Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives begins with singer-songwriter Celeste Marie Wilson.

Celeste joins us to talk about her journey in music, the stories and experiences that shape her songwriting, and the inspiration behind “Marie.” We also look at the road that brought her here, the kind of artist she wants to become, and what she hopes listeners carry with them after hearing her music.

It’s a conversation about creativity, honesty, storytelling, and finding your own voice.

🎧 Listen now and join us as Season 19 begins!

#BackstorySessions #Season19 #SeasonPremiere #CelesteMarieWilson #Marie #SingerSongwriter #AmericanaMusic #CountryMusic #IndependentArtist #WomenInMusic #Songwriting #BehindTheMusic #ConversationsWithCreatives

🎙️ BACKSTORY SESSIONS — SEASON 18 FINALE

We’re closing out Season 18 with Lee Newton and Heidi Parton for a fun conversation celebrating their new music video for the country classic “Silver Threads & Golden Needles.”

Lee and Heidi take us behind the scenes of the collaboration, share stories from making the video, and talk about the special cameos that helped make it such a memorable project. We also hear about their individual musical journeys, the friendships and connections behind the music, and what it means to breathe new life into a song that has been loved for generations.

It’s the perfect way to wrap up another season of Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives—with plenty of laughter, music, memories, and stories from behind the scenes.

🎧 Listen now and join us for the Season 18 finale!

#BackstorySessions #Season18Finale #LeeNewton #HeidiParton #SilverThreadsAndGoldenNeedles #CountryMusic #CountryMusicLegends #MusicVideo #WomenInCountry #BehindTheMusic #ConversationsWithCreatives

🎙️ NEW EPISODE | BACKSTORY SESSIONS

This week, we sit down with singer-songwriter Stephanie Rabus for a conversation about finding her voice, building a career in music, and turning real-life experiences into songs.

Stephanie takes us back to where it all began—singing as a child, joining her dad’s band at 21, performing with the St. Louis-based band Borderline, and eventually stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. Along the way, she’s shared stages with artists including Lonestar, Chris Janson, Lindsay Ell, Lee Brice, and Sara Evans.

We also talk about her music and her latest single, “Payback’s a Beach”—a fun, sun-soaked take on what happens when heartbreak gets a little payback of its own. 🌴🎶

It’s a conversation about perseverance, confidence, songwriting, and creating a career that is uniquely your own.

🎧 Listen now to Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives!

#BackstorySessions #StephanieRabus #PaybacksABeach #SingerSongwriter #CountryMusic #IndependentArtist #WomenInCountryMusic #Songwriting #MusicPodcast #ConversationsWithCreatives

This week on Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives, we welcome Johnny Owens, son of country music legend Buck Owens.

Johnny takes us behind the famous name to share memories of Buck as a father, the extraordinary musical legacy he left behind, and what it means to carry that legacy forward nearly 20 years after his passing.

We also talk about the 60th anniversary of the iconic Live From Carnegie Hall album and Johnny’s new recording of a song forever connected to the Owens legacy — “Act Naturally.” 🎶

It’s a conversation about family, music, memories, and finding your own place inside an American country music legacy.

🎧 Listen now to Backstory Sessions!

#BackstorySessions #JohnnyOwens #BuckOwens #ActNaturally #BakersfieldSound #CountryMusic #MusicHistory #ConversationsWithCreatives #BehindTheMusic #NewEpisode

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Kennedy Reid Gives Back to Kentucky

What happens when an American Idol Top 20 finalist uses her music to make a difference?

In this special episode of Backstory Sessions, Kennedy Reid joins us to talk about her journey from the American Idol stage to benefit concerts that support communities and causes close to her heart. She shares the story behind her music, what life has been like since Idol, preparing to welcome her first baby, and why she said “yes” to helping Tri-County Mystery Meets’ Barbourville to Broadway campaign.

We also discuss:

If you love country music, inspiring stories, and artists who use their platform to help others, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

🎟️ See Kennedy Reid LIVE!

🎭 Benefiting Tri-County Mystery Meets’ “Barbourville to Broadway” Program, supporting the Off-Broadway presentation of The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt.

💙 Concert Sponsor: Atienza Acob Medical Center

#BackstorySessions #KennedyReid #AmericanIdol #BarbourvilleToBroadway #TriCountyMysteryMeets #TheSweetLife #CountryMusic #Podcast #KentuckyMusic #LiveMusic #SupportTheArts #BarbourvilleKY

Backstory Sessions – Brandon Wood: A Journey to Every Country on Earth

What does it take to visit every country in the world?

This week on Backstory Sessions, Cat Goguen sits down with world traveler Brandon Wood to hear the incredible story behind one of the rarest accomplishments imaginable—setting foot in every sovereign nation on Earth.

From breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable cultures to unexpected challenges and life-changing moments, Brandon shares the adventures that transformed his view of the world and himself.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Whether you’re an avid traveler, a dreamer with a bucket list, or simply love hearing remarkable stories, this conversation is packed with adventure, insight, and inspiration.

Join us as we go beyond the passport stamps and explore the backstory of a man whose curiosity carried him around the globe.

🎙️ Host: Cat Goguen

Be sure to subscribe to Backstory Sessions for more conversations with creatives, adventurers, and remarkable people whose stories inspire us all.

✨ This week on Backstory Sessions…

What happens when one person sees a need in their community—and decides to do something about it?

Join us as we welcome Debbie Gilbert, Founder of IGOT Communities (Independently Growing Older Together), for an inspiring conversation about purpose, service, and creating places where adults 55+ can thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Debbie shares the personal experiences that inspired IGOT Communities, the challenges of building a movement from the ground up, and why meaningful connections can change lives at every age.

Whether you’re planning for your own future, caring for a loved one, or simply believe in the power of community, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎙 Backstory Sessions

Because every great organization begins with a story—and every story has the power to inspire.

#BackstorySessions #DebbieGilbert #IGOTCommunities #IndependentlyGrowingOlderTogether #CommunityMatters #AgingWell #ActiveAging #Podcast #ConversationsWithCreatives #Kentucky #Inspiration #PurposeDriven #Storytelling