Ben Folds catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new album with the National Symphony Orchestra, recorded at the Kennedy Center just before his dramatic exit as artistic advisor under the Trump takeover. Folds digs into why the Kennedy Center’s mission goes beyond just staging performances, how nonprofits keep communities connected, and what it means when the firewall protecting the arts from political intimidation breaks down. He also reflects on the symbolism of releasing this orchestral record on July 4th, shares stories about Rostropovich and Shostakovich’s resistance under Stalin, and why artists today can’t afford to “shut up and sing.” It’s an inspiring, candid conversation about music as an act of resistance, the future of orchestral music, and how we can all be capable of anything — for better or worse — if we’re not paying attention.

Listen to Ben Folds chat about all this and more or watch it on Youtube. Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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