CASSINGLES

Scott McCloud joins CASSINGLES for a conversation about the music that shaped him, the records that changed his perspective, and a life spent making noise on his own terms.

From Soulside and Girls Against Boys to decades of music beyond, Scott talks about discovering the sounds that pulled him in, finding community through music, and the strange education that comes from spending your life in bands.

Because sometimes the records that raise us never really let us go.

The Songs That Raised Us. The Lessons That Stayed.

#ScottMcCloud #GirlsAgainstBoys #GVSB #Soulside #Cassingles #MusicPodcast #PostHardcore

The Dollyrots join Cassingles for a conversation about growing up, falling in love with music, building a band—and somehow building a family inside that band without losing the loud guitars along the way.

Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas take us back to the music that shaped them, the early days of their relationship, and the road that eventually became The Dollyrots. We talk about punk rock, songwriting, touring, parenthood, and what it takes to keep creating together after more than two decades.

Kelly and Luis also dig into the stories behind their music, including “Because I’m Awesome,” and the strange alchemy that turns real experiences into three-minute blasts of melody, humor, attitude, and heart.

Then we head to the classroom. Courtney builds an original lesson around “Everything,” using the song to explore hyperbole—how exaggeration can reveal emotion, create humor, and make a simple idea hit much harder.

It’s funny, warm, wonderfully chaotic, and very Dollyrots.

The songs that raised us. The lessons that stayed.

🎙️ Guests: Kelly Ogden & Luis Cabezas🎸 Band: The Dollyrots🎵 Episode: Literally, Amazing!📚 Punk Rock • Songwriting • Hyperbole • Family • Creativity • Music Education

Follow @cassinglespod for episode clips, original classroom lessons, upcoming guests, and more from Cassingles.

Linus of Hollywood joins Cassingles for a conversation about the songs, records, and strange little moments that helped shape the musician and songwriter he became.

From discovering music as a kid to finding his own place inside it, Linus takes us through the records that opened doors for him—and the lessons that followed. We talk about songwriting, melody, identity, the pull of great pop music, and what happens when the things you love when you’re young become the foundation of your creative life.

Along the way, Linus reflects on his years making music as Linus of Hollywood, his time with Size 14, producing and collaborating with other artists, and the long road of building a life around songs.

And, as always, we bring it back to the classroom: Courtney creates an original lesson inspired by Linus’s music, connecting the work of a songwriter to the way students understand language, creativity, and themselves.

The songs that raised us. The lessons that stayed.

🎙️ Guest: Linus of Hollywood🎵 Episode: Nettle Patch Kids📚 Music • Education • Songwriting • Growing Up • Creativity

Follow @cassinglespod for clips, lessons, upcoming guests, and more from Cassingles.

Marko DeSantis of Sugarcult joins Cassingles for a conversation about the music that shaped him, the lessons learned from life in a touring band, and the path that eventually brought him into education.

From discovering the records that changed everything to experiencing the rise of Sugarcult and finding new ways to connect music with students, Marko traces the moments that helped shape both the musician and educator he became.

It’s about music, memory, growth, and finding A Less Bitter Model for what comes next.

Cassingles: The Songs That Raised Us. The Lessons That Stayed.

Tracy Bonham has never been interested in taking the easy road.

On this episode of Cassingles, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter behind “Mother Mother” looks back at the music, teachers, and experiences that shaped her long before The Burdens of Being Upright changed everything.

Tracy talks about growing up as a classically trained musician, finding her own voice, navigating the expectations that came with sudden success, and the strange, beautiful process of continuing to evolve as an artist decades into a career.

Then we turn Tracy’s music into the classroom with “Mourning Breath” — a lesson inspired by her work and the emotional weight we carry, confront, and eventually learn to release.

The songs that raised us. The lessons that stayed.

🎙️ Cassingles Podcast
Hosted by Chris Margolin & Courtney Margolin

Follow Cassingles for more conversations with the artists who helped soundtrack our lives.

Mike Timmins of Cowboy Junkies joins CASSINGLES for a conversation about songwriting, longevity, and the creative choices behind one of the most distinctive sounds in alternative music.

Mike takes us inside the world of Cowboy Junkies—from the band’s beginnings and the remarkable The Trinity Session to his approach to songwriting, guitar, collaboration, and nearly four decades of making music together.

Then Courtney takes over the classroom.

Using Cowboy Junkies’ haunting “Blue Moon (Revisited) (Song for Elvis),” Courtney presents “A Hint of Blue,” a lesson about reinterpretation, context, and how artists can take something familiar and transform it into something entirely their own.

CASSINGLES
Songs That Raised Us. Lessons That Stayed.

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Episode 16 — Joe Stamm: “Hopefully, Back Again”

Joe Stamm has built a career on songs that feel lived-in—stories about hard miles, second chances, mistakes, survival, and finding your way back to yourself.

This week on CASSINGLES, Joe joins Chris and Courtney to talk songwriting, the road that shaped him, and the experiences behind the music.

What makes a place feel like home?

For singer-songwriter Emily Woodhull, home isn't always an address. Sometimes it's a song, a memory, a community, or the people who remind us who we are.

In this episode of CASSINGLES, Emily joins Chris and Courtney for an honest conversation about songwriting, vulnerability, creative growth, and the winding path that led her to trust her own voice. Along the way, Courtney builds a lesson called "Home Is a Feeling," exploring how the places and people we connect with help shape our identities.

Whether you're a songwriter, a music fan, or someone still figuring out where you belong, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the journey matters just as much as the destination.

Lesson: Home Is a Feeling

Follow CASSINGLES for new episodes every Thursday featuring the artists behind the songs that shaped our lives—and the lessons they still have to teach.

On Episode 14 of the CASSINGLES Podcast, Chris Margolin and Courtney Dawn welcome underground hip-hop legend Illogic for a conversation about growth, purpose, creativity, and the people who help us become the best versions of ourselves.

Known for decades of thoughtful lyricism and deeply personal storytelling, Illogic shares the lessons behind his music, the importance of community, and how real transformation rarely happens alone.

Before the interview, Courtney introduces this episode's classroom lesson, "Glow Up My World," exploring how the people around us influence our confidence, identity, and ability to grow.

Whether you're an educator, music fan, artist, or someone trying to become a little better every day, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

Lesson: Glow Up My World
Guest Teacher: Illogic

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Chris Margolin
https://www.instagram.com/chrismargolinmusic

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https://www.instagram.com/themargolin

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone whose world has helped yours glow a little brighter.

Every song has a story. Every story has a lesson.

#CASSINGLES #Illogic #HipHop #UndergroundHipHop #Podcast #MusicPodcast #ChrisMargolin #CourtneyDawn #IndependentMusic #Education #Teachers #Growth #PersonalDevelopment #Storytelling #HipHopCulture #MusicEducation #CreativeProcess #Interview #NewPodcast #GlowUpMyWorld

Rebecca Porter joins Chris Margolin & Courtney Dawn for Episode 13 of CASSINGLES to talk about the songs that shaped her life, the experiences that shaped her journey, and the lessons she's learned along the way.

In this conversation, Rebecca reflects on discovering music, finding her voice, the artists who inspired her, and why the right song can stay with us for a lifetime. It's an honest discussion about creativity, resilience, and the moments that define who we become.

For this episode, Courtney's lesson is "Eat Your Cake," an exploration of embracing joy, celebrating the present, and giving ourselves permission to savor the moments that matter instead of always waiting for what's next.

At CASSINGLES, every guest brings one song that helped shape who they are. From that song comes a conversation about identity, memory, and the life lessons music leaves behind long after the final note.

Listen & Follow CASSINGLES

🌐 Website: https://cassinglespod.com

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Nw4QkzD0wJ7eK8KJ5m9fK

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cassingles/id1896837435

📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@cassinglespod

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Hosted by Chris Margolin & Courtney Dawn.

Music is the roadmap to our lives.