I'm thrilled to have the one and only Steve Poltz on the show this week!!  Steve Poltz represents everything that is special about the collective vibe that is live music. He is a storyteller, songwriter and musician traveling the globe, bringing good vibes and spreading the love wherever he may be. Known for his indie band The Rugburns, as well as for the mega-hit "You Were Meant For Me," which he co-wrote with legendary folk singer, Jewel, Steve revels in curiosity, love, comedy and self-reflection. A keen observer of life and the roads upon which we all travel, Steve's shows are a conversation in which he draws in fans and make everyone feel part of the show -- and it's an experience that you never forget. 

In this intimate conversation, Steve and I explore his artistic journey -- sharing tons of stories and anecdotes only to discover that in many respects, we have lived almost parallel lives. It's a stunning revelation that I'm excited to share in the super special, one-of-a-kind interview.   

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Chapters:

00:00:00 - Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg

00:05:40 - Welcome to Steve Poltz and recent travels

00:07:55 - How Australia and New Zealand are affecting his worldview

00:10:10 - The storytelling essence of his new album, released January 30th

00:12:30 - The spontaneous nature of his performances and no setlist approach

00:14:40 - Playing live vs. studio: raw, authentic sound of recent recordings

00:17:02 - Childhood musical influences and humorous storytelling traditions

00:19:40 - The cultural impact of funny songs from Jim Stafford to Loudon Wainwright

00:22:25 - The history of funny and rebellious music and their influence on him

00:25:00 - Growing up in Palm Springs and the early years of social life

00:27:35 - Connection between his Jewish heritage and his global perspective

00:30:05 - The state of current geopolitics, Israel, Palestine, and world history

00:32:40 - The significance of political studies and the complexities of truth

00:36:25 - The decentralization of information and media manipulation

00:39:55 - The unsettling rise of authoritarianism and the importance of accountability

00:43:05 - Personal stories involving health crises, stroke recovery, and mortality

00:47:10 - Travel tales from Istanbul and cityscapes around the world

00:50:30 - The influence of religion and history on personal and political views

00:55:40 - Community, love, and the role of music in uniting people

00:59:40 - How to navigate performance nerves and the art of engaging an audience

01:03:40 - Reflecting on the importance of honesty, authenticity, and staying true to oneself

01:09:40 - The humor in life’s darkest moments and the power of laughter

01:14:56 - Infiltration and magic in live performance: surprising and delighting audiences

01:19:06 - The journey of perseverance: saying yes, being consistent, and embracing risk

01:23:49 - The importance of self-awareness, the struggle to say no, and personal growth

01:28:09 - Living with purpose, the desire to make an impact, and facing mortality

01:32:40 - The creativity of humor, the boundaries of political correctness, and dark comedy

01:38:30 - Reflections on health, strokes, and the fleeting nature of life

01:42:40 - The unexpected connections and stories from traveling and performance legends

01:47:56 - The humorous and profound moments of vulnerability and resilience

01:50:40 - The power of irreverence, risk-taking, and living fully in the moment

01:54:40 - Closing thoughts, upcoming shows, and the enduring value of human connection

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Roadcase theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer