Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds

Today’s guest is Nick Hornby, best-selling author (High Fidelity, About A Boy, Fever Pitch), award-winning screenwriter (An Education, Wild, Brooklyn) and lyricist (Ben Folds' album, Lonely Avenue). On this episode, we talk about how children can be the most honest characters, how music and writing overlap, combating the urge to abandon an old idea for a new one, and finding out how to set a daily page goal for yourself. 

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Ben and his special guest Dan Wilson (writer of Not Ready To Make Nice, Someone Like You, Closing Time) LIVE from Ben's writing camp studio in Nashville. Grab a front row seat to join Ben on stage to ask your questions about his career, writing process, and what he has in store for the future! There will also be live trivia and bingo, with an opportunity to win some awesome merch. 

Tickets are available now at https://app.loopedlive.com/c/3727

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s bonus episode we are joined by Rainn Wilson and Reza Aslan from the podcast Metaphysical Milkshake. We dive in and get a New Week’s Resolution from both Rainn and Reza. Afterwards we create a song using a haiku, a bassoon, and a lot of creativity! 

This episode is the second part of a special crossover event. Check out the other part which is also out TODAY, where Rainn, Reza and I listen to fan voicemails and answer their questions about creativity, art and music. So, head over to the Metaphysical Milkshake feed to listen to the episode and follow, rate and review if you like it! Out every Tuesday, Rainn and Reza welcome amazing guests like Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Mayim Bialik, Jason Isbell and more.

Check out the other part here: https://www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metaphysical-milkshake-with-rainn-reza/id1566052074

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Andy Grammer, the singer, songwriter, and record producer. You’ll know Andy from hit songs like “Honey, I’m Good”, “Don’t Give up on Me”, and “Good To Be Alive.” On this episode, we dive into how the music industry has changed from an exclusive club to being more spread out, humble beginnings, helping to cultivate the magic of creating a song, and maintaining a business sense without compromising your creativity. Check out Andy’s newest song “Damn It Feels Good To Be Me” out now! 

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Derek Waters, the actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and director. You’ll recognize Derek from his hit series Drunk History as well as from his many other creative pursuits. Derek is a force, through and through, collaborating and contributing in any creative space he works in. On this episode we dive into talking about playing classical music during sports games, being hyper-specific while having the big picture in your head, the benefits of formulas, when to ditch formulas and make something completely original, and how your creative work is a representation of you as a person. 

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Scott Hicks, the Australian film director and screenwriter. Best known for writing and directing Shine, the biopic of pianist David Helfgott, Scott received nominations for two Academy Awards. From Shine, Scott has gone on to direct many more films, such as No Reservations, The Lucky One, and Heart of Atlantis. On this episode we talk about Scott working early in his career with Peter Weir and Bruce Beresford, how a filmset is a tool for education by shadowing the work of masters, how the Australian film market differs from America’s, the true impact of an image, and creating a message using visual language. 

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is William Shatner! Known for his iconic role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, William is an actor, author, producer, director, screenwriter, and singer. His newest album, “BILL,” is releasing 9/24. 

Ben and William collaborated on the album “Has Been,” released in 2004.

In this episode, we talk about what separates an amateur from a professional (even if an amateur is more talented), saying you could have done something versus actually doing it, horseback riding, and transforming hardship into creativity. This conversation was a lot of fun so take a listen to our conversation with the one the only Mr. William Shatner.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is singer-songwriter, pianist, and orchestral composer Gabriel Kahane. He’s released several albums to critical acclaim, and he’s written essays for publications such as The New Yorker and The New York Times. Gabriel has a unique approach to songwriting - in 2016, he traveled all around the United States gathering inspiration for his album Book of Travelers. 

On this episode, we dive into Gabe’s recent year-long hiatus from the internet, in which he discovered how genuine human interaction has become harder to find as our reliance on technology has grown. We also speak about the human nature of creativity and how technology can help but also interfere with the creative process. 

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Greg has had an impressive career - as the co-founder of a successful vinyl record store, the Vice President of Development at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and now as the leader of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Greg and Ben crossed paths in 2014 during Ben’s efforts to save RCA Studio A in Nashville from demolition. Out of the blue, Greg wrote an amazing letter of support that got lots of attention all over the country and helped turn the tide for his cause. 

In this episode, we talk about how museums extend past just the physical objects within them, the ways music connect us together as a collective experience, and how museums should look just as much to the future as they do to the past.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is the iconic New York City drag artist, TV personality, and political activist, Marti Gould Cummings. Marti's been a regular fixture in the nightlife world for nearly a decade. They host shows such as Dragged and The Marti Report, and they have a podcast called Marti Talks.

Marti is known for combining the world of drag with politics and activism. On this episode we talk about thinking outside the conventional boxes of society, as well as the origins, meaning, and constant evolution of drag. We also talk about drag as an art form, existing as a body of work that influences society while also serving as platform for conversation and discourse. 

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.