On this week's Mindful Music our guest is Buffalo's own Robby Takac, bass player and songwriter for The Goo-Goo Dolls. Karl and Robby talk about what it's like being in a Grammy winning band - that's still going - for almost 40 years. Different music festivals in Western New York , including the Music is Art Festival which Robby started as part of his Music is Art Foundation. All that and more on this week's Mindful Music!

Check out Robby's playlist:

This week on Mindful Music, Karl is joined by the remarkable Jillian Hanesworth, spoken word artist, activist, and Poet Laureate Emeritus of Buffalo, New York. Recently crowned with an Emmy, Jillian discusses her journey to success despite grappling with a learning disability, the importance of staying true to your roots, and emphasizes self-care as a necessity as she soars to even higher heights. All that and more on this episode of Mindful Music.

Listen to Jillian's playlist here:

With a distinguished career as both a songwriter and producer for top-tier artists like Lizzo, The Weeknd, Rihanna, and Jay-Z, Sam brings a unique perspective to the table. Karl and Sam discuss dynamic experiences of life on the road, the isolative limitations of growing up in a smalltown (Ithaca, NY), and the art of keeping your wits under pressure. All that and more on Mindful Music.

Listen to Sam's playlist here:

What’s it like to spearhead a one-billion-dollar multiyear plan to transform mental healthcare in the state of New York? Or to expand the Office of Mental Health Office of Diversity and Inclusion? And what do Carole King and Jim Croce have to do with any of it? Karl Shallowhorn sits down with Dr. Ann Sullivan, the New York State Commissioner of Mental Health to find out. All that and more on this week’s Mindful Music.

Listen to Dr. Sullivan's playlist:

On this week's episode of Mindful Music Karl sits with Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, Harvey Rosenthal. They chat about their recovery journeys, discuss the importance of acceptance and understanding with spouses when it comes to recovery, and how music guides their journeys. All that and more on this week’s Mindful Music.

Listen to Harvey's playlist:

On this week's Mindful Music, Karl speaks with Buffalo based drummer, band leader and teacher Damone Jackson. They discuss what it is like going from being a part time musician to full time, diversity in musicianship, development of a song and influences from Buddy Rich to Neil Peart. That's this week on Mindful Music.

Listen to Damone's playlist:

Inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2014 and nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2008, Jeff Miers is one of the most impactful and dedicated music journalists and musicians in Western New York. In this episode of Mindful Music, he sits down with Karl, discusses the local and regional music scene, and shares three of his own songs that were inspired by mental and emotional health. That's this week on Mindful Music.

Listen to Jeff's playlist:

On this week's Mindful Music, we chat with Oregon-based singer songwriter Alice Di Micele. Karl and Alice discuss “range,” how to summon specific emotions through different genres, and the mental effects of sharing the stage with music heavyweights Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir, and Mickey Hart. All that and more on Mindful Music.

What do Nirvana, Billie Eilish, and Verdi all have in common? They’re all on Opera megastar Jamie Barton’s playlist. Karl Shallowhorn talks to Jamie about her unconventional upbringing and relationship to Opera, her support of LGBTQ artists, and what it’s like to be decorated with so many accolades. She is the winner of the International Opera Awards Readers’ Award, Beverly Sills Artist Award, Richard Tucker Award, and BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. All that and more on this week’s Mindful Music.

Listen to Jamie Barton's Playlist:

On this week's Mindful Music, we return with season three and our amazing guest is Glenn Tilbrook, founding member of the British musical group Squeeze!

Squeeze has sold nearly 2 million albums worldwide and Glenn’s solo work includes The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook released in 2001, Transatlantic Ping Pong in 2004, Pandemonium Ensues in 2009, and Happy Ending from 2014. Karl and Glenn discuss the history of Glenn and his music, what obscure tunes have influenced him, and his vast charity work (and how he climbed Mt Kilimanjaro!) All that and more on this brand new episode of Mindful Music.

Listen to Glenn Tilbrook's Playlist: