Peter Mulvey is a folk singer-songwriter and all around wonderful human. He is a deeply curious person who loves poetry, so I already knew we’d be fast friends and have a lot to talk about!

We got a chance to sit down together in San Francisco, and we cover a lot of ground during this conversation.

He tells us about a time he was living alone in an empty house in a little town, and the profound encounter with a fox he had during that time that led to beautiful lyrics. He talks about the important distinction between solitude and isolation, and I love how he unpacks the feeling of grief.

He talks about what tools have helped him get through darker times, including being as he describes a “very persistent half-assed meditator”, nature, community, and looking after other people. I’d like to add an exclamation point on that last bit: if you’re going through a hard time, I can’t emphasize enough how useful it is to do something - however small - to make someone else feel better when you’re down. When I’m going through it, this is the one thing that consistently helps me get out of a funk. And I was happy to hear Peter say it too.

He also tells us some of the writers and musicians whose creativity moves him. And wow - I got goosebumps all over when he describes his favorite memory – it’s a good one.

Everyone I know who is friends with Peter says he’s one of the best humans they know, and I can see why.

**Where to find Peter: **

Instagram

Website

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Morning. Theme music by Heather Maloney.