Spout Podcast

Hunter Hayes joins Erik Zachary for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about Evergreen, the album he spent nearly a decade building into what he now calls season one of a larger creative story. Hunter opens up about the freedom of making music on his own terms, why this project had to wait until he was ready to live it, and how songs like “Human Again,” “Too Late,” “The Ones You Love,” and “Around the Sun” reflect growth, grief, hope, and the complicated process of becoming who you’re meant to be. Along the way, the conversation stretches beyond the record into flying lessons, creative discipline, rare instruments, watches, mentors like Elton John, and the mindset shift from fearing “what if” to asking what happens if it all works out. 

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Tamara Dhia sits down with Two Feet for an honest conversation about creativity, sobriety, and finding his next musical direction. He opens up about his new EP Songs for February, why he’s releasing music faster than ever, and how fan feedback is shaping what comes next. 
Two Feet also reflects on creating from a sober place for the first time, the truth behind the “tortured artist” myth, and the life-changing moment that forced him to reset everything. Plus, he talks about his upcoming tour, collaborating with artists like Suki Waterhouse and Michele Morrone, and the songs new listeners should hear first to understand who he is as an artist.

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After more than 20 years away from music, the singer behind the Y2K hit “I Wanna Be Bad” returns with a deeply personal new album titled Amanda — named after her birth name and a reflection of who she is today.

In this episode of the Spout Podcast, Willa opens up about her return to music, navigating fame during the early-2000s pop boom, and the journey that led her back to the studio.

She shares stories from the peak of the TRL era, working alongside pop icons like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Mandy Moore, and how the industry often pitted her against them.

Willa also discusses the deeply personal experiences that shaped this new chapter, including her diagnosis with PNES seizures, the importance of mental health for artists, and why she chose to return as an independent artist in full control of her music.

Plus, she reflects on her pivot into entrepreneurship, building a successful interior design business, and why stepping away from music may have been the best decision she ever made.

Now, she’s ready to return to the stage with her first-ever headline tour and a new body of work that represents her most authentic self.

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Rachel Grae joins Tamara Dhia to unpack her debut album Turned Into Me, out March 6. She describes the record as “a hug to my younger self,” built in emotional pairs that contrast past and present — from codependency to independence, toxic love to healthy relationships, and the shift from shrinking herself to standing firm.

Rachel shares the turning point behind the empowering opener “Run With the River,” the vulnerable rewrite that became “Come a Day,” and the anger-fueled clarity of “Me and Your Ego.” She also talks candidly about dating as a songwriter, the promise she once made not to write a bad song about someone, and the lyric that captures the album’s core: “I’m sorry for her, but I’m grateful she turned into me.”

The conversation revisits the TikTok moment that pushed “Friend Like Me” into the spotlight — filmed casually while making eggs — and what that taught her about authenticity, audience connection, and letting go of perfection. Rachel discusses performing unreleased songs on tour in the UK and Europe, preparing for a move to Nashville, and why she believes the city’s songwriting culture hits differently.

She also reflects on “Outsider,” the early release that built her community, and how healing has changed the way she writes — and the way she sees herself.

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David Archuleta joins to talk about his deeply personal new memoir, Devout — and the raw three-song EP that accompanies the audiobook.

David opens up about growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrestling with faith and sexuality, and the emotional toll of trying to reconcile religion with his identity as a queer man. He shares what it was like to feel called to honesty while simultaneously feeling pressured to hide, and how writing this book became a turning point in reclaiming his voice.

The conversation explores:

Why Devout became the right vessel for his story

The courage it took to overshare — about family, faith, and dating

Recording the audiobook in his own voice and the unexpected impact it had

The vulnerable EP that serves as a musical prequel to his current era

What he’d say to “younger David” stepping into the spotlight on American Idol

Finding joy today — from the gym to the beach to late-night EDM shows

Devout is out now, with the exclusive EP available through the audiobook.

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This week on The Spout Podcast, Tamara Dhia and Nick Major break down the biggest headlines in pop culture and there’s no shortage of drama.

Bad Bunny is fresh off a massive Super Bowl halftime moment, but Devin Booker isn’t exactly applauding. With Kendall Jenner back in the mix, the love triangle narrative resurfaces and the petty shade continues.

Maya Hawke secretly tied the knot in New York City, turning her Valentine’s Day wedding into a full Stranger Things reunion, minus two very noticeable cast members. The internet has questions.

Following the heartbreaking loss of Dawson’s Creek star James VanDerBeek, a multi-million dollar GoFundMe for his family sparks online backlash. The hosts unpack both sides of the debate and the larger issue of medical costs in America.

At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, organizers reportedly ran out of condoms in just three days inside the Olympic Village. Yes, really.

The episode also dives into Ryan Murphy’s dramatized take on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, Harry Styles stepping into full creative control of London’s Meltdown Festival, the return of Warped Tour, Netflix reviving Star Search with live voting, the newest season of Love Is Blind, and former President Obama’s latest comments on extraterrestrial life.

Concerts, controversy, culture and a few unanswered questions about aliens — all in one episode.

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This week on Spout, Erik Zachary and Tamara Dhia break down the most talked-about Super Bowl halftime shows of all time and why Bad Bunny’s performance landed so differently.

From the sugarcane fields of Puerto Rico recreated on the field, to the now-iconic “human trees,” to surprise moments with Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, this wasn’t just a halftime show.

Erik pulls back the curtain on the production mechanics (including the real reason those “trees” were people), while Tamara dives into the symbolism, representation, and emotional impact  especially for viewers who didn’t need to speak Spanish to enjoy the show.

They also unpack:

Why this became the most-watched halftime show ever

The subtle (and not-so-subtle) cultural callbacks you might’ve missed

Lady Gaga’s salsa-infused moment and why it added to the show

The wedding on the field, the child watching his future self, and the power of visual storytelling

Celebrity sightings, box-seat politics, and why hate-watching still counts

What modern halftime shows get wrong and why this one got it right

Whether you’re here for the music, the production, the culture, or the bigger conversation about live moments that actually matter, this episode is about why Bad Bunny didn’t just headline the Super Bowl… he reminded us why we still watch it.

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The Grammys gave us something we haven’t had in a while: a reason to actually watch live.

Spout hosts, Erik Zachary and Tamara Dhia break down the biggest moments from music’s biggest night, from Bad Bunny’s emotional Album of the Year win to Olivia Dean taking home Best New Artist. They debate surprise wins, standout performances, questionable choices, and the moments that had everyone texting each other “did that really just happen?”

Highlights include:

Bad Bunny’s  win and why it felt bigger than music

Best New Artist and why live vocals still matter

Trevor Noah’s final turn as host and who should host next

Bieber, Bruno, Gaga, Sabrina, and the performances that worked (and didn’t)

Lola Young’s F bomb

Cher’s unforgettable or regrettable moment

Pharrell’s Impact Award speech

Red carpet fashion, bold choices, and Chapel Roan doing Chapel Roan things

This is a fan-and-industry take on a Grammy Awards show that finally remembered how to be entertaining again. 

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Mothica breaks down the world-building behind her new music and visuals, including the release of “Evergreen Misery” and “Save Your Roses,” and the upcoming five-song EP Somewhere In Between (out February 20). What started as an inside joke has evolved into a full creative universe — complete with lore, symbolism, and a heavier sonic direction fans are already calling “Rocka.”

Mothica opens up about sobriety, rehab, anxiety, and the hard decision to cancel a major tour to prioritize her mental health. She talks candidly about addiction, creative rebirth, and learning to live in the gray area between extremes.

The episode also goes into:

Why this era leans heavier and more rock-driven

The meaning behind Somewhere In Between

Re-releasing “Vices” and rewriting its future

Touring again after recovery and what’s different this time

Her love of practical effects, moth lore, and visual storytelling

Shrek, All Star, and why it somehow all makes sense

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Frank Zummo is in one of those rare chapters artists don’t plan for, but earn.

Two years after his last appearance, the Sum 41 drummer returns to Spout fresh off a world farewell tour, the release of his debut book Unbreakable Rhythm, and a new era with Electric Callboy—all while redefining what longevity, wellness, and purpose look like in modern music.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Frank opens up about:

Writing Unbreakable Rhythm: My Journey Through Music, Wellness & Mental Strength and why this wasn’t a typical rock memoir

How School of Rock workshops unexpectedly turned into life-changing mental health conversations with kids and families

Playing an NFL stadium with students, raising money for teen suicide prevention, and turning music into impact

Filling in for Tommy Lee, closing out Sum 41, and why there was never a “Plan B”

Joining Electric Callboy, covering “Still Waiting,” and navigating the fear of “what’s next” after a band ends

Creating a soundtrack EP tied to the book—with artwork designed by his own kids

Touring, fatherhood, wellness routines, and building a career meant to last decades, not burn out

If you care about music, longevity, mental health, or building a life that actually sustains the work—you’ll want this one.

🎧 Unbreakable Rhythm is available now in print, audiobook (narrated by Frank), and digital.

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