The Sauce with Dawn Burns

Join Dawn Burns as she talks with artist Brandon Lott, a South Bend native blending R&B, neo-soul, and global sounds into powerful music that inspires reflection and explores the mind, heart, body, and soul.

Join Dawn Burns for a special episode featuring Chuck Wild, Emmy®-nominated composer behind Liquid Mind®. From 80s synth-pop with Missing Persons to studio work with legends like Zappa and Jackson, Chuck’s 53-year career is vast. Discover why Liquid Mind is his passion and hear about his latest release, Liquid Mind 15. A heartfelt conversation not to miss.

Join Dawn Burns for this episode, shining a spotlight on South Bend Civic Theatre’s production of Company by Stephen Sondheim. Executive Director Aaron Nichols, lead actor Sean Leyes, and director David Ferrell share why this musical resonates today, explore its timely themes, and reflect on the personal and cultural questions it boldly raises.

Children’s author Chelsere Johnson joins Dawn Burns to discuss his journey from darkness to light through storytelling. Drawing from hardship, he crafts poetic children's books like Hey Young Grasshopper and The Story of the Caterpillar and the Crickets, offering young readers insight, resilience, and hope through the written word.

Dawn Burns speaks with Lisa Kowalski of South Bend Culture Club—celebrating creativity and community while empowering local voices to inspire change..

Dawn Burn speaks with California-born and Indy-raised, Akili Ni Mali who blends R&B, soul, jazz, and pop with powerful vocals and rich storytelling. A standout in Indy’s music scene, she was named a 2025 Art & Soul featured artist. Now in Chicago, she’s bringing her dynamic sound to a new creative community.

Dawn Burn speaks with Chris Greene — Evanston’s Illinois’ jazz pride and a Chicago favorite since 2005. With his celebrated quartet and fan-loved Playtime mixtapes, Greene blends deep community roots with next-level musicianship. Join this ride through the Midwest jazz scene! 

#Jazz #Podcast #PlaySPACE #GreeneGrooves

Dawn Burn speaks with Acantha Lang, the powerhouse Soul artist making waves from New Orleans to London. We talked about her acclaimed debut Beautiful Dreams, her rise in the UK soul scene, and the passion behind her music. A journey of grit, grace, and unforgettable soul.

In this episode, Dawn Burns sits down with Andréa Lisa—South African-born, New Zealand-raised artist, and true musical force. She talks about her debut album Silver Lining, her healing sound, and the personal journey that fuels her art. A soulful conversation you don’t want to miss.

Multifaceted actor and New York jazz musician, Bryan Eng speaks with Dawn Burns about making waves across Broadway, TV, film, and iconic venues like the Kennedy Center and Birdland. As the Carlyle Hotel’s youngest resident performer, Bryan’s talent shines in every performance. Explore his inspiring journey and extraordinary career!