Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds

Latest Episodes:

Ruby Amanfu - Creating Music with your Authentic Voice Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Ruby Amanfu, the Nashville-based Grammy Award nominated songwriter, recording artist, actor, and activist. From her collaborations with Jack White, H.E.R., and Sara Bareilles to her expansive array of solo work, her voice as a musician has been heard by the world in many different ways. We also spoke about her recent collaboration with Leigh Nash on the song “Good Trouble,” which released in the wake of the BLM George Floyd protests and covering the importance of having your voice heard in an authentic way.

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.

Ryan O’Connell - Using Personal Stories to Create Something Larger than Yourself Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Ryan O’Connell, the amazing writer, actor, showrunner, director, comedian, and activist. We spoke about formulating a writing process, how the content we create changes with age, wearing your influences on your sleeves to create something for yourself, owning your troll, and much more. We also spoke about Ryan’s Netflix show “Special” and about creating content that is for a community but also comes from a very personal place.

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.

Jeff Lawson - Solving Problems Instead Of Selling Solutions Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Jeff Lawson, the Co-Founder and CEO of Twilio. His career has spanned over many years and over many companies, notably serving as the CTO of Stubhub. We talked about the creativity of programming and how creating a playground with problems to fix inspires coders to tinker and create solutions. Jeff’s goal is one of collaboration, working with his programming “artists” to get the best out of people and to be on the cutting edge of finding the next problem to fix.

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.

Sara Bareilles - Constructive Collaboration and Defining your Own Path May 27, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Sara Bareilles, the amazing singer-songwriter, actress, author, and producer. From hit songs such as Love Song and Brave, to her newest project Girls5eva, a TV series streaming on Peacock, Sara is an unstoppable creative force.

In this episode, we talked about how your childhood influences your creativity, why it's important to find the right collaborators, and ways to navigate a male-dominated industry so you can define your unique voice and learn that you don’t have to apologize for being you.

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.

Bob Saget - Collaboration in Comedy and How to Be a Dynamic Entertainer May 20, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Bob Saget, the comedian, actor, host, and podcaster. From hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos and playing Danny Tanner in Full House to his long history of stand up and his podcast, Bob has entertained millions. In this episode we talked about needing a work ethic as an entertainer, having a dynamic and evolving career as a creative, and writing songs about being old men when we were just teenagers. Other topics include knowing when you have 2 hours of material vs 2 minutes, and learning to not edit 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.

Mo Willems - Art as A Passion and Business and Learning to Stay A Child at Heart May 13, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Mo Willems, the New York Times best-selling children’s author, illustrator, animator, and playwright. He’s known for his characters such as The Pigeon, Elephant, Piggie, and many more. In our conversation we talked about how a character is a child’s best friend and how children often are the best critics, noticing details in books that adults seldom see. We dive deep in the various forms of creativity and how it can be applied in different forms, so take a listen!

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.

Maegan Morrow - Music as Medicine and The Science of How Our Bodies Need Rhythm May 06, 2021

Show notes

Today, we chatted with Maegan Morrow, a cutting edge music therapist showing that music can be used for more than just enjoyment. In our conversation, we discuss how the human body reacts physically to beats and music, showing that music and rhythm is essential to certain processes. Maegan is most known for her work with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, using music to help Gabby to speak after she suffered from brain damage from an assassination attempt.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marianne Williamson - Using Spirituality to Overcome Writer’s Block and Discovering the Past to Change the World Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Today, we spoke with Marianne Williamson, the author of 13 books and counting.

Marianne has a unique approach to creativity with how she infuses spirituality into her process. This mindfulness influences her work, and we had a really interesting conversation about why we create art - in a deeper, more metaphysical way.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caleb Teicher - Living as A Part Time Artist and Expanding the Scope of Your Medium Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

Today, we spoke with Caleb Teicher, a dancer and choreographer based in New York City. We chatted about being a creative while also being a human being, how artists get and grow ideas, and finding new approaches and perspectives in defined mediums, such as dance.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Batiste - Matching Technique with Creativity and How Discipline Differs from Drive Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

Today, we talked to Jon Batiste, musician and band leader for Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We chatted about music theory, staying motivated in quarantine, and ways to carve out time for your art.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.