Each episode of the Nathans & Roncast features a deep dive into a single song. Hosted by Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt, this podcast includes conversations with the artists, as well as subject matter experts about the real-life stories behind story songs you know and love.
How can a song this unsettling be this beautiful?
Michael shines a light into the darkness, examining songs in which the characters make foolish choices, amid the backdrop of beautiful music. The incongruity, he says, can make for incredibly effective songs. He talks about two songs to make his point: Tom Petty’s jangly “To Find a Friend” off of his legendary “Wildflowers” album; and the acoustic trio Barnaby Bright‘s gorgeous murder ballad “Castle Rock.” You might not even know these songs are cautionary tales if you drift off and just enjoy the music.
Barbaby Bright
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How can a song this unsettling be this beautiful?
Michael shines a light into the darkness, examining songs in which the characters make foolish choices,...
"Prison Bible": John Flynn on prisoners' journey of self-discovery
This is the second half of our interview with our friend, the great John Flynn. In this episode, we take...
John Flynn: A new year, New Beginnings
On today’s episode, we interview the great John Flynn. He’s a folk songwriter who sings about social...
Why 'Hey Jude' is a song for the season
Aaron didn’t think much of “Hey Jude” when he first heard it, but in this episode of the Nathans...
"Men and Rivers": Craig Bickhardt's reflection on our relationship with nature
In this bonus episode, Craig Bickhardt tells the story behind his song “Men and Rivers,”...
Talking "This Old House" with Craig Bickhardt
In this episode we talk with Craig Bickhardt about his poignant song “This Old House,” which...
Giving thanks for Craig Bickhardt and his songcraft
We were fortunate to spend a morning sitting in front of microphones at the Pennsylvania home of Craig...
Live from Chicago, Elexa Dawson's "Blacksnake"
Here’s one more single from our live recording of this podcast at the Folk Alliance Region Midwest...
"All Along the Watchtower," live from Chicago
Here’s an outtake from our recent live podcast taping at the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference,...
"Mother," Elexa Dawson's song about Mother Earth, live from Chicago
We’re presenting some single songs from our live taping of the Nathans & Roncast in Chicago...
"Old Joe's Chair," live from Chicago
We played a few songs before our live taping of our interview with Elexa Dawson at the Folk Alliance...
Live from Chicago: Elexa Dawson's soul-stirring Native Americana
In our first Nathans & Roncast recording in front of a live audience, we speak with Kansas-based...
Why Richard Shindell's "You Stay Here" packs a punch
Richard Shindell is great story songwriter, and wow can he play guitar. Both of those skills — songwriting...
"Love Out Loud": Burr Settles, who helped birth a quarter million songs
In part two of our conversation with the founder of February Album Writing Month, Burr Settles discusses...
How to Make a Set List: Pacing and Balance
Aaron and Michael take you inside the process of making a set list just before a recent house concert....
Why Burr Settles, founder of February Album Writing Month, doesn't like the "like" button
Tens of thousands of new songs, perhaps more, exist because Burr Settles founded February Album Writing...
What I Like About You: Aaron & Michael Pick Our Favorite Songs
We’ve been working together for 14 years and counting, and our staying power is thanks in large...
To FAWM or not to FAWM? Some thoughts on songwriting marathons
Hello, Aaron here. Anyone who has heard me play has probably heard me speak the words “February Album...
Genuinely being yourself, unapologetically
Musically we can try to emulate, recreate, and imitate, but how do we begin the process of creating a...
Buddy Mondlock & Wade Bates’ powerful song, “The Tower”
You have very likely never heard this song before, and it grips you right from the start. There is Buddy...
Buddy Mondlock on writing a song about trauma (Part 1)
Songwriting master Buddy Mondlock is known for having cowritten with Guy Clark, Janis Ian, Art Garfunkel,...
Elevate your songwriting with a plot twist
One surefire way to make your song stand out is to add an unexpected twist in the story. In this mini...
James Keelaghan, part 2: Squinting at the Mona Lisa
This is the second part of our conversation with James Keelaghan about his classic song “Cold Missouri...
How James Keelaghan wrote "Cold Missouri Waters" (part 1)
Today we join songwriter James Keelaghan as we take a deep dive into one of the best folk songs ever...
Why do we like a particular song?
What is it about a song that draws us in? Is it the melody? A catchy beat? A story, or perhaps wordplay?...
"Twelve Tone Girl": A conversation with Kenneth Stewart about music's most befuddling genre
What is twelve-tone music? Made famous by Arnold Schoenberg, Anton von Webern and Alban Berg, it was...
Dave Criddle's "Flabbergasted"
Jude Hayden and Dave Criddle met at Miami University in 1989 and played epic, acoustic duo shows for...
How to write a positive song about computers
Aaron holding up his lanyard at the 2024 Trenton Computer Festival. In their best moments, whether it’s...
Why do we vilify computers in song?
Computers and technology have both improved our lives and complicated them; made us safer and more vulnerable;...
Serenity Fisher's "Winter"
Serenity Fisher & The Cardboard Hearts is a family band in many senses of the phrase, and not just...
Peter Macdonald Blachly's "Vicksburg"
A few weeks back we featured Peter MacDonald Blachly as our interview guest as we discussed the song...
The classical side of Michael G. Ronstadt
You know Michael G. Ronstadt’s alternative folk side, but do you know he’s classically trained,...
Tim Reisert's "Oleander True"
Tim Reisert writes songs with meditation, nature, and memory close to the surface. His songs bring the...
"One Dollar Gloves": Gregory Hugh Brady, the man behind the magic
The stunning sound quality on “Hello World” was made possible by Gregory Hugh Brady, a recording...
LisaBeth Weber's "Where the Sky Meets the Ground"
This week we feature our friend, the amazing multi-talented LisaBeth Weber. She’s a writer, a visual...
Rachel Mousie's "I Can Do What You Can Do"
Rachel Mousie Rachel Mousie, vocalist, songwriter, and looper, was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH....
In Search of Our Dead Poet Co-Writer… "Evening" w/Peter Macdonald Blachly
Who was Clarence Dan Blachly? Michael came upon his book of poems named “Stubble Fields,” published in...
Rob Lincoln's "Roosevelt's Around" (mini-episode)
This week we are featuring a musical force of nature here in the Philadelphia music scene: Rob Lincoln....
Michael J. Ronstadt's "Wynken, Blynken & Nod" (mini-episode)
These days, so many of the Ronstadt family members actively perform and sometimes tour. In the fall...
"Flatbush Sunset": Rory Costello on the Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field
Aaron’s love of baseball history led him to Rory Costello’s fabulous essay about the secret history of...
Liz and Pete's "Back Home to Blue" (mini-episode)
She’s Liz, he’s Pete, they are Liz & Pete. Liz Cerepanya and Peter Dalton Ronstadt (Michael’s...
Thar she blows?
In Aaron & Michael’s first real-life podcast adventure, they take to the high seas in search of whales....
Beth Kille's "All Is One" (mini-episode)
This week we are featuring an old friend of mine, Beth Kille, who fronts the Beth Kille Band in Madison,...
"Man and a Whale": Nick Pyenson, paleontologist and whale spy
Nick Pyenson We dive deep into the ocean — and the past — to explore whales, Earth’s most fascinating...
Meghan Cary's "River Rock" (mini-episode)
This week we are featuring a good friend of Aaron’s, a very special artist named Meghan Cary. The...
Josh Hisle's "Son of a Roofer" (mini-episode)
Josh Hisle, left, and Michael G. Ronstadt, in an undated photo. Lost in Holland was Michael’s duo...
"Sorry, Alan": George Dyson on Alan Turing
George Dyson Aaron’s song “Sorry, Alan” explores the inspirational and tragic life of Alan Turing, father...
Suzy Ronstadt's "Red River Valley" (mini-episode)
The Ronstadt family has been in Tucson, AZ for five generations and the next generation is growing fast!...
"Let's Play in the Snow": Doug Hamilton
This song by Aaron explores the simple pleasures of a parent playing in the snow with their child. We...
Bobby Ronstadt's "My World" (special mini-episode)
In this first mini-episode, we feature “My World,” by Michael’s cousin, Bobby Ronstadt....
"Without the Cold": Alan Jay Prescott
“I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome, I took some comfort there,” wrote Paul...
"Dr. Joelson's Bag": Sally Hayman
Who was Dr. Morris Joelson? In this episode we revisit the life of a physician in Paterson, New Jersey...
"Hello World": Brian Kernighan
Learning any new skill requires that scary first step. We’re honored to take our first step into podcasting...