Maisy Owen on Melancholy, Dreams, and Dark Folk: Dark On a Sunny Day | Just Keep Talking w/ Brother Love

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Host Brother Love welcomes Nashville singer-songwriter Maisy Owen to the Just Keep Talking podcast to explore how storytelling, mental health, and deep feeling shape creativity. Maisy shares her path from learning guitar in eighth grade to writing her own songs, making her debut record Dark On a Sunny Day with producer Robin Eaton, and signing with Tompkins Square Records. They talk about her love of melancholic music, classical influences, playing viola, journaling and dream-logging for lyrics, and how intense sadness can also hold joy. Maisy discusses quitting drinking and weed, navigating worry and follow-through, and touring goals, including a UK run with a BBC appearance, upcoming shows, and an official AmericanaFest showcase. She also announces a September 4 single, her Townes Van Zandt cover “Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel,” and a self-produced EP featuring her sister’s harmonies.

#mentalhealthpodcast #melancholymusic #folksinger #darkfolk #townesvanzandt #yourstorymatters #touringartist #robineaton #nashville #beseen #beheard #belong

00:00 Why Stories Matter

01:46 Welcome and Sponsor Shoutout

02:12 Meet Maisy Owen

03:42 Nashville Roots and Family

04:26 Starting Songwriting

05:24 Making the Debut Album

05:37 Label Deal and Press

07:34 Studio Breakthrough Moments

11:01 Viola and Classical Influence

14:23 Melancholy and Emotional Music

18:10 Defining Melancholy

19:06 Writing Process and Dream Journal

20:38 Nightmares and Money Worries

21:46 First UK Tour and BBC

23:01 Album Ending and Listener Impact

23:37 Song Meaning Origins

25:27 Worry And Coping

26:23 Sensitive Childhood

26:58 Finding Nashville Niche

28:25 Maisy Style And Covers

30:01 Goals Beyond Fame

31:25 Staying Grounded

33:57 Tour And New EP

36:53 Dates And AmericanaFest

39:44 Speed Round Fun

42:03 Wrap Up And Support

Ava Swan on Community, Mental Health & Creativity | Just Keep Talking with Brother Love

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Brother Love welcomes Montana-raised, Nashville-based indie pop/alt Americana artist Ava Swan to discuss storytelling, mental health, creativity, and community. Ava recounts building “Ava Swan’s Choir of Angels” at Third & Lindsley after competing in Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem, inviting 15 songwriter friends to create a collaborative, non-transactional night. They talk about Nashville’s relationship-first culture, making her album Sun Safari with producer Christian Diaz, funding it via a $15,000 Kickstarter, and the contrasting studio experiences of songs like “Looking Into the Sun” and “Bad TV.” Ava opens up about therapy, recovery through Adult Children of Alcoholics, comparison, service, meditation, and morning pages, breaks down songs including “I Really Hurt Myself,” “Sensitive Guy,” and “Future Tripping,” shares her red aesthetic branding, and previews a collaborative recording trip to Brazil with Diaz.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #theartistsway #musicjournalism #recovery #choirofangels #altamericana #indiepop #songwriter #nashville #sunsafari #futuretripping #beseen #beheard #belong

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:22 Meet Brother Love

01:46 Introducing Ava Swan

02:23 Choir of Angels Night

03:57 Community Over Competition

10:48 Moving to Nashville

15:42 Sun Safari Era

17:54 Making the Record

22:05 I Really Hurt Myself

25:12 Creative Flow Power

26:44 Sensitive Guy Talk

28:32 Future Tripping Mindset

30:04 Naming Future Anxiety

30:56 Defining Real Success

31:46 Playlisting Versus Art

33:21 Community Over Metrics

35:15 Branding In Red

37:03 Mental Health Tool Belt

41:25 Service Beats Comparison

44:21 Big Heart Lyrics

46:17 Brazil Collaboration Next

47:56 Speed Round Questions

51:07 Where To Find Ava

52:11 Final Thanks And Outro

Kyndle Wylde on Soul, Mental Health, and Finding Your Voice | Just Keep Talking w/ Brother Love

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Brother Love welcomes Nashville-based soul/Americana rock artist Kyndle Wylde to the Just Keep Talking podcast for an honest, funny conversation about community, creativity, and mental health. Kyndle explains how Nashville Basement Stage supports independent artists, reflects on her Memphis roots singing in churches, and describes finding her artistic voice in college on a full vocal scholarship at the University of Memphis. They discuss the changing music industry, being a versatile “chameleon” vocalist while staying true to yourself, and how service, journaling, painting, and therapy help manage anxiety and the competitiveness of the business. Kyndle shares career highlights including winning the CBS Mornings mixtape competition for “I Can See Clearly Now,” touring with Postmodern Jukebox, and performing “Barracuda,” plus upcoming writing/recording plans, grant work, and her 2027 Rock Boat win. She closes with a speed round on resilience, books, driving pet peeves, and where to find her online.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #soulsinger #cbsmornings #postmodernjukebox #rockboat #be seen #beheard #belong #kyndkewylde

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:24 Welcome And Sponsor

01:53 Meet Kyndle Wylde

02:27 Nashville Basement Stage

04:11 Underdog Show Vibes

06:15 Diva Voice Talk

08:08 Music Money Shift

09:55 Memphis Church Roots

12:35 Finding Her Voice

16:53 Chameleon Singer Trap

21:45 Music As Community

23:42 Mental Health Routines

28:13 CBS Mornings Break

31:36 Postmodern Jukebox

32:26 PMJ Throwback Tour Life

33:22 Tennessee Heart Homecoming

33:44 Singing Barracuda

36:10 Heart Fans And Gatekeeping

37:20 Being A Band Leader

39:57 Self Titled EP Origins

41:35 Higher And Faith

44:00 Therapy And Resources

46:46 New Music And Grants

48:20 Winning The Rock Boat

50:50 Touring Plans Ahead

51:36 Speed Round And Farewell

Emily Hackett on Must Be Present to Win, Motherhood, Mental Health & Finding Your Voice | Just Keep Talking

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Brother Love introduces the Just Keep Talking podcast’s focus on artists’ stories, mental health, and connection, then interviews Nashville singer-songwriter Emily Hackett about her new album Must Be Present to Win (released late June) and the years-long process of making it. They discuss community moments like Neighbor Fest benefiting the East Nashville Care Market, Hackett’s creative influences, hands-on approach to visuals and merch, and how an early hit—her first release “Take My Hand” (2014, 17M+ Spotify streams)—and a Belk music contest shaped her evolving idea of success. Hackett reflects on finding her voice after moving away from a country-focused lane, setting boundaries, depression and doubt, being present as a “win,” postpartum depression, and balancing independent artistry with motherhood and support from family, nature, and solitude.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #momsinmusic #songwriter #nashville #musicjournalism #santaspub #findingyourvoice #newmusic

00:00 Why Stories Matter

01:24 Welcome And Sponsor

02:00 Meet Emily Hackett

03:17 New Album Release

04:04 Neighbor Fest Community

06:05 Mystery Ticket Invite

07:19 Fans And Covers

10:43 Santa's Pub Memories

16:24 Wedding Song Breakthrough

18:57 Accidental Success Lessons

22:31 Finding Her Voice

10:08 Belief And Boundaries

24:59 Depression and Light

26:08 Must Be Present

27:05 Green Lights and Wins

27:38 Suffering and Art

29:10 Making the Visuals

30:15 Motherhood and Music

34:09 Self Care and Nature

36:12 Spiritual Teachers

39:04 Feeling Stuck and Growth

43:26 Speed Round Fun

46:36 Whats Next and Wrap

48:05 Turn Signals and Outro

Brett Ryan Stewart on Fatherhood, Creativity, Therapy & Type 1 Diabetes | Just Keep Talking Podcast

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Host Brother Love welcomes singer-songwriter and producer Brett Ryan Stewart of Wire Bird Productions in Nashville to discuss storytelling, creativity, and mental health through the lens of fatherhood, grief, and chronic illness. Stewart reflects on becoming a dad to three-and-a-half-year-old Elliot, how parenting reshaped his relationship to time, ego, purpose, and follow-through, and how therapy helps him navigate guilt, anxiety, and presence with his family. He shares the backstory of his album The Contestants—written and recorded around COVID and released after major life changes—plus his production work, including Whispers and Sighs by David Olney and Anana Kaye. Stewart also speaks candidly about living with Type 1 diabetes, pushing back on “manageable” messaging, and advocating for greater public understanding and progress toward a cure.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #fathersinmusic #typeonediabetes #musicjournalism #beseen #beheard #belong #ananakaye #davidolney #producer #dadsinmusic #justkeeptalking

***Recorded at WireBird Productions, Nashville - Video and Audio by Brett Ryan Stewart. Thank you so much Daddyo!

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:39 Welcome And Sponsor

02:04 Meet Brett Ryan Stewart

03:02 Parenting And Play

05:06 Imagination And Inner Dialogue

06:59 Honoring Dads In Music

08:58 The Contestants And Fatherhood

10:52 Ego Purpose And Follow Through

19:15 Raising Kids In Chaos

23:12 Therapy Time And Guilt

25:36 Parent Guilt Spiral

26:20 Work Life Balance

27:38 Fatherhood And Loss

28:59 Living With Type One

32:15 Survivable Not Manageable

36:35 Daily Blood Sugar Reality

38:48 Grief In The Music

41:15 Marriage And Anxiety

43:35 New Projects And Risk

46:19 Speed Round And Farewell

49:05 Support The Podcast

Will Abeles on Sobriety, Storytelling Comedy, and Finding Connection | Just Keep Talking Podcast

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Host Brother Love introduces the Just Keep Talking podcast’s focus on artists’ stories, mental health, inclusivity, and belonging, then welcomes nationally touring comedian and podcaster Will Abeles, a Hagerstown, Maryland native with two iTunes #1 comedy albums. Will recounts meeting Brother Love through Reid Cifrino after working TV production during COVID, discusses his storytelling comedy style, and shares bits inspired by a deer accident and getting hit by shrapnel at NASCAR. He reflects on working at Letterman, freelancing at Kimmel, and how comedy began with watching Johnny Carson stand-up debuts. Will talks candidly about alcoholism, being 310 days sober, how sobriety improved his comedy and mental health, and how touring solo has changed since quitting drinking. He critiques shifts in the Nashville comedy scene and promotes upcoming shows in Raleigh, LA, San Francisco, and a July 31 vinyl album recording at Love and Exile.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #comedy #sobriety #nashvillecomedy #storytelling #belong

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:02 Hagerstown Cold Open

01:22 Sponsor And Guest Intro

02:20 How We Met In Nashville

04:27 Comics And Being Funny

06:03 Warmup Crowd Bomb

08:39 Storytelling Comic Style

10:46 NASCAR Shrapnel Bit

13:16 Late Night TV Days

17:01 Why Comedy Started

18:17 Howie Mandel Hospital Story

21:09 Sobriety And Recovery

23:10 Quitting For Real

24:09 Sober Comedy Breakthrough

27:19 Family Fallout After Sobriety

28:32 Parties Without Drinking

30:33 Nashville Comedy Scene Shift

33:39 Life On The Road Solo

37:00 Crowd Work And Craft

42:10 Mental Health And Hustle

43:58 Tour Dates And Album Plans

46:00 Speed Round And Farewell

Alexis Saski on Motherhood, Busking Broadway, and Finding Her Rock & Roll Voice | Just Keep Talking

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Brother Love welcomes Nashville singer Alexis Saski (Tennessee Muscle Candy), a newly minted mom to 11-month-old Eden, to talk about identity, community, and creativity. Alexis shares the bittersweet emotions of watching her baby grow, postpartum overwhelm, health challenges, and the difficulty of balancing rehearsals and gigs without nearby family support. She reflects on growing up in Rockport, Texas with musician parents, entering the industry through a Lou Pearlman-run Vegas competition, recording demos and working toward a Christian-artist path with label interest, then realizing it wasn’t true to her. After moving to Nashville, she stopped label-writing sessions, began busking on Broadway with friends, and found her confidence and rock voice—leading to Tennessee Muscle Candy, influential connections, and songwriting with Reno Bo.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #mothersinmusic #momsinmusic #rocknrollmom #musicjournalism #believeinyourself #beseen #beheard #belong #justkeeptalking

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:18 Meet Alexis Saski

02:23 New Mom Emotions

03:01 Dogs and Parenthood

05:42 Postpartum Dog Aversion

07:48 Texas Roots and Family Music

11:11 Christian Deal Origins

11:51 Talent Rock to Nashville

17:19 The Nashville Label Dance

20:05 Finding Her Rock Voice

23:19 Busking Births the Band

24:55 Alabama Shakes Encounter

25:29 Finding Your Voice

26:00 Nashville Band Connections

26:41 Dirty Little Secret Era

27:07 Reno Bo Songwriting

28:22 Motherhood And Grief

31:14 Moms In Music Reality

33:09 Postpartum Identity Shift

38:49 Health And Heart Check

42:33 Hope And Community

45:01 Dreams And Cover Band

47:13 Speed Round Questions

50:19 Changing Music For Moms

51:31 Where To Find Alexis

52:06 Final Podcast Outro

Natasha Blaine on The Voice, Neo-Soul Nashville, and Staying Sane: “Just Keep Talking”.

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Brother Love introduces the Just Keep Talking podcast’s mission of sharing artists’ stories to foster belonging, inclusivity, and mental-health awareness, with sponsorship from Mr. Aaron’s Goods in Nashville. He welcomes guest Natasha Blaine, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter blending neo-soul, R&B, and pop, who opened for The Wailers at 3rd & Lindsley and discusses Nashville’s evolving genre scene and community. Natasha shares her musical roots in The Beatles, her frustration with being mislabeled as “jazz,” and the more personal direction of her single “Own Way” (released January 23, 2026), about getting out of her head and practicing self-advocacy. She recounts her The Voice journey (Season 29), singing Sade’s “Kiss of Life,” joining Team John Legend, and finishing Top 18, while discussing comparison culture, collaboration, negative internet comments, and the routines—therapy, meditation, the gym, and connection—that support her mental health. She plugs her “Kiss of Life” release and upcoming shows at Musicians Corner (May 29) and Vinyl Tap (June 13), and shares quick takes in a speed round. #mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #musicjournalism #teamlegend #singersongwriter #thevoice #natashablaine #neosoul #nashville #brotherlove #beseen #interview #beheard #believeinyourself

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:10 Welcome And Sponsor

01:41 Meet Natasha Blaine

02:30 Opening For The Wailers

03:26 Nashville Genre Shift

05:10 Why She Moved Here

06:31 Early Influences Beatles

08:20 Neo Soul Community

10:35 Genre Labels And Jazz

12:52 New Single Own Way

15:19 Inner Critic And Flow

18:50 The Voice Journey Begins

20:34 Sade Audition Moment

21:22 Voice Audition Highlights

22:18 Backstage Nerves And John Legend

23:00 Team Vibes And Battle Round

25:45 Women In Music Comparison Trap

27:29 Collaboration And Cowriting

30:03 Handling Internet Hate

31:57 Mental Health And Support Systems

36:52 New Single Kiss Of Life

37:14 Speed Round And Nature

38:32 Shows Socials And Farewell