Shows
The Pivotal Stories ProjectMatt KeatingMatt Keating is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been playing music since he was a kid, and recording ever since his debut album Tell It to Yourself was released in 1993. As NPR music accurately put it, "Matt Keating has established himself as one of America’s great under-the-radar songwriters.”Raised in a family that was constantly moving around the country helped shape Matt, and songwriting became one of the ways he tried to untangle that.Matt lives in NYC and is also a father, husband, and teacher of music, along with being an avid stud...2022-04-271h 10The Pivotal Stories ProjectGetting Out Of Our Own Way & Being PresentIn today's solo episode, Alan shares a little history of what led to launching this podcast, and also a story about his son that touches on being present, vulnerability, and how we are sometimes our own worst enemy.2022-04-1333 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectSteve MichenerSteve Michener is a husband, father, nurse, musician, and writer. If you’re of a certain age, and followed the music scene at all in the 80’s and 90’s, especially in Boston, then you have no doubt listened to, or at least heard of some of the bands that he has played bass in. These include the Volcano Suns, Dumptruck, and Big Dipper, whose music you heard in the intro, and will hear as we go out today as well.Recently, Steve also started to write about his album collection in a Facebook group called Steves Random Record...2022-04-061h 12The Pivotal Stories ProjectVulnerability, Parenting, and Staying Present2022-03-3031 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectLeah HoughtalingLike so many of us, Leah Houghtaling is a person who is hard to pin down or describe succinctly in a brief introduction. Maybe it’s because they’ve pursued so many professional and creative paths; including opening and running a bar, starting and being the lead cook at their own restaurant, pursuing their musical passion, and most recently funneling their creative energy into an amazing woodworking business. All of this being done while trying to navigate a world that wants to neatly put you into a category, while you don’t feel that any of the categories really fit or...2022-03-231h 09The Pivotal Stories ProjectGuy Macpherson, PhDGuy Macpherson is a father of two, a husband, and holds a doctorate in clinical psychology. During his career, his focus has largely been on the study of trauma and early psychosis. In 2014, Guy founded The Trauma Therapist Project with the goal of raising awareness around trauma and creating an educational, supportive and inspiring community for new trauma workers. At the time he had no idea where it would ultimately lead him or how it would evolve.His work now includes The Trauma Therapist Podcast, with over 600 episodes and thousands of loyal listeners in more than 160 countries...2022-03-161h 00The Pivotal Stories ProjectPirates, Spongebob, and Art2022-03-0818 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectRod Picott Part 1Rod Picott is a songwriter, a singer, a poet, and the author of numerous works of fiction. After spending some time with him, I would say he’s also a searcher, someone who is not afraid to look in the shadows, those of his own or others, to learn more about himself and the world he inhabits.Today, Rod and I talk about Springsteen, what makes someone extraordinary, what his creative process looks like, and the power of seeing the painting of the Girl With The Pearl Earring.2022-03-0149 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectRod Picott Part 2Rod Picott is a songwriter, a singer, a poet, and the author of numerous works of fiction . After spending some time with him, I would say he’s also a searcher, someone who is not afraid to look in the shadows, those of his own or others, to learn more about himself and the world he inhabits.In part 2 of our conversation, Rod talks about trying to break into the Nashville music business in his thirties, how creativity is a basic human need, Marlon Brando, and the power of trying to truly understand one another. 2022-03-0145 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectMike Pagliarini Part 1Mike Pagliarini is a critically acclaimed chef who, along with his wife Pam Ralston owns the sensational restaurant Giulia, in Cambridge Massachusetts, as well as their forthcoming sister restaurant Moeca, which will be opening this spring right around the corner from Giulia.In part one of our conversation, Mike and talk about the importance of where their food comes from, how place has been central in his journey to becoming a chef, whether he cooks at home, and how much he relies on his team at Giulia. 2022-02-2246 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectMike Pagliarini Part 2Mike Pagliarini is a critically acclaimed chef who, along with his wife Pam Ralston owns the sensational restaurant Giulia, in Cambridge Massachusetts, as well as their forthcoming sister restaurant Moeca, which will be opening this spring right around the corner from Giulia.In part 2 of our conversation, Mike brings us inside the kitchen at Giulia and talks about how much he relies on his team to help it run so smoothly. He also shares his philosophy of bringing out the essential aspect of an ingredient along with a few kitchen tips for all of us would-be chefs...2022-02-2237 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectJaymie CampbellJaymie Campbell is an artist, with her art taking the form of fashion, photography, writing, and most notably, jewelry making, which is how I became aware of her. Jaymie is Anishnaabe, and a member of Curve Lake First Nation. She was born in western Canada, spent her teens in Ontario, and now resides in British Columbia.After graduating college with degrees in Biology and Outdoor Recreation, she worked in negotiation and protection of land with the Cree community in Alberta. She had the privilege of working with elders and other knowledge keepers which contributed to m...2022-02-151h 00The Pivotal Stories ProjectKevin Salem (Part 2)Kevin Salem grew up playing guitar in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Since then he has played with countless bands, including Dumptruck, Yo La Tengo,Chris Harford, Freedy Johnston, and Rachel Yamagata, produced records for many more, and also released a number of critically acclaimed solo records including Soma City and Glimmer.After stints living in Boston, London, and New York City, Kevin landed in bucolic Woodstock, NY, where he has lived for the past two decades now.Kevin is eminently likable, humble, and insightful, so I hope you enjoy this conversation. And as a bonus, you also g...2022-02-0840 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectKevin Salem (Part 1)Kevin Salem grew up playing guitar in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Since then he has played with countless bands, including Dumptruck, Yo La Tengo, Chris Harford, Freedy Johnston, and Rachel Yamagata, produced records for many more, and also released a number of critically acclaimed solo records including Soma City and Glimmer.After stints living in Boston, London, and New York City, Kevin landed in bucolic Woodstock, NY, where he has lived for the past two decades now.In part 1 of our conversation, Kevin talks about the importance of story and place, coming out to his family as a...2022-02-0139 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectAndre Dubus III (Part 2)Today, we continue our conversation with Andre Dubus III. His novel House of Sand and Fog was a New York Times bestseller was made into an Oscar-nominated film. His memoir, Townie was also a New York Times bestseller, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and featured on countless Best of lists. He has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Magazine Award for Fiction, and two Pushcart Prizes. Andre also teaches full-time at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Today, Andre and I discuss violence and its evolution, both in h...2022-01-2645 minThe Pivotal Stories ProjectAndre Dubus III (Part 1)Andre Dubus III is the author of numerous works of fiction, including The Cage Keeper and Other Stories, The Garden of Last Days, Blues Man, and his most recent work of fiction, Gone So Long.His novel House of Sand and Fog was a New York Times bestseller and was made into an Oscar-nominated film, starring Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connolly. His memoir, Townie, was also a bestseller and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and featured on countless best-of lists.He has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Magazine A...2022-01-1946 min