Best Joe Pug Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 259 - NORMAN GREENBAUM ("Spirit in the Sky") 1:10:29

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13h ago1:10:29

1:10:29

Norman Greenbaum gave the world "Spirit in the Sky," one of the greatest records ever made. He chats with us about his iconic classic, as well as other musical adventures and misadventures over the last few decades. PART ONE: Paul and Scott chat about Instagram, artist accessibility, and what the heck Norman Greenbaum looks like. PART TWO: Our in-d…

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21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet with Jean Alfieri 27:59

3d ago27:59

27:59

Losing a beloved pet is one of the most emotional experiences a family can go through—especially when you’re trying to support your kids while grieving yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by Jean Alfieri, certified grief coach for pet loss and author of 21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet. Jean shares practical ideas, tender stories…

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Tim Kasher 48:27

5d ago48:27

48:27

This songwriter has been at the vanguard of indie rock for three decades, best known for his projects Cursive and The Good Life.

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Songcraft Classic: ANI DIFRANCO ("32 Flavors") 1:30:32

8d ago1:30:32

1:30:32

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Ani DiFranco. ABOUT ANI DIFRANCO Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, poet, author, spoken-word artist, activist and entrepreneur Ani DiFranco has released more than 20 …

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The Healing Power of a Wish: Dr. Jen Pratt on Hope, Childhood Cancer, and the Make-A-Wish Impact 22:40

10d ago22:40

22:40

What if one wish could change the course of a child’s recovery? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pratt, a pediatrician, childhood cancer survivor, and Make-A-Wish recipient turned advocate. At just 11 years old, Jen was diagnosed with bone cancer—a life-changing moment that launched her into a world of hospitals, chemo, and uncerta…

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Ep. 258 - WESLEY SCHULTZ of The Lumineers ("Ho Hey") 1:18:39

15d ago1:18:39

1:18:39

Lumineers front man and two-time Grammy nominee Wesley Schultz goes deep on his passion for songwriting. PART ONE: Paul and Scott tell the harrowing tale of the Wesley Schultz interview that almost didn't happen. Plus, do you have a question for Patty Griffin, Dave Mason, or Mary Chapin Carpenter? Share it with us and you just might hear your name …

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Procrastination Isn’t Laziness: The Real Reason We Get Stuck! 39:05

17d ago39:05

39:05

Ever stare down a task you know you need to do… and still walk away from it? Yeah, me too. In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist Steven Melman to unpack what’s really going on when we procrastinate—and how we can start breaking the cycle. We talk about the emotional side of procrastination, including fear of failure, perfectionism, and eve…

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Jerry Douglas 1:07:33

19d ago1:07:33

1:07:33

This Grammy award winning instrumentalist is considered the contemporary master of the dobro. He's played with everyone from Ray Charles to Billy Strings over the course of his decades long career.

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Songcraft Classic: JIMMY WEBB ("Wichita Lineman") 1:16:05

22d ago1:16:05

1:16:05

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with Jimmy Webb. ABOUT JIMMY WEBB Jimmy Webb emerged as a superstar songwriter and arranger in 1967 when two of his songs – The 5th Dimension’s “Up, Up and Away” and Glen Campbe…

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Ep. 257 - DAVE PIRNER of Soul Asylum ("Runaway Train") 1:11:12

29d ago1:11:12

1:11:12

Grammy-winning songwriter and Soul Asylum frontman Dave Pirner chats about his process, from the earliest days of the band to to the most recent album, Slowly But Shirley PART ONE: Paul and Scott talk about movie soundtracks, music discovery, and how technology changes but the power of music endures. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Dave Pi…

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Phillip Lammonds 47:05

1M ago47:05

47:05

This journeyman songwriter has written for Hoottie & the Blowfish, Lee Brice, Josh Turner, Craig Morgan and many others. He has stepped into the spotlight with an album of his own entitled "Cowboy Things".

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Songcraft Classic: STEVE PERRY ("Don't Stop Believing") 1:09:59

1M ago1:09:59

1:09:59

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Steve Perry. ABOUT STEVE PERRY One of the most iconic voices in rock music history, Steve Perry is best known as the lead singer of the band Journey during the group’s most…

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Ep. 256 - SUZANNE VEGA ("Luka") 1:14:03

1M ago1:14:03

1:14:03

GRAMMY winner Suzanne Vega talks "Luka," "Tom's Diner," her first studio album in more than a decade, and much more! PART ONE Paul and Scott talk about the pop culture museum in Seattle, as well as Nirvana, Soundgarden, the diner in Seinfeld, canned green beans, and other important stuff. PART TWO Scott's in-depth conversation with Suzanne Vega ABO…

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Songcraft Classic: JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS ("Rhythm Nation") 1:20:32

2M ago1:20:32

1:20:32

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. ABOUT JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS With 26 Billboard #1 R&B hits and 16 Billboard #1 pop hits to their credit, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are perhaps the…

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Magic Nothing 41:09

2M ago41:09

41:09

Zack Fischmann is a musician who makes outsider folk music under the name Marmalade Mountain, but he has also built a music marketing consulting company that is supremely useful to independent artists.

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Ep. 255 - ADAM DURITZ of Counting Crows ("Mr. Jones") 1:14:18

2M ago1:14:18

1:14:18

Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz explains how his songwriting process has changed over the years, and offers insights into some of his songs, from early classics to recent compositions. PART ONE: Paul and Scott discuss judging a book by its cover and their possible status as idiots. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Adam Duritz ABOUT ADAM…

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Everyday Toxins: Small Changes That Make a Big Impact with Tanya Harris 27:20

2M ago27:20

27:20

What if the products you use every day—like your plastic containers, laundry detergent, or air fresheners—were quietly affecting your family’s health? In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Harris, childhood cancer survivor and environmental toxin expert, to explore how to reduce hidden toxins in your home without feeling overwhelmed. From the kitc…

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Leslie Mendelson 43:00

2M ago43:00

43:00

This Grammy nominated singer-songwriter has worked with luminaries such as Jackson Browne, The Who and The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, all the while maintaining her fruitful solo career.

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Songcraft Classic: Peter Frampton ("Do You Feel Like We Do?") 1:22:16

2M ago1:22:16

1:22:16

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2020 conversation with Peter Frampton. ABOUT THIS BONUS EPISODE The exceedingly generous and gentlemanly Peter Frampton talks about David Bowie giving him his very first job; Bill Wyman of the Ro…

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Death Can Wait: One Man’s Fight to Take Control of His Cancer Journey 33:50

2M ago33:50

33:50

What would you do if the doctors told you there’s nothing more they can do? Would you accept it, or would you start asking more questions? In this episode of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast, I sit down with William Hudson, cancer survivor and author of Death Can Wait. William shares his journey after being diagnosed with stage four cance…

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The Quarter That Ended the Bullying 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

Episode Summary: What if you could flip the script on bullying? In this episode, Joe sits down with longtime therapist and author Patricia Stahl, who’s helped thousands navigate the lasting effects of childhood bullying. They dig into one surprising strategy that stopped her son’s bully cold—spoiler: it involved a quarter. But this episode is so mu…

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Charlie Peacock 1:11:10

2M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

This Grammy award winning producer, songwriter, and author joins the show to discuss his lengthy career that has included collaborations with The Civil Wars, Chris Cornell, and the Lone Bellow.

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Ep. 254 - PATTERSON HOOD of Drive-By Truckers 1:11:13

2M ago1:11:13

1:11:13

Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood chats about his band, the evolution of his songwriting process, and his most recent solo album. PART ONE Water. Bed. Rock!!! PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Patterson Hood ABOUT PATTERSON HOOD Muscle Shoals, Alabama, native Patterson Hood is best known, along with Mike Cooley, as the co-founder of…

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Fewer Days That Suck: Real Talk About Stress, Mindset, and Getting Out of Your Own Way 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

In Episode 157 of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast, host Joe Foley sits down with author and mindset coach Deborah Mallow to talk about something we all face—but rarely slow down to deal with: burnout, negative thought patterns, and parenting under pressure. Deborah shares her journey from being a top sales rep on the edge of burnout to c…

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The Race Against Time: AI Takeover, Climate Crisis, and the Fight for Human Cooperation 36:29

2M ago36:29

36:29

In this powerful episode of No Sitting on the Sideline Dad, Joe sits down with David C., an engineer, author, and big-picture thinker who’s spent decades studying the trends that could shape (or endanger) our future. David doesn't just warn us about climate change — he connects the dots between three mega threats: climate crisis, unregulated AI, an…

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Songcraft Classic: SWAMP DOGG ("She's All I Got") 1:32:37

3M ago1:32:37

1:32:37

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2015 conversation with Swamp Dogg. ABOUT SWAMP DOGG R&B cult favorite Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams is best known as the co-writer, with Gary U.S. Bonds, of the cross-genre classic, “She’s All I Go…

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Peter Holsapple 1:04:09

3M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

This artist has spent a lifetime helming influential bands like The dB's and contributing to major bands such as REM.

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The Power of Gratitude, Journaling, and Lessons from Rescue Pugs with Jean Alfieri 30:07

3M ago30:07

30:07

In this episode of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast,I sit down with the author, positivity coach, and dog lover Jean Alfieri to explore the simple yet powerful practice of gratitude. From daily journaling habits to dinnertime conversations with family, Jean shares her insights on how focusing on what you’re thankful for can transform your…

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Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen 45:28

3M ago45:28

45:28

Episode154: Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen Are your fears holding you back more than you realize? In this powerful episode of No Sitting on the Sideline Dad, I sit down with Jack Cohen — entrepreneur, author, and believer in the power of self-investment — to unpack the hidden fears and family patterns that keep so many o…

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Announcing The Working Songwriter Forum! 2:17

3M ago2:17

2:17

A weekend of intensive songwriting workshops, podcasts, and concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL May 23-25, 2025. Tickets available now. Visit joepugmusic.com/tour for more details!

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Ep. 253 - DAVID PAICH of Toto ("Africa") 1:16:31

3M ago1:16:31

1:16:31

Six-time Grammy winner and Toto co-founder David Paich joins us to talk about his life as a hit songwriter for his own band and others. PART ONE: Scott and Paul talk about their visit with David Paich and other bits of tomfoolery. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with David Paich ABOUT DAVID PAICH: David Paich is best known as one of the foundin…

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Mondo Cozmo 52:39

3M ago52:39

52:39

Josh Ostrander is the creative force behind this beloved indie rock band. They've toured with Spoon, Muse, and Vance Joy. And their tunes have racked up tens of millions of downloads on Spotify.

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Songcraft Classic: LINDA PERRY ("Beautiful") 1:15:29

3M ago1:15:29

1:15:29

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2020 conversation with Linda Perry. ABOUT LINDA PERRY Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Linda Perry first made her mark as an artist, serving as lead v…

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Adam Doleac 47:33

3M ago47:33

47:33

This native of Mississippi has written for Darius Rucker and Kane Brown, and toured with Carrie Underwood, Old Dominion and many others. His songs have amassed nearly 300 million streams on Spotify and his latest single features country heavyweight Thomas Rhett.

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Ep. 252 - JIM JAMES of My Morning Jacket 1:12:42

3M ago1:12:42

1:12:42

Three-time Grammy nominee and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James joins us to talk about the evolution of his songwriting and the band's new album, Is. PART ONE: Paul and Scott chat about ideal song length and extend an invitation to Taylor Swift PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Jim James ABOUT JIM JAMES: Jim James is best known as the fro…

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Steve Louw 52:40

3M ago52:40

52:40

This award winning South African songwriter has crafted an indelible career over decades with his bands All Night Radio and Big Sky, along with his acclaimed solo work.

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Songcraft Classic: BILL WITHERS ("Lean on Me") 1:04:16

4M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2015 conversation with Bill Withers. ABOUT BILL WITHERS Pop and R&B legend Bill Withers released nine albums between 1971 and 1985 that included such classic songs as “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Suns…

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My Brightest Diamond 50:15

4M ago50:15

50:15

Shara Nova is the creative force behind this hugely influential indie pop solo project. She as worked with Sufjan Stevens, David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson.