Drew Waepew-Awaehsaeh & Ryan Eilbeck

Are you ready for a captivating journey that intertwines personal discovery and creative expression? This episode dives deep into the world of storytelling, unveiling how it can spark creativity in the most unexpected ways!  Join us as we introduce two extraordinary individuals who are on a remarkable journey of connection and inspiration. 

Meet Drew, a passionate storyteller whose life changed with a simple 3x5 notecard revealing his adoption. This pivotal moment set him on a path of self-discovery, deeply rooted in his Menominee Native heritage. Through dance, writing, and an unwavering commitment to his culture, Drew embodies resilience and creativity. Plus, this episode is extra special—it was Drew’s birthday when we recorded this interview! 🎉  

On the other side of this creative spectrum is Ryan, the talented mastermind behind the band Natural Sway. Known for his diverse albums and introspective lyrics, Ryan has taken Drew’s poignant journey and beautifully translated it into a moving song that captures the essence of his experiences.  In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand how Drew and Ryan collaborated, the creative process behind the song, and the challenges they faced along the way. 

Prepare to be inspired as they share their insights, emotions, and the powerful connection forged through art.  And don’t miss the debut of Ryan’s song inspired by Drew’s incredible story! 🎶  Tune in for an episode filled with inspiration, creativity, and a celebration of heritage. It’s a powerful reminder of how our stories can connect us and evoke deep emotions. You won’t want to miss it!

About the Song in Ryan’s words: 

My inspiration for this piece led me to create an acoustic guitar instrumental track that features spoken word from Drew. I’ve been interested lately in working on audio-narratives that bridge the gap between story and song.  I recorded the guitar on an old reel to reel tape machine. When he and I met last week, I recorded him saying each of his names and mixed it into my composition. So that’s the only “lyrics.”  I’d like to send the file to you and/or the engineer to play during part C. of the episode - we could possibly talk briefly about the process and what I hoped to convey with it. Drew’s story and his willingness to share it definitely got my creativity going. I made a second instrumental piece thinking about my meeting with him that I am working on. Thanks for inviting me on your show, looking forward to it. 

When I met with Drew, he told me a story about driving a great distance to find his father and almost getting turned away with no answers. Then, the sound of a door and a kind woman walking out to change it all. I imagined being outside of that door and looking in on those crucial moments and I hope my work reflects some of this inspiring story. 

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