Living on the B Side

In this episode of Living on the B Side, Birgit speaks with Brad Stewart about how AI can reduce the stress of the business side of music while keeping creativity intact. Together, they explore the mental health challenges artists face, the power of music to guide us, and practical ways technology can support wellbeing in the creative life.

Independent artists, creatives, and anyone navigating the pressures of a fast-paced indus...

In this episode of Living on the B Side, host Birgit Livesey speaks with bestselling author and narrative coach Carrie KC West about the stories we carry through life — and how music often reveals when we’re ready to rewrite them.

Together, they explore how our personal soundtracks can reflect emotional turning points, helping us see our lives from a different perspective.

This episode invites slower listening and reflection.

We t...

In this episode of Living on the B Side, I speak with Sam Mitchell, host of Autism Rocks and Rolls, about autism and music — and how a deep love of rock shaped his identity and advocacy work.

We explore how music can become more than entertainment. It can offer structure, confidence, and a way to connect with the world.

This conversation invites curiosity and reflection. We talk about autism beyond stereotypes, the beauty of intense ...

In this episode of Living on the B Side, I sit down with musician, scholar, and multidisciplinary artist Naila Keleta-Mae to talk about her latest album I’m Grateful, which has gained international recognition.

We explore the vulnerability and joy of sharing music with the world, the creative process behind songwriting, and how reggae, spoken word, and other musical traditions shape her art.

Naila reflects on music’s unique ability...

In this episode of Living on the B Side, host Birgit speaks with Ian and Danielle from Orphan Prodigy about their conceptual album “Medication for Modern World” and the story behind their song “Trader.” Together, they explore how music can transform feelings of chaos, rejection, and being an outsider into connection, healing, and community.

This episode invites slower listening and honest reflection. We talk about Ian’s and Dani...

In this episode of Living on the B Side, host B speaks with Robbie Gennet – Los Angeles-based musician, educator, author and lifelong creative – about turning loss into art, self-permission in creativity and staying authentic as an artist. Together, they explore how music can become a language for processing grief, rebuilding identity and giving ourselves permission to fully show up as who we are.

This episode invites slower lis...

In this episode of Living on the B Side, host B speaks with Emma G a musician, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker on a mission to help people turn struggles into songs, reclaim their voice, and find empowerment through music. She believes that songwriting, breath, and the voice can support mental health, help us process trauma, and reconnect us with our inner compass.

This episode invites slower listening, reflection, and gentle c...

In this deeply interesting episode, I’m joined by Julie from Luminous Voices, a professional choir based in Canada that’s been quietly reshaping its work by collaborating with First Nations composers and singers.

What started as an outdoor music project during COVID has become an ongoing journey into shared musical storytelling — one that honours Indigenous languages like Cree, explores traditional singing techniques such as vocable...

In this rich and energetic episode, I am joined by the multi-passionate and deeply intuitive Blanca—massage therapist, holistic life coach, Zumba instructor, dancer, and certified canine massage therapist. With decades of experience in the healing arts, Blanca shares how music has always been her silent co-therapist—whether she's working with trauma survivors, veterans, or even dogs.

Together, we dive into:

• How music shapes...

What happens when life throws you curveball after curveball—grief, heartbreak, depression, loss of identity—and somehow, you’re still here?

In this moving episode, I sit down with Christian singer-songwriter Jay Davids, whose life reads like a roadmap of trials, but whose voice carries the weight of healing. Jay opens up about the personal storms he’s weathered: losing his father as a teen, going through a painful divorce, surviving...

What happens when music becomes more than entertainment — when it turns into a tool for presence, healing, and human connection?

In this episode of Living on the B Side, I sit down with Joanne and Justin of Silvermouse, a genre-defying music duo weaving together psychedelic soundscapes, improvisation, and brainwave entrainment to create something truly unique. Their performances, often held in community gardens or tucked-away na...

What happens when one rooftop poem leads to a global peace movement?

In this episode of Living on the B Side, I’m joined by jazz pianist and activist Rick DellaRatta to explore the powerful story behind Jazz for Peace—a musical initiative sparked by the events of 9/11.

We talk about:

• Using music mindfully to process pain and inspire purpose

• The journey from grief to global action

• Why helping those who help others can change every...

Discover how music transforms the lives of seniors in this inspiring episode with Sarah Martin McConnell, founder of Music for Seniors. We explore the powerful connection between music and wellbeing, and how Sarah’s non-profit brings live music experiences to older adults across the U.S.

🎵 From her journey as a singer-songwriter to her TEDx talk and her upcoming album Love Songs to the Universe, Sarah shares stories that highlight ...

100 episodes. Five years. Countless conversations about the power of music. During this personal and honest milestone episode, I reflect on my journey with Living on the B Side—the moments that moved me (to tears even!), the struggles I faced, and the lessons I have learned along the way.

I open up about the journey between passion and promotion, why turning this podcast into a business hasn’t felt right and hasn’t taken off so far,...

Have you heard of Violeta Parra? If not, then in this episode, you will discover that she was more than a musician—she was a poet, activist, and artistic force whose songs have shaped movements, comforted souls around the world, and stood the test of time.

In this interview, I sit down with Ericka Verba, musician, historian, and author of Gracias a la Vida: The Biography of Violeta Parra, to explore Parra’s incredible life. We cover...

Have you ever asked yourself what music, colours, vibration and frequencies have in common to affect your energy, emotions and overall wellbeing?

I have invited Peta-Ann, founder of Elegant Rebel and breast cancer thriver, back on my podcast to share more about this interesting topic; we explore the amazing connection between sound, colour and vibrational medicine.

We chat about how our bodies are impacted on an energetic level by m...

There are times when life and podcasting asks us to take a step back, reassess, and then make the necessary changes that align with our energy and priorities. In this solo episode, I share all about the experiment that I have been running – releasing weekly episodes – and the lessons I have learned about passion, sustainability, my energy management and most of all honouring my own pace.

Inspired by Bon Jovi’s Keep the Faith, I ...

What do you think happens when a rock’n’roll lifestyle collides with a life-changing moment of faith?

Howard Gripp, a Wisconsin -based musician, shares his own powerful story of transformation – what began with him playing in bars and dealing with many personal struggles to creating Christian rock music with a purpose, it is a journey that had many ups and downs.

Howard openly talks about the highs and lows of his musical jou...

During this solo episode on the B Side, I explore the rhythm of my own life and heart thanks to the inspiration of Don Johnson’s song ‘’Heartbeat”.

I am taking you on a journey into my own story, the one where I am looking to rediscover my own heartbeat, how to embrace who I am right now and how to use this rhythm to move on and flow with the ups and downs of life.

Read about more inspiring, powerful podcast guest stories in ...