Self-Help Songwriter Podcast

Hosted by Hanna Francis, this podcast is about reclaiming songwriting as something natural, personal, and real. Long before industries and algorithms, people made music together—at home, in the streets, around fires—not for fame, but because it’s part of being human. We all feel the power of music, and we all have the ability to create it. Through conversations with incredible songwriters and self-help experts, we explore the power of consciously engaging with music and the tools that help you do so. Join us in celebrating the songs we love and the music that lives in all of us!

Using Songwriting to Manifest: Mel Lathouras breaks down her Mantra Song

Today we're chatting with the amazing Mel Lathouras aka the Fearless Singer who is a singing and confidence coach as well as a Jazz (and other genres) singer based in Brisbane Australia. This episode will leave you inspired and empowered to go write your own mantra song so you can manifest the life you want using songwriting! This is basically a mini coaching sesh with Mel - she's so fun and motivational - I can't wait for you to listen! ✨Checkout Fearless Singerhttps://www.fearlesssinger.com/

03-27
58:53

THE Secret to EASY Songwriting: I break down my FAVORITE song structure

In this mini-pseudo-songwriting-coaching session I break down my favorite way to structure a song so that it practically writes itself. More here: https://selfhelpsongwriter.com/

08-12
12:46

Take It Slow: Denby Ananda breaks down Self-Compassion

Welcome to a super special and super PRACTICAL and even a little bit silly podcast episode with the amazing Denby Ananda who breaks down exactly how to develop self-compassion (a pillar of happiness). ✨Signs you've checked out ✨How she healed her burnout from her successful luxury cake business ✨How to develop emotional literacy ✨What self-compassion actually means and looks like ✨Somatic expression and how to use music for self-healingDenby's infohttps://www.instagram.com/denby.ananda/

07-22
38:57

CELEBRATING 2 YEARS!! And the lessons that have made it possible

On this very special episode of the Self-Help Songwriter podcast, I share with y'all the lessons I've learned from doing this thing for the past 2 years. I am eternally grateful to the songwriter community and the self-help community for being so generous with me and each other. For more, checkout:https://selfhelpsongwriter.com/

07-14
12:40

Life, Death, and Music: Mette breaks down Run Like the River

In this episode, Mette breaks down her very cinematic song RUN LIKE THE RIVER. We talk about-life and how death is a part of it-how to find a producer for your songs-how to start a songwriters circle-how to be brave when you're first starting out-and MUCH more.Mette on IGListen to her album on SpotifyLearn more about Self-Help Songwriter

06-17
58:09

How to Live FULLY: Anna Jordane breaks down how to FEEL your feelings

Today we're breaking down exactly HOW to confront those emotions you've been avoiding for forever. It's so much more peaceful on the other side, we promise! Anna Jordane walks us through the✨TELLTALE SIGNS you are AVOIDING your emotions and so much more practical advice.Connect with AnnaLearn more about Self-Help Songwriter

06-02
01:02:33

Don't Shake the Baby! (and other metaphors) Lewis B Rogers breaks down I'm Only A Man

BUY THEIR NEW ALBUM GOOD SONGS I am beyond excited to share this conversation with you. Lewis B Rogers is a local legend in Bloomington, Indiana and one half of Busman's Holiday. We chat about:✨His origin story as a musician✨Why he began writing songs✨How songs come to him✨His songwriting ethos✨The best way to learn songwriting✨How he and his brother work together✨The new album and how his writing has evolved.This episode is a TREASURE TROVE of advice for songwriters and thinkers.... You will never be the same. Busman's Holiday IGBuy their albumMore here: ⁠https://selfhelpsongwriter.com/⁠

05-19
01:08:24

How to Expand Time: Caz Tanner breaks down Consciousness

Today we have a MIND & TIME EXPANDING chat with the amazing Caz Tanner, host of the Further Reaches podcast where she "explores how these individuals are pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, investigating the profound mysteries of human existence, and radically rethinking what it means for us to thrive as individuals and as a collective on earth." We chat about:✨Holotropic breathwork and what role does music play in psychedelic journeys in general, meditation, and SO much more!Check out her podcast Further Reaches hereLearn more about Self-Help Songwriter on the website

05-06
31:18

Infinite Paradoxes: Vienda Maria breaks down the Art of Life

Today we have the incredible Vienda Maria, my mentor and friend. She is a big part of the reason that this podcast exists! We talk about:✨Her relationship with music✨The first CD she ever bought✨The relationship between her joy and her singing practice✨Exactly how journaling changed her life✨The limits of self-help✨and MUCH more! I dare you to remain unchanged after listening.Vienda's websiteSelf-Help Songwriter website

04-07
44:11

Pity the Soul-Poor: Egalitarian Steve Breaks Down ARMPIT

Today we have full-hearted California songwriter Egalitarian Steve. We have such a fun and inspired conversation as he breaks down his gorgeous (seriously gooorgeous) new song ARMPIT. This episode - and Steve in general - is like a warm hug! So grab some hydration and settle in, as we discuss everything from:✨The Kibitz room - the charms (the staff) and toils (the crowd) of playing at such a legendary bar✨His favorite way to gig ✨How the musical landscape has changed ... and MUCH more!Egalitarian Steve on SpotifySelf-Help Songwriter website

02-17
01:00:36

36. IS IT too late?? Billy Kent breaks down "Is It Too Late for Love"

In this interview episode of the Self-Help Songwriter podcast, we're joined by local Los Angeles legend, singer-songwriter Billy Kent!We talk about:How music for him went from fun to healing His artistic arcWhat Van Gogh means to himDOES he believe in love?How music saved his lifeBilly's LinksWebsiteInstagramSupport the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on the Self-Help Songwriter Newsletter!

12-01
51:22

32. THE EMOTION OF IT ALL!! Caoimhe Byrne breaks down Do Not Revive

Today we have the Irish singer-songwriter Caoimhe Byrne! We break down her gorgeously sad song “Do Not Revive” and we discuss:✨The difference between her “before” songs and her “pandemic” songs✨Her solitary songwriting process✨The way this song snuck up on her✨Where creativity lives inside of us✨The importance of independent music!✨How it feels to have someone cover your song ✨Creative interpretation in generalCaoimhe’s linksInstagramiTunesSpotifyFacebookSoundcloudMy Links:WebsiteInstagr...

10-21
01:02:24

29. Bring back the REAL! Kent Blazy breaks down Footsteps of Dylan

Enjoy my conversation with Nashville legend Kent Blazy as we discuss:The evolution of country musicHis 40 years in NashvilleHow Bob Dylan influenced him and basically everyoneHis recording philosophyREALNESS and the role of music in societyand SO MUCH more!Kent's WebsiteListen to Kent on Spotify My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next free zoom concert!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me...

09-22
56:29

24. It's Always Alright: I break down Me & Mine

In this episode I break down my newly released single ME & MINE!!Listen to the song on Spotify!It's all about high vibe freedom and happiness you can give to yourself. Let me know what you took away from this episode in a review and 5 star rating- thankyouu!My Links:WebsiteInstagramMusic YoutubeBalkan Folkdance YoutubeSpotifyFacebookJoin the next Song Circle on May 8!Book a song session!Support the showMy WebsiteSpotify & other SpotifyInstagramMusic YoutubeFacebookEmail me to get on t...

05-21
18:19

22. FULL BLOOM: Nida Kira breaks down The Meaning in Everything

"Music is such a beautiful medium to bridge different dimensions and it makes me so aware that my human perception is so limited because music is just from another world it seems" - Nida KiraThis is a super special episode because I got one of the fantastic women from the Blooming Soul Sister Song Circle to come on and break down the's song when the topic was BLOOMING. Nida Kira is a wellness and style mentor with a background in psychology who I worked with and had a massive inner trans...

04-28
45:56

19. Trust Your Freakin' Fate! I break down my Heartbreak Song

"It doesn't make you weaker to trust your fate when you're in the dark." - ME. YES I said that. I sang it too. Today I break down my Heartbreak Song for y'all. Last week we spoke about songwriting as self-help and this song is probably my first best example of that. In this episode I talk about:✨The gifts on unrequited love. ✨The structure I normally follow in songwriting. ✨The structure that seems to appear when songs just FLOW.✨The specific reason that I still have a hard time trusting the ...

03-31
30:27

17. It's strong to be vulnerable? Edith Lundahl breaks down For Love

Come to the Songwriting Workshop!Hello and welcome to the self-help songwriter podcast, a place for self-healers and music lovers! I’m Hanna Francis, a singer-songwriter who is obsessed with self-help (thanks, anxiety!) and is certain that the answers to life’s big questions lie within each of us and on this podcast we search for these answers by analyzing songs with the people who wrote them.Today we have Edith Lundahl on the podcast breaking down her gorgeous and heart-breaking song FOR LOV...

03-17
43:01

13. We're such sensitive creatures! BEST OF 2021

Best of Episode!! Enjoy clips from every episode from the first two seasons of the Self-Help Songwriter Podcast!! Featuring these unbelievably talented and KIND and philosophical songwriters:✨Tobias Robertson✨YenTing Lo✨Stephen Rappaport✨Maria Lindström✨Allen Finney✨Leah Harris✨Robert Hill✨Fanny Holm✨Galia Arad✨Jonathan Segel Love you for listening! Send to a friend who has good taste in music and/or podcasts! Please rate 5 stars and write a review to support the show- why not!...

02-09
45:31

11. It doesn't make a fucking difference! Jonathan Segel breaks down Sleep For A Hundred Years

"The whole idea of doing this record was: it's unnecessary. It's unnecessary for me to do it, but I do it anyway. It's unnecessary for me to be a musician, but I sorta feel like that's all that's interesting about being alive is what's superfluous." - Jonathan SegelToday we have Jonathan Segel on the show! He’s known both for his improvisational electronic or avant-garde solo projects as well as being a member of the rock group Camper Van Beethoven. In this episode, he not only breaks d...

12-08
01:11:00

10. Self-care, bitch! Galia Arad breaks down Love Past Him

Today we have Galia Arad on the show - she’s just the coolest, she’s a super talented and successful songwriter. We met in Dublin, where she's based, in 2019, but we're actually from the same hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. So, our meeting was FATED. We had such a fun time catching up and we get into all the things, including:✨How she’s been opening for Jools Holland for ten years. ✨Her idea of true success.✨The one element of a show that when it’s off will make her panic ev...

12-01
01:09:30

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