Podcast
Write Songs You Love
Have you ever felt like you’ve lost touch with your inner creative compass? Is songwriting a practice you want to maintain for the rest of your life? Have you ever thought about “why,” you write songs? Each week, host Michael Averill shares heart warming stories from his own experience as a touring singer/songwriter, as well as with guests, about songs that have been impactful, and why. There's always a way to put your unique fingerprint in your songwriting, and Michael is here to help you do it. Walk along with Michael @writesongsyoulove on Instagram for inspiration, tips, and challenges.
- Episodes
- 277
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 59 min
- On air since
- 2021
- Latest episode
- 5 days ago
Episodes
277 episodes, newest first
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1 hr 26 min
Death Can Be Sweet
Season 10, Episode 16
Show notes
One of our favourite occasions of the year! The annual song share and communtiy Q&A with the one and only Songs By Death.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visithttps://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/to expand and nurture your creativity!
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26 min
Preparing for Death Interview 2026
Season 10, Episode 15
Show notes
If you've ever carried any feelings in your heart, or thoughts in your head about anything to do with Death, now is your time of year to share. The annual Death interview happens next week, so if you'd like answers to your questions, get them in before Oct. 27th.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visithttps://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/to expand and nurture your creativity!
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37 min
Radishes, Frequencies, and Fools
Show notes
What do they all have in common?
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visithttps://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/to expand and nurture your creativity!
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38 min
Songwriters in the Round
Season 10, Episode 13
Show notes
Michael shares about the influence of community sharing, and the magic built into songwriter in the round events.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 19 min
Raccoon Slumber Party on the Benefits of Freedom and Surprise with Songwriting and Performing
Season 10, Episode 12
Show notes
Quirky improv-inspired musical duo Raccoon Slumber Party share thought tickling stories about their very unique 2026 song releases, and how they actually made a music video before recording the song for their latest track, Blue Strawberries.
Check out their music on Bandcamp.
Connect with Raccoon Slumber Party on Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 17 min
Kim June Johnson on Making Your Music Practice Fit Your Nervous System
Season 10, Episode 11
Show notes
Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and poet Kim June Johnson shares a plethora of ways to welcome the music living inside of us to the world.
Check out her beautiful album Songs for a Quiet Day.
Learn about all of Kim’s happenings on her website.
Connect with Kim on Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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24 min
What Do You Love About Songwriting?
Season 10, Episode 10
Show notes
Is there an aspect of your songwriting process that is your absolute favourite?
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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9 min
Grains of Wisdom and Notes to Self
Season 10, Episode 9
Show notes
A little reminder goes a long way. Especially if it turns into a song you love.
Find Tie Your Shoes on Bandcamp.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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26 min
Covering Your Friends and Parodies
Season 10, Episode 8
Show notes
If you’re looking for inspiration, why not look to your friends and those around you?
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 17 min
Jordan Leibel on Feeling the Music, The Activated Mind, and Adrenaline Motivated Songwriting
Season 10, Episode 7
Show notes
Kelowna, Canada based pianist and improvising wizard Jordan Leibel shares how letting the musical cat out of the bag opened up a pathway to expression, confidence, and a license to live and play loudly.
Find Jordan’s music on Bandcamp here.
Check out his new Rotary Crew song Daylight Foster Wallace with previous guest Ethan McKibben.
Follow Rotary Crew on Instagram.
Check out the Salad Bowl Jam on Instagram.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 25 min
Leanne Fournier on Speaking Up, Honouring Others, and Poetically Reflecting on Home
Season 10, Episode 6
Show notes
Kenora Ontario based storyteller, author, and poet Leanne Fournier shares about the roots and inner workings of her drive for noticing and appreciating beauty, whether it be in nature, or the people and places around her.
Find out more about Leanne, and grab a signed copy of her new poetry book, Somewhere, My Home, here.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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30 min
Inside the Iced Teacup Challenge 2026
Season 10, Episode 5
Show notes
The 2026 Iced Teacup Challenge is in full swing. Listen for this years prompts, and for a lovely creative challenge from singer/songwriter/CBC music columnist, Dan Tait.
Hear Dan talking about the Iced Teacup Challenge on CBC, and get their excellent writing prompt here.https://krisbradleymusic.com/
If you create something for their challenge, submit it to radiowest@cbc.ca, or call 1-855-222-5775 to share over the phone before Tuesday, August 18th.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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59 min
Kris Bradley on Walking the Artist Path, Burnout, and the Myth of Being Fireproof
Season 10, Episode 4
Show notes
Kris Bradley — singer-songwriter, producer, and supporter of creatives around the globe shares about what it’s like to finally put herself first when it comes to her own artistry, and how burnout paved the way there.
Stay up to date with Kris on her website here.https://www.haleyblaismusic.com/
Pick up her latest release Fireproof here.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 2 min
Haley Blais on Small World Connections, New Collaborations, and Following the Fun Compass
Season 10, Episode 3
Show notes
Canadian singer-songwriter Haley Blais shares about how she makes creative decisions, her new upcoming project with Sam Lynch, and how her Grade 5 teacher gave her the nudge she needed to fall in love with music.
Check out Haley’s happenings on her website here.
Follow Haley on Instagram here.
See Haley perform on August 1st in Kelowna at NestFest (Red Bird Brewing). Tickets here.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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55 min
Michael Averill on Merging Old and New Songs in Piano Fire
Season 10, Episode 2
Show notes
Write Songs You Love host Michael Averill shares about the release of his new live off the floor piano focused collection titled “Piano Fire,” and shares stories from his upcoming book.
Listen to Piano Fire on Bandcamp here.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 22 min
Ethan McKibben on Growing Octopus Arms, Engaging Hypnosis, and Going for Thubb
Season 10, Episode 1
Show notes
Music community gatherer, producer, and drummer extraordinaire Ethan McKibben shares about the life and times behind the drum kit, pathways of learning, and his brand new co-created instrumental keys, drums and groove project, Rotary Crew.
Follow along with Rotary Crew on Instagram.
Check out Ethan’s unique music community building project here.
To see the Fix You video with behind the scenes in real time, watch here.
Check out Apollo Suns on Spotify.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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48 min
5 Year Anniversary
Season 9, Episode 28
Show notes
Write Songs You Love just turned 5. Michael shares reflections, songs, and hopes for going into the future.
Songs heard in this episode:
Good for Something - Vaguely Obsessed
To See Love - Tiger Moon
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 30 min
Danaii on Song Manifestation, Diving into the Problem, and Finding the Right Words
Season 9, Episode 27
Show notes
Kelowna, Canada based Singer/Songwriter Danaii shares about the challenges and joys of putting together her brand new EP titled “My Garden.”
Connect with Danaii on Instagram here.
Listen to Danaii’s new album here.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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52 min
Jackie Ourman on Burden, The Skill of Support, and The Benefits of Allowing Others to Show Up
Season 9, Episode 26
Show notes
Jackie Ourman, founder of the Social Connection Collective and a relationship and attachment therapist, shares about how the belief of being a burden can affect those who actually want to support, and what this means for sharing our songs.
Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn, or her website.
Check out the Social Connection Collective on LinkedIn.
Check out the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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1 hr 4 min
Rumi Tsuchihashi on Paying Attention, and How to Use an Emotion Thesaurus
Season 9, Episode 25
Show notes
Author and micro-memoir teacher Rumi Tsuchihashi returns to share tips and tools for helping the emotions in our writing be felt deeper in the heart.
Connect with Rumi through her website.
Check out the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.
Listen to Elijah Bekk’s song Be Alright.
Share your thoughts on this episode in the Write Songs You Love Facebook Community group.
To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/ to expand and nurture your creativity!
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