Think about a time a story changed how you understood something — not because someone argued you into it, but because you felt it. That’s how meaning works.
SongWriter is built to translate research into meaning that sticks. We begin each episode with a scientific theme — forgiveness, gratitude, collective effervescence, animal intelligence, and more — then bring it to life through three interwoven lenses:
A storyteller shares a narrative rooted in the theme
A songwriter creates an original “answer song” interpreting the story’s core takeaways
A scientist explains the evidence behind the meaning of them both
Because story and song open emotional and cognitive pathways first, the science lands deeper, feels more trusted, and stays with listeners longer — especially for audiences who come for the artists they already love. Learn more in the interactive model below.
What We Make
SongWriter Podcast
Research-based themes translated into Story → Song → Science episodes.
SongWriter Live
On-stage episodes for festivals, museums, campuses, and conferences — designed as shared meaning-making experiences.
Expanding SongWriter’s Story → Song → Science Format
New formats in development to scale reach and learning.
Why Partner Now
We’re operating at a moment when scientific information can be easy to tune out, while stories and songs still cut through. SongWriter is a bridge: it meets audiences in culture and guides them into evidence-based understanding they can actually remember.
With seven seasons behind us—featuring cultural and creative luminaries such as Questlove, Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, Susan Orlean, George Saunders, David Sedaris, Steve Earle, and David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), among others — and current philanthropic support from Templeton World Charity Foundation, we’re ready to scale.
Ways to Partner
Underwrite a Podcast Season or Episode
Support new seasons aligned to your thematic priorities.
Why it matters: keeps the core engine running while expanding the science braid — proving that integrated formats increase understanding, retention, and empathy.
Co-Produce With Us
Fund a filmed Story → Song → Science series and/or short-form explainers.
Why it matters: scales meaning-based learning to visual and classroom audiences.
Publish With Us
Partner on How to Bring a Story to Song and curated anthologies with accessible science.
Why it matters: durable products with long-tail educational impact.
Sponsor Research & Learning Innovation
Support fMRI/behavioral research and public-facing explainers with NYU collaborators.
Why it matters: builds an evidence base demonstrating how story+song+science together improves comprehension and memory.
Bring SongWriter Live to Your Stage
Festivals, universities, museums, convenings, conferences.
Why it matters: visible cultural leadership and high-impact shared experiences.