Life in Seven Songs

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What songs tell your life story? We ask this question of some of the world’s most fascinating people. Through seven songs, guests reveal the milestones — and the music — that have shaped their lives. Hosted by Sophie Bearman. New episodes every Tuesday.

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Featured episodes

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Life in Seven Songs

Today

‘The Good Place’ creator Michael Schur on how Taylor Swift got him out of a rut

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Life in Seven Songs

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Why Andrew Ahn remade the first gay film he ever saw

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11/04/2025

Trump fired him, but Preet Bharara is still defending the country he loves

The prosecutor-turned-podcaster isn’t embarrassed to request “Wagon Wheel” in Nashville or to say he loves America.

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10/28/2025

How actress Pepi Sonuga keeps the faith — even when Hollywood says, ‘We don’t need you’

The up-and-coming Nigerian actress believes that performing runs in her DNA. That doesn’t mean showbiz has come easy.

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10/21/2025

Before becoming a drag icon, Peppermint found inspiration in Prince

The drag queen and trans rights activist opens up about finding joy even when there are “no tears left to cry” (Ariana Grande, anyone?).

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10/14/2025

Before Sam Sanders became an American culture guru, pop music was ‘forbidden fruit’

Raised Pentecostal in Texas, Sam Sanders wasn’t allowed pop music. He smuggled CDs home in his underwear and tells the story on The Standard’s music podcast.

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10/07/2025

From the South Bronx to Sesame Street: How Sonia Manzano made Maria a Latina icon

As Maria on “Sesame Street,” Sonia Manzano became the role model she never had—and changed children’s TV forever.

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09/30/2025

Misty Copeland broke ballet’s color barrier. These songs carried her through

From growing up homeless to becoming the first Black female principal at American Ballet Theatre, she shares her soundtrack on our podcast “Life in Seven Songs.”

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09/23/2025

Riding waves and weathering life’s storms with surfer-turned-writer Jamie Brisick

On this episode of “Life in Seven Songs,” Brisick shares how music helped him survive unimaginable loss.

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09/16/2025

Podcast: What’s the soundtrack of your life? We asked ‘Life in Seven Songs’ listeners

To mark one year of The Standard’s music show “Life in Seven Songs,” host Sophie Bearman shares songs from her own story — and hands the mic to listeners.