The Other 22 Hours

To celebrate our 150th episode, we try a bit of an experiment: interviewing ourselves, for the first time. After nearly two decades of partnership, we examine the evolution of the creative self. Michaela Anne – whose fifth record, 'These Are The Days,' marks her first in over a 10 years for which she retains total ownership – discusses the "massive shift of self" required to walk away from industry gatekeepers. Aaron Shafer-Haiss, whose compositions have scored major network dramas like 'Station 19' and 'The Good Doctor,' reflects on the "utilitarian creativity" of a producer. It is a conversation about resilience, the "growth seesaw" of a creative marriage, and the realization that the dream is already happening.
In This Episode:
Michaela Anne
Aaron Shafer-Haiss
‘These Are The Days’
Ep 109 Major Jackson
Nonesuch Records
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
Bonnaroo
Cayamo
Mountain Stage
Folks Fest
Middle Tennessee State University
Owen Biddle
Seth Taylor
Ethan Ballinger
Kyshona
Lyle Davinsky
Lauren Balthrop
Post Malone

Go Deeper:
Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.
Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.
The Hosts:
The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach).
More about Aaron’s work.
More about Michaela Anne’s work.
Credits: 
Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

Molly Tuttle has shared stages with Ringo Starr and Billy Strings, yet she still grapples with the unpredictable "ups and downs" of a musician's schedule, and the inherent instability of the road. We talk with the GRAMMY-winning artist, and first woman to win IBMA Guitarist of the Year, about the "baggage" of turning a passion into a profession. We explore the necessity of trusting one's gut over industry expectations, how she navigates the transition from bluegrass traditionalism to rock-leaning solo projects, and the quiet power of a partner who understands the nuance of tour routing.
In This Episode:
Molly Tuttle
Nonesuch Records
Tyler Childers
Berklee College of Music
Ep 3 - The Milk Carton Kids
The Goodbye Girls
The Stray Birds
Ozark Mountain Folk Center
First Ladies of Bluegrass
Alison Brown
Ep 50 - Sierra Hull
Missy Raines
Becky Buller
Ketch Secor
Old Crow Medicine Show
Chris Stapleton
Ep 28 - The Wood Brothers

Go Deeper:
Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.
Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.
The Hosts:
The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach).
More about Aaron’s work.
More about Michaela Anne’s work.
Credits: 
Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

Ray Benson is an absolute pillar of American music, a nine-time GRAMMY winner whose band, Asleep at the Wheel, has defined western swing for over half a century. In this conversation, we talk with Ray about the "geographical imperative," rebuilding his career from a broke-down bus to a musical institution, and the delicate balance between the craft of music and the business of image. This is an exploration of longevity, team building, and the importance of finding a "moral compass" in leadership.
In This Episode:
Ray Benson
Asleep at the Wheel
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Pete Seeger
Woody Guthrie
Van Cliburn
Lester Flatt
Marty Stuart
Marc Copland
Paul Motian
John Abercrombie
George Strait
Vince Gill
Tower Records
“The Letter Johnny Walker Read”
Merle Haggard
Lawrence Wright
Mumford and Sons
Aaron Dessner
T.S. Elliot
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
Chris Scruggs
Molly Tuttle
Ep 86 - Tommy Emmanuel

Go Deeper:
Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.
Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.

The Hosts:
The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach).
More about Aaron’s work.
More about Michaela Anne’s work.

Credits: 
Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

As a founding member of the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and a three-time Grammy winner, Jeff Hanna has navigated nearly sixty years in the industry, which also includes credits with the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, and many others. In this conversation we explore the geography of inspiration, from the 1970s Troubadour scene to his forty-year anchor in Nashville’s songwriting community. Jeff reflects on the economy of a perfect line, the creative vitality of a "hard reset," and why the bedrock of the work has to begin with the simple intention of having fun.
In This Episode:
Jeff Hanna
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Matraca Berg
Ep 16 - Rodey Crowell
The Troubador
The Station Inn
Vinyl Tap
Jackson Browne
Tim Buckley
Poco
Ep 144 - Suzy Bogguss
Ep 43 - Gretchen Peters
Stephen King - On Writing
Jerry Jeff Walker - Mr Bogangles
The Mavericks
Ringo Starr
Levon Helm
Sheryl Crow
Fred Eltringham

Go Deeper:
Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.
Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.
The Hosts:
The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach).
More about Aaron’s work.
More about Michaela Anne’s work.
Credits: 
Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.

As the architect behind Rolling Stone Country and the host of the Nashville Now podcast, Joe Hudak has spent decades at the center of the industry. Along with Alison Abbey Hudak, a veteran editor who has shaped the narrative of Nashville’s elite lifestyle media, they offer a wealth of experience in creative survival. This conversation dives into the "show business" of art , the moral weight of elevating artists who mismanage their influence, and the courage required to admit when a prestigious career has stifled your creative brain.

In This Episode:
Joe Hudak
Allison Abbey Hudak
Jonathan Bernstein
“People Are Drinking Less Than Ever. What’s Country Music to Do?” - Rolling Stone
Carly Pearce
Keslea Ballerini
Sterling Drake
Marissa Moss
Nashville Lifestyles
Ep 47 Margo Price & Jeremy Ivey
Carl Jung

Go Deeper:
Watch: View this entire conversation on YouTube.
Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.
The Hosts:
The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (Producer/Mixer) and Michaela Anne (Songwriter/Creative Coach).
More about Aaron’s work.
More about Michaela Anne’s work.
Credits: 
Produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Original music written, performed and produced by Aaron Shafer-Haiss. Part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.