Backstory Sessions

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Kennedy Reid Gives Back to Kentucky
 
What happens when an American Idol Top 20 finalist uses her music to make a difference?
 
In this special episode of Backstory Sessions, Kennedy Reid joins us to talk about her journey from the American Idol stage to benefit concerts that support communities and causes close to her heart. She shares the story behind her music, what life has been like since Idol, preparing to welcome her first baby, and why she said “yes” to helping Tri-County Mystery Meets’ Barbourville to Broadway campaign.
 
We also discuss:🎤 Her American Idol experience❤️ Why giving back through music matters🎭 Helping send The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt to an Off-Broadway stage in New York City👶 Balancing music, family, and a new chapter in life✨ What audiences can expect at her August 8 concert in Barbourville
 
If you love country music, inspiring stories, and artists who use their platform to help others, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
 
🎟️ See Kennedy Reid LIVE!📅 Saturday, August 8📍 Rector Little Theatre, Union Commonwealth University – Barbourville, KY🚪 Doors Open: 1:30 PM🎶 Youth Opening Performances: 1:45 PM⭐ Kennedy Reid: 2:00 PM
 
🎭 Benefiting Tri-County Mystery Meets’ “Barbourville to Broadway” Program, supporting the Off-Broadway presentation of The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt.
 
💙 Concert Sponsor: Atienza Acob Medical Center
 
#BackstorySessions #KennedyReid #AmericanIdol #BarbourvilleToBroadway #TriCountyMysteryMeets #TheSweetLife #CountryMusic #Podcast #KentuckyMusic #LiveMusic #SupportTheArts #BarbourvilleKY

Backstory Sessions – Brandon Wood: A Journey to Every Country on Earth
What does it take to visit every country in the world?
This week on Backstory Sessions, Cat Goguen sits down with world traveler Brandon Wood to hear the incredible story behind one of the rarest accomplishments imaginable—setting foot in every sovereign nation on Earth.
From breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable cultures to unexpected challenges and life-changing moments, Brandon shares the adventures that transformed his view of the world and himself.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌍 What inspired Brandon to pursue every country on Earth
✈️ His most unforgettable travel experiences
🗺️ Hidden gems and surprising destinations
🤝 The kindness and generosity he’s encountered across cultures
🍽️ Memorable foods, traditions, and customs
💡 Lessons learned from seeing the world firsthand
❤️ How travel has changed his perspective on humanity
Whether you’re an avid traveler, a dreamer with a bucket list, or simply love hearing remarkable stories, this conversation is packed with adventure, insight, and inspiration.
Join us as we go beyond the passport stamps and explore the backstory of a man whose curiosity carried him around the globe.
🎙️ Host: Cat Goguen🎧 Guest: Brandon Wood🌎 Topic: Visiting Every Country in the World
Be sure to subscribe to Backstory Sessions for more conversations with creatives, adventurers, and remarkable people whose stories inspire us all.

✨ This week on Backstory Sessions…
 
What happens when one person sees a need in their community—and decides to do something about it?
 
Join us as we welcome Debbie Gilbert, Founder of IGOT Communities (Independently Growing Older Together), for an inspiring conversation about purpose, service, and creating places where adults 55+ can thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
 
Debbie shares the personal experiences that inspired IGOT Communities, the challenges of building a movement from the ground up, and why meaningful connections can change lives at every age.
 
Whether you’re planning for your own future, caring for a loved one, or simply believe in the power of community, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
 
🎙 Backstory SessionsGuest: Debbie Gilbert, Founder of IGOT Communities📅 Airs July 12
 
Because every great organization begins with a story—and every story has the power to inspire.
 
#BackstorySessions #DebbieGilbert #IGOTCommunities #IndependentlyGrowingOlderTogether #CommunityMatters #AgingWell #ActiveAging #Podcast #ConversationsWithCreatives #Kentucky #Inspiration #PurposeDriven #Storytelling

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸
 
As we celebrate this historic Independence Day weekend and America’s Semiquincentennial, we’re honored to welcome one of the nation’s most recognizable patriotic voices to Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives.
 
🎙️ This week, Lee Greenwood joins us for a special conversation about patriotism, America’s 250th anniversary, the meaning behind God Bless the U.S.A., Flag Day, Freedom 250, and the celebrations taking place across our nation as we look toward this historic milestone.
 
Whether you’ve grown up singing his iconic anthem or are discovering the story behind the music for the first time, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
 
Thank you to all who have served, sacrificed, and continue to make our nation stronger.
 
🎧 Listen now and celebrate America’s 250th with us!
 
#BackstorySessions #LeeGreenwood #America250 #Freedom250 #GodBlessTheUSA #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #Patriotism #ConversationsWithCreatives #Podcast #USA250 🇺🇸

🎬 Coming June 28 on Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives…
 
Award-winning filmmaker and director Sarah Friedland joins us to discuss her acclaimed debut feature film, Familiar Touch.
 
Inspired by her work in memory care, Sarah shares the story behind this deeply moving film exploring identity, aging, memory, and the enduring need for human connection. We’ll talk about her creative journey, the challenges of directing such an intimate story, and why empathy has always been at the heart of her work.
 
Join us for a thoughtful conversation about the power of film to help us better understand one another.
 
🎧 Premieres Sunday, June 28.
 
#BackstorySessions #SarahFriedland #FamiliarTouch #IndependentFilm #FilmDirector #Filmmaking #MemoryCare #HumanConnection #Storytelling #Podcast #ConversationsWithCreatives #FilmFestival

🎙️ Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives!
This week, we’re honored to welcome legendary singer-songwriter Skip Ewing to the podcast.
With 11 No. 1 songs, and hits recorded by artists including Randy Travis, Keith Urban, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and many more, Skip has spent decades telling stories through music.
Join us as we discuss his powerful new single, Play On, the inspiration behind his upcoming album Dragonfly, life in Music City, and the perseverance it takes to keep moving forward through life’s challenges.🎧 Whether you’re celebrating with family today or remembering a father who helped shape your journey, we wish you a meaningful and blessed Father’s Day.#BackstorySessions #SkipEwing #PlayOn #Dragonfly #FathersDay #CountryMusic #Songwriter #Nashville #ConversationsWithCreatives #Podcast #NewMusic #StoryBehindTheSong

🎙️ BACKSTORY SESSIONSConversations with Creatives
 
Join us as we welcome rock vocalist and songwriter Brett Hellings of the band Hellings to the podcast!
 
Brett joins us to talk about his latest single, “Chance on Love,” the lead release from the upcoming New York Sessions EP, along with the creative journey that has taken him from Pennsylvania to Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond.
 
We’ll discuss songwriting, perseverance, the evolution of the Hellings sound, and the stories behind the music. Plus, Brett shares the inspiration behind taking a chance on love, life, and the next chapter of his career.
 
If you’re a fan of authentic rock music, powerful storytelling, and the creative process behind great songs, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
 
🎧 Backstory Sessions: Conversations with CreativesHosted by Cat & Willie 
 
#BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #BrettHellings #Hellings #ChanceOnLove #NewYorkSessions #RockMusic #Songwriter #Podcast

🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Guest: Courtney Gaines
 
This week on Backstory Sessions, we welcome actor, musician, and storyteller Courtney Gaines for a conversation about creativity, perseverance, and what’s next in his career.
 
Courtney joins us to discuss his upcoming film Barn 3, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, the challenges and rewards of bringing a character to life, and what audiences can expect from the new movie.
 
We also talk about his music career, including songs currently climbing the radio charts, the inspiration behind his songwriting, and how music and film continue to influence one another in his creative journey.
 
From the set to the stage, this is a conversation about storytelling, reinvention, and staying true to your artistic voice.
 
🎧 Tune in for an engaging look at the life and work of Courtney Gaines on Backstory Sessions.
 
#BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #CourtneyGaines #Barn3 #IndependentFilm #CountryMusic #Songwriting #CreativeJourney #MusicAndMovies #Storytelling #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #BehindTheScenes

🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Special Episode: The Casts of The Sweet Life
 
This week on Backstory Sessions, we bring together cast members from two productions of The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt—the Mount Sterling production through Gateway Regional Arts Center and the Barbourville production with Tri-County Mystery Meets.
 
Same story. Same characters. Two communities. Two casts. One sweet legacy.
 
In this special episode, we talk about bringing Ruth Hunt’s story to life, what the production meant to each cast, the moments that stayed with them, and how this Kentucky story has grown from the stage to an upcoming New York City performance.
 
Join us for a heartfelt behind-the-scenes conversation about storytelling, community, candy, creativity, and The Sweet Life.
 
#BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #TheSweetLife #StoryOfRuthHunt #RuthHunt #GatewayRegionalArtsCenter #TriCountyMysteryMeets #MountSterlingKY #BarbourvilleKY #KentuckyTheatre #AppalachianStories #CommunityTheatre #BehindTheScenes #PodcastEpisode

🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Special Memorial Day Episode
Guest: Michael Peterson
 
This week on Backstory Sessions, we welcome Michael Peterson for a special Memorial Day conversation honoring service, sacrifice, memory, and music.
 
Through songs like “We Are Veterans,” Michael uses storytelling to give voice to courage, loss, brotherhood, and the deep gratitude owed to those who have served. In this episode, we talk about the heart behind the music, the stories that shaped these songs, and why remembering matters—not just on Memorial Day, but always.
 
Join us for a meaningful conversation filled with music, reflection, and respect.
 
#BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #MichaelPeterson #MemorialDayEpisode #WeAreVeterans #Veterans #HonorAndRemember #MilitaryFamilies #CountryMusic #MusicPodcast #StoryBehindTheSong #Songwriting #PatrioticMusic #PodcastEpisode