Backstory Sessions

Music, Heartbreak, and Resilience: Tiffany Woys

Hey Backstory fans! In this episode, we dive into a truly inspiring story that will tug at your heartstrings. We sit down with the talented singer-songwriter Tiffany Woys, who shares her incredible journey from a dream beach wedding swept away by a hurricane to finding solace and strength in her music. We start with Tiffany's path into music and songwriting. Later, she opens up about her whirlwind romance, the heartbreak of a called-off engagement, and how she turned her pain into powerful songs that resonate with so many. This episode is packed with raw emotions, resilience, and the magic of music. You won't want to miss it! She offers great insight into how she dealt with the events that transpired with grace, and was able to move forward. Also, get a sneak peek into Tiffany's latest projects and her thoughts on the evolving music industry. Tune in and be inspired by this heartfelt conversation! 

A Grand Honor: T. Graham Brown

Welcome to another amazing episode of Backstory Sessions! Join us as we continue Season 12 with an exciting conversation featuring the newest inductee into the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary T. Graham Brown.
Find out about T's remarkable journey, from his early days performing in college bars to his recent induction into the Opry. He shares stories from his illustrious career, including his start singing songwriter demos after moving to Nashville, and the emotional experience of being invited to join the Opry by fellow member Vince Gill. The episode also touches on his more unique ventures, such as singing advertising jingles and hosting a long running show on Sirius XM radio.  Additionally, we also chat about T.'s upcoming album, "From Memphis to Muscle Shoals," featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna Judd, and Sammy Hagar. T. offers insights into the inspiration behind the album and the exciting duets it includes. Also, find out about more upcoming projects from this amazing artist.

"Somebody's Gotta Do It" : Paige King Johnson

Join us for the second episode of Backstory Sessions' 12th season where we discuss the launch of the new website, BackstorySessions.com as well as future plans for it.  Listen to some interesting tales about our recent animal encounters too! 
Our awesome guest this week, singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson, shares the story of her journey from growing up in a small town and moving to Nashville to follow her dreams. Find out what made her put aside living in Nashville full time, and how she manages her writing, recording, and busy touring schedule. From the gift of her first guitar, the recent release of her latest single, "Somebody's Gotta Do It", Paige has an inspiring story you won't want to miss. Find out what her and Cat have in common in the business world, and what led to Paige starting that venture. She also shares her thoughts on co-writing and working with and opening for lots of mainstream artists. 
 

Kami Cotler: Back to The Waltons

Welcome to the start of Season 12 of Backstory Sessions! We are happy to be back and bring you our awesome fans, more great interviews this season!
We start the episode with a few updates on things we talked about in recent episodes: The Pitch, the Backstory Sessions website, and talk about the Northern Lights, along with a few other random items. Our guest this week is actress Kami Cotler, who played Elizabeth Walton on the much-loved series, Kami talks about how she landed the role at such a young age and navigating being an actor while trying to have a semi normal life during those early years. We chat about what she has been doing since, and her feelings about the series after so many years. Her many years spent in education are a sharp contrast to acting, but she still finds time to attend fan events and continue her connection with other actors from the series, as well as fans of the show. It's an interesting conversation that shows acting may have a strong alure for many but for some, there may be other passions that pull them in other directions.  She also shares a funny story about getting recognized by some fans as an adult during a date with her then boyfriend/ now husband. We hope you enjoy our chat with Kami as much as we did.

Bright Lights and Prairie Dust with Karen Grassle

Hello Backstory fans! Welcome to the Season 11 finale. Join us as we share our reflections and excitement as we close out the season and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the classic TV series, Little House on the Prairie. What sets this episode apart is none other than the special guest, Karen Grassle, popularly known as Ma Ingalls. We look deep into her journey in the industry and her amazing contributions to the prairie's endless tales, among her other pursuits. The discussion touches on the series' unforgettable final episode – a classic that still sparks curiosity decades later, and also peels back the layers of Karen's path – from her love for performing to her interest in writing and storytelling. As we dig into her amazing career, Karen shares her humble persona, creative drive, and the process of writing her memoir. Her resilience, curiosity, and love of lifelong learning give you a profound insight into her life in and beyond the screen.
This episode also serves as a big thank you to our dedicated listeners who have supported us in creating a platform showcasing the stories behind memorable TV series, actors and actresses, amazing musicians, authors, with the occasional random crazy episode by us, and is a perfect endcap to a great Season 11.

Hitchhiking Tales: Jeff Rasley

Hello Backstory fans! join us for a fun chat where we reminisce about our own hitchhiking tales and have a discussion on life’s unexpected risks.
The episode features our first-ever four-time guest, author Jeff Rasley, a seasoned storyteller whose life mirrors his narratives, sharing captivating details about his hitchhiking experiences.
Experience a thrilling ride through America in winter of 1972 with Jeff in his latest narrative, "Adventure Unleashed: A Hitchhiker’s Big Journey". From encounters with diverse spectrum of characters to learning invaluable life lessons, this episode provides a look into the American hitchhiking culture of the 70s.
Jeff also relives his remarkable journey meeting fascinating characters across America. From the 'Jesus in a Ferrari’ to the fanciful crime gang inviting him to join their ranks, this episode paves the path to intriguing storytelling leading to stirring self-introspection and spiritual growth.
Another highlight of this Backstory Sessions includes a riveting detour into the counterculture scene. Jeff talks about his unexpected stops at secretive cult compounds, his adventures at Mardi Gras, and how these diverse cultural exposures have shaped his life. Tune in to take part in this journey, which promises a great mix of humor, nostalgia, and transformative life events. 

Easter and the Return of Rick Cosnett

Hello Backstory fans! In this special episode we first jump into some of the traditions and trivia regarding Easter. From egg hunts and sugar-loaded candies to family meals, we reflect on diverse Easter traditions. Matt talks about Easter facts, exploring the origin of the Easter Bunny and the production of the iconic candy, Peeps. Tune in for this fun Easter special garnished with laughter, nostalgia, and a dash of heated debates. 
We also welcome the return of Rick Cosnett  to the podcast, who starred as Eddie in 'The Flash,' where he discusses the evolution of his character, challenges faced on the set, and memorable experiences during the series run. Rick talks about Eddie's transformation from a supervillain to a superhero, the emotional ending of the series, and how these reflected his own personal growth. We also discuss navigating the unpredictable landscape of industry interviews and performing dangerous stunts. Explore Rick's journey across contrasting roles, varying projects, surreal surroundings, and his unwavering love for acting that led him from Australia to the US.
 We uncover Rick's dream of portraying many diverse characters, his passion for the theater, and his ambitious web series project 'The Vacluse Daily.’ Experience his star-struck moments, expectations for future projects, and excitement for upcoming seasons of 'Palm Royale' and "911". The episode is filled with laughter, vivid storytelling, and reflections.

Lots of Updates and Plans

Hello Backstory fans! In this entertaining episode of Backstory Sessions, we have a discussion about Cat's social media adventures, the exciting venue and timing updates of her murder mystery event 'Murder on the Mountain' and an update on the upcoming pitch event for the unique mobile dinner theatre, 'Mystery Meets'. We also reveal some details about our upcoming Easter episode, which includes a special guest  Rick Cosnett.
We also have a discussion about the interesting phenomenon of the upcoming solar eclipse, with the odd decision of school closures during the event, eclipse viewing practices, and whether eclipse glasses have an expiration date.
As the episode winds down, we share some exciting future plans, including launching the new Backstory Sessions website, (finally) with an online store,  new merch coming, and expanding our social media presence. We also share a sneak peek into Cat's upcoming drama play "Boxes", an exploration of Matt's SubStack writings plans, as well as the  idea for a new podcast.
We celebrate our milestone of five years working on Backstory Sessions, and for this achievement, we express our gratitude for the support of you, our loyal listeners. 

Shell Games

Welcome to another engaging episode of Backstory Sessions, where we dive into the musical journey of Carrie Martinelli, the keyboard player, singer, and one of the songwriters of the band, Shell Games. Starting with the story behind the band name, Carrie shares the evolution of her music, from childhood piano lessons to performance experiences on stage, and a visit to a psychic.
Carrie shares personal tales that formed the backdrop of her musical evolution. From a setback that tested her self-confidence to a serendipitous reunion with piano that rekindled her passion for playing and creatin.The discussion goes beyond music, revealing her love for science, a story of unrequited love, and artistic cynicism. Carrie also shares her career transition from a science background to pursuing a passion for music. She discusses her experiences as part of a predominantly female band, tackling stereotypes in a male-dominated industry, and reveals the influence of social media on her journey.
Learn about the band's upcoming album, their creative process influenced by varied musical genres, and hear about lessons learned over years of artistic endeavor. The conversation offers encouragement with wit, and exemplifies the joy and challenges of embracing one's true passion.

18 Wheels

Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for yet another fun episode, where we are catching up with the amazing singer-songwriter Mackenzie Phipps. Talking about her latest song, written as a tribute to truck drivers, "18 Wheels", Mackenzie reveals the story behind writing it,
We touch upon a myriad of topics which include new sound equipment, our surge in listenership from Ghana and Nigeria, and some random items from the Backstory Facebook group. Ranging from their funnily divergent preferences on food to agreeing that all chocolate is great, it's a fun chat filled with laughter, and memories. We also talk a bit about a new project, "Heart-Shaped Box", and talk about the significance of St. Patrick's Day.
Mackenzie walks us through her journey, and reveals what she's been up to since last we chatted. A move, new music, and new opportunities are all discussed, as well as her small-town roots give listeners a view into her life these days.. She also shares a funny story of a chance encounter with one of her idols. 
Buckle up and join us for a heartening deep dive into Mackenzie's world. Follow her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to see her ascent as a rising star in the country music scene.