Episode 312: Steve Poltz

I'm thrilled to have the one and only Steve Poltz on the show this week!!  Steve Poltz represents everything that is special about the collective vibe that is live music. He is a storyteller, songwriter and musician traveling the globe, bringing good vibes and spreading the love wherever he may be. Known for his indie band The Rugburns, as well as for the mega-hit "You Were Meant For Me," which he co-wrote with legendary folk singer, Jewel, Steve revels in curiosity, love, comedy and self-reflection. A keen observer of life and the roads upon which we all travel, Steve's shows are a conversation in which he draws in fans and make everyone feel part of the show -- and it's an experience that you never forget. In this intimate conversation, Steve and I explore his artistic journey -- sharing tons of stories and anecdotes only to discover that in many respects, we have lived almost parallel lives. It's a stunning revelation that I'm excited to share in the super special, one-of-a-kind interview.   =======================================Chapters:00:00:00 - Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg00:05:40 - Welcome to Steve Poltz and recent travels00:07:55 - How Australia and New Zealand are affecting his worldview00:10:10 - The storytelling essence of his new album, released January 30th00:12:30 - The spontaneous nature of his performances and no setlist approach00:14:40 - Playing live vs. studio: raw, authentic sound of recent recordings00:17:02 - Childhood musical influences and humorous storytelling traditions00:19:40 - The cultural impact of funny songs from Jim Stafford to Loudon Wainwright00:22:25 - The history of funny and rebellious music and their influence on him00:25:00 - Growing up in Palm Springs and the early years of social life00:27:35 - Connection between his Jewish heritage and his global perspective00:30:05 - The state of current geopolitics, Israel, Palestine, and world history00:32:40 - The significance of political studies and the complexities of truth00:36:25 - The decentralization of information and media manipulation00:39:55 - The unsettling rise of authoritarianism and the importance of accountability00:43:05 - Personal stories involving health crises, stroke recovery, and mortality00:47:10 - Travel tales from Istanbul and cityscapes around the world00:50:30 - The influence of religion and history on personal and political views00:55:40 - Community, love, and the role of music in uniting people00:59:40 - How to navigate performance nerves and the art of engaging an audience01:03:40 - Reflecting on the importance of honesty, authenticity, and staying true to oneself01:09:40 - The humor in life’s darkest moments and the power of laughter01:14:56 - Infiltration and magic in live performance: surprising and delighting audiences01:19:06 - The journey of perseverance: saying yes, being consistent, and embracing risk01:23:49 - The importance of self-awareness, the struggle to say no, and personal growth01:28:09 - Living with purpose, the desire to make an impact, and facing mortality01:32:40 - The creativity of humor, the boundaries of political correctness, and dark comedy01:38:30 - Reflections on health, strokes, and the fleeting nature of life01:42:40 - The unexpected connections and stories from traveling and performance legends01:47:56 - The humorous and profound moments of vulnerability and resilience01:50:40 - The power of irreverence, risk-taking, and living fully in the moment01:54:40 - Closing thoughts, upcoming shows, and the enduring value of human connection=======================================For more information on Roadcase:https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.comOr contact Roadcase by email:  [email protected] theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer