Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know

There is a little something different for this episode: the re-launch of the Matt O'Donnell substack! Join as Matt talks about reviving the newsletter and how it complements the podcast. Then, stick around for an audio reading of the first post! Very exciting times ahead in print as well as discussion.Matt O'Donnell on Substack.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Ellen Angelico is a superb musician in the Nashville ecosystem. She recently released a documentary podcast, Girl In A Hurry, about the late honky-tonk singer, Shelly Bush. Ellen spent a good deal of time playing in Shelly's band during her early years in Nashville. Girl In A Hurry looks at Shelly's legacy told by many of her closest friends and examines the concept of success, ultimately asking if Shelly was, in fact, a success. Matt and Ellen talk about Shelly, how Ellen decided to create and develop Girl In A Hurry, the music industry, reminiscing about times gone by in the Lower Broadway district of Nashville, authenticity in artists, tenacity in artists, and why everyone cheers instead of boos when a singer forgets a lyric.Girl In A Hurry is available wherever you find your favorite podcasts.Ellen on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Sarah Gavigan is the founder and president of Otaku Ramen, a thriving group of American ramen shops in Nashville. Since starting with popups in 2012, Sarah has been promulgating a style of ramen that eats traditionally but tastes of the time and place in which it's being made. During this discussion, Matt and Sarah cover the history of ramen, how umami is built, the differences in the noodles of ramen and pasta, craft and singular focus, and Sarah's analysis of the Nashville restaurant ecosystem.Otaku RamenOBSESSED (Sarah's Substack)Ramen Otaku: Mastering Ramen At Home: A CookbookSarah Gavigan on InstagramMatt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Aaron Smith is a stunningly terrific musician, currently playing keyboards for contemporary Christian music legend Michael W. Smith. He has also toured with Sara Evans, Matt Maher, Jason Crabb, Arbo, and others. During this conversation, Matt and Aaron touch on divine intervention in landing you where you should be, how to deal with having many interests that constantly change, a riveting discussion of modern synthesized music sounds, and the idea of a Cheesecake Factory workers' union.Aaron's Website.Aaron on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

We open 2025 with a look back at last year, the first for Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know. To help work through it all, Matt is joined by Amanda O'Donnell and the returning guest from episode 001, Dave Jacquin. In the discussion, they break down favorite episodes, episodes that didn't go exactly as expected, throwing hands to keep the energy up in the intro blocks, goals, and the wild story behind recording Dave's maiden voyage episode.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

This "episode" is a very clever play on words, because Matt literally dropped the ball on what you're supposed to be hearing. Well, a little Matt, a little holiday season, and about a half dozen tornado warnings in Louisiana and Mississippi. It's all very $%!@&*# annoying. So, you're getting a podcast drop for 3 weeks in a row. Come on in and hear all about it. We'll also test the concept of doing watchalong content as Matt watches a John Mayer performance from 2003 that he only recently discovered (and the early-period JM nerdery is strong with our host...). Enjoy!John Mayer - Clarity on YouTubeMatt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Deborah Jones is a photographer whose work embodies boldness, class, taste, vibrance, timelessness, and modernity. Her work has been featured for Food & Wine Magazine, Lexus, Williams-Sonoma, The Robb Report, Levi’s, Pixar, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and as the visual focus of the entire Thomas Keller library of cookbooks. Matt and Deborah talk about working with Chef Keller, intentionality in photographs and life, plating food to be shot, and how Deborah was ready to be done with cookbooks entirely when she was asked to shoot The French Laundry Cookbook.Deborah Jones' Website.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Successful pivoting is a great skill. It can be tested to its limits when plans fall through right up against a holiday. You know what, though? We learned to have a bit of fun on this episode. Matt answers some listener/follower questions and then looks back to the taping of episode 006 with Steven Williamson for a quick discussion about mentorship and how Matt used situations he was in to develop some skills to be a solid working musician.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Terry Adams is one of the most prolific riders in the BMX Flatland style. He is a three-time winner of the NORA Cup from Ride BMX Magazine and an X Games gold medal winner. Terry continues to compete globally, constantly pushing himself to go farther than ever in his 20+ year career. He is a long-time Red Bull athlete, as well as garnering other endorsements from Raising Cane's, among others. Terry and Matt talk about obsession, meditation, the power in being told "no", handwritten letters, healthy and unhealthy habits, and how Terry has always done it all while being based in his native Louisiana.Terry's Instagram.Terry Adams online.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Jake Serek is the owner of Serek Basses, makers of truly impressive custom bass guitars. After years of playing on the road and then learning the ins and outs of how to build and repair basses, Jake decided to set a path to make great vintage-inspired instruments on his own. He's currently based in North Carolina after years of operation out of Chicago. In this conversation, Matt (a Serek endorsed player) and Jake cover building the business, maintaining a work/life balance, building customer trust, and they both come out as pro-pick on the bass.SerekBasses.comSerek Basses on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Amanda O'Donnell is a personal chef and entrepreneur. She also happens to be married to some guy named Matt O'Donnell. Matt and Amanda initially found each other through a shared love of food, having both lived in Boston, and hating what else was out there in the dating scene. She has owned her own business since 2020 and has been serving the fine community of Nashville with meals for home as well as event and occasion cooking. Amanda was recently named one of Nashville's 25 Most Beautiful People by Nashville Lifestyles for their annual list. In this talk, Matt and Amanda discuss going to culinary school when you don't want to open a restaurant, the pandemic opening doors instead of closing them, the power of making people's lives easier with food, and much more!Amanda's website.Amanda's Instagram.Amanda profiled for Nashville Lifestyles.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Hello! Just dropping in today to keep you posted on a one-cycle pause. Don't worry, we'll be right back to the conversations in 2 weeks (10/22). Listen and I'll tell you all about it! Take the time to dig through the archives and listen to one of the first 20 episodes that you haven't heard yet. See you right back here next time!Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Matt on Substack.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

For the twentieth episode of the show, Matt speaks with James Beard award-winning author, chef, and thinker, Michael Ruhlman. Michael is the author of a couple dozen incredible culinary books including; The French Laundry Cookbook, Ruhlman's Twenty, Ratio, The Making of a Chef, From Scratch, and many more. The conversation goes into Michael's beginnings as a food writer, continuing to inspire people to cook their own food, the development of civilization as humans learned to cook, being esteemed, being curious, and much more. Ruhlman's Substack.Michael Ruhlman's Author Page on Amazon.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.

Risa Binder and Matt have known each other since the summer of 2013. Ever since then, Matt has played bass with Risa all across the land to crowds of all shapes, sizes, and enthusiasms. In this friendly discussion, they talk musical theatre, New York, the signs that led Risa to Nashville, a new reality of albums vs singles, community, and so very much more!Risa's newest release, "Good Advice", on EVEN.Risa on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

This time on the show, Matt is joined by photographer and creative, Nathan Rocky. Nathan specializes in portrait photography, video work, art direction, and fine musicianship. In the conversation, they discuss Nathan's background in social work, finding the bare humanity in portraits, the Mona Lisa as the ultimate portrait, authenticity, Kurt Cobain, Bob Dylan, and Marilyn Monroe. Sit down, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy this wildly deep plunging talk!Nathan Rocky.Nathan on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

On this episode of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know, Matt is talking with Ricquel Archer, the founder and CEO of Create + Collaborate, a nonprofit based in Fort Worth, TX. Create + Co.'s mission is to help young adults develop the skills to complete college, emphasizing first-generation students. In the discussion, Ricquel and Matt talk about the organization, her history working with students who need support, the state of modern education, partnerships with companies like IKEA, and hopefully being able to close the organization one day. Visit Create + Co. and find out how you can help!Create + Co. on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Kristen Rogers is one of the most prolific and sought-after background singers in the game today. Honestly, you've probably heard her voice somewhere tucked underneath the lead voice of the person whose name is on the track. She has shared the stage or the studio with countless modern music artists, including; Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Hozier, The Killers, Eric Church, Zach Bryan, Marcus King, The Revivalists, Anderson East, Jake Wesley Rogers, and Lori McKenna. In this discussion, you'll hear Matt and Kristen talk about professionalism in music, neurodivergence, tour life, how to keep spirits high in the industry, adventures in giving voice lessons, invasive fandom, and so many other things. Dry sparkling wine and pastries were consumed (but not harmed) in the recording of this episode.Kristen on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

This time on the podcast, Matt talks with author and scientist, Brad Balukjian. Brad's most recent book, "The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of WrestleMania" was released earlier this year and made a huge splash in the professional wrestling media ecosystem. His previous volume, "The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball's Afterlife", was named one of NPR's Best Books of 2020 (damn right it was) and reached #7 on the LA Times bestseller list. He recently launched a Patreon to continue exploring these topics for people who loved the books. In this talk, Matt and Brad talk about modern book publishing, intellectual curiosity, the way to get the most out of an interview with someone, OCD, and much more. The Brad Pack (Brad's Website).Support Brad on Patreon!Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Welcome to a very special episode of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! This is the pilot taping of the podcast, with guest Donna Peterson, who happens to be Matt's mother-in-law. However, lest ye be concerned that this will be some schmaltzy family chat, Donna is the Director Liaison for Ready Start Tangipahoa, a coalition of the Tangipahoa Parish (Louisiana's equivalent of a county) public schools, Head Starts, and childcare/daycare centers. She previously spent approximately 30 years as the founder and director of Kids World, a childcare center in Ponchatoula, LA. This is a very interesting chat that touches on Donna's history in childcare, parenting, protecting the arts in education, and more.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Welcome to episode 012 of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! After making the expected into the unexpected, Matt finally broke the trend and brought another top notch bass player to the show, Mike Rinne. Mike and Matt have known each other since 2007, quite a while before either made waves in the Nashville music business. Mike has toured with Miranda Lambert, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris and, most recently, Sarah Jarosz. He's also recorded extensively around the city, including credits with Jack White, Alicia Keys, Ronnie Milsap, and Dan + Shay. In a talk that takes some time before bass playing is specifically mentioned, the two discuss the importance of listening, mental health for musicians, the curious life of Fort Smith, Arkansas, playing in the pit for Hamilton, going the final 5%, and all kinds of other stuff! www.michaelrinne.comMatt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

In this installment of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know, Matt talks to Chelsea J. O'Leary, the founder of Wiley Canning Company. Through that business, Chelsea is revitalizing the practice of food preservation through canning. During the conversation, they touch on the history and purpose of Wiley, living slowly, history and science, struggles with perfection, introversion, and a whole lot more.Be sure to swipe through the main post for this episode on Instagram to see some terrific examples of Chelsea's photography, which is also discussed in this episode!Wiley Canning CompanyChelsea on InstagramMatt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

This is the 10th (TENTH!) episode of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! This time, Matt is joined by Joseph Ross, one of Nashville's fastest-rising photographers. In the conversation, they touch on the importance of establishing roots, who college is good for, developing while working for Robby Klein (*cough* Episode 005 *cough*), The Grand Ole Opry, and setting parameters for working relationships. Along the way, they discuss Ross' notable photo work for Apple (yes, THAT Apple), country-soul siren Yola, American Photography, and many more. Please be sure to check out the show's Instagram page (@mattodonnellwantstoknow) and swipe through a number of the photos mentioned in the main post for this episode!Joseph Ross on Instagram.www.josephrossphoto.comMatt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Drop in on a sundry chat with a couple of longtime musician friends as Matt gets to talking with LA-based singer-songwriter, Hillary Reynolds. Hillary is a fantastic solo artist along with her membership in Peridot and Wild Meridian, among others. Her songs have been featured in the television shows Yellowstone and Loudermilk and one was even recorded by the country group Little Big Town as the opener for their album, Nightfall (which was nominated for a Grammy.) Matt and Hillary met way back in 2007 at Berklee College of Music and have remained in touch as their careers progressed ever since. As the conversation goes on, they talk about Brian Wilson, songwriters playing and recording each other's songs, 10 Things I Hate About You, Paul McCartney concerts, and so much more. Keep in mind that there's a short discussion about miscarriage involved if you would like to try and avoid that. Episode playlist on YouTube.Hillary's Instagram page.Hillary's website.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Britt Gondolfi and Amanda Romanick are the author and illustrator of the new children's book, Look Up! Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution. The poem uses the clever ruse of a poop joke to make a far greater statement about both parents' and children's use of screen time and how to find a more genuine connection. Matt talks with Britt and Amanda about the poem, the artwork, publishing, technology in schools, comic books, and favorite children's books then and now. As a bonus, you'll hear Britt's original text of the poem performed in song!Find out more about the book and order it directly from Britt and Amanda.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

It's Double 0 Seven time on Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! In that spirit, Matt is joined by the biggest James Bond fan he knows, drummer and music spy Tim Buell. In this conversation, Matt and Tim discuss how to make the most of yourself as a business as a musician in the modern ecosystem. They also talk about drumming, musical tastes and preferences, and a little bit of how they apply to James Bond. Grab a Vesper and enjoy this fun and incredibly informative chat!Tim Buell on the world wide web.Tim on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Audio mixing engineer Steven Williamson joins us this time for Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! Steven is the live sound engineer for country music legend Sara Evans, works extensively on studio recordings, and is the musical score mixer for the acclaimed television show, The Chosen. During their conversation, Steven and Matt get into exactly how to describe the art of mixing to people outside of the music world, live performance vs. carefully crafted recording tracks, how "bedroom producers" can get better, the unique challenges of mixing for the screen, and a hefty amount more. Steven Williamson's website.Steven on Instagram.Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Episode 005! A very exciting little milestone. On this edition, Matt talks with the man behind the camera, Robby Klein. In Nashville and beyond, Robby's work is in high demand at a crazy level. You will have seen his work in Billboard, People, Garden and Gun, numerous album covers, television event promotional posters, and so much more. As the chat goes, Matt and Robby talk about developing a professional career out of a labor of love, the benefits and challenges of commercial work as opposed to editorial work, growing into the scene in Nashville, Lance Armstrong, the 2020 Grammys, AI, and voice memos from DJ Khaled.Note: If you go to @mattodonnellwantstoknow on Instagram and swipe through the post with the cover art for this episode, we've added a number of the photos that Matt and Robby specifically discuss so you can follow along without having to go searching. Enjoy!Robby Klein on InstagramRobby's websiteVisit Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Visit Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

This time on Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know, Matt digs in with Molly Martin, the founder of the exceptional Nashville-based catering and events company, Juniper Green. In this wide-swinging talk, Molly and Matt discuss topics like the best meals being remembered as events, the power of great hospitality, the digital age, Molly's time pursuing a passion for music, critics/curation, and, of course, the ever-present FX television series, The Bear.Visit Juniper Green on Instagram.Juniper Green's website.Visit Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Visit Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

On this edition of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know, Matt talks with Evan Pardue, the manager and bonsai professional on-site at Underhill Bonsai in Folsom, LA. Evan is also the host of the popular podcast, Little Things For Bonsai People. In this conversation, they discuss bonsai as an art form rooted in subjects constantly in flux, the process of getting into bonsai, next-level education in Japan and America, the cycle of trees being prepared for presentation, and much more. Visit Underhill Bonsai online.Listen to Little Things For Bonsai People.Visit Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Visit Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

On this episode of Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know, Matt talks with Davy Ball and Demi Chacon, the masterminds behind Now and Then, which is an elevated coffee experience in Nashville, TN. Using the model of fine dining and hospitality as a framework, Davy and Demi offer coffee sourced from the absolute best roasters in the world, curated to give customers an experience that most of them couldn't have imagined was possible. The conversation ranges from the concept of Now and Then to their individual coffee journeys, developing the original pop-up version in Tampa, FL, and how they came to be taken in by James Beard Foundation award-winning chef and restauranteur, Sean Brock.Now and Then website.Now and Then on Instagram.Visit the show on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Visit Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Welcome to Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! Thanks so much for being here.In this first episode, Matt talks with his close friend, Dave Jacquin. Dave has been a tour manager, production manager, front-of-house sound engineer...and has held all the other crew jobs you can think of needing on a concert tour. He's toured in any combination of those capacities for Sara Evans, Hot Chelle Rae, Jo Dee Messina, Jake Shimabukuro, and many others. These skills have brought him to his current position as the General Manager of PTP Live (Production Technology Partners) in Nashville, TN.Visit the show on Instagram.Contact the show via email.Visit Matt on Instagram.www.mattodonnell.com

Welcome to the feed for Matt O'Donnell Wants To Know! Listen to this trailer for a brief introduction to what to expect when bi-weekly episodes begin to drop on January 16th. Please consider subscribing so new installments get delivered to you right away!Until then, just remember: the best answer to a question is usually another question.