In this episode, journalist and author Liz Pelly ( Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist ) brings together two singular songwriters — Hayden Pedigo and S.G. Goodman — for a candid exploration of songwriting, place, and authenticity. From the wide-open stillness of West Texas, where Pegido draws inspiration from Sacred Harp singing and the power of silence, to Kentucky’s storytelling traditions that infuse S.G.’s gritty, heartfelt lyrics, these two artists trace the threads between "country" and modern experimentation. Along the way, they talk about how humor, vulnerability, and real life people shape their art — and what it means to stay true to yourself in a noisy, judgmental world.