Joy Clark writes songs that feel lived in, guided by emotion, faith, and instinct. The Louisiana-born singer-songwriter and guitarist joins Podcetera for a personal conversation about music, identity, and learning to fully inhabit your own life. Raised in Harvey, Louisiana, the youngest of five in a deeply religious family, Joy shares how being homeschooled and immersed in church shaped both her sound and her sense of self. She reflects on finding freedom through songwriting and why her song “Guest” feels closest to her personal story. Joy opens up about her debut album Tell It to the Wind, produced by her longtime musical hero Margaret Becker, and how staying “available” to emotion guides her creative process. She also talks about performing on massive stages like the Grammys and why connection matters more than scale. The conversation touches on Joy’s roots, her grandmother’s influence, and her journey to signing with Righteous Babe Records. She also offers insights for emerging artists and imagines dream music experiences that blend community, creativity, food, and song. Joy Clark is charting her own path, grounded in honesty, lineage, and self-acceptance. This episode closes with Joy’s original song “Christmas Gumbo”, a festive, soulful celebration of family, tradition, and holiday gathering, rooted in her Louisiana upbringing and her grandmother’s Christmas gumbo traditions. Guest Links:

• Official Site
• Bandcamp – Tell it to the Wind — Debut album
• Bandcamp – “Gumbo Christmas” — Joy’s holiday original.
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Artist Page – Righteous Babe Records

Sug Daniels is a Delaware-born, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter, ukulele player, and producer whose music blends folk, rock, and soul into heartfelt stories about love, identity, and connection. In this episode, she reflects on her journey from singing in church and forming bands in Delaware to finding her voice, and her purpose, in the thriving Philadelphia music scene.

Sug opens up about the challenges and triumphs of being a full-time independent artist, the influence of her upbringing and identity on her songwriting, and how meditation and introspection ground her creative process. She also shares the inspiration behind her debut studio album, I Believe in You, and what it means to build community through her ever-evolving “Chosen Family Band.”

Sug shares stories from the road touring with The Black Opry, and what she’s learned from sharing stages with artists like The Indigo Girls, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, and Molly Tuttle. Plus, she shares a live performance of her uplifting song “Brand New Day.”

Sug’s music is as vibrant, heartfelt, and magnetic as she is, leaving an imprint long after the song ends.

Guest Links:

• Website
• Bandcamp
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Linkedin
• YouTube

In a heartfelt and candid conversation, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule reflects on the intersection of music and politics, her unique songwriting process, and the evolving challenges artists face in the music industry. Sharing candid stories from her remarkable career—including the groundbreaking ’90s hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” her collaborations with legends like Neil Young and Cyndi Lauper, and her theatrical work, Jill offers rare insight into the life of a fiercely independent artist and storyteller. She also shares her thoughts on her iconic protest anthem “We Want Our America Back” and its enduring relevance today.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Jill’s three-decade career spans a dozen albums tackling topics from LGBTQ rights and mental health to social justice, all delivered with wit, intelligence, and emotional depth. Known for blending humor with pathos, Jill’s songs invite listeners to engage with complex issues through vivid portraits of human experience.

This interview was recorded shortly before Jill’s passing, making it one of her final interviews. We celebrate her enduring legacy and the powerful voice she leaves behind. Her music will continue to give us the courage needed to speak truth to power and to live authentically. Guest Links:

• Jill Sobule's Website
• The Jill Fund
• Jill's YouTube Channel