Episode 111 - Bob Heath

This episode of The Swan Song Podcast features Bob Heath. Bob Heath is a songwriter and music therapist who has been hugely influential in promoting the use of therapeutic songwriting in music therapy. He also has significant experience of writing songs with terminally ill and bereaved people and has written a book about this called "Songs from a window".

In this episode we discuss Bob's work as a music therapist, the use of songwriting in music therapy, what it is like writing songs with terminally ill and bereaved people and two of Bobs own songs "Back Story" and "Say it Anyway".

You can find out more about Bob's work on his website:

https://bobheathmusic.com/

Order Bob's Book "Songs from a window" here:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/songs-from-a-window/bob-heath/9798505149256

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Songs-Window-End-Life-Stories-ebook/dp/B09523RQ9V

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, share and subscribe. We will have lots more great episodes coming soon.

The Swan Song Project is a UK charity that helps terminally ill and bereaved people to write and record original songs.

You can find out more about the charity on our website - www.swansongproject.co.uk.

Please follow us on Social Media:

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

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Episode 110 - Sodajerker

This episode of The Swan Song Podcast features songwriting duo Sodajerker. Sodajerker is made up of Dr Simon Barber and Brian O'Connor who have been writing songs together for many years. In 2011 they started the "Sodajerker on Songwriting" Podcast which has released over 300 episodes to date including many of the worlds most successul songwriters. Their podcast has been a big influence on this one and it was a real pleasure to speak to them about their own writing as well as what they have learnt from interviewing so many great songwriters.

We also ask Simon and Brian to share a song each that is meaningful to them relating to bereavement.

Brians choice was ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’ by Gilbert O’Sullivan.

Listen to it here - https://open.spotify.com/track/54pvEYFocTlvIAQOfXSjqV?si=cd57cf0a0aa2453d

Simons choice was ‘Circus Left Town’ (aka ‘Circus’) by Eric Clapton.

Listen to it here - https://open.spotify.com/track/78Ld60e2y57fRik5I7KwYf?si=ce1173c32d6241fa

You can subscribe to the Sodajerker on Songwriting Podcast on all platforms and find out more about them on their website: https://www.sodajerker.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sodajerker

https://www.instagram.com/sodajerker

https://x.com/sodajerker

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, share and subscribe. We will have lots more great episodes coming soon.

The Swan Song Project is a UK charity that helps terminally ill and bereaved people to write and record original songs.

You can find out more about the charity on our website - www.swansongproject.co.uk.

Please follow us on Social Media:

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 109 - Linda Magistris OBE (Grief Awareness Week Special)

Listen to this special edition of The Swan Song Podcast for Grief Awareness Week 2025 with Linda Magistris OBE.

Linda is the founder of The Good Grief Trust. A UK charity that aims to raise awareness of the support available to those suffering with bereavement. In this episode Linda shares her story of how she came to start The Good Grief Trust and some of the amazing work they have done over the years including starting National Grief Awareness Week.

We also ask Linda to share with us a song that is meaningful to her relating to bereavement. Her choice in "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.

You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFyuOEovTOE

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, share and subscribe. We will have lots more great episodes coming soon.

The Swan Song Project is a UK charity that helps terminally ill and bereaved people to write and record original songs.

You can find out more about the charity on our website - www.swansongproject.co.uk.

Please follow us on Social Media:

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 108 - Prof Sophie Daniels (Liberty's Mother)

The Swan Song Project Podcast features a range of Songwriters to talk about songwriting and bereavement.

Swan Song founder Ben Buddy Slack asks each guest to:

A) Share one of their songs and talk a bit about how they wrote it

B) Share a songwriting tip that could be useful to new and aspiring songwriters.

C) Share a song that is meaningful to them in some way relating to bereavement.

Sophie's song choice is "Spring Will Come" by Nadine. Listen to it here - https://soundcloud.com/nadinemusic/spring-will-come

https://www.libertysmother.com/

https://www.instagram.com/libertysmother/

https://www.facebook.com/libertysmother

"Why We Write Songs" Panel - https://songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs/

https://www.icmp.ac.uk/

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject

Twitter: @swansongprouk | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 107 - Hannah White

The Swan Song Project Podcast features a range of Songwriters to talk about songwriting and bereavement.

Swan Song founder Ben Buddy Slack asks each guest to:

A) Share one of their songs and talk a bit about how they wrote it

B) Share a songwriting tip that could be useful to new and aspiring songwriters.

C) Share a song that is meaningful to them in some way relating to bereavement.

https://www.hannahwhitemusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HannahWhiteMusic/

https://www.instagram.com/hannahwhitemusic

Please support The Swan Song Projects Fundraising appeal - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/swansongatchristmas

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject

Twitter: @swansongprouk | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 106 - Hannah Scott

The Swan Song Project Podcast features a range of Songwriters to talk about songwriting and bereavement.

Swan Song founder Ben Buddy Slack asks each guest to:

A) Share one of their songs and talk a bit about how they wrote it

B) Share a songwriting tip that could be useful to new and aspiring songwriters.

C) Share a song that is meaningful to them in some way relating to bereavement.

https://www.hannahscott.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/hannahscottuk

https://www.instagram.com/hannahscottuk/

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject

Twitter: @swansongprouk | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 105 of The Swan Song Podcast is a special edition for Grief Awareness Week 2024 and features Trudi Galloway.

Trudi recently wrote a song with The Swan Song Project dedicated to her Son Benjamin who sadly died by suicide in 2020. The song is called "Start Talking" and aims encourage people to talk more about their mental health.

In this episode she talks more about her song and how she found the writing process.

Trigger Warning - This episode contains discussions about suicide.

Below are some details on mental health and suicide charities:

Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suciide - https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Calm - Campaign against living miserably - https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Samaritans - 24/7 helpline - https://www.samaritans.org/

SOBS - Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide - https://uksobs.com/

#Nationalgriefawarenessweek #griefawarenessweek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 104 - Danny Wilson (Danny & The Champions of The World)

The Swan Song Project Podcast features a range of Songwriters to talk about songwriting and bereavement.

Swan Song founder Ben Buddy Slack asks each guest to:

A) Share one of their songs and talk a bit about how they wrote it

B) Share a songwriting tip that could be useful to new and aspiring songwriters.

C) Share a song that is meaningful to them in some way relating to bereavement.

Danny's song choice is "The Poacher" by Ronnie Lane. Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSUY3vhJdDA

https://www.dannyandthechamps.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dannyandthechamps/

https://dannyandthechamps.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject

Twitter: @swansongprouk | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project

Hope you enjoy it.

www.swansongproject.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.