Straw into Gold

Words + Music, Vol. 33

Indie-rock icon Aimee Mann is well acquainted with trauma and the transformative act of using it as a basis for artistic expression, but that doesn’t mean that she knows how or why it works. Mann goes on a journey of discovery to better understand the link between damage and why what we do with it matters.

These are her Words + Music.

In Straw into Gold, Mann partners with actor, comedian, and creator of the popular podcast Dead Eyes, Connor Ratliff, to lead a small group of artists through a series of intimate, often funny, and always enlightening conversations about the relationship between the bad things that happen to us and the art that can result from them.

Listeners of Straw into Gold will delight in new renditions of songs from beloved albums including Whatever and Charmer, as well as many newer songs from Mann’s 2021 studio album Queens of the Summer Hotel, soon to appear in Mann’s upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of Susanna Kaysen’s seminal novel Girl, Interrupted–which served as a primary inspiration behind the explorations in Straw into Gold.

©2023 Aimee Mann (P)2023 Audible Originals LLC

Engaging and thoughtful

I’ve always loved Aimee for her music and willingness to dig deep. This audio experience was thought provoking and expanded my view of how trauma impacts lives and how music can help the healing.

Not An Overview

Focused on a specific thing, it was not the artist journey I expected, but very good heartfelt exploration. Thank you.

Don’t do it this may help.

touches on some current issues about moods, some possible solutions. and it is nuanced with a musical band that I loved.

Brilliant

Exceptionally insightful and moving. Says an old psychologist (& musician). 🙏 I intend to inflict it on supervisees (amongst others).

Perfect Title

Although due warning was given at the outset regarding the painful topics that would be covered, I wasn't prepared for the emotional impact this episode would have on me on multiple levels. Thank you, Aimee, for opening my eyes and addressing how often we downplay the impact personal trauma has and try to spin straw into gold without realizing we are being asked by ourselves (and often others) to do the impossible.