Jim Reilly Words & Music
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Jim Reilly's
​Words & Music podcast

Conversations with Creative Lives - and how those stories take shape.
Over the past 20-plus years, I’ve spent countless hours talking with musicians, craftsmen, luthiers, and artists, sharing their stories and trying to find out what makes them tick. That's resulted in book projects, as well as numerous magazine articles, radio features, and promotional writing projects.
 
This podcast is a chance for me to go back and dig a little deeper with some of the folks I’ve met along the way. It’s also an opportunity to explore the ongoing theme of creativity, where it comes from, and how it lives in the world with some new and equally inspiring folks.
 
Drop me a line here if there’s someone you’d like to check out.

We're live on Spotify, and everywhere else you find your favorite podcasts. Click on the link above, or listen below.

Episodes:

Tom Kennedy: In this episode, bassist Tom Kennedy shares the story behind his new album The Summit, how it came together, what he was chasing, and why he’s leaning back into a more jazz-driven sound. 

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It’s a laid-back conversation about writing, recording, touring, and the kind of musical chemistry where you just know where the other person is going, even when you’re not in the same room.
Check it out here.

Ned Steinberger & Patrick Sankuer: The story behind all the writing I've done and these podcasts is creativity and how that creativity lives in the world. No one embodies the creative impulse better than Ned Steinberger and Patrick Sankuer.

Patrick and Ned have collaborated on the latest project from NS Design: the FIN guitars and basses. The FINs are the culmination of Ned's vision, which began nearly 50 years ago. His collaboration with Patrick shows how creativity and passion can fuel dreams and turn them into realities.
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For me, the surprise came when I realized just how similar Ned's and Patrick's stories are. And once again, as I keep finding while I explore creativity through music and the relationship between the two, how, once again, what on the surface may seem like an unlikely pairing couldn't be any more perfect. Check it out here.

Stuart Spector: What do you do after being one of the most important and influential bass guitar luthiers for over 40 years? You retire and start a new business building acoustic guitars, of course. Join me as I talk with the one and only Stuart Spector about inspiration, innovation, and the never-ending quest to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. If you’re looking for inspiration, you need look no further this conversation with Stuart. I hope you enjoy. Check it out here.

Mohini Dey: Inspirational, innovative, creative, bassist Mohini Dey is at the top of her game. She’s gone from being a child prodigy in India to one of the most in-demand players in the world. Her own music breaks down boundaries and barriers and mixes rock, prog, funk, jazz, and world music.  With others, there really are no boundaries to how she can serve the music.
 
It didn’t come easy, though. Mohini put in the work and continues to work incredibly hard to push her craft forward. Join us as get philosophical on achieving success, dive deep into the universality of music, the power and importance of social media, and, of course, the obligatory gear talk. Check it out here.

Nick Cañas: Texas guitarist and bassist Nick Cañas has done everything right. He's got killer chops, and has masterfully caught the eyes and ears of progressive music fans, gear enthusiasts, and the businesses whose gear he uses through thoughtfully produced and engaging online content creation. It's the blueprint for staying creative in today's ever-changing musical landscape. Join us as we talk creativity, inspiration, and add a healthy dose of the story behind his connection to NS Design and Ned Steinberger's continuing innovations. Check it out here.
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Joey Lauricella: As soon as I finished my interview with Vinny Fodera, I knew that I had talk with the other side of the Fodera story: Joey Lauricella. It took a while to connect, but finally I was able to sit down with him at NAMM 2024 and get the rest of the story. As an added bonus, Fodera director of sales and marketing and amazing bass player in his own right, Mike Bendy joined us. Check it out here.

​Jon Liebman: I had a lot of fun talking with Jon and putting this episode together. Jon is one of the foremost online bass educators, but that's only the very tip of the iceberg of a very rich story. Check it out here.

Jeremy Nesse:  New York musician and producer Jeremy Nesse is a true innovator. He has the rare ability to hear beyond the box and is drawn to making music that engages and challenges the listener to venture outside the box with him. Check it out here.
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Vinny Fodera: It's time to go back to the beginning of the custom bass world with Vinny Fodera. He's got a great story that's been setting the standard for builders and inspiring players since 1983, (actually, a few years earlier, in fact). Check it out!

Devon Smullen: Join me while I talk basses, technology, and inspiration with luthier Devon Smullen.

Michael Kollwitz: Welcome to the podcast. I can't think of a better place to start then with Chapman Stick player, author, and public speaker, Michael Kollwitz. We talk about all things Stick, Emmett Chapman, and finding the inspiration to write it all down.


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Where life becomes story.

© 2026 Jim Reilly
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