In this deeply personal and beautifully nostalgic episode, Shub from North of Normal sits down with music lover and self-confessed audio nerd Alex Baker — a man with over 2,000 records, a dream of running a “listening bar,” and a lifelong connection to sound.

Alex shares the story behind his song choice: “Have You Heard” by Pat Metheny Group — the tune that first made him cry at ten years old and still moves him decades later. What begins as a simple childhood memory turns into a touching reflection on family, emotion, and the strange power of music to hold us through life’s chaos.

Together, Shub and Alex explore:
🎧 The lost art of listening — from hi-fi systems to headphone rituals
🎵 How a single song can become a comfort blanket through the years
🕊 Why music often says what words can’t — and why that’s enough

It’s a soulful dive into jazz, nostalgia, and the frequencies that make us feel alive.
If you haven’t heard the song yet, pause, listen to “Have You Heard” by Pat Metheny Group, and then come back. You’ll hear this conversation in a whole new way.

00:00 Introduction and Connection Through Music

03:00 Personal Journeys and Reflections on Recovery

05:58 Creativity and the Impact of Parenthood

08:39 The Art of Listening and Audio Quality

11:26 Musical Background and Influences

14:13 Early Musical Memories and Tastes

22:29 Vinyl Culture and Record Collections

24:25 Song Choice and Personal Connection

24:47 The Emotional Connection to Music

29:19 Memories and Music: A Personal Journey

35:06 The Power of Music in Emotional Moments

37:20 Exploring the Impact of a Song

42:17 The Comfort of Familiar Tunes

46:29 Imagining Covers and New Interpretations

50:50 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4

What does the perfect song sound like?

In this episode of One Song One Story, I sit down with Ivan Costa, a man whose life soundtrack spans gospel, grime, kizomba, dancehall and R&B.
And then he brings the song.

Drake’s Controlla.

What follows is not a breakdown of production or lyrics, but a memory unlocked in real time.
Summer 2016. A house party about to be shut down by the police.
One last song.
The room erupts.

From childhood influences shaped by Portuguese and African heritage, to discovering music through playground freestyles, gospel for the soul, and Drake as a time machine, this conversation is about how certain songs don’t just play in the background…

They hold chapters of our lives.

Ivan shares how music keeps him grounded, how nostalgia creeps in when you least expect it, and why some songs feel like a photograph you can listen to.

This one is about love, youth, chaos, rhythm, faith, and the kind of track that changes a night forever.

00:00 Introduction to Ivan Costa02:54 The Power of Music in Daily Life05:36 Musical Influences and Early Experiences08:24 The Evolution of Music Tastes10:45 Cultural Background and Musical Heritage13:29 The Impact of Music on Emotions16:12 Music's Role in Family Life18:55 The Connection Between Music and Film21:37 Choosing a Song: Drake's 'Controlla'25:29 The Journey of Love and Music29:42 The Impact of Drake's 'Controller' on Memories33:27 The Energy and Vibe of Dancehall and R&B37:16 Nostalgia and Its Role in Music41:37 Lyrics vs. Melody: How We Digest Music46:28 Imagining 'Controller' in Film51:55 The Influence of Covers and Remixes53:49 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4

In this raw and unexpected episode of One Song, One Story, Shub sits down with Dan Cleland— author, serial entrepreneur, and founder of the world-renowned ayahuasca retreat Soltara Healing Centre — to explore the surprising connection between heavy metal, resilience, and spiritual growth.

Dan brings a fierce and fitting song to the table: “Rooster” by Alice in Chains — a grunge-era anthem about survival, trauma, and defiance. What unfolds is a deeply human conversation about contrast and identity: a man who’s led plant medicine ceremonies in the jungle, toured the world with a metal band, and still finds healing in distortion, sweat, and sound.

Together they explore:
⚡️ The unexpected overlap between ayahuasca and heavy metal
🎸 How music becomes a weapon for survival and self-expression
🌧 What it means to live authentically — even when it doesn’t fit the mold

From Born in the USA to Nirvana to Alice in Chains, this episode tracks Dan’s lifelong journey through sound — from small-town Canada to the Costa Rican jungle — and the songs that carried him through chaos, creation, and change.

Hit play, feel the grit, and remember: healing doesn’t always sound like a flute. Sometimes it screams.

00:00 Introduction to Daniel Cleland02:52 Musical Journey: From Childhood to Heavy Metal05:07 The Impact of Environment on Music Appreciation07:35 The Evolution of Musical Tastes10:25 The Intersection of Plant Medicine and Heavy Metal12:56 Current Musical Influences and Preferences17:03 The Power of Music in Daily Life22:00 The Significance of Full Albums26:31 Personal Connections to Music30:43 Resilience and Survival Themes in Music34:57 Final Thoughts and Recommendations37:14 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4