Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Nancy Gibbons, Development Director for SongwritingWith:Soldiers, who highlights the Nashville, Tennessee based nonprofit that works nationally to transform lives by using collaborative songwriting to build creativity, connection, and strength among veterans, active-duty service members, and military families. Nancy explains that SongwritingWith:Soldiers was founded in 2012 and offers three-day retreats nationwide where professional songwriters work one-on-one with veterans to create songs based on their stories. The organization has created a catalog of nearly 1,500 songs and recently expanded their alumni community with a new app.
Nancy explains that most retreat participants find SongwritingWith:Soldiers through referrals from partner organizations or word of mouth. She describes their application process, which includes an interview to ensure participants understand the program and can attend the scheduled retreats held across various locations including Tennessee, Colorado, New York, Texas, and California.
Nancy explains the SongwritingWith:Soldiers program, describing how it creates a safe space for veterans to share their stories through a structured retreat process. The program begins with a group sing on the first night, followed by individual story-telling sessions between veterans and songwriters on the second day, and concludes with a final group song on Sunday. Nancy emphasizes that the songwriters, many of whom have been with the program for 15 years, are trained to build trust and create a no-judgment zone where participants can be open and authentic.
Nancy describes a special moment from the retreat when participants transform from strangers to a close community within the first evening through shared meals and interactions with songwriters. She defines success as creating connections between veterans and civilians, helping people understand that everyone has a story worth sharing and respecting. Jeremy highlights how the process helps veterans and their families heal by sharing their stories through song, leading to deeper connections and understanding within the community.
Nancy announces that their nonprofit organization is celebrating their 15th year with the release of their first ever album, featuring professionally re-recorded songs from their catalog. The album will be released in early November 2026, with an inaugural fundraising event scheduled for October 28th at Anzie Blue, where live performances of several album tracks will be previewed. The project was made possible through significant funding from a generous donor, allowing them to reach thousands of veterans and their families with their music program called “The Power of Being Heard.”
Nancy discusses various ways the community can support SongwritingWith:Soldiers, including attending the event, sponsoring opportunities, donating items for the online silent auction, and subscribing to their newsletter. She emphasizes that seating is limited and encourages interested parties to secure tickets soon. Nancy also provides information on how to learn more about the organization through their website and social media platforms.
Visit https://songwritingwithsoldiers.org to learn more and connect with SongwritingWith:Soldiers.
