In season three’s sixth episode, singer-songwriters Katie Phillips and Karen Joy Brown connect with Cassidy Frost, self-declared writer of sad songs with sugary pop hooks who NPR’s Robin Hilton once called “gloriously gritty.” They share their strange and surprisingly early entry into the music industry and how their songwriting and relationship to music has evolved over time. Stay for the whole delightful conversation on emotional and literal sobriety, continual music growth, and the joy of a supportive songwriting community.

Features her original song, Nobody’s Invited to My Birthday in relation to the topic.

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Listen to Season 1’s songs on Bandcamp, Katie on Bandcamp and Karen’s music on Spotify, Apple Music or buy directly at www.karenjoybrown.com.

* 23:06- Cassidy’s song, Nobody’s Invited to My Birthday

Episode Resources:

* Cassidy new release, Like I Did Before, on Bandcamp

* Cassidy’s website

* Songs for Creative Revolution, December 14th, 2025 at Sebastopol Center for the Arts

* Karen Joy Brown | Apple Music | Spotify | Instagram

* Katie Phillips | Bandcamp | Instagram

* The Bootleg Honeys | Bandcamp

* JOURNAL PROMPT: Write about something painful in your life as plainly as you can and don’t silverline it, fix it, shine it up. Be in the moment with the suck.

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IN THE NORTH BAY/SAN FRANCISCO AREA?

Join Katie and Karen at Coffee & Moore in Sebastopol for the Not So Open Mic for women performers (and yeah, that means, all women, and femme trans and nonbinary folks who feel comfy being in “women’s spaces”) of original music and covers from 1:30-3:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. We want to gather women who have put their creativity on the back burner as well as those who are currently playing out in any capacity, because we believe that songs have the power to transform us regardless of “professional” or “amateur” status.

ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD….

Every Tuesday from 7-8:30 PT, gather with women songwriters around the country and world for Song Salons, an opportunity to share a completed or in-progress song, live or recorded, with curious, enthusiastic colleagues ready to highlight and amplify what’s powerful in your writing and music. Hone songwriting craft skills, get inspired by others, and reconnect with the unique magic you bring through your songs. Meet your long-lost songwriting sisters and get ready to laugh, cry, and keep coming back!

Let Supernova support your songwriting practice with our weekly Songwriting Hour, every Thursday, 9-10am PT. Everyone can write songs! You don’t need to be an experienced singer or even play an instrument. We provide a prompt and resource kit with everything you need to start putting a song together. All you need is a willingness to show up and experiment. New and experienced writers welcome. Open to everyone!

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