Podcast Summary: "Classic Music Saved Me with the CEO of Musicians on Call Pete Griffin"

Podcast Information:

• Title: takin' a walk
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: Classic Music Saved Me with the CEO of Musicians on Call Pete Griffin
• Release Date: July 16, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "takin' a walk," hosted by Buzz Knight, listeners are introduced to Pete Griffin, the President and CEO of Musicians on Call. The conversation delves into the profound impact music has on healing, the origins and mission of Musicians on Call, and inspiring stories that highlight the organization's transformative work.

Pete Griffin’s Personal Connection to Music

Pete Griffin shares his lifelong relationship with music, emphasizing its role as the "soundtrack" to his life, accompanying him through both good and bad times.

• Quote: "I eventually came to a realization of how many times in my life music was something that was by my side for something good or something bad, and that it really was the soundtrack." (05:08)

Griffin reminisces about his early childhood memories of listening to artists like Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson, illustrating how music was integral to his upbringing.

Career Journey and Transition to Philanthropy

Griffin recounts his professional journey, including his time at MTV Networks and Sony Music. Initially motivated by a desire to "seem cool" and gain recognition, he later recognized the need to pursue what genuinely brought him joy.

• Quote: "I realized that a lot of the decisions I made was really trying to seem cool or to have a great job or to show people that I made it or I was worth it." (11:00)

His pivot toward philanthropy was fueled by volunteering experiences in New York City, leading him to resign from MTV and eventually join Musicians on Call in 2014.

• Quote: "I realized that what I needed to stop doing was to do things to prove myself to other people, but actually needed to focus on the things that really made me happy at my core." (12:50)

Mission and Foundation of Musicians on Call

Griffin provides a thorough overview of Musicians on Call, tracing its origins back to the early 1990s when co-founders Michael Salman and Vivek Tiwari began bringing musicians to perform in hospital lobbies.

• Quote: "Our mission is that we bring music to the bedside of patients, their family members, and caregivers." (16:00)

The organization officially launched in 1999, focusing on delivering one-on-one musical performances to patients across various hospitals, catering to diverse groups including children, veterans, seniors, and those battling serious illnesses.

Impactful Stories and Healing Through Music

Griffin shares a poignant story of a teenage girl who, upon receiving a dire diagnosis, experiences profound emotional relief and joy through a personalized musical interaction with her favorite artist.

• Quote: "In even the darkest moment of her life, that music and that artist were able to bring her joy." (20:00)

He highlights that Musicians on Call has reached approximately 1.3 million people, positioning them as the largest music charity globally, yet emphasizing the vast potential to help millions more.

• Quote: "We are the biggest in the world, probably, and we're just barely scratching the surface of it." (21:37)

Collaborations and Expanding the Mission

The episode features a discussion about Sam Hollander, a renowned songwriter and board member of Musicians on Call, who plays a crucial role in organizing impactful events and collaborations.

Griffin recounts a project where Hollander collaborated with cancer survivor ambassadors and songwriter Jax to create an original song, "Hope Lights the Way," which serves as an anthem for pediatric cancer research.

• Quote: "It's just wonderful that there's people like that that will share their talents to help people heal through music." (25:29)

Volunteer Involvement and Call to Action

Griffin emphasizes the essential role of volunteers in Musicians on Call’s mission, detailing the two types of volunteers: musicians and volunteer guides.

• Quote: "We need volunteers all across the country to do our program." (26:45)

He explains the responsibilities of volunteer guides, who are not necessarily musicians but are passionate about community service and facilitate the musicians' bedside performances.

Griffin invites listeners to get involved by visiting the Musicians on Call website to volunteer, highlighting the ease of the onboarding process.

• Quote: "All you have to do is go to our website, musiciansoncall.org/volunteer and the entire onboarding and training process happens online." (27:00)

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt gratitude from both host and guest, underscoring the profound healing power of music and the ongoing mission of Musicians on Call to bring joy and solace to those in need.

• Quote: "I'm grateful for the work that you and Buzz are doing to really shine a light on the power of music and healing." (28:41)

Key Takeaways:

• Healing Power of Music: Music serves as a vital tool for emotional and physiological healing, providing comfort and joy to patients in various healthcare settings.
• Musicians on Call’s Mission: Dedicated to delivering personalized musical performances to patients' bedsides, enhancing their healing experience.
• Volunteer Opportunities: The organization relies on both musicians and non-musician volunteers to facilitate and conduct sessions, offering multiple avenues for community involvement.
• Inspiring Collaborations: Partnerships with talented artists and songwriters like Sam Hollander amplify the organization's impact, creating meaningful and therapeutic musical experiences.

Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to support Musicians on Call by volunteering their time or resources, ensuring that the healing power of music reaches more individuals in need across the nation.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the moments in the provided transcript where the quotes were taken, ensuring accurate reference to the speakers and their statements.