Podcast Summary: "Music Saved Me : Kalie Schorr on Healing and Identity"

Podcast: takin' a walk – MUSIC HISTORY ON FOOT
Host: Lynne Hoffman (iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Kalie Schorr, recording artist, singer-songwriter
Date: August 27, 2025

Overview

In this deeply personal episode of "Music Saved Me," host Lynne Hoffman sits down with alternative pop artist Kalie Schorr to explore how music has been a crucial force for healing, navigating identity, and finding community. Kalie opens up about her journey through hardship, the transformative power of songwriting, her transition from country to alternative music, and her role as a mental health advocate. The conversation is filled with raw honesty, humor, and inspiring advice for aspiring artists and anyone who finds refuge in music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Connection to Music & Its Healing Power

• Kalie recalls her first connection to music through artists like The Chicks, Alanis Morissette, and Taylor Swift.
• The song “Cold Day in July” by The Chicks helped her process the death of her grandfather at age 7, sparking the realization that music could be a tool for emotional processing.
  Quote:

  "That’s probably one of the first times I remember using music as a way to process something really difficult." (06:38)

2. Discovering Her Path & The Role of Family

• From a very young age, Kalie knew she wanted to perform and write music, despite coming from a non-stage parent background.
• Not having “stage parents” allowed her to foster an authentic love for music, without external pressure.
  Quote:

  "...not having stage parents really helped me foster that love for it, because it was a space that was just for me. No one was forcing me to do it.” (09:06)

3. Mentorship and Giving Back

• Kalie shares her commitment to encouraging young musicians, mentioning she often visits local music classes to share her experiences and advice.
  Quote:

  “There’s always one or two kids...I look at them and I see myself in them…and I try to really put some extra time into those kids.” (11:10)

4. Navigating Public Life & Social Media as a Young Artist

• Kalie discusses the psychological impact of social media and fame, emphasizing that the human brain hasn’t evolved to cope with viral attention.
• She now consults for other artists on social media and mental wellness.
  Quote:

  “…there’s a psychology to fame, to going viral, to doing music. That’s arguably the most important part of it, because if you can’t keep your brain in the right place, you’re not going to be able to do it…” (12:32)

5. Breakout Song and Artistic Evolution

• Her debut single “Fight Like a Girl” became an unexpected anthem, connecting with audiences far beyond its original intent.
• Kalie reflects on the privilege of having an impactful first single and the song’s evolving meaning for both her and her listeners.
  Quote:

  “I wrote this about the music industry being sexist towards women, and you’ve just made it so much bigger…So many people have it tattooed on them…It’s just crazy to me that something I wrote when I was so young could resonate that much.” (15:02-16:55)

6. Vulnerability & Responsibility in Songwriting

• Kalie’s lyrics are intensely personal, and she describes the challenge of sharing songs that touch on her family’s struggles with addiction, mental health, and more (“Escape” being a prime example).
• She highlights the ethical considerations in writing about others’ stories.
  Quote:

  “It wasn’t necessarily admitting my part of the story, but was putting other people’s out there…but you can’t deny that those things would affect me so much.” (23:55)

7. Handling Public Feedback & Criticism

• The real-time feedback of social media can be tough, but Kalie focuses on the larger positive impact rather than negative opinions.
• She notes she’s careful to avoid vindictiveness in her music despite the vulnerability it requires.
  Quote:

  “If they have bad opinions, why do I care that they don’t like my music or my video?” (27:28)

8. Mental Health Advocacy

• Kalie speaks openly about living with bipolar disorder, the journey to becoming public about it, and her desire to reduce mental health stigma.
• She shares the role singer-songwriter Jewel played in encouraging her to advocate publicly.
  Quote:

  “Things still go wrong for bipolar people…my emotions are grounded in reality. I’m also really medicated and I take care of that. But you can only get to the point where you’re taking care of yourself if you talk about it.” (29:51)

9. Role Models, Identity & Finding Your Voice

• The significance of being an “independent” and “confrontational” artist: Kalie values confronting pain and reality through her work, inspired by her father’s belief in two kinds of artists—those who help us “confront” and those who help us “escape.”
  Quote:

  “There’s artists that help you confront, and there’s artists that help you escape…we need both equally. But he was like, I feel like you were put here to be a confrontational artist.” (31:08)

10. Upcoming Work & Advocacy

• Kalie announces two forthcoming singles:
  • “Evolution”—deconstructs toxic religious principles and unlearning hate.
  • “Everybody Dies”—on grief, losing loved ones to overdose, and the importance of saying “I love you” before it’s too late.
• She ties these to broader advocacy for mental health, addiction recovery, harm reduction, and compassion.
  Quote:

  “…no matter what is between you and a person, especially with addiction…say I love you while you still have the chance.” (34:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Music’s Power:

  "Music saved me." – Kaylee Schorr (00:00)

• On Writing for Herself:

  “The people you date will never be the most interesting thing about you. Your perspective will be.” (15:47)

• On Authenticity:

  “What other people think of you is none of your business.” – Lynne Hoffman (27:45)
  "Even if the headline has my name in it, it doesn’t mean it’s my business.” – Kaylee Schorr (quoting Taylor Swift) (27:50)

• On the Importance of Parental Support:

  “Being seen by your parents is a beautiful feeling.” (31:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early Music and First Emotional Impact: 06:18–07:32
• Teen Angst, Songwriting Origins: 07:42–08:26
• Pursuing Music, Advice for Young Musicians: 09:46–11:27
• Mentoring Youth, Giving Back: 10:35–11:27
• Rise of Social Media & Fame: 12:25–13:55
• Breakthrough Song (“Fight Like a Girl”) and Impact: 14:50–17:29
• On Vulnerability and Family Struggles in Songwriting (“Escape”): 22:43–23:54
• Handling Criticism and Social Media: 25:14–27:45
• Mental Health Advocacy & Coming Out as Bipolar: 29:11–30:32
• Advice for Young Women in Music, Finding One’s Voice: 31:39–32:53
• Upcoming Songs & Messages of Hope: 33:25–35:37

Recap

This episode provides an intimate look at the intersections of music, mental health, identity, and personal evolution, all through Kalie Schorr's candid reflections and lived experience. It’s both a testament to the power of authenticity in the music industry and a beacon for anyone seeking solace, self-expression, or community through art.

“Say I love you while you still have the chance.” – Kalie Schorr (34:25)