The Drop the Needle Podcast

Episode 34, Part 2: John St. Augustine's Inspiring Musical Journey

Host: Jim Alstott
Guest: John St. Augustine
Release Date: April 10, 2025

Overview

In this emotionally resonant and insightful installment, Jim Alstott continues his deep-dive conversation with John St. Augustine—author, radio host, and self-styled steward of legacy—focusing on the transformative power of music, John's unlikely journey into broadcasting, and the profound mentorship he received from singer-songwriter John Denver. The episode weaves together stories of fate, inspiration, and how the right song or the right words can change the direction of a life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Transformative Encounter with John Denver

Timestamps: 02:23–13:05

• John recounts several unique interactions with John Denver, whose music and mentorship inspired much of his life's work.
• Powerful Moment:
  • Denver to St. Augustine: “Your voice matters. Do you know this? You voice matters. And the coming years will prove me correct.” (08:37)
• John describes the serendipity that led him to travel to see Denver in Boston, introduce children's letters to him, and eventually speak at Denver's Windstar Foundation symposium in Aspen.
• Turning Point: John’s poem “The Human Family” serendipitously written before he ever appeared on radio became the centerpiece of his first major speech following an invitation from Denver, changing the trajectory of his entire career.

2. The Ripple Effect and Paying it Forward

Timestamp: 13:05–15:11

• St. Augustine highlights the idea that our actions have effects far beyond what we can see.
• He reflects on how Denver “saw something in me I did not see in myself at the time. I’ve made it my business to pay that forward.” (11:51)
• The story’s lesson: recognizing and validating others’ hidden strengths can change lives.

3. Music as Life’s Soundtrack and Healer

Timestamps: 15:23–34:41

• Jim and John explore the pivotal songs that serve as the “soundtrack” to their lives, tracing influences from childhood through adulthood.
• First Song Love:
  • “Bobby Darin singing ‘Beyond the Sea’ is like the baseline for everything in music for me.” (15:56)
  • John’s childhood memories of listening to music on his parents’ ‘58 Grundig stereo are recalled with nostalgia and reverence.
• Family Roadtrip Anthem:
  • For his kids, Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” became the song to memorize and sing on drives. “Because you have to memorize all those lyrics.” (17:14)
• Senior Year Memory:
  • “Oh What a Night” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is forever tied to Friday nights and the S Curve in Chicago for John (19:01).
• Evolution of Taste:
  • In the service, John discovered country artists (Don Williams, Charlie Daniels), expanding his musical identity beyond Chicago rock.
  • “I have such a great affection for country music that I didn’t have growing up in Chicago…” (21:28)
• Songs That Energize:
  • “Taking Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive,
  • “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago (especially live with Earth, Wind & Fire),
  • “Distant Lonesome Train” by Joe Bonamassa.
    “By the time that’s done, my teeth are in, my ears are back, and I’m ready to go.” (26:37)
• Guilty Pleasure:
  • Pink’s “What About Us”: “...she’s the hot sauce on my friggin’ ribs…” (27:31)
  • Praises her vulnerability and authenticity.
• Music as Remedy:
  • “Music is a magical potion. It heals people. It’s the universal language.” (34:46)
  • John recommends Dr. John Ortiz's book, The Dao of Music, for those who want to explore music as therapy.

4. Songs that Shift Perspective

Timestamps: 29:26–34:41

• Asked which song he believes could transform listeners’ worldviews, John chooses Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High”:
  • The lyric, “you can talk to God and listen to the casual reply”, encapsulates for John the awe of nature and the spiritual potential of solitude.
  • Shares how his mother once transformed his childhood bedroom into a mountain cabin, foreshadowing his later connection to Colorado and Denver’s music (31:23).
• Song That Stops You in Your Tracks:
  • “Sweet Surrender” (John Denver): “There’s a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me. My life is worth the living, and I don’t need to see the end.” (34:10)
  • The song’s evolving resonance marked John’s most vulnerable moments and became a core part of his personal mantra.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dreams Becoming Reality:
  “How was it possible you could dream something, not know what it means at all, and then months later stand in the same thing you’ve dreamt?... In that moment, a very clear voice, not male or female: ‘Don’t remember, John. Go on the radio.’” (01:31)

• On Paying Impact Forward:
  “I work with so many people, remind them, connect with them... This is not it. There’s more here for you, and that’s inside of you. It will show in time, but you have to let the dominoes fall.” (11:51)

• On Music’s Universal Power:
  “The average person listening to this show knows the words to over a thousand songs they never intended to learn because they repeated them so often. And we sing this stuff like we wrote it, but we didn’t. Why is that? Because it’s the universal language.” (35:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:31 — The moment that changed everything: dreams, destiny, and “the voice”
• 02:23 — John’s connection to John Denver, Higher Ground event, and first encounter
• 08:07 — John Denver’s affirmation: “Your voice matters”
• 09:25 — “The Human Family” poem and first major speaking opportunity
• 10:20 — Replacing astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison as a speaker at Windstar
• 11:51 — Delivering the “Ripple Effect” speech at Aspen Music Tent
• 15:23 — Musical section: growing up with favorite songs
• 17:14 — Family and road trip music traditions
• 19:01 — Senior year song memory: “Oh What a Night”
• 21:28 — Discovering country music in the service
• 24:46 — Energizer songs: BTO, Chicago, Joe Bonamassa
• 27:31 — Guilty pleasure: Pink’s “What About Us”
• 29:26 — The song that shifts worldviews: “Rocky Mountain High”
• 34:10 — The song that says it all: “Sweet Surrender” by John Denver

Episode Tone & Takeaways

This episode is warm, nostalgic, and direct, seamlessly blending humility, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. John’s signature honesty shines through as he discusses his vulnerabilities, the role of mentors, and the life-altering, healing power of music. There’s a recurrent theme of the “ripple effect”—that the smallest gestures can create tremendous waves in the world. Jim’s questions and banter keep the conversation flowing, inviting both profound reflection and laughter.

Where to Find John St. Augustine & His Works

Books:

• “Every Moment Matters” (audio, Amazon)
• “Living an Uncommon Life” (audio coming soon)
• “Phenomenon” and the Randy Hundley book (Lulu Publishing for best author support)

Podcast:

• Life 2.0 Podcast (Podbean, Spotify)

Website:

• www.auroramediaproductions.com

Final Note

John’s journey serves as a reminder that everyone has a meaningful story inside—and a soundtrack to match. Whether through music, encouragement, or simply showing up at the right time, we all can “drop the needle” and change lives, including our own.