Harmonious World

Writer and musician Hilary Seabrook takes her cue from a Quincy Jones quote about imagining a harmonious world where everyone shares what they're good at, and that spirit of generous curiosity runs through all 329 episodes of this show. Now in its 23rd season, Harmonious World features conversations with musicians, composers, and producers spanning jazz, classical, folk, rock, and everything in between -- though the jazz presence is strong and consistent throughout. The interviews focus on new albums and creative work, giving artists space to discuss their process and intentions in their own words. Episodes range from quick 15-minute conversations to expansive hour-long discussions, and Hilary often incorporates audio clips from her guests' music, so you're hearing what's being discussed rather than just imagining it. Her background as a working musician means she asks questions that come from genuine understanding of the craft, not just the biographical facts. With a perfect 5.0 rating (albeit from a small number of reviews) and weekly releases, the show has quietly built one of the most consistent track records in music podcasting. The guest list balances established names with emerging artists from around the world, and the international scope means you'll regularly encounter musicians you've never heard of from scenes you didn't know existed. It's the kind of podcast where you start listening to learn about one artist and end up with a list of ten new records to check out.