Life in Seven Songs

How Hinge founder Justin McLeod’s love story shaped a dating empire

Long before he founded the dating app Hinge, Justin McLeod was a little boy in Louisville, Kentucky, belting out Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” from the backseat of his mom’s car. Looking back, that song feels almost prophetic, after Justin met – and briefly lost – the love of his life, only to win her back with a big, movie-worthy gesture. In this episode, Justin charts the story of building one of the most influential dating apps in the world – a journey intertwined with his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and his own epic love story. He reflects on the moment he thought Hinge was finished, why he believes we create rather than find “the one,” and the soundtrack to his tumultuous life story. Here are his songs. Meat Loaf, “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” Pink Floyd, “Time” The Juliana Theory, “We're At The Top Of The World” Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, “Apologies” Jessie J, “Price Tag, ft. B.o.B” You+Me, “You and Me” Van Morrison, “Days Like This”

Go-Go’s singer Belinda Carlisle says her life got interesting when she got sober

Belinda Carlisle says she’s been hit by lightning three times in her career: first with the success of the Go-Go’s, then with her solo hit “Mad About You,” and most of all with the global sensation “Heaven is a Place on Earth.” But behind that meteoric success, Belinda struggled for decades with a debilitating addiction to drugs, alcohol, and the chaos that came with them. In this episode, Belinda traces her journey from a turbulent childhood in Southern California to the LA punk scene that gave her freedom and a sense of invincibility. She reflects on the dizzying rise of the Go-Go’s, the moment she finally hit rock bottom after a three-day bender in London, and why the most interesting part of her life didn’t begin until she got sober. Here are her songs. The Beatles, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” The Beach Boys, “God Only Knows” The Runaways, “Cherry Bomb” Iggy Pop & The Stooges, “Search and Destroy” Sex Pistols, “God Save the Queen” David Bowie, “Fame” Roxy Music, “Love Is The Drug”

ENCORE: Why Kara Swisher loves country music and the military

Today on the show, we're re-running a listener favorite: our interview with longtime journalist and media entrepreneur Kara Swisher, who's been covering Silicon Valley and the Internet since the days of dial-up. She’s taken nearly all of technology's titans to task with a fearless, no-nonsense style. But in this episode, she shows another side of herself: the “San Francisco liberal lesbian who loves country music and wanted to be in the military.” Here are her songs. The Last Great American Dynasty – Taylor Swift Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) – Doris Day Corner Of The Sky – John Rubinstein Landslide – Fleetwood Mac  Jesus, Take the Wheel – Carrie Underwood  Wahine ‘Ilikea – Dennis Kamakahi Quarter Moon – Cheryl Wheeler Listen to Kara Swisher’s ⁠full playlist on Spotify⁠. Find the transcript of this episode at ⁠lifeinsevensongs⁠.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ⁠lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com⁠.

How actress Mayim Bialik is rethinking her worth after a lifetime in the spotlight

Mayim Bialik has seemingly done it all: she became a beloved teen star on Blossom, earned a PhD in neuroscience, then returned to TV to play a neuroscientist on The Big Bang Theory. She’s written books, hosts a popular podcast, and is a mother of two. But after a lifetime of slipping in and out of different roles since the time she was 11, Mayim is taking a step back and asking herself a fundamental question: When you strip away all the identities you’ve performed, who are you really? In this episode, Mayim shares the soundtrack behind her complicated family history, the angst that shaped her teen years in Hollywood, and the significance of her latest role in the upcoming film Father Mother Sister Brother. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about finding love, loss, reinvention, and finding what grounds you. Here are her songs. Bob Dylan, “Abandoned Love” Bing Crosby, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Violent Femmes, “Kiss Off” Elvis Costello, “Suit of Lights” Neko Case, “Hold On, Hold On” Jay-Z and Kanye West, “No Church in the Wild, featuring Frank Ocean and The-Dream” MC Yogi, “Heaven Is Here, featuring Matisyahu”

Inside musician John Grant’s pain: Seven songs that saved his life

John Grant’s music is known for its brutal honesty – songs about desire, rage, and shame. But the story behind that voice is even more extraordinary. Raised in a religious household where being gay meant losing your family and being rejected by society, John grew up believing he deserved the violence and hostility he faced.And yet, what stands out most when John tells his story is not the pain but the persistence – his ability to keep showing up, to find joy in small moments, and to let music crack open something hopeful inside him. In this episode, John shares the seven songs that shaped his life, the artists who showed him new worlds, and the acts of kindness that helped him survive. He reflects on healing from self-hatred and why, despite everything, he still considers himself an optimist. Here are his songs. Abba, “Eagle” Yello, “Sometimes (Dr. Hirsh)” Nina Hagen, “Antiworld” Throwing Muses, “Dirty Water” Colder, “To The Music” Jenny and Johnny, “Animal” Asha Puthli, “Space Talk”