logo
episode-header-image
Apr 16
54m 41s

Justin Vernon — Being Bon Iver

ON BEING STUDIOS
About this episode

A sweet and searching conversation between Krista and the man behind Bon Iver at this year's On Air Fest, full of wisdom and revelation. 

He is a person who experiences deeply, who metabolizes creatively, and who just keeps growing. He opens up with Krista about the strangeness of being loved for how he put his broken heart to music. They venture into the mysteries of God and of numbers, the problem of fame, and the deep working of time in a life. 

He's now released a gorgeous fifth album, SABLE, fABLE. This one tells of immense healing and learning.

Justin Vernon is a singer, songwriter and producer and founder and frontman of the band — sometimes called an art project  — known as Bon Iver. He lives and makes music in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He has been on a personal and professional adventure since releasing his first album in 2007, For Emma, Forever Ago. His new album SABLE/fABLE is his fifth. He's received multiple Grammys and collaborated with many other artists from Taylor Swift to the Blind Boys of Alabama to Travis Scott and Kanye West.

This was recorded live at the 2025 On Air Fest in Brooklyn, New York. 

Find an excellent transcript of this show, edited by humans, on our show page at onbeing.org.

Sign yourself and others up for The Pause to be on our mailing list re all things On Being — and to receive Krista's monthly Saturday morning newsletter, including heads up on new episodes, special offerings, recommendations, and event invitations.

Up next
Jul 3
Joy Harjo — The Hope Portal Ep. 6
Our teacher this time is the extraordinary Joy Harjo. She is a musician, a visual artist, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, and she’s also former Poet Laureate of the United States. From the beginning of her life, from childhood and even before, she has carried and retained ... Show More
17m 9s
Jun 26
Joanna Macy — Hope Portal, Episode 5
Our teacher and inspiration for this session is Joanna Macy. What she embodies is a wild love for the world and a fierce hope that rises irrepressible from that. And she carries and lives an important reminder to us that when we love, we will also know pain, and we will know grie ... Show More
12m 3s
Jun 19
Ocean Vuong — Hope Portal, Episode 4
If hope is to be defining and forceful in the world we have to remake ahead of us, we must also speak hope into being. Ocean Vuong is a fascinating and singular person. The sweep of his work is about bearing witness to the other side of violence and the possibility of joy while t ... Show More
11m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Jeff Tweedy (From Wilco) On: Music As A Lifeline, Shame, Schadenfreude, And Freaking Out On Weed
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. Dan dweebs out with a dad rock icon. Jeff Tweedy is the lead singer and songwriter of the Grammy award winning rock band, Wilco. The band have put out 13 albums… ... Show More
41m 57s
Dec 2023
Jeff Tweedy
Singer and songwriter Jeff Tweedy discusses cherished memories from his childhood kitchen in Illinois, and the invaluable time he spent at his kitchen table with his mother, and he explains how his favorite home-cooked dish today–known simply as The Dish–became a Tweedy family hi ... Show More
40m 42s
Feb 2022
Jack Antonoff Talks Bonnaroo 2022 SuperJam, Damon Albarn on The What Podcast
The What Podcast hosts obviously love Bonnaroo, and they're not the only ones; Jack Antonoff has played the fest numerous times, and is heading back to the Farm in 2022 both with his band Bleachers and as the architect of a 1984-themed SuperJam.On this episode of The What, An ... Show More
43m 47s
Oct 2024
Bon Iver on “SABLE,” His First New Record in Five Years
Bon Iver is the alias of Justin Vernon, who holds an unusual place in music as both a singer-songwriter in an acoustic idiom and a collaborator with the biggest stars in pop, including Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, and Kanye West. Bon Iver’s new three-song EP, titled “SABLE,” is his ... Show More
46m 23s
Apr 2018
Bon Iver
This week, Brad and Barry jump into the show that has most people scratching their heads - Bon Iver. How their sound has changed over 3 albums and what will the 2 sets be like at Bonnaroo? Plus, they talk the schedule release, shorter set times and more! Advertising Inquiries: ht ... Show More
46m 36s
Nov 2024
Mt. Joy’s Matt Quinn on Consistent Growth Vs. Overnight Success (And Which Is Sweeter)
In the age of virality and trending TikTok songs, Mt. Joy rose to fame through the band’s authentic storytelling and community building within the indie music scene. On today’s episode, Mt. Joy’s lead singer Matt Quinn makes his return to the Daily Stoic studio to discuss the ban ... Show More
1h 9m
Aug 2023
Success is seasonal with Hak Baker, Benjamin Zephaniah, Celeste and Baxter Dury
Hak Baker, Benjamin Zephaniah, Celeste and Baxter Dury talk about writing whilst living in London, their view of success in their careers so far, and the impact of family and cultural history on their writing.Hak Baker was born in Luton and raised on the Isle of Dogs, in London. ... Show More
32m 3s
Oct 2024
BIG FACTS feat. SKILLA BABY (Live From Revolt World)
Skilla Baby pulls up to the Big Facts Podcast, live from Revolt World. The rapper dives deep into his rapid rise to fame, touching on his massive female fanbase that's got social media in a frenzy. Skilla recounts his recent wins, including his spot in XXL's coveted 2024 Freshman ... Show More
53m 40s