Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan

About Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan

A podcast that uncovers the covers — that is, the stories, meanings, and histories behind our most classic songs. How does a song take on a different connotation when a different artist approaches it, or “covers” it, across generations, cultures, and time? Each episode features host and musicologist Stephanie Shonekan and one guest. Together they take one classic song, two popular renditions, and discuss: Who did it better, and why?On the surface, this is a show about the music we love. But the conversations uncover intimate stories about our own cultural backgrounds and personal idiosyncrasies, how these songs were first encountered, and about our personal connections with the songs. Ultimately, “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” reminds us all to reconnect with great music and to reconsider the diverse perspectives, histories, and identities of the artists and the fans who consume the music. Join us! “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” is produced by Janet Saidi, Kristofor Husted, Fernando Narro, Rehman Tungekar, and Ryan Famuliner, with host and producer Stephanie Shonekan. The series is edited by Rehman Tungekar and Ryan Famuliner. “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” is a collaboration between KBIA and Vox Magazine, with funding from MU’s College of Arts & Science and the Missouri School of Journalism. You can follow the podcast and other special projects on Twitter at @VoxMag, and @KBIA, and on Instagram at @voxmagazine and @kbianews. See you there!

Publisher

KBIA

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2022

Latest episode

2 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Jan 2026

   "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix

   The fifth season of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan" concludes with a very special guest: U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. A highly acclaimed writer and artist in her own right, Harjo joined the podcast to discuss Bob Dylan's “All Along the Watchtower," as well as Jimi Hendrix's classic cover.

2. 

   26 Dec 2025

   "Home" by Stephanie Mills and Diana Ross

   In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Jordan Embrack, a vocalist and graduate of the University of Maryland, joins Stephanie to discuss "Home," Dorothy's finale song in the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz. "Home" was first performed by Stephanie Mills, and Diana Ross sang it for the film adaptation of The Wiz that premiered in 1978. Jordan and Stephanie discuss the song's national impact and the personal meaning it holds for Jordan as she begins her career as a singer and entertainer.

3. 

   19 Dec 2025

   "Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and "Bound 2" by Kanye West

   In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," University of Maryland graduate Mekhi Abbott joined Stephanie to discuss the thematic differences between “Bound” by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and “Bound 2” by Kanye West. The original song, released in 1969, is full of affection and yearning, and was relatively unknown until Kanye West sampled it in 2013. But Kanye's interpretation of the song is a lot more coarse, and it’s often viewed as a dark twist on a love song.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

15 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

56

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.