Women. Music. Power.

About Women. Music. Power.

Women. Music. Power. 1 guest, 2 hosts, 3 songs. Bassist Leah Hinchcliff and vocalist Marianna Thielen lead intimate, unfiltered conversations with women in the music industry—artists who've carved out space, challenged norms, and built legacies in a field still dominated by men. Each episode shines a light on women who've sparked change through sound, burned bright with truth, and lit the way with music that endures.

Publisher

Leah Hinchcliff, Marianna Thielen

Category

music · music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Oct 2025

Latest episode

29 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Jan 2026

   Naomi LaViolette. Discovering Peace.

   We are so excited for you to hear this conversation with the multi-faceted and brilliant Naomi LaViolette (https://www.naomilmusic.com/). As composer, singer-songwriter, and accompanist she brings empathy and joy to everything she creates. We dive into what it's like to have perfect pitch, how the skill of being an accompanist influences her ability to take on challanging projects, and how her incredible harmonic and rhythmic understanding of music helps her create songs that speak right to our hearts. We go deep in this one- both in music theory and spiritually. Her Song Suffragettes show is on Sunday, March 8 at 6pm at the Kennedy School. It features WMP guests LaRhonda Steele, Rachel Brashear, and host, Leah Hinchcliff!! Songs discussed: Racing the Moon (https://www.naomilmusic.com/racing-the-moon) Pour Me a Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-feQ90AM6g) Discovering Peace (https://soothesounds.lnk.to/DiscoveringPeace) Winter Solstice (https://www.naomilmusic.com/winter-solstice) Pictures in the Sky

2. 

   28 Jan 2026

   Naomi LaViolette episode trailer

   Get a quick taste of our heartfelt,  music‑filled conversation with the amazing Naomi LaViolette. This sneak peek captures the warmth, artistry, and joy she brings to every note — and to our entire chat. Full episode drops Thursday, January 29th. Don't miss it!

3. 

   28 Jan 2026

   Women. Music. Power. End of Season 1 Trailer

   Our final episode of the season drops on Thursday, January 19th, and wow… what a season it's been! We've had an absolute blast kicking off this adventure and diving into conversations with the incredible women who joined us: Sonny Hess, LaRhonda Steele, Rachel Breshear, Cynthia Plank, Stephanie Schneiderman, Kathryn Claire, and Naomi LaViolette. Every episode is still available, so feel free to binge away! Portland's talent pool of women musicians is unreal, and each guest showed up with so much heart. They shared their stories, their music, their wisdom, their humor—there were deep laughs, a few tears, and so many moments of genuine connection. We're unbelievably grateful. Thank you for listening, cheering us on, and being part of Season 1. If you haven't yet, please subscribe and share the pod—it really helps us grow! And don't miss our season finale with Naomi LaViolette, coming out Thursday, January 29th! With love and gratitude, Leah & Mariann

4. 

   15 Jan 2026

   Kathryn Claire. Song Catcher.

   This week on Women. Music. Power. we sit down with Kathryn Claire.  Kathryn Claire has spent years cultivating her own style and approach to music as a violinist, guitar player, singer, and songwriter. She has toured, performed and taught extensively in the US, Japan, The Netherlands, India, Belgium and France. From her journey in Irish punk bands to crafting a multimedia masterpiece, Kathryn shares her story and wisdom on staying true to your art. We dive deep into her journey, learn about synesthesia, and laugh a lot! www.kathrnclairemusic.com Songs featured in this episode can be found here along with lots more! Music | Kathryn Claire (https://kathrynclaire.bandcamp.com/) Quiet Sound Will of the Flower Bjorne Stomp Eastern Bound for Glory Leave Behind Women. Music. Power. is produced by Marianna Thielen and Leah Hinchcliff Executive Producer, Dr. Nancy Breaux Mastered by Alyson Castonguay at Sound Travels Theme song by Marianna Thielen and Leah Hinchcliff www.womenmusicpowerpod.com

5. 

   1 Jan 2026

   Stephanie Schneiderman. You are the Song.

   This episode features one of the most diverse and hardest working female singer-songwriters the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Songwriter, guitar player, singer, producer, actor, activist...Stephanie does it all. We all learned how to take responsibility for our womanhood in this episode!! :) What a joy it was to sit down with Stephanie and discuss her career in music--covering her early work in speech pathology, getting coveted spot at the Lilith fair, and to the work she does with her songwriting course You are the Song. We know you will be as inspired as we were by this incredible artist and human. Enjoy! Songs featured: Oxygen (https://stephanieschneiderman.bandcamp.com/track/oxygen) All Gone (https://stephanieschneiderman.bandcamp.com/track/all-gone) Gridline (https://stephanieschneiderman.bandcamp.com/track/gridline) Cry With Me Cry With Me - Video Wherever You Go

6. 

   31 Dec 2025

   Women.Music.Power. Stephanie Schneiderman episode trailer.

   On January 1st 2026, Leah Hinchcliff and Marianna Thielen will be releasing the 5th episode in season 1 of Women. Music. Power.  Their guest is Stephanie Schneiderman.  Stephanie is a power player in the Portland music scene and beyond.  Tell your friends and don't forget to tune in on Thursday January 1st.

7. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Cynthia Plank. Make a Joyful Noise.

   This episode, we interview powerhouse band director and flutist Cynthia Plank.  Her band at Beaumont Middle School recently received the prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award for the best middle school large ensemble in the entire country. She also serves as an Associate Conductor for the Oregon Symphonic Band, which is a professional-level group of adult musicians. Besides flute, she has also performed extensively on bass, percussion, trombone and currently sings in a 20-piece swing band. Hear all about how she is living out a life plan she made at age 18, how she and Leah met in the 80s in Euguene, and her philosophy on how to get young folks (especially young women) excited about playing music, and doing it well. To donate to Beaumont's music program, email cynthiaplank@pps.net. WMP theme song 00:29.63 Charmaine -  Beaumont Ambassadors 02:53 (short clip) Para Los Congueros - Beaumont Ambassadors 15:04 (interstitial) Para Los Congueros - Beaumont Ambassadors 19:38 (long clip) Night and Day - Cynthia Plank 29:40 (long clip) Got Blues - Beaumont Ambassadors 38:19 (interstitial) Charmaine  -Beaumont Ambassadors 42:21 (long clip) Bye Bye Blackbird - Cynthia Plank 47:07 (long clip) Bye Bye Blackbird 53:06 (piano interstitial) Got Blues - Beaumont Ambassadors 56:07 (outro clip)

8. 

   15 Dec 2025

   Cynthia Plank A Joyful Noise trailer 1

   On December 18th, Women. Music. Power. is presenting our interview with Cynthia Plank. Cynthia is a music teacher in Portland Public Schools and performs locally. She has won numerous awards with her school bands and was a finalist for a grammy in the music teacher catergory.   She is smart, funny and entertaining with an intriguing story. Don't miss it. Episode drops on Thursday Dec. 18th.

9. 

   4 Dec 2025

   Rachel Brashear. Be Excellent.

   Episode 3: Rachel Brashear – Be Excellent We are so excited to welcome Rachel Brashear as our 3rd guest on Women. Music. Power.  Rachel is a fearless artist whose honesty, vulnerability and strength have been guiding forces in her creative journey.  Her lyrics often tackle themes of identity and empowerment. In this episode Rachel shares stories of growing up in a very musical family in Branson, Missouri - a small resort city in the Ozark Mountains, often called the "Live Entertainment Capital of the World".  She recounts humorous encounters with famous musicians and charming stories of performing with her family at a young age. We will listen to 3 of her songs and delve into the deep, thought-provoking process that guides her creativity.  We talk about breaking free from old norms, finding power in softness and staying authentic as an artist. Rachel's new album, The Death of the Ingenue is a genre bending collection of compositions highlighting Rachel's excellence as a composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist. It is an intimate peak into her world view and her philosophical determination to understand and explain her journey as a woman and artist. We discuss her dedication as an educator and she shares wisdom gleaned from a life of musical study and practice.  Her stories, fearless attitude, experiences and insights serve to elevate women in music and effect a change in the music industry. Please listen to our interview and share it! Rachel's website Here are links to the music we listened to in our podcast: Why The Things You Forgot Not The Caring Kind Theme music composed by Marianna Thielen, with contributions from Leah Hinchcliff. All other musical interludes and original songs were composed by Rachel Brashear.

10. 

    3 Dec 2025

    Women. Music. Power. Rachel Brashear episode trailer.

    Hello, women music Power listeners. I'm Leah Hinchcliff, and along with my co-host, Marianna Thielen, we are so excited about episode three, which is dropping on Thursday, December 4th. Our guest is Rachel Brashear (https://www.rachelbrashear.com), a fearless artist, redefining what it means to be authentic in music. From growing up in a musical family, to releasing her Bold new album, the Death of the Ingenue. Rachel shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and empowerment. Please join us on Thursday, December 4th, wherever you stream, and check out our website, women music power pod.com for links to music artist bios, and more. Thanks for listening.

11. 

    20 Nov 2025

    LaRhonda Steele. Do Your Job.

    Episode 2 of Women. Music. Power. features LaRhonda Steele, Portland's First Lady of the Blues.  An artist whose voice has the power to transport,  heal and transform. SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT In this inspirational episode, we sit down with LaRhonda Steele, a compelling, uplifting vocalist whose artistry spans blues, R & B, gospel and jazz with boundless emotional depth and astounding virtuosity.  Born in Oklahoma, Larhonda relocated to Portland in the early 90's and became a beloved fixture on the Portland scene.  She's now an essential part of the Waterfront Blues Festival, a Cascade Blues Hall of Fame inductee, and a 2020 Oregon Music Hall of Fame honoree. She has also traveled overseas to perform at festivals.  Larhonda has recorded several albums with her husband and musical partner, Mark Steele. She also has studio credits that include back up vocals and  collaborations with many luminaries including Curtis Salgado, Taj Mahal, and Gino Vanelli, whose albums Wilderness Road and The Life I Got feature LaRhonda's stunning back up vocals. LaRhonda shares stories with us about her musical journey, her family and her creative voice.  Whether fronting the LaRhonda Steele Band, directing the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir, or performing with the Steele Family Band, her sound is unmistakable: bluesy, gospely, and drenched in soul. As Portland blues legend Norman Sylvester puts it, "She can bounce over chordal progressions like a surfer on a perfect wave". We talk about music as a career, a way of life and a journey to finding strength in the face of adversity.  LaRhonda's voice doesn't just fill a room—it transforms it. Listening to her can heal you, transport you to a place of peace and stir your soul. Tune in for a conversation that has us laughing, crying and honoring LaRhonda's artistry and musical gifts. Aside from our podcast theme song, every track in this episode carries LaRhonda's creative touch—whether as writer, co-writer, or collaborator. Here are links to those songs: Bootylyte - Ocean 503 In and Out Romance - LaRhonda and Mark Steele Cycles - LaRhonda and Mark Steele In Another Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eTKe7CE__g) -  Lo Steele and Peter Knudsen

12. 

    15 Nov 2025

    Women.Music.Power Trailer LaRhonda Steele

    Women. Music. Power. is excited to announce that the 2nd episode of our podcast will be dropping on November 20th!  Please join us as we chat with LaRhonda Steele the First Lady of the Blues.  Wherever you stream! Thanks for listening and please share!

13. 

    6 Nov 2025

    Sonny Hess. Figure It Out.

    Our very first guest, Sonny Hess, is a Portland legend and leader.  Please join us as we talk about her early life, her collaborations with another Portland legend, Paulette Davis, and her current projects.  Sonny tells us about her passion and her purpose -- she is a pioneer.  She is dedicated and driven to share the talented women of the NW with a wide audience in her project the NW Women in Rhythm and Blues.  The alum of this project are an astounding group of Portland cognoscenti.  We will listen to 3 of her songs and discuss the inspiration for the lyrics. Each of our guests has had a theme running through their interviews and Sonny's theme is "figure it out."  We learn about her dedication and ability to overcome hardship and rise to the top. Thanks for listening and enjoy!

14. 

    4 Nov 2025

    Sonny Hess Episode trailer

    Announcing the release of our first episode. Our first guest is the incomparable Sonny Hess. The episode drops on Thursday November 6th wherever you stream. Visit Sonny Hess (https://sonnyhess.com/) to find out more about her and where you can hear her live!

15. 

    27 Oct 2025

    Women.Music.Power Trailer 1

    Women.Music.Power. Is a podcast celebrating the voices, journeys, and artistry of women in music. Co-hosts, Leah Hinchcliff and Marianna Thielen have candid conversations with women about their creative process and personal journeys. Each guest shares songs or pieces they have written and recorded and talk about the stories behind the music.  Stay tuned for our first episode as we interview Sonny Hess!  Dropping on Thursday November 6th!

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

16 ratings

Contact Women. Music. Power.

Guest appearances

Books guests

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