Biographer of geniuses Walter Isaacson on the songs and city that made him

In our first ever live episode, recorded at the 2025 Aspen Ideas Festival, Sophie sits down with Walter Isaacson, the acclaimed journalist behind the definitive biographies of visionaries like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Leonardo da Vinci.

In this episode, Walter reveals why – despite a career spent chronicling some of the greatest minds in history – the most formative “character” in his life story might be the city of New Orleans, where he grew up. Here are his songs.

The Neville Brothers ft. The Dixie Cups - Brother John Iko Iko 

Sweet Emma Barrett (The Bell Gal) and Her Dixieland Boys - When The Saints Go Marching In

Irma Thomas - Its Raining

The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil

Bruce Springsteen at New Orleans Jazz Festival 2006 - My City of Ruins

The Rolling Stones and Irma Thomas - Time is on My Side

Jon Batiste - FREEDOM

Listen to Walter Isaacson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at ⁠lifeinsevensongs⁠.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠.