This is The Beautiful Writers' podcast. I'm Linda Sievertson, and this show is crazy special to me today because I'm about to bring on a musical legend who 26 years ago totally changed my life in the most insane Hollywood way you can imagine.

He's a true angel to the thousands of people he's helped

one-on-one in recovery and to millions of others through his artistry. You know Mr. Paul Williams

as a songwriter, composer, singer, and actor. He's won nearly every award possible many times over,

including an Oscar for Evergreen with Barbara Streisand. And his songs have been anthems for generations. We've only just begun. Rainy Days and Mondays, You and Me Against the World, and we can't forget the kids, The Rainbow, connection from The Muppets. Polly's standards have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, The Carpenters, Willie Nelson, R.E.M., Diana Ross, the Dixie chicks. Oh my God, the list is so much longer, but I have to stop.

But perhaps most exciting to me about Polly, as I get older, is his incredible example of a career getting better with age.

Two years ago, at 74, Paul accepted the Grammy for album of the year for his collaboration

with daft punk.

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and on Super Soul Sunday recently with Oprah,

talking about his New York Times bestseller, co-authored with Tracy Jackson, an amazing book called Gratitude and

Trust. Paul is on the forefront of fighting for digital rights for all writers, which we'll talk about,

and composing for a huge movie as we speak. There is no one better to chat with about creativity

and bringing through our best work.

Speaking of incredible work, my guest notes today is one of my favorite people,

Gillian Lauren, the New York Times bestselling memoirist and novelist who was a guest of ours here

last year and whom I can never get enough of.

Gillian is the coolest and married to a famous musician herself, so I can't wait to hear

them compare notes.

I thank you so much for hanging out with us as Paul, Gillian, and I sit here as always,

digging deep and going for the light.

Welcome.

Jillian, I am so happy that you're doing this with me.

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