Pop hitmaker Amy Allen tries to lean in to feeling uncomfortable in her songwriting

By Kira Wakeam,

Patrick Jarenwattananon, Ailsa Chang

Published December 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM EST

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with songwriter Amy Allen, who is shortlisted for the non-classical Songwriter of the Year Grammy Award for a second straight year.

Kira Wakeam

Patrick Jarenwattananon

See stories by Patrick Jarenwattananon

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist who hosts All Things Considered along with Ari Shapiro, Audie Cornish, and Mary Louise Kelly. She landed in public radio after practicing law for a few years.

See stories by Ailsa Chang

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

The latest on the nuclear sub deal between the U.S. and South Korea

Anthony Kuhn

The U.S. will shift some of the burden of defense to its allies, and it will equip them for it. One ally's equipment: nuclear submarines for South Korea.
Ranchers test virtual fence technology's ability to keep cows safe from grizzly bears

Hanna Merzbach

Technology enabling virtual fences for pets is now being adapted for livestock. Ranchers near Yellowstone National Park are testing its ability to keep cows safe from grizzly bear attacks.
NPR's 'Code Switch': Joy as Resistance

Leah Donnella

Leah Donnella of NPR's Code Switch has spent some time unpacking what it would mean for joy to be used as a means of resistance.
American reporter fights for accountability after Israeli tank strike in Lebanon

Frank Langfitt

An American journalist wounded in an Israeli tank strike in Lebanon returns home to press the U.S. government to investigate the incident, which killed a Reuters reporter, as a targeted attack.
Memory loss: As AI gobbles up chips, prices for devices may rise

John Ruwitch

Demand for memory chips currently exceeds supply and there's very little chance of that changing any time soon. More chips for AI means less available for other products such as computers and phones and that could drive up those prices too.