AURORA on asking What Happened to the Heart? (Season 8 Finale)

The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

I gotta say, this is an episode I’ve been dreaming about for a long while now. With the season finales, it’s always the hope that they’re a special send-off, and what could be better than a chat with the one and only AURORA? Among being an actual pop star, AURORA is one of my favourite people on earth. Throughout the years, I’ve been fortunate to have photographed and interviewed her for magazines, learning about how deeply she cares about the art she puts out into the world. It’s mentioned quite early on in this episode, but she’s one of my favourite people to talk to; specifically because how I always walk away from a conversation with AURORA thinking “I have a lot more to learn about life.”

Which is also what makes this talk a unique one, because that sentiment seems to be where AURORA has also found herself. Her latest album, What Happened to the Heart? features AURORA asking tough questions about herself and the world around us. It’s an exploration how even when we’re surrounded by darkness, we still need to explore it so that we can eventually reach the light. But what’s it like to ask difficult questions about yourself? What’s it like to then go and make art that reflects that journey for millions of people to hear? Those are the questions I sought to tackle with AURORA, along with having a chat about…well, life itself.

Also what a wild thing to think that this marks episode 100. All I can say about that is: thank you. This series is routinely streamed across 60+ countries a week and the continuing growth of that is something that’ll forever leave me gobsmacked.

Season 9 of the podcast will be coming at ya early Spring 2025. However, throughout the winter months I’ll be releasing a mini-season of the podcast, which will feature talks I’ve recorded with a journalist friend documenting the lives of Palestinian people in the West Bank. Be sure to be following the podcast so you don’t miss out on those episodes.