Testing Gov. Josh Shapiro's Music Knowledge | The Track Star Podcast

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joins The Track Star Podcast for a conversation about music, fatherhood, faith, and the difference between politics and government.

Through a playlist curated by Jack, Shapiro reflects on how music has shaped his life, from growing up in suburban Philly to knocking 18,000 doors on his first campaign, to the moments that have defined his time as governor.

He talks about the changing identity of Pennsylvania cities like Allentown and Pittsburgh, why “Dreams & Nightmares” became Philadelphia’s unofficial anthem, and how Meek Mill’s probation case changed the way he thinks about criminal justice reform. Along the way, he opens up about faith, bipartisanship, and the emotional side of being a parent, offering advice to a very nervous first-time dad just days before delivery.

This episode is a rare look at a public official outside the usual political script, using music as the doorway to stories about empathy, second chances, and what it actually means to serve.

Listen to our extended playlist for this episode:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6MNarT62GuzC8dRL5WBKXA?si=23b3c4fc22fc4bf6
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-track-star-podcast-episode-19/pl.u-aZb00Rvs1j5Gj10
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJwfZsOZW3kWDnl8TXBrhDczOfughTCb9&si=yiA3JlMQRnZHniup

This Episode’s Tracklist
00:00 - Intro
2:23 - Billy Joel – Allentown
5:30 - Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow
7:35 - Taylor Swift – Never Grow Up
10:31 - Meek Mill – Dreams & Nightmares
15:34 - Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams (Come True)
16:43 - Luke Combs – The Man He Sees in Me
19:03 - Larry Fleet – Things I Take for Granted
23:49 - Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes
26:53 - Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance
33:23 - Woody Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every Wednesday. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-track-star-podcast-294088650/
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa

Track Star Team: Jack Coyne, Kieran Coyne, Henry Kornaros, Haley Sobel, Noah John, Alex Fabry, Sarah Mann, Ellie Aslanian, Ryan Dirgins, Lauren Kennedy