Ever notice how life seems to have a soundtrack playing in the background? You’re cruising down a desert highway, windows down, wind teasing your hair, and suddenly Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams is on the radio, as if Stevie Nicks herself is scoring your personal movie. That’s the magic of music—it keeps us company during the highs, the heartbreaks, and the humdrum moments in between. For me, music isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a co-star in this rom-com-meets-slice-of-life production I call my existence.

Let’s dive into the playlist that defines my life, one track—and one chapter—at a time. Grab your headphones, and let’s hit play.

Growing Up with Guitars and Cacti: “Take It Easy” by Eagles

Picture this: a sun-soaked backyard in suburban Scottsdale, dust swirling in the breeze, and my dad, forever the optimist, grilling burgers after 18 holes of golf. That was my childhood, an endless summer of postcard-perfect views and lessons in entrepreneurship. The Eagles’ Take It Easy was practically our family anthem. Dad would hum it as he mapped out our next family venture (looking at you, ill-fated attempt at beekeeping).

This song set the tone for a foundational lesson: don’t sweat it. Relationships are going to ask you to let go of the small stuff, like your partner inhaling guacamole like it’s an Olympic sport or forgetting the name of your coworker for the 12th time. Take it easy, and keep moving forward.

First Love and Misty Desert Sunsets: “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain

If Scottsdale had a prom queen, it’d be Shania Twain, leather fringe and all. My high school sweetheart and I discovered her ballads during those slow, warm evenings when the Sonoran sky turned lavender. We’d sit on the tailgate of my truck, thinking we were utterly original while replaying You’re Still the One on loop.

Let’s just say first loves are a lot like desert monsoons—dramatic, a little messy, and, yes, over before you can truly figure out what just happened. But looking back, I realize this song planted a seed of hope: great connections do exist. You just have to be patient enough to find them. And spoiler alert—sometimes you’ve gotta wade through a few radio duds before your favorite track comes on.

The "Quarter-Life Clarity" Era: “My Shot” by the Hamilton Cast

Fast forward to my mid-twenties, freshly armed with an MBA and a playlist full of Broadway bangers. I was convinced I could out-hustle anyone within a 50-mile radius of Phoenix. My Shot became my anthem during this chapter of chasing dreams—and chasing tumbles down some serious professional and personal rabbit holes.

What I learned? Ambition is great fuel, but like a road trip without snacks (rookie move!), it can leave you hangry, frustrated, and quick to snap at the people beside you. Balancing ambition with mindfulness (and maybe letting go when a project—or person—just isn’t working) is the real insight. Still, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics remind me to keep showing up for myself, even when the odds feel stacked against me.

Falling in Love, for Real This Time: “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young

If modern relationships are about keeping it cool, meeting my now-fiancé was like being a novice hiker who stumbled onto a secret desert oasis. I completely abandoned my attempts at casual. And guess what? So did she.

Our relationship soundtrack kicked off with Brett Young’s In Case You Didn’t Know during a long drive to Sedona—likely the universe’s way of nudging two type-A planners to let their guards down. Love isn’t always about grand gestures or perfectly curated Instagram moments; sometimes, it’s in the quiet, messy, real moments like deciding whether to order Taco Bell for the third time that week (hint: we did).

Heartbreak, Growth, Repeat: “Better Man” by Little Big Town

Here’s the truth they don’t teach you in marketing classes: heartbreak is one of life’s most effective branding refreshers. There’s nothing like a breakup to help you figure out exactly what you stand for—and what you’ll never compromise on again. Enter: Better Man.

The song hit me like a cactus spine after my first serious post-college breakup. It wasn’t about pining for someone who left, but recognizing how mismatched we were to begin with. Much like hiking Camelback Mountain in flip-flops, you live and learn. When things fall apart, leave room to recalibrate your boundaries. You’ll come back stronger, and you might just leave a bad habit or two in the dust.

The Creative Process: “Hollywood Nights” by Bob Seger

Do you know what I love most about writing? It’s a never-ending dance between chaos and clarity. Some days, the words flow like I’m on Seger’s open highway. Other days, they’re stuck behind a metaphorical tumbleweed. In both cases, Hollywood Nights keeps me going.

The energy of this song matches the frenzied brainstorm sessions when I need to flesh out an idea or meet a deadline. I’ll blast it, start pacing like a lunatic, and let the rhythm carry me over the obstacles. It reminds me that good work—and good relationships—require forward motion, even when you feel like you’re going through the motions.

Modern Love and Open Minds: “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles

Life’s greatest truth comes from four guys with questionable haircuts. Listening to All You Need Is Love reminds me of how simple—but not necessarily easy—it is to show personal authenticity in dating and relationships. These days, when my fiancé and I argue about whether oat milk belongs in mac and cheese (spoiler: it definitely does not), this song plays in my mind.

Its message isn’t about grand romantic gestures (though I’m all for random flowers), but showing up as your full, flawed, glorious self and loving the same in others. It’s the essence of every playlist worth keeping on repeat.

The Takeaway Playlist (A Few Star Tracks Worth Adding to Yours)

  • The Climb – Miley Cyrus: For those moments when adulting feels like scaling rocks without a harness.
  • I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack: A gentle nudge to stay open to opportunities, even (or especially) when dating feels exhausting.
  • Born This Way – Lady Gaga: Self-confidence on repeat—because who wouldn’t want a pep talk in song form?

Final Encore: Curate Your Life’s Soundtrack

Music has always been one of my greatest teachers. In love as in life, there’s a track to match every mood, every stumble, and every victory. Curating a soundtrack—whether for your romantic milestones or the long solo drives back to yourself—isn’t just fun. It’s essential.

And if you haven’t started yet? No worries. Start small. Play the songs that speak to you, even if they’re a little cheesy (let’s not pretend we don’t all hum along to Taylor Swift). Trust me, when the right tune hits at the right time, it’s like the universe giving you advice on shuffle. Emerson once said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” To which, I’d like to humbly add: life’s a better journey with a killer playlist.