In this deeply emotional and revealing episode of The Weekly Beat, Matoma is joined by Norwegian singer-songwriter Michelle Ullestad, whose raw honesty and resilience drive one of the most personal conversations of the series. Michelle opens up about her journey from post-partum depression and a stay in a mental health facility to finding salvation through songwriting. They reflect on how music can be both a mirror and a lifeline, and how Ullestad’s commitment to authenticity is not only healing herself — but building a fanbase of young people who see themselves in her story.
The episode also tracks her evolution into what she calls her “Empress version” — a more mature, empowered self shaped by motherhood, creative self-discovery, and learning to ask for help. Matoma and Michelle collaborate on a bilingual song that bridges Norwegian and English, crafted from a mutual respect for emotional storytelling and melody as a universal language. It’s a celebration of vulnerability, growth, and artistic courage.
The song we made "Eller" comes out Friday June 20th, listen here.
We're releasing a new episode and song EVERY SINGLE WEEK so be sure to subscribe and join this ambitious journey of music-making and storytelling!
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Co-created by Matoma and Andrew Jackson.
Executive Producer Andrew Jackson.
Produced by Sara Laarej Berg and Maren Gjertsen.
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