We're going back in time to the end of World War II today for SIA, to get to know about one of the 151 Civilian Public Service camps, this one for the “bad boys” of the conscientious objectors. Our guest is Jane Kopecky, and we'll be visiting about her book, World War II Conscientious Objectors - Germfask, Michigan: The Alcatraz Camp. Jane grew up in the area near the CPS camp, in a remote area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and she had to dig deep to unearth a full accounting of this camp where COs were sent into obscurity. What Jane discovered was a set of truly inspirational people, surrounded by a hostile society.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Mennonite, Non-affiliated
Steve Hazell is an inspiration for all of us, for both the quality and depth of his songs. In his youth Steve performed with Wolverine Willy and the Blues Toads, but now he's mostly, but not always, a solo act. Interestingly, the best way to get Steve's music is to email Steve. You'll get a good glimpse of Steve and his journey with music in his book, The Kindred Path, about the Green Apple Folk Music Society. Steve's is music with deep heart, and sterling quality. Steve Hazell joins us from Sun Prairie, WI
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Methodist, Congregational, Non-affiliated
Prepare yourself for a thorough musical delight today as we head to Cleveland, Ohio for a visit with Charlie Mosbrook. Besides his exquisite guitar, piano, lyrics, & voice, Charlie has a rich backstory and forestory. A heavy-duty triathlon athlete, Charlie had a spinal cord injury that left him a high-functioning quadriplegic, and he used the life detour to delve deeper into his music, pouring his passion and compassion into organizations like Music to Life and Stop the Hate. In the past 15 years he's released 9 albums and more, touching hearts and raising up the world.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: UCC, Presbyterian, Thich Nhat Hanh, Native American, Jewish
We're seeking world healing in a different way today, for Spirit In Action. Our guest is Peter Anderson - author, mystic, misfit, & mountain dweller. His recent books have included First Church of the Higher Elevations: Mountains, Prayer, and Presence, and most recently, Riding the Wheel: Prose-Poems. From his youth on Long Island, NY, Peter wandered to the western US mountains, finding his self in the high elevations. Peter's quest for roots and meaning are a deep example of one valuable way to find a deep & enduring sense of home, even more so in our world today. Peter Anderson joins us from Crestone, CO.
Today we're catching a glimpse of the organization Indivisible and, specifically, Chippewa Valley Indivisible, the local chapter here in the place I happen to live. There are hundreds, even thousands, of chapters nationwide. Indivisible's vision is “A real democracy - of, by, and for the people.” and they state that, “We have to build a democracy that reflects a broad, multiracial 'we the people', one that works for all of us and is sustained by all of us. Only then will we be able to achieve a progressive vision for our future.” Cyndi Greening is the group leader of the Chippewa Valley Indivisible group.
More than 10 years ago I interviewed Betsy Leondar-Wright about her superb book, Missing Class, and today we'll visit with her about the book she researched and wrote with Jessi Streib called Is It Racist? Is It Sexist?: Why Red and Blue White People Disagree and How to Decide in the Gray Areas. As in all her work, Betsy drills deep, past prejudices and proclivities, beyond entrenched sides and blindered perspectives, to find a better way forward for all of us. Betsy Leondar-Wright joins us from Arlingon, Massachusetts.

Today's guest-hosts are Nicole Diroff, Ben Yosua-Davis, and Peterson Toscano, of the Climate Changed Podcast from The BTS Center. In this episode they bring us a conversation that dives deep into the heart of what it means to find hope and community in a chaotic world. You’ll hear from two remarkable thinkers - Margaret Wheatley, a renowned author and leadership expert, and Deborah Reinstra, a professor and theologian whose work explores the idea of refugia from her book, Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonder, and the Healing of the Earth. These are small pockets of resilience in times of upheaval.
Todd Adams (or on BlueSky) has spent most of his life sharing music with the world, including running and owning record stores, but it is only in the past 5 years that he's really dug into writing & recording his own songs. Along the way, Todd was part of the team that brought WHYS-LP Radio into existence in 2005, and he spun records there for years on his All Over the Map show. The Todd Adams Experience album was released in 2021, and this show also includes songs from Todd's upcoming, but not yet released, album, Sprinkle Your Crumbs On My Grave.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Lutheran
Sometimes a really talented person can get lost in the background behind other very talented performers, and Gary Walters has certainly dealt with some of that. Gary frequently accompanies the amazing Carrie Newcomer (and others), and although Carrie gladly shares the limelight with him, it took an explicit announcement by Carrie at one of their concerts to alert me of Gary's other work, including his newest album, The COVID Sessions. In addition to his powerful accompaniment with folk musician Carrie, Gary's chops & flavors include jazz, classical, & much more. Gary Walters calls Indianapolis, Indiana, his home.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Presbyterian, Catholic, Non-affiliated
Jan Spencer is guest-host today for the fifth time, sharing an episode of Creating A Preferred Future which takes a look at an unexpected topic. In Jan upcoming new book, A Primer For Paradigm Shift, he has found a new friend in the City of Eugene, Oregon's Strategic Planning Goals. Today's show is a contraction of a longer written essay which explains how paradigm shift and the strategic city planning goals are made for each other. Just add an historic leap in social, economic and ecological consciousness.