The podcast, SmallTownBigGays, (also available on YouTube) is produced weekly by Travis Gorell and Chance Smith, originating from Eau Claire, WI, and sharing the reality, the strengths, and the beauty of queer folks in places most often ignored or discounted. Travis also performs regularly in drag around the Chippewa Valley as Khloe Wold as one of many Dolls of the Valley. The podcast and this interview visit wide-ranging topics, including gay culture, religious connections, AIDS/HIV, body issues, and much more.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Lutheran, Catholic, Non-affiliated

Today we introduce you to a new-ish member of the wonderful crew of musicians of the Twin Cities of Minnesota, Emily Haavik. Emily brought down to the Cities some of the fruits of her time and connections in Duluth as part of Emily and the 35s, including many years with the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival. There are a variety of flavors of music channeled through Emily's music, and lately she's fond of the title glam country. Get ready for some glamming, some rocking, and some deeply moving music from Emily Haavik.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Evangelical Christian Upbringing, Lutheran, Henry Nouwen, Non-affiliated

With the passing last week of Joe Elder, a bright light for peace and justice and a dear friend and neighbor to so many has left us. We feel led to bring you again the interview we did with Joe 15 years ago, so that we can all hear Joe's voice once more. Back then, we told you that Joe Elder was the recipient on October 3rd, 2009, of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice. Joe has traveled the world with quiet off-the-record messages and worked for peace from Vietnam to Sri Lanka. A University of Wisconsin professor of sociology and Asian studies, he has inspired thousands of students to broaden their horizons. Raised in Iran, son of Presbyterian missionaries, he was a CO in the Korean War and has been a Quaker since the 1950's. UW-Madison's International Academic Programs Department has declared May 11th "Joe Elder Day" for his 40 years of service to the India and Nepal programs.

More than a decade ago I interviewed Daniel Hunter about a book he had written, and when I saw the article he had written just before the November election called 10 Things To Do If Trump Wins, I knew it was something I needed to check out. After all, Daniel has done organizing and training in a number of settings, in the United States and abroad, preparing folks to effectively make this a better world. He's written several books, about climate resistance, ending racism, and a choose-your-adventure style book, called What Will You Do If Trump Wins, and remember to check out ChooseDemocracy.US.

Today for Song of the Soul we head to England for a visit with Hilary James. A couple weeks back we had a wonderful time with her partner, Simon James, with some of his songs including Hilary's beautiful voice and singing. Hilary's love of music is wide, and while much of it was part of the English folk club scene of the 1960s and 70s, her musical palate definitely included blues and other forms that we less commonly think of as folk music in the US. Hilary and Simon also did a bit of a deep dive into music for children as part of their journey. Also find her music on AcousticsRecords.co.uk.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Methodist, Agnostic, Yoga, Non-affiliated

Part 2 of our sampling of Kerrville New Folk winners who we've interviewed on NSR. Of the 24 Kerrville competitors we didn't feature last week, 7 of them were winners, so today we glance back at interviews with and music from Tom Neilson, Danny Schmidt, Anne Feeney, Jonathan Byrd, David Massengill, David Roth, and David Wilcox. Take a look at the incredible line-ups of the New Folk Stage at Kerrville since 1973.

Featured Music & Segments:

A different kind of Song of the Soul today, a sampling of our guests who have competed at the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition. We're grabbing glimpses of Kerrville alumni who we've interviewed on our show in recent years, giving you a taste of the rich talent and spirit of Kerrville artists.

We've visited with Mike McCabe several times in the past 15 years, about his work with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, about the need for real people in government, and relative to his run for Wisconsin governor. Today we have Mike here for something different, a book of fiction called Miracles Along County Q. While fiction, the book reflects truths and insights into many aspects of urban vs rural tensions in terms of both personal and political outlooks. An extra plus is the miracles woven into the story, and the amalgam of fact and magic is a heart and page-turner.

We're headed to England today for a visit with Simon Mayor. Unlike in the US where mandolin is a common instrument in many areas, it is a less common and less-vaunted source of fine music in England, except in the hands of Simon Mayor and a handful of other Brits. Simon plays in a number of configurations, most featuring his partner, Hilary James, but also as part of a mandolin quartet (or quintet) called the Mandolinquents. Among Simon's creations are at least 5 albums that Simon and Hilary made for kids. Though mandolin is Simon's principle instrument, you'll find him occasionally on violin/fiddle as well. Simon lives in Reading, England.

Are there alternatives to the expensive, complicated, healthcare system in the US? After the closing of the Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph's hospitals in Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls, we're about to enter into a promising experiment in community ownership with the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative. Organizing board chair, Robert (Bob) Krause shares the plans for a new community-owned independent hospital and healthcare services. Bob has a long history of community service and corporate management, including the 10 years he spent on the board of Sacred Heart Hospital.