We all know that the world needs all the energy for change that we can give it, but we also know how easy it is to burn out on activism. Fortunately Omkari Williams has formulated methods of activism for the long haul, and she shares the insights and strategies in her book, Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn. Omkari has lots of earned wisdom about the issue because of her former work as a political consultant, followed by her decades as an activism coach. Considering the approaches and factors that make activism sustainable, she helps us find which kinds of work are right for us, including the structures that can keep us energized and effective long-term.

Dan Wolff, along with Sarah Vos, have been the stable nucleus of Dead Horses since the band's inception. I interviewed Sarah back in 2016, fell in love with their music, so I'm so excited to have Dan here to share more of the riches they've created in the ensuing 7 years. Every song they share is an opportunity to feel deeply the heart of the world, and to be part of its healing as well. Dan was a punk rocker back in high school, but broadened his musical smorgasbord to include the folk-Americana flavors of Dead Horses, which he enhances with his upright bass.

Jim Bear Jacobs & other Native Americans lead Sacred Sites Tours in the area around the Twin Cities of Minnesota. He is a founder and convener of Healing Minnesota Stories, and he's also a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation in central Wisconsin.

Today for Song of the Soul, Peter Phippen & Ivar Lunde, Jr., are sharing music & stories they've created together.

There was an article by Bill Durland in the May/June 2023 issue of Western Friend called Martyrs for Conscience's Sake (and there is also a podcast of a visit with Bill) which provides a very short history of those martyred as they “spoke truth to power”.

Annette Wasilik's love affair with the guitar & song began in her mid-teens, but has only come into the fullest sunshine & blossom over the past 10 years, releasing two full albums. She is all about healing, including the balm to the heart & soul that come through her voice, lyrics, & guitar, but she also is a healer through her energy & massage work. Annette works her musical magic from her base in Takoma Park, MD.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Native American, Earth-Based Spirituality, Eastern, Meditation

All featured music is written & performed by Annette Wasilik:

Chincoteague - from Love & Fire 2020

Highway - from Love & Fire 2020

Yata has been a decades-long feature of the music scene in the Chippewa Valley region of Wisconsin, and an inveterate collaborator with so very many musicians of the area, enhancing his own songwriting, guitar, and wonderful singing skills with all kinds of instruments and harmonies. You might well call Yata a folk-music-plus performer, because he can do it all, including the more offbeat jazz, blues, and other styles. Yata is a people enhancer, but he's also deeply linked to the land and the water and the other creatures of this Earth.

Caleb Horne grew up steeped in music, playing the piano, alto saxophone, guitar, mandolin, and more. Along the way he got severely bitten by the bluegrass bug. He has played solo and in numerous configurations, including as part of the Original Midwest Grass Band, Evergreen Grass Band, Thistledown, JFT Party Band, and The Woodland Spring.

I interviewed Geoffrey Gates back in 2017 about some of the notable experiences of his life, including his service with the International Voluntary Service in the war zone of Vietnam in 1971, and his service with the Peace Corps after his retirement from about 40 years as a doctor.