Ralph Jacobson has been a steadfast advocate for solar since he founded IPS Solar in 1991. In 2017 they became the fastest-growing Twin Cities Business, all the more rewarding because of their practice of inviting women & people of color into the mostly male-dominated industry, and for Ralph's effort to use MnVest.org (Minnesota Investment Crowdfunding) to jump-start solarization of the Red Lake Nation reservation.

Each week, Spirit In Action brings you stories of people living lives of fruitful service, of peace, community, compassion, creative action and progressive efforts. We will trace the spiritual roots that support and nourish them in their service. Above all, we will seek out Light, Love and Helping Hands, being shared between our many neighbors on this planet, hoping to inspire and encourage you to sink deep roots and produce sacred fruit in your own life.
Spirit In Action is an hour of interviews with those providing leadership in peace, justice and "good works", interspersed with relevant music. The theme music is "The Turning of the World" performed by Sara Thomsen (written by Ruth Pellham).
Radio-Length Episodes ![]() |
Full-Length Episodes ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Podurama | Pandora | PodcastAddict | Spotify |
Recovery
First Air Date
The impact of addiction can shape our lives in unexpected ways. Spencer T. and his guests on The Recovery Show podcast carry the message of healing for those affected by addiction and alcoholism. We explore the 12-steps of Al-Anon and see how working the steps can offer solutions to personal challenges we all face.
Past/current religious/spiritual influences:
12 Step Spirituality
Reasons for Hope
First Air Date
Betsy Raasch-Gilman has a lifetime of experience as an activist, feminist, anarchist, Quaker, and change-maker, so she has seen the ups-and-downs of organizing and burn-out. Hearing of the exhaustion of activists in the current political turmoil, she gathered her resources and shared a presentation on Reasons for Hope.
Willie Nelson's Progeny - Farm Aid 2019
First Air Date
A taste of Farm Aid 2019, the work & music, of the event & the organization. We have 2 amazing musicians from the 18 acts from this year's mainstage: Particle Kid (Micah Nelson, Willie's youngest son) and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, (Willie's 2nd youngest son), joined by Jennifer Lahy, Communication Director of Farm Aid's staff.
Native Land Return
First Air Date
John Stoesz carries a ministry advocating land reparations with indigenous peoples as he has traveled 1000's & 1000's of miles on his recumbent trike, working with Dakota peoples in Minnesota, working with and alongside Unsettling Minnesota, coalition for Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, and Waziyatawin, author of What Does Justice Look Like.
Free Hong Kong
First Air Date
A front-row look at the situation in Hong Kong with Jerry (Chiwei) Hui, currently Associate Professor of Music at UW-Stout in Wisconsin, but he is Hong Kong born-and-raised, and he was present for the first two of the massive protests there. Jerry provides an inside glimpse of the people, laws, history, politics, & character of Hong Kong, which can be supplemented by the BBC Hong Kong page.
Stories of Darkness & Light
First Air Date
Kevin McMullin has created a powerful one-man show called Into the Black Sea: Stories of Darkness and Light to invite the audience to journey alongside the voyage of hurt, healing, and uncertainly he has traveled with the onset of a brain tumor. Kevin uses storytelling and music to walk a mile in his hospital bed, and out of it, show all a way to look honestly into the confusion, pain, and loving that confronts most of us at one time or another of our lives.
Social Permaculture -The Big Picture
First Air Date
Permaculture is much more than organic gardening because it uses whole systems thinking. It is explained eloquently by Carol Barta of the Kansas Permaculture Institute, one of the places where Carol teaches folks to see the world differently by focusing on the Big Picture, supported by the 3 core tenets and 12 design principles of permaculture.
Nonviolence Inspirations
First Air Date
George Lakey passes on the inspirations that led him to a life of activism & social change, among them Bayard Rustin & Lucrecia Mott.
Climate Advocates in Sports, Circus, and in Mermaid Drag
First Air Date
There are climate advocates everywhere including in sports, the circus, and in mermaid drag. Peterson Toscano of Citizens Climate Radio talks with Lew Blaustein of Green Sports Blog, Brewers pitcher Brent Sutter of Strike Out Waste, Eliana Dunlap of the Circus Action Network, Angel Collinson of