Activism

Part 2 of a birthday celebration for Si Kahn on his 80th birthday, this week with John McCutcheon and Cathy Fink, sharing streams of music and meaning that flow from Si Kahn.

As a happy birthday to Si Kahn for his 80th birthday, this week and next week we are sharing songs and stories by & about Si as performed by the hand-chosen successors to Si's work and music. Today that means we are joined by Phoebe Rees & Joe Jencks.

Ken Grossinger has written a compelling new book about the synergy and power possible between art and organizing. His book is Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together and it brings together many social change efforts of the recent decades and the various forms of art that empowered dramatic movement toward change.

Our guest is Nerissa Nields, who shares equal lead billing with her sister, Katryna, of the group known as The Nields. Their website proclaims them to be "equal parts Beatles, Cranberries and Joni Mitchell", and that description is admirably accurate and concise. It's hard to adequately capture the power of their songs and voices except to tell you that you need to brace yourself to be inspired, moved, and likely brought to tears.

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.

Two great guests: the amazing thinker & author, Parker Palmer, is joined by the wonderful singer, songwriter, & world healer, Carrie Newcomer. They share their various collaborations, the first being a word, song & connecting experience called Healing the Heart of Democracy, then there was What We Need Is Here, and their newest collaboration is called The Growing Edge.

Lynn Fitz-Hugh is one of the long-term stars in the activist realm. For over 16 years her focus has been fighting climate change, including founding 350Seattle.org, cofounding Faith Action Climate Team (of Seattle) and working for Thurston Climate Action Team for almost 3 years.

George Lakey has been on the vanguard of nonviolent activism for over 50 years, doing, innovating, and teaching organizing & activism with ever more effective ways of helping humanity forward.

Today's Spirit In Action guests, both strongly pacifist, moved to areas that were overwhelmingly and oppressively military-oriented, and had to figure how to deal with that, both for themselves and for their families. Lucretia Humphrey's journey took her to Great Falls, Montana, surrounded by nuclear warheads, and Molly Wingate ended up in Colorado Springs, in the midst of a number of military bases.

Steve Chase has been involved with impressive and world-changing activism all of his adult life. He has his PhD in Environmental Studies from Antioch University, where he also taught for 15 years, after first working as an editor and writer for the More Than Money Journal.