Seven portions of seven Song of the Soul shows with seven great musicians back in the summer/fall of 2020, with songs linked by themes around old-timey music, old times, old folks, and new songs. Music & interview with Joe Newberry, Sparky Rucker, Mary Lou Fulton, Peter Alsop, Carsie Blanton, Johnsmith, & Ash Devine.
Andrew Boyd decided to take the Climate Crisis by the horns of despair and ride it through to the bitter conclusion, and the result is his latest book, I Want a Better Catastrophe: Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor. Though Andrew quotes the wide range of experts who say that we've already passed the tipping point, and that horrible consequences are certain, Andrew is not out to prove the science, but to face unflinchingly the human possibilities of the situation. He's a humorist, an activist, the author of several other books, including Beautiful Trouble and Daily Afflictions, and he's also the Chief Existential Officer of the Climate Clock.
Second hour of a 2-part visit with war tax resistance (WTR) activists. Each of the 4 people has changed their life to conscientiously refuse to pay for bullets, guns, bombs, and war, and they've worked to call attention to the fact that about half of every income tax dollar goes to the military. Around April 15th American's dollars are conscripted through taxation, and these 4 guests have said 'no'.
The music of Ben Bedford talks on on a trip through a wider lens to life, not only that of humans, but of the vibrant world around us, with all our relations. While Ben's words dance lyrically through images and poetry, his tunes dance magically through guitar strings and vibrations. While Ben has 6 albums to-date, all music featured here is from his latest, Valley of the Stars, because Ben's soul is so closely and clearly illuminated from his latest songs. Ben Bedford's home is Springfield, Illinois.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Atheist, Methodist, Earth-based Spirituality, Non-affiliated
A 2-part visit with war tax resistance activists. Without our money, our country could not carry out war in our name. Every year around April 15th, Americans are asked to make sure the national coffers are filled, and about half of the income taxes paid go to the military. Over 2 weeks we'll visit with 3 war tax resisters about their activism around working for peace & not paying for war. Lincoln Rice is coordinator for NWTRCC (National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee).
Enjoy the rich fruits of the 7th annual Songs for Social Change contest, sponsored by RAWA (Renaissance Artists and Writers Association). The main organizer, Dada Veda, shares 6 of the finalists in the 2022 contest, including winner Allan Licht. Other featured finalists are Stan & Liz Keach, Eileen Kozloff, Neil McCann & John Littrich, Allan Licht, Carole Wise, & Jason Horwitz.
Michael Johnathon is a farmer - a songfarmer - and he cultivates folk music from his log cabin just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, by his personal writing, playing and touring, through his 20 albums, but also via the radio and video show called WoodSongs that he's been broadcasting on hundreds of stations for the past 18 years. But, to circle back, Michael's core commitment is to serve the song, a passion that he carries out through the SongFarmers organization and community that he founded and sustains from his front porch.
Valerie Brown's new book is Hope Leans Forward, Teaching From a Black Buddhist & Quaker. Valerie's book shares a number of Buddhist & Quaker teachings and insights which can help anyone lead a more fulfilled & complete life. These lessons are embodied in the lives of many different people, but especial in Valerie's life experience growing up Afro-Cuban-Jamaican in a single-parent household in Brooklyn, NY.
