Claire Dacey is a wonderful gift of music, too-little known. Her arrival on the folk music scene was delayed, in part, by her studies in Biology, Botany, Field Naturalist, and finally, Ph.D. studies at Harvard in Physiological Plant Ecology. Twas near the end of these studies when she realized her passion for music could be her chosen path, alongside her work of introducing folks to the more-than-human world and neighbors. Combining her talents with violin, viola, & guitar with the magical & enchanting powers of her voice & lyrics, Claire transports listeners to a heart-rending, heart-opening connection to the world. Sometimes the magic is enhanced by the instrumental powers of John Genyo Sprague, performing together as The Enchantivists.
Don Neufeld's decades of service in social work, in child welfare, and in private practice has deeply equipped him for insights into a wide variety of men's (and society's) issues, like violence, fathering, and masculinity - and more. He's authored a number of books, including A New Hope and Living That Matters. Today we discuss with Don a book he co-edited with Steve Thomas, called Peaceful at Heart: Anabaptist Reflections on Healthy Masculinity. A lifelong Mennonite, the work of peace and justice has always been at his core, and his upcoming publication will be An Inquiry into a Theology of Men and Power. He has been active for years with Mennonite Men, including as their Canadian coordinator.
We're headed out to Pennsylvania today, with hopes that we'll see today's guest in Wisconsin within a couple months. His name is Dann Pell (music on bandcamp), and he came to my attention from an email offer he sent to my local Quaker meeting of a tour he is planning for March. I was intrigued by his offer of Songs to ground and uplift, then stirred by the twang and slide of his guitar, and then, finally, the deal was sealed with his sometimes Bob Dylan-esque singing, and wide-ranging lyrics. Dann's exploration via the form of Shape Note Singing & the Sacred Harp makes him a soul aflame to sit with.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: UCC – United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Quaker
We're headed to Whitefish, Montana, for a deep-end encounter with Jamie Wyman. Jamie was headed toward work as a lawyer, in the role of either a criminal prosecutor or a healthcare attorney, but, as she says, her Saturn Return radically altered her trajectory, and music became her pathway and vehicle to world betterment. She spent some time with the Sunraven Band, but most of her years creating & performing music has been as leader of the Jamie Wyman Band. Thanks to Andrew Janssen for production assistance on this show. Now, it's off to Whitefish, Montana to visit with Jamie Wyman.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Agnostic, Tarot, Non-affiliated
Cliff Eberhardt has performed with oodles of well-known performers I've loved, like Lucy Kaplansky, Dave Van Ronk, Richie Havens, and Odetta, generally of the folk-rock-Americana-acoustic varieties, and I'm so excited to have him here today. Cliff launched to prominence in 1990, though he had been performing and touring for many years, starting well before he reached adulthood, and he was an expert guitarist way back before many youth can even read beyond Dick-Jane-Spot levels. Cliff Eberhardt joins us from Northampton, MA.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Baptist, Earth-centered, Non-affiliated
Gabrielle Cerberville is known to some as Chaotic Forager, to others as Mushroom Auntie, but you will certainly experience her as a person deeply connected to all the residents of the Earth, not only humans. Gabrielle's passions are wide-ranging, including music composition & gourmet cuisine, but she is especially known for thoughtfully bringing the fruits of the Earth to her table, and to teaching others of right relationship to our non-human cousins. Her new book is Gathered: On Foraging, Feasting, and the Seasonal Life, and it's a delightful dive into her barefoot life of reciprocity with plants & fungi, including the ability to know them and to welcome them to our meals. You can also learn from her via her videos on YouTube and on Tiktok.
Time today for some seasonal music, but, of course, with a twist. Sofia Talvik has joined us twice before, and with the release of her 2nd compilation of her annual Christmas songs, songs which Sofia has written to explore the wider experience of Christmas, including the distressing and challenging sides of the holiday, we again reached out across the sea to her, to Berlin, Germany, where this Swedish-born folk artist sometimes lives when she's not touring the USA or living in her other home in Spain. Her music is sweet & moving, her voice is evocative & uplifting, and her lyrics are deep & wide-ranging.
Sami Awad lives in Bethlehem, and has been dedicated to nonviolent action since his teen years, inspired by his uncle, Mubarak Awad. In a conflict focused on Jews and Muslims, Christian Palestinians are sometimes erased from the picture by many outsiders, although they have been an integral part of the Holy Land for many centuries. Sami's Master's Degree from American University is in International Relations with a specialty of Peace and Conflict Resolution, and he is co-director of Nonviolence International, In 1995 he founded the Holy Land Trust, and he just recently wrote an inspirational, insightful, and ground-breaking book, The Sacred Awakening: Reclaiming Christ Consciousness.
Today for Song of the Soul, we are straying far from my safe and well-known musical turf to the the wonderful works of Ivar Lunde, Jr, a prolific and accomplished composer, pedagogue, performer, and conductor. Born in Norway, educated in Norway & Austria, he has performed & taught in many corners of Europe & the USA, including 35 years teaching at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. His works have been performed by at least 7 different symphony & chamber orchestras in the US & Norway. His retirement from teaching seems only to have accelerated his musical creativity, as exemplified by his collaborations with Peter Phippen and in his upcoming release, Meditation At Dawn.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Lutheran, Catholic, Non-affiliated
We're headed to the west coast today for a deep & touching visit with Frances Ancheta, a Filipina-American singer/songwriter and acoustic musician. Frances has a rich repertoire of thoughtful and eclectic indie folk/pop/rock songs. I hear tell that before long she may also share some of the music from her family's country of origin, The Philippines, but right now we'll be blessed with her US-born and inspired songs, again, from the tenderest and most vibrant of hearts.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Non-affiliated
All featured music is written & performed by Frances Ancheta:
The Place Where I Need to Be - from Saving Graces
This Haze - from Saving Graces