Thom Hartman just released his latest book, The Hidden History of American Democracy: Rediscovering Humanity's Ancient Way of Living, and it's full of the kind of historical scrutiny and keen analysis to expose and clarify the facts behind our much-vaunted form of government. We speak with Thom, the #1 US progressive talk show host, as well as a prolific and persuasive writer, and also with Myron Buchholz, former high school history teacher and former Democratic primary candidate for Wisconsin's 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Anne Heaton has lived widely, pursuing a wide range of interests, in Chicago (IL), Washington DC, New York, Ann Arbor (MI), and now in Milwaukee (WI). She has all the classical piano cred you could want, but has also performed as part of a Harlem gospel choir, while her songwriting has been inspired by the likes of the Indigo Girls and Tori Amos. Anne brings all these wonderful ingredients together to serve up a delightful musical dish, the topping of which is her most recent album, To the Light. Anne is the founder of Soul Songs School.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Meditation, Non-affiliated
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. In recent years she founded and works with Restoring Earth Connection, working on the necessary paradigm shift, foundational to address climate change, with things like Active Hope workshops and Braiding Sweetgrass Action Groups.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Quaker
Back in 2020 and 2021 I discovered Christine Stay and Aidan Quinn who are known collectively as Friction Farm. I did separate Song of the Soul interviews with Christine and Aidan, discovering scintillating aspects of their lives and glorying in the inspiration and power of their modern-folk music.
Cherice Bock is a rare and exciting breed of activist, with both a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University, New England. Cherice has written, spoken, & worked widely on Ecotheology, including her recent time as Creation Justice Advocate with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and their associated group, Oregon Interfaith Power & Light.
Kate Klim enchanted me from the first with her songwriting and vocals and a talent which also thrust her into prominence when she was a 2010 Kerrville New Folk Winner. Over 4 years she dazzled the world with 3 albums, but then, with the advent of 2 children and then COVID, her muse was quiescent. The dry spell finally passed last year, with musical storm clouds and rainbows again appearing, stirring our imaginations and passions and delivering to us Kim's fourth album, Something Green. Kate happily abides in East Nashville, TN.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Non-affiliated, Agnostic
Susan Cozzens has a long pedigree of working for social change through public policy research and advocacy. Her Ph.D.
Brenda Asterino guest-hosts Spirit In Action today, sharing a 2014 speech in Seattle, WA, by John Dear, former Jesuit priest, nonviolence activist & teacher, and author of 35-plus books. John Dear's life and choices brought him to leave his Jesuit life as he practices a path that follows his religious belief and his love for humanity. Hear of his experiences with many spiritual souls including the Dalai Lama, MLK Jr, Nelson Mandela, and many others. John Dear’s words are inspiring and he defines nonviolence in a way that speaks to our hearts and our heads. With humor and his experiences in our country and around the world, he teaches us and enthralls us with a larger scope and broader context for living.