Gary Eldred is a founder of The Prairie Enthusiasts, and he joins us today to talk about his newly released book, Healing Wounds: Giving Back to Nature. While the book comes completely from Gary's words, it was brought into existence though the scribing work of Mark Leach who, among other things, does a weekly program, Ecotopia Soon, which will be occasionally featured in the near future on this show. Both Gary & Mark are here today, in person, to talk about prairie restoration, healing the Earth, healing ourselves, and much more.

I ran into Olivia Chalkley through an article of hers featured on the website of the Center for Action and Contemplation called A Home for My Loving Action, and I determined I needed to have a deeper visit with Olivia. It turns out that she has explored deeply and worked widely in the not-so-many years she's been on the planet. Among the places she's worked are Quaker Voluntary Service, the School of the Spirit, and the Center for Action and Contemplation. As she has written, “For most of my adult life, I’ve struggled to find a political home where my faith is welcome and a faith community where my politics are welcome”.

I got news this past week that Bob Franke, one of my favorite musicians, died on October 16^th this year, and it was a real blow to my heart. I'm sharing with you today the interview I did with Bob back in July 2009, for which I am very grateful. Bob had an amazing ability to vividly capture the experience of the human heart and spirit, and some of his best songs are included in the wonderful Rise Up Singing songbooks. As I said back in 2009, Bob is Episcopalian, writes deep and inspirational music, and I was delighted to learn, was a repairer of candy-wrapping machines. Please hold Bob Franke and his circle of friends and family in the Light.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Episcopalian

We've got Chuck Collins with us here again today, sharing from his new book, Burned By Billionaires, a deep look into the damage to the entire world, and almost all Americans, of the soaring epidemic of wealth inequality in the US. Chuck was born on third base, but chose a better way, reducing his wealth. Notwithstanding his moderation, he has worked with the Patriotic Millionaires to bring our society back from the edge of the inferno, back to sanity and well-being. Also find Chuck and his co-workers on inequality.org, and listen to our interviews with him in 2016, and in 2023. Chuck Collins joins us from his home in Guilford, Vermont.

For a number of years, Sage Cook was part of Elephant Revival, and toward 2014 Sage and Aera consciously moved toward a more subsistence, closer to the land, lifestyle, and continued to make music as part of We Dream Dawn. Their metamorphosis has continued, with a stronger acoustic folk flavor, as they mostly now perform as Sage & Aera. Sage's songs and music are strong with overtones of spirit and Earth, and deep integrity. Sage Cook joins us virtually from Waldron, Kansas.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Non-affiliated, Nazarene, Methodist, Jewish, Yoga, Earth-based Spirituality

Having done this program for 20 years, I have had the opportunity to see the work my guests do evolve over time, and such is the case with Eileen Flanagan. When I spoke with her 16 years ago about her book, The Wisdom to Know the Difference, she was in the very early stages of her life as an organizer, trainer, and visionary in the activist world, including with EQAT. In the intervening years she has had a major hand in a number of actions, stepping powerfully into the role of trainer.

Today's guest, Maria Requena, is also known as Sunflower Summit, and they answer to both, so take your pick. What attracted me first was the singing, but I quickly became intrigued when I saw comments like “Chicago based queer Latinx artist and producer” and “with a mission to support their community through music and mental health discussion” and, finally, “music that hits right in the feels”. Katie Dwyer, a recent guest from South Dakota, pointed me this direction because of collaboration with Sunflower and something called Produce Like A Boss. I think you'll experience the gift of the music of Sunflower Summit, “in the feels”, as they say, as Maria/Sunflower joins us via Zoom.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Non-affiliated

Andrea Prichett's musical career started in Zimbabwe, where she taught, and it was with the group Novisimos. Her activist music grew further during the many years she performed as part of the trio Rebecca Riots, and other synergies have been explored with the musicians of Wildcat Canyon, and with the Shake It Booty Band. Andrea has been deeply devoted to activism, some of that showing through her work with Copwatch, but also through her faithful teaching of history with the middle school students of Berkeley, CA. Raised atheist, she is a Christian Anarchist.

It's been 20 years that Northern Spirit Radio has been broadcasting, and to celebrate that milestone we've set up a John McCutcheon concert event both streaming online and right here in-person, in Eau Claire, WI, on Sunday October 5^th, 2025, starting at 6:30 pm Central Time. Get more info and tickets on the NorthernSpiritRadio.org website. I've interviewed John several times, including live at a Quaker gathering at Grinnell College in Iowa on July 4^th, 2019. In the hopes you consider joining our October 5^th concert, in person or online, we share today my interview from 6 years ago. John McCutcheon is classic & cutting-edge folk music.

Though Kris Angelis is a long-time resident of LA, California, she joins us today from her new home in Okinawa, Japan. There is so much about Kris that will intrigue & enrich you. She has an identical twin, Alex, and both of them are singers, and both have been actors, Alex more than Kris. But Kris is queen in the indie singer-songwriter role, with a rich tapestry of music mostly painted in colors of the heart. And though you'll most often see and hear Kris scintillating with light, she also sometimes reflects the somber hues of darkness and depression. But more light than dark, for sure. She has a new album coming out soon, and you'll be able to savor bits of it today. Get ready to have your heart opened wide as Kris Angelis joins us from Okinawa.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Catholic, Buddhist, Non-denominational Christian, Non-affiliated