With the threat of internal turmoil or even civil war possible in the US due to red/blue polarization, especially since 2016, the Braver Angels project and organization was founded. Their mission? “We bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.” It's a tall order in these tense times, but Braver Angels is bringing great energy, dedication, and tools to the work.
A rich mid-winter concert of songs of faith & hope by Annie Patterson & Peter Blood, the creators of the world-renowned group-singing songbooks Rise Up Singing, and Rise Again. Performed live on Zoom on 12/11/2021, Annie & Peter share songs & stories of their personal spiritual journeys. They have nurtured music and singing the world-over with their songbooks, recordings, & performances.
Michael R. J. Roth writes his songs on the deep end of the meaning pool, and his tone has the same depth, so that some have called him a cool dark troubadour. His voice ranges, sometimes recalling the tones of a Gordon Lightfoot or a Johnny Cash, and sometimes a bit of John Prine. But what's especially wonderful is how after retirement from a number of professions, including that of a diplomat, Michael launched into full-time music production around 65, and he's put out more than 9 albums to date. After years living & working around the globe (including Cameroon, West Africa) and a lot of time in Washington DC, Michael calls Rio Rancho, NM home.
Past/Present Religious/Spiritual Influences: Zen Buddhism, Transcendental Meditation, Catholic, Non-denominational, Evangelical Christian
Listen in on the chilly Dec 20th JONAH-sponsored vigil on homelessness, with presentations by governmental, activist, and homeless participants. There's an extended interview with Maria Guzman, one of the 3 speakers who were homeless at one point, Maria for 7 months, and she now lives in the Solis Circle affordable housing and serves on the Altoona city council.
Citizens’ Climate Radio is a monthly podcast hosted by CCLer Peterson Toscano.
We'll learn from our civil rights elders as guest-host Patricia Stansbury (AKA Sunny Gardener) interviews three Virginia residents who were involved with civil rights and integration efforts in the 1950s, 60s, and since, Charles Carter, Janet Worsham, and Sallie Rugg. Patricia originally broadcast this interview back in July, 2020. Patricia Stansbury produces Lightly On The Ground and Groundswell shows on WRIR - Richmond Independent Radio.
Featured Music:
Peterson Toscano of Citizen's Climate Radio guest-hosts today, and he explores hospitality in a time of Climate Change with Dr. Natasha DeJarnett and Jayme R Reaves.
The incredible and influential folksinger, Bill Staines died this past week, bringing tears of fond memories to my eyes when I got the news. I've been singing his songs in our local song circles for 40 years now, so I decided to again share my 2015 Song of the Soul interview with you, today, in homage of a wonderful man and musician. Bill is best-known, perhaps, for his songs like All God's Critters Got A Place In The Choir, and River, but there are hundreds more available on his more than 26 albums produced over his more than 4 and a half decades and 3 million miles of folk music minstrelsy. Have a good time fondly remembering Bill Staines and his gift of music as we listen to my 2015 interview with Bill, which I called Critter In The Choir.
Tom Neilson is a folk singer's folk singer, using his songs to bring you all the news and issues that are of vital importance to the physical and ethical well-being of Americans but which get short-shrift in mainstream media. It's not a surprise at all that Just Plain Folks International gave Tom awards this year for best Traditional Folk Album & best Social Commentary album. He also does stirring spoken word pieces, some of them shared today.
Religious/Spiritual Influences – Methodist, Quaker