Emily White is Memphis-raised, but Chicagoan as adult, self-describing as Southerner by heart, Midwestern by choice. While Emily's voice and music are beautiful and compelling, her lyrics elevate her to the top ranks of performers, touching the deep places and raising it all to golden heights. Her newest album is called Songs You Didn't Know I Wrote About You, and that's likely the truth you'll experience in Emily's music.
Song of the Soul
Song of the Soul invites you to a soul-level encounter. Music has the ability to proclaim the soul's language beyond what mere words can speak. That's what we seek as we invite our guests to share their Song of the Soul. You will hear the music that has charted the steps of their spiritual journey, that has provided a touchstone in the soul's dark night, and sung the hearts awe and joy when come to the Light. As you listen to Song of the Soul, you are both witness and companion to our guest's spiritual path and sacred testimony.
Song of the Soul guests provide 20-23 minutes of the music of their soul, and Mark Helpsmeet explores with them the relevance and meaning of this music to their experience. Most guests are musicians, usually sharing their own music, but some guests are simply sharing music they've been impacted by, written and performed by others.
The theme song for this program is by Cris Williamson and is called "Song of the Soul". Please check out the wealth of great music Cris has gifted to the world.
Radio-Length Episodes |
Full-Length Episodes |
People's Convergence - Warming Up the Winter
A sampling of the full 3-plus-hour collaborative concert held on February 11th, 2023 as part of the People's Music Network (PMN) Winter Convergence hosted at The People's Forum in New York City. Activism, humor, inspiration, justice, and more by 10 of the 25-plus performers at the concert.
Confessional of Folk Therapy
Annie Capp's music has sometimes been called Midwest Urban Folk and it has also been called Folk Therapy, and the music that she shares today is from an especially deep and somewhat confessional project called How Can I Say This.
Women's Pride, Women's Wings: Randie O'Neil
Randie O'Neil's music is magnetic, especially in the deeply honest feelings and aspirations of her songs. Randie has self-described as a Americana/Folk-Pop artist, but she is also standing on the shoulders of a number of heavy-rocking, strong-and-assertive-and-determined women who blazed a way in a mostly male-dominated rock world. Though her songs are largely solo artistry now, back in the day Randie was part of AMA (Against Medical Advice), though she is truly FMA (For Mental-health Advancement).
A Gift of Light: Joy Zimmerman
Joy Zimmerman combines consummate instrumental skill, with moving lyrics, and with abundant Light & Love. Immersed in classical music & violin throughout her youth, it was later in life that she picked up a guitar and discovered her gift for songwriting. Joy shares deeply from her rich life and her passion for making a better world, and she does it with wonderful creativity, beauty, and her clear, ringing, passionate voice.
The New Story of Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds
Erin Zindle and the Ragbirds play songs with a deep center, and with rhythms and melodies gathered broadly, from around the world. Erin is a multi-instrumentalist, playing her magic on the violin, keyboards, accordion, & many more instruments.
Iowa's Wonderful Chicago Folk Recluse: Bonnie Koloc
Bonnie Koloc was a major presence in music, especially folk music, on the Chicago scene in the early 1970's, along with John Prine and Steve Goodman, one of the big 3 folk musicians there. She was a constant presence on the stage in those years, churning out 4 albums in 4 years, singing not only folk but jazz and blues. Eventually she wondered away from Chicago, including stints with other forms of art, like musical theater and visual art.
Wonder, Mystery, Beauty, & Christmas in the Ashram
Chris Rosser moved to Asheville, NC, to be close to the folk music scene there, even as he performs as a jazz musician, and as part of the world-fusion trio, Free Planet Radio - and produces music for others.
Pain Into Connection, Dark Pop, & Scrabble Mastery
Jessica Smucker is today's SOS guest, and she believes the best way to change the world is to channel our pain into connection. Jessica is one very captivating person, both musically and otherwise. She worked on movies, is a published poet & a social justice warrior, came into music through a rock band called The Sleeping World, and she knows all the two-letter words in Scrabble, so don't even think of challenging her.
Tear-jerking Joy with Carrie Elkin
Carrie Elkin brings to listeners a tear-jerking joy through her songs that seek to make the world better from the vulnerable places in each of our hearts. With a life, study, and career path including saxophone, Lutheran church music, pre-med studies, physiology, and environmental work using organic chemistry, it was a long road that led Carrie to her true home & profession as a singer/songwriter folk musician.