Reformatories seldom reform, and penitentiary seldom produce penitence, but groom criminals to re-offend. For certain offenders, treatment courts achieve impressive results and save lots of money, bringing bi-partisan support. We visit with the supervisor of Eau Claire's Treatment Courts program, Melissa Ives, and participants of the local Drug, Mental Health, and AIM (Alternatives to the Incarceration of Mothers) Courts - Mike Gumulauskas, Rob Bergeron, and Rachael Shramek. Part 1 of 2, with Melissa & Rachael.
There are struggles continuing within our country on so many fronts, often invisible to those in power or even in comfortable conditions, but badly in need of a cadre of those to faithfully walk with the beleaguered and afflicted. Then there's this book...
Jon Brooks takes us on an odyssey with his music - through passion, compassion, history, politics, and identity. With powerful & evocative lyrics that unlock inner meaning, Jon takes on the big questions and issues with unblinking honesty sustained in hope.
Greg & Terry of Magpie create beautiful, conscious music with a message, often around environmental subjects. Today they address, in word and music, issues surrounding climate change, mining, mountain-top removal, and preserving life on this planet.
Why is a Jewish kid writing of hymns? Why should a social science graduate work in churches? What is Alzheimer's like, in terms of real life stories? What does a radio outlet mean for folk music activists?
Glimpses from Light, Learning, Hip-Hop, and the Darkside (Rabbi Darkside), Holistic Ministry (Dawn Ravella), Alzheimer’s from the Inside: Fear, Anger, Faith & Healing (Greg O'Brien), and Money, Mines, Mountains, & Magpie Music.
Rabbi Darkside's website tells us to "Use the force to enter" - enter the world of Hip Hop culture and rap music and alternative ways of connecting the world. Sam Sellers is Rabbi Darkside, a creative, emotive, healing force who was raised Jewish and self-describes as a secular humanist who practices Kum Nye meditation.
Kris Gruen started out in NYC, but has been fed and thrived in the natural world, including Vermont with his farmer wife and as station director of WGDR/WGDH, Plainfield, VT. Kris has a style all his own, combining mystic poetry with new folk influences, and with the Kris Gruen secret ingredient.
Investigative reporter Greg O'Brien shares the inside story of coping with Alzheimer's Disease, an experience that mixes faith and fury.
Dawn Ravella does amazing and varied work for the healing of the world - restorative justice and prison ministries, food pantries and homeless shelters, education on social justice issues, and on and on. She is currently Director of Mission and Outreach at The Reformed Church of Bronxville, and has served Presbyterian and Catholic churches in similar roles, in addition to her work as a holistic therapist. Dawn is gentle, unstoppable, and inspired.
You can listen to our Song of the Soul interview with her husband, Glen Roethel, here.
Music Featured:
I Have No Hands But Yours - Carol Johnson
In writing this book, Chris Tomlinson asks himself the question, "What crimes had my ancestors committed to maintain their power and privilege? Did they know what they did was wrong? As an American and Texan, I wanted to understand the sins of our fathers."