Leslie Smith has shined as part of all the great folk locales, the Newport, Kerrville, and South By Southwest music festivals, and her songs have been done by many folk-greats, like Lucy Kaplansky and Dar Williams, although I think they are best out of Leslie's own mouth and guitar. Along the way to now she did a stint as part of a New York bluegrass band called Arabesque, but then she headed back to Pittsburgh, back to her center. Her influences include country & bluegrass, as well as lots of folk, but the music that flows out of her is all Leslie Smith, with lyrics, voice & guitar that massage the heart and the gut in the real hurts and hopes of life. She joins us via Zoom from Pittsburgh, PA.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Non-affiliated, Catholic, Presbyterian, Unitarian-Universalist
Today's Spirit In Action guests, both strongly pacifist, moved to areas that were overwhelmingly and oppressively military-oriented, and had to figure how to deal with that, both for themselves and for their families. Lucretia Humphrey's journey took her to Great Falls, Montana, surrounded by nuclear warheads, and Molly Wingate ended up in Colorado Springs, in the midst of a number of military bases. They co-wrote an article for Western Friend, Two Quakers Living With the Military, in which they explore the issues & experience of being of a tiny pacifist minority swallowed in a sea of military minds. In this age of extreme polarization, it's more important than ever to understand how to communicate & connect beyond political our silos, without giving up on our principles.
Chris Haddox has played so many instruments, hiked & paddled so many hills & rivers, and worked in so many fields that it's hard to wrap your mind around it. And even though Chris wrote his first song in 2nd grade and played an astounding variety of instruments all through school and beyond, this past year, at 62, is the first time he's recorded his songs for the world. Chris has degrees in animal science, recreation & parks, community development, has led the local Habitat for Humanity, and has taught 14 years as a professor of Sustainable Development at West Virginia University. His songs have deep roots and country echoes, and the music will strum your heart. Chris Haddox hails from from Morgantown, West Virginia.
Pat Humphries & Sandy O are the members of Emma's Revolution, an entity with its own soul & mission, beautiful music to call forth the deepest of emotions, both grief and joy, always with the aim of steering the world toward justice & healing. If only we could unite the world like Pat & Sandy blend & weave their voices & instruments, peace and justice would already be the norm.
Monica Tetzlaff is an associate professor of history at the University of Indiana of South Bend, and her special interest is in African-American history. In September of 2021 she presented online, as part of IU's “Pop-up University”, a program called The Role of History in Reparations: From Global to Local.
Jori Lewis is the author of Slaves for Peanuts: A Story of Conquest, Liberation, and a Crop That Changed History. Jori explores culture, history, environment, economic systems, religion, and slavery in its West African context, opening our eyes to the way the world really has worked & is working still. Jori is masterful story-teller, conveying the facts faithfully, but giving us an experience of the people & events that evokes the same connection and feelings of epic poems, like those of the griots/bards of West Africa tradition.
Charlotte Sebastian of Friends for a Nonviolent World and their Everyday Nonviolence Podcast guest-hosts today for Spirit In Action, sharing portions from 2 episodes of the podcast. The first explores the extraordinary work being done by the Eagle’s Healing Nest, an organization located in Sauk Center, MN, dedicated to serving veterans dealing with “the invisible wounds of war”. Host Ellery McCardle speaks with Melony Butler, Founder, Chair and Director; Mike Dunfe, a former resident; and Alec Embree, who currently lives at “The Nest”.
Andrew Calhoun is the real deal, applying all the skill & integrity needed to faithfully channel folk songs & folk culture through his dancing, delightful guitar, but also his deep & evocative voice. With loads of recordings over the decades, he's distinguished himself through Scotch-Irish songs and his African-American spirituals. He lives just outside of Chicago, IL.
Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Atheist, Non-affiliated, Native American, Christianity, Jewish, Black-American Spirituality