Author
photo of Tom Walz Tom Walz - Wild Bill/Extend A Dream A very enjoyable interviewA very enjoyable interview regarding Tom W. and his journey in life. I currently live in Dubuque, IA and previously lived in Iowa City, IA, so I was familiar with the topic. Mark did a wonderful job of interviewing Tom and connecting with the beautiful message of caring for everyone in this world. Mark has a very kind soul and it comes through in his voice and his words. Keep up the good work Mark!! Lisa Thormann (not verified)
logo for Quaker Earthcare Witness Quaker Earthcare Witness Very impressedMark, I am very impressed with your good work at WHYS... tonight I blogged the following after listening to a couple of your shows: “There'll be no peace without a planet…” Ruah Swennerfelt quotes Mary Ann Percy, a Quaker from La Jolla, by way of providing background on her shift fifteen years or so ago from working on peace and social justice issues to ecological awareness and active concern. Ruah and Louis Cox, two people who do their best to support their local economy and to live lightly on the land, are interviewed by Mark Helpsmeet on his weekly Northern Spirit Radio show which originates from WHYS radio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mark has recorded dozens of broadcasts and they're available as streaming media or for download here. Another show I heard tonight was an interview with Ina May Gaskin. Ms. Gaskin is a midwife and a prime mover in the home birth movement. Mark has chosen the good people among us for his interview subjects. I've met some of these people and their commitment to doing right stuff is totally impressive… George Watson, a world war 2 conscientious objector… Mike Boehm, a Vietnam war veteran who's been instrumental in establishing peace parks in Vietnam and starting micro-credit loan funds, helping to heal those wounds… Chuck Fager, who runs Quaker House in North Carolina, a place where soldiers with second thoughts about war and peace can find support… J.E. McNeil, a woman who wrote the book on draft counseling. There's a lot of food for thought in these podcasts, a lot of wisdom about community, peace, and living rightly on the earth. Frank Payner, … (not verified)
photo of Sandy McKinney smiling Sandy McKinney's Song of the Soul I enjoyed recentlyI enjoyed recently discovering this site, and am glad to reconnect with the rich culture of the Eau Claire community that I left so long ago. I can see that the deeper discussions are still happening. I especially enjoyed Mark's interview with Sandy McKinney, on "Song of the Soul" Ann Carlander … (not verified)
book cover Birth and Midwifery with Ina May Gaskin, author of Spiritual Midwifery The Birth & Midwifery EpisodeWith my feet planted firmly on the ground and my head stuffed deeply into hard/bad news websites, it is easy, perhaps even comfortable, to apprehend the dark side of everyday events. Call it cynicism in the service of truth searching, beyond which there lies only propaganda or travelogue. So it was with great pleasure that I listened to the Ida May Gaskin (“Spiritual Midwifery”) segment of “Spirit in Action.” Years ago, when I was a practicing journalist, I wrote several magazine articles focusing on home childbirth. The birthing couples I interviewed came from different backgrounds and arrived at their birthing choices from different perspectives. Some used midwives; some were midwives attended by colleagues. Others contracted with general practitioners to attend the birth at home. I recounted their stories, most of them the result of passionate beliefs, quite dispassionately. At the time, I was aware of Gaskin's work. I dismissed Gaskin and the spirituality of the Farm community -- in fact, anything remotely spiritual -- as quaint. Vaguely reminiscent of the Sixties. Circumstances since then have propelled me closer to the spiritual side of life. Your program allowed me to revisit a time in my past and reflect on motivations I could record but not really fathom. I wanted to share this with you and your listeners, and offer my thanks for giving voice to the divine. Craig A. Schmidt (not verified)
Restored Israel Of Yahweh BewareBeware of the Restored Israel of Yahweh. I have known these people for years, and they are the true meaning of "wolves in sheep's clothing." Anonymous (not verified)
book cover Birth and Midwifery with Ina May Gaskin, author of Spiritual Midwifery Hi Mark I love the NorthernHi Mark I love the Northern Spirit Radio program. It kept me company while I cleaned around my desk today. It is so great to be able to listen at my convenience. Great interviews. I am particularly happy to go to the website about Ina May and THE FARM. They have a book out on THE GREAT CHANGE about the post petroleum wonderful world. u/cebrowski/woolsey.html, get that. I also have been showing Robt Newman here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7374585792978336967 or just an audio except http://www.robnewman.com/peakoil.mp3 for the Nano while biking to work or if you lack broadband. note too the emergent Kortin/Macy meme. e.g.: http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1473, http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1463 check it out Albert, 18 Jun 06 Fact: our petroleum civilization is about to enter into its natural decline phase and, if the transition to a solar income economy and much warmer climate is not well managed, the global food and water supply that supports our unprecidented human population could rapidly collapse. Most people arrive at this understanding with a sudden realization. Hurricane, sea level rise, prolonged drought, scorching heat, or the high cost of water, power, and gas may provide the wake-up call. And the reaction is entirely predictable — this is a new reality, completely contrary to our life plan and preparation. The normal response is denial, then debate, then acceptance, with a mix of panic and dread. Relax. Breathe deeply. It doesn't need to be that bad. The great change will be wonderful. SEEMS LIKE YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO A SHOW ON IT! BLESSINGS CALEY Powell CALEY Powell (not verified)
Placeholder Image Jeremy Kadinger's Song of the Soul Mark, Thank you forMark, Thank you for introducing us to Northern Spirit Radio. I listened to Jeremy Kadinger's Song of the Soul and enjoyed it thoroughly. His wide knowledge of and experience with music came through clearly, not only in that which he said but also in the songs he selected to play for the listening audience. In the process, I learned about musicians who are new to me, people whose albums I'd like to purchase, like the Five Blind Men of Mississippi or even the one by Johnny Cash with which I wasn't familiar. Your approach to him during the interview was so calm, so respectful, so incisive. I thank you for that. You didn't sound "preachy," but instead drew him out in a way that obviously called out his best. I will be tuning into Northern Spirit Radio often in the future. Ruth Scharnau,… (not verified)
logo for Northern Thunder showing a weather vane Michelle Balas - Northern Thunder Wow, I turned on the radioWow, I turned on the radio this afternoon to hear Michelle Balas on WHYS being interviewed by Mark Helpsmeet for Spirit in Action. She did a great job explaining some of the things Northern Thunder has been involved in and the issues we face today. Of course, there is a good deal of information about Michelle herself. If you missed it you can here it here. (7/16/2006) This was an excellent show! Well worth a listen. Dan Drum (not verified)
logo for Military Families Speak Out Bethany Jacobson/Military Families Speak Out Enjoyed the balanced approachI enjoyed the balanced approach to the show Bethany Jacobson/Military Families Speak Out The show was a very welcome change of pace from the normal choices of listening either to whining liberals or evangelical conservatives. You did a pretty good job of not putting thoughts and words into Bethany's mouth, although it was, I am sure, hard to resist. Hope this continues. Phillip T Brux (not verified)
flag with earth in center Earth Day 2005 New showI just heard a locally produced show called "spirit in action". It's sunday at 1pm now. I turned my dial over to WHYS after my favorite NPR show "this american life" was over at noon. On the spirit in action show Mark interviewed folks that helped organize this year's Earth Day event in April. He interspersed his professional, personal interviews with a variety of interesting music. I'm not sure how this show will be promoted, but as a non-christian I found it very interesting and not preachy at all. My hope is that folks with all sorts of beliefs feel welcome to listen and provide input to the show. Aaron (not verified)