In this deeply reflective episode of Podsongs, musical duo Samana (www.samanaroad.com) — Rebecca Rose Harris and Franklin Mockett — engage in a soulful and thought-provoking dialogue with award-winning poet and novelist Anne Michaels, author of Fugitive Pieces (www.annemichaels.ca).

Topics Covered:

• The role of solitude in the creative process

• Art as ritual, healing, and transcendence

• The subconscious mind and dreams as creative catalysts

• Reflections on death, absence, and presence

• Life in rural France, Italy, and Wales

• The impact of technology on creativity

• Indigenous wisdom, shamanism, and the unseen

• The power of analog recording and emotional truth in music

• Creating a new piece of music inspired by the conversation

This episode was recorded during Samana’s artistic residency in the French countryside, and culminates in a musical collaboration inspired by Anne Michaels and the themes of the conversation.Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or seeker, this interview will resonate with the part of you drawn to beauty, mystery, and meaning.Stream the song: https://ffm.to/thresholds

00:00 Introduction to Samana

00:36 Journey Through Eastern Europe

00:59 Creating in Solitude

01:24 Philosophy Behind Samana’s Music

01:54 Life in the Welsh Countryside

02:19 Anne Michaels Joins the Conversation

03:01 Reflections on Life in France and Italy

03:14 The Artistic Residency and Creative Process

11:32 COVID-19 and Artistic Collaboration

13:18 Exploring Anne Michaels’ Work

18:01 Shamanic Performance and Symbolism

19:34 Creative Inspiration and Interconnection

21:39 Connecting Deeply with Anne Michaels

38:48 Rituals in Writing and Life

41:54 Analog Sound and Emotional Truth

43:23 Nature and the Subconscious

46:58 The Dead, Thresholds, and Memory

48:47 Indigenous Wisdom and Seeing the Unseen

01:02:57 Death, Dreams, and the Subconscious

01:12:19 Rituals as Creative Anchors

01:30:56 Solitude vs. Digital Distraction

01:44:04 Mortality and Personal Transformation

01:48:55 The Role of Absence in Creation

01:56:42 Death, Mystery, and the Poetic Lens

02:00:27 Artistic Collaboration and Intimacy

02:16:28 Gratitude and the Journey

02:25:00 Closing Reflections and Future Work

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In this thought-provoking episode of Pod Songs, host Jack Stafford sits down with Icelandic singer-songwriter Svavar Knútur and Neil and Sarah from the YouTube channel Leftist Cooks for a wide-ranging conversation on empathy, activism, and the fight to preserve cultural identity through language and music.

Together, they explore how streaming platforms like Spotify contribute to the erosion of minority languages, why kindness and emotional intelligence are essential tools for social change, and how art and activism intersect in a divided world. Topics include ageism, implicit bias, feminism, sex positivity, the politics of inclusion, and the importance of embracing nuance in difficult conversations.

Whether you’re passionate about linguistic diversity, progressive politics, or the healing power of music, this episode offers rich insights and emotional depth.

Stream the song: https://ffm.to/receipeforsomething

https://www.youtube.com/TheLeftistCooks⁩

https://www.svavarknutur.com00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:20 Catching Up and Personal Updates04:54 Discussing the Leftist Cook08:07 Reflections on Ageism and Society11:04 Life in Iceland and Touring Challenges13:28 Grandparenthood and Family Life14:20 Preparing for the Interview19:28 Welcoming Neil and Sarah21:02 Current Projects and Challenges24:55 Deep Dive into Feminist Texts and Sex Positivity28:14 The Core Principle of Helpfulness29:09 Navigating Epistemic Conundrums30:05 Addressing Anger and Moving Forward30:55 The Importance of Dual Perspectives33:08 Introducing the Leftist Cooks33:58 Challenging Ageism and Boomer Stereotypes37:34 The Complexity of Social Taboos45:09 Implicit Bias and Internal Struggles53:12 The Role of Art in Social Movements59:07 Redefining Happiness and Embracing Grief01:11:23 Engaging in Difficult Conversations01:14:57 Navigating Difficult Conversations01:15:50 Meeting People Where They Are01:17:21 The Importance of Diverse Voices01:18:48 The Challenge of Inclusion01:22:48 The Fragility of Human Emotions01:32:20 Cultural Genocide in Music01:35:39 The Power of Language01:40:34 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

// SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL //Newsletter, donations and download the song for €/$1 @ https://podsongs.com// LINKS //Website: https://podsongs.comPodcast episodes: https://podsongs.com/podcast-episodesSongs: https://podsongs.com/musicSpotify artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32FYyRx1y1ex3jHHAgLMC7?si=4Nv7WW85SbSPZvCsj1o7IgSpotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sN1viy82HPiNTVX2YBxpq?si=1b84c2b9bdea4656// SOCIAL //Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsongsInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsongsFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsongs

In this emotional and inspiring episode of Podsongs, host Jack Stafford brings together acclaimed author Cheryl Strayed (Tiny Beautiful Things, Wild) and beloved indie folk musician May Erlewine for a rare conversation on creativity, courage, and vulnerability.May shares how Cheryl’s deeply human writing shaped her latest album, and the two explore the connection between music and literature, emotional healing, activism through art, and navigating life as working artists and mothers.Whether you’re a fan of heartfelt storytelling, songwriting, or empowering conversations, this episode offers a profound look into the creative soul.

🎧 Stream the new song inspired by this episode: https://ffm.to/wearethesolid🔗

Learn more:https://mayerlewine.com | https://cherylstrayed.com | https://podsongs.com

SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL //Newsletter, donations and download the song for €/$1 @ https://podsongs.com// LINKS //Website: https://podsongs.comPodcast episodes: https://podsongs.com/podcast-episodesSongs: https://podsongs.com/musicSpotify artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32FYyRx1y1ex3jHHAgLMC7?si=4Nv7WW85SbSPZvCsj1o7IgSpotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sN1viy82HPiNTVX2YBxpq?si=1b84c2b9bdea4656// SOCIAL //Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsongsInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsongsFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsongs