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Last installment of the Betty Byrd histories. This one on death and dying. Also, goodbye from the avocados and the rest of the plant family. This will be the last episode (perhaps ever, perhaps just for an extended break). Do you have a story about your experience with death that you would like to share? @svspivey

Part three of my Aunt Betty's stories. These are from college. Happy plants!

Second in a series from conversation with my great aunt, Betty Byrd. Other primary voice is my mother Cindy Spivey's. Stories about the BFFs Verna and Malcom from back in the day. Sooooo many plants! Name one! @svspivey

Part of a miniseries of stories from my great aunt, Betty Byrd. This installment is about her childhood and growing up during WWII as the daughter of a school teacher and a principle in small towns from Tennessee to Florida. Two new tulips and a porch garden!

A few readings that have been banging around in that crowded cupboard cranium o' mine. The Plants have been rearranged and the poinsettias have names! [Think Broadway and founding fathers] Here's a list with links to follow after you have listened: Padraig O Tuama: http://padraigotuama.com/ http://www.onbeing.org/programs/padraig-o-tuama-belonging-creates-and-undoes-us-both/   Sanctuary: http://www.sanctuarynotdeportation.org/   Dr. Carlo Rovelli http://www.onbeing.org/programs/carlo-rovelli-all-reality-is-interaction/    

 My lovely mother shares a few of her stories while the two of us eat absurd amounts of popcorn. Also happy new plantchild!

I marched to the capitol in the capital city of Iowa (grammar!) on #daywithoutimmigrants. It was/is 70 degrees in February (climate!?) #science. The Plants are doing fine (happiness!) #plantparenthood. Here is a link to the Baldwin + Mead article I reference: https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/03/26/margaret-mead-james-baldwin-a-rap-on-race-2/

Food is magic, plants are magic, communities are beautiful, and there is still hope in this world. Also, Michael Pollan is pretty cool. @svspivey  

Iowa is currently trying to rip a huge chunk of funding away from the arts (HF118). Hence lots of local art blackouts, hence this episode, hence a windowfull of sad plants (who are also grieving about literally all of politics right now). But for you lovely non-Iowans, and people listening past the 2017 legislative session (!?), why pay attention? Whilst laws and monies are in no way ultimate determinants of value, they influence/inhibit access to and creation of various cultural elements. Like the arts. Which, as CS Lewis points out, is one of the things, like philosophy and friendship, that gives value to existing. And if Qoheleth's insight into the lack of newness under the sun applies to American civic life, then chances are HF 118 has some nasty second cousins roaming through your time and space as well. Go find them.

Sounds from the Des Moines, Iowa Women's March this January 2017. Protest chants and demonstration signage galore. Also, Krista Tippett and Frances Kissling join vicariously for a few reflections on being "pro-woman", "pro-life", or "pro-choice". In other news, a new plantchild! Follow my sporadic tweeting @svspivey

Met a guy on a plane, turns out he's on the up and up in the world of nearly-pro paintball. And he was gracious enough to let me record him. A lovely little air plant and pair of poinsettias have joined the plant family. note: (paintball)gun noises abound. twitters me @svspivey  

An older piece I did. Breathing. Minimalism. Apologies on long publishing delays (avocadopologies?) More flamingo friends, and the trees now boast holiday ornaments. Follow me on twitter @svspivey

Three things from my head (Krista Tippett, Milan Kundera, St. Francis of Assisi) juxtaposed with inspiration from Eisenstein's idea of Montage and posing the question of what it means to be a creative person/artist/storyteller in this post election era of public and political life. Also, the avocados now have shiny pink flowerpot buddies. Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans.

Lament for what it means to be human // especially in America // right now. So sad thinking about Trump, being white, whiteness, this election, mourning, the president elect, 2016, privilege, politics, evangelicals, religion, parties, the GOP, liberals, conservatives, campaigns, love, relationships, fear. All has condensed into this response // please grieve with me.

Join the Avocados for a drift over to the Badlands! Encounter existential dread! Mordor! Bison! The Gates of Hell! Torrential Rain! Candy corn! Subscribe and rate and review and tell your friends. Woo. Follow on Twitter @svspivey

Featuring collaborative work from myself and fellow Des Moines artist Paige Kleckner. Interrogating the "Male Gaze", the "Female Gaze", gender binaries, and the magical essence of trees. "Color and Sound" by Paige Kleckner and Spivey Knapik originally shown in the October 2016 DSM Girl Gang collaboration show "The Female Gaze". Full video with visuals can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWk066vgdfE

Welcome to Audiocado! Meet your host, hear the story of how she and her avocado friends met, and hear more on what Audiocado is about (re: experimentation and storytelling). Featured on this episode is a short documentary entry in the 2016 KCRW Radio Race titled "Goodbye Avocados, We've got to Grotto".