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carla bergman, co-author, with Nick Montgomery, of Joyful Militancy, joins us for this episode. We dive into the writing process of this inspiring, must-read book, as well as how we resist our own radically rigid tendencies, why joy and melancholy often skip hand-in-hand, and why we should let the youth lead us. We hope you leave this convo with a full cup since we certainly did! Afterward, Joy and Sarah talk about revolution as a way of being and how to break out of our self-imposed cages. We’re taking a vacation break but will be back with more Folkery in July! Thanks for putting up with all our puns and made-up words for a whole year (wow!!), we love you! JOYFUL MILITANCY https://joyfulmilitancy.com/ FOLLOW CARLA http://joyfulthreadsproductions.com/ @ joyfulcarla on the socials FEATURED MUSIC: “I’ve Always Loved the Monsters” by Time, Maudlin Magpie & A Thousand Vows, and “Love Yourself” by Joy Damiani (released under Emily Yates), courtesy of the artists. CHECK OUT OUR FEATURED ARTISTS https://thisistime.bandcamp.com/album/nighthawks-at-mccoys http://joydamiani.com/

Why do all the research and rhetoric around drug use focus on the small percentage of problematic users, leaving the vast majority of drug users out of the conversation? Why are we so shitty at talking about pleasure in America? Why don’t more people take their cats camping? Dr. Ingrid Walker is here to help us tackle these questions, as we explore drugs, pleasure, trauma, menopause, and bad portrayals of getting high in popular culture. After the interview, Joy and Sarah talk about sex for a hot minute. Note: We would like to apologize to rock n roll for its exclusion from this episode. FOLLOW INGRID https://ingridkwalker.com/ Ingrid’s Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p4zw4_qgUw High: Drugs, Desire, and a Nation of Users https://bookshop.org/books/high-drugs-desire-and-a-nation-of-users/9780295742328 FEATURED MUSIC: “Dreaming Awake” and “The Waking World” by Lola Darling, and “miseraine” by Lauren Flynn, courtesy of the artists. LOLA DARLING https://lolajeandarling.bandcamp.com/album/dream-queen https://www.instagram.com/lolajeandoesart/?hl=en LAUREN FLYNN https://www.laurenflynnwastaken.com/ https://laurenflynn.bandcamp.com/album/outside-one-girl

Tarot! Cats! Comedy! Material vs cultural approaches to politics! Horror stories of the weirdest Warren stans! This conversation with the fabulous Kate Willett has it all. High witch vibes all around. Afterward, Sarah and Joy touch on Terence McKenna, white feminism, Palestine, and BDSM as they go down the leftist stoner chick rabbit holes you’ve come to know and love from this podcast. FOLLOW KATE https://katewillett.com/ Kate’s article referenced in the interview https://www.elle.com/life-love/a30551979/bernie-sanders-medicare-for-all/

Our guest on this episode is the well-traveled, well-spoken, and unapologetically outspoken musician Mark Rubin. From co-founding the influential Americana trickster band The Bad Livers to being a leader in the contemporary klezmer scene, Mark’s storied career strands weave together perfectly in this latest release, The Triumph of Assimilation. We talk about the new album, his experiences as a Southern Jew, the intersectional fascism reboot, cultural appropriation do-nots, and Yiddish songwriter/poet Mordechai Gebirtig. Featured music is “It’s Burning,” “A Day of Revenge“,”Royal Street Shuffle” and, just in time for Revenge of the 5th, “The Dark Side Has Doughnuts,” by Mark Rubin, courtesy of the artist. FOLLOW MARK AND PRE-ORDER HIS NEW ALBUM https://www.jewofoklahoma.com/ LEARN MORE ABOUT MORDECHAI GEBIRTIG At Home with Mordechai Gebirtig https://ingeveb.org/texts-and-translations/at-home-with-mordecai-gebirtig "Our Town is Burning" and "A Beam of Sunlight" https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/language-literature-culture/yiddish-translation/our-town-burning-and-beam-sunlight Mordechai Gebirtig Memorial (link is to English translated page from original Polish) https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&u=https://mordechaj-gebirtig.pl/&prev=search&pto=aue Wiki Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordechai_Gebirtig P.S. SARAH AND JOY WERE REMEMBERING THAT THING ABOUT THE COLOR BLUE CORRECTLY! https://www.iflscience.com/brain/when-did-humans-start-see-color-blue/

We’re back to the folking interviews with this joyful frolic featuring Katy Frame and Marie Cecile Anderson, aka musical comedy duo Reformed Whores! We talk about our respective pandemic life changes, how to lean into fear, visions for a future artistic utopia, and the intensely triggering power of poop. Afterwards, Sarah and Joy reflect further on more metaphorical shit, such as cyclical time and Sarah’s recent conscious uncoupling with her long-term partner. Featured music is “Girls Poop Too,” “Birth Control,” and “Drunk Dial” by Reformed Whores, courtesy of the artist. https://www.reformedwhores.com/

Part deux of our monster M*A*S*H-athon conversation starts by tackling gender issues in the show and ends up with an imagined future for Hawkeye that involves hanging out with Timothy Leary and becoming an anti-war activist. In between, we cover sexism in the military, Freudian psychology, and nerd out about the show’s groundbreaking use of creative narrative devices. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of anti-imperialism chat too! Music for this episode is covers of “Suicide is Painless” (Johnny Mandel/Michael Altman) and “You’re the Enemy” by Emily Yates (available for stream/download at https://warriorsongs.org/track/1564039/you-re-the-enemy) READING RECS Korean Americans urge Biden to officially end the 70-year Korean War https://www.nknews.org/2021/03/korean-americans-urge-biden-to-officially-end-the-70-year-korean-war M*A*S*H' Finale, 35 Years Later: Untold Stories of One of TV's Most Important Shows https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/mash-oral-history-untold-stories-one-tvs-important-shows-1086322 30 Surprising Facts About ‘M*A*S*H https://www.history101.com/30-surprising-facts-about-mash/ Why the Real Hawkeye Pierce Hates M*A*S*H https://www.history.com/news/why-the-real-life-hawkeye-pierce-hated-mash Color Photos from Actual M*A*S*H Units https://www.considerable.com/entertainment/retronaut/the-real-mash/ Korean War History Site https://koreanwarlegacy.org/chapters/ Uncovering the Hidden History of the Korean War (Jacobin) https://jacobinmag.com/2020/06/korean-war-seventieth-anniversary-north-korea-south The Korean War: Forgotten, Unknown and Unfinished (Truthout) https://truthout.org/articles/the-korean-war-forgotten-unknown-and-unfinished/

Attention all personnel, we’re doing something a little different for the next two episodes. In early January, Sarah was sucked into the antiwar brilliance of ‘70s T.V. comedy M*A*S*H -- and inspired Joy to come along for the binge-watching ride. Fresh off being emotionally devastated by the famous final episode, Sarah and Joy sit down to tackle the big questions: How, in the ever-living fuck, was this unapologetically anti-imperialist show so insanely popular in America? And why, in 2021, are we STILL not heeding its overtly anti-war message? This conversation also provides insight into Joy’s deployment experience and (potentially) illuminates some of Sarah’s questionable decisions. Stay tuned for part two next week! Featuring covers of “Suicide is Painless” (Johnny Mandel/Michael Altman) and “I Bombed Korea” (Cake) performed by Joy Damiani. READING RECS Korean Americans urge Biden to officially end the 70-year Korean War https://www.nknews.org/2021/03/korean-americans-urge-biden-to-officially-end-the-70-year-korean-war M*A*S*H' Finale, 35 Years Later: Untold Stories of One of TV's Most Important Shows https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/mash-oral-history-untold-stories-one-tvs-important-shows-1086322 30 Surprising Facts About ‘M*A*S*H https://www.history101.com/30-surprising-facts-about-mash/ Why the Real Hawkeye Pierce Hates M*A*S*H https://www.history.com/news/why-the-real-life-hawkeye-pierce-hated-mash Color Photos from Actual M*A*S*H Units https://www.considerable.com/entertainment/retronaut/the-real-mash/ Korean War History Site https://koreanwarlegacy.org/chapters/ Uncovering the Hidden History of the Korean War (Jacobin) https://jacobinmag.com/2020/06/korean-war-seventieth-anniversary-north-korea-south The Korean War: Forgotten, Unknown and Unfinished (Truthout) https://truthout.org/articles/the-korean-war-forgotten-unknown-and-unfinished/

The endearingly profane anti-folk pioneer and artistic rabble-rouser Ed Hamell, aka Hamell on Trial, joins us for this one, and helps us make a large announcement that we’re excited to share with you! We were able to squeeze in almost two hours of his tour stories (featuring the likes of fellow anti-folk legends Ani DiFranco and Kimya Dawson), shared Syracuse roots, and good-natured political debate, so settle in and get ready to spend some quality time with this truly wholesome anti-folkery. Later in the show, we get into WTF is anti-folk, anyway, and note the looming 18th anniversary of the Iraq War. Featured songs are “Values,” “Social Distancing,” and “Gonna” by Hamell on Trial, courtesy of the artist. Follow Hamell On Trial: https://www.hamellontrial.org/home Instagram (for Hamell’s art): @hamelltv

We’re joined by Carla Gover, a musician, dancer and activist whose work is informed by her deep Appalachian roots. We talk about breaking regional stereotypes, building connections across different communities, the wealth extraction that underlies Eastern Kentucky’s problems, and the importance of learning “granny skills,” especially during the pandemic. Afterwards, Sarah and the artist-soon-to-be-formerly-known as Emily discuss liberal snobbery towards the South, the Texas freeze, and get a preview of one of your What the Folk hosts' new moniker! We also give a shout out to our What the Folk Fam, as we have now officially dubbed thee, our lovely listeners. Featured music is “I'm a Snowflake” and “Dangerous Women” by Carla Gover, courtesy of the artists Follow Carla https://carlagover.com/home TEXAS MUTUAL AID DIRECTORY https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rdMnbzYxfXFrG1DefGqN3R1zu_lan2fml2bEYRpMcRQ/edit?fbclid=IwAR3xlYn52Aqfe2VsKYWOIi7x7fzaNzWEhB_QzYHxE_N1in6EzTTgSL4kxNk

We are joined this week by SLC-based musician Talia Keys and her partner Melahn Atkinson. Besides offering a whole host of amazing livestream events in these strange times, Talia and Melahn have also been working with the houseless community in Salt Lake City. This interview covers a lot of ground: showing up for ALL your neighbors, being an out-and-proud radical in Utah, running Rock Camp SLC during the pandemic, and giving so few fucks you incur the wrath of bigots. Afterwards, Sarah and Emily read an update from Talia about the destruction of Camp Last Hope and talk about how our system conspires to keep folks houseless. Featured music is “We’re Here” and “Guns Out” by Talia Keys & The Love, courtesy of the artists FOLLOW TALIA https://taliakeys.com/ SUPPORT CAMP LAST HOPE *Venmo: @ blacklivesforhumanitymovement *FB: https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesforHumanityMovement SARAH INSTA ACCOUNT RECS *All My Homies Hate Michael Hancock @ allmyhomeshatemichaelhancok *Denver WOM @ wallofmomden *Sacramento Homeless Union @ sacramento.homeless.union

We’re kicking off the first week in February with an extra What the Folk Wednesday drop! We sat with the newest poet laureate of San Francisco, Tongo Eisen-Martin, to talk about poetry as a tool for radicalization, the gentrification of American cities, how the current political moment we’re in is a rerun and how to reclaim our consciousness from the inherent violence of the colonial project. Afterwards, Emily and Sarah ruminate on what the folk they learned from this incredibly thought-provoking interview. All featured poetry by Tongo Eisen-Martin, courtesy of the artist. Follow Tongo on Twitter and Instagram: @ _Tongogara_

Comedian Ron Placone joins us for this joint! We talk about Ron’s journey into stand-up comedy, digital rights issues, pushing back against the current of corporate media, and, of course, cats cats cats. Lightening the collective mood while taking on the heavy stuff is the vibe here. Afterwards, Emily and Sarah talk about the first feels around the Biden administration, Democrats Democrating and bad neolib “feminist” readings of Bernie memes. FOLLOW RON https://www.ronplacone.com/ GET INVOLVED https://peoplesparty.org/ https://www.fightforthefuture.org/ Featured music is “Love Me I’m a Liberal” and “Bezos is Surveilling Your Town” by Ron Placone, and “I Miss You” by Emily Yates, courtesy of the artists. Ron Placone is a comedian. He appears regularly on The Jimmy Dore Show and has been seen on CrossTalk, TMZ, FreeSpeechTV, The Young Turks, Redacted Tonight and more. His debut album, “Agnostic Holiday” is in rotation on SiriusXM. He hosts the YouTube show/podcast, Get Your News On With Ron.

In the last days of 2020, we got up early, brewed some coffee, and sat down (er, Zoomed) with Maya Azucena, singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador, who has been riding out the pandemic in Turkey. Maya’s inspiring, infectious -- and highly danceable -- music has taken her on a worldwide outreach journey, and we hope you enjoy coming along for the ride as much as we did. We talk about the power of personal storytelling to connect across differences, how to have a global artistic career, and what it really means to be fearless. Afterwards, you can hear Emily and Sarah discuss their respective hair journeys and then switch to the much lighter topic of the riot at the Capital. If you feel the analysis of last Wednesday’s events has lacked certain insights, as well as fashion critique and a (hopefully mostly accurate) summary of what happened at Jonestown as it relates to the ongoing Q phenomenon (and cults in general), have we got the commentary for you. FOLLOW MAYA http://mayaazucena.com/ Featured music is “Fearless,” “You Matter” and “Prettiest” by Maya Azucena, courtesy of the artist. GUEST BIO Maya Azucena, a magnetically inspirational woman, is known for making music that uplifts the soul. Among several awards for her music and humanitarian outreach, Azucena garnered a Grammy Certificate for contributing her 4-octave range and soul-stylings to a feature performance with Stephen Marley on Best Reggae Album of the Year, “Mind Control.” Critically acclaimed, Brooklyn-native Maya is an avid independent touring artist and songwriter performing globally. Recent concerts include a 17-country tour of Europe in February 2019; Java Jazz Fest (Indonesia), CapeTown Jazz Fest (South Africa), Port Au Prince International Jazz Fest (Haiti), Rio Das Ostras Blues & Jazz Fest (Brazil), Moscow International House of Music (Russia), Pula Arena (Croatia), Delhi International Arts Festival (India), Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), Blue Note Hawaii, Blue Note New York, and Essence Fest in New Orleans alongside the likes of Beyonce, Jill Scott and Maxwell. For the last 3 summers, Azucena has done concert residencies at Bodrum Marina Yacht Club in Turkey, as well as luxury resorts including Lujo Hotel, Regnum Carya Golf Club, and Six Sense Kaplankaya. Maya performed an exclusive concert with her Turkish orchestra, singing her original songs arranged for Çukurova State Symphony of Adana. She was also included in Istanbul’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, performing her song “Fearless” for the finale of Çigdem Akin’s runway show. Maya collaborates extensively on stage and recordings with both national and international stars. Her collaborations have included Marcus Miller, Brass Against, Jason Miles, DJ Spinna, DJ Logic, Fitz and the Tantrums, Vernon Reid, and Bob Sinclair. Maya is well known for her humanitarian outlook and projects around The Globe which include special focus on Women’s & Youth Empowerment and Domestic/Sexual Violence. Based on a personal commitment to help the world through her talent, most of Maya’s songs are anthems that lend a voice to self-worth, empowerment, overcoming obstacles, and stepping into our “fearless” selves

We deep dive with Dr. Serena Chopra, a multitalented and multifaceted teacher and artist. Join us for a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation about the different approaches to time, what we mean when we describe something as “queer,” turning our personal trauma into collective defense, and the role of mysticism in creating what comes next. It’s not just about examining the structures we live in, we also have to turn those structures on their heads to approach them differently. We hope you leave this conversation with the same sky-eyed perspective we did. Afterwards, Sarah is all jazzed up on Aquarius vibes and Emily talks about energy, because we’re both kind of hippies. Featured poem is “Seduction After the Great Plains” by Dr. Serena Chopra. Featured music is “Love Yourself” and “The Only Point” by our own Emily Yates - a preview of her about-to-drop new album, Notes to Self and Others. All tracks appear courtesy of the artists. GUEST BIO Dr. Serena Chopra https://www.serenachopra.com/ Dr. Serena Chopra is a teacher, writer, dancer, filmmaker, soundscape designer and a visual and performance artist. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Denver, an MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder and was a Kundiman Fellow, a 2011-2013 Redline artist in Residence, a 2016-2017 Fulbright Scholar (Bangalore, India), and received a month-long artist residency at Understudy Denver for September 2020. She has two books, This Human (Coconut Books 2013) and Ic (Horse Less Press 2017), as well as two films, Dogana/Chapti (2018, winner of ArtHyve’s Archives as Muse Film grant, Official Selection at Frameline43, Oregon Documentary Film Festival, Seattle Queer Film Festival, Nahia Film Festival and Cinema Diverse) and Mother Ghosting (2018). She is an 8-year company member with Evolving Doors Dance and was recently a featured artist in Harper’s Bazaar (India) as well as in the Denver Westword’s “100 Colorado Creatives.” She has recent publications in Foglifter, Sink and Matters of Feminist Practice (Belladonna). Serena is Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Seattle University. EMILY DICKINSON POEM READ IN EPISODE “The Brain is Wider Than the Sky” https://www.bartleby.com/113/1126.html BOOKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE Cruising Utopia: The Then and There of Queer Futurity by José Esteban Muñoz https://bookshop.org/books/cruising-utopia-the-then-and-there-of-queer-futurity/9781479874569 The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black Study by Stefano Harney & Fred Moten https://bookshop.org/books/the-undercommons-fugitive-planning-black-study/9781570272677 A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia by Gilles Deleuze https://bookshop.org/books/a-thousand-plateaus-capitalism-and-schizophrenia/9780816614028 Queer Phenomenology: Orientations, Objects, Others by Sarah Ahmed https://bookshop.org/books/queer-phenomenology-orientations-objects-others-9780822339144/9780822339144 Les Guerilleres by Monique Wittig https://bookshop.org/books/les-guerilleres/9780252074820 The Portable Kristeva by Julia Kristeva https://bookshop.org/books/the-portable-kristeva/9780231126298 Occasional Work and Seven Walks from the Office for Soft Architecture by Lisa Robertson https://bookshop.org/books/occasional-work-and-seven-walks-from-the-office-for-soft-architecture-third-edition-revised/9781552452325 Your Healing Is Killing Me by Virginia Grise https://bookshop.org/books/your-healing-is-killing-me/9780991418398 Ideal Suggestions: Essays in Divinatory Poetics by Selah Saterstrom https://bookshop.org/books/ideal-suggestions-essays-in-divinatory-poetics/9780996922913

Happy episode 15 of What the Folk! In this episode we are joined by historian, writer and educator, Dr. Matthew Heidtmann. We talk about the importance of teaching history, making academia accessible to a wider audience, and all those great myths of imperialism and exceptionalism that we swim in as Americans. History may not repeat, but it definitely rhymes. Then afterwards, Emily and Sarah talk about pandemic politics and gendered culture...but also about Finding Nemo and small town Colorado restaurant drama. Featured music is “Foreign Policy Folk Song” by our own Emily Yates. Matthew Heidtmann is an historian, educator, writer, and union organizer. He got his PhD in History from Stony Brook University, and he is currently an Adjunct Professor of History at Suffolk County Community College, in Long Island, NY. His research focuses on American progressivism, conservatism, and capitalism during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. He occasionally writes about topics relating to history, politics, and political culture, and his writing has appeared in ROAR Magazine, Truthout, and even in The Washington Post. You can follow Dr. Heidtmann at https://matthewheidtmann.com/ Twitter: @ East_Coast_Matt

The lovely and hilarious Baruch Porras-Hernadez is in the house with big sparkly Aquarius energy. We talk about his journey from actor to performance poet and comedian, healing familial toxic masculinity, and how to joyfully make a living as an artist. We also get some pointers on Zoom theater as we hear about how he staged his solo show, “Love in the Time of Piñatas,” in his bedroom. And there’s a special sneak peak at the team of Queer Latinx superheroes that will be coming soon to save the world! And if that’s not enough excitement and intrigue for you, stick around for Sarah and Emily’s thoughts on pandemic braining and how, er, hopeful (?) they are now that good ole Uncle Joe is for realsies the prez. KEEP UP with BARUCH https://baruchporrashernandez.wordpress.com/ Twitter: @ baruchisonfire Instagram: baruchporrashernandez Featured poems are “The Trees, They Hate the Birds the Most” and “Oh the Places You Will Go, Fearing for Your Life, While People Do Drugs” by Baruch Porras-Hernadez, courtesy of the artist. GUEST BIO Baruch Porras-Hernandez is a writer, performer, organizer, professional MC/Host, curator, stand up comedian, and the author of the chapbooks “I Miss You, Delicate” and “Lovers of the Deep Fried Circle” both with Sibling Rivalry Press. He had the honor of touring with the legendary Sister Spit Queer poetry tour in 2019, is a is a two-time winner of Literary Death Match, a regular host of literary shows for KQED, and was named a Writer to Watch in 2016 by 7×7 Magazine. His poetry can be found with Write Bloody Publishing, The Tusk, Foglifter, Assaracus and many more. He has been an artist in residence at The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, a Lambda Literary Fellow in Poetry, and Playwriting. He’s been featured in shows with The Rumpus, Writers with Drinks, has performed several times with Radar Productions, LitQuake, and Quiet Lightning. His solo show “Love in the Time of Piñatas” got a clapping man from the SF Chronicle and was performed to sold-out houses at Epic Party Theatre in December of 2019. He is the head organizer of ¿Donde Esta Mi Gente? a Latinx literary performance series, he is an immigrant originally from Mexico, and is currently the lead artist in a multidisciplinary project that will create new Queer Latino Superheroes with MACLA, which stands for Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana in San Jose. He lives in San Francisco.

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Tracy Ferrell from CU Boulder. We discuss the challenges and opportunities around labor organizing in academia, the campus experience under Covid, and her research around immigration and medical marijuana patients. We also talk about the power of stories to inspire empathy and break down borders. After the interview, Emily envisions a self-sustaining system and Sarah attempts to quote Ram Dass and Jason Molina with questionable accuracy. Oh yeah, and I guess there was an election or something? Soooo we hope you enjoy profanity. UNITED CAMPUS WORKERS COLORADO https://www.ucwcolorado.org/ DR. FERRELL’S BOOK https://toplightbooks.com/product/migrating-for-medical-marijuana/ Featured songs are “Bastille” and “Riverboat” by The Red Tack, and "The System Isn't Broken" by our own Emily Yates, courtesy of the artists. CHECK OUT THE RED TACK https://www.facebook.com/TedTheRedTack/ GUEST BIO: Tracy Ferrell, Ph.D., is on the faculty of the program for writing and rhetoric at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her research and teaching interests include Latin American literature and culture, Mexico and U.S. border issues, immigration, and drug policy/the drug war. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Happy (?) day after election day! We recorded this episode in October, so we made some bad predictions with our guest, musician Melody Walker, mostly involving aliens. We also talk about Front Country’s fantastic new album, Impossible World, which is out now for your ears’ enjoyment. But that’s just for starters in this lively and insightful discussion, which includes performative class and inclusion in country music, the potential futures of the music industry in a post-Covid world, self-accountability, and a pitch for a Christopher Guest-style comedy about paranoid militias. Good vibes all around! Featured songs are “Amerikan Dream” and “Broken Record” by Front Country, courtesy of the artist. CHECK OUT MELODY AND FRONT COUNTRY’S MUSIC! https://www.melodywalker.com/ https://www.frontcountryband.com/ GUEST BIO: “‘Lead singer and songwriter for progressive bluegrass band Front Country, Melody Walker is an outspoken force in bluegrass. She routinely calls out the sexism, racism and injustice she sees in the world, a difficult thing to do in an industry still run by many conservative elements.’ - Paste Magazine Melody is originally from Northern California and now lives in Nashville.

***AUDIO NOTE: There was an issue with Sarah’s track, sorry for the fuzz!*** CONTENT WARNING: DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT We’re joined by Alex Scott, a 7th generation Oklahoman, a former public school teacher, an active community organizer, and candidate for Oklahoma State Senate. In 2018, she became the youngest member to ever serve on the Norman, OK City Council, ousting a well-funded incumbent on a shoestring budget and grassroots power. We discuss the importance of getting involved locally, the terrifying pushback she has received for her actions, and how she got ripped off a flagpole at a certain Tulsa rally for someone who shall remain unnamed (see episode 1A for more on that). Follow Alex on Twitter: @ RealAlexScott Then afterwards Emily and Sarah discuss their husky, wildfire smoke soaked voices, riff more on the idea of local action, and Sarah uses the word “magic” a whole bunch. Featured music is "When the Zombies Come” by our own Emily Yates. GET INVOLVED: Donate to Alex and follow her campaign: https://www.scott4okstatesenate.com/ GUEST BIO Alex is a 7th generation Oklahoman, a former public school teacher, and an active community organizer. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Classical Studies and a Master's of Public Administration. She began her career teaching Latin at Moore Public Schools, where she realized how our state severely under funds not only our education system, but also our public services as a whole. Her frustration inspired her to get involved with the Oklahoma Education Association. Scott was trained at the NEA's annual leadership summit to be an advocate and activist for educational policy changes, and applied her training through canvassing, conducting listening tours, and lobbying legislators. While she was financially unable to continue teaching, Alex continued serving her community as the CD4 Chair for the Oklahoma Democratic Party. In 2018, she became the youngest Norman City Council member to ever serve, ousting a well-funded incumbent on a shoestring budget and grassroots power. Serving on the council equipped her with sound budgeting practices and a passion for helping her community. Scott witnessed firsthand our state's tendency to preempt municipal legislation and strip them of their authority, and believes this practice must be stopped. She is ready to Change the Oklahoma Standard by restoring balance back to our budget and back to our people.

Happy Episode 10 of What the Folk! We’re joined by the fabulous and multi-talented Lola Darling for a conversation about how art can heal and how to live your life as an act of resistance. We also get a preview of her new musical oracle project! From Lola’s struggle to claim her own identity to Covid on the reservations, from Kerrville Folk Festival to Mardi Gras, this episode is an emotionally honest and eye-opening journey. Featured music is "Breath," "Nothing," and "Daughter" by Lola Darling, courtesy of the artist. Episode Image credit: Amy Jo Wisehart https://www.amyjowisehart.com/ SUPPORT LOLA’S NEWLY LAUNCHED PATREON: www.patreon.com/LolaArts LOLA’S MUSIC: https://www.bandlab.com/lolaohoyochitto https://greatbiglilloladarling.bandcamp.com/releases GUEST BIO Lola Darling is an indigenous woman (Chahta-Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) from the Pearl River Reservation. She currently lives in Bulbancha (New Orleans, LA) creating art in different mediums.