Shows
Music & PeacebuildingTacoma Refugee Choir Part 2This second episode focuses on the Tacoma Refugee Choir and explores its mission, the philosophy of creating collaborative and shared spaces, placemaking, and a dialogue about the language of refugees and who gets to choose the language that defines the stories of who we are. Within decentered choral pedagogy, we examine notions of Empowering Song and the themes of risk and exploration within decentralized leadership. In relation to placemaking, we consider how the arts contribute to knitting together communities. Interwoven throughout this episode is a tapestry of Tacoma Refugee Choir performances and the voices of the singers reflecting on...2025-05-161h 00Music & PeacebuildingTacoma Refugee Choir Part 1This first episode explores the backgrounds of Erin Guinup and Orlando Morales, directors of the Tacoma Refugee Choir. This episode looks at histories of belonging, how we cross thesholds into belonging, and the role of the voice and choir in cultivating belonging. Exploring Erin Guinup's travels abroad, we look at how travel opens our acceptance of hospitality and gives us the life changing experience of not belonging as we lean into the generosity of others. Finally, the episode concludes with an exploration of Orlando Morales' background in theatre, what theatre and story telling does for us, and how we...2025-05-0730 min
Dynamite Divorce and other matters (DDOM)Episode 44 with Attorney Shelley Torvinen - "Some important do's and don'ts to help you succeed and avoid disaster."Minnesota Attorney Shelley Torvinen finally found us in the big city (Chicago) after a long drive to our virtual studio*. With a promise of hot chocolate and plenty of encouragement, we coaxed her from her car, walked her through our weed-strewn parking lot, and down the stairs past a creaky iron door, to a rusty office chair. We cleared away a pile of spiders and dust, gave her a seat at the table with us, and then applied our usual psychological pressure. In this Episode 44, recorded on March 12, 2025 by the light of a Coleman gas lant...2025-04-101h 06Dynamite Divorce and other matters (DDOM)Episode 43 with Carmen Quinones, an Attorney and a Guardian ad litem for childrenWe met with Attorney Carmen Quinones, from Wilmette (a suburb of Chicago.) She's fun to talk with. Parking her car in our weed-strewn parking lot and making it safely down the stairs to our drafty, underground virtual studio, Carmen brought a wealth of knowledge, kindness and good humor to our round-table discussion. She has uncounted years of experience, both as a psychology professional in Virginia and Illinois, and as an attorney for adults and children here in Chicago. In this Episode 43, recorded by flickering candlelight on October 23, 2024, with small creatures scurrying around on the floors and walls (it w...2024-11-1557 minMusic & PeacebuildingTogether Somehow pt3: Unfoldings, Thickenings, and Utopian visionsThe conclusion of this series on dancefloors, electronic dance music, and house music examines how dancefloors offer space to imagine differently. The episode looks at how the synchronous movement and entrainment of bodies propels bodies to move closer, creating a sense of “thickening” that moves toward social cohesion. We look at the importance of utopian visions to peace and reconciliation work and how these visions may be both helpful and harmful. Finally, using a case study of Bjork, we look at how dancefloors offer an unraveling and unfolding that offers space for new ways of being.The Musi...2024-08-2330 minMusic & PeacebuildingTogether Somehow pt 2: Intimacy, Belonging, and ParadoxPart two of this three-part series on dancefloors and belonging examines how we experience intimacy and a sense of vague belonging. We look at the complex conflicted feelings of our lives that introduce paradox in a queer approach to analysis that draws upon magical realism. We examine the notion of an intimate public and how our constructions and projects of a “we” inform our feelings of belonging. Finally, the episode looks at senses of vague belonging and vague intimacy that are most profoundly experienced on dancefloors. Interwoven are reflections on peacebuilding and how peacebuilders may use the arts to lubr...2024-08-0642 minMusic & PeacebuildingTogether Somehow: Place, Space, and BelongingPart one of the three-part series on Together, Somehow explores structures and politics of belonging, cultural tightness and looseness, and understandings of translocal culture. Looking specifically at nightlife and rave scene subculture, we look at how doors are managed and how individuals creates translocal bonds of belonging across different nightlife scenes. Luis Manuel Garcia-Mispireta is Associate Professor in Ethnomusicology and Popular Music Studies at the University of Birmingham. His book, Together Somehow: Music Affect, and Intimacy on the Dancefloor is published by Duke University PressThe Music & Peacebuilding Podcast is hosted by Kevin Shorner-Johnson at Elizabethtown College. J...2024-06-1531 minDynamite Divorce and other matters (DDOM)Episode 42 with Judge Mark Lopez, retiredIn this Episode 42 - recorded on May 8th, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin host retired Judge Mark Lopez, formerly of the Cook County (IL) Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division. In this wide-ranging discussion, Judge Lopez shares some insights and perspectives from his 22 years on the bench. Some topics are:Should you be scared to appear in Court?How are judges chosen in Cook County?What does a judge look at when deciding cases?Can you take off your shirt in Zoom court? (No.)Does it help to be loud and boisterous in Court?What is a 'pretrial?'When can you...2024-05-131h 02Music & PeacebuildingWorld Music Drumming Legacies and VisionsWorld Music Drumming offers opportunities for teachers to enrich general music curricula through ensemble-centered explorations of diverse musics. This episode with Patty Bourne, director of World Music drumming, explores the legacy of Will Schmid, impacts on teachers, expansions of musical visions, and the future of this curricula. Alongside the voices of Lynn Brinckmeyer, Michael Checco, Fabian Galli, Melissa Blum, and Tereasa Evans, we look at the lasting impact of Will Schmid’s vision for music education. With Patty Bourne, we open up conversations about how encounters with Afro-centric music-making expand our understandings of music and music literacy. We also lo...2024-04-0644 minDynamite Divorce and other matters (DDOM)Episode 41 with Attorney Igor Bozic - "Juvenile Court - a former prosecutor explains"In this Episode 41 - recorded on January 19, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin sit down with former prosecutor ('Assistant State's Attorney') Igor Bozic to talk about Juvenile Court -- and the RISKS that parents face in not maintaining a calm, steady atmosphere around their children at home.How does the Illinois child-protection agency (DCFS) begin focusing on you and your family? Screaming, yelling, throwing things in the house. Being overheard by neighbors. Having your kids witness arguments between the adults. Teachers, social workers, counselors as 'mandated reporters' to DCFS. Police and their duty to contact DC...2024-01-3051 minMusic & PeacebuildingDignity, Kindness, and Social IdentityThis interview with Dr. Mica Estrada explores her work in researching belonging, social identity, and kindness. Beginning with an exploration of impostor phenomena, we first explore stories about Donna Hicks’s direct experience at being affirmed and welcomed. Returning to Estrada’s research, we examine the impact of Dr. Kellman and the development of a social integration model of self-efficacy, identity, and values. This model has been used to explore the experiences of minoritized students in STEM fields and community responses to climate change. The episode closes with examinations of belonging and stereotype threat and the power of kindness and...2024-01-2050 minMusic & PeacebuildingDignity and Self Expansion with Dr. Donna HicksThis is the first in a two-part series on dignity, belonging, awe, humility, kindness, and identity. In this first episode, we spend time with Dr. Donna Hicks to discuss the magic of dignity language, a South African heritage of Mandela Consciousness and Ubuntu, and expansions of the self through pathways of humility, vulnerability, and awe. The Music & Peacebuilding Podcast is hosted by Kevin Shorner-Johnson at Elizabethtown College. Join our professional development network at www.musicpeacebuilding.com - thinking deeply we reclaim space for connection and care. 2023-12-1654 min