Alison Young, the blissful hiker, seeks out the natural world for healing and finds beauty in thriving one magnificent trail at a time. Katie Dahl shares songs that are “terrifyingly personal” and learns that there is unexpected communion in acceptance.  Mary Shaffer searches for a spark of joy at a craft fair and discovers a life-changing truth spoken by her ancestors. Dae appreciates her grandmother for the gift of the soothing sounds of cooking. Silvia is grateful for the pain that has shaped who she is today. Sue realizes that a blanket of protection for her garden beds is more than just a metaphor for her life.  And Zippy makes a commitment to sobriety and brings us a powerful new song celebrating the joys that flower into something brave and beautiful.

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #37 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Dae Yang, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske and Sue Scott
• Written by Dae, Silvia, Zippy and Sue
• Special Guest is Alison Young
• Musical guest is Katie Dahl
• Guest Storyteller is Mary Shaffer
• Original songs “Since I Was Eight” “Sacristy” and “The Northeast Corner” music & lyrics by Katie Dahl.
• Original song “Unexpected Joy” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Live show volunteers Susanne Egli & Carolyn Denton
• Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell

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Special guest, Mary Kunesh, the first Indigenous woman elected to the MN Senate, shares the personal side of her life that has informed her tireless efforts to make change. Musical guest Jaspar Lepak honors a childhood friend, wishes she had grown up with rock music and celebrates how strong she felt after giving birth. Shanan Custer’s discovery that she is a relation to General George, brings her mother’s Indigenous identity full circle. Dae Yang knows her infant child will follow her dreams with a big bright heart. Silvia Pontaza wants to be as happy as her father-in-law. Zippy Laske wonders in a new song if possibilities can take flight. And Sue Scott sees so much strength in an all-female city council, a 27-year-old Somali mayor named Nadia and the equality of the ERA.  

UPDATE: Jaspar Lepak and I wrote and performed “The Ballad of ERA” which can be heard in this show. Since we recorded the show in December the wording of the MN ERA bill has been rewritten to include: “…pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive freedom.” The bill is making its way through the legislative session right now!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #36 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Shanan Custer, Dae Yang, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske and Sue Scott
• Written by Shanan, Dae, Silvia, Zippy and Sue
• Special Guest is Mary Kunesh
• Musical guest is Jaspar Lepak
• Original songs “Queens of the Desert Sun,” “Why Should the Devil Get All the Good Tunes” and “So Strong” music & lyrics by Jaspar Lepak.
• Original song “Taking Flight” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Original song “The Ballad of the ERA” music by Jaspar Lepak, lyrics by Sue Scott & Jaspar Lepak
• Opening excerpt: “Release and Be Free” music and lyrics by Kelley Hunt 
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Marsha Busson
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Production Assistance by Kate Sandvik
• Photos by Kathy Tauer
• Live show volunteer Carolyn Denton
• Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell

The post Ep. 36 So Strong – LIVE – with guests Mary Kunesh & Jaspar Lepak! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest Pat Miles learned a lot about what hadn’t been addressed after the sudden death of her husband. To help others avoid the same challenges, she shares her discoveries in her new book. We are standing up for women who are standing up with help from blues woman Kelley Hunt. Plus, Kelley sings about the light she sees in the future. AND with actor Dana Lee Thompson and a beautiful new song by Zippy Laske, we pay tribute to the stunning spoken word artist Brittany Delaney who left us way too soon.  

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #35 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Dana Lee Thompson, Sue Scott & Zippy Laske
• Written by Sue & Zippy
• Special Guest is Pat Miles
• Pat’s book: Before All is Said and Done, Practical Advice on Living and Dying Well.
• Musical guest is Kelley Hunt
• Original songs “Stand Up, Stand on the Side of Love,” and “Release and Be Free,” music & lyrics by Kelley Hunt.
• “Bright Lights” music by Kelley Hunt, lyrics by Kelley Hunt and Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg
• Original song “Good as Gold,” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Excerpts of spoken word poems performed by Dana Lee Thompson, were written by Brittany Delaney for IODW. Brittany can be heard performing the full poems in Episode 26, Episode 28 and Episode 32.
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Live show volunteers Susanne Egli and Carolyn Denton
• Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell

The post Ep. 35 Cycle of Life – LIVE – with guests Pat Miles & Kelley Hunt! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

It’s our “thunderous” August show under the tent! Special guest and musician Gaelynn Lea shares her journey from Tiny Desk Contest to Macbeth on Broadway and advocates for embracing accessibility culture. Lorna Landvik brings us the church bulletin bloopers that inspired her latest novel. Singer/songwriter Jaspar Lepak finds herself in the sliver of a moon. Silvia Pontaza does her best AI assistant in Spanish. And Sue Scott has a dialogue with a chatbot that reveals the racial and gender bias inherent in its programming.  

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #34 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Lorna Landvik, Silvia Pontaza, Sue Scott & Jaspar Lepak
• Written by Lorna & Sue
• Special Guest & Musical guest is Gaelynn Lea
• Original songs “Watch the World Unfold,” “I Wait,” “Perfect,” music & lyrics by Gaelynn Lea
• Original songs “Something New,” “When I Was the Moon,” music and lyrics by Jaspar Lepak
• ASL Interpreters: Micah Jane Draeger & Rosalinda Estrada-Alvarez
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
• Live Audio Engineering by Zach Thayer
• Additional lighting and backstage assistance by Lexi Carlson
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Live show master volunteer is Susanne Egli
• Merch volunteer: Doug Anderson
• Edited by Sue Scott
• Mix & Mastered by Tony Axtell

The post Ep. 34 Seat at the Table – LIVE – with special guest Gaelynn Lea! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

It’s our June show outside on a gorgeous night!  Special guest, the one and only Paula Poundstone subs in as our virtual assistant, tries to learn a lullaby and shares a never before told story!  Musical guest Jearlyn Steele brings us songs and stories created with her grandkids.  Leslye Orr invites us to see the world her way. Dae Yang celebrates her pending beautiful surprise baby.  Zippy Laske with David Gerald Sutton reminds us that we are all mathematical miracles in a gorgeous new song. And Sue Scott prays that young girls looking into mirrors see endless possibilities!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #33 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske, Sue Scott & Leslye Orr
• Written by Leslye, Dae, Zippy & Sue
• Special Guest is Paula Poundstone
• Musical Guest is Jearlyn Steele
• Original Lullaby for her grandson, Segun, music & lyrics by Jearlyn Steele
• Original song “You” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske with David Gerald Sutton on violin
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Additional lighting and backstage assistance by Lexi Carlson
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Live show master volunteer is Susanne Egli
• Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

The post Ep. 33 Endless Possibilities – LIVE – with guests Paula Poundstone & Jearlyn Steele! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

An important night in our new home!  Special guest Princess Titus, the co-founder of Appetite for Change, lost her son to gun violence. She shares her drive to help others heal from this type of trauma. Musical guest Jonatha Brooke, takes us on a personal journey through original songs written for a Disney movie, a new commission and her one-woman musical about caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Spoken Word artist Brittany Delaney, summons us to heal our souls from the inside out. Zippy Laske sings an acoustic version of her recent single “Low” and brings us a new song that lays the groundwork for Silvia, Jonatha & Sue to challenge assumptions made about us.

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #32 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Brittany Delaney, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Written by Brittany, Silvia, Zippy & Sue
• Special Guest is Princess Titus
• Musical Guest is Jonatha Brooke
• Original tunes, “I’ll Try”, “Hurricane Season” and “Scars” music & lyrics by Jonatha Brooke
• Original songs, “Low” and “Guilty by Assumption” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Live show assistance by Beth Desotelle
• Live show volunteer is Susanne Egli
• Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

BONUS CONTENT from our May 4th show!

Princess Titus reads her first entry from the powerful 2022 anthology, Let the Black Woman Say, Ase’

The post Ep. 32 Starting Again – LIVE – with guests Princess Titus & Jonatha Brooke! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Our beautiful December show! Special guest Patty Wetterling, a searching mom for over 27 years, graciously shares with Sue her journey of hope to find her son Jacob. Musical guest Leslie Vincent admires the courage of her grandmother and the spirit of a friend in two original songs. Guest contributor Rosanna Staffa yearns to meet the Alan Ginsburg she knows. Mo Perry learns there is wisdom in the bodymind and Zippy Laske composes an ode for our tribute to the first Madame Speaker!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #31 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Mo Perry, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Written by Mo, Zippy & Sue
• Special Guest is Patty Wetterling
• Musical Guest is Leslie Vincent
• Guest Contributor is Rosanna Staffa
• Original tunes, “Alone in Texas”  by Leslie Vincent. “Howl at the Moon” by Leslie Vincent & Emily Dussault
• Original song, “Bold Woman” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Opening song excerpt: “Floating Dream” by Zippy Laske
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson and Dylan Payne
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Lighting by Lexi Carlson
• Photos by Sara Erdman
• Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

The post Ep. 31 Journey of Hope – LIVE – with guests Patty Wetterling & Leslie Vincent appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

It’s here! Our joy-filled November Show! Special guest Roxane Battle brings us boundless pockets of joy through her best-selling book and details her work with behavioral health. Thrilling alt string duo The OK Factor, share original tunes about finding a moment to be at 30,000 ft, and experiencing bumbling puppy joy. Zippy celebrates a floating dream that changed her path and makes her happy. Dae thanks her body for giving her healing signals. And Sue finds the joy in feeling much more than OK!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #30 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Written by Dae, Zippy & Sue
• Special Guest is Roxane Battle
• Excerpt read from her book, “Pockets of Joy, Deciding to be Happy, Choosing to be Free” by Roxane Battle.
• Musical Guest is The OK Factor with cellist Olivia Diercks & violinist Karla Colahan
• Original tunes, “Up in the Air”  & “Love Song for Lucy” by The OK Factor
• Original song, “Floating Dream” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Opening song excerpt: “I Am Human” by Jaspar Lepak
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson and Dylan Payne
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Lighting by Lexi Carlson
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

The post Ep. 30 Choosing Joy – LIVE – with guests Roxane Battle & The OK Factor! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest, writer Marcie Rendon, highlights the brilliance and resiliency of native people through her mystery novels and a searing new play, “Say Their Names,” with excerpts read by Oogie_Push. Musical guest Jaspar Lepak sings and shares personally about living the choices she can make. Cathy Gasiorowicz tells a story about the dementia that broke her mom’s brain and created a love fest in its wake.  Silvia Pontaza takes an oath that gives her a voice. And Oogie & Sue Scott work the phones and doors to make a difference.

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #29 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Oogie_Push, Cathy Gasiorowicz, Silvia Pontaza & Sue Scott
• Written by Oogie, Cathy, Silvia & Sue
• Special Guest is Marcie Rendon
• Excerpts from the play, “Say Their Names” written by Marcie Rendon and read by Oogie_Push
• Musical Guest is Jaspar Lepak.
• Original songs “I Know a Woman,”  & “I am Human” music & lyrics by Jaspar Lepak
• Original song, “My Right to Choose” music and lyrics by Tom Prasada-Rao and Cary Cooper
• Guest Contributor is Cathy Gasiorowicz
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson and Dylan Payne
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Lighting by Lexi Carlson
• Photos by Bonni Allen

The post Ep. 29 She is Fierce – LIVE – with guests Marcie Rendon & Jaspar Lepak appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Gathering on the 21st anniversary of September 11th, our special guest, Dr. Pauline Boss, who coined the term “ambiguous loss,” reminds us that closure is a myth. Shanan Custer, with help from Rhiannon Fiskradatz, recounts being at the most magical place on earth that day. Sue Scott writes to Liz Cheney with a plea. Zippy Laske underscores that plea in song. Peg Guilfoyle, shares 2 encounters with strangers. Music guest, Rhiannon, brings us family, feminism and nature through her songs. AND Brittany Delaney delivers a poem that paints her canvas healthy!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #28 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Shanan Custer, Rhiannon Fiskradatz, Peg Guilfoyle, Brittany Delaney, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Written by Shanan, Rhiannon, Zippy, Peg, Brittany & Sue
• Special Guest is Dr. Pauline Boss
• Musical Guest is Rhiannon Fiskradatz. Shanan and Rhiannon write and perform together in a live performance series called Songversations.”
• Original songs “Lullaby,” “Oh Woman,” “Strong Woman” & “Lessons,” music & lyrics by Rhiannon Fiskradatz
• Original song, “Sometimes You Take the Fall” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Guest Contributor is Peg Guilfoyle
• Live Audio Engineering by Dan Zimmermann and Dylan Payne
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Lighting by Lexi Carlson
• Photos by Amanda Skeivik

The post Ep. 28 Resilience – LIVE – with guests Dr. Pauline Boss & Rhiannon Fiskradatz appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Our special guest, Mikki Morrissette publisher of Minnesota Women’s Press, shares her journey from choosing single motherhood to owning a magazine. Musical guest Courtney Yasmineh, is still making it big one song at a time. Dae is newly engaged and decides that she is enough. Zippy strives for less noise and more truth. And Sue praises the 19 yr. old who is standing up!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #27 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske, Sue Scott
• Written by Dae, Zippy, and Sue
• Special Guest is Mikki Morrissette
• Musical Guest is Courtney Yasmineh
• Original songs “Gone Away (Married to Bob Dylan)” and “The Creek” music and lyrics by Courtney Yasmineh. Zippy Laske singing back up  on “Gone Away”
• Original song, “From Now On” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske with Kyle Kimbllin on guitar
• Live Audio Engineering by Katharine Horowitz and Dylan Payne
• Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Lighting by Lexi Carlson
• Photos by Amanda Skeivik

The post Ep. 27 We Are Enough – LIVE – with guests Mikki Morrissette & Courtney Yasmineh appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.