Celebrating the creative, redemptive, and transforming power of radical love, the Soul Force Podcast explores the relationship between art and nonviolence. Hosted by Paul Livingstone and friends of the Soul Force Project, each episode discusses historical and contemporary connections between creativity and change-making. We have a range of guests from scholars, clergy, and community activists to musicians, artists, and writers who are stirring positive change-making in the world.
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From Child Soldier to Healer | Arn Chorn-Pond
Arn Chorn-Pond survived the Cambodian genocide by playing music for the Khmer Rouge, performing propaganda songs while people were killed around him. At just 12 years old, he watched over a million children die, including his own siblings, as the Khmer Rouge slaughtered a quarter of Cambodia's population and 90% of its artists between 1975-1979. After escaping through landmine-filled jungles and…
Bobby Bradford, 'Jazz and the new Black man' (part two)
This is part two of this fascinating interview with master improvisor, composer, educator and legendary cornetist Bobby Bradford, Now 90 years old, Bobby unpacks more stories and first hand experiences on the cutting edge jazz history from the perspectives of the musicians themselves. Bobby discusses the history of the evolving consciousness of the black man as a free artist and the evolution of…
Bobby Bradford, 'Jazz and the new Black man' (part one)
Master improvisor, composer, educator and legendary cornetist Bobby Bradford now 90 years old unpacks his stories and first hand experiences on the arc of jazz history from the perspectives of the musicians themselves. In part one, Bobby discusses his early days, and the evolving artistic identity of the new black man and early impact of Ornette Coleman and John Carter also from Texas who he later…
Rev James Lawson, a nonviolent revolutionary - Holman Interviews (part two)
Enjoy these enlightening interviews with a living legend of American history and architect of the nonviolent movement in America. Reverend James Lawson at age 93 sharp as a tack, breaks down his personal experience, American history and contemporary outlook on issues ranging from plantation capitalism, the persistence of poverty and the American obsession with guns. Lawson shows how love in its…
So happy to release part two of this extraordinary talk by Arnold Clifford, Diné elder from Shiprock, the Four Corners region of New Mexico. A Navajo renaissance man, Arnold's knowledge spans botany, geology, myth, spirituality. As a teacher, he is a true culture bearer of the Navajo people and carries a wealth of knowledge within the worldview of his tradition and their connection to all living…
The music and message of Guru Rewben, King of Naga Folk Blues
Enjoy this Interview with Padmashri Guru Rewben, an extraordinary artist from a mountainous region of Manipur (Northeast India, bordering Myanmar). His music is a compelling blend of the tribal Naga songs and instruments with guitar and raw sound of American folk, blues and rock n roll. This lively discussion is peppered with musical examples and focuses around the importance of indigenous…
Arnold Clifford is an extraordinary Diné elder from Shiprock, the Four Corners region of New Mexico. A Navajo renaissance man, Arnold's knowledge spans botany, geology, myth, spirituality. As a teacher, he is a true culture bearer of the Navajo people and carries a wealth of knowledge within the worldview of his tradition and their connection to all living things. Today we will feature in part one…
Rev James Lawson, a nonviolent revolutionary - Holman Interviews (part one)
Enjoy these enlightening interviews with a living legend of American history and architect of the nonviolent movement in America. Reverend James Lawson at age 92 sharp as a tack, breaks down his personal experience, American history and contemporary outlook on issues ranging from plantation capitalism, the persistence of poverty and the American obsession with guns. Lawson shows how love in its…
The Gathering: Jesse Sharps & Fundi Legohn, a 60 year legacy of healing music in Los Angeles
Enjoy the Soul Force interview with musicians Jesse Sharps & Fundi Legohn discussing the historic spiritual lineage of creative black music in Los Angeles. Jesse and Fundi unpack this inter-generational legacy, the healing power of the art and the impact it continues to make on younger jazz musicians today. The interview is interspersed with musical excerpts from Horace Tapscott's 'Freedom's…
'It's all about love' an LA legacy of activism with Father Richard Estrada
Paul Livingstone interviews Richard Estrada who just turned 78 years young and speaks about his role working with immigrants, refugees and the nature of power in organizing in the Chicano movement. Father Richard was instrumental in the earliest sanctuary churches in Los Angeles and has been a tireless human rights activist and community organizer working with Cesar Chavez and many others at the…