Full Episode Archives - Island of Discarded Women podcast

Ep. 42 It’s Personal – LIVE – with Marlene Johnson, Follow the Firefly & Aamera Siddiqui

April 16, 2025 1:29:57

Special guest Marlene Johnson, Minnesota’s first female Lt. Gov., shares navigating her trail blazing life in politics, honing her leadership skills in non-profits and adapting to deep personal challenges, one pivot at a time. Musical guests Follow the Firefly with Phala Tracy on harp, Natalie Nowytski on bass & Scott Keever on guitar, bring us…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:57 — 123.5MB)

Ep. 41 Hope Has Wheels – LIVE – with guests Sarah Stoesz, Keri Noble & Melissa Castino Reid

January 30, 2025 1:21:46

Our special guest Sarah Stoesz spent 21 years as the President & CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. She shares her decades long advocacy for women’s rights and reproductive freedom, which started personally and became profound. Musical guest Keri Noble blows us away with original songs that are powerful, gritty and strong. Storyteller Melisa…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:21:46 — 112.3MB)

Ep. 40 Rallying to Win – LIVE – guests Mary Beth Yarrow, Rachel Kurtz, Jaspar Lepak & Kennadi Hurst with Tim Levy!

October 26, 2024 1:24:39

We are rallying with Hope and Joy to put this Woman in the White House with this music-filled evening full of motivation to Get Out the VOTE! Special guest, social and political documentarian Mary Beth Yarrow, shares her life’s journey that begins with jumping down a rabbit hole in 1968 for her uncle Gene McCarthy’s…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:24:39 — 116.2MB)

Ep. 39 One Pie at a Time – LIVE – with guests Rose McGee & Favourite Girl!

August 9, 2024 1:22:54

Special guest Rose McGee, founder of Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, shares her life changing journey of offering comfort by delivering sweet potato pies to those affected by trauma around the country. Katy Vernon and her female powered band, Favourite Girl, empower and rock us! Plus, Katy sings personally about the mother she lost at 12…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22:54 — 113.9MB)

Ep. 38 Making a Difference – LIVE – with guests Mary M. Tjosvold & Yemi Love

May 25, 2024 1:17:32

Special guest Mary Tjosvold, award-winning humanitarian and businesswoman, creates communities wherever she goes and credits the strong women in her life with inspiring her to walk through doors. Musical guest Yemi Love, shares her journey from Nigerian recording star, to life in Minnesota spreading love through every gorgeous song. Guest storyteller Stacey Dinner-Levin wishes caregivers…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:17:32 — 106.5MB)

Ep. 37 Brave and Beautiful – LIVE – with guests Alison Young & Katie Dahl

March 26, 2024 1:29:31

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…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:31 — 122.9MB)

Ep. 36 So Strong – LIVE – with guests Mary Kunesh & Jaspar Lepak!

January 22, 2024 1:24:32

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…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:24:32 — 116.1MB)

Ep. 35 Cycle of Life – LIVE – with guests Pat Miles & Kelley Hunt!

November 18, 2023 1:17:34

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…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:17:34 — 106.5MB)

Ep. 34 Seat at the Table – LIVE – with special guest Gaelynn Lea!

September 15, 2023 1:10:31

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….

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:31 — 96.8MB)

Ep. 33 Endless Possibilities – LIVE – with guests Paula Poundstone & Jearlyn Steele!

July 31, 2023 1:26:26

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…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:26 — 118.7MB)

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