158. Mary Jane Knight: Rising Free –  A Journey for Healing

In today’s episode we speak with singer/songwriter Mary Jane Knight. Her life’s journey involves growing up in the church, with a father who was a pastor.  It was in the church that she found her love of music and as a child was encouraged to sing by her grandmother. After getting a formal education in music she performed often in the church setting which began to feel like box. While navigating a divorce, Mary Jane chose to leave formal religion and is now authentically creating music in a way that feels true to her story of healing. Today we discuss: Mary Jane’s upbringing by a teacher and a preacher in Texas and Oklahoma and her first singing experience performing solos at church Her love of music and opera and how she would sing and play the piano for hours which led to a music degree at Simpson College in Iowa Her desire to create accessible music and share her healing journey through music She shares her dark night of the soul and the ongoing healing process of her divorce The dark and light of organized religion, the cognitive dissonance and recognizing the inequality of a woman’s voice Navigating the conflict of also divorcing the church and the grief she experienced when she moved away to find a new community Authentically writing new music and bravely sharing her work to help empower other women to heal Bio:  Mary Jane Knight is a classically trained vocalist, composer, and educator dedicated to using music as a vehicle for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her background in opera, church music, and music education, she bridges the worlds of music therapy, emotional wellness, and accessible artistry.Mary Jane Knight’s journey as an artist has been one of self-discovery and embracing inner strength. With a master’s degree in opera performance, she merges her classical training with a passion for sound healing, music therapy, and emotional expression.As both album producer and songwriter, Knight weaves together piano, strings, synth, percussion, and vocals alongside guitar contributions from Joel Wilcox. The result is a collection that is both ethereal and raw, blending opera-like storytelling with accessible, heartfelt melodies and stripped-down arrangements. Album: Mary Jane Knight has officially released her deeply personal and healing-focused album, Rising Free: A journey of healing. Now available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music the album is also available for purchase on CD and vinyl. Music video “Rising Free” YouTube, Insta and FB are all: @MaryJaneKnightMusic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WEMKnvT5ViC1WAgBWPNsM Website: maryjaneknight.com Monthly letter from the heart: https://mary-jane-knight.kit.com/ Past Episodes You Might Like With Musicians & Artists 155: Lyndsey Scott: Effervescent Song Catcher 147: A Conversation with Lissie – Our Podcast Singer! 114: Use Your Voice 61: Marsha Nieland: A Possibilitarian Planting Seeds of Joy, Creativity, and Love 34: Leslie Nolte: Celebrated and Seasoned Visionary 18: Radical Alliance with Raye Zaragoza Today’s Episode sponsored by: Kate Moreland Coaching Dr Yoga Momma Heartland Yoga For more information about the Tend Her 4.0 HOPE program visit here: https://dryogamomma.com/tend-her-4-0-hope/ Want to Meet Betsy & Kate in Person on Retreat? Join us on a feminine reclamation journey to Paros, Greece in the Fall of 2025. There are just a few spots left. All the details here! Source