The Holden Village Podcast

As we navigate this unpredictable time, we are working hard to continue to offer safe, creative spaces for learning, play, and building community! Holden Village is excited to announce three spring 2026 facilitator sessions. The first of these sessions will invite participants to explore how faith, courage, and love of neighbor can help us move towards a society where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive. Building the Society We Deserve is presented by Paths to Understanding executive director Pastor Terry Kyllo and program director Hannah Hochkeppel. Paths to Understanding is an interfaith nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community connections and promoting understanding across diverse backgrounds.Holden Village Advancement Partner Carl Norquist sits down with Terry Kyllo to discuss why working with people of different cultures is a central part of the Christian tradition and strategies for blocking injustice, bridging divides, and building new sustainable systems. The first of these virtual sessions will take place on April 16. Registration is FREE! You can sign up to participate here.

In the spirit of renewal, we celebrate the transition of co-directors Stacy, Mark, and Kathie as they conclude their service to Holden Village. To honor this important moment in Holden history, Villagers gathered to celebrate with a weekend of music, dancing, and a blanket ceremony by Vance Blackfox. It was a joyful weekend of celebrating SMK’s leadership and love for the Village!To reflect on their time as directors of Holden Village, Stacy, Mark, and Kathie each sat down with Creative Tech Ellen Callender to record a special podcast episode. They shared their journey to Holden, favorite stories, hopes for the future, and more. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

In the spirit of renewal, we celebrate the transition of co-directors Stacy, Mark, and Kathie as they conclude their service to Holden Village. To honor this important moment in Holden history, Villagers gathered to celebrate with a weekend of music, dancing, and a blanket ceremony by Vance Blackfox. It was a joyful weekend of celebrating SMK’s leadership and love for the Village!To reflect on their time as directors of Holden Village, Stacy, Mark, and Kathie each sat down with Creative Tech Ellen Callender to record a special podcast episode. They shared their journey to Holden, favorite stories, hopes for the future, and more. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

In the spirit of renewal, we celebrate the transition of co-directors Stacy, Mark, and Kathie as they conclude their service to Holden Village. To honor this important moment in Holden history, Villagers gathered to celebrate with a weekend of music, dancing, and a blanket ceremony by Vance Blackfox. It was a joyful weekend of celebrating SMK’s leadership and love for the Village!To reflect on their time as directors of Holden Village, Stacy, Mark, and Kathie each sat down with Creative Tech Ellen Callender to record a special podcast episode. They shared their journey to Holden, favorite stories, hopes for the future, and more. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

The summer theme for 2025 is Life Anew, recognizing all the ways fire is part of a healthy ecosystem and prepares for the future forest. June 29 was the tenth anniversary of the lightning strike that started the 2015 Wolverine Fire six miles east of the Village. Over the next eight weeks the fire would consume 65,323 acres in the Entiat, Lake Chelan and Railroad Creek watersheds. By the end of July 2015, the Village itself was under threat, and the Forest Service ordered an evacuation. Roughly 300 people fled the Village during the Wolverine fire. Thanks to determined hotshot crews and Holden's own preventative measures, the Village was spared. We sat down with former Holden Village directors Chuck Hoffman and Peg Carlson-Hoffman, Incident Commanders Nancy and Marc Rerucha Borges, and current Holden Village Fire Marshal Jeff Pierce to hear their memories of the 2015 Wolverine Fire.Experience the story from the people who lived through it in part one of this three-part series.

Holden Village debuts a new vespers this summer. “Isaiah: Is This the Fast We Choose?” is a liturgy composed by John Hermanson and edited and arranged by Maren Haynes Marchesini. The music draws from the Book of Isaiah, a collection of prophetic texts in the Jewish canon. The book is referenced frequently in the teaching of Jesus and reveals that justice, liberation, care for immigrants, release of prisoners, redistribution of wealth and critiques of power are at the heart of our theology. During this episode of the Holden Village Podcast, we’re joined by the three musicians who recognized Isaiah’s unambiguous call to justice and brought the text to life. John Hermanson is an award-winning songwriter and composer of the acclaimed acoustic duo Storyhill, as well as projects spanning orchestral, world, pop, rock, and indie genres. Raised in the Lutheran church and rooted in prophetic and mystical traditions, his songs raise ancient yet urgent questions about radical love and mutual responsibility.Maren Haynes Marchesini serves as Director of Worship & Music at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman, Montana. Maren is a choral director, cellist, vocalist, composer, and scholar with broad-ranging musical interests. She holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Washington where she focused on megachurches, gender, and ritual.And Megan Makeever lives a multi-pronged life as a professional flutist, multi-instrumentalist, award-winning singer/songwriter, recording artist, and music educator/collaborator. As a performer, Megan plays with various bands, groups, and ensembles in Bozeman, Montana such as the Bozeman Symphony, Montana Ballet Orchestra, Bozeman Chamber Music Project, and the Ellen Theatre Orchestra.Isaiah was conceived in residencies and commissions in a variety of contexts including Holden Village. It’s available through the Holden store. You can also order your copies here.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

This episode of the Holden Village Podcast features Kendra Mylnechuk Potter (Lummi); a theatre and film artist, birth+death doula, yoga educator, partner, and mother.Most of her work centers on the mother/child relationship and embodied storytelling, with an awareness that this precious human form is a sacred gift we get to keep learning through again and again. Since 2021, Kendra has delivered keynotes and Q&As at festivals and conferences around the world with “Daughter of a Lost Bird”, a documentary she co-produced and in which she is the protagonist, about being adopted out and reuniting with her birth mother and Lummi community. Through her company Sister Moon Wellness, she shares yoga and doula support, and runs a yoga teacher training and birth doula training. She lives with her husband and 2 children on Bitteroot Salish land in Missoula, MT.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

To kick off this season of the Holden Village Podcast, Ellen is joined by Meisha Wangerin and June Thomassen, co-facilitators of a condensed version of the transformative Basic AVP workshop, designed to provide practical tools for conflict resolution, personal growth, and building peaceful communities. The Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) is rooted in experiential learning, offering participants a chance to explore nonviolent communication, self-awareness, and strategies for resolving tension in constructive ways.Meisha Wangerin (she/her/Queen) is a passionate and driven leader with over 15 years of experience in non-profit and higher education administration. Meisha’s core skills—storytelling, empathy, and relationship-building—are central to her approach in fostering inclusive and transformative environments. She is a Senior Facilitator for Projects for A Civil Society, where she leads Alternatives to Violence (AVP) workshops in local high schools, jails, and maximum-security prisons, focusing on trauma recovery, building self-esteem, improving interpersonal relationships, community building and resolving conflicts verbally.Eleven years ago in Fairbanks, AK, June Thomasson co-led a revival of the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in her Quaker meeting, as an outgrowth of the Quaker understanding that there is “That of God” in everyone. After retiring from 30 years of work as a Physician Assistant in Alaska, she returned to Western Washington, where she has been facilitating AVP ever since. June is now the coordinator for AVP in the Monroe state prison complex. She is also on the committee leading the Western WA AVP group, Projects for a Civil Society. To learn more about AVP, visit https://avpusa.org/To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

In the midst of the energy and heat of Abriendo Caminos, two of our teaching faculty, Emilie and Armando, their friend Flor de Marquez, and Kathie Caemmerer-Bach, one of Holden’s Co-Directors join in conversation discussing the Church, Holden and Emilie and Armando’s organization SICSAL. In this episode, Emilie also acts as a Spanish translator for Armando.  Emilie Teresa Smith is an Argentine-born, Canadian-raised, Anglican priest, community activist and writer. She has lived in relationship with peoples of Abya Yala (Latin America) for almost 40 years. As co-president of the Oscar Romero network (SICSAL) she has spent time and supported communities in every region of the south and central continent, and in the Caribbean. Her heart commitment is to the full liberation of all people — and the joy to be found therein!Armando Marquez Ochoa has been a practitioner of popular education since the birth of the church of the poor in El Salvador in the 1970s. As a young man he accompanied Oscar Romero, and since Romero’s death, Armando has dedicated his life to compiling and sharing the teaching of the now-saint. Armando is the director of the Brother Mercedes Ruiz Foundation, a support network for El Salvador’s Christian Base Communities (CEBs) and co-secretary of the Oscar Romero Network (SICSAL). To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

Many things about Holden have changed since the mining days, but one thing remains the same, even in the heat of summer, the pool hall remains cool--an excellent place to escape the midday heat.  Nestled in a back room away from the joyous sounds of children bowling and playing ping pong, Elli, a long-term staff member and Elisabeth Cherland, a guest musician from summer 2024 teaching faculty discuss cyclic music, and the humanness of singing and how good it is for our bodies. Elisabeth Cherland is a fourth-generation choral conductor as well as professor, singer, song leader, violinist, and Lutheran church musician. As Director of Choral Activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato, she teaches courses in choral methods, conducting, private voice, and conducts the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Prior to her appointment at MSU she was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Dr. Cherland earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Washington, a Master of Music Education with Certification degree from VanderCook College of Music, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. From classical to folk to hymnody, Elisabeth is most at home singing and playing collaboratively. She lives with her partner Kent and their two sons, Elijah and Leif, in St. Peter, MN. She loves storytelling and story-hearing, doughnuts, bubble tea, laughing, knitting, running (when the temperature is perfect and the course is flat), and sunshine when it’s available.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

This episode is a conversation between Holden Villages Naturalist Nic Caddell and a member of our summer 2024 teaching faculty Pamela Adams, a self-appointed freelance beaver detective. Nic and Pamela discuss the importance of beavers and other keystone species and the art of noticing. At the time of this recording, cottonwood fluff floats in the air and villagers take refuge from the summer heat in our beloved Railroad Creek. We hope you enjoy this snapshot of Holden's summer community. Pamela Adams is an advocate for beavers rights and riparian and wetland habitat health. As a 2020 graduate of the Beaver Institute’s BeaverCorps national program, she works with non-profits, municipalities, and landowners to develop coexistence strategies such as installing devices that allow humans and beavers to live more harmoniously. Pamela’s own organization, BeaverInsights, utilizes non-invasive videography to gather information about beaver families for educational research. Locations under study include the nearshore of The Elwha River, Olympic Peninsula, Bend, and Corvallis, OR, Seattle, WA, and West Brattleboro, VT. Most currently, Pamela is focused on her two year-long research of the four beaver families living in Longfellow Creek-a 3 mile urban watershed with documented high levels of stormwater pollutants yet full of beavers and wild salmon species currently coexisting for the first time in recent memory.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

Anjuli Shah-Johnson is a somatic therapist who integrates teachings from the worlds of clinical social work and bodywork in hopes of walking alongside others in finding the paths that connect their body, mind and heart.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Massage Therapist with specialized training in utilizing therapeutic touch and craniosacral techniques to tend to folks who have experienced trauma and who hope to feel more at home in their lives, relationships and bodies.  She deeply values the natural healing powers of the outdoors, humor, touch and being in the presence of animals and integrates all of these into her teaching and individual sessions as much as possible. After close to 20 years as a social worker, Anjuli has more recently begun to teach and mentor graduate level and pre-licensed therapists at a local university and agency with a special interest in supporting up and coming BIPOC and LGBTQ therapists.  She recently integrated Luna, her dog, into her private practice and has witnessed the profound impact of the human-animal bond.  She currently lives in Portland, OR with her two awesome kids, husband, dog and cat. To learn more about her wok, visit www.healingjourneypdx.com. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Coma-Media: Chill Abstract (Intention).

Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California –a progressive, multidenominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually rooted leaders to work for the well-being of all.  A committed pastor, a nationally recognized immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change. Vásquez-Levy regularly contributes a faith perspective to the national conversation on immigration and is the author of various publications that explore migration stories in sacred texts and in people's lives. He has lived in four countries and taught courses and led international study and service trips across the globe, including a course in France entitled, “Immigration/Refugee Crisis, Religion, Globalization and the Post-Colonial Immersion” and a course in Guatemala entitled: “Guatemala: Roots of Migration.”To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Lesfm: Carlos.

John Tirro is Pastor of Worship at St John's Lutheran Church (ELCA), in Knoxville, TN, and a composer of hymns, such as "To You All Hearts Are Open" (Holden Prayer Around the Cross, All Creation Sings). He has written hits for the pop end of Country radio (“So Much for Pretending” for Bryan White. “Imagine That” for Diamond Rio), as well as songs on best-selling albums by LeAnn Rimes and Rascal Flatts. Trained in classical and jazz piano and voice, he learned guitar while writing on artist’s tour buses and uses all three to lead workshops in new hymns and worship at regional and national church gatherings. John is an experienced band leader, choir director, and record producer; he loves monasteries, mindfulness, and retreats; his music leans toward the contemplative; and his favorite sound is people singing together.Visit johntirro.com and thereverbcollective.com for bulletin and hymnal accompaniment files.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.In their time as Holden's naturalist, Nic Caddell has written curriculum, taught classes, and facilitated community conversations that have invited the guests and villagers of Holden Village into richer and more personal relationship with the living beings and processes that compose the Railroad Creek Valley ecosystem. Weaving together their experience working as a field ecologist, their collegiate studies in philosophy and critical queer theory, and their enthusiasm for playful and embodied learning, Nic has deepened our sense of place and prompted us to think critically about the ways we talk about, interact with, and care for the other living beings who call this valley home.Referenced in this podcast episode: "Queer Theory for Lichens," by David Griffiths. https://core.ac.uk/reader/235683163.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Tomomi_Kato: The Sound of Water Drops.

Laron has served diverse church ministries, quartet groups, and additional special engagements (funerals, weddings) for approximately 15 years. Laron has also taught students from different background and agents how to play piano by ear. Laron has enjoyed joining various forms of musical needs for diverse communities. Laron is a staunch advocate for learning a wide range of musical styles to enrich the musical experience. Laron has played at Holden village extemporaneously, and thoroughly enjoyed worshipping in the dining hall as the residents gathered around and sang hymns.  Laron looks forward to rejoining the Holden community in service for at least 2 weeks in multifaceted ways. Jenine has served in numerous capacities with various churches as senior praise and worship leader, choir assistant and ministry lead servant for over 15 years.  Her vocal influences include Sarah Vaughn, Leah Hathaway, and The Clark Sisters to name a few.  Her passion of gospel music is to empower others to utilize their voices as tools to expression, celebration, lament and inspiration as a lifestyle of worshipping God. 

Giovana Oaxaca (she/her/ella) is the Program Director for Migration Policy with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) D.C. office for Witness in Society. In this role, she works for more just and humane federal immigration policies within a domestic and international context, engagement informed by the experience of Lutheran congregations and ministries, including the ELCA AMMPARO strategy. Giovana was previously a Government Relations Associate with a Catholic faith-based social justice organization in Washington D.C. Giovana has Bachelor of the Arts degrees in Politics and Government and Economics from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In her spare time, she enjoys attempting new recipes and exploring town for the best scoop of ice cream.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Lexin_Music: World Travel.

Sara is a classically trained actress with tendencies to fly by the seat of her pants, an improv instructor and performer, who teaches others how to enhance listening skills, playfulness, empathy, connectedness, and liberation from fear of failure. She is an emerging papercut artist, whom you can visit at IG @saramacpapercuts.David delights in listening to the aspirations of leaders and helping them and their teams unlock hidden resources by facilitating meaningful and playful engagement. He enjoys collaborating with clients to design and facilitate retreats that catalyze trust, listening, and possibility - creating a space for both gravity and levity to emerge. He serves leaders and teams primarily in non-profit, business, and government. Find out more at DavidWesterlund.com.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Alex_MakeMusic: Inspiring Motivational Mood.

Saskia de Vries is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute in Seattle Washington. Raised in California, she bounced back and forth between the west and east coast for her training, moving to Seattle in 2012 when she joined the Allen Institute. Her research has focused primarily on visual physiology, how the cells and circuits in our eyes and brain transform the visual world into perception. She is also very active in Open Science, creating tools and infrastructure to make scientific data and knowledge more transparent and accessible. She’s a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is active in her community at Northminster Presbyterian Church. She regularly preaches on the intersection of science and faith. She lives in Seattle with her partner, Colleen, and their very needy dog, Hobbes. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Lexin_Music: Inspiring East.

Paul Hinderlie began his earthly ministry making way too much wine and at the end was grilling fish for breakfast on the beach. Perhaps that's why Paul became a cook.Carol Lund Hinderlie first came to Holden as a young staff member. Soon thereafter she brought her whole family to visit and work, beginning a long and fulsome history with the Village. She and Paul were married at Holden, spent two years on staff in their twenties, and with friend Tom Ahlstrom served as Executive Directors from 2005 to 2010. They have two daughters, Julia and Katherine, and a son-in-law, Peter.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by SergePavkinMusic: Beautiful Noon.

Krish is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. She previously served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry.

Lenny Duncan (they/them) is an artist. Preacher. Esoteric fool. Student Teacher. They produce art and media at the intersections of faith and radical abolitionist dreams in America. Lenny is the auhtor of Dear Church and United States of Grace, and the Forthcoming: Dear Revolutionaries - A Field Guide to the World Beyond the Church. A Phd student in historical and cultural studies of religion, who concentrates their studies in "New Religious Movements." Lenny is originally from West Philadelphia, has hitchiked thousands of miles on American byways, and now makes home in the East Bay. 

Heather, Steve, Mark and Rachel talk with Dev about the Prayer of Jesus...part of the new vespers service (Bless This Night) that was composed and released at Holden Village this year. They reflect on their process and some of the decisions that they made in translating the Lord's Prayer into contemporary language and setting it to music.The Prayer of JesusThe disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. He said, when you pray, pray like this:O Holy One, who calls me beloved, you are in the air we breathe.Your name, and all that you have made, is beautiful.Bring forth your jubilee!Give life to your dreams in heaven and on earth.Nourish and sustain our bodies.Release our debts as we release the debts of others.Do not let us turn from you.In hardship and in peril, stay with us.Amen.To follow the work of this creative team...see www.fireweedliturgies.com or contact them at [email protected] learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] played by Steve Wolbrecht. Cantors: Hannes Carlsen & Ava Shively.

Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light (WAIPL) transforms faith into action for the well-being of communities and the environment. We organize people of faith to advocate for strong environmental policies and provide strategic guidance to religious communities working toward environmental justice.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Lesfm: Just Relax.

John Beck  received a BS in Art Education from Western Oregon University, completed a 5th year Art Education program at Portland State University, and received a MA in Education from Portland State University.  He is a member of the Oregon Art Education Association as well as the National Art Education Association.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Daddy_s_Music: Piano Moment.

Cecie Suknaic Saulnier (she/her) was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She has been a part of Lutheran faith communities all of her life, and has been deeply impacted by the love, grace, and commitment of the people who have made up church for her. As a youth and young adult, Cecie felt most at home in church communities - from her weeks at summer camp to weekly Wednesday night youth group in high school to almost daily events with her campus ministry in college. During her time at undergrad, she discerned a call to ministry. She has been studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago since 2019, focusing on feminist theology and growing her voice for the importance of young adult ministry. As a young adult leader in the church, she craves spaces for intentional community, creative worship, and deep conversation. Cecie is currently settling into life in Austin, Texas with her husband, Mike. They both enjoy cooking, baking, time spent with friends and family, live music, and travel. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Coma-Media: Milk Shake.

Due to the fires this Summer, many PCT hikers were diverted to the village. As a result, the village was blessed with many a hiker finishing their long journeys. For this episode, we have the amazing Monkey (trail name), who was kind enough to share her stories over tea. Please click on the link below to see how Monkey is raising money to procure more forests in her homeland: the Netherlands.www.pctree.orgTo learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Top-Flow-Production: Sunshine Jaunt.

Elise is a Northwest Artist and Instructor. She connects gardening and art through printmaking, painting, photography, and journaling to explore inherent lessons in nature's beauty. Her backgrounds in Montessori education, food sovereignty, and teaching botanical art focus her work into a course curriculum for everyone. Elise started Joyful Plant to inspire you to take more time to learn about yourself as a gardener by increasing nature's importance in our culture through art. Sam Maupin is a life-long horticultural professional working at The Brothers Greenhouses in Port Orchard, WA. He was raised on a farm where he grew up picking and selling cut flowers and produce at local farmers markets. He studied his calling at WSU, where he graduated with a Horticulture Science degree in 2005. Studies and volunteering abroad in Holland, Costa Rica and South East Asia also shaped Sam's perspectives as a gardener. Sam's personal mission is to help people identify how to make big changes in the world through gardening. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Olexy: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill.

Peeyush Kumar is a systems scholar of cultures, economics & technology. His primary work is to build social technologies which support in building cultures of harmony, richness and equity. We live in a complex world with unprecedent precarity across both natural and human systems. It needs a holistic approach to bridge across these systems to create a culture of harmony and richness. Currently, he is working as a senior research scientist at Microsoft Research with a focus on food supply chain and energy systems and independent consultant across various aspects such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, resiliency, equity, and efficiency. Peeyush holds a PhD from UW Seattle in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research.Marisa Hebb SEP is a trainer and facilitator leading groups in the We are Open Circle method. We are Open Circle guides groups to build collaboration, access collective wisdom, and adapt to change. Marisa is a coach and consultant offering Somatic Experiencing and tools that harmonize the body, psyche, and emotions for greater resilience and integrity. These tools include listening circles, permaculture, song and dance, Systema, peer counseling, and contemplative prayer. Marisa is also currently working as the interim Permaculture Director at Gift of Grace Lutheran Church in Seattle. Marisa grounds her work in over a decade of Contemplative prayer practice and study of Christian Wisdom and monastic traditions in an earth-based context.  To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by SergePavkinMusic: Reflected Light.

E.N. West, affectionately known as "E" (they/he), proudly hails from the DC metropolitan area, by way of Alexandria, Virginia. E deeply believes "we are uninhibited when we know our power" and is committed to co-creating a world where everyone intimately knows how powerful they are and directs that power toward collective liberation. They are many things, but at the heart of all of them, they are a community organizer based in Seattle, Washington.Joey Lopez is a Southern transplant to the Seattle area. Joey has a passion and purpose for building collective power and channeling that power towards collective liberation. Joey believes that alone we are incredibly powerful people, and when we organize that power, our wildest dreams become reality. For more information on The Church Council of Greater Seattle, check out their website: https://www.thechurchcouncil.org/For more information on the Faith Land Initiative, visit https://thechurchcouncil.org/faith-land/. To get involved with our work convening, facilitating and accompany faith communities toward faithful and equitable stewardship of faith-owned land, send us an email at [email protected] learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by orangery: Coniferous Forest.

Joshua McGuffie will complete his PhD in the Department of History at UCLA in May 2023. His research focuses on biology, medicine, race, and the environment as they relate to the US Manhattan Project and post-WWII atomic testing. His dissertation, Atomic Salmon: Biology, Medicine, and Ecology in the Medical Section of the Manhattan Project, follows an unlikely group of medical doctors and fisheries biologists as they tried to understand the biological effects of radiation at the dawn of the atomic era. In 2016 he drove over 5,000 miles to visit seven atomic installations and clean-up sites from the Nevada Test Site to Hanford in Washington State. He is passionate about environmental justice. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by SergePavkinMusic: Smooth Waters.

Sara Olson-Smith is a pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa. She is the author of recent Bible studies in the Women of the ELCA's Gather Magazine. In her writing, teaching, and pastoral work she weaves together God's ancient stories in scripture with contemporary struggles, movements, and hopes. In community, we can (re)discover a Spirit-led life of freedom, joy, and care for one another and all creation. Brent Olson is a professor of Environmental Studies and co-director of the Institute for Mountain Research at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. His teaching and research is centered on the stories we tell about nature and their implications for our relationships to each-other and the non-human world. These relationships and stories are complex, varied, challenging, and embedded in legacies of slow violence. In the midst of this injustice and trauma, he works to uncover and share the work of communities that are fostering hope, and the stories that nurture life in the scorched soil. Befitting the overlapping and cascading crises of the Anthropocene, his work refuses simple answers, easy optimism, or quick solutions, instead encouraging students, colleagues, and others to find a richer and deeper hope grounded in communities of knowledge and engagement rooted in playfulness and creativity.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by lemonmusicstudio: Leva - Eternity.

Glocal Musician Educators are a group that creates music influenced by global themes in communities throughout North America, the Caribbean, and beyond. Through their intentional diversity—including representation from many countries, denominations, and several cultures—the group embodies ways to stand in mutual solidarity while amplifying marginalized voices. Glocal Musician Educators are committed to forming local leaders seeking to introduce global themes in their communities. The songs they teach are grounded in the community stories that raise awareness and inspire advocacy. The musicians embody what it means to be Glocal—simultaneously global and local—so we can accompany one another across cultures, even in our own neighborhoods. This episode includes three Glocal musicians: Omar Mixco; Mercy Zou Taithul; and Grace Koch Muchahary.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Lesfm: Please Calm my Mind.

Laura Mariko Cheifetz (she/her) is a queer biracial Presbyterian Church (USA) minister curious about race, gender, identity, public theology, the meaning of citizenship, and fun television shows. She and her partner grew up in opposite parts of the country, met in the middle, and have lived for the past 13 years in the southeast (currently in Nashville, TN). Laura is multiracial Asian American of Japanese and white Jewish descent. She was the fourth generation of her family to be born in California and grew up in eastern Oregon and western Washington. She has worked in theological education, social justice advocacy, and religious publishing. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Olexy: The Beat of Nature.

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.This Summer Dev hosted a tea and poetry event every Friday in the library. It's aim was to teach and share the ways of gong fu cha (the Chinese ceremonial preparation of tea) while also reading poems and sharing good conversation. This was the second session of the Summer.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by SergePavkinMusic: Field Grass.

Dr. Maren Haynes Marchesini serves as Director of Worship & Music at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman, Montana. Maren is a choral director, cellist, vocalist, composer, and scholar with broad-ranging musical interests. She holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Washington where she focused on megachurches, gender, and ritual (specifically at the former Mars Hill Church), and she continues scholarly work in Christian music, ethics, and community, including a current research project at Holden Village. Maren brings a passion for community singing, diverse musical traditions, improvisation, collaboration, and play. Maren and Dane Ueland are longtime bandmates who have played together for nearly 15 years, and they look forward to reuniting at Holden Village to lead music.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by Musictown: Cinematic Atmosphere Score 2.

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.Ava Shively blessed the village with their presence not only as a maverick, but also as an exceptional singer. They were a friend to every villager with their playful and vibrant spirit...and is currently finishing their degree in Art/German. We hope to have their spirit back in the village once this is accomplished.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music by SergePavkinMusic: Endless Landscape.

Once a week, Holden Village initiates a contemplative vespers service titled Prayer Around the Cross. In this service, simple chants are sung while community members and guests are welcome to light a candle in prayer. Our singers this week included the talented Emily Meyer and Eleanor Sherry...and our guests included the schools from our May Youth Program.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

For this episode we have the amazing Lola Deane, who helped pioneer the Holden Store...as well as Island Books on Mercer Island.Past - Farm girl, UW Graduate as Family Nurse Practitioner, Wife, Mother, Mercer Island resident 1957-1985 and founder of Island Books, Shaw Island resident 1985-2019. Community Volunteer/Activist.Present - Mercer Island resident again, still a Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, resident of Covenant Shores, Volunteer at MIYS Thrift Shop in books, and still a Community/Activist with even more issues on my plate.Future -  "Who Knows what the Future Holds?"To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] music created by: RomanSenykMusic.

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.Rachel Cornwell grew up in Bellingham, WA and came to the Holden seeking the peace of nature and community. She often came to the Village as a child with her family and now has become a leader as a fire system technician. Her depth and sense of wonder is unparalleled, which is also complimented by a practicality that allows her to be incredibly reliable. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] created by Dev.

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.Tim Carlson began his Holden journey in the late eighties with his wife. He has since become a beloved community member and essential carpenter for the village. Tim choose Pachelbel's Canon in D Major specifically for this episode in loving memory of his wife, who passed away in 2017. Holden will forever have both of you in our hearts. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.Kennedy Elholm grew up in Minnesota and came to the Village in 2022. Since then she has become a vital part of the operations team, while also delighting the community with her love of baking and laughter. She is great with the village children, who often flock to her desiring baked goods and fun company.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] created by Dev.

Introducing a brand new evening prayer service written by members of the long-term Holden community. This service debuted during May Youth Weekend and seeks to honor night and darkness as times of blessing and renewal in our lives. It also has themes of creation, embodiment, and justice. It will be one part of the musical offerings during Summer 2023. To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected] played by Steve Wolbrecht.

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.In this episode we are highlighting three fantastic musicians of the village (Hannes Carlsen /Willow Kitson/Nathan McClure), who had the opportunity to record some Holden original songs earlier this Summer. At this moment, I would love to give a big shout out to Dave Michel...who hauled his precious gear from Minnesota so that the village could have these opportunities. None of this would have been possible without his generosity and skill. This episode contains a fun conversation about how these songs were created...the friendship journey between these villagers...as well as the songs themselves. If you want to hear only the music...check out the Pure Music edition.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

Welcome to Holden Main Street: a playful podcast series dedicated to capturing the daily life and creative musings of ordinary folk at Holden Village. Who are the people drawn to this wild and uniquely transformative mountain community? How do their descriptions of hilarity, wilderness living, shared work and interior exploration shape the landscape of their time here? Expect to be delighted by improvised stories, poetry readings, the sounds of tea being poured, songs being sung, and bits of whimsy inspired by the moment. Enjoy.In this episode we are highlighting three fantastic musicians of the village (Hannes Carlsen /Willow Kitson/Nathan McClure), who had the opportunity to record some Holden original songs earlier this Summer. At this moment, I would love to give a big shout out to Dave Michel...who hauled his precious gear from Minnesota so that the village could have these opportunities. None of this would have been possible without his generosity and skill. This episode only contains the music. If you want to hear an in-depth and incredible fun conversation about how these songs were created...check out the Zebra Mussels edition.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

During the non-Summer months, Holden village dedicates one Vespers session a week to the lives of villagers. We call this Staff Story and this particular session centered around the current longest tenured villager: Jonah Jensen-Young. This also happened to be his final week in the Village, so it also served as a sincere farewell. In order to succinctly articulate our love for Jonah, I am including part of the official farewell transcript that was spoken of his actual departure, written by our talented Emily Meyer.  Jonah has lived in the Village since the summer of 2018, serving as Media Ministry Head and Librarian, Audio Archivist, Podcasting and most recently, school teacher. Before Jonah was the teacher, he served the Village by supporting A/V, audio archives, videos and podcasts. He has a knack for getting people to tell interesting stories about their lives which he put to good use for podcasts with teaching faculty. When there were multiple people named Jonah in the Village, he took on the nickname "Mountain Jonah," which perfectly reflects his penchant for outdoor adventures and his extensive knowledge of snow conditions, clouds, birds, wildlife, and more. Jonah's plans for adventures never cease to amaze! If all of the skiing, hiking and literally running out of the Village weren't enough, he even took paragliding lessons last summer! Jonah's discipline to make sure he had enough time each weekend to enjoy nature on an epic adventure, then make time to lesson plan and get everything accomplished for his role as teacher is admirable.Jonah is a deeply authentic person with such a kind heart and encourages others to bring their real selves to the table. He is a steadying and trustworthy presence here in the village. His check-ins and encouragement were appreciated by many. He’s great at giving support for the little things that others do. The high fives and the way he says “Hey good for you!” or “Way to go!” are powerful words of encouragement. He seems to be happy for people to be on whatever journey they are on and doesn’t compare it to anyone else’s. That’s one of the things that made him such a good community member and such a good teacher.Jonah is incredibly patient and kind with his school kids. He makes learning fun, and allows plenty of opportunity to impart his love of the outdoors to his kids. He has an incredible skill when it comes to befriending each child, instructing to their needs and passions, and being a core part of the child's sense of home in the community. Jonah normalized curiosity and helped each child find their own unique learner within. He has been an expert in turning the Railroad Creek valley into his classroom. He took the kids (and sometimes parents!) geo-caching, salmon raising, reindeer herd searching, igloo and yurt hot chocolate-sipping, morel mushroom finding, Domke lake fishing, snow angel-making, lake shore trail hiking and so much more. (The parents note that they are relieved he did not bring the kids along with him during his flight adventures!) These adventures and outings will be remembered by his students for the rest of their lives. One parent notes that being at Holden was the first time they heard their child say they liked school and many adult villagers wish Jonah had been their elementary school teacher.Be it on the trail, in the (very hot) sauna, or on a couch watching a movie, Jonah is always a rock steady presence, with a playful, loving heart. This village is grateful to have shared many laughs, songs, adventures and hugs with him. He is a one of a kind teacher and person, and will be sorely missed. This valley feels lucky to know you. Just as you have been an important part of all of our journeys, we hope that you will remember Holden as part of your journey.Background music composed by Zakhar Valaha.

"I have been coming to Holden since 1971 and became intrigued with the Prayer of Good Courage early on because the prayer has been at Holden since the beginning, in 1963. I have been the unofficial historian of the prayer, especially in telling people who wrote it. It was not written by Marty Haugen, Carroll Hinderlie, Martin Luther, or a Holden committee."Pastor Nancy Winder has been a weekly preacher for thirty two years, with the last twenty seven as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Seattle. A sought after preacher, she has written about preaching and worship. Pastor Winder has served on the Augsburg Fortress Board, the Alumni/ae Council of Luther Seminary and is currently chair of the Candidacy Committee of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

Ed Miles lived and worked at the Holden mining community from 1936, fought in World War II, and was an employee of Howe Sound at Holden until the mine closure in 1957.   Ed visited Holden Village in the summer of 2021 and was interviewed by Director Mark Bach and archivist Larry Howard during his visit.  Ed recounts living first on Honeymoon Heights, then in Chalet 8 with his parents, and then later in the Winston housing tract west of the mining town.  He met his wife in the Holden dining room and they raised their family at Holden like many other miner couples of the era.  To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].

"My work is about being embodied, about being connected; whole." Maya Mineoi 三根生 真矢 (they/them) comes from a lineage of gardeners, community organizers, and musicians. They are a somatic therapist with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Maya brings ancestral values of creativity, attentiveness, and slowing down into sessions. With play and gentleness, participants will attune themselves to their surroundings and their needs for freedom, connection and rest. Maya uses movement, touch, psychosomatic education, imagery, breathwork, and stillness to help each nervous system embody presence. Based on the work of Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems, and Brain-spotting, Maya encourages individuals and collectives to tap into the wealth of information in each body-mind.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].