PODCAST · society
What the Folk
by What the Folk
These are revelationary times, there are folks out there doing the real work, and these two affable weirdos want to talk to all of them. Join writer/librarian Sarah Baranauskas and singer/songwriter Joy Damiani* as they sit down for uncensored conversations with artists, organizers, educators and a glimmering array of visionaries. If you’re seeking deeper understanding, insight, and maybe even a medicinal dose of hope with your apocalypse, accompanied by a soundtrack of indie music, this might be What the Folk you’re looking for. *formerly known as Emily Yates
Episodes
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Episode 45: Apocalypse, Still
We've missed you, What the Folk fam! On this episode, instead of having a guest, we decided to take the chance to catch up with each other on life, the universe, and everything. We discuss dealing with personal disappointment and tragedy, and keeping a healthy perspective in the face of the…
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Episode 44: Peace is Not the Absence of War with Michael McPhearson
On this episode of What the Folk, our guest is Michael McPhearson, the executive director of online news publication the South Seattle Emerald, the former executive director of Veterans for Peace, and a longtime activist for racial and social justice within and outside of the US. This interview...
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Episode 43: Resisting the War Machine with Stephanie Atkinson
On this episode, our guest is Stephanie Atkinson, an Army veteran and war resister who now works with nonprofits Veterans for Peace and Courage to Resist to bring the truth about military recruitment to heavily-recruited high school students. Besides sharing her inspiring personal story, we…
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Episode 42: Where the Folk Have We Been?! with Sarah and Joy
We've missed you, What the Folk fam! We took a hiatus to get our respective and collective shit together, and now here we are, back and weirder than ever. In this, our 42nd episode, we cover – well, Life, the Universe, and Everything. Since it led us to discuss relationships, political…
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Episode 41: OMG Joy Wrote a Book! with Samantha Hart
Hello, What the Folk fam, we’ve missed you! We’ve had a lot of reasons we’ve been away but one majorly exciting reason is that JOY WROTE A BOOK! What’s also exciting is that friend of the pod Samantha Hart is joining us again for this episode to help illuminate the 14-year writing journey behind…
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Episode 40: Recognizing our Shared Humanity with Michael Iasilli
Russian history scholar and political scientist Michael Iasilli joins us to discuss, what else, the war in Ukraine. Besides giving us a fascinating tour through Russian and Ukrainian history, Iasilli also has a lot to say about avoiding xenophobia against Russians during this time. Naturally…
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Episode 39: Cheesecake or Death with Lauren Flynn
The fabulous Lauren Flynn returns to the pod! We talk about the inspiration for her awesome new band, Buried Blonde, trust and intuition in the creative process, why artists are essential workers and grappling with death at the Cheesecake Factory. Afterwards, Joy and Sarah discuss the lessons…
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Episode 38: Decriminalizing Nature with Nicole Foerster
We’re baaaack! Again! Thank you, dear listeners, for being understanding about our (sometimes variable) apocalypse release schedule. We are rewarding your patience with a fantastic episode featuring Nicole Foerster, an advocate for psilocybin mushrooms as a treatment for cluster headaches, a…
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Episode 37: Curiosity Cures Conflict with Corey Nathan
How do we enter into dialogue across differences, especially in a world where we are actively discouraged to do so by the powers that be? That question is not only at the heart of Corey Nathan’s work on his podcast Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other, but also a principle we…
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Episode 36: Oh Holy F--k! A What the Folk Holiday Duo Spectacular
Happy holidays What the Folk Fam! Our gift to you – not sure you asked for it, but you shall receive – is a whole hour of Sarah and Joy’s stoney shenanigans! Joy has a new single and accompanying video, “It’s All Right to Not Be Okay,” dropping on December 21st. We dive into the therapeutic and...
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Episode 35: Freedom in the Flow with Samantha Hart
The power of vulnerability and going with the flow are at the top of the conversation menu with guest Samantha Hart, author of a new memoir, Blind Pony: As True A Story As I Can Tell, about her unconventional journey from traumatized teenage runaway to creative force in the Hollywood music and…
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Episode 34: Conscience over Contract with Rosa del Duca
As part of our extended Veteran’s Day of Our Discontent celebration (er, we’ll call it that, sure), Joy sits down with fellow writer, musician, and veteran Rosa del Duca to discuss the various strategies they have both undertaken to unfuck their minds from the Army’s fuckery. As a conscientious...
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Episode 33: Beyond Surviving with Jenny Pacanowksi
This episode features the incredible, and incredibly real, Jenny Pacanowski, founder/director of Women Veterans Empowered and Thriving, in a conversation that explores moving beyond organizations that serve as trauma-swaps, the challenge of incorporating ritual into collective spaces, and much...
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Episode 32: Gratitude In Action with Lola Jean Darling
The fabulous Lola Jean Darling returns for this episode! We go on a journey through the NOLA mutual aid response post-Hurricane Ida, discuss why adaptability is better than planning, consider how to turn anxiety into art — and even find time to casually side-eye René Descartes. Extra laughs and...
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Episode 31: Tell Your Own Adventure with Marty Otañez
For this joint, we're joined by anthropologist and filmmaker Marty Otañez to dive into under-discussed labor issues in cannabis, using digital storytelling to disrupt academia, and how anthropology can inform public policy. There’s a lot of hope in this episode, as well as lots of drug discourse,...
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Episode 30: Unlearning Patriarchy with Crash Barbosa
We’re baaaaack! Our couple weeks off turned into three months but what is time during the apocalypse anyway? For our triumphant return to your earholes we are joined by Crash Barbosa, a recording artist and activist based out of L.A. We dive into his horrifying, politically motivated arrest…
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Episode 29: Relearning Joy with carla bergman
carla bergman, co-author, with Nick Montgomery, of Joyful Militancy, joins us for this episode. We dive into the writing process of this inspiring, must-read book, as well as how we resist our own radically rigid tendencies, why joy and melancholy often skip hand-in-hand, and why we should let…
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Episode 28: Pleasure is Medicine with Dr. Ingrid Walker
Why do all the research and rhetoric around drug use focus on the small percentage of problematic users, leaving the vast majority of drug users out of the conversation? Why are we so shitty at talking about pleasure in America? Why don’t more people take their cats camping? Dr. Ingrid Walker is...
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Episode 27: Big Wand Energy with Kate Willett
Tarot! Cats! Comedy! Material vs cultural approaches to politics! Horror stories of the weirdest Warren stans! This conversation with the fabulous Kate Willett has it all. High witch vibes all around. Afterward, Sarah and Joy touch on Terence McKenna, white feminism, Palestine, and BDSM as they…
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Episode 26: Playing in Parables with Mark Rubin
Our guest on this episode is the well-traveled, well-spoken, and unapologetically outspoken musician Mark Rubin. From co-founding the influential Americana trickster band The Bad Livers to being a leader in the contemporary klezmer scene, Mark’s storied career strands weave together perfectly in...
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Episode 25: Lean Into The Fear with Reformed Whores
We’re back to the folking interviews with this joyful frolic featuring Katy Frame and Marie Cecile Anderson, aka musical comedy duo Reformed Whores! We talk about our respective pandemic life changes, how to lean into fear, visions for a future artistic utopia, and the intensely triggering power…
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Episode 24: Millennials Meet M*A*S*H Part Two
Part deux of our monster M*A*S*H-athon conversation starts by tackling gender issues in the show and ends up with an imagined future for Hawkeye that involves hanging out with Timothy Leary and becoming an anti-war activist. In between, we cover sexism in the military, Freudian psychology, and…
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Episode 23: Millennials Meet M*A*S*H (Part One)
Attention all personnel, we’re doing something a little different for the next two episodes. In early January, Sarah was sucked into the antiwar brilliance of ‘70s T.V. comedy M*A*S*H -- and inspired Joy to come along for the binge-watching ride. Fresh off being emotionally devastated by the…
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Episode 22: What the Anti-Folk with Ed Hamell
The endearingly profane anti-folk pioneer and artistic rabble-rouser Ed Hamell, aka Hamell on Trial, joins us for this one, and helps us make a large announcement that we’re excited to share with you! We were able to squeeze in almost two hours of his tour stories (featuring the likes of fellow...
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Episode 21: Elder Up with Carla Gover
We’re joined by Carla Gover, a musician, dancer and activist whose work is informed by her deep Appalachian roots. We talk about breaking regional stereotypes, building connections across different communities, the wealth extraction that underlies Eastern Kentucky’s problems, and the importance…
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Episode 20: Exist Loud with Talia Keys & Melahn Atkinson
We are joined this week by SLC-based musician Talia Keys and her partner Melahn Atkinson. Besides offering a whole host of amazing livestream events in these strange times, Talia and Melahn have also been working with the houseless community in Salt Lake City. This interview covers a lot of…
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Episode 19: Coming to Terms with Reality with Tongo Eisen-Martin
We’re kicking off the first week in February with an extra What the Folk Wednesday drop! We sat with the newest poet laureate of San Francisco, Tongo Eisen-Martin, to talk about poetry as a tool for radicalization, the gentrification of American cities, how the current political moment we’re in…
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Episode 18: Truth, But Make It Funny with Ron Placone
Comedian Ron Placone joins us for this joint! We talk about Ron’s journey into stand-up comedy, digital rights issues, pushing back against the current of corporate media, and, of course, cats cats cats. Lightening the collective mood while taking on the heavy stuff is the vibe here. Afterwards,...
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Episode 17: Courage in the Face of Fear with Maya Azucena
**Content Warning: discussion of sexual assault and cult violence** In the last days of 2020, we got up early, brewed some coffee, and sat down (er, Zoomed) with Maya Azucena, singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador, who has been riding out the pandemic in Turkey. Maya’s inspiring, infectious…
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Episode 16: Queering the Age of Aquarius with Dr. Serena Chopra
We deep dive with Dr. Serena Chopra, a multitalented and multifaceted teacher and artist. Join us for a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation about the different approaches to time, what we mean when we describe something as “queer,” turning our personal trauma into collective defense…
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Episode 15: The Times, They are a-Rhymin' with Dr. Matthew Heidtmann
Happy episode 15 of What the Folk! In this episode we are joined by historian, writer and educator, Dr. Matthew Heidtmann. We talk about the importance of teaching history, making academia accessible to a wider audience, and all those great myths of imperialism and exceptionalism that we swim in…
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Episode 14: Superheroes and Glitterature with Baruch Porras-Hernandez
The lovely and hilarious Baruch Porras-Hernadez is in the house with big sparkly Aquarius energy. We talk about his journey from actor to performance poet and comedian, healing familial toxic masculinity, and how to joyfully make a living as an artist. We also get some pointers on Zoom theater as...
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Episode 13: Building Unions & Busting Borders with Dr. Tracy Ferrell
On this episode we are joined by Dr. Tracy Ferrell from CU Boulder. We discuss the challenges and opportunities around labor organizing in academia, the campus experience under Covid, and her research around immigration and medical marijuana patients. We also talk about the power of stories to...
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Episode 12: Good Vibes Only with Melody Walker
Happy (?) day after election day! We recorded this episode in October, so we made some bad predictions with our guest, musician Melody Walker, mostly involving aliens. We also talk about Front Country’s fantastic new album, Impossible World, which is out now for your ears’ enjoyment. But that’s...
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Episode 11: Slashing Police Funding Starts at Home with Alex Scott
***AUDIO NOTE: There was an issue with Sarah’s track, sorry for the fuzz!*** CONTENT WARNING: DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT We’re joined by Alex Scott, a 7th generation Oklahoman, a former public school teacher, an active community organizer, and candidate for Oklahoma State Senate. In 2018, she...
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Episode 10: Be Your Own Oracle with Lola Darling
Happy Episode 10 of What the Folk! We’re joined by the fabulous and multi-talented Lola Darling for a conversation about how art can heal and how to live your life as an act of resistance. We also get a preview of her new musical oracle project! From Lola’s struggle to claim her own identity to...
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Episode 9: Why Not Both? with Clayton Ickes
On this episode, we are taking a trip with Clayton Ickes, president of Psychedelic Club. We talk about our tendency to see psychedelics as a “savior,” what a legit psychedelic renaissance would look like, and wrestle with thorny issues of colonization and privilege vis-à-vis movements around drug...
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Episode 8: Why We Give a Shit About Assange with Lee Camp & Eleanor Goldfield
On this special bonus episode we are discussing the extradition hearing of Julian Assange with our friends Lee Camp and returning What the Folk champion Eleanor Goldfield. This episode is entirely focused on the case, so should be a good primer for anyone who is wondering, “Why, with all the…
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Episode 7: Striking Back at Empire Privilege with Brittany DeBarros
Join us for an enlightening discussion with Brittany DeBarros, Organizing Director of About Face: Veterans Against the War. We talk about her journey from soldier to activist, how to address oppressive patterns in movement building, what happens when we win, and how to hold multiple truths at…
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Episode 6: Escaping Revolving Doors with Lauren Flynn
Settle in for this deep dive with songwriter, musician, yoga teacher, activist, writer and all-around conscious renaissance woman Lauren Flynn. This interview covers a lot of territory -- how to live your activism, how to deal with narcissists, and how to turn trauma into passive aggressive…
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Episode 5: Unforgetting History with Eleanor Goldfield
We are joined by journalist, performance artist, activist and general doer of amazing shit Eleanor Goldfield! Settle in for this great conversation about mutual aid, her new (and excellent) documentary Hard Road of Hope, and how we keep up our creativity and hope in these troubling times. After…
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Episode 4: Dancing on the Ruins with Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
Episode Four: Dancing on the Ruins with Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson We sit down with the awesome Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, Co-Executive Director of the legendary Highlander Center, for an inspiring and motivating talk about movement building, solidarity economics, liberation practices and real…
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Episode 3: Warrior Stories with Krystal Two Bulls
Emily sits down with Krystal Twobulls (Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne), veteran and executive director of Voices of the Sacred, in Lame Deer, Montana. Voices of the Sacred’s mission is to develop the next generation of healthy organizers from Native Youth and Native Veterans. We talk about...
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Episode 2: Deep-Dive Into Drugs with Dr. Carol Conzelman
We are joined by Dr. Carol Conzelman for a mind-expanding conversation about the history of the drug war in the United States, her work studying coca and democracy in Bolivia, how to encourage critical thinking about drugs, and our human need to explore inner space. Then Emily and Sarah have a…
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MINI BONUS! Episode 1A: If You're Ever in Oklahoma
Ep. 2 will be out soon! In the meantime, as a follow up to Ep. 1, Emily sits down with her fellow Vets for Peace/About Face Vets after their direct action at the Trump rally in Tulsa on June 20th to reflect on what service now means to them during the current (and…
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Episode 1: Fuck the New Normal with Garett Reppenhagen
Our first episode! We are joined by Garett Reppenhagen, executive director of Veterans for Peace. You can learn more and get involved here: https://www.veteransforpeace.org/ We recorded this interview a couple days after the murder of George Floyd. Stay tuned after the interview to hear Emily and...
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What the Folk Teaser
The pod is almost ready for launch! We’ll be live June 15th! In the meantime, here’s a tiny taste.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
These are revelationary times, there are folks out there doing the real work, and these two affable weirdos want to talk to all of them. Join writer/librarian Sarah Baranauskas and singer/songwriter Joy Damiani* as they sit down for uncensored conversations with artists, organizers, educators and a glimmering array of visionaries. If you’re seeking deeper understanding, insight, and maybe even a medicinal dose of hope with your apocalypse, accompanied by a soundtrack of indie music, this might be What the Folk you’re looking for. *formerly known as Emily Yates
HOSTED BY
What the Folk
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does What the Folk have?
What the Folk currently has 47 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is What the Folk about?
These are revelationary times, there are folks out there doing the real work, and these two affable weirdos want to talk to all of them. Join writer/librarian Sarah Baranauskas and singer/songwriter Joy Damiani* as they sit down for uncensored conversations with artists, organizers, educators and a...
How often does What the Folk release new episodes?
What the Folk has 47 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to What the Folk?
You can listen to What the Folk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts What the Folk?
What the Folk is created and hosted by What the Folk.
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