Author: Soundings Podcast

Racism in America with Clyde W. Ford author of Think Black and Of Blood and Sweat: Black Lives and the Making of White Power and Wealth

In this in-depth conversation, Dudley Evenson interviews award-winning author Clyde W. Ford about his recent book Think Black: A Memoir. Initially, he thought he was writing a feel-good story about his father being hired in 1946 as the first black software engineer at IBM but in researching for the book, Clyde uncovered the shocking story of tech giant IBM and its early involvement with racially biased eugenics work and specifically of its support of Nazi Germany’s atrocities against Jews during World War II. He also discusses his upcoming book Of Blood and Sweat: Black Lives and the Making of White Power and Wealth which follows personal stories of individual black men and women and the role they played in creating American institutions of power and wealth beginning with the first enslaved people brought from Africa to the Jamestown, Virginia Colony in 1619. He also clarifies the concept of Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a legal term relating to systemic racism being deeply and intentionally engrained in the legal, business, and social structures of this country. He addresses the book banning that some states are engaged with and calls on us to look honestly at our history for without truth, there can be no reconciliation.

Think Black: A Memoir

Of Blood and Sweat: Black Lives and the Making of White Power and Wealth 

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Dean & Dudley Evenson Talk Loving Partnership

In this podcast, Dean and Dudley Evenson talk about their long-lasting marriage and how they have managed to maintain a loving relationship while raising a family and running a successful business together. In this intimate conversation, the Evensons contemplate some of the principles that have contributed to their having such a fun and meaningful life starting with their auspicious meeting in 1968 in New York’s East Village. They reminisce about coming from very different backgrounds yet still being able to blend their creative lives and be productive together. They speak of their musical path and the recently launched the Peace Through Music Foundation.

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Dean Evenson Talks Daily Practice

Dean Evenson shares his daily exercise and mindfulness practices which he does to keep himself balanced and grounded. He enjoys several kinds of exercises as well as meditation, breathing, walking, and personal affirmations. Since he first started doing yoga in the early ‘70s, Dean has kept up a daily practice which has allowed him to stay healthy and able to maintain energy to accomplish the many things he does. As we get older, we may experience health issues which make exercise even more important. In fact, everyone, no matter their age, can benefit from daily physical and spiritual practices. We hope Dean’s personal process inspires you to consider enhancing your own level of self-care.

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Friendly Farming

In 1972, Dean and Dudley Evenson were called to Stockholm, Sweden to videotape the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. It was the first ever international gathering focusing on the ecological impact of humans on the planet. After a week of learning and videotaping, the conference and gatherings wound down and Dean and Dudley decided to travel to northwestern Sweden to visit a community they had heard about that grew organic food.

They packed up their video gear and hitchhiked north, landing among a gentle group of young people who had formed a commune and were working with an old Finnish farmer named Andres Bjornson, who practiced a technique called ‘friendly farming.’ With camera turned on and the tape rolling, they learned about his simple, but very effective means of working with nature, of putting the weeds which he called ‘helpful cultures’ right back next to the growing plants for fertilizer, and generally of producing abundant crops of food without artificial fertilizers or pesticides by keeping the soil gently cultivated with a fork-like tool.

Welcomed by these people who lived communally in the land of the midnight sun and practiced Bjornsen’s farming techniques, the Evensons spent a meaningful Midsummer’s Eve, watching the sun roll like a ball across the distant hills, and never quite set. This podcast is a synopsis of what they learned.

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In Claude Monet’s Footsteps

Dean and Dudley reminisce on their own background and artistic path which has many parallels in common with impressionist master Claude Monet. In this podcast, they talk about retracing the steps of Monet when they recently traveled to France. Their exploration began with visiting the many museums in Paris where his paintings are exhibited. They especially enjoyed the Musée de l’Orangerie where the huge water lily paintings he did toward the end of his life are displayed. Later they spent five days in Giverny in a renovated inn, just a block from Monet’s home and historic water and flower gardens. They made videos and field recordings and included them in their new album Monet’s Garden.

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Interview with sitar master Deobrat Mishra

In this interview we speak with sitar master Deobrat Mishra from his home in Varanasi, India on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Deobrat represents the 11th generation of the Benares Gharana vocal lineage. India’s rich heritage of music is at risk of being lost so to preserve this precious legacy, Deobrat and his family formed the Mishra Academy of Indian Classical Music which replicates the system of passing down knowledge from master to student. Deobrat composes in traditional Indian raga style and has collaborated with Dean Evenson on the album YOGA MANTRA featuring the Gayatri Mantra and six other devotional chants. Enjoy this journey to India.

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A Year of Guided Meditations

In this podcast, Dudley Evenson talks about her new book “A Year Of Guided Meditations” and how it can help you become self-empowered and allow your life to unfold in a positive way.

You can purchase the book now on Amazon here:

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Surviving Politics

We just had an election and some people are happy while some people are not. Democratic elections are interesting that way. At the end of the day, about half the people are celebrating while the other half are feeling devastated. We need to figure out how to survive divisive elections and politics in general. The question is how do we move forward without giving up hope or causing more alienation. This podcast was actually recorded four years ago, but it is as relevant today as it was then. Needless to say, we wish everyone peace no matter how they voted.

View YouTube video or read more about Surviving Politics on our blog at soundings.com.

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Dean Evenson on Love, Peace & Music

On this podcast we offer something a bit different that is up close and personal. Listen to Dean Evenson as he shares in his own words how he lives each day, what music and nature mean to him and how they both enhance his life and his relationships. Hear how Dean quiets his mind to create the award-winning, healing music he has been making for over 40 years.

To watch the full length video on YouTube, please click here.

Be sure to follow Dean Evenson on Spotify.

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Interview with guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan

A few years ago, we met guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan at a Music Therapy Conference. We were intrigued that an avant-garde jazz guitarist was featured at a sound healing event, but once we heard him play, we understood why he was included in the program. Later, we arranged to interview Jordan after his gig at Jazz Alley in Seattle. We were fascinated to learn more about his interesting journey from being a successful jazz artist to his work in the sound healing field. You can also watch the video of the interview on our Soundings Mindful Media YouTube channel. Enjoy.

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