Podcast
Song of the Soul
Hosted by Northern Spirit Radio · EN
Song of the Soul invites you to a soul-level encounter. Music has the ability to proclaim the soul's language beyond what mere words can speak. That's what we seek as we invite our guests to share their Song of the Soul. You will hear the music that has charted the steps of their spiritual journey, that has provided a touchstone in the soul's dark night, and sung the hearts awe and joy when come to the Light. As you listen to Song of the Soul, you are both witness and companion to our guest's spiritual path and sacred testimony.
Song of the Soul guests provide about 25 minutes of the music that speaks of their spiritual path, beliefs or journey, and Mark Helpsmeet explores with them the relevance and meaning of this music to their experience. Some guests are musicians, perhaps sharing their own music, but most guests are simply sharing music they've been impacted by, written and performed by others.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Back From the Grocery Store with Music & Justice
2d ago00:55:00Tap to summarizeP.J. Hoffman was a musician, performer, songwriter, & social justice worker in his youth, playing violin, French horn, tuba, guitar and piano, including 4 years with a group called The Mystics. But one day he woke up without the gift of music which he had always had within, and he ended up on a different path for decades. Retirement brought him back to his gift and his roots, born out of 1960's folk music and activism, resurrecting & updating his slate of music.
Transcribe →From Torch Songs to the Trail of Tears to the Trapeze: the Wide Range of Stephanie Bettman
1w ago00:55:00Tap to summarizeI've seen mentions of the music of Bettman & Halpin for years, but it took running into a video of a new song by Stephanie Bettman to lead me into the wealth of music she's written and performed. Just recently Stephanie released her own album, Out of the Darkness. Stephanie's range is astonishing in oh-so-many ways. Certainly in terms of vocal range, genre range, and the range of themes & ideas, but also in that she's also been an actor and a trapeze artist!
Transcribe →Silver Lining to Dark Skies: Arielle Silver Part 2
2w ago00:55:00Tap to summarizeWe're back today with Part 2 of our Song of the Soul visit with Arielle Silver. If you missed part 1 last week, it can be easily found on our website, and it was a visit steeped in song, story, and Arielle's silky-soaring voice. We finished just as she was explaining some of the riches & wonderings that were gifts of her Jewish upbringing, including her deep dive into Eastern and Earth-based inspirations.
Transcribe →A Calling Into Light: Arielle Silver
3w ago00:55:00Tap to summarizeArielle Silver is on a mission, and she takes this pursuit seriously. We'll get to know her music today, but her deep encounter with Eastern Spirituality, including her practice of yoga, meditation, and more, could easily fill all our broadcast time. Arielle had music flowing into her from her father's guitar playing, and it also was a rich part of her Jewish background, but she definitely found the need for her music to rise out of and be rooted in her spirituality.
Transcribe →Bless Your Heart & Your AK-47: Billy Simons Jr
May 2200:55:00Tap to summarizeOur guest today is Billy Simons Jr, (or on Bandcamp) who I ran into by seeing, and loving, a number of the video reels he's shared online, mostly about current political issues & turmoil. Plus, he has wonderful sense of humor that adds an extra charge to his songs.
Transcribe →Gratefully Remembering Bruce Hecksel, Part 2
May 1400:55:00Tap to summarizePart 2 of a Memorial Song of the Soul for Bruce Hecksel, shared by his wife, Julie, including 5 more songs; most written, sung, and played by Bruce on the lead. Bruce and Julie have more than 20 recordings as Patchouli, and also under the name Terra Guitarra, on their label, Earthsign Records. Bruce passed on July 28, 2025, at the age of 57, following a three-year battle with cancer.
Transcribe →Remembering Bruce Hecksel, Eternal Terra Guitarra (Part 1)
May 800:55:00Tap to summarizeToday we bring you a Memorial Song of the Soul for Bruce Hecksel, shared by his wife, Julie. Bruce & Julie have more than 20 recordings, as Patchouli, and also under the name Terra Guitarra, on their label, Earthsign Records. Bruce passed on July 28, 2025, at the age of 57, following a three-year battle with cancer. Bruce is best-known for his amazing guitar work, though he also was skilled at piano, and sometimes played other instruments like drums and wood flutes.
Transcribe →With Roses, Snakes, Tigers, & The Divine Mother: Ana Egge
May 100:55:00Tap to summarizeAna Egge combines a beautiful voice with seriously deep lyrics to make transformative music. With 12 albums under her belt, and with a menagerie of creatures, like roses, snakes, tigers, & the Divine Mother, brought to life in her songs, there is both breadth & depth of vision channeled to us. With roots extending back to Saskatchewan, North Dakota, New Mexico, & Texas, Ana currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Transcribe →Looking Forward to the Backroads: Johnsmith
Apr 2400:55:00Tap to summarizeOur guest is Johnsmith, a talented, engaging, profound, & easy-going guy.
Transcribe →Part 2 of David Rovics' 2nd Song of the Soul, plus Minnesota Uprising
Apr 1700:55:00Tap to summarizeLast week we got very engrossed in our conversation with David Rovics, so much so that we ended up doing 2 shows of interviewing in one long session, so we have David back this week to provide 5 more songs and the remainder of the conversation. To recap from last week, David Rovics has produced something like 50 albums, and while his style is mostly folk-based, he does some songs which are folk-punk, metal and rock, but there were also a couple years where he was mainly making children's music.
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