What's Art Got to Do With It‪?‬ Deb Ondo and Lauren Kleciak

Elizabeth Cunningham is best known for The Maeve Chronicles, a series of award-winning novels featuring a feisty Celtic Mary Magdalen. She also recorded MaevenSong, an album of original music from The Maeve Chronicles.Elizabeth has published four collections of poems, a mystery novel, Murder at the Rummage Sale, and All the Perils of this Night, a stand-alone thriller and sequel to Murder at the Rummage Sale. She is a fellow Emeritus of Black Earth Institute and writes regularly for the Feminism and Religion blog site.Check out Elizabeth's website: https://elizabethcunninghamwrites.com/

I talk with Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, Jen Murdza. Her songwriting style has been described as "an ironic marriage of somber lyrics and playful, rhythmic grooves." The Boston Globe wrote, "vocal standout, Jen Murdza, has beaten the pack by continually defying genres." Recording artist, Brandy Carlisle said, "I got to see Jen’s set and thought it was really amazing. It was really nice to see another girl singing really big and singing loud. We may kidnap her and take her on the rest of the tour with us.”Jen’s career highlights include: Being XM Satellite Radio, Radar Report’s "Artist of the Week," a Boston Music Awards Nominee for "Best New Act," a Starbucks Music Makers Semi-finalist, and a part of New York's Songwriter Circle at The Bitter End (alumni include Vanessa Carlton and Nora Jones).Jen is also a software engineer, working with a company that has created a platform enabling independent and small labels to keep more of their money and not have to work with and rely on (often) predatory large record labels. Find Jen's music wherever you listen - and check out her website: http://www.jenmurdza.com/

Ilene Cutler is an activist, artist, and founder of IC Film, where she utilizes media to address important social issues. Her latest documentary project, “We Remember,” follows a group of Hudson Valley singer-songwriters as they meet and spend time with Holocaust Survivors – and then write music based on the stories.Ilene’s other projects include the documentary, Taking a Chance on God, - the story of John McNeil, a Jesuit priest and hero for Catholics and others, and Dreamers Among Us, stories of immigrant youth seeking higher education and equal rights in America.Check out Ilene's website: https://icfilmproductions.com/

Jan Phillips is a visionary thought leader, award-winning author and dynamic speaker. She is co-founder and executive director of the Livingkindness Foundation.Her work has been published in the New York Times, Ms. Magazine, Sun, Newsday, People Magazine, and the Christian Science Monitor. She is co-founder and executive director of Livingkindness Foundation.Jan has worked in 23 countries presenting keynotes, workshops, and retreats. She creates a unique multi-sensory experience, weaving humor, storytelling, video and music to inspire and ignite insights for life-changing action. Jan shows people how to access their wisdom, activate their creative energy and communicate with passion and power.Her own quest has led her into and out of a religious community, across the U.S. on a Honda motorcycle, and around the world on a one-woman peace pilgrimage. Blending east and west, art and activism, reflection and ritual, Jan’s presentations are transformative, uplifting, and soul-stirring.Since the interview, Jan was a TEDx speaker. Visit Jan's website: https://janphillips.com/

Tim Dillinger is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer, poet, speaker, and historian whose career spans more than 20 years. His work has been featured on NPR, Huffington Post, and ColorLines magazine. He has released five albums.Ray Curenton grew up in a singing family and has recorded two independent albums, dedicated to love in all its forms. Both men grew up in families where religion was a central focus. They co-own the publishing imprint, Imagination Fury Arts.Check out Tim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/timdillinger?lang=enCheck out Ray on Twitter: https://twitter.com/raycurenton

Shirl Roccapriore's circuitous path to becoming a full-time artist sent her climbing Mt. Kilamonjaro and trekking in Nepal, barely surviving survival courses in the desert, and – after 12 years in the hot seat, walking away from her corporate job. What does it take to become a full-time artist? Shirl recounts her adventures, artistic process – and shares how living with depression has shaped her work in the studio. Shirl Roccapriore is a fine art painter living in Provincetown, Massachusetts.