Listen: on our site, PRX, Mixcloud — full track list with links

Bart Everson here. I have to confess that this episode’s theme was a challenge for me. That might seem like an odd thing to say, since I chose it myself. The truth is that healing is one of my blind spots. That also might seem like an odd thing to say, since I’ve done plenty of it. If you cut me, do I not bleed? I do, and then I heal, and my understanding has been limited to that bodily level.

These songs of healing know no such limits. They take a holistic approach, acknowledging our need for healing at every level, emphasizing our continuity with our environment. We humans can’t be happy and healthy and whole unless Earth is also healed.

In curating this series of Earth-centered music for the last two and a half years, and being immersed in ecospiritual practice for longer than that, I’ve noticed the theme of healing comes up again and again. There’s no missing it.

Yet I’ve found myself resistant, slightly averse to acknowledge, reticent to think much about it. That’s because healing entails acknowledging the wounds and the trauma. It involves deep feeling, and sometimes I’d prefer just to skate along on the surface.

That’s my own personal challenge, but I think it points to a deeper truth: The healing process is never pretty. The results, however, may be beautiful. This music certainly is. I hope you agree.

Postscript: As we publish this episode, I can’t help noticing one of our featured artists has deleted their accounts on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Instagram. In the context of a show on themes of wellness, I’m a little concerned. Is everything OK? Maybe drop us a line.

Syndication update: KPSQ-FM (Fayetteville, Arkansas) has picked up the last couple of episodes. We’re not listed on the web schedule, but hopeful we might be a part of their regular lineup. If you live in the vicinity, please let them know you appreciate this music.

Featured image: Sticker by unknown street artist; photo by Bart Everson.