Soul Force Podcast

Arn Chorn-Pond survived the Cambodian genocide by playing music for the Khmer Rouge, performing propaganda songs while people were killed around him. At just 12 years old, he watched over a million children die, including his own siblings, as the Khmer Rouge slaughtered a quarter of Cambodia's population and 90% of its artists between 1975-1979. After escaping through landmine-filled jungles...

This is part two of this fascinating interview with master improvisor, composer, educator and legendary cornetist Bobby Bradford, Now 90 years old, Bobby unpacks more stories and first hand experiences on the cutting edge jazz history from the perspectives of the musicians themselves.  Bobby discusses the history of the evolving consciousness of the black man as a free artist and the evolution of...

Master improvisor, composer, educator and legendary cornetist Bobby Bradford now 90 years old unpacks his stories and first hand experiences on the arc of jazz history from the perspectives of the musicians themselves.  In part one, Bobby discusses his early days, and the evolving artistic identity of the new black man and early impact of Ornette Coleman and John Carter also from Texas who he late...

Enjoy these enlightening interviews with a living legend of American history and architect of the nonviolent movement in America.  Reverend James Lawson at age 93 sharp as a tack, breaks down his personal experience,  American history and contemporary outlook on issues ranging from plantation capitalism, the persistence of poverty and the American obsession with guns.  Lawson shows how love in its...

So happy to release part two of this extraordinary talk by Arnold Clifford, Diné elder from Shiprock, the Four Corners region of New Mexico. A Navajo renaissance man, Arnold's knowledge spans botany, geology, myth, spirituality.  As a teacher, he is a true culture bearer of the Navajo people and carries a wealth of knowledge within the worldview of his tradition and their connection to all li...

Enjoy this Interview with Padmashri Guru Rewben, an extraordinary artist from a mountainous region of Manipur (Northeast India, bordering Myanmar). His music is a compelling blend of the tribal Naga songs and instruments with guitar and raw sound of American folk, blues and rock n roll. This lively discussion is peppered with musical examples and focuses around the importance of indigenous knowled...

Arnold Clifford is an extraordinary Diné elder from Shiprock, the Four Corners region of New Mexico. A Navajo renaissance man, Arnold's knowledge spans botany, geology, myth, spirituality.  As a teacher, he is a true culture bearer of the Navajo people and carries a wealth of knowledge within the worldview of his tradition and their connection to all living things.  Today we will feature in p...

Enjoy these enlightening interviews with a living legend of American history and architect of the nonviolent movement in America.  Reverend James Lawson at age 92 sharp as a tack, breaks down his personal experience,  American history and contemporary outlook on issues ranging from plantation capitalism, the persistence of poverty and the American obsession with guns.  Lawson shows how love in its...

Enjoy the Soul Force interview with musicians Jesse Sharps & Fundi Legohn discussing the historic spiritual lineage of creative black music in Los Angeles.  Jesse and Fundi unpack this inter-generational legacy, the healing power of the art and the impact it continues to make on younger jazz musicians today.  The interview is interspersed with musical excerpts from Horace Tapscott's &apos...

Paul Livingstone interviews Richard Estrada who just turned 78 years young and speaks about his role working with immigrants, refugees and the nature of power in organizing in the Chicano movement. Father Richard was instrumental in the earliest sanctuary churches in Los Angeles and has been a tireless human rights activist and community organizer working with Cesar Chavez and many others at the h...

Pakistani scholar Safoora Arbab, discusses with Paul Livingstone the extraordinary legacy of Abdul Ghaffār Khān, also known as 'Bacha Khan' and the Pushtun 'Khudai Khidmatgar'.  Under Bacha Khan's leadership, this movement encouraged creativity and feminism as it transformed the Pushtun cultural values of honor and courage into a radical force of nonviolent resistance.  As...

Martin King was truly a visionary artist, his mastery of the word was soaked in a musical delivery. Exploring the idea of a change-making artist that pushes culture forward, Martin was a personality who utilized traditional elements in provocative ways.  Martin focused on communicating truth and inspiring others towards creative lives of love and service. This kind of artist’s work gives meaning t...