Ep. 42 It’s Personal – LIVE – with Marlene Johnson, Follow the Firefly & Aamera Siddiqui

04/16/25 • 89 min

Special guest Marlene Johnson, Minnesota’s first female Lt. Gov., shares navigating her trail blazing life in politics, honing her leadership skills in non-profits and adapting to deep personal challenges, one pivot at a time. Musical guests Follow the Firefly with Phala Tracy on harp, Natalie Nowytski on bass & Scott Keever on guitar, bring us a powerful song honoring Ukraine through a great grandmother’s poem + songs and musical haikus celebrating female strength, autonomy & hot flashes. Aamera Siddiqui tells her story detailing the oh so many “perks of being a diversity hire.” Zippy Laske reminds us, via a stunning new song, that what is happening now is personal. AND Dae Yang & Sue Scott decide that the resistance will be best dressed in hoodies.

Episode Details

Island of Discarded Women Episode #42 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
Written by Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
Special Guest is Marlene Johnson
Musical guest is Follow the Firefly with Phala Tracy on harp and vocals, Natalie Nowytski on bass and vocals & Scott Keever on guitar.
Guest Storyteller is Aamera Siddiqui
Original songs: “Syniv Shukajut” (They Search for Their Sons) Ukrainian, music and lyrics by Natalie Nowytski. “Inescapable Ridiculous Self,” “Inferno,” “Two Songs Written 20 Years Apart” and “Alone is Better Than Wrong” music and lyrics by Phala Tracy.
Traditional Bulgarian song: “Liljano, Mome” (Liljana, Young Maiden)
Original songs: “Guilty by Assumption” and “It’s Personal” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
Production assistance by volunteers Susanne Egli & Doug Anderson
Guest research by Marisa Helms
Photos by Bonni Allen
Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
Mastered by Tony Axtell
Episode #42 opening: Excerpt from “7.951 Billion People” music and lyrics by Keri Noble from our December 2024 show.

The post Ep. 42 It’s Personal – LIVE – with Marlene Johnson, Follow the Firefly & Aamera Siddiqui appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Episode Details

Island of Discarded Women Episode #42 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
Written by Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
Special Guest is Marlene Johnson
Musical guest is Follow the Firefly with Phala Tracy on harp and vocals, Natalie Nowytski on bass and vocals & Scott Keever on guitar.
Guest Storyteller is Aamera Siddiqui
Original songs: “Syniv Shukajut” (They Search for Their Sons) Ukrainian, music and lyrics by Natalie Nowytski. “Inescapable Ridiculous Self,” “Inferno,” “Two Songs Written 20 Years Apart” and “Alone is Better Than Wrong” music and lyrics by Phala Tracy.
Traditional Bulgarian song: “Liljano, Mome” (Liljana, Young Maiden)
Original songs: “Guilty by Assumption” and “It’s Personal” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
Production assistance by volunteers Susanne Egli & Doug Anderson
Guest research by Marisa Helms
Photos by Bonni Allen
Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
Mastered by Tony Axtell
Episode #42 opening: Excerpt from “7.951 Billion People” music and lyrics by Keri Noble from our December 2024 show.

The post Ep. 42 It’s Personal – LIVE – with Marlene Johnson, Follow the Firefly & Aamera Siddiqui appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Previous Episode

Ep. 41 Hope Has Wheels – LIVE – with guests Sarah Stoesz, Keri Noble & Melissa Castino Reid

Our special guest Sarah Stoesz spent 21 years as the President & CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. She shares her decades long advocacy for women’s rights and reproductive freedom, which started personally and became profound. Musical guest Keri Noble blows us away with original songs that are powerful, gritty and strong. Storyteller Melisa Castino Reid navigates life caring for her daughter Rachel with dedicated riders of the “Bus of Hope.” And Dae Yang, Sue Scott & members of the audience explore what is bringing them strength during this very uncertain time.

Episode Details

Island of Discarded Women Episode #41 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
Cast: Dae Yang and Sue Scott
Written by Dae Yang and Sue Scott
Special Guest is Sarah Stoesz
Musical guest is Keri Noble
Guest Storyteller is Melissa Castino Reid
Original songs: “Hurricane”, “7.951 Billion People” and “Stronger” music and lyrics by Keri Noble
Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
Production assistance by Susanne Egli
Guest research by Marisa Helms
Photos by Bonni Allen
Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
Mastered by Tony Axtell
Episode #41 opening: Excerpt from “Hand-in-Hand” by Zippy Laske from our October 2024 show.

The post Ep. 41 Hope Has Wheels – LIVE – with guests Sarah Stoesz, Keri Noble & Melissa Castino Reid appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.