No Left Field

In this episode, Rowena and Jason dive into a curated 17-track summer mixtape created as an homage to the support system that carried Ro and Ed through a challenging year.

The conversation spans music from 2026 releases to classics from Ro and Jason’s youth. Rowena shares why these tracks move her (literally and figuratively) and Jason shares her enthusiasm as well as his AI assisted research into the backstory of various tracks.

Together they home in on their shared love of music and its cathartic, transporting power as medicine.

A few highlights:

• A Dedication of Gratitude: Rowena dedicates the summer mixtape to the community, family, and friends who provided care and support throughout Ed’s cancer treatment and recovery.
• Unconventional Sound Structures: Jason reveals his Top 5 most mindblowing tracks of Ro’s mixtape — tracks that include acoustic piano interludes and unusual string-striking techniques — which leave him wondering where the song is going to go next.
• Intergenerational Collaborations & Genre Crossovers: Ro and Jason “fangrrl” unique pairings across generations and styles, such as Olivia Rodrigo with Robert Smith, and mega K-pop group collaborations.
• Personal Nostalgia & Milestones: Rowena walks Jason through some formative musical memories, from childhood radio favorites to songs associated with family milestones and San Francisco life.

YouTube Music listeners: Here's the full playlist.

Apple Music listeners: The first track on Rowena's playlist is not available on Apple Music. You can find that track here. The rest of the playlist is here. 

Spotify listeners: We're sorry! We haven't taken the time to school ourselves in the ins and outs of exporting / importing playlists. Maybe you could figure it out and tell us how?

Rowena’s Summer Mixtape ‘26 Track List:

• "Adore You x Watermelon Sugar" (Harry Styles Mashup by Adamusic): Sets an energetic, sun-drenched tone for the mixtape opening.
• "Slip & Slide" by Masicka & Di Genius: A playful dancehall party anthem with generational reggae roots.
• "Summerboy" by Lady Gaga: An unsentimental pop-rocker showcasing early alternate genre paths.
• "Houseboy" by Aluna, Will Sass & Timbaland: Classic Chicago piano house beat dedicated playfully to household gratitude.
• "One Afternoon in Summer" by Luke Faulkner: A contemplative piano instrumental acting as a right angle.
• "Standing Next to You" by Jung Kook: High-energy K-pop solo release drawing on 70s disco and 80s funk influences.
• "Ne Plus Ultra" by ear: Experimental electronic track featuring gritty bass and intense forward momentum.
• "Burn the Witch" by Radiohead: A 16-year production effort featuring striking col legno bow techniques on strings.
• "Silly Love Songs" by Paul McCartney & Wings: A classic track tied to personal memories and an upcoming family wedding.
• "what’s wrong with me" by Olivia Rodrigo & Robert Smith: An intergenerational crossover exploring bittersweet romantic themes.
• "ICONIC BY MISTAKE" by LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT & KATSEYE: A high-powered K-pop collaboration uniting 16 vocalists across three groups.
• "U-Huh" by Tkay Maidza: Funky, whimsical electronic hip-hop track with a catchy hook.
• "Choosin’ Texas" by Ella Langley: A record-breaking country crossover ballad with raw, down-to-earth storytelling.
• "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson: A soft, agile vocal showcase written by Toto's Steve Porcaro.
• "The Tide Is High" by Blondie: Reggae-influenced classic featuring a rich mix of horns and strings.
• "Free Your Mind" by Prosper & Cloonee: An upbeat tech-house track revived years after its initial creation.
• "Crying" by Björk: A summer-vulnerable track reflecting on raw human emotion and personal history.

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Welcome to Part 1 of Summer Music 2026!

In this episode, Rowena and Jason dig into music from Jason’s past epic summer roadtrips with his family. Be ready: Jason is not a trained vocalist! But he does what he can with what he’s got.

You can find Jason’s playlist on Apple Music here. It includes all the songs mentioned in the episode, in the order mentioned, plus the entirety of the “ultimate album of every summer” that Jason reminisces about late in the pod.

Unfortunately, platform interoperability isn’t what it should be in 2026, so if you’re on Spotify, Google Music, or another provider, it’ll be harder to assemble the list.

After recording, Jason confirmed that “Closer” by The Chainsmokers (feat. Halsey) was indeed released in 2017, not 2016.

A couple errata. First, the proper credit for “Titanium” goes to David Guetta, not Zedd. Second, the song on Calvin Harris’s “Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1” is “Skirt on Me,” not “Skirt on Ya." 

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In this episode, Rowena and Jason catch up for bit, and then welcome Colette and Ed back to the studio for a wide-ranging conversation about Prayer Porch. A few highlights:

• Work as a Spiritual Practice: Rowena’s experiences working one-on-one with dementia clients, navigating difficult rejections with patience, and discovering mutual maternal care and healing.
• Navigating Career Setbacks: Jason reflects on sitting with the physical pain of professional rejection and receiving comfort from Colette and from friends.
• The Origins of Prayer Porch: Ed shares the story of how Prayer Porch began 14 years ago in Chicago with his Uncle Mike, Aunt Dorothea, and Aunt Peggy after the sudden loss of 19-year-old Billy Tobin.
• Prayer Porch West: How the daily morning ritual traveled west to California, evolved over a decade, and opened up space for vulnerability, “prants” (prayer rants), humor, readings, and mutual support across faith traditions.
• The Chicago Pilgrimage: Highlights from the group's April pilgrimage back to the original Prayer Porch in Chicago to pray in person on the porch.

Featured Readings & References

• Interview Reference: Father Jim Martin’s interview with Father Greg Boyle on The Spiritual Life podcast 
• Poem Read on the Air: "Friendships" by Donna Ashworth (gifted by Carol during the Chicago pilgrimage).

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Part 1: The Vinegary and the Phoenix

• Jason's Job Search: Jason processes a recent rejection for an exciting role, describing the emotional toll of his prolonged job hunt as a "vinegary" background noise. Despite the disappointment, he finds a win during a recent interview in staying authentic.
• Rowena's Re-entry: Rowena pulls the Phoenix animal spirit card, (from Kim Krans’ The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit deck) sparking a discussion about transformation, unblocking qi, and managing an "abundance of goodness" as she and Ed find a new rhythm in his recovery.

Part 2: The Chorus of Guests

• Partner Perspectives: Special guests Ed and Colette join the pod to share their personal views on navigating Jason's career transition and Ed's cancer recovery.
• Ed's U-Shaped Journey: Ed details his spiritual path, moving from a childhood love of Catholic music, through a secular phase, and into an integrated spirituality that embraces "teal consciousness," Gnosticism, and a balance of the sacred masculine and feminine.
• Colette's Catholic Roots: Colette discusses her devout upbringing, the tension of remaining in a flawed institution, the philosophy of "blooming where you're planted," and her familial connection to the current American Pope, Leo XIV.

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In this special archive episode (originally recorded on July 29, 2025), we take a break from our scheduled programming to celebrate summer and the music that defines it. We dive into the personal meaning of the season, Jason’s self-proclaimed identity as a hedonist, and the concept of "the clock with no hands."

We reflect on the unusual "depressed summer" vibe of 2025 and the lack of a single, definitive communal “song of the summer.” Against the backdrop of a freezing San Francisco marine layer and deeply personal challenges — including Ro's husband, Ed, undergoing chemotherapy — we discuss the vital importance of cultivating joy through music, laughter, and kitchen dance sessions. We wrap up by sharing our ultimate, unconventional choices for the 2025 Song of the Summer.

A few highlights:

• The Joy of Summer: Jason shares why summer aligns with his hedonistic nature, recounting a childhood story from Missoula, Montana, where his mom first lovingly labeled him a hedonist for skipping a history lecture to ride his mountain bike on an 80°F day.
• The "Clock with No Hands": A discussion on slowing down and intentionality, inspired by a Patti Smith reference and a relaxing afternoon trip to a Lake Tahoe resort.
• The Missing 2025 Song of the Summer: Ro highlights cultural reporting from NPR and The Atlantic exploring how streaming and collective anxiety have shifted music consumption from high-energy bops to soothing, melancholic tracks.
• Dancing as Connection: Ro discusses her first-grade "go-go dancer" persona, and why dancing through life's transitions is her superpower.
• Defying the "Shitstorm": Celebrating life and finding everyday delight, even during immense hardships, specifically referencing Ed’s cancer battle.

Complete List of Songs (in the order mentioned):

• The Cars - Magic
• Charli XCX - 360 (From the album Brat, referenced via "Brat Summer")
• Chappell Roan - HOT TO GO!
• Charli XCX - Party 4 U
• Justin Bieber - Daisies (From the 2025 album Swag)
• Haim - I Quit
• Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
• One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
• Rihanna - Love on the Brain
• Ben Folds - But Wait, There's More
• Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus - II Most Wanted
• Taylor Swift - Dear John
• The Power Station - Some Like It Hot
• Paul McCartney & Wings - Silly Love Songs
• Lady Gaga - Summer Boy
• Lady Gaga - Poker Face
• Lady Gaga - LoveGame (Referenced via "Disco Stick")
• Martha and the Vandellas - Dancing in the Street (Also referenced via the Van Halen cover version)
• Bryan Adams - Summer of '69
• Paul Davis - '65 Love Affair
• Karol G - Papacito
• Cake - Short Skirt / Long Jacket
• Sticky Situation - Summer in San Francisco (audio clip included in episode!)

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In this episode, we dive into Rowena’s personal and thoroughly non-linear spiritual journey. Raised in a behaviorally conservative Presbyterian household, Rowena shares her evolution from experiencing guilt and family rejection to finding a home in San Francisco through the dance community, nature, and pagan rituals. Eventually she makes her way back to a progressive Presbyterian church, balancing her spiritual practices with a liberated, tactile relationship with the divine.

A few highlights:

• Rejecting rigid dogma: Rowena discusses her struggle with the “Thou Shalt" nature of her childhood church, the concept of original sin (especially after having her own children), and the systemic sidelining of women in the Bible.
• The San Francisco transition: After moving to San Francisco, getting divorced, and distancing herself from family judgment, Rowena explored goddess-centered rituals, tarot cards, astrology, and community healing movements on Mount Tamalpais.
• Embodied spirituality: As a dancer and movement practitioner, Rowena explains why sitting still in a pew felt unnatural. She details how she feels closest to God through physical expression, deep breathing, and touch — whether holding her newborn babies, witnessing traditions of touching religious art, or practicing "passing the peace" in church.
• Finding a progressive home at Old First: Led by the relatable and social-justice-minded Pastor Maggi Henderson, Rowena describes finding a welcoming, diverse Presbyterian community in San Francisco that aligns with her values — even as she remains conflicted about officially joining due to traditional vows.

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Following last week’s season premiere, where "God came up a lot," Jason and Rowena take a step back to provide some critical context behind their spiritual foundations. Digging into an archival discussion originally recorded seven months prior, Jason shares his evolution from childhood to finding an aspirational role model in Jesus and the Episcopalian tradition.

Later, Jason and Rowena reflect on the current timeline (May 29, 2026), discussing Jason’s professional setbacks that feel like a "clogged barf tunnel," and how hitting absolute rock bottom in the past has opened the doors to unexpected professional abundance.

A few highlights:

• The "Barf Tunnel" of Life: Rowena and Jason unpack this vivid metaphor for the deeply unpleasant, messy, and painful life experiences that are tough to go through but inevitably bear fruit on the other side.
• The Anti-Jesus Armor: Growing up as an agnostic scientists’ kid in a conservative Montana town, Jason felt excluded by zealously religious peers, nurturing a deeply anti-Christian stance until an epiphany in Beijing decades later forced a radical reassessment.
• Professional Challenges and Spiritual Desperation: Jason recounts past times when professional challenges have left him feeling desperate for God’s help.
• The Waiting Game: Back in the present, Jason opens up about the suffocating weight of feeling thwarted in doing the work he’s meant to do, and how spirituality is helping him through.

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Welcome to Season 2 of No Left Field! A few months after our Season 1 finale, Rowena and Jason are back.

Moving through the "muck" of recent challenges, Rowena celebrates her partner Ed being cancer-free following a major surgery, while Jason navigates the emotional roller coaster of a grueling full-time job search.

We explore the pitfalls of "future tripping," the art of care partnering, and what it means to "hug the midline" and find presence amid uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Hugging the Midline: Learning to gather our energy and regroup when life spins out of balance.
• The Power of Presence: Overcoming anticipatory grief and job search rejection by staying anchored in the current moment.
• Community as an Anchor: Why listening to the people who love us most is the ultimate tool for resilience.

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In this episode, we take a deep dive into the nitty gritty of enduring long journeys, both literal and figurative: ultramarathons, outsourcing our brains, and care-partnering.

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In this episode…what on earth is lovebombing? Why does it matter where a story begins? And how is it that a bird in the hand really is worth two in the bush?

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