PODULA RASA

A conversation about the theme of "moving." What do we learn about ourselves, about our relation to lived experience and presence, when we move? Are we the same person on either side of the move? Dave and Jim swap stories about moves they've experienced over the years, along with  song interludes pertinent to the theme. 

image by Michael Margulis

Dave interviews Phil Charron, an early student of Thom's, only slightly later than Dave and Jim, revealing insights about Thom in his early teaching career. 

In her mid 20's, Jill Benedict quit writing. When Covid crashed into our lives, she clawed her way back to the creative path. Jill reads two stories for today's show. The first is about the shocking reawakening of the creative process. The second engages very honestly way with that looming pivot point we all must face, turning 30. You can follow Jill on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/writerwithoutacause/ 

Dave and Jim talk with musician / songwriter John Grecia, a student of Thom Williams, about their songwriting collaboration and the rediscovery of a cache of songs they wrote back in the day. We discover the revelatory power of music, how it can speak to our contemporary moment, spanning years and bridging lives. The show includes the following Grecia/Williams demos: 

• She Danced


• January


• If Wishes Were Rain


• Slide


• Miranda 

Jim and Dave have an extended conversation about dreams, meditation, atman, Narcissus, the conservation of energy, entropy, transcendence, metaphysics, and the meaning and non-meaning of life.  

Dave interviews filmmaker, musician and New York Times best-selling author Jeff Alulis, a former student of Thom's.

Jim and Dave push against the boundaries of nothing into something in a free wheeling conversation about music, streaming, Buddha statues, G men, Dads in wartime, new band discoveries, punk rock Sphinxes, and Dave's plan for getting Brian Eno to sue us. Prepare for a wild scenic route into nothingness and beyond! 

As we kick off 2021 and Season 2, Dave chats with his son Stasha about life and the future.  The episode ends with Stasha's composition, 'Rainy Days,' which is featured on SoundCloud.  Dave encourages Stasha to compose more! If you happen to be in the San Francisco area, check out the best Chinese food on the planet: San Tung! http://www.santung.net

Dave and Jim check-in and reflect on season 1, recapping highlights, insights, and lessons learned. We hope this podcast has made this difficult year a little easier to endure. We know it has for us. Coming soon in 2021, season 2 of Podula Rasa...until then, season's greetings and happy new year! To show your support for what we've been doing, we ask that you make an end-of-year contribution to the Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund

c/o Principal John Beltrante

Marple Newtown Senior High School

120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073

Jim interviews Dave Forman, a student of Thom's. In the conversation, you'll hear about the influence TW had on Dave's public speaking and leadership skills, and we get the full back story on the political book Dave published (in high school!) with the help of Thom and Maury Joseph, who sold songs on-demand to raise funds for the project.