Author Kate Cohen reads a piece she wrote for SongWriter about how – despite her firm atheism – the Jewish religious ritual that she grudgingly allowed in her wedding is what she remembers and treasures most from that day. Scientist and author Dr. Arielle Levites explains how religious ritual can act as a pathway for connection or alienation, and discusses her research. And Kate’s son Jesse Cohen-Greenberg performs a brand-new song written about his parents’ wedding day.

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Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

Freddy Mutanguha, who is the CEO of the Aegis Trust – the organization that built the Kigali Genocide Memorial – describes surviving the genocide, and visiting the childhood friend who murdered his mother in prison. Woven into Freddy’s story are poems that Rwandan art activist and author Hope Azeda wrote about speaking to children about the genocide. Dr. Pamela Wadende describes the scientific mechanics behind forgiveness, and her experience of Rwanda. And Rwandan songwriter Peace Jolis shares a brand-new song called “BAHO.”

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For the live performance, Ben wrote a new song called "Kigali (ft. Peace Jolis)," which is streaming now on Apple Music, Spotify, and elsewhere. 

Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

During a performance at KQED Live, comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell tells a story about his father’s 80th birthday party, and an extraordinary moment of collective effervescence. Scientist Dr. Shira Gabriel explains the mechanics behind collective effervescence, and one of Kamau’s favorite bands, Las Cafeteras, shares a brand-new song called “Home.”

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For the live performance, Ben wrote a song in response to Kamau's story as well, which is streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and elsewhere.

Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

Bestselling Cameroonian-American author Imbolo Mbue shares an excerpt she chose from How Beautiful We Were, about a village’s collective fight against a fictional oil company. Scientist Dorsa Amir describes her research with the Shuar natives of Ecuador, and how cooperation against a common threat and polarization both contain risks and benefits. Activist and songwriter Crys Matthews describes how collective action is at the center of her work, and shares her brand-new song “Restitution.”

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Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

At a live performance at Queens College, legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads a piece about her beloved late husband Charlie Gross, called “Hospice / Honeymoon.” Psychologist and author Dr. Allison Applebaum talks about caregiving, and shares insights from her recent book, Stand By Me. And global superstar Ali Sethi shares a brand-new song written in response.

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Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

At a live performance at KQED in San Francisco, bestselling author and New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean tells a story about homing pigeons, and the heartbreaking implications of their extraordinary intelligence. Researcher Dr. Laura Simone Lewis shares her work with bonobos and chimpanzees, and the ways that their intelligence guides their understanding of home. And Mexican American activist and songwriter Diana Gameros performs a new song written in response.

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For the live performance, Ben wrote a song in response to Susan's story, "I Can Only (Come Home)," which is streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.

Season six is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

Season 6 is here, with the return of friends like Joyce Carol Oates and Susan Orlean, and new ones like W. Kamau Bell, Imbolo Mbue, Crys Matthews, and Ali Sethi! 

Episode 1 is out July 2nd

Bonus episode! News of the mildly delayed season six, as well as some upcoming live shows, including:

5/11 Joyce Carol Oates + Ali Sethi with special guests Tony Trischka and Dr. Allison Applebaum at LeFrak Concert Hall in Queens, NY
6/13 Susan Orlean + Diana Gameros with special guest Laura Simone Lewis at KQED in San Francisco
7/10 W. Kamau Bell + Las Cafeteras with special guest Shira Gabriel at KQED in San Francisco

Also a peek at what the good folks who have premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts have been enjoying - an excerpt of an interview with Jakob Ewald of Slaughter Beach, Dog conducted by Ruby Arthur.

Bestselling author David Sedaris reads an excerpt from Theft By Finding, a collection of his diaries from when he was a young artist. Jacob Ewald of the pop indie band Slaughter Beach, Dog (and formerly Modern Baseball) recounts how reading the book backstage at a college show had the effect of giving him permission to call himself a songwriter, and to take his art seriously. He shares a brand new song written from the perspective of a frustrated painter, “Get Me Through the Night”

Audio from Theft by Finding is provided courtesy of Hachette Audio.

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Bestselling author Raven Leilani reads an excerpt of her short story “Breathing Exercise,” and talks about art, racism, and carnality in her work. Raven shares how her brother – who died of ALS – introduced her to art, as well as her favorite bands. 

Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields explains that she has been a Raven Leilani fan since her debut novel, Luster, and shares the band’s newest song, “The Contortionist”

Listeners are invited to share their art made in response to episodes – however directly or indirectly – at the SongWriter Community Art page

Content warning: There are brief mentions of violence and suicide in this episode

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