In this episode of 'The Pause: Sanctuary for the Wild Ones,' Knoxville artists Jill Frere and Elysia Mann share unique narratives that blend personal journeys with storytelling. Jill delves into her recent explorations of multiple meditation paths, reflecting on the profound experiences and challenges they bring, especially as a new mother. Meanwhile, Ari humorously recounts his trip to Mexico City highlighting the unexpected physical challenges of high altitudes, from dried mucous membranes to a sudden awareness brought by slowed paces. Elysia then shares a book review of a cult classic from 1992. These narratives intertwine shared meditation, cultural exploration, and personal growth, offering an insightful journey through the ordinary and extraordinary.

Sarah Ledbetter who has been with us twice before joins us again embodying and extending a new improvisational storytelling container. An original story is followed by two retellings with unscripted prompts changing place and tone. In the first half of this episode I provide the prompts for Sarah as storyteller, and in turn Sarah provides these prompts to me as storyteller.

Becki Grace grew up in Maryville TN just outside of Knoxville. She is a therapist, singer songwriter, radio show host, and activist. In this episode we explore her relationships with family, music, songwriting, partnership, and most poignantly grief--and how love helps us heal from loss. We are also joined by the collaborative voices of Emmy Carter, Jill Frere, Noah Frere, and Sue Spolan, with direction by Elana Fishbein.

The PAUSE kicks off its third season with two on-location interviews -- one with Virginia Sexton of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and then the follow-up interview with Laurence Faber of Potchke Deli of Knoxville, Tennessee. I am joined by the collaborative voices of Emmy Carter, Sue Spolan, Jill Frere, and Charles Bauers.

Ari welcomes relationship back into the creative space of the listener community. Disappointment is reframed as spoken word poetry and reconsidered as a pivotal resource toward healing and renewal.

During this unexpected pause between seasons of our show, Ari breaks into a mix of an earlier episode. Despite the disruptive nature of break-ins, Ari marks each break-in as a meme of cultural production within a mycelial network of ecological intelligence. In less fancy terms, you are invited to revisit the past in a new framework of unity over division. Disappointment pervades the emotional timbre of this mix, while Ari and Ash fly in their own rather than shared orbits of radio improvisation.

Found deep in the cutting room, Ari Ash and Aim's investigative journey to Coffee County rises again. Slightly awry, their search for clues to the mysterious death of the mayor leads them to Old Stone Fort State Archaelogical Park and the site of intersectional historical narratives including burial mounds from the Cherokee and a gun powder mill from the Confederacy.

Ari pauses to explore the kitchen of Potchke Deli and its streamlined operations through the fascinating lens of its creative visionary. Why have so many residents of and visitors to Knoxville been asking, "Is this a miracle? Can this be true? Where did this come from?"

Season Finale - Ash unearths the crux of Ari's conflict with neighbor Ron which leads to his exodus to the neighborhood of Martin. Unfortunately more conflict surfaces within the religious orientation of his family of origin.

Mittelschmerz (s2e12) is one-sided, lower abdominal pain associated with ovulation. German for “middle pain,” Mittelschmerz occurs midway through a menstrual cycle. Similarly Ari and Ash have to move through Knoxville’s narrow channels with pain, including a blunt interrogation by Ash of Ari’s experience visiting Israel in 2009 for his daughter’s bat mitzvah, or rite of passage, leading to an exodus from his starter home.