Island of Discarded Women

This beautiful show was recorded live in December 2025, just as the surge was escalating here is MN – Minnesota’s First Lady Gwen Walz shares her love of teaching and the students who nurtured her, the transformational experiences that propelled Gwen and her husband Tim into a life of politics AND “the call” from Kamala Harris that unleashed a whirlwind 90 days of stump speeches, rallies and dog parks. Musical guest Chastity Brown brings us powerful songs that express anger for love’s sake, that break through the walls we’ve built around ourselves and that ultimately implore us to just Say It. Rev. Ingrid Rasmussen embodies grace as she answers the call to step up as a leader both for the community during the immigration raids and for a growing clergy coalition calling for an end to weapons of war in our neighborhoods. Zippy Laske and violinist DGS perform a stunning new song that underscores the Power of One. Sue Scott and actor Melissa Denton celebrate the strong shoulders we’re standing on. And the audience helps us sing about this little light. Episode Details 2026specialolympicsusagames.org The post Ep. 45 The Power of One – LIVE – with Gwen Walz, Chastity Brown & Rev. Ingrid Rasmussen appeared first on Island of Discarded Women live show & podcast.

Sheila O’Connor’s book, “The Evidence of V: A Novel in Fragments, Facts and Fictions,” is inspired by her search to find the story about her unknown grandmother who was incarcerated in Sauk Centre, MN in 1935 with the sole transgression of being pregnant at 15. Not only did Sheila unearth family secrets that now make sense, but she also discovered a world in which young pregnant girls were treated as criminals, shamed into silence and erased from history. Musical guest singer/songwriter Jonatha Brooke & playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge were first introduced by my husband, Ron Peluso, recently retired as the long-time Artistic Director of the History Theatre. Struck by Sheila’s work, he asked if Jonatha and Laurie would be interested in collaborating on a musical bringing to life Sheila’s quest for the truth about V and so many girls like her. Though they had never met, they immediately bonded through their shared love of Sheila’s commitment to find the evidence of V. We hear songs from their powerful musical this gives V a voice. Autumn Mason, a doula with the Minnesota Prison Doula Project was originally a client personally experiencing the trauma of incarceration, family separation and prison birth. She shares insights into what is possible now for supporting incarcerated parents. Plus, reflecting on the rounding up of immigrants, Silvia Pontaza imagines Emma Lazarus’ poem in Spanish and Zippy Laske, with host Sue Scott, bring us an updated “Dear Mitch,” a letter to all the older white guys in power. Episode Details The post Ep. 44 Evidence of a Life – LIVE – with Sheila O’Connor, Jonatha Brooke, Laurie Flanigan Hegge & Autumn Mason appeared first on Island of Discarded Women live show & podcast.

In this high-powered show, our special guest Peggy Flanagan, MN’s rock star Lt. Gov. and now US Senate candidate, is a native advocate and bridge builder with resiliency in her bones, who is running to change the system from the inside out. Our buddy, comedian Paula Poundstone is championing solo protesting, responsible flossing and nourishing... The post Ep. 43 Let’s Do This! – LIVE – with Peggy Flanagan, Paula Poundstone & Amanda Grace appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

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

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... 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.

We are rallying with Hope and Joy to put this Woman in the White House with this music-filled evening full of motivation to Get Out the VOTE! Special guest, social and political documentarian Mary Beth Yarrow, shares her life’s journey that begins with jumping down a rabbit hole in 1968 for her uncle Gene McCarthy’s... The post Ep. 40 Rallying to Win – LIVE – guests Mary Beth Yarrow, Rachel Kurtz, Jaspar Lepak & Kennadi Hurst with Tim Levy! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest Rose McGee, founder of Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, shares her life changing journey of offering comfort by delivering sweet potato pies to those affected by trauma around the country. Katy Vernon and her female powered band, Favourite Girl, empower and rock us! Plus, Katy sings personally about the mother she lost at 12... The post Ep. 39 One Pie at a Time – LIVE – with guests Rose McGee & Favourite Girl! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest Mary Tjosvold, award-winning humanitarian and businesswoman, creates communities wherever she goes and credits the strong women in her life with inspiring her to walk through doors. Musical guest Yemi Love, shares her journey from Nigerian recording star, to life in Minnesota spreading love through every gorgeous song. Guest storyteller Stacey Dinner-Levin wishes caregivers... The post Ep. 38 Making a Difference – LIVE – with guests Mary M. Tjosvold & Yemi Love appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Alison Young, the blissful hiker, seeks out the natural world for healing and finds beauty in thriving one magnificent trail at a time. Katie Dahl shares songs that are “terrifyingly personal” and learns that there is unexpected communion in acceptance. Mary Shaffer searches for a spark of joy at a craft fair and discovers a... The post Ep. 37 Brave and Beautiful – LIVE – with guests Alison Young & Katie Dahl appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest, Mary Kunesh, the first Indigenous woman elected to the MN Senate, shares the personal side of her life that has informed her tireless efforts to make change. Musical guest Jaspar Lepak honors a childhood friend, wishes she had grown up with rock music and celebrates how strong she felt after giving birth. Shanan... The post Ep. 36 So Strong – LIVE – with guests Mary Kunesh & Jaspar Lepak! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest Pat Miles learned a lot about what hadn’t been addressed after the sudden death of her husband. To help others avoid the same challenges, she shares her discoveries in her new book. We are standing up for women who are standing up with help from blues woman Kelley Hunt. Plus, Kelley sings about... The post Ep. 35 Cycle of Life – LIVE – with guests Pat Miles & Kelley Hunt! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

It’s our “thunderous” August show under the tent! Special guest and musician Gaelynn Lea shares her journey from Tiny Desk Contest to Macbeth on Broadway and advocates for embracing accessibility culture. Lorna Landvik brings us the church bulletin bloopers that inspired her latest novel. Singer/songwriter Jaspar Lepak finds herself in the sliver of a moon.... The post Ep. 34 Seat at the Table – LIVE – with special guest Gaelynn Lea! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

It’s our June show outside on a gorgeous night! Special guest, the one and only Paula Poundstone subs in as our virtual assistant, tries to learn a lullaby and shares a never before told story! Musical guest Jearlyn Steele brings us songs and stories created with her grandkids. Leslye Orr invites us to see the... The post Ep. 33 Endless Possibilities – LIVE – with guests Paula Poundstone & Jearlyn Steele! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

An important night in our new home! Special guest Princess Titus, the co-founder of Appetite for Change, lost her son to gun violence. She shares her drive to help others heal from this type of trauma. Musical guest Jonatha Brooke, takes us on a personal journey through original songs written for a Disney movie, a... The post Ep. 32 Starting Again – LIVE – with guests Princess Titus & Jonatha Brooke! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Our beautiful December show! Special guest Patty Wetterling, a searching mom for over 27 years, graciously shares with Sue her journey of hope to find her son Jacob. Musical guest Leslie Vincent admires the courage of her grandmother and the spirit of a friend in two original songs. Guest contributor Rosanna Staffa yearns to meet... The post Ep. 31 Journey of Hope – LIVE – with guests Patty Wetterling & Leslie Vincent appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

It’s here! Our joy-filled November Show! Special guest Roxane Battle brings us boundless pockets of joy through her best-selling book and details her work with behavioral health. Thrilling alt string duo The OK Factor, share original tunes about finding a moment to be at 30,000 ft, and experiencing bumbling puppy joy. Zippy celebrates a floating... The post Ep. 30 Choosing Joy – LIVE – with guests Roxane Battle & The OK Factor! appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Special guest, writer Marcie Rendon, highlights the brilliance and resiliency of native people through her mystery novels and a searing new play, “Say Their Names,” with excerpts read by Oogie_Push. Musical guest Jaspar Lepak sings and shares personally about living the choices she can make. Cathy Gasiorowicz tells a story about the dementia that broke... The post Ep. 29 She is Fierce – LIVE – with guests Marcie Rendon & Jaspar Lepak appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Gathering on the 21st anniversary of September 11th, our special guest, Dr. Pauline Boss, who coined the term “ambiguous loss,” reminds us that closure is a myth. Shanan Custer, with help from Rhiannon Fiskradatz, recounts being at the most magical place on earth that day. Sue Scott writes to Liz Cheney with a plea. Zippy... The post Ep. 28 Resilience – LIVE – with guests Dr. Pauline Boss & Rhiannon Fiskradatz appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Our special guest, Mikki Morrissette publisher of Minnesota Women’s Press, shares her journey from choosing single motherhood to owning a magazine. Musical guest Courtney Yasmineh, is still making it big one song at a time. Dae is newly engaged and decides that she is enough. Zippy strives for less noise and more truth. And Sue... The post Ep. 27 We Are Enough – LIVE – with guests Mikki Morrissette & Courtney Yasmineh appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.

Fearless independent journalist Georgia Fort shares her journey to change the narrative. Musical guest, Judah Gardner challenges us to stand firm. Dae Yang sings about a heartfelt personal discovery. Zippy Laske with friends Mahle Roth & Haley Garland, implore her daughters to enjoy the ride. Brittany Delaney wonders if her name can save her. And... The post Ep. 26 Digging Deep – LIVE – with guests Georgia Fort & Judah Gardner appeared first on Island of Discarded Women podcast.