Join us at the intersection of music and charitable giving!
The Compassionate Measures Podcast features intimate conversations with philanthropic singer-songwriters who are changing the world.
We share a rare opportunity to discover the person behind the music, the issues that move them to take action, and how you can contribute to the charities we learn about from these amazing musicians.
Pull up a chair... and let’s start the conversation!
Melanie Krahmer and Rich Libutti are SIRSY. This husband and wife duo play heartfelt and soulful electric folk rock in almost two hundred shows a year across the country. Their songs are compelling and relatable with lyrics that leave listeners feeling empowered and resilient.
Critics say that Melanie has “one of the most powerful and flexible voices you’ll ever hear” while Rich masterfully plays a well-loved and road worn Rickenbacker and sounds like three guitarists all on his own.
The Boston Globe calls Sirsy “The little band with the big sound.” Fans call them “the little band with a big heart”.
During our conversation, Melanie and Rich share insights of optimism, generosity and gratitude. They discuss the impact on them by working alongside musicians and fans who are collectively making the world a better place. And they offer a few brilliant tips about remaining hopeful and grateful during difficult times.
The sheer number of charities, benefits and causes that Sirsy has supported will amaze you. They specifically discuss their annual work with The Keys Program and their next event with the organization in December.
We talk about songs that connect an audience; whether it’s an exquisitely performed song by another artist or Sirsy’s own stirring “Brave and Kind”.
The couple describes their process of crafting songs – quite often from their personal experiences.
Listen in to a little game of “How Well Do You Know Your Touring Partner” (where they both win).
We learn about upcoming Sirsy projects – tour dates this fall and studio time during the winter months.
We get an idea of ways that WE can support Sirsy: Go to a show. Watch a live stream. Join the mailing list on their website. Follow the band of Facebook and Instagram. Stream Sirsy songs wherever you listen to your music.
Finally, we delve into Sirsy’s relationship with their amazing community and get to hear what that group means to Melanie and Rich.
Check out Melanie and Rich’s website at sirsy.com. Learn more about The Keys Program at thekeysprogram.org. Please consider making a small donation to support their very important work.
Steve Lont’s own Sirsy Fancast can be found on your streaming platforms. For more information, visit the podcast’s page at facebook.com/sirsyfancast
Every Sirsy show is a celebration of life for this couple and their fans. Come join us in that celebration!
Hear more rare conversations at Compassionate Measures dot org and invite another music friend to pull up a chair. Join our community on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks always to YOU for listening, to Melanie and Rich for being musicians who are changing the world and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.
5 May 2026
Sit Down with Crys Matthews
Pull up a chair for a message of hope and truth from Crys Matthews. Her profound message might just enable us to hang in there, and continue the good fight.
Crys describes her invitation and the experience of opening the Artists United for Our Freedoms Rally.
She discusses the beginning of her songwriting career with one inspirational night and a well-deserved award in Boone, North Carolina. The first lyric she wrote – amazing! She goes on to offer a few awesome tourism suggestions for the city.
Crys eloquently provides her definition of a social justice music maker and later, a community.
She takes us through her catalogue from 2025’s Reclamation album to April’s release of two songs – Citizen and Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream. We’re gifted with an intimate look at Crys’ intentionality and songwriting process.
She offers insightful truths when asked about the importance of hope in today’s world. Crys shares, “When we hope for better, we fight for better” and reminds us that today’s social justice heroes were ordinary people who were concerned about what was happening in their communities. We all have the power to be ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And, you guys… as Crys’ mom teaches us, “all things work together for good”.
Crys supports The Remix Way who is doing heroic work for Nashville residents' immigrant neighbors.
Visit Crys’ website at crysmatthews.com and check out her amazing Patreon offerings. Learn more about The Remix Way at theremixway.org. Please consider making a small donation to support their hard work.
Hear more rare conversations at Compassionate Measures dot org and invite another music friend to pull up a chair. Join our community on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks always to YOU for listening, to Crys Matthews for being a musician who is changing the world and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.
14 Apr 2026
Sit Down with Eric Hirshberg
Pull up a chair for some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of Eric Hirshberg’s amazing music (and, perhaps, a few life lessons to consider).
Our conversation with Eric begins as we learn about his service to nonprofits through his own organization, Will Work for Change. Later, we get to hear about his support for the XPRIZE Foundation and the impressive work that they are doing.
Eric explains the interesting stories behind three of his incredible songs, It’s Hard to Be a Human Being, For Real, and More Is Not the Answer. That third song, More Is Not the Answer, came out the day after we spoke! The lyrics were inspired by the mere minutes that Eric and his family had to evacuate their home during last year’s fires in Los Angeles.
Eric shares the story of meeting Aloe Blacc, developing their songwriting collaboration that brought us For Real, then performing it on Live with Kelly and Mark. Yes, Kelly Ripa did proclaim that their song “sounds like an anthem”!
Eric describes how his family responded to the long days of Covid19 and recouped some power and a bit of positivity during the experience. There’s a lot of great information about shifting one’s mind throughout our talk.
Eric mentions Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning.
Finally, we get to hear just how good Activision’s former CEO is at Guitar Hero. Yea, it’s here! We end our conversation with a trip down Memory Lane to discuss Eric’s favorite adolescent albums. YOU remember… vinyl, album design and liner notes were the best!
Visit Eric’s website at erichirshbergmusic.com
And learn more about the XPrize Foundation at xprize.org. Please consider making a small donation to support their world-changing work.
Hear more rare conversations at Compassionate Measures dot org and invite another music friend to pull up a chair. Join our community on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks always to YOU for listening, to Eric Hirshberg for being a musician who is changing the world and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
42
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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