Jess Klein's Big Table

About Jess Klein's Big Table

"Jess Klein's Big Table", hosted by Folk/Americana Singer-Songwriter and touring artist, Jess Klein will feature conversations with Artists and Activists about the intersections between ancestors, art, and activism. Questions to be explored will include: Who and where do we come from? What lineages and forebears do we draw upon, biological and otherwise, for inspiration and strength in our creative and social justice work? The idea of Jess Klein's Big Table is to help build community and connection among and between artists and activists through these conversations, and to inspire listeners to embrace creativity in their activism and activism in their creativity.

Publisher

Jess Klein

Category

arts · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

3 Sept 2024

Latest episode

20 Dec 2024

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Dec 2024

   Erin McKeown's Fax of Life X Jess Klein's Big Table

   Singer-songwriter Erin McKeown shares their 5-year plan for artistic success, humor, and vulnerability with host Jess Klein, a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity.

2. 

   6 Dec 2024

   Special Episode: Ask Me Anything

   Singer-songwriter Jess Klein shares insights on songwriting, singing, and touring, offering a glimpse into her creative process and life as a musician.

3. 

   22 Nov 2024

   Aminata Desert Rose Plant Walker Fire Woman on: Staying Open to Positive Possibilities

   Singer-songwriter Jess Klein explores staying open to positive possibilities with Dr. Amanda Kemp, a poet-performer and advocate of justice, to find steadiness and encouragement in a polarized time.

4. 

   8 Nov 2024

   Chris Pierce on: Compassion Is The Only Way

   In 2023, Chris Pierce was handpicked to be the special guest opener for the NEIL YOUNG Coastal Tour. He recently gained  additional worldwide prominence with “We Can Always Come Back to This”. His hit song aired on 3 episodes of the #1 NBC primetime series ‘THIS IS US,' then went on to #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Pierce has also done worldwide headlining tours and has performed with: Neil Young, B.B. King, Steve Earle, Seal, Al Green, Allison Russell, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Jill Scott, Keb’Mo, Blind Boys of Alabama, Aaron Neville & others. His 2021 album, 'AMERICAN SILENCE' garnered critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, NoDepression, SiriusXM, The Bluegrass Situation, AmericanaUK, Acoustic Guitar and others. PopMatters named ‘AMERICAN SILENCE ’THE #1 Best Folk Album of 2021 and FolkAlley named "Residential School" from AMERICAN SILENCE one of the 100 Essential Folk Songs. At a young age, Pierce developed a rare hearing disorder called Otosclerosis that led to the loss of hearing in one ear and partial deafness in the other, a setback that would deter many young musicians forever. The reality, however, fueled Chris’ passion and determination all the more, forcing him to re-learn almost everything he had known prior to his condition. To Chris, music was, and still is, an unconditional companion. His highly anticipated album titled ‘LET ALL WHO WILL’ was released on September 1, 2023, with critical acclaim from NPR, NoDepression, American Songwriter, Hi Times and more. In addition to his solo career, Chris Pierce performs/records with Americana/Folk/Soul sensation WAR & PIERCE with Sunny War, the music of CSNY band OUR HOUSE, the Americana/Roots band LEON CREEK and does occasional appearances with the BLACK OPRY REVUE. In This Episode: The power of compassion when dealing with folks who would silence or oppress us. What Chris learned about both racism and the joyful resilience of standing up in community while growing up as the son of a mixed race couple in California. Working with partial deafness as a musician, and how it led Chris deeper into his vulnerability and power. The necessity of self-care in deeply uncertain times. Remembering that social justice is a long game, longer than this election cycle. Find all things Chris - upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://www.chrispierce.com *** Singer-songwriter Jess Klein – whom the New York Times calls "a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity" – has always used music to dream her way forward. Over multiple decades and 12 critically acclaimed albums, Klein has pursued a creative evolution that has seen her delve into her own empowerment for emotional insights, while continuing to refine her eloquently melodic, effortlessly accessible song–craft. Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans.  She has toured nationally and internationally supporting Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey, John Fullbright and Jonathan Byrd and has opened for such legends as Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle and Alejandro Escovedo.  Jess has appeared on Good Morning America and NPR’s All Things Considered and has performed at the Newport, Winnipeg, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals as well as Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. She is the host of Jess Klein's Big Table - conversations with fellow artists and activists about creativity and social justice. Jess's upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://jessklein.com/home and on her Substack (https://jessklein.substack.com) As well as: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msjessklein Insta: https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic/

5. 

   25 Oct 2024

   Rachael Sage on: Empathy, Being an Outsider and Every Human is a Universe

   Rachael Sage is a singer, songwriter, poet, and producer from New York who has released over 20 albums and EPs of empowered alt-folk-pop on her own label MPress Records since first bursting onto the women's music scene via Lilith Fair. An outspoken activist on behalf of many causes including LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness and women's health issues, Sage is a self-described "cancer thriver" who is a 6-time Independent Music Award Winner and John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize recipient. Rachael has shared stages with an eclectic list of artists including Ani DiFranco, Judy Collins, Dar Williams, Beth Hart, and Shawn Colvin. Her current album "Another Side" is out now. In this Episode: - How enduring being bullied as a kid gave Rachael empathy for other peoples’ struggles as an adult - Practicing empathy and 'tzedakah' - the Jewish value of giving back to others and the world - Walking the line between assimilation and being an outsider as an artist and as the granddaughter of Russian Jewish immigrants growing up in the South. - How a cancer diagnosis forced Rachael to become the “CEO” of her own health - Surviving cancer and learning the deep value of true friendships - Navigating activism in a sustainable way while being immuno-compromised Read more about Rachael and her current projects at RachaelSage.com (http://RachaelSage.com) and check out her new album "Another Side" wherever you buy or stream music. Her latest video, "Albatross" is out now on YouTube.

6. 

   11 Oct 2024

   Shannon Downey AKA Badass Cross Stitch: Just Do One Thing

   Shannon Downey aka Badass Cross Stitch is an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. Her work moves people from passive consumers of art into engaged creators and leverages craft-based art forms to bring people together, present them opportunities to transition from makers to change makers, and inspire radical hope for what is possible. In this episode: Want to help save the world?  Pick one thing and commit! Shannon’s family background in the Labor Movement and how growing up around organizers made activism feel fun and normal. How doing something analog and physical (not on a device or computer) allows our creativity to flow, new ideas to arise and healing to take place. Crafting and Cross Stitch in particular as an easily accessible way for people to express themselves and commit to social justice. Shannon’s brilliant new book: Let’s Move the Needle, an activism handbook for artists, crafters, creatives and makers is out NOW and will guide you through the concrete steps to go from *wanting* to do something to create social justice to *doing it*, sustainably and effectively. Subscribe to Jess’s Substack to find out about tour dates, new releases and more or listen on YouTube, Spotify, or jessklein.com (http://jessklein.com) and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

7. 

   27 Sept 2024

   Reagan Mitchell on Music, Community, and the Power of Asking Why

   Reagan Mitchell, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, earned his/their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies and his/their Educational Specialist’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. The transdisciplinary training in composition, performance, and educational philosophy has afforded them the space to explore the social, communal, therapeutic, political, and geographic implications of music. In addition to currently being an Associate Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), Reagan has freelanced as a saxophonist, composer, and arranger in the Nashville, Greeley, Denver, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Greensboro areas. Some of the musical luminaries he/they have performed with are Charlie Hunter, Bobby Previte, Jnerio Jarel, Randy Brecker, Ernestine Anderson, and many others.  Reagan has laid the foundation for a program of research on the cultural and historical influences of race, space, gentrification, auditory architecture, and communal wisdom on education. Reagan’s scholarship brings together curriculum theory, ethnic studies, Black diaspora studies, critical race theory, Queer theory, critical geography, and critical sound studies. In this episode: The generational through lines of activism and community in Reagan’s family in Nashville. How “Music City” really got started in the 1870’s with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a choir made up of formerly enslaved people and the children of formerly enslaved people who were invited to sing for Queen Victoria in England. The ancient roots and historical through lines of queerness and matriarchy - how we’re taught to think of these concepts as “new” but they are really a rediscovering of what has been both suppressed and here all along. The power of asking “why” - connecting Jewish and Black intellectual and philosophical traditions and how all great philosophers at some point have to turn something over to a higher power because there are parts of our human experience that we cannot grasp as humans. The importance of reframing menstruation as a community responsibility! * Transcript readers please note: I was having some tech issues - my platform didn’t transcribe my half of the convo in some parts.  I apologize for any frustrations; this is still new software and learning curve for me.  You do however have Reagan’s half transcribed. ** Please also note this episode ends a bit abruptly but that is because the rest will be coming your way as part 2 later in the season! Subscribe to Jess’s Substack to find out about tour dates, new releases and more or listen on YouTube, Spotify, or jessklein.com (http://jessklein.com) and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Jess Klein's Big Table was inspired by many activists and works, including adrienne maree brown's podcast How to Survive the End of the World and Finding Freedom: White Women Taking on Our Own White Supremacy.

8. 

   13 Sept 2024

   Trevia Woods on Learning, Joy, Laughter & Connection

   Trevia (TREE-va) Woods is a multiracial woman with Indigenous ancestors who has two decades of experience in bodywork, education and community-building. She has roots in the Midwest and Colorado and, after traveling the world finds herself back in America finding her roots and how she belongs in the world. Trevia supports people in unpacking cultural appropriation, community building, and helping people expand their capacity to hold many truths about our lineages so we feel more connection and belonging in these times. Find Trevia at ManyTreesLifeway.com (http://manytreeslifeway.com/) and Kin Keepers Haven and on instagram @trevia_woods Please note there are a couple brief audio glitches in this episode and the audio changes a bit around 13 minutes.  New platform = still learning!  Thank you for your patience. In this Episode: -The importance of listening and learning when we’re new to social justice work so we can build up our nervous systems to handle the uncomfortable reality we’re living in. -How looking to social justice mentors - especially Indigenous and Black women helps us see the work that’s already been happening and how we can contribute vs reinventing the wheel or getting into our savior complexes, especially as white people. -The mental and spiritual disconnection from our history and the land illustrated by white folks planning to leave America because it’s a mess.  AND the antidote to running away (hint: it’s community!) -What Trevia learned from her Indigenous grandmother about joy and laughter as a survival technique to sustain us in apocalyptic times. -How “It’s the most vulnerable among us who make us a community and make us who we are” and what we miss as a culture and in social justice movements when we don’t prioritize accessibility for disabled folks. *A book Trevia references in the conversation is The Marrow Thieves, by Indigenous Canadian author, Cherie Dimaline. **The Durham teacher Trevia references is Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock and her organization is we are-nc

9. 

   3 Sept 2024

   Introducing Jess Klein's Big Table

   Introducing Jess Klein's Big Table, hosted by folk/americana singer-songwriter and touring artist, Jess Klein. This podcast will feature bi-weekly conversations with Artists and Activists about the intersections between ancestors, art, and activism. Questions to be explored will include: Who and where do we come from?  What lineages and forebears do we draw upon, biological and otherwise, for inspiration and strength in our creative and social justice work? My intention with these conversations will be to build community and connection among and between artists and activists, and inspire you, dear listeners, to embrace creativity in your activism and activism in your creativity. More about Jess and her music: https://www.jessklein.com https://www.youtube.com/msjessklein https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KDZ8Vb3dZnQ8jnptHBdzD https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jess-klein/4026099

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings