Finding Good Bones

Episode 20: Magic for Marigold by L. M. Montgomery with Calandra Lindstadt

In this episode, Dear Listeners, Calandra Lindstadt takes us to Prince Edward Island and lost centuries with L.M. Montogmery’s Magic for Marigold. It’s a conversation with musings on the beauty and challenge of generations of family living close to one another, the joy of a sassy, judgey grandmother, the gift of independence, the power that can be found in surrendering to a good death. But please, don’t mention any Anne of Green Gables adaptations other than the 1985 CBC and PBS version, and don’t call us late for dinner.

A Very Special “Day After the 2024 Election” Episode with Kate and Amy

Dear Listeners, the day after the 2024 Presidential Election many people were (are) feeling a WAY. So we decided to make a very special episode of Finding Good Bones, in case you need help sitting with the dark and looking towards the light. Kate and Amy bring some of the pieces speaking to them right now: “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson, “Hope Is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat” by Caitlin Seida, Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett. There’s no political analysis, but there IS a free roaming three year old and at least one musical break. The discussion includes morality, mothering, niceness vs. kindness, an inevitable reckoning, and different ways hope can show up - a bird, a sewer rat, sometimes even a toddler.

Episode 18: “Peter Pan” by Patty Griffin with Kim Caldwell

It’s bangarang, Dear Listeners, as we leave Neverland with Patty Griffin’s “Peter Pan,” brought by whole human woman and this episode's guest Kim Caldwell. A wistful but firm examination of lovingly leaving what we’ve outgrown, the discussion covers the art that gives us clear directions in life, the hard truth that believing isn’t enough to make something real, and the feeling of deeply comforting melancholy. Also, we all agree that Peter Pan does not have an email address but Captain Hook does have an Only Fans.

Episode 17: “Becoming, Part 1” from Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Joss Whedon with Kate Caldwell

Buckle up, Dear Listeners, we’re headed to Sunnydale for our first (but certainly not last) official episode on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The conversation explores what the show means to Kate and Amy, living through big moments of change, working to offer others the grace we’ve received, and managing the oppositional truths that arise when something you love was written by a real asshole.

Episode 16: The Overstory by Richard Powers with Melanie Haupt

Join us, Dear Listeners, as we fall under the thrall of The Overstory by Richard Power and teacher, writer, publisher and editor Melanie Haupt. It’s a lengthy selection befitting a lengthy novel and the conversation covers man vs. nature, the devastation of loss, the nostalgia of Christmas, the longevity and patience of trees, and the writing that changes our lives.

Episode 15: We May Be the Ones by Paul Westerberg with D.L. Nailling

Welcome back, Dear Listeners, as we revel in the gritty nostalgia of Paul Westerberg’s “We May Be the Ones” with musician and 6th grade social studies teacher D.L. Nailing. You can practically feel the death trap playgrounds of the 1980s as we discuss the specificity and yet universality of the people in the lyrics, the power of a pocketknife, the intense calm of dissociating, and just a touch of David Lee Roth.

Episode 14: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay with Sumina Bhatti

Well, Dear Listeners, it feels like a great time to join our wildernesses and sorrows together with Ross Gay’s Book of Delights, brought by burgeoning gardener, Gatherer of memes, and Tea Geek Sumina Bhatti. The conversation covers the immediate understanding of “March of 2020”, chaotic joy, sitting with pain, sharing burdens, and how rough we all are on our books!

Episode 13: Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett with Amy Winters

Join us, Dear Listeners, as we delve into Terry Pratchett’s Discworld through the novel Carpe Jugulum with podcast co-host and episode guest Amy Winters. The conversation covers the responsibility of choice, standing in between the light and the dark, the hilarious awkwardness of Death, and the subtle empathy of stern people who take on the weight of hard decisions. There’s also just a touch of Bridgerton and the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries!

Episode 12: Courting the Wild Twin by Martin Shaw with Jeff Mount

Join Finding Good Bones for a rewilding as storyteller and leadership coach Jeff Mount challenges us all to look deep within and around, and speak of what we find there. It’s a ruminative discussion filled with ancient myths, challenging truths, sacred journeys, and secret names. Pour yourself a dram and start listening already!

Episode 11: It’s a Wonderful Life by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling with Nancy Guzman

It’s a Wonderful Life here on the Finding Good Bones podcast with our guest Nancy Guzman - fiber artist, witch, tarot reader, horror film fanatic, sci-fi enthusiast, and a Gemini with too many hobbies - as we take a look at this holiday classic from Frank Capra. We discuss the underplayed darkness in the film, the blinders depression can put on a person, and the joy we can all create without even knowing it. Did you hear that? A capitalist angel just got its wings!