The Whimsy Farm Podcast
Carolyn Crane speaks with good people doing good things for social and environmental justice issues.
Episodes
59 episodes
Thirty-Five: Norman Solomon on Movements and Midterms
Today I speak with Norman Solomon. Norman is the national director of RootsAction and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including War Made Invisible: How America Hides the ...
#34: Poetry Sustains Celebrates the Fall Equinox
Maryam Barrie and I celebrate the Libra Equinox, AKA the Autumnal or Fall Equinox. “September 2nd” by Wendell Berry “Equinox” by Elizabeth Alexander “Autumn Begins in Martin’s Ferry, Ohio” by James Wright...
Episode 33: Author Josh Weil and "What Came West"
I speak with Josh Weil about his new novel What Came West. He is a Fulbright fellow whose prizes include the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the California Book Award, and a Pushcart Prize. He’s also the author of The Great Glass Sea<...
Episode 32: A Deep Dive in to Federico Garcia Lorca. Poetry Sustains with Maryam Barrie
Maryam Barrie guides us as we take a deep dive into the life and work of Federico Garcia Lorca. Maryam is a poetry expert and poet who lives and works in SE Michigan. Here's the
Episode Thirty-One: Taxpayers Against Genocide: Action and Lawsuit
I speak with Anna Marie Stenberg from the organization Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide, or TAAG. TAAG, along with the organization Democracy for the Arab World Now, or DAWN, is launching a nationwide grassroots campaign to demand that Trump,...
Bonus Episode: Carolyn Crane guests on Susan J. Tweit's Earthbound Live Series
On July 15, 2026, Susan J. Tweit interviewed me about terraphilia, my rewilding efforts on the farm and my progress with my biography of Utah Phillips. This interview is part of her Earthbound series to promote her new book, Earthbound, coming ...
Episode Thirty: Russell James Ray and "Canyons of the Mind"
I speak with author Russell James Ray, author of Canyons of the Mind. Ray is credited with the first canyoneering descents of Barrancas Sinforosa and Batopilas in northern Mexico. His book is an eccentric collection of reflections and ...
Episode Twenty Nine: Encore Episode "Fighting Fascism with Craig A. Johnson
We learn more about fighting fascism as we protect our children from falling victim to it. Our first guest is Craig A Johnson, author of How to Talk to Your Son about Fascism.
Episode Twenty Eight: "Fern Hill" by Dylan Thomas on Poetry Sustains
Maryam Barrie shares "Fern Hill", written by the iconic poet Dylan Thomas. We learn relevant biographical details that led to the writing of one of Thomas's most widely known poems. This is how we honor the transition from spring to summe...
Episode 27: Current Events in Cuba w/ Global Exchange
I speak with Andrea Hightower, who directs the Cuba Reality Tour for Global Exchange. Drea and I discuss the conditions Cubans now face under the current blockade. She also gives us an idea of what to expect on a Cuba Reality Tour. Learn more a...
Episode 26: Happy Birthday Utah Phillips
I celebrate May 15, Utah Phillips' birthday. For the last two years I've been researching and writing about Utah. This year marks the 91st anniversary of his birth. My first guest is his old and dear friend Mark Ross. Utah met Mark in ...
Episode 25: May Day as Labor Day with Patrick Muffin
Welcome everyone, to Episode Twenty-Five of the podcast. The month of May is Utah Phillips month here on the pod, since he was born on the 15th and left us on the 23rd of May. On this episode, I’m honored to speak with author and labor hi...
Episode 25 Teaser: May Day as Labor Day with Patrick Murfin
Coming up May 1: The month of May is Utah Phillips month here on the pod, since he was born on the 15th and left us on the 23rd of May. On this episode, I’m honored to speak with author and labor historian Patrick Murfin, an old and dear ...
Episode Twenty-Four: Poetry Sustains with Maryam Barrie
Celebrating National Poetry Month and Earth Day: Poetry Sustains with Maryam BarrieShow Notes for Poetry Sustains 4/15/26 Maryam and I read and discuss the following poems: “A Short Story of Falling” ...
Episode Twenty-Four: Poetry Sustains with Maryam Barrie
Celebrating National Poetry Month and Earth Day: Poetry Sustains with Maryam BarrieShow Notes for Poetry Sustains 4/15/26 Maryam and I read and discuss the following poems: “A Short Story of Falling” ...
Episode Twenty-Three: Nell Bernstein on Closing Youth Prisons
I speak with author Nell Bernstein about her latest book, In Our Future We Are Free, "an astonishing story of resistance and change" about the "dismantling of the youth prison" system. Bernstein is the Directing Advocate at t...
Episode Twenty-Three Teaser: Nell Bernstein on Closing Youth Prisons
On April 1, I speak with author Nell Bernstein about her latest book, In Our Future We Are Free, "an astonishing story of resistance and change" about the "dismantling of the youth prison" system. Bernstein is the Direc...
Episode Twenty-Two: Jim Robbins on "The Wonder of Birds"
I speak with author Jim Robbins about his latest book "The Wonder of Birds" and other recent and upcoming writing projects. The material below is quoted from the back page of "The Wonder of Birds.""Jim Robbins was born and ...
Episode Twenty-Two Teaser: Jim Robbins and "The Wonder of Birds"
Coming March 15, I speak with author Jim Robbins about his latest book "The Wonder of Birds" and other recent and upcoming writing projects. The material below is quoted from the back page of "The Wonder of Birds.""Jim Robb...
Episode Twenty-One: Rowena Yeseta & Poetry Sustains: Big Beautiful Love in Its Many Forms
In this episode we celebrate love: big beautiful love. This time of year, we’re programmed to focus on couple love. Cupid and his arrow, etc., among other cliches. But there is a much more expansive love available to us, Neptunian rather than V...
Episode Twenty: Author Carol Menaker on the case of Mohammed Burton
I speak with author Carol Menaker and discuss her memoir "The Worst Thing We’ve Ever Done, One Juror’s Reckoning with Racial Injustice." Her book explores the trial and unjust incarceration of Freddy Muhammed Burton, imprisoned for over f...
Episode Twenty Teaser: Author Carol Menaker on the case of Mohammed Burton
I speak with author Carol Menaker and discuss her memoir "The Worst Thing We’ve Ever Done, One Juror’s Reckoning with Racial Injustice." Her book explores the trial and unjust incarceration of Freddy Muhammed Burton, imprisoned for over f...
Episode Nineteen: Keith Runyan and Quaker Earthcare Witness
I speak with Keith Runyan, activist, speaker, and new father. With a background as an educator, Keith began his Quaker activist career with a 12-day hunger strike to increase awareness of the importance of climate action to the Friends Communit...
Episode Nineteen Teaser: Keith Runyan and Quaker Earthcare Witness
I speak with Keith Runyan, activist, speaker, and new father. With a background as an educator, Keith began his Quaker activist career with a 12-day hunger strike to increase awareness of the importance of climate action to the Friends Communit...
Episode Eighteen: In Conversation with Laura Pritchett
Welcome everyone, to Season Two of the podcast, and Episode Eighteen. Late last fall, in anticipation of being out of the studio for my shoulder replacement, I spoke at length with Laura Pritchett, author and educator and, as we soon foun...