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 her mom’s brain and created a love fest in its wake.  Silvia Pontaza takes an oath that gives her a voice. And Oogie & Sue Scott work the phones and doors to make a difference.

Episode Details
- Island of Discarded Women Episode #29 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Oogie_Push, Cathy Gasiorowicz, Silvia Pontaza & Sue Scott
- Written by Oogie, Cathy, Silvia & Sue
- Special Guest is Marcie Rendon
- Excerpts from the play, “Say Their Names” written by Marcie Rendon and read by Oogie_Push
- Musical Guest is Jaspar Lepak.
- Original songs “I Know a Woman,”  & “I am Human” music & lyrics by Jaspar Lepak
- Original song, “My Right to Choose” music and lyrics by Tom Prasada-Rao and Cary Cooper
- Guest Contributor is Cathy Gasiorowicz
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson and Dylan Payne
- Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell
- Lighting by Lexi Carlson
- Photos by Bonni Allen

Episode #29 She is Fierce - LIVE - w/ guests Marcie Rendon & Jaspar Lepak

It’s 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 dream that changed her path and makes her happy. Dae thanks her body for giving her healing signals. And Sue finds the joy in feeling much more than OK!

Episode Details

- Island of Discarded Women Episode #30 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
- Written by Dae, Zippy & Sue
- Special Guest is Roxane Battle
- Excerpt read from her book, “Pockets of Joy, Deciding to be Happy, Choosing to be Free” by Roxane Battle.
- Musical Guest is The OK Factor with cellist Olivia Diercks & violinist Karla Colahan
- Original tunes, “Up in the Air”  & “Love Song for Lucy” by The OK Factor
- Original song, “Floating Dream” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
- Opening song excerpt: “I Am Human” by Jaspar Lepak
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson and Dylan Payne
- Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell
- Lighting by Lexi Carlson
- Photos by Bonni Allen
- Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

Episode #30 Choosing Joy - LIVE - w/ guests Roxane Battle & The OK Factor!

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 Alan Ginsburg she knows. Mo Perry learns there is wisdom in the bodymind and Zippy Laske composes an ode for our tribute to the first Madame Speaker!

Episode Details

- Island of Discarded Women Episode #31 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Mo Perry, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
- Written by Mo, Zippy & Sue
- Special Guest is Patty Wetterling
- Musical Guest is Leslie Vincent
- Guest Contributor is Rosanna Staffa
- Original tunes, “Alone in Texas”  by Leslie Vincent. “Howl at the Moon” by Leslie Vincent & Emily Dussault
- Original song, “Bold Woman” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
- Opening song excerpt: “Floating Dream” by Zippy Laske
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson and Dylan Payne
- Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell
- Lighting by Lexi Carlson
- Photos by Sara Erdman
- Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

Episode #31 Journey of Hope - LIVE - w/ guests Patty Wetterling & Leslie Vincent!

Princess Titus, a survivor of gun violence, is the co-founder of Appetite for Change and Standard Edition Women. During her appearance as the special guest on the May 4th 2023 Island of Discarded Women Live Show & Podcast, she reads her first entry from the 2022 anthology Let the Black Woman Say Ase'

Princess Titus reading from Let the Black Woman Say Ase' May 4, 2023 - Island of Discarded Women

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 new commission and her one-woman musical about caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Spoken Word artist Brittany Delaney, summons us to heal our souls from the inside out. Zippy Laske sings an acoustic version of her recent single “Low” and brings us a new song that lays the groundwork for Silvia, Jonatha & Sue to challenge assumptions made about us.

Episode Details
- Island of Discarded Women Episode #32 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Brittany Delaney, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
- Written by Brittany, Silvia, Zippy & Sue
- Special Guest is Princess Titus
- Musical Guest is Jonatha Brooke
- Original tunes, “I’ll Try”, “Hurricane Season” and “Scars” music & lyrics by Jonatha Brooke
- Original songs, “Low” and “Guilty by Assumption” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
- Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell
- Photos by Bonni Allen
- Live show assistance by Beth Desotelle
- Live show volunteer is Susanne Egli
- Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

Episode #32 Starting Again - LIVE - w/ guests Princess Titus & Jonatha Brooke!

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 world her way. Dae Yang celebrates her pending beautiful surprise baby.  Zippy Laske with David Gerald Sutton reminds us that we are all mathematical miracles in a gorgeous new song. And Sue Scott prays that young girls looking into mirrors see endless possibilities!

Episode Details
- Island of Discarded Women Episode #33 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske, Sue Scott & Leslye Orr
- Written by Leslye, Dae, Zippy & Sue
- Special Guest is Paula Poundstone
- Musical Guest is Jearlyn Steele
- Original Lullaby for her grandson, Segun, music & lyrics by Jearlyn Steele
- Original song “You” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske with David Gerald Sutton on violin
- Live Audio Engineering by Zach Thayer
- Additional lighting and backstage assistance by Lexi Carlson
- Mixed and Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell
- Photos by Bonni Allen
- Live show master volunteer is Susanne Egli
- Producing Assistant is Kira Schukar

Episode #33 Endless Possibilities - LIVE - w/ guests Paula Poundstone & Jearlyn Steele

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. Silvia Pontaza does her best AI assistant in Spanish. And Sue Scott has a dialogue with a chatbot that reveals the racial and gender bias inherent in its programming.  

Episode Details

- Island of Discarded Women Episode #34 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Lorna Landvik, Silvia Pontaza, Sue Scott & Jaspar Lepak
- Written by Lorna & Sue
- Special Guest & Musical guest is Gaelynn Lea
- Original songs “Watch the World Unfold,” “I Wait,” “Perfect,” music & lyrics by Gaelynn Lea
- Original songs “Something New,” “When I Was the Moon,” music and lyrics by Jaspar Lepak
- ASL Interpreters: Micah Jane Draeger & Rosalinda Estrada-Alvarez
- Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
- Live Audio Engineering by Zach Thayer
- Additional lighting and backstage assistance by Lexi Carlson
- Photos by Bonni Allen
- Live show master volunteer is Susanne Egli
- Merch volunteer: Doug Anderson
- Edited by Sue Scott
- Mix & Mastered by Tony Axtell

Episode #34 Seat at the Table - LIVE - w/ guest Gaelynn Lea

Our 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 light she sees in the future. AND with actor Dana Lee Thompson and a beautiful new song by Zippy Laske, we pay tribute to the stunning spoken word artist Brittany Delaney who left us way too soon.  

Episode Details
- Island of Discarded Women Episode #35 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Dana Lee Thompson, Sue Scott & Zippy Laske
- Written by Sue & Zippy
- Special Guest is Pat Miles
- Pat’s book: Before All is Said and Done, Practical Advice on Living and Dying Well.
- Musical guest is Kelley Hunt
- Original songs “Stand Up, Stand on the Side of Love,” and “Release and Be Free,” music & lyrics by Kelley Hunt.
- “Bright Lights” music by Kelley Hunt, lyrics by Kelley Hunt and Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg
- Original song “Good as Gold,” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
- Excerpts of spoken word poems performed by Dana Lee Thompson, were written by Brittany Delaney for IODW. Brittany can be heard performing the full poems in Episode 26, Episode 28 and Episode 32.
- Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
- Photos by Bonni Allen
- Live show volunteers Susanne Egli and Carolyn Denton
- Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell

Episode #35 Cycle of Life -LIVE- w/ guests Pat Miles & Kelley Hunt

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 Jasper Lepak honors a childhood friend, wishes she had grown up with rock music and celebrates how strong she felt after giving birth. Shanan Custer’s discovery that she is a relation to General George, brings her mother’s Indigenous identity full circle. Dae Yang knows her infant child will follow her dreams with a big bright heart. Silvia Pontaza wants to be as happy as her father-in-law. Zippy Laske wonders in a new song if possibilities can take flight. And Sue Scott sees so much strength in an all-female city council, a 27-year-old Somali mayor named Nadia and the equality of the ERA.  

UPDATE: Jaspar Lepak and I wrote and performed “The Ballad of ERA” which can be heard in this show. Since we recorded the show in December the wording of the MN ERA bill has been rewritten to include: “…pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive freedom.” The bill is making its way through the legislative session right now!

EPISODE DETAILS
- Island of Discarded Women Episode #36 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Shanan Custer, Dae Yang, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske and Sue Scott
- Written by Shanan, Dae, Silvia, Zippy and Sue
- Special Guest is Mary Kunesh
- Musical guest is Jaspar Lepak
- Original songs “Queens of the Desert Sun,” “Why Should the Devil Get All the Good Tunes” and “So Strong” music & lyrics by Jaspar Lepak.
- Original song “Taking Flight” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
- Original song “The Ballad of the ERA” music by Jaspar Lepak, lyrics by Sue Scott & Jaspar Lepak
- Opening excerpt: “Release and Be Free” music and lyrics by Kelley Hunt 
- Live Real-Time Captioning by Marsha Busson
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
- Production Assistance by Kate Sandvik
- Photos by Kathy Tauer
- Live show volunteer Carolyn Denton
- Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell

Episode #36 So Strong - LIVE - w/ guests Mary Kunesh & Jaspar Lepak!

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 life-changing truth spoken by her ancestors. Dae appreciates her grandmother for the gift of the soothing sounds of cooking. Silvia is grateful for the pain that has shaped who she is today. Sue realizes that a blanket of protection for her garden beds is more than just a metaphor for her life.  And Zippy makes a commitment to sobriety and brings us a powerful new song celebrating the joys that flower into something brave and beautiful.

Episode Details
- Island of Discarded Women Episode #37 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
- Cast: Dae Yang, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske and Sue Scott
- Written by Dae, Silvia, Zippy and Sue
- Special Guest is Alison Young
- Musical guest is Katie Dahl
- Guest Storyteller is Mary Shaffer
- Original songs “Since I Was Eight” “Sacristy” and “The Northeast Corner” music & lyrics by Katie Dahl.
- Original song “Unexpected Joy” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
- Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
- Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
- Photos by Bonni Allen
- Live show volunteers Susanne Egli & Carolyn Denton
- Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
- Mastered by Tony Axtell

Episode #37 Brave and Beautiful - LIVE - w/ guests Alison Young & Katie Dahl

Island of Discarded Women
A tropical scrap heap of hopes and dreams

What if there was a place inhabited by determined women who are working to
reclaim their self-worth and celebrate their strengths after being dismissed or
discounted by societal norms and gender road blocks?

There is such a place!

Mixing radio theater satire, original songs and inspiring conversations with women who share their personal stories, Island of Discarded Women delves into what it takes for us to reawaken our power after feeling tossed aside, swept under the rug or deleted.

Veteran radio actor Sue Scott, having been “put out to pasture,” has just washed up on the island. Dazed and confused, she sets out on a mission to discover what this island is all about, why all these amazing women are here and ultimately, what’s next.

-Island of Discarded Women Pilot/Episode #1 was produced by Sue Scott and StoryPop Media
-Written by Sue Scott and Laura Buchholz with contributions from Shanan Custer
-Cast includes Shanan Custer, Silvia Pontaza, Jackie Biederman, Dexieng Yang, Carole Jean Anderson, Regina Williams, and Sue Scott
-Special Guest is Roxane Battle
-Original song “Fly Away” written and performed by Zippy Laske
-Audio Engineering, Sound Design and Final Mix by Egg Music Studios Minneapolis 
-Additional audio engineering by Barry Madore, Jim Schnobrich, with Audio Ruckus, and Noah Smith

PILOT/Episode #1 - Washing Up - w/ guest Roxane Battle

Island of Discarded Women

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