Compassionate Measures Podcast

Sit Down with Benj Gershman

Pull up a chair for an amazing conversation with Benj Gershman - founding member and bassist for the multi-platinum selling rock band, O.A.R.!
Benj begins by sharing what he believes are the underlying motivations behind O.A.R.’s long-standing commitment to charitable endeavors. He explains the birth of the band’s organization, Heard The World, and describes his own life-changing history with Operation Smile.
Benj’s podcast, What Could Be Bad launches its second season on October 10th, UN Mental Health Day! He speaks enthusiastically about Season 2, lets us in on a lesson he learned during his inaugural season, and even considers who might be a dream guest for a future episode.
Benj talks about his daily wellness practices on tour and lets us in on what’s coming up for O.A.R. (it involves new music and a big anniversary).
Finally, Benj describes how he’d like to change the world for his son and advice he might offer to him about helping others.
Visit Benj’s podcast page (What Could Be Bad) at whatcouldbebad.com and O.A.R.’s official website at liveoar.com.
Please visit Heard The World Fund (events.liveoar.com/heardtheworld) to learn more about their work, and to make a small donation. During our conversation, Benj mentioned Ryan Holiday’s book, The Obstacle Is On the Way, and podcast, The Daily Stoic.
To quote Benj -  “Be good to yourself. Be good to others.”
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 Benj Gershman who’s out there changing the world and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Sean Kelly

Pull up a chair for a lively conversation with Sean Kelly! Sean is the author of White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story which will be published THIS week by Cool Dog Sound. Sean speaks about his days as a young member of A Fragile Tomorrow and shares what he learned about activism while touring with Indigo Girls.
Sean describes the process of writing his authorized biography of the Continental Drifters beginning from Day One – garnering approval, the hours spent interviewing, the book's cover art by yet another acclaimed musician and several highlights from his work. He details similar thoughts about We Are All Drifters, the Continental Drifters tribute album he produced with David Jenkins for Cool Dog Sound (also releasing on September 27th). Sean recounts key memories about how artists selected their songs and assembled their submissions. He played on one track and we learn about that special time in the studio. Want to know the first musician who “called dibs” on their track for the tribute album? And the highly- respected recording artist / producer who suggested that Sean do what HE thought was best in the studio? It’s all here! Sean also talks about the new White Noise & Lightning: Best of the Continental Drifters album.
Finally, Sean perfectly summarizes the loving, respectful and in-awe way that many artists feel about the Wild Honey Foundation. Wild Honey will receive proceeds from the tribute album.
You can order Sean’s authorized biography and tribute album at continentaldriftersbook.com. There’s also a link there to order the Best of The Continental Drifters album. You can learn more about the Continental Drifters at continentaldrifters.com.
And, please visit Wild Honey Foundation (wildhoneyfoundation.com) to learn more about their work to benefit autism treatment and research, and to make a small donation.
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 Sean Kelly for a great conversation and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Adam Ezra

Pull up a chair for a captivating conversation with Adam Ezra!
Adam explains just how his activism took root and the critical role it plays in his music and career. He describes what he sees as the two most important missions of his hugely popular summer music festival, The Ramble (now in its’ 15th year). And what an AMAZING army of volunteers The Ramble has witnessed! Want to know Adam’s nickname for himself? And perhaps the career path he would have chosen if he hadn’t become an outstanding musician and community organizer? It’s here! We get to hear Adam describe the thoughts and emotions behind his latest song. He identifies his heroes (off the top of his head and in no particular order). Adam offers an update on the latest activities of The Adam Ezra Band (his “bandies”) and we get to hear his thoughts on fans streaming his music (DO IT!).  
Visit the Adam Ezra Band website at adamezra.com
And, please visit RallySound (rallysound.org) to learn more about their work to end veteran homelessness and to make a small donation.
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 Adam Ezra who is out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Peter Holsapple and Paul Rock

Pull up a chair for a high-energy visit with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Peter Holsapple, and Wild Honey Founder, Paul Rock. We can hear their shared passion for music and supporting autism treatment and research throughout the conversation. We get behind-the-scenes details about how the upcoming dBs shows (November 16-17, 2024) were coordinated and booked. Peter enthusiastically recounts his memories of previous Wild Honey events… as well as an early visit to Los Angeles when the streets were filled with ghosts and goblins. Peter also remembers other early dBs benefit shows. Paul fills us in on his most memorable Wild Honey tribute show – the time that Brian Wilson’s limousine pulled up to the venue (which inspired Alex Chilton to play, too). Paul shares the incredible story of his son, Jacob’s, symphony, Unforgettable Sunrise. Both men speak about their early, shared record store days and their roles today in trying to affect change for others. It’s a busy time for both of our guests and we loved spending time with them!
Visit the dBs website at dbs.com and Peter’s blog at halfpearblog.blogspot.com. And remember… Peter releases an album, The Face of 68, on January 17, 2025.
Please visit Wild Honey Foundation (wildhoneyfoundation.com) to learn more about their work and to make a donation.
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 Peter Holsapple and Paul Rock who are out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Seth Glier

Pull up a chair for a visit with singer-songwriter, producer and activist, Seth Glier. I’m willing to bet that you’ll at least consider some time outdoors by the end of our conversation – and that would be just fine with Seth. We learn about Seth’s nine-year-old experiences with activism and recognize very quickly that the stage was a natural transition point for the advocacy work he was already accomplishing in his youth. Seth tells us about a rare and fascinating exchange when a Mongolian vocalist became his teacher. We discuss some key environmental issues that Seth has learned which helped to inform his stellar 2024 album, Everything.  Today, through his music, daily practices, citizen science and regular explorations this talented multi-instrumentalist is uncovering new worlds and taking us along. He’s got an exciting late summer/fall and continues to approach these possibilities with gratitude, curiosity and empathy.
Visit Seth’s website at sethglier.com (check out his SOLUTIONS page and PATREON for excellent information).
Please visit Soul Fire Farm (soulfirefarm.org) to learn more about their work and to make a donation.
During our conversation, Seth mentioned the Sunrise Movement (sunrisemovement.org), Operation Respect (operationrespect.org), Trout Unlimited (tu.org) and the How to Save a Planet Podcast with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.
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 Seth Glier who is out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Jason Chapin

Pull up a chair for a rare look back at the professional and humanitarian life of Harry Chapin! His son, Jason, joins us for a fascinating examination of his father’s life and how it impacts our world today. Jason recounts his dad’s early career in making films, Harry’s career in music, his partnership with Bill Ayres, his role on the Presidential Committee on World Hunger and his history of philanthropy. Interspersed are Jason’s memories of playing sports with his dad. Jason identifies what might be the defining moment in Harry’s career – not only to propel his dad toward million-selling record sales but allowed him to focus on helping others. We discuss what recent anti-hunger development might have pleased Harry. Finally, Jason takes us from the beginnings of the Harry Chapin Foundation to its impact today in awarding over four hundred grants to small organizations around the country. Please visit the Harry Chapin Foundation at harrychapinfoundation.org to learn more, to listen to Harry Chapin Radio and to make a donation. Jason mentions how Diet for a Small Planet (Frances Moore Lappe) influenced Harry’s 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 Jason Chapin whose family is still out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Martyn Joseph

Pull up a chair for a wisdom-filled conversation with Martyn Joseph! With a career spanning over 40 years, Martyn (sometimes referred to as The Welsh Springsteen) has 27 studio albums, over half a million record sales and has given thousands of concerts. Martyn takes us back to his earliest recollections of hearing protest songs - long before he started to craft excellent ones of his own. He chronicles a history of life-changing philanthropic experiences and charitable work before forming Let Yourself Trust, with his wife, Justine. Martyn describes Let Yourself Trust’s (letyourself.net) unique model and excellent mission – filled with heart and commitment - for funding small charities that are often underfunded. Martyn’s fans are very much involved in supporting the charities selected by Let Yourself Trust and even offer suggestions of other deserving organizations to Martyn as he tours. He details the power of his group volunteer trips and is filled with pride by the travelers’ determination to go back to offer additional support in their own ways. One of the biggest take-aways from this conversation is hearing Martyn’s insights about today’s world, his gratitude for a place in it and his appreciation for his audience. Martyn released his "masterful and career defining" (Fatea UK) album, This Is What I Want to Say, earlier this year. Visit Martyn’s website at martynjoseph.net to check out his music, videos, tour schedule and Patreon.
Please consider a small donation to Let Yourself Trust to support their 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 Martyn Joseph who is out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Jake Thistle

Pull up a chair for an enlightening conversation with Jake Thistle! Jake chronicles his musical career which indeed began with Tom Petty’s half time performance at Super Bowl 42 and continues with Jake supporting Mike Campbell’s animal rescue organization, The Tazzy Fund – Rock the Dogs (tazzyfund.org). Along the way, Mike has even gifted Jake a beautiful 1964 guitar! We hear Jake’s behind-the-scenes story about the hottest ticket in New Jersey, The American Music Honors. Jake discusses his other affiliations with the American Cancer Society (another long philanthropic history) and WhyHunger. He talks about his favorite songs of activism and social justice. Finally, we get the run down on two very interesting sounding courses at Rutgers University from this very busy college student. In 2023, Jake released The Half Left Out and keep your eyes open for his live album coming out this summer! Jake is hitting the east coast so be sure to check out his website (jakethistle.com) for all of the dates. Please consider making a small donation to The Tazzy Fund (tazzyfund.org) and WhyHunger (whyhunger.org).  
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 Jake Thistle who is out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Mark Erelli

Pull up a chair for a dynamic conversation with Mark Erelli! Mark supports the Foundation Fighting Blindness and explains the organization’s importance in relation to his own diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Then, Mark takes us through the creation of his incredible 2023 album, Lay Your Darkness Down. Mark received one of the best reviews we’ve read for his previous album, Blindsided (and it’s in his introduction). We’re fortunate to hear a full behind-the-scenes account about the writing, recording and gifting (to Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence) of Mark’s moving song, By Degrees. The song was nominated as Song of the Year at the 2019 Americana Honors and Awards. This host believes the song deserves new attention to make it into the universal anthem it's meant to be. Visit Mark’s website (markerelli.com) for music, tour dates and especially his amazing Patreon. Please consider making a small donation to Foundation Fighting Blindness (fightingblindness.org) or Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence (giffords.org).  
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 Mark Erelli who is out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.

Sit Down with Antje Duvekot

Pull up a chair for a heartfelt conversation with Antje Duvekot - one of the most honest and sincere first conversations I believe I’ve ever experienced. Through her beautifully detailed descriptions, Antje transports us to Guatemala and to the Project Somos Children’s Village. She shares what it’s like to volunteer with her there and how visitors experience rewards equal to (or greater than) those provided to the residents. Antje offers a vision of her life as an active singer-songwriter. And she shares her values... which align remarkably and perfectly with years of stellar reviews. If you’re lucky, you can see Antje on tour and do check out her Patreon (antjeduvekot.com). Please consider making a small donation to Project Somos Children’s Village (projectsomos.org).  
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 Antje Duvekot who is out there changing the world, and to Chris Downey for putting it all together.