In Episode 9 of Soundscapes, we listen in on a conversation between poet and essayist Ross Gay and Terrain.org poetry editor Derek Sheffield. As Ross Gay’s biography points out: “Ross Gay is interested in joy. Ross Gay wants to understand joy. Ross Gay is curious about joy.” Ross gay, it turns out, is curious and interested in just about everything, but humble about his ability to understand it. In fact, he’s in love with not knowing, which allows for change and, yes, “flabbergastment.” Along with living the questions and inciting joy, though, Ross Gay centers what he calls, “the noticing muscle.” This muscle, when strengthened, “inclines us to care for each other in systems of distrust and brutalization.” Listen to Ross Gay and Derek Sheffield take a deep dive into the workings of poetry (“the longer I study it, the more I realize I don’t know how I’m doing this”), what it’s like to witness a bee orgy (“I don’t know shit”), and why you should consider turning toward your death (“to not consider our dying and our living the same thing is in impediment to joy”).  Additional poetry in this episode:  “At First Scent of Daylight” by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg “On NPR This Afternoon” by Jillian Hanson “Duplex II” by Camille Newsom About Ross Gay The most recent book by Ross Gay is The Book of (More) Delights (Algonquin Books, 2023), the collection that occasioned this interview. His first Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller. He is also the author of another book of essays, Inciting Joy (Algonquin Books, 2022), and four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Read the full interview with Derek Sheffield.

What is staying power, and how can we cultivate it? This episode Terrain.org-published poetry as well as a short story set to music that explore the staying power of words and experiences. In conversation with Alan Sincic, we learn about the relationship of silence to word music and how subverting expectations can be a source of wonder that lasts for decades. Poetry and fiction included in this episode are: “A Remnant” by Pattiann Rogers “Eva” by Alan Sincic “Mend” by Alanc Sincic “Phenology” by Jory Mickelson

Apparently there’s nothing like trying to paddle a gravely ill child out of a swampy wilderness to remind us that death, in fact, is the ultimate wildness. But what does that mean for our lives? This episode of Soundscapes gives voice to Terrain.org contributors Janisse Ray, Robert Morgan, and Kim Parko as we explore the ability of the written word to engage with big questions. Listen to Robert Morgan read his poem "Portal," listen to Janisse Ray read her essay "I Have Seen the Warrior," enjoy a conversation between Miranda Perrone and Janisse Ray, and listen to Kim Park read her poem "Our woman." We hope you enjoy our offerings.    Essays and poems referenced in this episode: "Portal", poem by Robert Morgan "I Have Seen the Warrior", by Janisse Ray "Our Woman" poem by Kim Parko

Have you ever held a heart in your hand, or wondered how that might feel? Erin Block’s rendition of just what that’s like starts off this episode of Soundscapes, in which Terrain.org artists explore what it means to be more than alone. Each individual, embedded in complex systems both ecological and social, experiences this differently; poems from Ever Jones and Michael Wasson create a kaleidoscope of perspectives in the search for what matters and round out this episode’s offerings. We hope you enjoy it.   Essays and poems referenced in this episode: “Solo” by Erin Block Poems by Ever Jones Poem by Michael Wasson

In the fifth episode of Soundscapes, we present Love Across Time. In this episode, a lively collection of Terrain.org artists consider love: love for each other, love for places, and love for the hard work of creating the world as it could be. After Sandra Steingraber and Taylor Brorby delve into these questions in a conversation held atop Rachel Caron’s beloved Hawk Mountain, Pepper Trail and Katharine Whitcomb share their poetry with us. We hope you enjoy this episode of Soundscapes.

In this episode of Soundscapes, we explore division and hope from perspectives both human and non. What does it mean to be a citizen? Lee Herrick, editorial board member at Terrain.org, sits down with Soundscapes to share his Letter to America exploring just that. Then, poet Jocelyn Casey Whiteman’s work takes us in an expected direction. We hope you enjoy the episode.

In our third episode of Soundscapes, we present Sustenance, in which Miranda Perrone interviews essayist Elizabeth Dodd, who reads her essay “Provenance,” originally published in Terrain.org. The podcast ends with a reading of Nathaniel Perry’s poem “Country Gospel,” which brings another kind of sustenance. It is read by the poet and also originally appeared in Terrain.org. Read this and two other poems by Nathaniel Perry.

Recently, Terrain.org co-hosted Conservation in Verse: Authors, Artists, and Activists on Protecting the Landscapes We Love with Friends of the Columbia Gorge. We hope you’ll enjoy listening to poets Kim Stafford and Jane Hirshfield, as well as hearing a panel discussion including artist Ka’ila Farrell-Smith and Friends of Columbia Gorge executive director Kevin Gorman. Additionally, listen to eight more poems read by Jane Hirshfield at the Conservation in Verse event: “French Horn,” “Page,” “Global Warming,” “Today Another Universe,” “A Cedary Fragrance,” “Cataclysm,” “Let Them Not Say,” and “Tree”:   Listen to Jane Hirshfield introduce and read these poems, or download the poems in .mp3 format. Additional information about topics discussed in this podcast can be found at: Jane Hirshfield’s poetry in Terrain.org Kim Stafford’s poetry in Terrain.org Ka’ila Farrell-Smith Links she mentions in the podcast: Rogue Climate Signal Fire Arts

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Soundscapes, where host Miranda Perrone talks to Kathleen Dean Moore about her involvement in the Permanent People’s Tribunal for Human Rights trial of fracking. While delving into the global impacts of fracking and climate change, Kathleen’s unique eloquence and clarity suggest that our problems do have solutions. We hope you appreciate her perspective as much as we do. Read Kathleen Dean Moore’s many important contributions to Terrain.org. And be sure to check out Miranda Perrone’s 2018 interview with Kathleen Dean Moore. More information about Kathleen and her entire body of work can be found at www.riverwalking.com. Additional information about topics discussed in this podcast can be found at: The Permanent People’s Tribunal on Human Rights, Fracking, and Climate Change (May 14-18, 2018 Session) Climate Action Music and Spoken Word Bedrock Lectures on Human Rights and Climate Change, Spring Creek Project, Oregon State University