Sheila O’Connor’s book, “The Evidence of V: A Novel in Fragments, Facts and Fictions,” is inspired by her search to find the story about her unknown grandmother who was incarcerated in Sauk Centre, MN in 1935 with the sole transgression of being pregnant at 15. Not only did Sheila unearth family secrets that now make sense, but she also discovered a world in which young pregnant girls were treated as criminals, shamed into silence and erased from history. Musical guest singer/songwriter Jonatha Brooke & playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge were first introduced by my husband, Ron Peluso, recently retired as the long-time Artistic Director of the History Theatre. Struck by Sheila’s work, he asked if Jonatha and Laurie would be interested in collaborating on a musical bringing to life Sheila’s quest for the truth about V and so many girls like her. Though they had never met, they immediately bonded through their shared love of Sheila’s commitment to find the evidence of V. We hear songs from their powerful musical that gives V a voice. Autumn Mason, a doula with the Minnesota Prison Doula Project was originally a client personally experiencing the trauma of incarceration, family separation and prison birth. She shares insights into what is possible now for supporting incarcerated parents. Plus, reflecting on the rounding up of immigrants, Silvia Pontaza imagines Emma Lazarus’ poem in Spanish and Zippy Laske, with host Sue Scott, brings us an updated “Dear Mitch,” a letter to all the older white guys in power.

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #44 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Laurie Flanigan Hegge, Silvia Pontaza, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Written by Sue Scott & Zippy Laske
• Special Guest is Sheila O’Connor
• Guest contributor is Autumn Mason
• Musical guest is Jonatha Brooke with playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge
• Original songs: “Hymn of Days,” “Matrons of the Wayward,” “Trouble,” “Bastard Nation,” “Solitary,” “Kindness of 15,” “Waltz for June,” “I’ll Take it From Here,” and “Shadows in the Water,” music & lyrics by Jonatha Brooke. Book by Laurie Flanigan Hegge
• “Dear Mitch” music & Lyrics by Zippy Laske. Spoken word segments written by Sue Scott
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Production assistance by Lexi Carlson
• Volunteer is Carolyn Denton
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Episode #44 opening: Excerpt from “Love Yourself” music and lyrics by Amanda Grace with Tiffany Strande on violin. From our July 2025 show
• The “Give Back” opportunity for this show, chosen by our guest Sheila O’Connor, is the Minnesota Prison Doula Project. https://www.mnprisondoulaproject.org/

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In this high-powered show, our special guest Peggy Flanagan, MN’s rock star Lt. Gov. and now US Senate candidate, is a native advocate and bridge builder with resiliency in her bones, who is running to change the system from the inside out. Our buddy, comedian Paula Poundstone is championing solo protesting, responsible flossing and nourishing her rescue cat, Larry, one kibble at a time. Musical guest Amanda Grace shares powerful original songs reminding us that rainbow skies are just behind the clouds, goodness is out there, and that ultimately, we’re all we need. Tiffany Strande joins her on violin. Plus, Silvia Pontaza & Sue Scott cheer on our heroes: teachers, DEI proponents, flood rescuers and Melissa Hortman. LFG!

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #43 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Silvia Pontaza & Sue Scott
• Written by Silvia Pontaza & Sue Scott
• Special Guest is Peggy Flanagan
• Comedian guest is Paula Poundstone
• Musical guest is Amanda Grace with Tiffany Strande joining her on violin
• Original songs: “Give Me Away,” “Rainbow Skies,” “Love Yourself,” “Some Goodness” and “All We Need,” music and lyrics by Amanda Grace
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Production assistance by Lexi Carlson
• Volunteers are Carolyn Denton & Doug Anderson
• Guest research by Marisa Helms
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Episode #43 opening: Excerpt from “It’s Personal” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske from March 2025 show.
• The “Give Back” opportunity for this show, chosen by our guest Peggy Flanagan, is Division of Indian Work. https://www.diw-mn.org/

The post Ep. 43 Let’s Do This! – LIVE – with Peggy Flanagan, Paula Poundstone & Amanda Grace appeared first on Island of Discarded Women live show & podcast.

Special guest Marlene Johnson, Minnesota’s first female Lt. Gov., shares navigating her trail blazing life in politics, honing her leadership skills in non-profits and adapting to deep personal challenges, one pivot at a time. Musical guests Follow the Firefly with Phala Tracy on harp, Natalie Nowytski on bass & Scott Keever on guitar, bring us a powerful song honoring Ukraine through a great grandmother’s poem + songs and musical haikus celebrating female strength, autonomy & hot flashes. Aamera Siddiqui tells her story detailing the oh so many “perks of being a diversity hire.” Zippy Laske reminds us, via a stunning new song, that what is happening now is personal. AND Dae Yang & Sue Scott decide that the resistance will be best dressed in hoodies.

• Island of Discarded Women Episode #42 was directed and produced by Sue Scott
• Cast: Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Written by Dae Yang, Zippy Laske & Sue Scott
• Special Guest is Marlene Johnson
• Musical guest is Follow the Firefly with Phala Tracy on harp and vocals, Natalie Nowytski on bass and vocals & Scott Keever on guitar.
• Guest Storyteller is Aamera Siddiqui
• Original songs: “Syniv Shukajut” (They Search for Their Sons) Ukrainian, music and lyrics by Natalie Nowytski. “Inescapable Ridiculous Self,” “Inferno,” “Two Songs Written 20 Years Apart” and “Alone is Better Than Wrong” music and lyrics by Phala Tracy.
• Traditional Bulgarian song: “Liljano, Mome” (Liljana, Young Maiden)
• Original songs: “Guilty by Assumption” and “It’s Personal” music and lyrics by Zippy Laske
• Live Real-Time Captioning by Erica Cook
• Live Audio Engineering by John Robinson
• Production assistance by volunteers Susanne Egli & Doug Anderson
• Guest research by Marisa Helms
• Photos by Bonni Allen
• Mixed & Edited by Sue Scott
• Mastered by Tony Axtell
• Episode #42 opening: Excerpt from “7.951 Billion People” music and lyrics by Keri Noble from our December 2024 show.

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