Best Patricia Norton Podcasts (2025)

1
198. Loosen 18:26

Play Pause

1d ago18:26

18:26

Song: Loosen Music by: Aly Halpert Notes: Written in 2017, this song by Aly Halpert catapulted its way around songleader circles, shared friend to friend, sung in cars and buses, after dinners, on walks, between dances, around fires, beside rivers and on beaches. I learned it in 2019, and it has accompanied me since through the pandemic, an intense…

1
197. Ribbon 10: Sun and Moon 18:59

8d ago18:59

18:59

The Sunday after this episode is released, July 20th, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in this …

1
196. I Am Blessed 23:48

15d ago23:48

23:48

Song: I Am Blessed Music by: Desirée Dawson Notes: Ok, so there's a bit of mess in this episode -- the reprise happens twice, because I couldn't get my Loopy app to turn off when I wanted it to -- but we just get to sing it again, so it turns into a good thing! Desirée's song really helps me remember how blessed I am, with my mess, my stress -- the…

1
195. Get Up with guest Barbara McAfee 1:07:40

22d ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Song: Get Up Music by: Barbara McAfee Additional vocals by: Lia Falls Notes: Barbara McAfee describes herself as "A nice Minnesota girl -- I like things that work!" -- and in her framework of the Full Voice, she has shaped the teachings of skilled choir leaders and the Roy Hart vocal work, as well as her own discovery of her voice into just that --…

1
194. Hildegard's Song 13:56

29d ago13:56

13:56

Song: Hildegard's Song Music by: Barbara McAfee Notes: Sometimes a great groove and simple harmonies is exactly what you need to explore over -- and this song is a beautiful way to listen to your own singing voice playing. Barbara McAfee joins us next week to talk about her journey toward becoming a voice mentor to many folk, developing the Full Vo…

1
193. Ribbon 9: A Day 21:28

1M ago21:28

21:28

The Sunday after this episode is released, June 15th, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in this …

1
192. Freedom Over Fear 18:30

2M ago18:30

18:30

Song: Freedom Over Fear Music by: Tembre de Carteret Notes: Which freedoms do we get to choose? What are the places or times in your life when certain freedoms were not available? Have you ever lost freedoms because of violence or threat? Sometimes it's hard to release fears that may have helped protect us in the past -- and sometimes the feeling o…

1
191. Another World 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

Song: Another World Music by: Patricia Norton Lyrics by: Arundhati Roy Notes: Hearing these words in 2020 for the first time felt like a gift of possibility. I love the deeper listening they invite. It took five years before they found a melody in my head -- and the reminder of the quote in its entirety, which is, "Another world is not only possibl…

1
190. In the Spring with guest Yuri Woodstock 1:03:46

2M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

Song: In the Spring Music by: Yuri Woodstock Notes: Yuri Woodstock describes himself as the "bossy pirate in the middle of the room" when songleading, and tells a supernatural story of his phone bringing him song advice. He also describes why he thinks his song gatherings have grown so large, why he's now living in a "housey-house" (and what he did…

1
189. Hearth 14:54

2M ago14:54

14:54

Song: Hearth Music by: Yuri Woodstock Notes: Yuri Woodstock knows how to start and tend fires -- and this song sings the magic of smoke and spark. He's managed to make it feel dark and joyous, with a sinuous, smoky sound to remember the mystery, the dream of being alive. Next week is a conversation where Yuri brings his high energy take on communit…

1
188. Ribbon 8: Diving Deep 24:06

3M ago24:06

24:06

The Sunday after this episode is released, May 4th, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ri…

1
187. Where Am I Going To? 14:05

3M ago14:05

14:05

Song: Where Am I Going To? Music by: Patricia Norton Notes: I heard adrienne maree brown describe humans as "bags of water" -- humans on average are around 60% water.... like a delta, or the land around a pond or river with its banks, or a bathtub and its water pipes -- we are a way of shaping water -- we are, literally, a flow. This song was born …

1
186. The Riddle Song 14:47

3M ago14:47

14:47

Song: The Riddle Song Music by: traditional Notes: I find myself feeling like we live in a bit of a riddle right now -- how can this impossible thing be so, and what will resolve it? I literally learned this song at my mother's knee... it's one of the earliest I remember singing, and I was so delighted by the riddle form! As a young teen, it was on…

1
185. Vocal Improv with guest David Ruffin 1:15:20

4M ago1:15:20

1:15:20

Song: vocal improvisation Improvised by: David Ruffin and Patricia Norton Notes: It's a first for A Breath of Song! An episode of improvisation -- David Ruffin is our guest, talking about the multiple benefits of the practice of improvisation, his teachers, leading menfolk in song circles, the particular challenges of having a big, beautiful voice,…

1
184. Where the Moss Grows 28:25

4M ago28:25

28:25

Song: Where the Moss Grows Music by: David Ruffin Notes: We get to sing David Ruffin's beautiful moss song in three different keys, so you can experiment with the range and how it feels in your voice in different ways -- and really feel like you know the song well by the end! So this episode is a little longer than sometimes -- but it's a great way…

1
183. The Strength Within 16:52

4M ago16:52

16:52

Song: The Strength Within Music by: Jody Vyner Notes: Jody Vyner gives us a song for feeling strength, space, and breath within... and we spend 10 minutes in meditation with it, as I add parts in and out and you find what's right for you today -- stay on one part while the sound changes around you? Shift to new parts as they come? What helps you ta…

1
182. Ribbon 7: Rising 26:39

4M ago26:39

26:39

The Sunday after this episode is released, March 16th, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in this…

1
181. Extraordinary Magic with singer Rebecca Csuy 16:32

5M ago16:32

16:32

Song: Extraordinary Magic Music by: Judy Tse Notes: Judy describes the act of witnessing beautifully -- and this song is one that feels so good to have echoing in my head as I practice holding space for other people... really being present and seeing them fully. That seems to get harder and harder as people get older and make choices we disagree wi…

1
180. Pearl in the Dark with guest Sarina Partridge 1:35:40

5M ago1:35:40

1:35:40

Song: Pearl in the Dark Music by: Sarina Partridge Notes: Here's something to boost your "joy-ometer", as Sarina refers to it! We dive into infiltrating the health system with singing, stories we tell to make sense of the world, geysers of weird choices, singing to support community goals, cosmic bowling alley bumpers and more... and all that after…

1
179. Let Your Voice Be Heard 23:52

5M ago23:52

23:52

Song: Let Your Voice Be Heard Music by: Sarina Partridge Notes: Getting access to Sarina Partridge's catalog of songs was a beautiful moment for me -- SO many good things -- wise, accepting, generous, warm -- the songs reflect the songwriter, for sure! Join me today singing "Let your voice be heard..." -- I love the laid-back feel combined with the…

1
178. My Body 16:09

6M ago16:09

16:09

Song: My Body Music by: Alexandra Sarton Notes: Singing this week brought me into my body in a joyful, appreciative way... our bodies, our existence are such miracles, and this song fully celebrates and owns this. For anyone who has ever felt ashamed of their body for any reason, this is a medicine song, a reclaiming, remembering song. Alexandra Sa…

1
177. Ribbon 6: Connection 23:26

6M ago23:26

23:26

The Sunday after this episode is released, February 2nd, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in th…

1
176. An Open Heart 15:32

6M ago15:32

15:32

Song: An Open Heart/Gonna Let Life Move Me Music by: Scott Grace Notes: Learning songs in an oral tradition can be a little like playing telephone, as they take on a life of their own, responding to the people singing them, growing, evolving... I learned "Gonna Let Life Move Me" in a song circle, and loved it. Eventually, I wanted to share it with …

1
175. One Foot/Lead with Love with guest Melanie DeMore 1:15:59

6M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

Song: One Foot/Lead with Love Music by: Melanie DeMore Notes: Melanie DeMore both entrances and intimidates people -- she is direct, funny, a fabulous story-teller, and fierce and broad in her love. I have to apologize to listeners for the sound quality of this interview -- we had some microphone glitches on both sides that means despite the best s…

1
174. Standing Stone 14:20

7M ago14:20

14:20

Song: Standing Stone Music by: Melanie DeMore Notes: Melanie DeMore is a powerful community shaper and healer who brings warmth and creative delight to her work with people of all stripes. Standing Stone was my introduction to her songs, and like many people, I have a personal history with it. In 2019, I became a long-term sub in a middle school & …

1
173. Ribbon 5: Going 23:26

7M ago23:26

23:26

The Sunday after this episode is released, December 29th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in t…

1
172. Don't Go Putting the World on Your Shoulders 16:28

7M ago16:28

16:28

Song: Don't Go Putting the World on Your Shoulders Music by: Will Lawrence and Erin Bridges Notes: December in the north is such a great time for me to dig a little deeper -- finding mini-rests, sometimes even by taking an extra breath before I go do the next thing. I love that this song reminds me to lean on other people, too... to widen my base, …

1
171. Gratitude with Family Singers 15:02

8M ago15:02

15:02

Song: Gratitude Music by: Kate Munger Notes: Recording Kate Munger's song for you was SUCH a treat for me!!! 15 members of our extended family gathered in a living room, and sang together about sinking into gratitude.... mmmm-hmmmm!!! You'll hear 5-year-old Claire proclaiming she is right here, and then the beautiful gathered sound of Beth, Peter, …

1
170. Over/Under with guest Lyndsey Scott 1:10:53

8M ago1:10:53

1:10:53

Song: Over/Under Music by: Lyndsey Scott Notes: Lyndsey Scott talks about her radical trust in life, how she perceives energy, the playfulness and generosity of cyclical wisdom. She shares the origin story of this song, Over/Under, and wisdom from her co-creator, Anthony R. Rhodd about gratitude. We were recording the Thursday after the US election…

1
169. We Are the Door with singer Rebecca Csuy 19:48

8M ago19:48

19:48

Song: We Are the Door Music by: Lyndsey Scott Notes: Best possible things happening on this recording of Lyndsey Scott's song, We Are the Door.... I get to sing with my daughter, Rebecca Csuy and we figured out how to make a marimba sound on my keyboard!!! Honestly, life is just better with a marimba sound AND a loved one to sing with. This song is…

1
168. The Net 23:57

8M ago23:57

23:57

Song: The Net Music by: Patricia Norton Notes: The Hindu teacher, Sri Nisargadatta, said, "The real world is beyond our thoughts and ideas; we see it through the net of our desires... To see the universe as it is, you must step beyond the net. It is not hard to do so, for the net is full of holes." I began singing this song to myself in the summer …

1
167. Ribbon 4: Stability Despite 18:29

9M ago18:29

18:29

The Sunday after this episode is released, November 10th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in t…

1
166. Breathe 23:30

9M ago23:30

23:30

Song: Breathe Music by: Batya Levine Notes: This was the song I needed to sing to help myself through the pre-election moment... building trust in myself to navigate whatever comes next, tap into the energy to work up to the last moment to effect the change I hope for. Batya Levine is an incredibly heart-sourced song composer, and they'll be releas…

1
165. Heaven Above, Earth Below with guest Becky Graber 1:25:20

9M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

Song: Heaven Above, Earth Below Music by: Becky Graber Notes: Becky Graber let her unconscious speak during our conversation, and when I asked what she knows about herself right now, she said, "I am a breath of air on the earth" -- and then laughed a little in surprise and delight. The song she teaches also came from delighted awareness of the plac…

1
164. Fly Away 19:36

9M ago19:36

19:36

Song: Fly Away Music by: Becky Graber Notes: Becky Graber really captured that feeling I get sometimes when I'm so uncomfortable, I want to simply fly away... when you are seeking something that feels trustworthy, and it feels elusive. I taught this in an unusual way for A Breath of Song, using solfege to identify the very different ranges of each …

1
163. Radiate 15:41

10M ago15:41

15:41

Song: Radiate Music by: Lisa Piccirillo Notes: Going epic this week -- we learn the chorus to Lisa Piccirillo's song, Radiate, with just me and the piano...and then when we're feeling solid, blow our socks off by singing along with her huge soundtrack! If you love the song, then there are links to find it in Bandcamp, etc, just below! I particularl…

1
162. Ribbon 3: Joyful Power 25:54

10M ago25:54

25:54

The Sunday after this episode is released, September 29th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in …

1
161. Good Friend 18:18

10M ago18:18

18:18

Song: Good Friend Music by: Jan Harmon Notes: Both harbor and freedom, connection and release, seasons and timelessness. Jan Harmon's song, written in 1985, has generous space for harmonies, and impels us singers forward, as though we were the sail catching the wind. I love the feeling of holding and letting go as I sing this song -- it helps me gr…

1
160. (O Spirit) Guide Me to Those I Need with guest Aimée Ringle 1:36:42

11M ago1:36:42

1:36:42

Song: (O Spirit) Guide Me to Those I Need Music by: Aimée Ringle Notes: If you've run across Aimée Ringle's work, you know her wicked musical skills, her exuberant, high-energy presence, her huge heart and desire to be of service... and you may not yet know how she grew into her voice, the questions she asks herself around how best to contribute to…

1
159. The Ambulance Song 20:30

11M ago20:30

20:30

Song: The Ambulance Song Music by: Aimée Ringle "Ooo Love" part by: Laurence Cole Notes: We live on a busy road, not far from a fire station -- an ambulance is not an unusual sight -- and thanks to Aimée Ringle, I have the perfect song to wish the people involved well... and now you do, too! Next week, Aimée and I talk about the tender place music …

1
158. Quiet At First 21:12

11M ago21:12

21:12

Song: Quiet At First Music by: Eileen Webb Lyrics by: Kai Skye Notes: How often do you get to sing with a thrush? Eileen Webb has made that possible for us... and so we get full enjoyment out of it, singing the entire song twice after learning it. The song itself, with words from Kai Skye, is a succinct reminder to drop in to that sensation of conn…

1
157. Ribbon 2: Flex 20:53

11M ago20:53

20:53

The Sunday after this episode is released, August 18th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in thi…

1
156. We Got All The Love with singer Tom Norton 18:24

12M ago18:24

18:24

Song: We Got All The Love Music by: Helen Yeoman Notes: So many different things going on in this episode! First, in some ways this is a "greatest hit" of the community song world, so maybe you already know it? Helen Yeoman's confident, sweetly harmonized zipper song speaks to what can build and sustain hopefulness -- this knowledge that, in some …

1
155. Fear (Come to Me) 1:11:44

12M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Notes: Joanna and I explore the idea of inviting fear to come closer and be held, through song and word. We talk about how gifts of attention can come from wounds, and therefore be mixed blessings. Joanna describes the "field" she tends in a song circle, and what craves special notice when you live and work with the same person. This was recorded s…

1
154: Gather - We Are Not Alone 19:24

1y ago19:24

19:24

Notes: As we gather, by whom are we held? The trees, the earth, the air, the bugs, the people? And what do we bring? Hunger, courage, fear, hope, laughter? Our voices... our dreams. Joanna Laws Landis has written a song to hold the fullness of all this, and the ways in which we are not alone. Next week, join us for a songwriter conversation that ex…

1
153. Blessings Whenever You Breathe 17:43

1y ago17:43

17:43

Song: Blessings Whenever You Breathe Music by: Melanie DeMore Notes: Melanie DeMore has probably influenced your singing, whether or not you've had the chance to sing with her in person yet! This week is a chance to spend some time with one of her songs that is a breath blessing -- as we sing, you can notice the breath pouring in, and just to be s…

1
152. Ribbon 1: Heartflow 23:54

1y ago23:54

23:54

The Sunday after this episode is released, July 7th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us! Lyrics & Links to the original episodes for the songs in this r…

1
151. Deeper 15:19

1y ago15:19

15:19

Song: Deeper Music by: Meg O'Dell Chittenden Notes: I was stymied when I came to the point in the podcast where I explain why I chose this song... because to me it simply is exactly the way I'm trying to live. It's like Meg O'Dell Chittenden went in my brain and named what was happening! Do you find songs like that -- ones that simply speak your t…

1
150. The Change with guest Mary Cohen 1:09:51

1y ago1:09:51

1:09:51

Song: The Change Music by: Mary L. Cohen Notes: “My dad played the copper fish mold.” — aren’t you curious now? Listen in as Mary Cohen and I explore family music, personal structures for improvisation, creating connections between incarcerated and not-incarcerated people, and more… We wander a bit through grief and disconnection and finding what …

1
149. May My Tears Water a Sapling 19:20

1y ago19:20

19:20

Song: May My Tears Water a Sapling Music by: Mary L. Cohen Notes: Mary Cohen's huge heart and willingness to do big work in the world shines through in this song, with lyrics sparked by the 2020 midwestern derecho with devastated so many trees. When we talk in next week's songwriter conversation, the depth of Mary's passion for how singing can sup…