Matthew Paul Turner is living every day as his whole self. And the journey to get to that place is nothing short of extraordinary (and gorgeous!) The New York Time's bestselling author and gay dad of three stopped by the podcast to talk PRIDE, to share his coming out journey, and to weave his remarkable story together with the songs that have carried him through all of the healing and trauma into his own beautifully-gay liberation. From his rebellious days sneaking Amy Grant CDs behind his fundamentalist parent's backs, to transcendent experiences on the Jagged Little Pill tour and Lilith Fair, to the salvation of Brandi Carlile, Wilson Phillips and Taylor Swift in his coming out journey, follow Matthew through the songs that provided the safe and transformative spaces along his path to inner freedom, joy and flamboyance!

Kevin Coloso and his band, Collection of Lone Souljahs, are bringing the positive vibrations everywhere they go. In this episode, we sit down with the talented roots & reggae singer-songwriter to discuss his inspiring and transformative journey in music. The native of Maui, Hawaii, found himself in the Portland, OR area after college, which is where the music that lived within his soul began to emerge onto the strings of his beloved ukulele, and led to the Collection of his fellow Lone Souljahs into the band that is now rocking shows and elevating spirits everywhere along the west-coast roots reggae circuit - and beyond! Kevin talks with us about the sacred music and traditions of his people, how all of that finds its way into his songwriting and performing, and shares his influences with us - everything from 50s and 60s doo-wop to Fiji and Bob Marley to Linkin Park! What comes first for Kevin is the music: Is it real and does it move you? This is how he believes music transcends all barriers between us and unites us together - even across languages!

In this episode, our Creator and Director Jonathan Bristow flys solo, getting vulnerable about the story that sits behind Ascent Radio: His story. Retelling the journey of how Ascent came to be, including the traumas in his life that led him into his dreams for a new kind of radio platform that would inspire hope and change through the power of song, and celebrating his first Pride Month being out! - sharing how music has been integral in his journey coming out as bisexual in 2023 - this episode sets the table for all that we hope the show to be going forward! Discussing his unabashed love for Elton John, Mr. Rogers, Tom Petty, Lauryn Hill, hip-hop, and all things Brandi Carlile, Jonathan drops twenty songs that have made a lasting impact on his story and everything he hopes to be in the world!