For Kindred Spirits

Summary:

This is a beautiful audio production about the more profound nature of our relationships with animals and the natural world. Hosted by NY Times bestselling author Susan Chernak McElroy (Animals as Teachers and Healers), it features her stories and guest interviews, music, and phoned-in messages - real stories from real people. This show comes in two parts. Search terms: animal-human bond, human-animal bond, nature, relationships, pets, dogs, cats, animals

Website:

http://www.forkindredspirits.com

Additional Credits and Funding:

None

Timely on:

April 20: For Earth Day - speaks to the connection of all life on the planet.

Tones:

Engaging, Informational, Thoughtful

Language:

English

Description:

If you love animals and nature, you will find this to be an unusually powerful program and mix of audio elements: stories and interviews with Susan, phoned-in messages from real people, and a great use of carefully selected music.

For Kindred Spirits was made to foster a heightened awareness, sense of wonder and respect for life in all forms - to explore, celebrate and remember the shared connections we have with all living things, and the powerful emotional, physical and spiritual benefits of these relationships, many of which are just beginning to be understood and acknowledged.
 
Note from Producer, Paul Messing:

I've been working with Susan on this project over the past 6 years as a labor of love, even though we are a thousand miles apart and had no funding or sponsorship of any kind. The audio was originally designed as a short demo for a series we'd like to create. As years went by, the demo became longer, and has been crafted into its current shape.

I believe there is a large audience for this program in all markets, and am eager to get listener response.

In addition to Susan's inspiring stories, contributors in this pilot episode include Carol Buckley, founder of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, author Joanne Lauck, who speaks about her book "The Voice of the Infinite in the Small: Re-visioning the Human-Insect Connection," and contributions from animal communicators Penelope Smith and David Louis. The real phoned-in stories woven throughout the pilot reveal a never-ending cast of kindred spirits. The musical features emphasize that this show is as much about emotions and feelings as it is about knowledge and intellect.

For Kindred Spirits provides a place for people to come together to share thoughts and stories, and an elegant and engaging hour of radio. The overall tone of the show is informative, emotive and thought provoking, staying away from negative content and commentary, but not to the exclusion of profoundly poignant content. It is suitable listening for all ages.

 For Kindred Spirits is an ongoing celebration of the magic and intelligence of animals and nature, and an exploration into the fascinating and mysterious ways we are all connected.


Note to stations:
The pilot comes with suggested live copy to introduce the program, as well as suggested copy to encourage audience response when the show is over.

Part one is also available with a pre-recorded 27 second introduction.

There is a break at about 24 minutes, with a :40 music bed option for live-announce station IDs, show identification, and any other messages you may wish to insert before going back to Part Two.

Our website address will eventually contain additional audio files and links as well as information on how listeners can phone in messages for future episodes. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

FINAL NOTE:
We hope that listener response to this pilot will somehow make it possible for us to find sponsorship, so that we can make this program into the series it was intended to be. This pilot just scratches the surface of the program potential.
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Public Radio Consultant and Marketing Specialist KEN MILLS:

"I am listening to the 'For Kindred Spirits' CD as I write this e-mail. You've done a wonderful, remarkable, job on this demo. It is knock-out good! I got the 'Kindred Spirits' concept from the moment I heard the opening words. Your choice of music is outstanding and the mix is oh-so good. The phone voices are riveting. The story about Homer the Cat touched me deeply. I guess that is the reaction I have about the whole program -- touches me deeply. The elephant story made me cry. This is quite incredible radio."

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ABOUT SUSAN CHERNAK MCELROY:
In 1996 author, cancer survivor and speaker Susan Chernak McElroy wrote her first book, "Animals as Teachers and Healers." Citing indigenous wisdom and philosophy, Susan speaks to the deep healing wisdom offered by our relationships with animals and the natural world. "Animals as Teachers and Healers" is full of real stories from real people. It quickly became a New York Times bestseller, and today is considered a classic work. Now this same world comes to radio audiences for the first time in this engaging new audio program, For Kindred Spirits.

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