She once dreamed of being a journalist, a war photographer, or a painter, but music— thankfully for us— found her, and never let her go. Her journey began with her grandmother, an inspiring dreamer, the hymns sung in church, and the teachings of the Bible. Then came the discovery of musical instruments, the raw energy of live rock in Atlanta, and the poetic rhymes crafted in the quiet of her bedroom—all of it culminating in her first songs and her first live performance. Music found Cat Power, and though their relationship began with indifference, then followed rejection, and then came the fear of loving - music never left her side.
It’s a love story, one where the true, enduring love triumphs in the end—through patience, passion, and perseverance. It was fate.
As Chan Marshall herself suggests, we could all learn to see the world through the eyes of children. Their perspective isn’t naïve; rather, it’s a form of wisdom. Not knowing everything can be a gift, opening the door to wonder, awe, and a sense of survival that is pure and uncorrupted by the world. It’s this childlike wonder that fuels the soul, reminding us of the beauty that still exists in the everyday.
The American Dream is often a lie, a reflection of how easily democracy is mistaken for a regime of control, and free expression reduced to mere opinion planting. Throughout history, men have dreamed of conquest, playing with toy soldiers as children only to grow up and command armies and wage wars.
But what if women ruled the world? Imagine a mother’s care nurturing the Earth, instead of a father’s drive for domination. It’s a compelling thought, but there’s one not-so-small truth: women are too wise for such ambitions. They know where certain powers lead, and they choose life over the risk of being poisoned by power. Women understand that true strength lies not in conquering, but in preserving and nurturing what truly matters.
The episode closes with the launch of Linqua Franqa and her multicultural music. She reminds us that borders don't exist, except in our minds. But here’s the kicker... Those are the most dangerous ones.
