Outer Focus (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)

Outer Focus 15: Winter Reverie

Tue, Dec 23, 2025

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Growing up, I listened to a lot of opera and choral music, thanks to my parents’ passion for classical music. Both of my parents were in chamber choirs growing up, so every Christmas Eve we sang ancient German Christmas hymns before unwrapping presents. (In Germany, it’s baby Jesus who brings you presents, not Santa!)

For this episode, we’ll start slowly with choral hymns, gradually transition into winter-themed folk songs, and end on a soulful, upbeat note with some American Christmas classics. Enjoy—and whether or not you celebrate any spiritual beliefs this year, may you feel at peace and find ways to kindle the light within.

As an unorthodox platform, I thought it might be valuable to provide a show that mirrors the opposite of what this time of year usually represents for people. As the year comes to a close, I find myself seeking out music that allows me to fully experience the grief that has built up over the year. We’ve lost several icons in 2025—ones I looked to for guidance—especially Assata Shakur, Jane Goodall, D’Angelo, and Bill Lupoletti, to name just a few. I know the holiday season can be heavy for many, so I wanted to create a set to help us engage with those emotions rather than avoid or bury them. I hope these songs resonate with you and help you find some form of release.

Thank you for listening, and merry solstice!

Playlist