Diana Jones' latest album, Song to a Refugee, is a collection of songs based on the narratives of people seeking asylum from violence and political retribution in their homelands. This morning we played "We Believe You," inspired by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's testimony of the dehumanizing consitions she encountered on the USA/Mexican border. The song features co-vocals from Steve Earle and Peggy Seeger, as well as Richard Thompson's unique guitar-stylings.

Also on today's show: new music from Reg Meuross, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Anais Mitchell, The Punch Brothers, Dave Nachmanoff, and more!

We're living in a labor shortage, and signs like this one in downtown Davis aren't hard to find. The pandemic is a huge part of the reason but other factors are also at work, such as childcare, more people working for themselves, the cushion provided by benefits and a high savings rate, and baby boomers retiring. And yet California has the highest unemployment rate of any state except Nevada.

Today's guest is Suzy Taherian, a lecturer in the Graduate School of Management at the University of California at Davis, and the chief financial officer of Xpansiv, an international company based in San Francisco. She describes conditions she and other CFOs are seeing as we talk about reasons for the labor shortage, including some you might not have heard yet; how employers are responding; how it might resolve; and how employees can take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

Gather ‘round your device — better yet, find a set of 1960s stereo speakers, or even a cathedral radio lit by the warm orange glow of 1930s tube technology — and tune in for this year’s Halloween edition of Live Tracks.

We have treats for you: music, stories of spooky doings, and two skits from the Davis Tales of Terror Theatre Troupe, aired tonight for the first time anywhere.

Local moody music selections include a live recording of "She's Waiting" by Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack, and  selections from Bill Scholer's "Haunted Highway" album and Roger Kunkel's "Guitar Solo."

This morning we debuted a new track, "Clock Winds Down," from Christy Moore's forthcoming album Flying Into Mystery. It's a dystopian take on the effects of climate change as penned by Seattle songwriter Jim Page. Also on today's show: a beautiful, new rendition of Kate McGarrigle's "Talk To Me Of Mendocino" from Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan, as well as new tracks from Dublin's Irish/Americana group I Draw Slow, Glasgow's Assynt, Nashville-based fiddler/realtor Christian Sedelmeyer, and San Francisco-based Noctamble. And much more!