Book Nook - The Mindful Mom

I recently had a chance to see a copy of The Mindful Mom, a 365-day guide designed for moms. Motherhood can be wonderful and beautiful, but it can also be chaotic and overwhelming. This book helps moms focus on their own needs and think about their own identity - reclaiming themselves as more than just their role as a mother. 

The book is written in perfect bite-sized reflections that take just a few minutes at a time, and can help mothers release unrealistic pressures and be inspired to be the best they can be, on their own terms.

MegSylvester (@meghansylvester) is a devoted mother of three and a passionate advocate for self-love, guiding women to step off the exhausting “healing hamster wheel” and embrace a life of genuine joy, purpose, and play. With nearly twenty years of marriage and motherhood under her belt, Meg understands firsthand the complexities of balancing family, self-discovery, and personal growth. Her journey has led her to redefine what it means to live authentically, showing that motherhood and purpose can flourish side by side. As a writer and speaker, Meg combines deep, transformative insights with an engaging, light-hearted approach, making her guidance both accessible and empowering. Her compassionate voice helps women feel safe, seen, and supported, bringing a refreshing, down-to-earth perspective to living with authenticity and kindness. For any mom seeking to rekindle her self-love, strengthen her relationships, or simply turn up the joy in her life, Meg is the ultimate guide. With boundless enthusiasm and a relatable charm, she encourages women to infuse their journey of self-discovery with laughter, gratitude, and purpose, walking beside them every step of the way.

Healthy Habits - Medicaid Doula Coverage Map

 

As federal Medicaid cuts take effect and states move in different directions on maternal health policy, reporters are often left without a clear, up-to-date picture of where doula care is actually covered. To help fill that gap, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) has launched a new Doula Medicaid Interactive Map, a visual, easy-to-use tool that tracks state Medicaid coverage for doula services across the country. The map comes at a pivotal moment. Half of all states and Washington, DC now reimburse doula care through Medicaid, and in 2025 alone, five states enacted new laws requiring such coverage. At the same time, the passage of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is already reshaping Medicaid funding and access nationwide, including for people who are pregnant, birthing, postpartum, and post-pregnancy. For reporters covering maternal health, health policy, Medicaid, or health inequities, the map provides: A quick way to verify which states cover doula care through Medicaid A visual comparison of state approaches and implementation status Reliable context for stories on maternal mortality, birth equity, and Medicaid policy changes Research consistently shows that doula care improves maternal health outcomes and helps protect against bias in clinical settings. As states expand coverage and federal policy creates new barriers, understanding where and how doula care is available has become essential for accurate reporting. NHeLP will continue to maintain its detailed State Efforts Chart alongside the new interactive map for reporters and researchers who prefer a data-table format.

About NHeLP Founded in 1969, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. NHeLP advocates, educates and litigates at the federal and state levels. Our lawyers and policy analysts stand up for the rights of the millions of people who struggle to access affordable, quality health care. We are guided by the belief—a challenge—that each generation should live better than the last.

Music Minute - Ken Whiteley: Keep Going

Canadian folk legend Ken Whiteley releases his 37th album, 'Keep Going,' out now via Pyramid Records, distributed worldwide by Distrokid. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer who has been at the heart of Canadian roots music for more than six decades, Whiteley is a Mariposa Festival Hall of Fame inductee, a Genie Award winner for Best Original Song in a Canadian feature film, and the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Maple Blues Awards and Folk Music Ontario. With 'Keep Going,' he delivers his most thematically unified and deeply felt work in years - a record that draws from the oldest wells of blues and gospel to speak directly to the moment we are all living through.

The album's origin is characteristically Whiteley: in February 2025, he slipped on ice and fractured a bone in his ankle. Unable to walk for a month, he sat down, picked up his guitar, and began writing. "Keeping going in these troubled times is an expression of powerful determination and survival, tempered by the recognition of earthly transience," he reflects. "I immersed myself in old blues and gospel tunes and that message kept coming up. May listeners also find the inspiration to keep going." The result is 12 tracks - seven originals, four classics that speak urgently to today, and one co-write with Eve Goldberg - recorded at Casa Wroxton Studio in Toronto with engineer Nik Tjelios and mastered by Harris Newman at Grey Market Mastering in Montreal.

The breadth of Whiteley's musicianship across 'Keep Going' is remarkable even by his own extraordinary standards. He sings and plays acoustic guitar, resophonic guitar, mandolin, Hammond organ, piano, mandola, mandocello, harmonica, string bass, electric bass, and washboard across the 12 tracks - joined by a cast of trusted collaborators including vocalist Ciceal Levy, drummer Bucky Berger, his brother Chris Whiteley on harmonica and cornet, and bassist Gord Mowat. One of the album's most moving moments is 'Reaching Higher,' featuring the late vocalist Betty Richardson - Jackie Richardson's younger sister, who passed away in 2018 - on a demo track Whiteley returned to and knew was worth sending into the world. Guest vocalists Eve Goldberg and Pat Patrick appear on the closing co-write 'At The End Of The Day,' a twilight meditation on transition and the voices we hear at the edge of night.

The closing track's lyrics carry the album's spirit with quiet grace: "I hear something calling me / taking me far away / I hear something calling me / at the end of the day." That sense of listening for something beyond the noise of the present moment runs throughout 'Keep Going.' From the lead track 'Everybody's Got to Be Tried' - built from a phrase remembered from Appalachian banjo legend Frank Proffitt and performed on a 1928 National guitar - to the mandolin-quartet arrangement of Noah Lewis's 1929 jug stomper 'Going to German,' Whiteley draws unbroken lines between the music of the past and the challenges of the present. "It's heartbreaking that the systemic imprisonment of young people of colour is still with us," he writes in his notes. "What I embrace in this song is the affirmation that 'I'll be back some old day.' Keep going."

The stature Whiteley brings to this record has been earned across one of the richest careers in Canadian music. Beginning his public performances at the age of 14, he has shared stages and recordings with Pete Seeger, John Hammond Jr., Blind John Davis, Stan Rogers, and Tom Paxton. He changed the course of Canadian children's music through his work with Raffi, Fred Penner, and dozens of others, and has frequently collaborated with his brother Chris Whiteley and niece and nephew Jenny and Daniel Whiteley. He has written more than 400 songs, which have been covered by more than a dozen artists, and has released four albums since 2020 alone - including CFMA award nominees 'Long Time Travelling' and 'So Glad I'm Here.' These days, as he notes with characteristic wit, he is as likely to be performing at a yoga ashram as a bar, drawing on the full storehouse of blues, folk, and gospel to make music that brings people together.

TOUR DATES:

March 28 - Guelph, ON - Guelph House Concerts

April 4-5 - Val Morin, QC - Concerts & Workshop, Sivananda Yoga Ashram (Easter Weekend) - sivanandacanada.org/camp

May 1 - Ottawa, ON - Gil's Hootenanny 'Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope,' First Unitarian Church, 30 Cleary Ave., 7:00 p.m. - gilshootenanny.ca

May 2 - Toronto, ON - Hugh's Room Live - 75th Birthday Bash and Album Celebration with Bucky Berger, Ben Whiteley, Jesse Whiteley, David Wall, Ciceal Levy, Pat Patrick - Tickets: showpass.com/ken-whiteley-75th-birthday-bash

May 16 - North York, ON - Afro Metis Anthem Peace Concert, Don Heights Auditorium, 18 Wynford Dr., Suite 103, 2:00 p.m.

May 23 - Caledon, ON - Whole Village Eco Village Concert

May 28 - Burlington, ON - Retired Teachers' Luncheon Concert

June 7 - Orangeville, ON - Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival, Orangeville Opera House with Ben Whiteley, Bucky Berger, Ciceal Levy - orangevillebluesandjazz.ca

June 23 - Roseville, ON - Detweiler Meeting House Concert, 3445 Roseville Rd., Ayr

Shopping Savings - American Sailing Vacations

 After years of saving, scrolling, liking, and dreaming, 2026 is shaping up to be the year travelers finally take action.

 

This is the year to put the phone down.

This is the year to book the dream trip.

This is the year to go sailing.

 

American Sailing Vacations is officially declaring 2026 “The Year of the Sailing Vacation” with the launch of its new campaign: Stop the Scroll — an invitation for travelers to trade screen time for sea time.

 

To inspire action, the company is offering $500 off select 2026 sailing adventures when travelers use the CODE: STOPTHESCROLL at booking.

The Movement: From Screen Life to Sea Life

Modern travelers spend hours each week consuming aspirational travel content — Mediterranean coves, Caribbean turquoise waters, classic schooners slicing through sunset skies.

 

But too often, those images remain just that: images.

 

“People don’t need another travel reel,” said Zeke Quezada, Director at American Sailing Vacations. “They need the experience. 2026 is about moving from dreaming to doing, from scrolling to sailing.”

 

The Stop the Scroll campaign is designed to encourage travelers to disconnect from devices and reconnect with something real: wind, water, community, and curated adventure.

Curated Sailing Experiences Included in the Campaign

The $500 savings applies to select 2026 departures across five signature voyages:

Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival - BVI Flotilla

A vibrant celebration of sailing, camaraderie, and shared adventure. Sail in company by day, gather dockside by night, and experience a week that blends seamanship with celebration.

Details: https://americansailingvacations.com/experiences/cruises/lenny-shabes-sailing-festival/ 

New England Aboard Arabella

Sail the iconic harbors of Newport and Nantucket aboard a classic schooner. Think lighthouses, pastel sunsets, and timeless coastal charm experienced from the deck, not the dock.

Details: https://americansailingvacations.com/experiences/cruises/new-england-aboard-arabella/

Mallorca Aboard Chronos

Anchor in hidden coves, swim in crystalline Mediterranean waters, and explore seaside villages from a 54-meter schooner designed for immersive exploration.

Details: https://americansailingvacations.com/experiences/cruises/mallorca-aboard-chronos/

St. Tropez to Mallorca

A sun-soaked journey linking French Riviera glamour with Balearic beauty. Curated, intimate, and unforgettable.

Details: https://americansailingvacations.com/experiences/cruises/st-tropez-mallorca-chronos/

2026 Bahamas Flotilla — Abaco

Island-hop through the crystal clear shallows, snorkel vibrant reefs, and sail from cay to cay in one of the Caribbean’s most pristine cruising grounds.

Details: https://americansailingvacations.com/experiences/cruises/2026-11-flotilla-bahamas-cruise-abaco/

 

Why 2026? Travel trends are pointing clearly toward a growing desire for smaller, curated group experiences, meaningful connection and shared adventure, digital-detox environments, and slower, more immersive journeys. Sailing delivers all four in a way few vacations can. There is no endless feed at sea, no algorithm, no notifications competing with the horizon. Instead, there is wind filling the sails, morning swims in open water, and conversations that stretch long past sunset. It’s a shared journey where the experience, not the post, becomes the story.

The Offer

Travelers who use the promo code STOPTHESCROLL can save $500 on select 2026 sailing adventures when booking through American Sailing Vacations.

The campaign runs for a limited time, (ends April 30th, 2026) and applies to participating departures listed on:

https://americansailingvacations.com/

 

The images are beautiful. The reels are inspiring. The dream trip looks incredible on a screen, but it feels even better under sail. In 2026, American Sailing Vacations invites travelers everywhere to stop watching other people live their adventures and start living their own. Put the phone down, step aboard, and catch the wind. It’s the sailing season.

 

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About American Sailing Vacations

American Sailing Vacations is the experiential travel division of American Sailing, the nation’s leading sailing education organization for more than four decades. Built on a foundation of seamanship, safety, and community, American Sailing Vacations curates immersive sailing adventures around the world from New England’s historic harbors to the Mediterranean’s hidden coves and the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean. Each voyage blends expert crews, thoughtfully crafted itineraries, and small-group camaraderie to create meaningful experiences on the water. Designed for both seasoned sailors and first-time adventurers, American Sailing Vacations turns the dream of sailing into an accessible, unforgettable reality.

 

For more information or to book with Code: STOPTHESCROLL, visit:
https://americansailingvacations.com/

Soul Sustenance - Gen Z's Impact on Mental Health and Work-Life Balance in The Modern Workplace

 Gen Z is transforming workplace culture by prioritizing mental health over traditional career markers, treating wellbeing as a non-negotiable requirement rather than a perk. Zoomers are much more informed about health and wellbeing issues and research shows they prioritise it. Mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at what we can learn from this generation and we can protect and prioritise our mental health in the workplace.

Noel comments: “There is a generational issue here and Gen Z in particular are leading the way with these issues. We used to talk about feminising the workforce but then noticed that women were getting the same industrial diseases as their male counterparts so it wasn’t an issue about gender but about culture. In some ways as the boomer promises have not been passed down to the Gen Z generation they have had to live more for now rather than the promise of a well cared for retirement. And indeed that makes more sense. The move into workpreneurism involving a career spanning multiple companies and even industries has brought to stark relief the issue of quality of work life. Any workplace wanting to attract this generation needs to take these issues seriously. This is the generation that doesn't expect you to give it all to them but will go and get it for themselves. Tapping into that energy as a smart employer means learning from them and transforming the work environment”. 

Protect your mental health

Prevention is better than cure is an oft repeated truism and with the examples of Manon Bannerman taking a break from Katseyes, Alysa Lui retiring then coming back to her sport, Emma Raducanu publicly putting her health and mental health first before ’success’ we may be seeing this being applied at elite levels. This can provide an example to us all. All three women have other issues in common such as the misogynist death threats and racism aimed at them. All three have chosen to ensure they put their health and wellbeing before other considerations. And certainly in Emma and Alysa’s case they have clearly done the right thing and come back stronger. One hopes for the best for Manon and applaud her decision to ensure her health is protected. 

Prioritising mental health 

It’s maybe instructive for all of us to protect what money can’t buy, which is our mental health and wellbeing. And whilst poverty doesn't help success at any cost is hopefully being consigned to the dustbin. Success as a concept is being reformed and as a society we are moving to a more holistic definition which moves beyond simply picking up the mantle of previous generations’ industrial diseases such as alcohol misuse or mental illness and an acceptable outcome for a successful career. 

Helping staff to become ambassadors

Thinking about work and making it more person friendly is the same. We have a predictable set of mostly male commentators predicting the end of days for work as ‘snoflakism’ avalanches over hard work. All evidence points to the opposite though. As smart employers have adopted flexible working, healthier work life boundaries, support for health and wellbeing initiatives we find productivity increases, absenteeism drops. There is also a shift from deficit systems to asset systems. Investing in staff wellbeing and supporting time off, EAP etc encourages other staff to seek help sooner. The staff you help become ambassadors and role models of help seeking as they are more likely to stay in the job rather than leave. The earlier a person seeks help for any health issues the easier it is to treat and the less likely it is to recur. Unhealthy behaviours that require HR intervention emerge sooner in workplaces that emphasise health and wellbeing. 

Highlight the success stories

So what can we do? The single most effective tool that costs very little is to highlight the success stories. Asking staff and leaders to share their stories of help seeking, of taking a break to care for themselves is evidenced to encourage copying. Highlighting the stories above through staff journals for example is a great way to set the cultural tone of health staff means healthy business. Have lunch time lectures of people with lived experience of prioritising health and through that success. Wellbeing and health produce success; they are not things to be sacrificed for it.  

Key Mental Health Tips Outside The Workplace

• Connections to others - strong networks of engaged, loving and supportive people in our lives is an absolute must, prosocial activity and activity in groups is highly rewarding neurologically. Networks form on the basis of an overlap of shared values, purpose (activities, interests) and proximity. Proximity is often the key feature in developing friendships for example, so look local for these opportunities!

• Active lifestyle - the single biggest health improvement you can make is to have regular exercise, ideally 3 times a week for 20 minutes, raising your heartbeat is what you want to aim for, anymore and that’s a bonus! Getting out, being active, participating in sports activities maintain overall health and wellbeing. High intensity activities such as this as well as HIIT help manage stress hormone build up. Stress hormones have a huge negative impact on mental health. 

• Improve your diet - having a healthy balanced diet contributes massively to a healthy mind and body. Try to reduce processed foods, eat a mix of 80-20 vegetables and fruit to meat, control portion size and reduce sugar. 

• Practice good sleep hygiene - this is essential to healthy living. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture due to the psychological consequences of missing REM sleep cycles. So, work together to practice good hygiene in your sleep habits; don’t drink stimulants at night, exercise, have a simple and regular bedtime routine, reduce blue screen activity at night and don’t use your phones in bed.

• DOSE yourself up! Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins are reward hormones that promote health and wellbeing and engaging in activities that promote these will make life much more pleasant and rewarding. Some of these hormones you will get from the lifestyle medicine suggestions, endorphins come from exercise for example but using the DOSE mnemonic you can get more bang for your buck, for example, if you start running outside you will get extra serotonin hormones for free. So, learning your DOSE activities really can pay off hugely. 

Noel comments: “As we live longer, who really wants to have an older age with little to no quality of life? Let’s learn from our younger counterparts and achieve a better mental health and work life balance by protecting and prioritise our mental health in the workplace and at home.”

Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ work within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. Mental Health Works offers in situ health care and will source, identify and coordinate personalised teams to meet your needs – https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/

Book Nook - Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Women Clergy in a Still-Patriarchal Church

 

Decades after mainline Protestant denominations began ordaining women, it's easy to believe the "stained glass ceiling" had been shattered.

However, a persistent reality remains. Patriarchal structures continue forcing women clergy to navigate a world not built for them. In her upcoming book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Women Clergy in a Still-Patriarchal Church (Chalice Press, 2025), Rev. Dr. Alina Gayeuski provides a vital roadmap for those who long to see the church become a true model of God’s liberation. Drawing on powerful stories from women clergy across the United States, Gayeuski moves beyond statistics to name the "hard and holy work" of dismantling sexism. She introduces the concept of "portage"—the exhausting mental and physical energy women must spend to carry their ministries around systemic obstacles—and asks a bold question: What would it look like to build a church where no one has to choose between their call and their selfhood? Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling is not just a critique; it is a vision of a "feminist church" rooted in abundance rather than scarcity. It offers a path toward a community that values relationship over hierarchy and celebrates the full, beautiful diversity of the body of Christ. "We have come to a point where we need to name the hold that sexism has continued to have on the institution," says Pastor Gayeuski. "We need to build a future shaped by God’s call for equity and justice, one in which the next generation of women clergy will be celebrated and their mothers’ fears will be calmed." Alina Gayeuski is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She currently serves as the lead pastor at Reformation Lutheran Church in the Philadelphia suburbs, leading an all-female clergy team in a congregation that was originally sparked by the leadership of women. Gayeuski is a past chair and board member of Young Clergy Women International, a global organization supporting over 2,500 clergywomen. Her academic background includes advanced doctoral research into the intersection of theology and gender justice, and she is a dedicated advocate for creating inclusive communities where all of God's people can flourish. Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling is published by Chalice Press, the leading progressive Christian publisher of books that challenge and inspire communities of faith, and the publishing house of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

About Chalice Press

Chalice Press is an imprint of Chalice Media Group, which works to grow and equip a community that is vibrant and energizing, a worldwide force for justice, peace, inclusion, and multi-faith cooperation.

Fun Freetime - Nashville Dance Fest (9/4-9/6)

Nashville Dance Fest returns on September 4–6, 2026, taking over Nashville for a three-day country dance celebration. Featuring top instructors, all-level workshops, line and swing competitions, five dance floors and daily live music and concerts, this high-energy festival welcomes everyone — no partner or experience required. Tickets are on sale now, with General Admission and VIP options offered.

See the full lineup and ticket options at www.NashvilleDanceFest.com

Book Nook - The Middle: How the Quiet Majority Can Mend a Divided Nation

Many parents worry about anxiety, confidence, and social media pressure, but former mayor Patrick Payton says the deeper issue is this: kids are growing up in a culture that teaches reaction before reflection.

Payton led a diverse Texas city under intense political and social pressure, where every decision was criticized from multiple sides. The leadership skill that mattered most wasn’t certainty, it was curiosity: the ability to ask questions, hear disagreement, and move forward without fear.

Payton is the author of The Middle: How the Quiet Majority Can Mend a Divided Nation (Forefront Books, March 2026), and brings lived leadership experience, not theory, to the question many parents are quietly asking: how do we prepare kids to navigate a loud, polarized world without becoming reactive adults?

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

Why is it important for children to learn to lead with curiosity?
Children are by nature curious. This natural instinct is why we always find ourselves as parents having to keep them out of cabinets and storage areas while they are toddlers. It is why we often remark that our kids rarely if ever meet a stranger as they seem to be willing to talk to anyone they meet at the park, at church, or in the marketplace. It is why they are so creative early in life as they seek to make sense of their new life around them.

For reasons ranging from protection to fear, we as parents begin to instill in our kids that their curiosity can hurt them. We constantly warn them about “strangers”, the danger of germs when they pick up a piece of candy from the ground, or the harm of content on TV and devices. These protection habits are a good thing but if we are not wise and careful in how we teach and train we will slowly and methodically teach them curiosity is bad and the best thing for them to do is narrow their viewpoint and confirm opinions that anyone and everyone should look, act, and sound just like us.

Curiosity is the foundational trait of discovery. While we must be protective of our children and teach them the cautions of curiosity we must, at the same time, teach them the value of remaining curious in order for us to ultimately benefit from their curiosity for decades to come.

How can families encourage kids to handle disagreement in positive ways?
The quick and easy answer is to first ask ourselves how they see us as parents responding to disagreement. Do they see and hear us seeking first to understand or demanding that we be heard and understood first? Do they see and hear us asking questions and remaining curious or rendering judgement before hearing the case or argument? Do they hear us as parents honoring a different point of view even if we do not agree with the particular point of view?

Whether we like it or not children will most often mirror what they see in us. They are watching and listening more than we might care to acknowledge. So, if you want to raise kids who remain curious and respectful and still full of conviction let them see curiosity, respect and conviction handled well by you the parent.

Why is it important for children to balance conviction with willingness to adapt and learn?
It is important to understand that many of our convictions and beliefs have been handed down to us without careful consideration of content and cost. Volumes have been written on beliefs, convictions, but life and experience often teach us that foundational convictions that you would give your life for are often few.

I believe what we want our kids to do is ask questions and be curious in the confidence that the few matters of conviction we have taught them remain a steady foundation for them from which to b curious, adaptable and willing to learn.

It is important to remember that even in our most tightly held convictions there is probably still something of substance and clarity we are missing. To say it another way – certainty can be a dangerous thing.

One final note…I am always a bit cautious when there is a fear of curiosity and learning. If the foundation is solid much can be built on it. When there is a fear of curiosity and learning and adaptability there is often a desire to control. In parenting we must guard against control and focus more on guidance.

Why does it build confidence more to let kids struggle with ideas than to just give them answers?
Perhaps it would serve this question well to use an A.I. analogy. In the world of AI (Google before) one can enter the question and get the answer and never know how the problem was solved. You can have all the answers the world has to offer yet never know how to solve a problem or work through an answer.

Answers without critical and process thinking result in “mind number robots” who are convinced they are always right because they have an answer. I often said, “You might be right but you may still not be wise.” If wisdom is defined as learned and gathered perspective then you don’t arrive at wisdom by just being right. You must know why you are right – or why you are wrong – and the systems and structures at play in the context of curiosity and questions.

Where there is no struggle there is no growth. Or, in the context of this question, “Where there is no struggle for truth or answers then assumed simple answers passed from one generation to the next might never solve the problems the answers purport to resolve.”

Music Minute - Anne Wilson: Cole Swindell: Still Do

 

PLATINUM-certified, GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter Anne Wilson teams up with country superstar Cole Swindell for a reimagined version of “Still Do,” out now. Originally featured on her 2025 album Stars, the new release introduces Swindell to the track as the two trade verses reflecting on doubt, distance and the journey back to faith.   Written by Wilson alongside Jeff Pardo, Matthew West and Trannie Anderson, the renewed duet adds a fresh dynamic to the song, pairing Wilson's soaring delivery with Swindell's grounded perspective while reinforcing its central message: no matter how far you've wandered, grace is still within reach. The song is accompanied by an all-new lyric video, available here.   “'Still Do' is such a special song to me because it's a reminder that no matter how much life changes – or how many doubts we walk through – God's faithfulness never changes,” shares Wilson. “I'm so excited to have Cole join me on this new version. He brings so much heart and authenticity to the collaboration, and I truly can't wait for everyone to hear it.”   “I am so honored that Anne asked me to be part of such a special song,” said Swindell. “I loved 'Still Do' the first time I heard it and it has really resonated with where I am at in life right now. Getting to work with Anne was incredible and I hope everyone enjoys it!”   LISTEN: “STILL DO (WITH COLE SWINDELL)”   Wilson released her highly anticipated third studio album, Stars, last fall via Capitol Christian Music Group. The sweeping 12-track collection captures Wilson at a defining moment – growing up on record, reconciling grief with grace and finding faith that endures when dreams take a different shape.   LISTEN: Stars   Across its 12 tracks – all co-written by Wilson – Stars finds the Kentucky native stepping fully into her own as a storyteller, blending the grit of country with the hope of faith in a way that is entirely her own. Produced by Jeff Pardo, Jonathan Smith and Ross Copperman, the coming-of-age collection brings together acclaimed writers like Trannie Anderson, Blake Pendergrass, Emily Weisband and Andy Albert.    After wrapping up her fall 2025 headlining The STARS Tour, Wilson will return to the road for the tour's spring run, kicking off on March 12 in Huntsville, Ala. with special guest Peter Burton. She has also appeared on select dates of Winter Jam 2026 and is set to perform at some of Christian and country music's hottest fairs and festivals this summer.    With over 2 billion career streams, Wilson continues to cement herself as “one of contemporary Christian music's most dynamic trailblazers" (People). Her soaring single, “God Story” is currently No. 4 at Christian radio and climbing. Wilson has also been named one of Spotify's Hot Country Artists to Watch and CMT's Next Women of Country, while earning GRAMMY and CMT Music Award nominations along with multiple Dove Award wins.    Wilson also expands her message beyond the stage through her new 40-day devotional, Hey Girl: You Are Seen, Loved, and Made for More via K-LOVE Books, written to help young women discover their true worth and unshakeable identity in Christ. Wilson's next chapter promises to shine even brighter. Stay up to date at annewilsonofficial.com and keep up with her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.   The STARS Tour 2026 dates: March 12, 2026 in Huntsville, Ala. at VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall March 13, 2026 in Fayetteville, N.C. at Crown Theatre March 14, 2026 in Richmond, Va. at Altria Theater March 20, 2026 in Orlando, Fla. at Dr. Phillips Center March 21, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. at Moran Theater March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Fla. at Straz Center March 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. at Fox Theatre March 27, 2026 in Charlotte, N.C. at Ovens Auditorium March 28, 2026 in Columbia, S.C. at The Township Auditorium April 9, 2026 in Bloomington, Ind. at Indiana University Auditorium April 10, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa. at Benedum Center for the Performing Arts April 11, 2026 in Rosemont, Ill. at Rosemont Theatre April 23, 2026 in Knoxville, Tenn. at Knoxville Civic Auditorium April 25, 2026 in St. Louis, Mo. at Stifel Theatre April 30, 2026 in Hershey, Pa. at Hershey Theatre May 1, 2026 in Erie, Pa. at Warner Theatre May 2, 2026 in Boston, Mass. at Boch Center Shubert Theatre May 7, 2026 in Syracuse, N.Y. at Landmark Theatre May 8, 2026 in Albany, N.Y. at Palace Theatre May 11, 2026 in Whitby, Ont. at Canada Event Centre Sept. 24, 2026 in Baltimore, Md. at Lyric Baltimore

ABOUT ANNE WILSON: Anne Wilson makes music where faith and country meet, a rare space where honesty, grief and hope live side by side. At just 24, she has already crossed the 2 billion streams milestone and emerged as one of the most distinctive new voices in both Christian and country music.   Her third studio album, Stars, captures a young artist growing up on record. Shaped by the tragic loss of her brother Jacob, Wilson's faith could have been shattered — but instead it was strengthened. That tension, of wrestling with God yet still loving Jesus, defines her music and makes her profoundly relatable. “Faith isn't about never questioning,” she says. “It's about holding on in the middle of the storm.”   Stars threads together themes of grief, growth, maturity and wonder, carried by Wilson's soaring vocals and country-pop production. From the wide-eyed imagery of the title track to the raw prayer of “Carry Me” and the redemption arc of “Dead in the Water,” the album reflects both the hardship of loss and the joy of new perspective.   Alongside the album, Wilson will deliver her new music to fans in person on The STARS Tour. She's also recently released a 40-day Hey Girl Devotional, out now. Named after her encouraging anthem, the devotional is aimed at young readers, extending her message of identity and Christ-centered hope beyond the stage. Anne Wilson is still becoming, still wrestling and still rejoicing – but Stars proves she's shining brighter not in spite of the struggle, but because of it.

ABOUT COLE SWINDELL: Country music superstar Cole Swindell, who Rolling Stone has called “a proven hit-maker,” has solidified himself as a hit songwriter, recording artist and headlining performer over the past twelve years. Cole was recently inspired to write “Make Heaven Crowded” after hearing a speech from Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, which resonated with him due to the recent birth of his own daughter and a desire to encourage more kindness, love and prayer in the world. The song was No. 1 on iTunes country chart and #2 on the all-genre iTunes chart. The debut single, “Forever To Me,” from his fifth studio album, Spanish Moss, became his 13 No. 1 singles as an artist – 14th as a songwriter. Twelve of Swindell's 13 No. 1 singles have been certified Platinum by the RIAA with three being 3X Platinum (“Chillin' It,” “You Should Be Here,” and “She Had Me At Heads Carolina”) and two being 2X Platinum (“Ain't Worth The Whiskey” and “Break Up In The End”).  Swindell, who The Tennessean called a “hard charging competitor armed with a mastery of the art of the craft, tirelessly looking for ways to improve his work” charted three back-to-back, Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1 hits off his fourth studio album, Stereotype: “Single Saturday Night,” “Never Say Never” (with Lainey Wilson) and the five-week 3x Platinum chart-topper “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” that garnered three ACM Awards for Single of the Year and Song of the Year (as songwriter and artist), an iHeart Music Award for Country Song of the Year and received a nomination for Musical Event of the Year for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” with Jo Dee Messina for the 57th CMA Awards. He released a special duet remix of his smash “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” featuring Messina that produced multiple award nominations and is included on his deluxe album Stereotype Broken, which also includes his 2023 Top 10 single “Drinkaby.” For complete information and upcoming tour dates, sign up for the Down Home Crew at www.ColeSwindell.com. Click HERE for Cole Swindell's Playlist.