Finn & Levi

Finding Purpose Through Music and Empathy  

This episode welcomes musician Levi Merrill and guest Finn for a heartwarming conversation about the search for belonging. Levi's performance of "Drive-In Movie" by Ellis Paul provides the backdrop for a discussion about the places and experiences that shape us.  At a CASA event, Anna was inspired by a presentation given by a young person who had benefited from CASA's services. This youth shared their story of resilience and the positive impact of having a CASA advocate. Anna was so moved by their experience that she invited them to share their story on The Anna Jinja Show.  

CASA: CASA means Court Appointed Special Advocate. Since its creation by a juvenile court judge in Seattle, Washington, CASA has become one of the most effective advocacy programs of its kind. Today there are almost 950 CASA programs in 49 states. With more than 96,000 volunteers across the country, we are all committed to the rights of every child in the foster care and child welfare system. Source: https://ohiocasa.org/our-mission/  

When the host first met Finn at a CASA event, she was immediately struck by their remarkable insight and empathy. When they shared, "I think people assume I'm a jerk based on the way I dress. I think my best quality is my empathy," Anna Jinja knew that she needed to connect them with someone equally perceptive and authentic. 

Enter Levi Merrill – musician, guitar teacher, repair technician, and adoptee. After reading about Finn's appreciation for music and empathy, Levi selected Ellis Paul's "Drive-In Movie" – a song about connection and shared experiences that parallels both their journeys. 

Stories of Resilience This episode weaves together powerful narratives of loss, purpose, and finding one's way: ·       

Levi shares his adoption story and how losing his father just before the pandemic pushed him to discover a deeper connection to music through open D tuning.     

Finn opens up about navigating the foster care system, having a father in prison, and finding purpose through photography, art, and helping others.     

Both discuss how creativity became their lifeline during difficult times and how empathy helps them forge meaningful connections. 

Quotes That Will Stay with You "I feel like my story has led me to a lot of places, and I feel like my story can help other people understand that it really does get better, because I've been told that my whole life, and I never really believed it until now." - Finn 

If he was still around, I definitely wouldn't be here in the studio right now with you guys... Maybe part of his soul got into me and really drove me to be this better musician that I am." - Levi on his father's influence 

"Accept what you cannot change and change what you cannot accept." - A quote Finn lives by

 Creative Recommendations At the end of this episode, we asked our guests to recommend a creative work. Finn suggested Shel Silverstein's poetry, particularly "Where the Sidewalk Ends," for its ability to maintain childlike wonder in adults. Levi recommended Dan Byrne's song "Jerusalem" for its storytelling power. 

Why Listen? This episode encapsulates everything the host hopes that The Anna Jinja Show can be – a space where stories intersect, where music heals, and where we discover that we all experience adoption in its many forms as we choose the people and values that create who we are.

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