The Return of the Protest Song | Ruth Ungar & Mike Merenda of The Mammals | Ep 5

Musicians Ruth Ungar and Mike Merenda of The Mammals—dubbed “a party band with a conscience” by the Boston Globe—join Sienna Mae Heath to explore the poetic rebel heart. Their music bridges joy and resistance, weaving together stories of nature, activism, and human connection. Through their albums Nonet and Touch Grass, Ruth and Mike breathe new life into the tradition of the protest song—infusing it with messages of environmental justice, labor solidarity, peace, and community restoration. Together, they reflect on music’s power to heal, unite, and inspire change in an increasingly divided world.

Real Unity is also available as a podcast on your app of choice. Follow Sienna Mae Heath on Substack, Medium, and Instagram.