In this profound conversation, Victoria Loorz is joined by ethnobotanist, Franciscan brother, and spiritual ecologist Gary Paul Nabhan—also known as Brother Coyote—exploring themes of cultural and spiritual resistance, sacred relationship with the land, and the transformative power of remembering ancient ways. Gary shares stories of his time with Indigenous communities, his recent recovery from a traumatic head injury, and his hope for agrarian sanctuaries in a time of ecological and societal collapse. Inviting us into a re-enchanted worldview grounded in interconnection, reverence, and resilience and concluding with a poetic practice of naming the relationships in the natural world, reorienting us toward wonder and communion.

Mentioned in the episode:

Book: Against The American Grain: A Borderland's History of Resistance by Gary Paul Nabhan
Article: On Doors and \cracks\ by Bayo Akomolafe
Book: Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Debra Reinstra
Podcast: Refugia Podcast with Debra Reinstra
Agrarian Trust: agrariantrust.org

Connect with Gary:

Website: garynabhan.com

Connect with the Center:

Website: wildspirituality.earth
Victoria's Website: victorialoorz.com
Email: hello@wildspirituality.earth
Linktree: linktr.ee/ctrforwildspirituality
Instagram: @center_for_wild_spirituality

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
05:53 The Land That Raised Brother Coyote
07:22 Engaging All Senses
09:52 Old Stories Collapsing
11:32 Awkward Teen Phase
12:28 Against The American Grain: A Borderland's History of Resistance
15:24 Desert Spirituality
17:29 Practical Sanctuaries of the Wild
22:32 Listening Through Diversity
24:29 Cultural Resistance
28:13 Retreat to Assisi
29:57 Take Little Steps
31:34 Coming To Our Senses Through Body
34:09 Active Incarnation
36:29 Relationship > Thing-ness
38:53 Ancient Expressions
41:59 The World of Fragrance
46:23 Wild Invitation
49:26 Alex and the Ocean

Re-Enchanting the World Through Relationship with Brother Coyote (Gary Paul Nabhan)