Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Are We Too Tame? How to Rediscover Your 'Wild' | Craig Foster, Director of 'My Octopus Teacher'

Sep 25, 2024

Craig Foster, a renowned filmmaker known for his Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, shares his journey in reconnecting with nature. He discusses the balance between wildness and tame, emphasizing the need to embrace indigenous wisdom and challenge modern technology's impact on our lives. Craig explores how engaging with nature can ignite a sense of belonging and confront deep-seated fears. He advocates for a regenerative relationship with the environment, urging listeners to reconnect with their primal instincts and the beauty of biodiversity.

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ANECDOTE

Learning from the San

Craig Foster learned tracking from San Master Trackers in the Kalahari Desert.
He was amazed by their ability to sense animals from a distance and feel their presence in their bodies.

INSIGHT

Disturbing Revelation

Witnessing the San trackers' mastery was disturbing for Craig Foster.
It revealed his own disconnection from nature and inspired him to pursue tracking underwater.

INSIGHT

Tracking and Belonging

Tracking fosters a sense of belonging to the planet by connecting us to nature's oldest language.
It reveals our potential as humans and evokes both excitement and a disturbing awareness of our untapped capabilities.

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Today, we’re venturing deep into the wild with someone whose life’s work challenges us to reconnect with the essence of nature and, in doing so, rediscover our own humanity.

Our guest today is Craig Foster—a renowned filmmaker, photographer, and naturalist whose immersive experiences in the wild have captivated millions. Craig is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking documentary My Octopus Teacher, which not only won an Academy Award but also sparked a global conversation about our relationship with the natural world. I watched this movie with my son – we were gripped, we shared tears together, and I immediately reached out wanting to meet him.

In our conversation, we dive into Craig’s profound journey through The Great African Sea Forest, exploring the intricate balance between ‘the wild’ and ‘the tame’ in our lives. Craig shares his insights on the importance of embracing the wisdom of indigenous traditions, the detrimental effects of our modern, tech-heavy existence, and how shifting our mindset from infinite capitalism to a regenerative relationship with nature can lead to a more meaningful life.

We also explore the transformative power of connecting with even the smallest aspects of nature and how these connections can reignite our sense of belonging in this world.

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Resources:

My Octopus Teacher (Oscar-winning film; available on Netflix)

https://www.netflix.com/title/81045007

Amphibious Soul: Finding the WIld in a Tame World (Craig’s New Book)

https://seachangeproject.com/projects/books/amphibious-soul/

Sea Change Project (donate to support global biodiversity)

https://seachangeproject.com/

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