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Mind, Body, and Soil

Carbon: A Flow and Symphony of Life with Paul Hawken

Mar 18, 2025
01:32:42

Episode 105: In this conversation, Kate sits down with author and entrepreneur Paul Hawken to explore the multifaceted role of carbon in life and talk about his new book, ‘Carbon: the Book of Life’. It’s an episode challenging the conventional narrative that reduces carbon to an errant molecule within the atmosphere and connects it back to the molecule that flows through 99% of all substances on earth. Paul and Kate discuss the importance of recognizing the complexity and interconnectedness of life–encouraging a shift from reductionist thinking to a more holistic understanding of our relationship with the environment, advocating for transformative actions rooted in compassion and connection while recognizing humanity’s role. They also discuss the power of language, the potential of possibility, and some of the incredible innovations we’re embarking on. This is an episode for the curious!

Find Paul: 

Carbon: the Book of Life by Paul Hawken

Regeneration by Paul Hawken

Drawdown by Paul Hawken

Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken

Instagram: @paulhawken

Website


Resources Mentioned:

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal

The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist 


Related Episodes:

Episode 67 with Dan Egan on Phosphorous 

Episode 87 with Ferris Jabr on Earth’s Interconnections

Episode 76 with Melanie Challenger on the Human Animal

Episode 58 with Fred Provenza on Embracing the Unknown and Awe

Episode 72 with Ben Goldfarb on Circular Economies


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Connect with Kate:

Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh

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