#167 Wandering in the Wilderness — Dom Francks on confronting fragility, his love of nature, the disconnect from nature, working as a software engineer, viewing yourself as a piece of poetry, how we're always embedded in nature and being guided by intuition
Feb 20, 2024
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Dom Francks discusses his love for nature, confronting fragility, and balancing wilderness education with software engineering. He explores connecting with nature, viewing oneself as poetry, and being guided by intuition in a captivating conversation with Paul Millerd.
Connecting with nature through daily offerings fosters a sense of inherent connection and counters modern disconnection.
Extended time in the wilderness leads to physiological and psychological renewal, reconnecting us with our wildness.
Wandering in nature guided by intuition offers transformative experiences and reawakens our senses.
Deep dives
Connecting with Nature Through Everyday Offerings
One way to deepen our connection with the natural world is through daily offerings, such as pausing during a walk to touch a tree or burying leaves of tea in the ground. These simple acts of acknowledgement and intention remind us of our inherent connection to nature, regardless of our surroundings. Cultivating this consciousness can help counter the feelings of disconnection and staleness that often arise in our modern lives.
The Three-Day Effect: Marinating in the Wilderness
Spending three days in the wilderness can lead to notable physiological and psychological shifts. Such extended time away from our default lives allows us to open up and relax, immersing ourselves in the natural rhythms and stimuli of the environment. Whether it's a backpacking trip, a retreat, or simply being away from our usual routines, this rejuvenation helps us reconnect with our wildness and our sense of belonging within the natural world.
The Power of Wandering and Intuition
Wandering, or moving through a wild place without a predefined destination, guided by intuition, can be a transformative experience. By allowing ourselves to be guided by our instincts and seeing the natural world as aware and welcoming, we can open our perceptions and deepen our connection to the environment. Taking the time to wander, exploring parks or national forests with a sense of openness and curiosity, can offer a fresh perspective and reawaken our senses.
Finding Fulfillment in Guiding in the Wilderness
One of the main ideas explored in the podcast is the speaker's revelation about the profound fulfillment they experience when guiding in the wilderness. Even on their worst day guiding, it surpasses the satisfaction they get from any other activity. This highlights the importance of finding a career or passion that truly lights you up and aligns with your values, even if it may not make sense to others. Many people in environmental and sustainability work often find themselves in crisis moments when their corporate positions clash with their desire to make a meaningful impact. The speaker emphasizes the need to protect their connection to nature and strive for work that aligns with their true calling.
Balancing Professional Success with Personal Fulfillment
Another significant point discussed in the podcast is the challenge of balancing professional success with personal fulfillment. The speaker shares their experience of working in climate-focused tech companies and feeling a lack of alignment with their true purpose. Despite the importance of the work being done, it didn't light them up or make them feel like they were making their unique contribution to the world. The speaker emphasizes the need to explore one's strengths and discover what brings them alive in order to find a fulfilling path. By leaning into their deep connection to the natural world and striving for a life that aligns with their values, the speaker has found a pathway towards impactful and meaningful work that contributes to address environmental problems.
Dom is the lead guide at the VIVIFY Regerative Leadership Program. He helps leaders develop by taking them on an 8-day backpacking expedition in the Sierra mountains. Dom is passionate about preserving the natural world, staying connected to it and practicing aliveness.
