Unshod with D. Firth Griffith

What if adapting to nature's unpredictability could redefine our sense of resilience and beauty? Kinship. Join Anna Borgman and I as we share this raw, visceral journey of blood and harvests to fire and culinary arts. We explore how embracing the honesty of natural forces can lead to a deeper appreciation for the unique trials and unparalleled beauty the land in and around us.Join our online community to discuss this episode with us and more!Anna  also delves into the complex relationship with wildfires, examining historical fire suppression policies and their unintended consequences. We traverse the emotional and psychological aspects of confronting uncontrollable forces, drawing parallels between land management practices and human experiences with life and death. From cathartic irreversible moments to the transformative power of grief, this episode unpacks the importance of respecting natural processes and the interconnectedness of all life forms.Anna Borgman: is a butcher and slaughterwoman living in the Jefferson Valley of Montana. She owns Chaos Farms where her partner and her do mobile slaughter, wild game processing, and butchery classes. They also sell eggs and have a small herd of weed-eating goats.Visit Anna's Instagram HERE and HERE and learn more about Chaos Farms HERE.  

Sophie Strand, an expert in grief, ecology, and storytelling, joins the conversation to explore how our connection to nature influences our emotional landscape. They discuss the interplay of climate grief and resilience while emphasizing the importance of symbiosis in evolution. Sophie shares insights on the language of fungi and its ecological significance, urging listeners to embrace uncertainty as a pathway to deeper understanding. The dialogue weaves together ancient myths and modern ecological wisdom, highlighting the necessity of storytelling in preserving our kinship with nature.

What if the history you thought you knew was wrong? Like, actually and so very wrong... Join us for a powerful conversation with Taylor Keen, a Cherokee Nation citizen, carrier of the name, “Bison Mane” of the Earthen Bison Clan of the Omaha Tribe, The People Who Move Against the Current. He is the author of the book, "Rediscovering Turtle Island: A First People's Account of the Sacred Geography of America." Taylor brings to life the ancient creation myths of his people, indigenous cosmology, and the rise of empires like Cahokia, challenging us to rethink our settler historical narratives. We also explore the seventh generation prophecy and the severe impact of smallpox on indigenous populations, marking significant historical changes with the arrival of European settlers. Taylor shares the transformative story of the white bison calves' birth, a symbol of the end of six generations of hardship and the dawn of a new era where indigenous knowledge is finally recognized and valued. Inspired by works like Vine Deloria Jr.'s Custer Died for Your Sins and God Is Red, Taylor emphasizes the crucial role of indigenous voices in reclaiming and retelling their histories. Dive with us into the intricate web of ancient stories, the legacies of colonization, and the enduring resilience of native peoples. Learn more about Taylor Keen HERE and buy his book HERE!Read Daniel's latest book HERE.

Gunnar Rundgren, a sustainable agriculture advocate, dives deep into humanity's often tumultuous relationship with nature. He challenges the notion that controlling nature has led to progress, revealing how modern farming methods can harm both environment and society. Discussing the dual role of agriculture as both stabilizing and destabilizing, he critiques commodification and consumer demand while advocating for a return to harmony with natural limits. Ultimately, he calls for a nuanced understanding of food production and biodiversity for a sustainable future.

Picture this: a serene waterfall cascading over rocks, a herd of buffalo roaming freely, and the profound beauty settling in the simple acts of giving without expectation. That's where Harmony begins our journey in this conversation, using these powerful symbols to set the stage for a deep exploration of connection, identity, and reciprocity. Join our online community here to discuss this episode with us and so much more!Harmony Cronin, our animalistic friend, shares her profound insights on death, gifts, and the metamorphosis of life reincarnate that bestows upon us Earth's gift of animacy.We explore how the internet can bridge geographical gaps while also destroying the very essence of life. We navigate the knots of virtual communication, the discomfort of seeing oneself on screen, and the surprisingly beautiful connections forged through something as simple as a cold email.As we venture further, we tackle the intricate dance of personal identity in the digital age. The anxiety of condensing multifaceted lives into bios, the disconnection it reveals, and the ancient wisdom that we've strayed from. We confront the societal expectations that force us into boxes, contrasting them with more holistic, kincentric views of identity. We also discuss how courses like Sacred Ecoliteracy can help us break free from these constraints and reconnect with our surroundings in a meaningful way.Our conversation takes a profound turn as we reconnect with animals and nature, emphasizing respect, humility, and the deep-seated animism within us. We contemplate our perpetual indebtedness (a gift of debt) to the natural world, the philosophical recognition of animism. The episode wraps up with reflections on simplicity, ancestral wisdom, and cultivating a responsible, appreciative way of living in harmony with all life. From the Buffalo Bridge project and cross-cultural connections to the importance of recreating ceremonies and honoring lost cultural legacies, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to embrace interconnectedness in every aspect of our lives.Key takeaways:The concept of animism challenges the dominant worldview that separates humans from the rest of the natural world.Embracing animism can be a transformative experience that deepens our connection to earth: we are in and of her circle. The death process is metamorphosis. Reconciling with the death that feeds us is essential for the true integration of life.Acknowledging and caring for all beings, including animals and plants, is crucial for a sustainable and inclusive way of living.Dismantling colonial mindsets is crucial for developing a more holistic and reciprocal relationship with the natural world.Participating in sacred and ceremonial practices and living in alignment with one's purpose brings a sense of wholeness and wellness.Harmony Cronin is an Animistic Apocalyptic Viking Warrior princess dedicated to keeping Ancestral Traditions alive.  Shes a bit of an Elven Madmax biker butcher mystic and a believer in the Church of Roadkill. She’s an industrial age Magpie inspired Scavenger, a huntress who believes in taking care of the animals first and foremost, a recovering urban activist, and aspires to be a Mountain Peasant. She is a founding member of the Buffalo Bridge Project, hosts a Women’s Hunting Camp, and now runs a small folk school in Western Washington called Gathering Ways. She writes on Substack at The Raven’s Cottage.Buy my latest book, Stagtine, HERE.

If Earth asked you to stop forcing her to regenerate, would you? If you cows asked to be let go, would you? We often find that animism is fun to believe in. But it is hard to listen to. Join us as we recount our transformative journey to Lockhart, Texas, where Morgan and I led a sacred ecoliteracy course for 30 passionate participants. Through serene forest meditations and profound dialogues, we challenge the colonial mindset of "fixing" nature and advocate for a symbiotic relationship with our environment. Drawing inspiration from my book "Stagtine," we unravel the threads of regenerative agriculture and delve into the animacy of Earth as Earthlings, exploring the interconnectedness of all life.After this introduction, enjoy a grouping of chapters from my latest book, Stagtine.Join our community and receive a FREE COPY of Stagtine HERE.Or, you can purchase a copy of the book HERE or HERE on Amazon.

How can the indigenous or pre-colonial worldview reshape our understanding of our world? How can it reconnect us as humans, as mammals once again? Is her power accessible to everyone? Should it be....?Join Unshod Today!In today's episode, we are joined by my dear friend and mentor, Wahinkpe Topa, or Four Arrows, navigating the intersections of indigenous wisdom, its non-binary worldview, and the transformative power of becoming fully human: a relation, a kin with nature and not her dominator. We kick off this conversation with a critical discussion on the film "Indian Horse," co-produced by Christine Habler and Clint Eastwood, spotlighting the nuances of indigenous portrayal in media and the importance of authenticity and sincerity when we embrace the indigenous worldview in our own lives. Through Four Arrows' perspective, we differentiate between place-based wisdom and overarching indigenous worldviews, drawing argumentative connections with Iain McGilchrist's theories on brain hemispheres and their cultural implications.We then challenge the conventional academic frameworks held by our colonial institutes by introducing critical neurophilosophy, merging indigenous wisdom with contemporary neuroscience. This segment critiques McGilchrist’s exclusion through indigenous perspectives and examines the essence of oneness, implicit in the indigenous worldview. We discuss Four Arrow's book Restoring the Kinship Worldview, which illuminates the power of worldview and the indigenous worldview's 28 precepts: nature-based and human-centered worldviews.Our conversation takes a deeper turn as we redefine hope and human connection amidst global crises. Drawing inspiration from Sitting Bull and indigenous spiritual practices, we explore concepts such as reincarnation, hypnosis, and the intrinsic value of interconnectedness. The episode culminates in a powerful discussion about moving from a fear-based or courageous culture to one of fearlessness, emphasizing the power to rebuild society through indigenous principles. We also reflect on Abraham Maslow's encounter with the Blackfoot people, challenging the Eurocentric biases that have shaped traditional views on self-actualization.Watch this Conversation on YouTubeBuy Daniel's Latest Book, StagtineWahinkpe Topa's Books:Full list HERE. Restoring the Kinship WorldviewSitting Bull's Words For a World in CrisisUnlearning the Language of Conquest Scholars Expose Anti-Indianism in America

What if the tools and stories of our ancestors could teach us more about life and community than the latest tech gadget? Join us for an enriching conversation with Brian Kaller, a prolific writer and deep thinker, as he shares insights from his article "The World Made by Hand." We explore the time-honored significance of inherited tools, wisdom, and story and the dying art of hands-on creation in our disposable society. Brian takes us on a journey through his 20-year experience in rural Ireland, contrasting the cultural shifts he observed upon his return to the American Midwest.Read Brian's articles, read here!Read Brian's blog here!Discuss this episode with us here on our Online Community!Books mentioned in this conversation:Stagtine, GriffithThe Outermost House, Beston

Let's not get this confused. This episode is not about the colonizer becoming less colonizing. The dominator becoming less dominating. The "knower of everything" becoming more powerful. This is about humanity becoming human, together, but through the gift of those already human and already living. About some taking large steps, others small but important ones. In this episode, Chelita Kahutianui-o-te-Rangi Zainey, Māori Healer and my dear and joyous friend, shines a deep light into her ancient and kindred relationship with our vegetative relations, attending to acknowledgement and intention and inviting us into this balance, this moment, together.Ever wondered how sickness can transform into profound conversations with your body? Join us as we sit down with Chelita Kahutianui-o-te-Rangi Zainey, a gifted Māori healing arts practitioner, whose joy and ancestral wisdom infuse flow unbarred. Chelita reveals how illness can be a gateway to deeper self-awareness and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of respecting the body's natural healing process. We also explore the cultural significance of the Māori New Year and delve into the tensions between traditional practices and modern schedules.In a world rushing and rustling towards an uncertain future, we pause to consider the resurgence of indigenous knowledge and the critical role it plays in our collective survival. Chelita shares her insights on the process of decolonization, the responsibilities borne by indigenous peoples, and the significance of lineage and acknowledgment. Our conversation underscores the importance of recognizing and working with our collective past to navigate the future with respect and understanding, contrasting the fast-paced, fear-driven narrative of modern society with the patient, love-filled approach of indigenous wisdom.Finally, we reflect on the broader implications of natural phenomena, such as the early blooming of the kōwhai tree, urging a slowdown in our modern industrial pace to honor natural law. Through intimate stories and personal experiences, we emphasize the limitless possibilities of reconnecting with our heritage and understanding the true essence of living in actual harmony and relation with Mother and each other.Watch this interview on YouTube: HERE Chelita Kahutianui-o-te-Rangi Zainey - Through the reclamation of her whakapapa and ancestral gifts, Chelita is an established practitioner of the Māori Healing Arts including Mirimiri, Rongoā Māori, Hau Tapu Breathwork, Matakite, and Taonga Pūoro. She works as a conduit and channel for Ngā Mareikura o Waitaha – the Grandmothers of the Waitaha Nation. Chelita has been a practitioner, Teacher, Guide, and Mentor for over a decade. Chelita is a Certified Trauma Informed Breathwork Facilitator trained by Owaken Breathwork and is now traveling the world sharing her medicine. Learn more about Chelita HERE. Visit Chelita's Instagram HERE. Join our Online Community and discuss this episode directly with Daniel HERE.

Ever wondered how hunting and agriculture intersect? Explore this complex relationship with our guest, Mike Costello, a newly awakened hunter, entrepreneur, habitat restorer, wildlife and conservation advocate.We share our personal aspirations and the broader implications of living and relational food systems, offering a glimpse into the growing (and declining) interest in hunting and its ties to agriculture, ranching, and ecosystem health.Curious about the "hunter husbandman" concept? This episode dives into the historical and contemporary connections between hunters and agriculturalists. We also tackle the critical issues of corporate and government interests in wildlife management, using Colorado's mountain lion population as a case study to illustrate the complex interplay of money, politics, and conservation. Especially, Lobbyists...Join us as we explore the nuanced approaches required for effective wildlife management, emphasizing the importance of localized solutions, place-based knowledge, and the indigenous worldview. From the resurgence of prescribed fire practices to the challenges of local food production to the inefficacy of wildlife federal policy, this episode covers a wide array of topics critical to understanding and supporting agriculture and wildlife conservation. Whether you're interested in the economics of food systems or the ambitions of major corporations towards regenerative farming, this episode offers a deep, thought-provoking discussion on being in relationship with a resilient and just future. Don't miss out on joining our Wildland Chronicles community on Substack for more engaging conversations! Click here to join the community.Buy our latest book, Stagtine, here!