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Unshod with D. Firth Griffith

Latest episodes

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Aug 13, 2024 • 1h 6min

What is Sacred Ecoliteracy, Acknowledging Kinship, and A Reading from Stagtine with Daniel Firth Griffith

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.
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Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 33min

Restoring our Pre-colonial Kinship Worldview, Embracing a Fearless Trust in the Universe and Diminishing our Dependence on Brain Hemisphere Theories with Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows)

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
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Jul 30, 2024 • 2h 2min

A World Made By Hand, Intergenerational Wisdom in a Tech-Driven Age with Brian Kaller

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
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Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 38min

Talking to Trees and the Indigenization of Acknowledgement with Māori Healer, Chelita Kahutianui-o-te-Rangi Zainey

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.
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Jul 16, 2024 • 2h 15min

Hunting as Husbandry and Why our Regulatory Masters Care To Squash Both with Mike Costello

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!
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Jul 9, 2024 • 1h 38min

The Interwoven Tapestry, Honoring The One Living System with Cari Taylor

What if the names matter? What if our acknowledgement of life's oneness matters? Matters to what? You may ask. Yes! But really, how?Cari takes us on a journey through The One Living System, a profoundly simply interconnectedness of life that emphasizes our connection and not our roles in Earth. We share personal stories about pets and the meaningful names they bear, as well as the idea of renaming within families to better reflect individual identities. These anecdotes weave a rich tapestry of how names and stories deeply influence our sense of belonging and connection to the world around us.From there, our conversation emerges as Cari sheds light on the power of storytelling in reclaiming our Indigenous roots and understanding our place within the natural world. We delve into how colonization has eroded the intrinsic narratives of First Nations peoples and why reconnecting with these stories is vital for restoring a sense of oneness with nature. Storytelling is likened to a fishing line, binding us together and fostering shared understanding. We also discuss the importance of embodying our connection to nature through our actions and presence, rather than through superficial acknowledgments, offering a more profound relationship with the environment.Lastly, we unravel the intricate relationship between language, science, and sacred rituals in fostering a deeper connection to the living system. "Science gives the sacred form," Cari says. By viewing life as an ongoing conversation, we open ourselves to richer interactions with the natural world. Cari shares insights on the creative joys and challenges of writing, underscoring the power of words in conveying complex ideas. From examining the balance between faith and control in creative projects to the importance of local rituals and community-centered approaches, this episode invites you to rethink your place within the interconnected web of life. Buy Cari's book: The One Living SystemBuy our latest book: StagtineJoin us in The Wildland Chronicles community on Substack to continue this enlightening conversation. It is free!
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Jul 2, 2024 • 1h 26min

Meeting The Potato, Talking to Plants, and Why Compassion is Humanity with Joe Rowland

What if the drive for digital and agricultural perfection one and the same? What if the industrial complex, the "machine," is more than the technology that surrounds us but the technological identity working, slithering, oozing, its way out of us? In this episode, Joe and Daniel examine the complexities of recycling, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture. Hear our (Joe's!) candid reflections on the tension between immediate health concerns and the long-term environmental goals of the "green movements," questioning the authenticity of current regenerative movements. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of genuine ecological efforts over profit-driven motives, urging for a sincere commitment to ecological balance, to finding ourselves.Join us as we challenge traditional, patriarchal values and explore a more connected, holistic way of living. Reflecting on personal experiences and drawing inspiration from indigenous perspectives, we discuss how the quest for perfection can overshadow meaningful relationships and self-worth. We highlight the potential for living in harmony with our environment and emphasize the importance of active participation in our community discussions on The Wildland Chronicles. Thank you for your support!Conversate with us and become a member of our community for FREE! Join The Wildland Chronicles here!Buy the latest book, Stagtine, here!
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Jun 28, 2024 • 16min

From Denusion to Unshod, Why We Changed our Name

Welcome to Unshod (previously called Denusion)! This episode is a solocast with D. Firth Griffith on the nature of being, his paradigm shift away from "saving the world," why he wrote his latest book (Stagtine), and why all of this leads to the new name: Unshod. Conversate with us and become a member of our community for FREE! Join The Wildland Chronicles here!Buy the latest book, Stagtine, here!Stay tuned for some exciting episodes...
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Jun 12, 2024 • 25min

Dreaming Our Way Forward and the Power of Story with author, Manda Scott

In this episode, D. Firth Griffith and Manda Scott discuss the power of "dreaming the future" into being, of story, and the wonderful soul found when we simply inhabit the stories in and around us. Buy Stagtine, my latest book here!About Manda:Born in Scotland at 318ppm CO2, Manda Scott was once a veterinary surgeon and is now a novelist, smallholder, renegade economist and host of the Accidental Gods podcast. Best known for the Boudica: Dreaming series, she’s co-creator of the Thrutopia Masterclass and her new novel, Any Human Power is a Thrutopian political thriller woven through with Boudica-style dreaming: a new mythos for a new reality. Manda's Website and BooksPre-Order Any Human PowerDreaming Awake TrainingAccidental Gods Podcast and CommunityThrutopia Writing MasterclassManda's Website
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Jun 6, 2024 • 48min

Regeneration as a Monolith to Money-Making PART II with Jeremy Dumphy

In this episode, D. Firth Griffith and Jeremy Dumphy discuss the misrepresentation of conventional agriculture and the reductionist and binary perspective of regenerative agriculture. They explore the impact of modern accessibility on agriculture and the lack of nuance in the regenerative movement. They also emphasize the importance of context, community, and balance, calling us homeward and not into globalism. The conversation explores the tension between balance and capitalism in the context of regenerative agriculture. It delves into the practicality of growing grains for sale locally and the importance of limits. The discussion also highlights the heroic narrative often associated with regenerative agriculture and the disconnect between stated reasons and actual motivations. The conversation concludes with a discussion on mandatory agricultural systems and the subversive nature of self-sufficiency in place of community ownership or participation.Get the book: https://wildtimshel.com/collections/books/products/stagtineJoin Our Substack: https://danielfirthgriffith.substack.comJeremy's Website: https://www.pasturesongfarm.comEpisode TakeawaysThe regenerative movement often misrepresents conventional agriculture and fails to acknowledge the importance of grains in the food system.The binary perspective of regenerative agriculture as good and conventional agriculture as bad oversimplifies the complexities of farming practices.The modern accessibility of buying grains from anywhere has led to a lack of local accountability and reciprocity in the regenerative movement.The regenerative movement needs to embrace nuance and consider the regional context and diverse farming practices.Community and balance are crucial in regenerative agriculture, and the focus should be on building relationships and finding sustainable solutions. Regenerative agriculture exists in tension with the capitalist drive for growth and profit.The practicality of growing grains for sale depends on regionalized understandings of regeneration and the balance between production and ecological resilience.The heroic narrative surrounding regenerative agriculture often overlooks the complexity and limits of natural systems.The marketing of regenerative agriculture can sometimes prioritize marketability over true ecological regeneration.Achieving regional balance in agriculture requires considering the interconnectedness of landscapes and the limitations of individual farms.Nuance is essential in understanding and practicing regenerative agriculture, as it involves balancing multiple factors and recognizing the unique context of each farm. Balancing decisions and resources is crucial in agriculture.

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