Unshod with D. Firth Griffith

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!

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!

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!

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...

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

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.

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/stagtineJeremy'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.

In this conversation, Dugald Hine of the Dark Mountain Project and A School Called HOME and the author of the book, At Work In The Ruins, discusses the limitations of science in addressing climate change and the need to question and reevaluate our understanding of the issue. He emphasizes the importance of embracing vernacular knowledge and ways of knowing, as well as living in hope and embracing the home, the community. Hine also explores the need for a new narrative that goes beyond the singularization of knowledge and the supremacy of science. He discusses the concept of coming home and the work of regrowing a living culture, as well as the role of hospitality and conviviality in creating a sense of home. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of turning inward and embracing home as a way to navigate the challenges of climate change and create a more sustainable future. Watch this Episode on YouTube: YouTube Link!TakeawaysClimate change raises questions that go beyond what science can answer, necessitating a reevaluation of our understanding of the issue.The singularization of knowledge and the supremacy of science limit our ability to address climate change effectively.Embracing vernacular knowledge and ways of knowing, as well as living in hope and embracing depth education, can provide alternative paths forward.Creating a sense of home and regrowing a living culture are essential for navigating the challenges of climate change and creating a sustainable future.Hope is not a fixed concept but rather an empty palm into which something might land.Embracing uncertainty and letting go of the need to know the future is essential.Taking responsibility for the present and future is crucial in addressing global challenges.Getting implicated and actively engaging with the realities and needs of the world can lead to meaningful action.Dougald Hine is a social thinker, writer and speaker. After an early career as a BBC journalist, he cofounded organizations including the Dark Mountain Project and a school called HOME. He has collaborated with scientists, artists and activists, serving as a leader of artistic development at Riksteatern (Sweden’s national theatre) and as an associate of the Centre for Environment and Development Studies at Uppsala University. At Work in the Ruins concludes the work that began with Uncivilization: The Dark Mountain Manifesto (2009), co-written with Paul Kingsnorth, and is his second title with Chelsea Green, following the anthology Walking on Lava (2017).Learn more about Dougald here: dougald.nu/aboutLearn more about Daniel here: danielfirthgriffith.comJoin Daniel's Substack here: danielfirthgriffith.substack.com