Emergence Magazine Podcast

In this engaging conversation, Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist and author, explores the profound connections between ecology, culture, and spirituality. She reflects on the afterlife of cedar trees, suggesting that death is merely a transition in nature's cycles. Kimmerer invites listeners to consider how these insights can reshape our understanding of our own afterlife, intertwining vivid imagery of decay and renewal with philosophical reflections. This journey emphasizes the sacred interconnectedness of all living beings and our relationship with the Earth.

Liam Heneghan, an ecosystem ecologist and reflective author, shares profound insights while keeping vigil by his dying father. He explores the intricate link between life and death, pondering decay's role in renewal. Delving into personal memories, he contemplates the thermodynamic paradox of living amidst decay and the significance of interdependence between all beings. Through philosophical reflections, he emphasizes that even as life fades, its essence persists, encouraging a deeper understanding of our own mortality.

The second in a series of stories we’re sharing in partnership with the Center for Humans and Nature, this narrated essay by Aboriginal scholar Tyson Yunkaporta explores the ways we’ve long mistaken cerebral thinking for knowing, and in doing so, dulled a more vital intelligence. He argues that we are “overthinking and underfeeling” our existence, and reminds us that we have a second brain: the gut, which “governs terrestrial relations and is in constant communication with land and all our human and nonhuman kin.” Likening our intellect to lightning, Tyson shares how we must let it interact with the regenerative and relational “fire” of our bellies if we are to respond properly to the needs of land and cosmos.  Read the essay. Illustration by Ibrahim Rayintakath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sophie Strand, an insightful author, dives into the profound interconnectedness of all living beings. She explores how to experience a 'supracellular' state, imagining ourselves as part of a greater ecosystem—like rivers or fungi. Strand emphasizes empathy as we open our minds to these connections, urging us to rethink individual consciousness. She highlights the fascinating structures of fungal networks and challenges our traditional views, advocating for a relationship with nature that celebrates our shared existence.

David James Duncan, acclaimed author of 'Sun House', shares insights on transcendence and community in a world out of balance. He discusses the transformative power of nature and mystical experiences, drawing inspiration from historical mystics like Meister Eckhart. The conversation addresses the challenges of patriarchal norms and emphasizes the importance of the divine feminine. Through personal anecdotes, Duncan highlights the healing potential of connecting with nature and rethinking spirituality to embrace love and consciousness.

In this enlightening discussion, César Rodríguez-Garavito, legal scholar and founder of the MOTH Life Collective, James Bridle, tech-savvy author and artist, and Rebecca Giggs, acclaimed author of Fathoms, dive deep into the ethics of understanding whale communication. They explore how AI could potentially translate sperm whale sounds and the moral complexities around this endeavor. The trio discusses redefining intelligence in the animal kingdom, the historical context of whale protection, and emphasizes the importance of ethical listening in building kinship with these majestic creatures.

Acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane explores whether rivers are truly alive, sharing insights from his latest book, 'Is a River Alive?'. He passionately discusses rivers as sentient presences, not just resources, highlighting his journeys through Ecuador's Río Los Cedros and Chennai's waterways. Macfarlane illuminates the urgent need to recognize rivers’ cultural significance and the ecological crisis we face. He advocates for the Rights of Nature movement, sharing powerful stories of communities engaged in restoring their sacred relationships with waterways.

Nicholas Triolo, a writer deeply influenced by Christian mystic Thomas Merton, embarks on a captivating journey along the Rio Côa in Portugal. He reflects on the divine feminine presence in nature and the concept of rewilding. Triolo discusses the challenges faced by endangered species like the Iberian lynx and how spirituality intertwines with ecological wisdom. He emphasizes the need for communal efforts in conservation, exploring the balance between human connections and the wilderness, ultimately seeking liberation and connection in a world often marked by despair.

Journalist Nick Hunt shares his journey along the Curonian Spit in the Baltic Sea, revealing the profound ecological impacts of historical deforestation and human actions. He uncovers the tragic stories of communities displaced by relentless sand encroachment and the loss of sacred landscapes. The conversation delves into rich mythology, including the tale of the giantess Neringa, and examines the intricate balance between nature and human intervention. Hunt's reflections invite listeners to consider humility in the face of nature's enduring forces.

English novelist Daisy Hildyard envisions the deep time evolution of the coastline of Scarborough, North Yorkshire: from a prehistoric meteor strike, to a 19th-century seaside aquarium devoid of fish, a present-day spate of dead tides, and a future where part of the human population has evolved into a hybrid marine species, drawn back to the cradle of the sea to care for its degraded waters. Vividly narrated by acclaimed British actor Colin Salmon, and created as part of Wild Eye—an art and nature trail in Yorkshire that raises awareness about coastal erosion in the face of climate change—this short story traces the forever-shifting tides of our relationship with the sea.  Read the story. Illustration by Muhammad Fatchurofi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices