Emergence Magazine Podcast

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

David G. Haskell, a noted biologist and author, takes listeners on an auditory journey celebrating the Earth’s sounds and silence. He discusses the evolution of sound over billions of years, highlighting its role in connecting species and the ecological impact of human noise. Haskell also emphasizes the transformative power of listening and sound in fostering empathy. The podcast immerses listeners in the serene soundscape of the Hoh Rain Forest, showcasing the importance of silence and its diminishing presence in a noisy world.

As humans, we long for stability, yet the Earth tells us in many languages—erosion, ice melt, the seasons—that all is fleeting in an endless cycle of creation and destruction. Grappling with her fear of change caused by wildfires in Montana and the long-overdue Cascadia earthquake in the Pacific Northwest, Erica Berry confronts how the colonial erasure of Indigenous stories of place and her own limited sense of time have blinded her to the Earth’s dramatic flux. As she learns that impermanence doesn’t always signal loss, but rather the transformation of form, she finds a way to hold the fluctuation of the lands she loves.Read the essay.Discover more stories from our latest print edition, Volume 5: Time. Photo by Zeb Andrews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Polk, author of 'Telling the Bees', dives into the profound connections between humans and bees. She explores the tradition of sharing grief with bees, revealing how these creatures may also experience loss. Through interactions with a renowned Yemeni beekeeper and various scientists, Polk highlights the vital role bees play in our emotional landscape and their struggles for survival. Her insights blend personal stories and scientific observations, emphasizing our shared resilience and the urgent need for conservation.

Join Robert Macfarlane, a celebrated author; Giuliana Furci, a passionate mycologist; César Rodríguez-Garavito, an activist legal scholar; and musician Cosmo Sheldrake as they delve into the Song of the Cedars project. They explore their transformative experience in the Los Cedros cloud forest, discussing the legal framework to recognize nature as a creative partner. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the unsung role of fungi, and the need for collaborative authorship between humans and nature, all wrapped in a rich audio tapestry of the forest.

Tyson Yunkaporta, an Aboriginal scholar and writer, dives into the depths of love magic and its ability to transcend time and societal greed. He shares insights on how ancestral knowledge flows through generations, emphasizing love's role in shaping our narratives. Yunkaporta critiques contemporary belief systems while exploring the intricate relationship between data interpretation and human experience. He beautifully underscores the synergy between nature, creativity, and resistance in revitalizing connection to the world around us.

In this engaging conversation, Jenny Odell, an author and artist renowned for her book 'Saving Time', challenges conventional views of time. She explores the contrast between mechanical Kronos time and qualitative Kairos time, urging listeners to embrace nature's interruptions. Odell discusses the significance of seasonal changes, connecting them to climate justice and personal well-being. Through her insights, she invites us to redefine our relationship with time, highlighting the beauty of living in sync with the natural world and the possibilities that arise from a more mindful existence.