Mind, Body, and Soil

Episode 114: In this conversation, Kate Kavanaugh sits down with author Chris Berdik to discuss his new book 'Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back'. They dive into the often-overlooked significance of sound in both our personal lives and the natural world. Chris shares insights into the biology of hearing, the impacts of hearing loss, and the pervasive issue of noise pollution—both for humans and wildlife. At its heart, it’s about how sound connects us to the world at large and to one another. The discussion explores the evolutionary importance of sound, how our auditory experiences shape our connection to the environment, and the broader implications of noise on our well-being (and the importance of preventing hearing loss). They also touch on how sound can shift environments: from hospitals to neighborhoods. Ultimately, this conversation highlights the critical relationship between sound, human and environmental health, and community engagement in shaping healthier soundscapes.X: @chrisberdikWebsiteNewsletter Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World - and How We Can Take It BackResources Mentioned:Soundprint AppRelated Episodes: Episode 90: Sh*t, Shipping, and Blood: Upending Taboos and Exploring the Ignored with Rose GeorgeEpisode 72: Circular Economies and Linear Infrastructure: the Complex Interplay of Roads, Beavers, and Ecosystems with Ben GoldfarbEpisode 83: A Planetary Pulse of Connection: Exploring the Ocean, Science, and Beyond with Helen Czerski Episode 58: Exploring the Mystery + Embracing the Unknown with Fred ProvenzaSupport Kate: PatreonSubstackPayPal-Leave a One Time TipSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON: fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEAR: Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. HOME OF WOOL: 10% off Home of Wool using code KATEKAVANAUGHNAMARI ACTIVE WEAR: 10% off using code Kate10

Episode 113: In this episode, Kate sits down with author Marguerite Holloway to explore her new book ‘Take to the Trees: A Story of Hope, Science, and Self-Discovery in America’s Imperiled Forests’. Marguerite takes us on a deeply personal journey as she learns to climb trees at a women’s tree climbing workshop—an experience that shifts her perspective—quite literally—and opens her up to new ways of seeing the world. From Aspens to Magnolias, and Hemlocks to Beeches, she brings us into the hidden lives of trees, tracing their biology, history, and the complex relationships they share with our ecosystems.As we dive into the perils trees face in a warming climate, we also talk about the from arborists, biologists, and ecologists who are working tirelessly to protect them. This conversation brings into focus the often-overlooked world of trees, challenging ‘plant blindness’ and shifting them from the periphery to the center of our attention. At its heart, the conversation is about reconciling the hard truths of ecological loss with the enduring hope that comes from connecting with nature in such a direct and transformative way. This episode is as much about trees as it is about seeing the world through a new lens—one that invites us to reimagine our relationship with the living world around us.Find Marguerite: Take to the Trees: A Story of Hope, Science, and Self-Discovery in America’s Imperiled ForestsX: @marg_hollowayLinkedInNew Yorker ArticlesWomens Tree Climbing Workshop Episodes Like It:Episode 93: The Wood Age: Humans and the Forests That Made Them Human with John PerlinEpisode 87: Complexity, Cooperation, and Beauty - A New Story for Earth with Ferris JabrEpisode 72: Circular Economies and Linear Infrastructure: The Complex Interplay of Roads, Beavers, and Ecosystems with Ben GoldfarbEpisode 66: We are the Drivers of Our Species Tomorrows with Cat BohannonEpisode 95: Basins of Relations: Water, Fire, Beavers, and beyond with Brock DolmanEpisode 99: Living Into the Life You Want with Caroline NelsonSupport Kate: PatreonSubstackPayPal-Leave a One Time TipSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON: fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEAR: Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. HOME OF WOOL: 10% off Home of Wool using code KATEKAVANAUGHNAMARI ACTIVE WEAR: 10% off using code Kate10

Episode 112: In this episode, Kate is joined by journalist Mariah Blake to discuss her new book, ‘They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals.’ Together, they trace the buried history of PFAS and forever chemicals—synthetic chemicals first developed in the 1930’s—that would go on to saturate everything from firefighting foam to clothes to town water supplies, with devastating consequences for public health.The conversation centers on the story of Hoosick Falls, New York, where a small community uncovered widespread PFAS contamination in their drinking water and began a fight for justice. Kate and Mariah explore the regulatory ignorance that allowed this to happen, the role of DuPont and other chemical giants in shaping the response, and how communities are rising to meet the crisis.They discuss how outrage becomes a catalyst for environmental change, and how ordinary people—farmers, military families, and local organizers—are now on the front lines of the PFAS fight. Through the lens of Blake’s reporting, this episode is a powerful look at what happens when chemical convenience collides with human health, and how resilience grows in even the most contaminated ground.Find Mariah:They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals by Mariah BlakeInstagram: @mariahcblakeX: @mariahcblakeSupport Kate: PatreonSubstackPayPal-Leave a One Time TipResources MentionedPlastic List created by Nat Friedman: https://www.plasticlist.org Plastic: A Toxic Love Story by Susan Freinkel Dr. Max Liboiron — https://civiclaboratory.nl Time Bombing the Future by Rebecca Altman Richard Rhodes Making of Atomic BombRelated Episodes:Episode 85 with John Vaillant on Consumption, the Petrochemical IndustryEpisode 82 with Jay Owens on Dust, Testing the Bomb, Our Polluted WorldEpisode 83 with Helen Czerski on the OceanSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON: fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEAR: Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. HOME OF WOOL: 10% off Home of Wool using code KATEKAVANAUGHNAMARI ACTIVE WEAR: 10% off using code Kate10

Episode 111: In this episode, Kate sits down with Tabitha Rose from Skin Fancy to go deep. At once, it’s an exploration of building a bioregional supply chain for a skincare company and looking to the plants and ingredients that are attuned to an ecosystem to create an incredible skincare line. It’s also an episode about Tabitha and she invites us into her wisdom with beautiful poignancy, sharing about how we’re shaped and respond to life’s surprises, motherhood, growing into our purpose, and embracing change. Tabitha also shares about the alchemical process of making hydrosols, working with distillation and copper. It’s a big metaphor for the episode, because Tabitha distills so much care and deep thought into how she navigates life that so many listeners will resonate with. Find TabithaWebsite: https://skinfancy.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinfancyOther Episodes:Episode 19: Learning to Come Home to Yourself with Lacey JeanEpisode 49: Choosing the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Caroline NelsonEpisode 99: Living the Life You Want with Caroline NelsonEpisode 84: Choosing what to Carry into the Future with Cate HavstadEpisode 45: The Discipline/Pleasure Axis with Alex Rosenberg-RiguttoSupport Kate: PatreonSubstackPayPal-Leave a One Time TipBest of Movement Focused Episodes:Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman Episode 109: We Can Pick Up and Carry Heavy Loads: Exploring Movement in Context with Kate KavanaughEpisode 64: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate KavanaughEpisode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate KavanaughEpisode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel VitalisEpisode 22: Building Strength from the Inside Out with Ashleigh VanHoutenEpisode 2: The Strenuous Life with Ed RobersonSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON: fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEAR: Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. HOME OF WOOL: 10% off Home of Wool using code KATEKAVANAUGH

Episode 110. In this conversation, Kate sits down with author Bonnie Tsui to talk about her new book On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters. This episode explores themes of strength, resilience, and the interplay between the physical and the philosophical. Kate and Bonnie have a wide ranging discussion that spans the metaphor and biology of muscle, how death brings us into the present, and the joy found in movement and play. They touch on how strength is also about what moves us, not just physically, but socially, touching on the importance of collective movement and community resilience. It’s an exploration into how physical activities can foster connection and healing. They also delve into the science behind movement, the significance of finding connection in everyday life, and the power of incremental change in personal strength. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted discussion about whales, joy, and the connections we share with nature.Find Bonnie: Instagram: @bonnietsui8WebsiteOn Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It MattersSarah and the Big WaveWhy We SwimAmerican ChinatownSupport Kate: PatreonSubstackPayPal-Leave a One Time TipBest of Movement Focused Episodes:Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman Episode 109: We Can Pick Up and Carry Heavy Loads: Exploring Movement in Context with Kate KavanaughEpisode 64: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate KavanaughEpisode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate KavanaughEpisode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel VitalisEpisode 22: Building Strength from the Inside Out with Ashleigh VanHoutenEpisode 2: The Strenuous Life with Ed RobersonSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON: fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEAR: Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. HOME OF WOOL: 10% off Home of Wool using code KATEKAVANAUGH

Episode 109. In this episode, I (Kate Kavanaugh) reflect on my personal journey with movement from a practical and philosophical standpoint all while weaving it into some of the bigger themes that we’ve been exploring on the podcast around how we move resources to our bodies and how that itself changes our movement. I start out with some historical context of movement and resources, the impact of sedentarism on our bodies, and the concept of shifting baselines in understanding how our bodies work. I share my experience with chronic illness and how movement has been a source of strength and resilience and how I’ve navigated continuing to move even, and especially, when it feels really hard. This is about the transformative power of physical activity–mentally, physically, and socially. I talk about my movement why–including health, aging, enjoyment, and, yes, even vanity. I talk a little about my home gym, scaling movement, and some tips for making yourself move when it feels hard. It’s a lot of fun, it’s thoughtful, a little heavy at times, but we can carry the load together!Find Kate: Instagram: @kate_kavanaughSupport Kate: PatreonSubstackPayPal-Leave a One Time TipResources Mentioned:On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters by Bonnie TsuiLizette PompaSteph Rose, Phase 6Ben BrunoKara Duval, RangeDr. Susie Spurlock, Supple StrengthBest of Movement Focused Episodes:Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman Episode 68: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate KavanaughEpisode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate KavanaughEpisode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel VitalisEpisode 22: Building Strength from the Inside Out with Ashleigh VanHoutenEpisode 2: The Strenuous Life with Ed RobersonSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON: fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEAR: Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. HOME OF WOOL: 10% off Home of Wool using code KATEKAVANAUGH

Episode 108. (note: recorded Fall of 2024) This conversation with Alice Driver about her book Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company delves into the often unseen and harsh realities faced by workers in the meat industry. The discussion highlights the dangerous working conditions, the isolation and fear perpetrated by meatpacking plant owners, and the challenges workers face in organizing for better labor rights. It also touches on the broader implications of the true cost of food. Find Alice: Life and Death of the American Worker: The immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company by Alice Driver WebsiteBest of Exploring Labor and Working Conditions:Episode 92: NAFTA is in All of Our Bodies with Alyshia GálvezEpisode 90: Sh*t, Shipping, and Blood: Exploring the Ignored and Unseen with Rose GeorgeEpisode 82: Dust: Salvage, Water, and Hope with Jay OwensEpisode 81: The Tapestry of American Manufacturing with Rachel SladeSupport the Podcast:SubstackLeave a one-time Tip

Episode 107. In this conversation, Kate sits down with Matt Skoglund of North Bridger Bison to have a wide-ranging conversation about agriculture, community, the meaning of work, and what it means to teach about death. Together, they reflect on the complexities of efficiency in food systems, the yearning for simplicity in a complicated world, and the values that guide their lives and work. Matt discusses the importance of pragmatism in environmental work, the need for tangible solutions on the ground and in policy, and the impact of commodity agriculture on communities and how to be more involved. They also explore the role of death in food systems, reflecting on their personal experiences with grief and gratitude. The conversation also touches on the cognitive dissonance surrounding food production and the need for businesses to be resilient and regenerative, ultimately advocating for a deeper connection to the land and the hands that tend it. Find Matt: North Bridger BisonInstagram: @northbridgerbisonResources Mentioned:Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon ChouinardIn Pusuit of the Unknown by Ian StewartBest of Regenerative Agriculture Focused Episodes:Episode 27: Building Resilient Communities with Will Harris of White Oak PasturesEpisode 53: Leaving Our Children Shade with Katie Collins of Force of NatureEpisode 55: Cook Your Way to an Economy of Peace with Cate Havstad-Casad of Range RevolutionEpisode 74: The Gravity of Risk and the Potential of Opportunity with Robby Sansom of Force of NatureEpisode 75: Building an Agriculture We Can Live in with Cole Mannix of Old SaltSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALTMine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRONUSA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth - just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens. fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEARBarefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. Support the Podcast:SubstackLeave a one-time TipConnect with Kate:Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh

Episode 106: In this conversation, Kate Kavanaugh and Kurt Gray--whose book, ‘Outraged!: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics’ is out today--explore the themes of human nature, exploring the idea of humans as prey animals and how this evolutionary bent shapes our understanding of threats in modern society. It’s an episode about how we view harm and threat in a modern social media era, how much divisiveness this has fostered, and how we might have conversations that bridge those divides. In it, they discuss the importance of storytelling in bridging divides and fostering empathy, as well as the vulnerability paradox that arises when trying to connect with others who hold differing views. They also explore Kurt’s CIV framework (Connect, Invite, Validate) as a method for fostering meaningful dialogue. It’s also a conversation about how much humans like going deep with one another–even if they think they don’t. Last, and certainly not least, they ponder paradox themselves, and why humans might be prone to more binary thinking from an evolutionary standpoint. Find Kurt: Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics The Mind Club: Who Thinks, What Feels and Why It MattersOutraged! Book GuidesCenter for the Science of Moral UnderstandingInstagram: @kurtjgrayX: @kurtjgrayResources Mentioned:John Sarrouf / What is Essential Guide for talking politicsKurt and Ben Klutzy Interview for DiscourseSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALTMine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!Redmond.lifeAffiliates:FIELD COMPANY CAST IRONUSA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth - just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens. fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEARBarefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. Support the Podcast:SubstackLeave a one-time TipConnect with Kate:Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh

Episode 105: In this conversation, Kate sits down with author and entrepreneur Paul Hawken to explore the multifaceted role of carbon in life and talk about his new book, ‘Carbon: the Book of Life’. It’s an episode challenging the conventional narrative that reduces carbon to an errant molecule within the atmosphere and connects it back to the molecule that flows through 99% of all substances on earth. Paul and Kate discuss the importance of recognizing the complexity and interconnectedness of life–encouraging a shift from reductionist thinking to a more holistic understanding of our relationship with the environment, advocating for transformative actions rooted in compassion and connection while recognizing humanity’s role. They also discuss the power of language, the potential of possibility, and some of the incredible innovations we’re embarking on. This is an episode for the curious!Find Paul: Carbon: the Book of Life by Paul HawkenRegeneration by Paul HawkenDrawdown by Paul HawkenBlessed Unrest by Paul HawkenInstagram: @paulhawkenWebsiteResources Mentioned:Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de WaalThe Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist Related Episodes:Episode 67 with Dan Egan on Phosphorous Episode 87 with Ferris Jabr on Earth’s InterconnectionsEpisode 76 with Melanie Challenger on the Human AnimalEpisode 58 with Fred Provenza on Embracing the Unknown and AweEpisode 72 with Ben Goldfarb on Circular EconomiesSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALTMine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!redmond.lifeFIELD COMPANY CAST IRONUSA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth - just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens. fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEARBarefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off. Support the Podcast:SubstackLeave a one-time TipConnect with Kate:Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh