Doomer Optimism

What if everything we think we know about "natural" ecosystems is wrong?Peter Allen is a restoration ecologist and regenerative farmer, and learn how North America's pre-European landscapes weren't wild at all—they were sophisticated agricultural systems managed by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.Speaking from his 220-acre farm in Wisconsin's unique Driftless region, Peter shares his journey from academic ecology to hands-on farming, revealing how the oak savannas that once stretched coast-to-coast were the most productive ecosystems on the continent. He explains why megafauna like mastodons and giant ground sloths were the original landscape architects, and how their extinction 12,000 years ago began the sixth mass extinction we're still experiencing today.Peter offers a practical roadmap for restoration, from understanding why our food has lost its ability to nourish us (spoiler: it's all about minerals) to how properly managed livestock can rebuild topsoil faster than nature ever could. He tackles controversial topics head-on, challenging the narrative that cows cause climate change and explaining why the war on beef might be about more than just the environment.

Ashley is joined by Grayson Quay, author of 'The Transhumanist Temptation' to explore the philosophical and ethical implications of transhumanism, its historical roots, and its intersection with modern ideologies. They cover the concept of natural law, the role of technology in shaping human identity, and the challenges parents face in a tech-driven world. They also discuss the future of humanity in relation to AI and consciousness, concluding with a call to embrace our humanity in an increasingly transhuman era.

The Shire We Call HomeJason sits down with Tom Ruby and Alan Cornett to explore the profound influence of Wendell Berry on modern agrarianism, the surprising revival of Catholicism in America, and why the future might belong to those willing to get their hands dirty.From the rolling hills of Kentucky, which echo Tolkien's Shire, to the intellectual journey from secular academia to Catholic agrarianism, Tom and Alan share their personal stories of finding meaning through land stewardship and community building. The conversation weaves together themes of localism, the "cultural debris" of forgotten traditions, and the practical wisdom needed to counter our age of disconnection.Whether you're drawn to Berry's vision of place-based living, curious about the Catholic Land Movement, or simply wondering how to build authentic community in fractured times, this conversation offers both philosophical depth and practical hope. As our guests remind us: good people are out there, working the land and building the kind of life that lasts.

In this episode, Ashley asks her two closest collaborators on Doomer Optimism – Jason on the podcast, and James on events – to think through what drew them to the project, lessons from what we’ve done so far, and where we could go from here.

Monopoly Power, New Deal Legacies, and the Fight for Real Economic DemocracyJames and Basel unpack the legacy of the New Deal, the tangled history of regulation, and the roots of today’s anti-monopoly movement. From egg prices and avian flu to Big Tech and corporate control of agriculture, they explore how concentrated power distorts markets, erodes democracy, and shapes both domestic and foreign policy. Grounded in history but focused on the future, the episode explores what real economic democracy might look like—and the role everyday people can play in achieving it.

Paul Kingsnorth and Leighton Woodhouse in conversation for the Third Annual Doomer Optimism Campout at The Wagon Box.

Ashley, Donald, and James cover a lot of ground in this episode. They kick things off with the story of Leslie Peltier, a self-taught stargazer from Ohio, before diving into a deeper conversation about environmentalism. Donald raises concerns about how today’s climate discourse can feel paralyzing, especially for young people, and argues that instead of backing away from nature, we need to find ways to work with it.The conversation broadens into bigger questions about collapse — not dramatic doomsday stuff, but a slower kind of breakdown where complex systems just can’t hold themselves together anymore. That idea leads them into American history, particularly the legacy of Jacksonian democracy and the ongoing tug-of-war between centralized power and local control.They touch on everything from the role of tradition to the limits of liberalism, and explore what it might take to build a coherent moral framework in a fractured time. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion about how we got here — and where we might be headed.

DO 269 – Engineering, education, empathy, and mimetic warfare? Dr. Chuck Pezeshki & JoshDr. Chuck is an engineering professor at Washington State University. He runs an engineering design studio for student projects and blogs on an exorbitantly wide range of topics at https://empathy.guru.Dr. Chuck is hard to characterize other than “someone Doomer Optimists ought to be paying attention to.”

Can Humanity Keep Pace with the Technologies It Creates?Matthew Pirkowski joins Ashley Fitzgerald to unpack the complicated relationship between technology and humanity. They dive into the worlds of AI and cryptocurrency, exploring how these tools work—and how they shape our minds, societies, and futures.Drawing from his background in evolutionary psychology, Matthew reflects on how our instincts and behaviors interact with fast-moving technologies. He and Ashley wrestle with big questions: How does AI influence our decisions? What risks do we face when innovation outpaces understanding? And how do we walk the fine line between exploring new digital frontiers and exploiting them?The conversation also touches on a tech-driven world's psychological and political consequences—from polarization and power concentration to the importance of real, embodied experiences like parenting. They explore the need for communities to rethink how we live and govern together in a time of rapid change.Matthew and Ashley share a cautious hope for the future—one rooted in curiosity, responsibility, and a commitment to keeping human values at the center of technological progress.

Dr. Chris Ellis hosts Graham Summers and Matt, discussing various economic topics including market dynamics, investment strategies, and the role of metals in the current financial landscape. They explore the implications of monetary policy, the significance of gold and silver, and the potential for a monetary reset amidst inflationary pressures. The conversation covers the complexities of the global economy, the impact of tariffs, and the challenges of understanding value in a fluctuating market. Chris, Graham, and Matt discuss the historical context of currency debasement, the role of the Federal Reserve in monetizing debt, and the impact of COVID-19 on financial systems. They explore the growing economic inequality and the importance of preparing for future uncertainties. The discussion also touches on alternative education approaches for young adults, emphasizing the need for practical skills and financial literacy.