Doomer Optimism

Tres and Sim interview Zach Loeks, and talk about the problems and opportunities around growing food in sub/urban spaces. Zach debunks many of the myths around maintaining food production in urban landscapes, and we dig into the secrets of lesser-known city fruits. Zach is an educator, author, artist, and farmer based in Canada. Zach Loeks (@zachloeks) - https://www.zachloeks.com/ Tres Crow (@dogeatcrow) - https://www.greenboxus.com/ Sim Gooder (@slimgoober) - https://permapeople.org/

In this episode Jason speaks with Steven Stoll, the author of the excellent book Ramp Hollow: The Ordeal of Appalachia, about the history of land dispossession in Appalachia and the rise of industrial capitalism, manufactured dependency on wage labor due to land degradation or dispossession, The Whisky Rebellion, absentee land ownership and the initial squatters rights movement, coal towns and the how household gardens often served the interests of coal companies, a comparison of the experience of indigenous populations and early white settlers in losing access to land, his modern-day proposal for The Commons Communities Act and land reform more broadly, the potential of community land trusts, the broader international context e.g., modern-day land dispossession in Africa, and much more

Donald and Joey talk to writer Jordan Castro about his new novel, the history of the Alt Lit literary movement, punk rock, and the Midwest. Jordan bio: Jordan Casto is the author of The Novelist (Soft Skull, 2022) and two poetry books. He is from Cleveland, Ohio.

Brian Fink offers a unique perspective on finding meaning in the chaos of life. Topics discussed include homesteading, challenges, suffering, cultivating a positive mindset, and the importance of reading for different perspectives.

The Weird Wild Wonderful World of Biochar – with Tom Miles, Kelpie Wilson, Myles Gray, and Josh What is biochar and why should we care about it? A roundtable discussion with veterans of the biochar world. Tom Miles –  TR Miles Consultants (ag and bioenergy) and US Biochar Initiative Kelpie Wilson – Wilson Biochar Myles Gray – US Biochar Initiative Josh Kearns – A Field Guide to Biochar Water Treatment Interest in biochar – “charcoal, with a purpose” – has been growing for 20 years. Biochar can enhance garden and agricultural soils and improve crop yields, provide a mechanism for drawdown and sequestering of atmospheric carbon, and provide a tunable engineered sorbent for a variety of water treatment and environmental remediation applications. In this conversation, we discuss contemporary innovations and developments for using biochar to tackle a variety of sustainability challenges. 2024 North American Biochar Conference February 12-14, 2024 Sacramento, CA

In this episode, Ashley and Jason talk with Michel Bauwens about his work developing ideas for a ‘cosmo-local’ society through the power of horizontal P2P networks, a reimagining of the commons, and crypto. They discuss descending civilizations, reinvigorating local societies, superlinear collaboration networks, combining traditional commons with new knowledge technology, the demise of organic intellectuals, the potential of crypto for collaboration, and transitioning to a new energy system.

Lexie and Luis of Amisacho Restauracion, an agroecological enterprise working with indigenous communities in the Amazon, discuss their work in preserving rainforest biodiversity and developing sustainable livelihoods. They talk about climbing trees to harvest fruit without cutting them down, developing products from jungle foraged items, making biochar for water treatment, and scaling up their biochar production.

Ashley speaks with Geoffrey, @‌longstoryfarms, about his adventures away from home, including time spent in Chile, and his moving back home to be a productive member of his community.

Ashley and Feidhlim Harty of Ireland talk about ecological approaches to water, sewage treatment, constructed wetlands, and more. Feidhlim runs FH Wetland Systems - Creating Spaces for Nature. Find more info at: https://www.wetlandsystems.ie

Join our book club community as Ashley, Donald, AC, Tiffani, and Joel gather to discuss the timeless wisdom of Wendell Berry. Delve into the captivating world of his works, exploring profound insights, reflections, and engaging conversations that promise to leave you inspired and enlightened.