Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

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In this conversation, Abram Bicksler shares insights into his work with ECHO, a Christian nonprofit focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems. He discusses the organization's core values, the importance of creation care, and his personal connection to nature. Abram elaborates on the concept of sustainable agriculture, the significance of agroecology, and how these principles are applied in real-world contexts, particularly in Southeast Asia. 

The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of food systems, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Forrest and Abram discuss the transition from traditional agricultural practices to industrialized farming, highlighting the negative impacts on communities and the environment. Ab shares inspiring stories of communities that have returned to sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of diversity and co-creation in agriculture. They also explore the concept of ecological community development, the significance of watersheds, and the interconnectedness of caring for creation and neighborly love. Bicksler advocates for a holistic approach to community development that includes both human and ecological needs, framing creation care as a vital aspect of the gospel.

 Keywords

Abram Bicksler, Echo, sustainable agriculture, agroecology, creation care, environmental science, Christian nonprofit, food systems, global impact, community engagement agriculture, sustainability, community development, agroecology, watershed management, creation care, food systems, environmental health, local farming, ecological community, A Rocha, Plant with Purpose

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In this episode, cohosted by Forrest Inslee and Stephanie Vander Lugt, Julie Brams discusses the profound connection between nature and mental health, emphasizing the importance of re-rooting our minds in the natural world to foster healing and wholeness. The proposition at the heart of this conversation is, that humanity’s fundamental separation from nature is at the heart of so many of the mental health struggles prevalent in society today. Julie Brams, has carefully and gracefully sought to make this case in her new book, The Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves.  Drawing on her own process of discovery as a mental health practitioner, Julie makes a compelling case for a profound shift of thinking needed at this point in history, especially in light of the suffering of this planet brought about by humankind.

Links:

Julie Brams website: Elemental

The book: The Nature Embedded Mind

Stephanie Vander Lugt

Stephanie’s community: Kinship Plot

Key  Topics:

• The concept of the nature embedded mind and its importance
• How Western culture has separated humans from nature and the effects
• Practical ways to foster relationship with nature in therapy and daily life
• The role of language in shaping our relationship with the environment
• Resistance within the mental health field to ecological approaches
• The collective stories that shape our worldview and how to transform them
• The importance of playfulness and curiosity in reconnecting with nature
• The scientific basis for the interconnectedness of mind, body, and earth

Keywords: eco-psychology, nature-based therapy, mental health, relationship with nature, language, healing, wholeness, cultural stories, environmental psychology

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In this Earthkeepers Essentials archive episode, Wes Willison shares his journey from political awareness to ecological engagement, exploring how faith, community, and practical actions like gun decommissioning serve as acts of hope and transformation. In particular, he and Forrest explore ways in which we can resist despair and practice grace for ourselves in a world fraught with really difficult and sometimes overwhelming problems. In that framework, they discuss the importance of sacramental practices in environmental and social justice work, and how surprise and resilience shape our response to a challenging future.

 Information: 

• Wes Willison
• Shane Claiborne
• The Simple Way community

Key  Topics

o   Wes Willison's background and journey into earth care

o   The role of seminary and the Farminary project in ecological understanding

o   The significance of sacramental practices in environmental work

o   The process of decommissioning guns as a symbol of hope and transformation

o   The impact of political shifts and generational perspectives on climate anxiety

o   Coping mechanisms for depression and anxiety related to climate change

o   The potential for surprise and new hope in political and ecological contexts

o   The importance of community, faith, and practical action in shaping a sustainable future

Keywords

ecology, faith, social justice, gun decommissioning, community, hope, sacrament, environmental activism, mental health, generational change, depression, self-care, Princeton Farminary, compost theology, Norm Wirzba

Some Takeaways

• Sacramental practices can serve as powerful acts of hope and transformation in social and ecological justice.
• Engaging with the earth through work like composting and farming reveals God's presence in creation.
• Decommissioning guns and repurposing their parts into art and tools symbolizes hope and healing.
• Surprise is a key indicator of the Spirit's activity and a source of hope in dark times.
• Coping with climate anxiety involves intentional practices of rest, community, and engagement.

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In this episode from our archives, we explore the profound connection between humans and the natural world through the lens of place-based education, hunting, and relational awareness. Guest Joel Pontius shares his insights on cultivating respect, gratitude, and deep relationships with land and animals, emphasizing how these practices can transform our understanding and care for the Earth. When we did this interview, Joel was an educator, and we discussed in detail his thought-provoking approach to place-based education. The conversation considers how we might teach and form the young people in our lives so that they might better love and care for the planet.

Joel’s Info

Essay: Hearts Like This in Christ & Cascadia

Mentions:
Goshen College Merry Lea Environmental center & ecovillage
Goshen College sustainable farm
canoeing on the Elkhart river 
Lake Michigan
toxic forms of masculinity 

Key  Topics

• Place-based education and its impact on ecological understanding
• The role of hunting in developing respect and gratitude for animals
• Practices for building relational awareness with land and creatures
• The importance of humility and reverence in environmental stewardship
• The intersection of science, art, and spirituality in understanding nature
• How relational practices can foster hope and agency in climate action
• The significance of gratitude and apology in human-nature interactions
• The influence of childhood experiences on environmental values

Keywords

place-based education, ecology, hunting, gratitude, relational awareness, sustainability, natural history, spiritual connection, environmental education

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This episode delves into the spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance of untouched wilderness and our role as “keepers” or caretakers of such spaces. Jim Stump, Vice President of BioLogos and host of the Language of God podcast, shares about his recent journey to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, exploring the intersection of faith, creation care, and environmental advocacy.  Jim speaks up against the potential abuse of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but also shares about the ways he himself was deeply impacted by his encounters with the inhabitants of that remote wilderness—both human and more than human.

Links:

• Jim Stump
• Biologos
• Language of God podcast
• Jim Stump’s Substack – photos and essays about ANWR 
• American Lands Project
• Gwich’in Nation
• Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
• Alaska Wilderness and Resource Extraction
•                   Alaska Public Media
•                   Earth Justice
• Response/Action Steps (see the end of the article)

Key  Topics:

• Jim Stump's background in philosophy and science
• The purpose and experience of the Arctic trip
• The indigenous Gwichin people's relationship to the land
• The environmental and spiritual significance of the Arctic Refuge
• Christian vocation to care for creation
• Hope and faith in environmental activism
• The role of indigenous wisdom in conservation
• Practical steps for advocacy and awareness

Keywords:

creation care, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, faith and environment, indigenous wisdom, climate change, conservation, Christian vocation, environmental justice, stewardship, Jim Stump, Gwich’in Nation, grizzly bears, Porcupine caribou, Arctic Village, earthkeeping

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In this engaging interview, Bill McKibben shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. Discover practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. 

McKibben’s writing has appeared in countless publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone, and he has written many books over the last few decades. In this perspective-broadening interview, Bill shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. This conversation covers practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. In particular, he claims that now more than ever we need creative thinking about implementing renewable energy strategies. And faith communities, he says, do have a special role to play. This episode, cocreated by Circlewood and our partner organization A Rocha USA, is cohosted by James Amadon, executive director of Circlewood, and by Deb Rienstra, a writer, speaker, and professor who serves on A Rocha USA’s advisory board. 

Links 

• Bill McKibben’s website 
• Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibben 
• A Rocha USA 
• Deb Rienstra’s website 
• Earthkeepers Episode 85: Becoming Hope: Debra Rienstra on Her Book Refugia Faith 
• The Vatican’s solar project 
• Third Act: Harnessing generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy. 
• 350.org: Fighting climate change for people and planet 
• A Rocha USA: Ways to get involved 
• TEND: Cultivating faith-based, creation-focused community 
• Advocating for plug-in solar  

 Key  Topics 

• The economic shift towards renewable energy 
• The spiritual and cultural role in environmental change 
• Practical steps for individuals and communities 
• Older generations and their special capacities 
• Churches who choose to pursue renewables as acts of love 

Keywords 

climate change, renewable energy, faith communities, cultural change, environmental activism, solar power, policy, spirituality, sustainability, environmental justice; Laudato Si, Pope Francis, Pope Leo, plug-in solar, agrovoltaics, solar farms and ecological diversity, wind turbines as ocean reefs, Think Global Do Justice Podcast 

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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Our guest is well-known author, journalist and environmentalist, Bill McKibben. His writing has appeared in countless publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone, and he has written many books over the last few decades. In this engaging interview, Bill shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. This conversation covers practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. This episode, cocreated by Circlewood and our partner organization A Rocha USA, is cohosted by James Amadon, executive director of Circlewood, and by Deb Rienstra, a writer, speaker, and professor who serves on A Rocha USA’s advisory board.

Links

• Bill McKibben’s website
• Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibben
• A Rocha USA
• Deb Rienstra’s website
• Earthkeepers Episode 85: Becoming Hope: Debra Rienstra on Her Book Refugia Faith
• The Vatican’s solar project
• Third Act: Harnessing generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy.
• 350.org: Fighting climate change for people and planet
• A Rocha USA: Ways to get involved
• TEND: Cultivating faith-based, creation-focused community
• Advocating for plug-in solar

Key  Topics

• The economic shift towards renewable energy
• The spiritual and cultural role in environmental change
• Practical steps for individuals and communities 

Keywords

climate change, renewable energy, faith communities, cultural change, environmental activism, solar power, policy, spirituality, sustainability, environmental justice; Laudato Si, Pope Francis, Pope Leo, plug-in solar

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
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Summary

Explore the profound role of poetry and lament in addressing climate change, grief, and community resilience through the insights of authors Philip Mingay and Michael Ferber. In this episode, we take a look at their new book—a collection of poems and essays they have edited called Climate of Lament: Reflections on Ecological Grief. Mike and Philip—and the many other contributors to this volume—model for us a way to enter into the pain of letting our hearts be broken…and show us ways in which poetry can serve as a means of expressing both individual and collective sorrow. Importantly, in its inclusion of a range of authors from diverse vocational and cultural backgrounds, Climate of Lament shows us that poetry as an expressive form can be accessed by anyone—by professional poets, but also by those average folks for whom poetry is a new language we are learning to speak.

Climate of Lament book website

Key Topics

The role of art and literature in climate change discourse

The significance of lament and grief in environmental activism

Diversity of voices in climate poetry and reflections

The process of creating and sharing poetry of lament

The impact of community and place on environmental expression

Keywords: climate change, lament, poetry, community, environmental grief, art and activism, climate of lament, storytelling, community resilience, environmental poetry

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In this special 150th Earthkeepers episode, Kathleen Audet of the Styled Clean podcast and Forrest Inslee discuss the ways in which faith and ecological are intertwined. Niki Hardy of the Wildly Known Life podcast helps frame this conversation, in which Kathleen and Forrest consider such topics as sensing God in nature, deepening relationships to the ecologies of our places, and even shifting our paradigms to see the connections between creation care and missions work.

 Resources & Links: 

·      Christine Sine’s Walking in Wonder substack

·      A Rocha US, Churches of Restoration

·      Norman Wirzba books, including Agrarian Spirituality        

·      Seminary of the Wild

·      Niki Hardy’s Wildly Known Life podcast

·      Kathleen Audet’s Styled Clean podcast

Keywords:

creation care, spirituality, ecology, earthworms, community, environmental stewardship, faith-based environmentalism, sustainable living, nature listening, climate change, fast fashion, missions, community development

 Main Topics: 

• The spiritual dimension of caring for creation and its roots in faith traditions
• The story of Rachel’s worm rescue as a metaphor for spiritual transformation and environmental consciousness
• How listening to creation and understanding local stories foster environmental awareness
• Practical ways to begin living more earth-honoring lives, including outdoor practices and community involvement
• The relationship between decolonization, indigenous knowledge, and ecological restoration
• Challenges and community strategies for overcoming resistance to sustainability
• The importance of a worldview rooted in creation-centered spirituality and simple daily acts

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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Check out the Ecological Disciple 

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In this insightful interview, Drew, an army chaplain with nearly 19 years of service, shares his unique perspective on the intersection of faith, culture, nature, and military service. Discover how his approach to relational encounters and understanding diverse backgrounds enhances his support for soldiers and fosters healing through nature and community.

 Drew’s LinkedIn

Drew’s YouTube channel

Drew’s Insta

 key  topics

• The role of military chaplains in supporting religious liberties
• The concept of I-Thou versus I-It relationships and its application in military and nature 
• The impact of cultural understanding and diversity training for chaplains
• How outdoor activities and nature foster healing and trust among soldiers
• The environmental considerations in military operations and training

keywords

Military chaplain, faith and culture, nature and healing, relational spirituality, diversity in the military, environmental consciousness, community development, spiritual support, military service, ecological impact, Elwha dam removal, Elwha people

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple