Summary

In this episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast, chef Ben Shewry discusses his journey from rural New Zealand to running Attica in Melbourne. He reflects on his deep connection with nature, the importance of indigenous ingredients, and the role of terroir in cooking. Shewry emphasizes the need for ethical sourcing and the moral obligations chefs have towards their ingredients and the environment. He also shares insights on creativity in the culinary arts and the influence of his parents on his values, as well as the importance of instilling a love for nature in the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• Ben's childhood in rural New Zealand shaped his connection to nature.
• Indigenous ingredients are vital for telling a country's true story.
• Terroir significantly affects the flavor of ingredients like potatoes.
• Chefs have a moral obligation to honor the ingredients they use.
• Quality sourcing is essential for culinary success.
• Creativity in cooking should not overshadow the integrity of ingredients.
• Ben's mother instilled strong ethical values in him.
• Children can teach adults about the joy of nature.
• Culinary leadership involves lifting others up and being empathetic.
• Nature connection is crucial for the next generation's future.

Chapters

00:00 Connection to Nature: A Chef's Journey

00:30 Introduction

05:50 Influence of Growing Up on a Farm on His Cooking Philosophy

08:48 Indigenous Ingredients and Cultural Heritage

12:16 Terroir of a Potato

15:55 Balancing Creativity and Ingredient Integrity

20:16 The Onion is Invisible

23:07 Sustainability and Market Demand in Culinary Arts

26:39 Ethical Leadership and Personal Values

30:40 Creativity Beyond the Kitchen: A Personal Reflection

38:01 Imparting Values to the Next Generation

43:21 ESM BS Exit Audio.mp4

Links

• Attica Website
• Attica on Instagram
• Ben Shewry on Instagram
• Kobe and the Sea
• 'Uses for Obsession' on Bookshop.org

Keywords

Ben Shewry, Attica, indigenous ingredients, culinary ethics, nature, terroir, creativity, cooking philosophy, sustainable food, Australian cuisine

Photo Credit: Hangi Image in Video Podcast from Wikipedia By Einalem - https://www.flickr.com/photos/einalem/2123097939/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php505

Summary

In this episode of the Ecosystem Member Podcast, Rick Evans interviews Paula Camiña Eiras, a designer specializing in material innovation and biodesign. They discuss Paula's relationship with nature, the principles of biodesign, and the importance of regenerative thinking in design. Paola shares insights from her project Co-Obradoiro Galego, which connects the fishing industry with basket weavers in Galicia, and explores the integration of waste materials into new products. The conversation highlights the balance between listening to communities and innovating, the challenges of using byproducts, and the significance of crafting compelling narratives around sustainable products. Paula also reflects on her role as a lecturer and the excitement of the next generation of designers in the field of biodesign.

Key Takeaways

- Paola's relationship with nature influences her design work.

- Bioddesign integrates biological principles into design methodology.

- Regenerative design aims to restore ecosystems through design.

- Collaboration with local communities enhances design projects.

- Using waste materials can create valuable resources.

- Listening to materials and communities is key to innovation.

- Crafting compelling narratives helps promote sustainable products.

- Education plays a crucial role in the future of biodesign.

- Balancing tradition and innovation is essential in design.

- Sustainability requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Keywords

biodesign, material innovation, regenerative thinking, sustainability, design process, community collaboration, product development, lifestyle brands, environmental impact, education

Chapters

00:00 Connecting with Nature: A Designer's Journey

07:11 Understanding Bio Design and Material Innovation

07:49 Regenerative Thinking in Design

09:14 The Co-Obradoiro Galego Project: Crafting with Community

13:19 Integrating Waste: The Art of Basket Weaving

16:01 Balancing Listening and Creation in Design

17:05 The Dulcie Room Diffuser

18:02 Innovative Products: The Room Diffuser Case Study

21:57 Crafting Compelling Narratives for Sustainable Products

24:01 The Future of Biodesign: Educating the Next Generation

26:01 Inspiration in Bio Design: Recent Discoveries

Links

- Co-Obradoiro Galego Short Documentary

- Paula's Instagram

- Dulcie Room Diffuser Project

- Fernando Laposse

Rethinking Beauty: Transforming Landscape Design with Ecological Wisdom

In this episode, landscape architects Kasey Toomey and Hannah Pae of TERREMOTO challenge traditional notions of garden design, emphasizing a living, evolving ecosystem that integrates native species, wildlife, and community. They share their approach to designing with humility, patience, and respect for the land, advocating for spaces that foster deep connections between humans and nature.

Key Topics

• Gardens as storytelling and memory-making moments that connect past and future
• The importance of listening and observing before acting in landscape design
• Thinking of the land and non-human species as true clients
• Embracing seasonality, metamorphosis, and ecological relationships in design
• Using indigenous and local materials to support native ecosystems
• The concept of "no final drawing" — gardens as ongoing, process-driven projects
• Designing public spaces that incorporate habitat and promote ecological success
• Building resilience to climate change and ecological disasters, like wildfires
• Challenging client expectations and shifting aesthetics towards ecological intelligence
• The role of patience, humility, and adaptability in sustainable landscape practices

Chapters

00:00 - Gardens as moments for storytelling and connection
02:09 - Supporting artists and literature highlighting our relationship with nature
03:31 - Introduction to TERREMOTO and their ecological landscape approach
04:46 - The non-separateness of humans and nature in design philosophy
07:12 - Approaching projects with patience and listening to existing ecosystems
09:48 - Working with native plants and understanding ecological imbalances
11:52 - Wildlife observation logs and seasonality in native species
15:05 - Rethinking beauty and the aesthetic of gardens through ecological relationships
17:03 - The significance of avoiding final renderings in garden design
18:20 - Designing public spaces that serve both humans and wildlife harmoniously
19:38 - The ecological success indicator: seeing predators like hawks in the space
21:17 - Eco-friendly water management and creating habitat with water features
22:22 - Communicating the value of living, process-driven landscapes to clients
23:50 - Initiating conversations around native species and ecological context
26:40 - Integrating wildlife presence (like herons) into landscape design
27:47 - Building gardens 'not for this civilization, but for the next'
29:00 - Balancing client desires with ecological integrity and material choices
30:20 - The ongoing relationship with projects and monitoring ecological health
31:34 - Planning for resilience amid wildfires and climate disasters
34:45 - Selecting non-toxic, locally sourced materials for ecological safety
36:17 - Building systems that adapt and respond to climate change and disasters
37:11 - Favorite projects and the importance of gardens as ever-evolving processes
40:49 - The LA office garden as a living experiment and continuous learning space
42:49 - Final thoughts on embracing process, humility, and interconnectedness in landscape architectureResources &

Links

• TERREMOTO⁠ - Landscape architecture firm based in LA & SF
• ⁠David Benjamin Sherry - Sunrise on Mesquite Flat Dunes⁠ - Artist supporting new perspectives on nature

• ⁠Terry Tempest Williams - The Glorians⁠ - Upcoming book exploring natural presences
• ⁠Get Birding Podcast with Sean Bean⁠ - Birding insights from the Game of Thrones actor

Summary

In this episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast, host Rick Evans welcomes back Jeff Perry, founder of Angel City Lumber, to discuss the profound impact of recent wildfires in Los Angeles and the innovative responses that have emerged from them.

Jeff shares his evolving relationship with nature, particularly in light of the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, which have reshaped his perspective on community and environmental stewardship.

The discussion delves into the Altadena Reciprocity Project, an initiative aimed at repurposing fallen trees from wildfire sites to support local rebuilding efforts.

Jeff explains how Angel City Lumber is sourcing logs from both residential and national forests, milling them into affordable lumber for those affected by the fires.

The episode highlights the importance of creativity in problem-solving and community engagement, as Jeff emphasizes the need for empathy and connection in the face of adversity.

Listeners are encouraged to support the project at the link below and learn more about the ongoing efforts to restore the community and its natural resources.

Keywords

Ecosystem Member, Jeff Perry, Angel City Lumber, Altadena Reciprocity Project, wildfires, community rebuilding, nature connection, creativity in business, environmental stewardship

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context

06:30 Evolving Relationship with Nature

09:53 The Altadena Reciprocity Project

16:49 Creativity in Problem Solving

23:18 Deep Connections to Los Angeles

27:54 Supporting the Altadena Reciprocity Project

Links

Angel City Lumber

Angel City Lumber on Instagram

Altadena Reciprocity Project

Angel City Reciprocity

Summary

In this episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast, Baratunde Thurston shares his evolving relationship with nature, emphasizing the importance of viewing ourselves as part of the ecosystem. He discusses his experiences from the show America Outdoors, highlighting stories that reveal the deep connections between people and nature. The conversation explores cultural perspectives on nature, lessons from indigenous wisdom, and the need for a new vision of democracy through Project Interdependence. Additionally, Baratunde reflects on the balance between technology and nature, advocating for a future where our relationships with both are harmonious and mutually beneficial.

Key Topics

nature, interdependence, technology, democracy, indigenous wisdom, climate change, storytelling, America Outdoors, Baratunde Thurston, Ecosystem Member

Takeaways

- Increasingly am trying to consciously think of myself as a part of and not apart from nature.

- What is a Mainer without lobster? Climate change, nature and identity are connect.

- The name Death Valley came from disconnected people. They could have called it "We didn't understand the assignment valley."

- We belong to the Earth, not just live on it.

- Nature states, not nation states.

- When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.

- The river's real, but these political lines are made up.

- We need to move with and belong to nature.

Chapters

00:00 - Connecting with Nature: A Personal Journey

05:22 - The Role of Identity in Nature

08:18 - Diverse Connections to Nature

11:14 - Indigenous Wisdom and Governance

14:21 - The Future of Interdependence

17:17 - Technology and Nature: A New Paradigm

20:10 - Stories of Healing and Interdependence

Links

"250 YEARS SINCE ITS FOUNDING, AMERICA NEEDS A DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE" (Atmos)

America Outdoors (PBS)

Haudenosaunee Confederacy

Project Interdependence

Life with Machines

Slow AI: Sam Illingworth

Liberation Technologies John Mohawk

Aza Raskin and Earth Species Project

Jewish Teachings on Nature and Responsibility with Rabbi Laura Bellows, Dayenu

Rick Evans interviews Rabbi Laura Bellows about her relationship with nature and the intersection of Judaism and climate action, exploring how Jewish teachings inspire environmental responsibility and the work of Dayenu, a Jewish call to climate action.

Key Topics

Judaism, climate action, Dayenu, Jewish teachings, environmental responsibility

Key Takeaways

• Judaism is deeply connected to nature and seasonal cycles.
• Passover is both a celebration of freedom and a harvest holiday.
• Dayenu means 'enough' and calls for urgent climate action.
• Jewish texts emphasize caring for the Earth and all life.
• Dayenu's work includes spiritual adaptation and climate justice.
• Music and arts are integral to Dayenu's climate activism.
• Dayenu fosters multigenerational conversations on climate change.
• Spiritual adaptation helps combat climate despair and burnout.
• Dayenu circles build community and power for climate action.
• Imagination and storytelling are key to envisioning a better future.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Laura Bellows

00:03:00 Judaism and Nature

00:06:00 Dayenu's Mission and Meaning

00:09:00 Spiritual Adaptation and Climate Justice

00:12:00 Multigenerational Conversations and Community Building

00:15:00 Imagination and Storytelling for the Future

Key Links

• Dayenu
• Rabbi Jennie Rosenn on Boiling Point
• The Work That Reconnects from Joanna Macy

Hey folks, thanks for tuning in to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. Today’s episode is one that I had in mind when I first started formulating the idea for this podcast about two years ago and is a fitting end to season two of the podcast.

Dr. Susan Murphy Roshi is the founding teacher of Zen Open Circle in Sydney, Australia, as well as a writer, radio producer, film writer and director. I came to know her through two of her books - 'Minding the Earth, Mending the World: Zen and the Art of Planetary Crisis' and her latest book 'A Fire Runs Through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis'.

In this episode, we talk about what a Zen perspective on the climate crisis looks like and the concept of Engaged Buddhism, the interconnectedness of all things with a practice from Susan on how to help us recognize that connectedness, and her unique background that brings together Zen and Aboriginal teachings.

This is episode 43 of the podcast and probably is my favorite one yet for a lot of reasons.

The first being that a lot of my contemplation about our human relationship with nature came through my study of Buddhism and Zen. About a decade ago, I was lucky enough to be introduced to an amazing career coach named Michael Carroll who was a high flying human resources executive at a number of well known companies including the Walt Disney Company and an authorized Buddhist teacher who wrote the books 'Awake at Work' and 'Fearless at Work' on bringing Buddhist wisdom to your work and career. The short time I spent with Michael directly and then the much longer time I spent with his books fundamentally shifted my view of not just work, but how I engage the world around me. Susan's books have had a similar impact.

The other reason that this is one of my favorite episodes is that it provides no answers. The natural human inclination when faced with volatility and uncertainty is to look for certainty, to look for the known. Yet, to put it bluntly, what we know is not working for a lot of people and certainly not for the planet.

There are people who would like you to believe that the answer lies in domination. In dominating and extracting from nature and dominating other groups of people. They like to say things like "peace through strength" and we're "at war" with nature, subjugating it for our gain. I don't care for certainty, but I am certain that the notion that we are on this plant to fight it and every other living thing around us is ridiculous.

Thich Nhat Han wrote “Our own life has to be our message.” So as we wrap season two, I am asking myself what I want my message to be about my time on Earth and my relationship with what lives and breathes here.

*Please note: The closed caption has an incorrect spelling. "Jiao Jiao" should be spelled "Zhaozhou". We apologize for this error.

Links

Buy Susan Murphy's 'A Fire Runs Through All Things'

Buy Susan Murphy's 'Minding the Earth, Mending the World'

For those of you who have listened to a range of our first 40 something episodes, you know that I think deeply and widely about our human relationship with nature and the more than human world. I love talking to artists and curators about the big, thorny questions they are asking us to think about in their work. I also love talking to adventurers in business and athletics who are pushing the boundaries of their categories. But at some point, we need to buckle down and do the hard work of making sure that we still have the wild spaces that inspire these artists and energize these adventurers.

Today’s guest is Nick Mucha, Director of Environmental Issues and Strategy at Patagonia. He’s also a contributor and one of the editors of the new book from Patagonia “Tools to Save Our Home Planet”.

After more than a decade in the non-profit space, Nick was reenergized by attending Patagonia’s Tools for Grassroots Activists conference back in 2013. That renewed sense of purpose eventually led him to a desk in Patagonia itself where he works on the conference, with Patagonia’s environmental non-profit grantees and on Patagonia’s overall approach to environmental issues.

In this episode we talk about his path to Patagonia, the recently released book, and the role of environmental activism in the current political environment where many of the gains in the US that environmental activists have achieved are under threat. Coming on the heels of the success of grassroots organizations in getting Utah Senator Mike Lee to remove his provision in President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill to sell off thousands of acres of public lands, this episode is a call to action to keep pushing with budget cuts to departments like the National Parks and Forest Service likely to make it harder and harder to protect these lands.

On that point, if you did email or call your Senator or House representative to tell them to fight Senator Lee’s provision - thank you, thank you, thank you. This proves that the big tent approach to environmental activist that Nick outlines in the episode works, even though we recorded this episode almost a month ago before Senator Lee's antics.

We also talk a lot in the episode about Patagonia Action Works. It is a platform that helps connect Patagonia’s grassroots environmental grantees with skilled volunteers who can help them with everything from copywriting to legal advice. It is a platform I am personally passionate about having completed nearly 20 projects through the platform. In recent weeks through Action Works, I had a call with Friends of the Boundary Waters about advertising strategy and with Save the Yellowstone Grizzly about strategy needs and their new documentary “Return of the Grizzly” narrated by actor Jeff Bridges, which is garnering rave reviews by those who have seen it at festivals.

I hope you enjoy this episode with Nick and afterward, making sure to pick up a copy of “Tools to Save Our Home Planet” and sign up for a project on Patagonia Action Works.

Links

• Tools to Save Our Home Planet
• Patagonia Action Works

Our guest for this week is a follow on to our guest from last week. Dr. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg is an artist based in the UK who has a piece in the “More Than Human” exhibition at the Design Museum that our guest last week Justin McGuirk curated. That exhibition opens July 11, but if you’re watching this episode on YouTube or Spotify, you’ll get a sneak peek of her piece in this episode. 

Daisy’s art is multidisciplinary and examines our fraught human relationships with nature and technology. In addition to her work in the upcoming Design Museum exhibition, her Pollinator Pathmaker piece, which uses an algorithm to design art in the form of what we think of as gardens but for the benefit of pollinators rather than humans, has been created for the Serpentine at Kensington Gardens and The Natural History Museum in Berlin. Other work of Daisy’s has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Natural History Museum in London, the Cooper Hewitt in New York and the Science Gallery in Dublin among many other prestigious institutions around the world. She's also received several awards including the Changemaker Award from Dezeen and The Rapoport Award for Women in Art & Technology from The Lumen Prize. 

In this episode, we talk about the overarching themes of Daisy's work, her obsession with exploring how we think about the idea of better, her Pollinator Pathmaker project and a couple of her other projects including one in which she created a digital version of a severely endangered rhino and resurrected the smell of a lost flower. We also talk a bit about non-human animal consciousness and the potential for creativity and making art, at least from the perspective of how we understand those terms. 

Links

Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg website

Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg Instagram

Pollinator Pathmaker tool

“More Than Human” Exhibition at The Design Museum

Our guest is Justin McGuirk, the Director of Future Observatory and the curator of an upcoming exhibit at the Design Museum in London called “More Than Human” that brings together art, science and radical thinking to ask how design can help our planet thrive by shifting its focus beyond human needs.

The exhibition opens July 11 and runs to October 5, so get your tickets today so you don't miss out. Some of the contributors include Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, Solange Pessoa, and a monumental seaweed installation by artist Julia Lohmann. It promises to be a must see. Visit designmuseum.org for more information on that.

The exhibition is backed by Future Observatory, which is the Design Museum’s national research program for the green transition. With funding from the UKRI Arts & Humanities Research Council, it has awarded millions of pounds to support research that brings together UK design researchers, universities and businesses to catalyze the transition to net zero and a green economy. 

In this episode with Justin, we talk about the exhibition and the broader work of Future Observatory in expanding the role of design in creating a green future. We also talk about what more than human design is and the need it addresses, as well as how it compares to other design frameworks like human centered design.

Huge thanks to Justin for having this discussion. Much of the work Future Observatory is involved in is - naturally - about creating the future. It's about approaches that aren't mainstream yet and solutions that are in the process of being realized. That can sometimes make it hard to wrap your head around the subject, but I think Justin does an amazing job of sharing his perspective on the field.

As always, please make sure to leave a five star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you are listening there.

Links

'More Than Human' exhibition at the Design Museum, London

Future Observatory

Future Observatory Journal