Last Born In The Wilderness

Ecologist and author Carl Safina returns to the podcast to discuss his newest book, Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. Part memoir, part philosophical musing, Alfie and Me contains vignettes of ecological dreaming and profound critique.

// Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/carl-safina-2

// Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

// Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

Writer and agitator Vicky Osterweil returns to the podcast to discuss some of the themes raised in her essay, Feeling Good Doesn't Require the Democrats, published for her newsletter. The piece tackles the very vibes-based election cycle in the US, as Vice President Kamala Harris takes up the Democratic Party ticket to face up against Donald Trump this November. Vicky deftly navigates the affect-shift this change in the nominee, from current president Joe Biden to Harris, has had, both in its desired effect, and what is lost in riding this wave of "positive vibes only" while looking away from the realities that demand our fuller attention. In short, Vicky imparts this bit of wisdom that will remain relevant as we continue to move swiftly though our crises-laden times: don't give them the gift of our joy.

// Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Ecologist and author Carl Safina returns to the podcast to discuss his newest book, Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. Part memoir, part philosophical musing, Alfie and Me contains vignettes of ecological dreaming and profound critique.

// Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Essayist and author Antonia Malchik joins me in this wandering, expansive discussion, touching on subjects at the heart of her writings and 2019 book, A Walking Life, and her upcoming book, No Trespassing. We discuss how the infrastructure of an automobile dependent society shapes our perception of nature and built environments, and in turn how we relate and move through it. I asked her about her more expansive view of walking and walkability, and how getting lost is good for our brains and souls. And near the later half of our time together, Antonia talks about her decision to ditch smartphones and social media, and how the creeping demands of our digital lives relate to her broader focus on enclosure, property, and reclaiming the commons.

// Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/antonia-malchik

// Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

// Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

Essayist and author Antonia Malchik joins me in this wandering, expansive discussion, touching on subjects at the heart of her writings and 2019 book, A Walking Life, and her upcoming book, No Trespassing. We discuss how the infrastructure of an automobile dependent society shapes our perception of the nature and built environments, and in turn how we relate and move through it. I asked her about her more expansive view of walking and walkability, and how getting lost is good for our brains. And near the later half of our time together, Antonia talks about her decision to ditch smartphones and social media, and how the creeping demands of our digital lives relate to her broader focus on enclosure, property, and reclaiming the commons.

// Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Social critic Alley Valkyrie returns to the podcast to provide analysis of the recent election in France. She discusses the French far-right's long-term efforts to remake their image and gather widespread support, in ways that are both surprising but contextually understandable, making tremendous gains in the first round of the parliamentary snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron.

This interview was recorded on July 4th, before the second round of voting on Sunday, July 7th, which resulted in a left-wing coalition with Macron's centrist party far outpacing the National Rally in the election. While this interview was recorded before the final results came in, the analysis Alley brings to this discussion is deeply relevant to understanding the nuances of French and European political trends, especially for those who mainly consume information from Anglophone media.

// Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/alley-valkyrie-4

// Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

// Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

Social critic Alley Valkyrie returns to the podcast to provide analysis of the recent election in France. She discusses the French far-right's long-term efforts to remake their image and gather widespread support, in ways that are both surprising but contextually understandable, making tremendous gains in the first round of the parliamentary snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron.

Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Ben Lorber and Shane Burley, co-authors of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, join me to discuss the absolutely timely moment and context this book is being published in. They raise the need for, and the strong historical legacies of, Jewish anti-Zionist solidarity with pro-Palestine movements, while articulating and bringing forward critical analysis of the shape, character, and histories of antisemitism in primarily Western Christian societies. With antisemitism and Islamophobia on the rise, Shane and Ben articulate a vision and present a radical guide to fight antisemitism and build safety through solidarity for Jewish and non-Jewish peoples and communities alike.

// Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/burley-lorber

// Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

// Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

Ben Lorber and Shane Burley, co-authors of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, join me to discuss the absolutely timely moment and context this book is being published in. They raise the need for, and the strong historical legacies of, Jewish anti-Zionist solidarity with pro-Palestine movements, while articulating and bringing forward critical analysis of the shape, character, and histories of antisemitism in primarily Western Christian societies. With antisemitism and Islamophobia on the rise, Shane and Ben articulate a vision and radical guide to fight antisemitism and build safety through solidarity for Jewish and non-Jewish peoples and communities alike.

Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Okay everyone, as many of you well know, our dear friend Forrest Palmer passed away this month. Many of us online have expressed our love for him, the many ways he has impacted our lives, the friendships and connections we had with him, our respect for his intellect and commentary, and the incredible love he had for each of us. 

Michael, Colin, Bill, and I, along with Dan, recorded a final episode of Attack & Dethrone GodCast, a podcast Forrest co-hosted since we started it during the long year of 2020. It will be our last episode--episode 19. We paid our respects to Forrest, and we treated it as a way to remember him, and how he was so important to each of us.

As part of it, we listened to messages from Rob, a frequent collaborator and friend of the podcast, and Kenn, a friend and previous guest. Both gave heartfelt messages, contributing greatly to the purpose of the episode. Also, another friend of Forrest, Nate, submitted a message that I'll be including in the final episode.

All of this is to say that if you feel compelled, please do what Rob, Kenn, and Nate have done, and leave an audio or video message to express your thoughts and feeling about Forrest. I'll include the information you need to do that below.

I want to get this episode out by early July. So, get your messages in by June 30th. It will be released as both an audio-only episode, and as a video episode.

If you would like to leave a short voicemail (under three minutes in length), call the number: (208) 918-2837

If you would like to submit an audio or video file, you can submit it here: ⁠http://bit.ly/DROPMEALINE⁠