The environment is one huge organism, and cooperation allows it to thrive and survive. Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Kristin Ohlson, who talks all about cooperation, resilience, and generosity in both human and ecological systems in her book, “Sweet in Tooth and Claw.” Kristin explores various examples of natural cooperation, from plants and microbes in the soil to aquatic animals and coral reefs. She also talks about the importance of human cooperation in rehabilitating soil health and elevating regenerative farming practices. This conversation is truly an eye-opener on how individualism is slowly killing nature and society – and why working together is the only way to unlock lasting growth.

About Guest:

Kristin Ohlson is a writer from Portland, Oregon. Her book Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World – which the Wall Street Journal calls “excellent and illuminating” – probes the mutually beneficial relationships among living things that shape and sustain the natural world and explores ways humans can cooperate with the rest of nature. Her last book was The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers and Foodies are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet, which the Los Angeles Times calls “a hopeful book and a necessary one.” She appeared in the award-winning documentary film, Kiss the Ground, to speak about the connection between soil health and climate health.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinohlson/

Guest Website: https://www.kristinohlson.com

Guest Social: 

https://www.instagram.com/kristin.ohlson/

https://www.facebook.com/kristin.ohlson.7/

Additional Resources Mentioned:

Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World

Show Notes: Raw audio

00:03:24 - Writing ‘Sweet In Tooth & Claw’

00:08:06 - Flipping Metaphors About The Environment

00:12:53 - Why Nature Is Innately Creative

00:16:20 - Negative Impact Of Dams And Why They Must Be Removed

00:18:14 - Examples Of Cooperation And Mutualism In Nature

00:20:25 - Rebuilding Soil Health Through Regenerative Agriculture

00:31:38 - How Farmers Changed Grazing Practices In Nevada

00:38:47 - Exploring Indigenous Traditions On Reciprocity

00:42:41 - Unlocking Culture Change Through Cooperation

00:47:23 - Blending Nature With Awe And Wonder

00:52:17 - How Storytelling Connects Science To The Heart

00:57:16 - Get In Touch With Kristin And Join Corinna’s Reforestation Efforts

00:59:33 - Seeing Life As One Huge Cooperative Act

01:02:17 - Episode Wrap-Up And Closing Words

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