The First Step

It was my pleasure to talk to Jason Petrunik and get to know him a little better. He is a former radio announcer of 17 years and I was attracted to speak with him because I caught wind of him online and he was speaking courageously about how none of what is going on in the world makes any sense. 

I wanted to know how he got started with his own Podcasts and why he felt like he needed to speak up and out about freedom of speech.

If you are interested in being a part of unifying humans, have a listen and do your part in building bridges between us instead of creating more divide. 

Our take away was to look inside, and challenge yourself to listen to others who feel and think differently than you do.

Let's remember together that we are One.

To listen to more of him check out his podcast:

www.Youtube.com/Jmanisalive

https://thelaunchpadpodcast.com/

This is a long, candid conversation between two strangers. 

My guest Michael Berg shares with me how he sees the world, and lets me share with him how I see it. We realize through our discussion that we have some fundamental differences of opinion, but we also found some things we could agree on. 

I appreciated the respect and engagement Michael brought to the table.

I think this conversation points to ways that we all get stuck in our stories, and if we choose, how we can still grow in love and understanding. 

This conversation, I felt was definitely more productive than any conversation we could have had on Facebook. I believe it is important for us as humans to continue to nourish our ability to meet in a conversation. I believe if we had met in person, the conversation would have even held more connection and depth and understanding.

I hope those of you who listen to this conversation continue to keep your hearts and minds up to one another. 

Hari Om Tat Sat 

Below you will find some links that were mentioned in our discussion:

https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/SaveOldGrowth

More about Buddha's teachings - Read Four Noble Truths:

https://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm

Here is an article on the difficulty in measuring deaths by medical intervention/surgery:

https://healthydebate.ca/2019/08/topic/medical-error-causing-death/

It was my pleasure to chat with Dave about his walnuts and this technique of dry farming. Have a listen and catch these other sweet moments where you hear the care he feels about his employees. Touched my heart of course because my family is from Mexico. 

We just touch the surface of these conversations about agriculture practices but we can't help but see the choices we have infront of us.

Are we going to choose profit every time? 

 I love these conversations that touch on radical ideas of relationship with the Earth. People who care about the land they are living on and are thinking of more than just themselves. I hope you will pick up some nugget of wisdom here and support people who are doing good things for our planet; who hold wisdom.

Enjoy this uplifting episode where my good friend Shani Cranston ~ Pioneer and Head Alchemist at hOMe Grown Living Foods and I sit down to talk health. She has taught me so much about nourishing Self on so many levels; mind, body and spirit. Have a listen and grab some simple tips and ideas of how you can bring more health and wellness into your own life.

Check out these links below:

Chemical Farming - Zach Bush

Fermentation Lids

Nettle Kimchi Recipe

Shop hOMe Grown Living Foods HERE! and use Promo Code thefirststep2021 to get 20% off!!!

It was my pleasure to speak with Sara Nicholson about Fairy Creek and reflect how each of us can do our small part. It feels the movement out of Fairy Creek is awakening in MANY of us, this calling. To move from our hearts. To listen to our intuition and stand up for these Ancient Trees. These Sacred Lands. To stand with the Land. If we all do our small part. Even if that is just sitting with our own hearts. Feeling. Listening. Staying Open. 

We discussed the counter intuitive need to pause. To breath. To slow down. To take care of Self. 

We bow to all the forest defenders. To all people doing their part in healing and being the change. It's time.

Sara has offered to be a contact if you want to get involved, but need a little direction. 

[email protected]

This movement is all grassroots, heart driven, and no one is in charge. 

All gifts are welcomed, and Sara can help connect you, or point you in the direction of action if you are inspired to help.

And as Bill Jones encouraged us, "get out to the woods".

And as Margaret Mead said, " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

It is uncomfortable to feel all the pain that has been caused by our colonial past. It is hard for us to face it is still happening today. It was my honor to speak with this brave soul about her experience as a First Nation in Canada today.  The forests around her are being cut down for profit. If we want to heal from what we did, if we want to give back what we took... start by listening.

At one point in this discussion, Vanessa talks about losing a sister. To clarify, this mention is in memory of Julie June Johns, her first cousin.

If you have the facility to donate to support these brave women:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-wsne-historical-ancestral-heritage?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

It was my honor to talk with Shari about her life and stories and the wisdom her Grandmother's passed on. Listen to this episode and just listen. What would that mean for us as settlers, as non locals, to give back all that we have taken? Do we have the courage to really face what is coming to the surface in Canada? Can we sit with the truth of our history long enough to let it really sink in? I think only then can be begin to act from truth. 

If you have the facility to help these brave women, donate:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-wsne-historical-ancestral-heritage?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

It was a bit of a challenge to find someone who would talk to me at this logger's rally, but eventually Ron Tucker had the courage to speak.  I think if we listen to each other we begin to understand where the other is coming from. The more we share information the clearer the picture becomes. I hope through these open discussions understanding grows and we find ways to work with each other that supports all humans and our planet. 

It was my pleasure to talk with Brock Harrison this weekend at a logger's rally in response to the Ferry Creek blockades. He came to the conversation with an open heart and open mind. We agreed it would be amazing and effective if everyone involved could sit at a round table and have their voice heard. I believe coming together instead of focusing on the division is where the solution to this issue lies. 

It was my honor to speak with Elder Bill Jones about our ancient forests and touch on the wisdom he holds. 

We discuss how colonialism has devastated not only our land, but also these traditions, and customs and our relationship with nature.

We discuss the way government rhetoric, and the slant media takes is just lip service; one sided.

We talk about how decisions that are being made benefit industry and how people are starting to rise up. To call out these imbalances. To ask government to acknowledge the destruction.  

Half an hour isn't enough time to discuss the process of real reconciliation. 

Half an hour is just touching on the deep story here at Ferry Creek.  

I hope this is just one of the many conversations we might have where we start to sit at a round table, and discuss with open hearts and open minds the paradigm shift we want to see. May these conversations unify us.

With so much gratitude for everyone standing to protect these trees.

Want to be a part of the change? Make your voice heard:

- Call your MLA

- Call John Horgan (1- 250- 387- 1715) and the Minister of Forestry (1- 250- 387 - 6240)

- Write letters

- Share information

- Share this Podcast

- More info: https://laststandforforests.com/