In this episode I talk with Kody Sherwood who, with his brother Chad Keel, runs bushcraft and primitive skills courses out of Leona Valley, California through their school called “Nature Reconnection”. Nature Reconnection’s flagship course is the “Primitive Walkabout”, where students walk into the wilderness with no gear, no sleeping bag, not even a water bottle, and learn what the natural world has to teach them as they travel. By the end of the course students find themselves on a different level, more connected with the natural world, themselves, and their fellow wilderness travelers. We discuss Nature Reconnection’s work overseas, the true survival situation that spawned the “Primitive Walkabout” course, and the survival aspects of dealing with difficult people while on the trail. We also discuss the importance of community to our well-being and hear Kody’s very personal story of how the natural world has helped him overcome a severe case of MS.

Nature Reconnection Class Website

Book recommendations:

Anything by Larry Dean Olsen

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Perspective Shift, by: Chad Keel

How to Master the Art of Friction Fire, by: Chad Keel

In this episode I speak with Jerry Ward, biologist, hunter, trapper, outdoor skills instructor, and homesteader who is creating a homestead from scratch outside of Fairbanks, AK and inviting interested folks to come learn firsthand about the homesteading lifestyle. We discuss Jerry’s interest and journey in learning self-reliance and outdoors skills, some of his experiences travelling the world, his current progress in his homesteading efforts and the ways he wishes to build community and educational opportunities through his homestead project on 11 acres of land situated 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle. We talk about the importance of disconnecting from the ills of society and reconnecting with the people and world around us as a whole. We also talk about the seasonal activities of a homesteader and the tools of a homesteader’s trade. In addition, we take the opportunity to wax philosophical about the ancient art of putting up firewood, doing difficult chores, and the satisfaction that hands on work directly related to immediate survival and comfort can bring, along with the opportunity for self-reflection and character building. 

Jerry’s Instagram

Jerry’s Email: [email protected]

Jerry’s Cell Phone# (907) 252-1885 

Book/Media Recommendations:

Dick Proenneke Books/Documentary:

One Man’s Wilderness Book

Alone in the Wilderness Documentary

More Readings from One Man’s Wilderness: The Journals of Dick Proenneke

Other Recommended Books:

The Snow Walker’s Companion

Arctic Homestead

In this episode I speak with Angel Tadytin, Navajo ambassador for “Women Who Hike”, social worker, and promoter of Navajo Culture and women’s empowerment through her work as a hiking guide on Navajoland. We discuss indigenous land rights, the importance of indigenous ties to the land, and Angel’s role as a social worker and her thoughts on the healing effects of nature for people’s mental health.

Angel Tadytin's Instagram Page 

Faces of the Canyon Video featuring Angel (by Teva)

SNews Article Featuring Angel

Women Who Hike Website

Women Who Hike Facebook Page

Book Suggestions for Navajo Legends, History, and Lore:

Navaho Legends

Diné Bahane': The Navajo Creation Story

Diné: A History of the Navajos

Navajo and the Animal People: Native American Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Ethnozoology

In this episode, I consult Aldo Leopold (the Father of modern wildlife conservation in the U.S.) in his work “A Sand County Almanac” to discuss the richness of our earth and environment, it’s intrinsic social value, and our duty as stewards and caretakers in preserving it for future generations. In short, the question is asked “what if there be no more goose music?”

Aldo Leopold Bio

A Sand County Almanac

In this episode we talk with Nathan Donnelly, permaculture practitioner, Youth Conservation Corp. crew coordinator, nature awareness and survival skills instructor, and contestant on the Alone Show, season 6. In our discussion we get into a lot of topics, namely how humans can live with the natural fire cycle, Nathan’s work with the Youth Conservation Corp., the healing aspects of nature that Nathan has experienced, especially while on the Alone show, permaculture and our role as stewards of the land, hunting and conservation, Talequah and the plight of Southern Resident Orcas, and the importance of community.

Nathan’s Instagram Page

Nathan’s Facebook Page

Nathan’s Website

San Juan County Orca Protection Initiative - The nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Orca Pod in the Salish Sea area

Book Recommendations:

What the Robin Knows

Anything by Jon Young

Permaculture Books

The Spell of the Sensuous

Braiding Sweetgrass (My recommendation)

In this episode we talk with self-described Earthroamer, Donny Dust, who is a prolific primitive skills practitioner, sometimes spending a month or more in the bush, unsupported, with only a stone knife, clay water vessel, animal hide, and handrill fire kit. Donny is also a contestant on the History Channel’s “Alone” show season 6. In our discussion we focus chiefly on Donny’s recently released book “Scavenger: A Primal Approach to Lifestyle Change” which espouses Donny’s 13 principles of living a healthier, fuller life. Some of those principles are “Eat Wild”, “Functional Fitness”, “Never Set Goals”, “Find My Tribe”, and more.

Connect with Donny at:

Donny’s Instagram Page

Donny’s Facebook Profile

Paleo Tracks Survival Website

Book Recommendations:

Donny’s Book: Scavenger: A Primal Approach to Lifestyle Change

Across Atlantic Ice: The Origin of America’s Clovis Culture

Hatchet

Café Neandertal: Excavating Our Past in One of Europe's Most Ancient Places

US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76

Send questions, comments, or feedback to [email protected] 

In this episode I talk with Jordan Jonas, survivalist and contestant on the History Channel’s Alone Show, Season 6. We discuss Jordan’s experiences hopping trains as a youth and eventually making his way to Russia on a whim where he spent 5 years in Siberia, 3 of which were among a band of Evenki Reindeer herders living the traditional herding lifestyle on the Siberian Taiga. We talk about the traditional Evenki lifestyle and the possible future for the Evenki people.

Joe Rogan Podcast Episode with Jordan

Jordan’s Website

Jordan’s Instagram @hobojordo

Jordan’s Facebook Page

Jordan’s Youtube Page

Alone Show

The film referenced by Jordan: The White Reindeer

Books recommended by Jordan:

The Gulag Archipelago

Storm of Steel

They Can Live in the Desert but Nowhere Else

In this episode I talk with Dr. Denise Mitten about the traditional ecological knowledge of the Gwich’in Alaskan Natives, how one’s negative or positive approach towards nature affects our health and relationship with it, the importance of proper time in nature for body image and overall health and wellness for children and adults. We also discuss the importance of social justice and access to natural environments as well as the importance of research in the field of nature connection and ecopsychology.

Dr. Denise Mitten Faculty Page

Gwich’in Tribal Council Webpage

Dr. Mitten’s Book Recommendations:
Natural Environments and Human Health, by: Ewert, Mitten, and Overholt
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by: Florence Williams

This episode serves as the introduction to the podcast. In this episode I discuss what I intend to focus on and cover for this project. What the name of the podcast means and why I chose it in spite of some issues with the term “wilderness”. Why I feel the topic of the podcast matters to modern people. My stake in this topic of bushcraft and nature connection/education, and my background. This podcast is just the beginning of a larger education effort that I started tied to my organization “Coyote’s Path Bushcraft and Naturalist Skills Education”.

Coyote’s Path Website

Wilderness and Wellness Podcast Facebook Page

In this little teaser for the podcast I briefly discuss what I intend this project to cover.