Unshod with D. Firth Griffith

Join us as we sit down with my dear friend and powerful musician, Joydah Mae, who shares her intimate journey of transformation and self-reclamation, weaving together themes of creativity, vulnerability, and authenticity: of becoming the medicine.

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The conversation explores the concept of being medicine and the importance of embracing darkness and uncertainty. Joydah shares her experience of releasing an album and the self-doubt and insecurity that comes with it. We discuss the sacredness of ceremony and the need for authenticity in spiritual practices both in our hearts and around us in community and culture.

The conversation also touches on the significance of darkness in indigenous, traditional, and ancient cultures and the importance of embracing the cycles of the life: from the moon to the seasons to our own creative journies. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and honoring one's own gifts and path.

This conversation dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of releasing personal art into the world. We unpack the complexities of creative vulnerability, touching on insecurities, comparisons, and the inevitable search for validation. We also delve into the empowering concept of "You are Medicine," emphasizing the importance of nurturing oneself amidst external pressures.

Joydah's website HERE.

All things You Are Medicine HERE.

Listen to Joydah's Music HERE and HERE.

Watch Joydah's YouTube HERE and Instagram HERE.

Buy Daniel's latest book HERE.

Joydah Mae is a gifted artist with a powerful voice. Walking the pathway of truth through her music. Her songs stem from deep personal experiences and an intimate relationship with nature and the divine. As a channel she chooses to speak up for the voiceless, for humanity and for the earth. She continues to remind us of who we are, through her dedication to leaving love everywhere. 

Have you ever wondered if our society's obsession with control is writ in the stories we tell? Perhaps, even, carried in our stories themselves?

Join Manda Scott and D Firth Griffith as we humbly challenge conventional thought-beliefs and unravel the tapestry of community and cooperation that could very well reshape our modern lives and relationship as  nature, with nature.

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Our conversation spans the cultural evolution from trauma to an initiation-oriented society and culture, drawing inspiration from thinkers like Francis Weller and Tyson Yungaporta. We ponder the spiritual resonance of ancient sites and their ties to the cosmos, offering a fresh perspective on how we might realign with natural cycles in our control-driven world. As we navigate the narrative of a mytho-political thriller and thrutopic novel, Any Human Power, Manda's latest book, we uncover the creative journey sparked by shamanic visions and the emerging concept of Thrutopia—a harmonious future that we would be proud to leave behind.

With a thoughtful examination of generational divides and the dual nature of technology, we share stories of digital innovation and connection. Our discussion features compelling anecdotes, including a grandmother's gaming bond with her grandchild, illustrating technology's potential for both connection and existential pondering. We explore the delicate balance between dopamine-driven instant gratification and serotonin-fueled communities of respect, urging a shift towards gratitude, compassion, and presence in our digital age.

Read Manda's book HERE. Learn more about Thrutopia HERE.

Read Daniel's latest book HERE. Pre-Order Daniel's next book HERE.

What if there was no wrong way to hold music? No Maths, no charts, just relationship with spirit? What if music was the infiniteness of breath held in Nature's melodies?

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This conversation with Māori storyteller and musician Dane Scott uncovers the profound connection between music, presence, and nature. Playing music, breathing life through living wood and stone and shell, with the rivers, beaches, and forests, receiving responses from birds and our cousins ... this is communion.

We also reflect on the enduring relevance of ancient stories and their wisdom in addressing modern ecological challenges, from the plight of New Zealand's indigenous peoples to the artistic transformation of myths into meaningful films. Dane emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, reminds us of the transient beauty of every experience and the growth that arises from both joy and sorrow.

Follow Dane HERE.

Pickup a copy of my latest book, HERE. Pre-Order my new book HERE.

Takeaways:

• Takeaways Connecting with nature and listening to the sounds of the natural world can bring a sense of peace and connection. 
• Playing traditional musical instruments, such as taonga puoro, can deepen the connection with nature and evoke a sense of oneness. 
• There is a need to trust in the wisdom and animacy of the natural world and to listen to the messages it has to offer. 
• Communication with trees and nature requires being present, still, and open to receiving the responses. 
• The stages of communication with trees involve moving from boredom to surrender and allowing new realities to manifest. 
• It is important to ask the land and nature what they want and to be willing to listen and act accordingly. Listening to nature and acknowledging the animism in all living beings can deepen our connection to the natural world. 
• Ancient stories and myths hold wisdom and can provide guidance in our lives. Photography and film can capture the essence of individuals and nature, allowing us to see ourselves and the world in a new light. 
• Being present and embracing change are essential for personal growth and understanding our interconnectedness with the natural world. 
• Finding morality in our connection to nature and living in harmony with the cycles of life can bring about positive change.

What if adapting to nature's unpredictability could redefine our sense of resilience and beauty? Kinship. Join Anna Borgman and I as we share this raw, visceral journey of blood and harvests to fire and culinary arts. We explore how embracing the honesty of natural forces can lead to a deeper appreciation for the unique trials and unparalleled beauty the land in and around us.

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Anna  also delves into the complex relationship with wildfires, examining historical fire suppression policies and their unintended consequences. We traverse the emotional and psychological aspects of confronting uncontrollable forces, drawing parallels between land management practices and human experiences with life and death. From cathartic irreversible moments to the transformative power of grief, this episode unpacks the importance of respecting natural processes and the interconnectedness of all life forms.

Anna Borgman: is a butcher and slaughterwoman living in the Jefferson Valley of Montana. She owns Chaos Farms where her partner and her do mobile slaughter, wild game processing, and butchery classes. They also sell eggs and have a small herd of weed-eating goats.

Visit Anna's Instagram HERE and HERE and learn more about Chaos Farms HERE.

 
 

Have you ever felt a profound sense of grief for "the environment" and wondered how this heart-sense may ties into our kinship and ancient stories?

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In this episode, Sophie Strand and I explore this complex interplay, highlighting how symbiosis and mutual aid have played pivotal roles in evolutionary advancements and how consuming food, metabolism, is an act of metamorphosis.

From the intimate dance between plants and fungi that reshaped our world, to personal reflections on seasonal changes, Sophie and I share our collective journey through climate grief and adaptation. We emphasize the essential nature of being grounded in our surroundings and fostering a kinship with the land.

We also discuss the idea of uncertainty. What if embracing uncertainty could open up new ways of understanding our environment? New and old ways made new in their re-rooting. We tackle the topic of binary thinking, drawing on cognitive science and Andy Clark's work on predictive processing, revealing how rigid certainty can alienate us from nature. Sophie also carries the fascinating language of fungi (mycorrhizae and hyphae) to illustrate the broader ecological implications of communication, communion, and community. Through these connections, we underscore our often misguided efforts to control nature and the false sense of predictability it brings.

Lastly, Sophie weaves together ancient myths and modern reinterpretations to uncover their ecological wisdom. Whether it's the symbolic cave art of Lascaux or the misunderstood roles of plants like autumn olive and Johnson grass, myths serve as durable vessels of environmental and social knowledge. We invite you to rethink these narratives as not just cultural artifacts, but as repositories of scientific data and ecological insights.

Join us in this rich tapestry of stories, science, and spirituality, and rediscover the interconnectedness of life, death, and rebirth within our ecosystems.

Read Sophie's Books HERE. Follow Sophie on Substack HERE.

Buy Daniel's latest book HERE.

Sophie Strand is a writer based in the Hudson Valley who focuses on the intersection of spirituality, storytelling, and ecology. But it would probably be more authentic to call her a neo-troubadour animist with a propensity to spin yarns that inevitably turn into love stories.

What if the history you thought you knew was wrong? Like, actually and so very wrong...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Taylor Keen, a Cherokee Nation citizen, carrier of the name, “Bison Mane” of the Earthen Bison Clan of the Omaha Tribe, The People Who Move Against the Current. He is the author of the book, "Rediscovering Turtle Island: A First People's Account of the Sacred Geography of America."

Taylor brings to life the ancient creation myths of his people, indigenous cosmology, and the rise of empires like Cahokia, challenging us to rethink our settler historical narratives. We also explore the seventh generation prophecy and the severe impact of smallpox on indigenous populations, marking significant historical changes with the arrival of European settlers. Taylor shares the transformative story of the white bison calves' birth, a symbol of the end of six generations of hardship and the dawn of a new era where indigenous knowledge is finally recognized and valued.

Inspired by works like Vine Deloria Jr.'s Custer Died for Your Sins and God Is Red, Taylor emphasizes the crucial role of indigenous voices in reclaiming and retelling their histories. Dive with us into the intricate web of ancient stories, the legacies of colonization, and the enduring resilience of native peoples.

Learn more about Taylor Keen HERE and buy his book HERE!

Read Daniel's latest book HERE.

What if humanity's quest to control nature has led us to a precipice of both technological triumph and ecological disaster? Join us on a journey from the ancient practices of foraging and controlled burning to the modern complexities of mechanized agriculture. We uncover how early agricultural methods created both stability and fragility, and how our evolving belief in dominating nature has woven itself into the fabric of modern society and historical texts.

As we navigate the tangled web of market forces and agricultural practices, we question the effectiveness of capitalist logic in solving environmental crises. We'll explore the historical context of sustainable farming, the disruptive influence of fossil fuels, and the commodification of agriculture. Reflecting on insights from the Substack article "Capital and Growth," we challenge the idea that markets are self-correcting and consider moving more elements out of this system to better address ecological and social issues.

Finally, we reframe the narrative around global food production and hunger, highlighting the real culprits behind food shortages. By examining the inefficiencies in resource allocation and the unsustainable nature of continuous population growth, we emphasize the need to respect natural limits and foster biodiversity. We share thought-provoking perspectives on sustainable agriculture, cultural significance of food, and the inherent boundaries that shape our existence. Tune in to rethink our relationship with nature and agriculture, and discover a path to true sustainability.

Gunnar Rundgren is a critical thinker with vast experiences from more than 100 countries in the world. He has worked with most parts of the organic agriculture sector since 1977, starting on the pioneer organic farm, Torfolk. He has been engaged as a consultant by NGOs, the government, private companies and intergovernmental organisations such as OECD, UNEP, UNCTAD, the World Bank and the FAO. Gunnar is the initiator of several organisations for organic agriculture in Sweden, including its main eco-label KRAV (www.krav.se) where he was the director for the first eight years. He served as the first President of the Accreditation Programme Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) 1992-1997. He Rundgren was an IFOAM World Board member in 1998 and the IFOAM President during the period 2000-2005. In 2002 he was a founding board member of the ISEAL Alliance. He has published several books related to organic farming. In 2010, he published a book about the major social and environmental challenges of our world, Tradgarden Jorden, which was translated into Japanese in 2012 and is now published in English. He also co-authored the book Jorden vi Ater, published in 2012, about the challenge of feeding the world's population in a sustainable way. Rundgren was awarded an honorary doctorate in Science at the Uganda Martyrs University 2009. The same year, he was appointed a Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.

Follow Gunnar on his Substack HERE.

Picture this: a serene waterfall cascading over rocks, a herd of buffalo roaming freely, and the profound beauty settling in the simple acts of giving without expectation. That's where Harmony begins our journey in this conversation, using these powerful symbols to set the stage for a deep exploration of connection, identity, and reciprocity.

Join our online community here to discuss this episode with us and so much more!

Harmony Cronin, our animalistic friend, shares her profound insights on death, gifts, and the metamorphosis of life reincarnate that bestows upon us Earth's gift of animacy.

We explore how the internet can bridge geographical gaps while also destroying the very essence of life. We navigate the knots of virtual communication, the discomfort of seeing oneself on screen, and the surprisingly beautiful connections forged through something as simple as a cold email.

As we venture further, we tackle the intricate dance of personal identity in the digital age. The anxiety of condensing multifaceted lives into bios, the disconnection it reveals, and the ancient wisdom that we've strayed from. We confront the societal expectations that force us into boxes, contrasting them with more holistic, kincentric views of identity. We also discuss how courses like Sacred Ecoliteracy can help us break free from these constraints and reconnect with our surroundings in a meaningful way.

Our conversation takes a profound turn as we reconnect with animals and nature, emphasizing respect, humility, and the deep-seated animism within us. We contemplate our perpetual indebtedness (a gift of debt) to the natural world, the philosophical recognition of animism.

The episode wraps up with reflections on simplicity, ancestral wisdom, and cultivating a responsible, appreciative way of living in harmony with all life. From the Buffalo Bridge project and cross-cultural connections to the importance of recreating ceremonies and honoring lost cultural legacies, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to embrace interconnectedness in every aspect of our lives.

Key takeaways:

1. The concept of animism challenges the dominant worldview that separates humans from the rest of the natural world.
2. Embracing animism can be a transformative experience that deepens our connection to earth: we are in and of her circle. 
3. The death process is metamorphosis. 
4. Reconciling with the death that feeds us is essential for the true integration of life.
5. Acknowledging and caring for all beings, including animals and plants, is crucial for a sustainable and inclusive way of living.
6. Dismantling colonial mindsets is crucial for developing a more holistic and reciprocal relationship with the natural world.
7. Participating in sacred and ceremonial practices and living in alignment with one's purpose brings a sense of wholeness and wellness.

Harmony Cronin is an Animistic Apocalyptic Viking Warrior princess dedicated to keeping Ancestral Traditions alive.  Shes a bit of an Elven Madmax biker butcher mystic and a believer in the Church of Roadkill. She’s an industrial age Magpie inspired Scavenger, a huntress who believes in taking care of the animals first and foremost, a recovering urban activist, and aspires to be a Mountain Peasant. She is a founding member of the Buffalo Bridge Project, hosts a Women’s Hunting Camp, and now runs a small folk school in Western Washington called Gathering Ways. She writes on Substack at The Raven’s Cottage.

Buy my latest book, Stagtine, HERE.

If Earth asked you to stop forcing her to regenerate, would you? If you cows asked to be let go, would you? We often find that animism is fun to believe in. But it is hard to listen to.

Join us as we recount our transformative journey to Lockhart, Texas, where Morgan and I led a sacred ecoliteracy course for 30 passionate participants. Through serene forest meditations and profound dialogues, we challenge the colonial mindset of "fixing" nature and advocate for a symbiotic relationship with our environment. Drawing inspiration from my book "Stagtine," we unravel the threads of regenerative agriculture and delve into the animacy of Earth as Earthlings, exploring the interconnectedness of all life.

After this introduction, enjoy a grouping of chapters from my latest book, Stagtine.

Join our community and receive a FREE COPY of Stagtine HERE.

Or, you can purchase a copy of the book HERE or HERE on Amazon.

How can the indigenous or pre-colonial worldview reshape our understanding of our world? How can it reconnect us as humans, as mammals once again? Is her power accessible to everyone? Should it be....?

Join Unshod Today!

In today's episode, we are joined by my dear friend and mentor, Wahinkpe Topa, or Four Arrows, navigating the intersections of indigenous wisdom, its non-binary worldview, and the transformative power of becoming fully human: a relation, a kin with nature and not her dominator. We kick off this conversation with a critical discussion on the film "Indian Horse," co-produced by Christine Habler and Clint Eastwood, spotlighting the nuances of indigenous portrayal in media and the importance of authenticity and sincerity when we embrace the indigenous worldview in our own lives. Through Four Arrows' perspective, we differentiate between place-based wisdom and overarching indigenous worldviews, drawing argumentative connections with Iain McGilchrist's theories on brain hemispheres and their cultural implications.

We then challenge the conventional academic frameworks held by our colonial institutes by introducing critical neurophilosophy, merging indigenous wisdom with contemporary neuroscience. This segment critiques McGilchrist’s exclusion through indigenous perspectives and examines the essence of oneness, implicit in the indigenous worldview. We discuss Four Arrow's book Restoring the Kinship Worldview, which illuminates the power of worldview and the indigenous worldview's 28 precepts: nature-based and human-centered worldviews.

Our conversation takes a deeper turn as we redefine hope and human connection amidst global crises. Drawing inspiration from Sitting Bull and indigenous spiritual practices, we explore concepts such as reincarnation, hypnosis, and the intrinsic value of interconnectedness. The episode culminates in a powerful discussion about moving from a fear-based or courageous culture to one of fearlessness, emphasizing the power to rebuild society through indigenous principles. We also reflect on Abraham Maslow's encounter with the Blackfoot people, challenging the Eurocentric biases that have shaped traditional views on self-actualization.

Watch this Conversation on YouTube
Buy Daniel's Latest Book, Stagtine

Wahinkpe Topa's Books:

1. Full list HERE. 
2. Restoring the Kinship Worldview
3. Sitting Bull's Words For a World in Crisis
4. Unlearning the Language of Conquest Scholars Expose Anti-Indianism in America