Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality (Forrest Inslee)
Explore every episode of Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Feb 2022 | 48. Resolve for a Lifetime: Pursuing Environmental Justice with Jimmy McGee | 00:27:37 | |
In this episode we talk with Jimmy McGee, the CEO and President of the Impact Movement—an organization whose primary focus is to help develop students of African descent into leaders who impact the world for good. Part of that process involves helping students to become agents of justice whatever their vocations might be. For any of us who would dedicate themselves to seeking justice, McGee contends, we must resolve to do so for the long run. Guest: Jimmy McGee - CEO & President of Impact Movement - a non profit serving black college students Mentions: Keywords: earth justice, Flint Michigan, Black Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 27 Feb 2022 | 49. Speaking for Climate Justice: Malawian environmental journalist Mathews Malata Jr. | 00:43:52 | |
In season three of the podcast, we are dedicating a good number of our episodes to the exploration of environmental justice themes. In this episode we talk with Mathews Malata Jr., an environmental journalist and president of the Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi. He and his colleagues are dedicated to bringing attention to serious environmental concerns, uncovering systemic corruption, and advocating for more just policies. Journalists like Mathews seek to make people more aware of the impacts of the ongoing climate crisis, and of the need for every Malawi citizen to work for the preservation and protection of their beautiful country. At the same time, Mathews points out that the struggle for environmental justice is a global one—since most of the catastrophic impacts of climate change in Malawi are actually caused by the harmful habits of nations in the global north. Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 14 Mar 2022 | 50. Farming Heals Us: Yeawa Asabi and Ray Williams of Black Farmer’s Collective and Yes Farm | 00:43:49 | |
In season three of the podcast, we are dedicating a number of our episodes to the exploration of environmental justice themes. In this episode we talk with Ray Williams, Director of Black Farmers Collective, and Yeawa Asabi, a volunteer at Yes Farm—an urban community project that the Collective has established in the heart of Seattle. Yeawa has also been a student in the graduate program where Forrest served as a professor. As is the case with so many of his students, Forrest learned new things from Yeawa—such as the restorative power of farming to heal the social wounds of her generation.
Mentions:
Keywords: food justice, food desert, urban agriculture, safe spaces, Seattle, environmental justice, social justice, Black Lives Matter, ally, race and identity, community development, Northwest University Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 28 Mar 2022 | 51. Farming to Heal the Land: Nathan Aaberg of Liberty Prairie Foundation | 00:36:50 | |
In this episode, we talk with Nathan Aaberg, Director of Conservation and Working Lands at the Liberty Prairie Foundation—an organization that is committed to building a world in which food production regenerates the soil and land conservation heals the planet. Nathan lives at Prairie Crossing, a conservation community that respects the environment and enables residents to experience a strong connection between community and the land. A big part of the work Nathan involves equipping and supporting farmers in the American midwest who are committed to sustainable, restorative approaches to farming that respect the land. Mentions: Keywords: Nones and Dones, regenerative agriculture, regenerative farming, young farmer, theology of the land, intentional community, Amish, environmental education, farming cooperative Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 11 Apr 2022 | 52. Mobilizing Money for Greater Good: Trevor Thomas of Ethinvest | 00:47:10 | |
When it comes to living in better relationship to the rest of creation, one aspect of our lives that we don’t talk about enough is money. How we earn it, how we spend it, how we save and how we invest—these subjects aren’t often thought of as aspects of earthkeeping. In fact though, if we aren’t thoughtful and intentional about our finances, the way we use and keep money has the potential to do harm to others and to the community of creation. In the same way, money used wisely and strategically has the power to enact much good in the world. The same could be said, really, when we consider how we invest our time and our talents. In this episode we’ll get some insight on wise and ethical investing from Trevor Thomas, who works for a company called Ethinvest, based in Australia. For information about the sound editing position, write to: forrest.inslee@circlewood.online Co-host: Christine Sine - founder of Mustard Seed Associates, parent org of Circlewood and author of Godspacelight.com Mentions: Suggestions Keywords: Greenwashing, green investing, ethical investing, social enterprise, social entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility, Impact Investing, climate justice, financial advising, index funds, social impact i Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 25 Apr 2022 | 53. Better Together: The Multifaith Network for Climate Justice | 00:44:17 | |
In this episode, we are in conversation with members of the Multifaith Network for Climate Justice in Bellingham, a small city in the north of Washington State. We hear from Deb Cruz from the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Steve Hansen—a Buddhist from the Insight Meditation Society, and Andrea Shupack from Congregation Beth Israel. Rooted in a sense of spiritual and moral responsibility to protect the Earth, the mission of the Multifaith Network for Climate Justice is to engage and connect different faith and wisdom traditions in responsive, collaborative community. Upcoming event: https://www.circlewood.online/wisdom-from-wilderness-webcast Guests: Deb Cruz - Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 09 May 2022 | 54. Stronger Together: Mobilizing Communities of Resistance, with Dominic Frongillo | 00:39:24 | |
In this episode we talk to Dominic Frongillo, a young climate advocate, politician, and teacher from New York State. Dominic was the youngest person ever elected to serve on the City Council in Caroline, New York, and one of the youngest deputy mayors in the U.S. He is also the cofounder and executive director of Elected Officials to Protect America—an organization whose mission it is to create a safe, prosperous, and healthy planet by supporting and mobilizing “elected officials and civic leaders to protect the environment, and fight climate change.” In our conversation, Dominic helps us understand that real change can happen when courageous individuals help motivate whole communities around the common cause of environmental and social justice—at the local or the global level. To donate to the relief work in Ukraine being done by a trusted friend of ours, 1. go to https://www.missiondispatch.org/tanya-vasiko-machabeli 2. click the “TO DONATE” button 3. choose “Tanya & Vasico Machabeli — Nehemiah” from the drop down of options Guest: Dominic Frongillo - executive director of Elected Officials to Protect America Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 23 May 2022 | 55. Brian McLaren on his new book Do I Stay Christian? | 00:55:48 | |
In this special encore of a recent webcast, we’ll be in conversation with Brian McLaren about his book called Do I Stay Christian: A guide for the doubters, the disappointed, and the disillusioned. I’ll be cohosting with Victoria Loorz of the Wild Church Network, and Kate Davis from the Center for Transforming Engagement at The Seattle School. Together we’ll pay particular attention to the Brian’s ideas about something Brian calls “re-wilding.” As he describes it in his book, re-wilding is all about re-aligning and re-orienting our hearts, minds, and bodies with the natural world. Re-wilding is about re-connecting to the earth as our teacher, and seeking the wisdom that is found in wilderness. Comments or questions? Send us an email: earthkeepers@circlewood.online Guests:
Mentions: Dr. Miguel De La Torre - theologian Key Words: re-wilding, wild church, forest church, nones and dones, earth stewardship, yoga, outdoor church, post-evangelical, creation theology, Josh Packard Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 06 Jun 2022 | 56. Uprooted: Ukrainian Identity and the Loss of Land, with Tanya Machabeli | 00:31:16 | |
In this episode we talk with Tanya Machabeli, Director of the Nehemiah Project in Ukraine. Tanya is one of the courageous Ukrainians helping to provide shelter, food, and medical care to those who have been displaced by Russian aggression. Speaking to us from her war-torn country, she explains that some of the most profound costs of the war in Ukraine have to do with damage to the land itself, because the very identity of the Ukrainian people is so tied to the land. Tanya insists, though, that despite the current conflict, this connection between land and identity will endure—as it has endured other crises in Ukraine’s history. Want to help Ukraine? Give to Tanya's work with Nehemiah Ukraine via Mission Dispatch. Select Donate and choose Tanya and Vasiko Machabeli – Nehemiah from the drop-down menu. 100% of your gift will be sent to Nehemiah Ukraine. Guest: Tanya Machabeli - Nehemiah Project - Ukraine Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 20 Jun 2022 | 57. South African Sensibility: Abigail Fehrsen, Liesl Stewart, and the Food Club Movement | 00:45:19 | |
In this episode we talk with Abigail Fehrsen and Liesl Stewart—two women in South Africa who gathered together a small community of people in order to purchase food in bulk, directly from local farmers. From that initial small, alternative food network, the Food Club movement was born—and now there are many such groups throughout the country—communities of people seeking a more socially just and ecologically connected relationship to their food, to the land, and to the farmers who care for land. While they never set out to create a movement in South Africa, they model the principle that great things can come from simply taking small steps to meet the needs in front of you. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 04 Jul 2022 | 58. On Wild Children, Hunting, and the Poetry of Place—with Joel Pontius | 00:45:18 | |
In this episode we talk to Joel Pontius, Associate Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Education at Goshen College. Joel shares with us how place-based formational experiences—especially encounters with the natural world—help people to become more attuned to their contexts, and more aware of their unique role in caring for creation. He explains how this approach impacts not just his teaching, but his ways of parenting as well. Mentions: Environmental education, re-wilding, hunting, fishing, outdoor school, ecology, place-based learning Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 18 Jul 2022 | 59. Green Money: Fighting Climate Change Through Smart Investing—with Zach Stein | 00:44:31 | |
In this episode, Forrest talks with Zach Stein, co-founder of Carbon Collective. Carbon Collective is the first online investment advisor that is 100% focused on combatting climate change. They help individuals and organizations to invest in diversified, low-fee, climate-focused portfolios. By helping investors to know which companies are truly operating in ways that are in keeping with a zero-carbon future, Carbon Collective helps people who want to live greener lives to collectively focus their resources and their influence as consumers in ways that work for the good of the planet. Guest: Zach Stein - co founder of Carbon Collective - online investment platform Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 02 Aug 2022 | 60. Courage to Face the Future: Timothy Beal on His New Book, "When Time is Short" | 00:46:24 | |
In this episode, Forrest sits down with Timothy Beal to talk about his new book, When Time is Short: Finding Our Way in the Anthropocene. His work is unlike most books in the realm of environmental issues or earthcare, because it challenges readers to truly engage the possibility that irreversible climate damage to the planet is already upon us, and only going to get worse—and that those changes might even lead to the end of the human species. His book provokes readers to have the courage to acknowledge that possibility, and to ask: How ought we to live our lives now, in light of that possible future? Guest: Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 15 Aug 2022 | 61. For Love of God and Nature: Climate Vigil Songs with Peter Fargo and Isaac Wardell | 00:49:51 | |
In this episode I’ll be talking to Peter Fargo, co-founder of the Climate Vigil movement, and Isaac Wardell, co-founder of the Porter’s Gate arts collective. We’ll discuss the collaborative project created by these two organizations--a new Christian worship album called Climate Vigil Songs. This album (which we’ll sample in this conversation) invites us to respond to climate change in ways that are meant to help us engage the challenges we face from spiritual perspectives, and even to understand creation care and earth advocacy as acts of worship.
Mentions:
Keywords: Evangelical Church, climate denial, stewardship, Christian environmentalism, creation care, lament Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 29 Aug 2022 | 62. Carbon Costs: Understanding Offsetting with Brittany Michalski of Carbon Stewards | 00:37:45 | |
Carbon Costs: Understanding Offsetting with Brittany Michalski of Carbon Stewards In this episode, Forrest talks with Brittany Michalski of Climate Stewards, USA. The aim of Climate Stewards is to make the world a healthier, fairer place for all creation. They do this by helping individuals and communities to become more aware of the planet-warming carbon emissions that they produce in their day-to-day activities. They also provide opportunities for people to essentially "make up" for their harmful carbon emissions by putting money towards carbon reducing projects around the world--projects that improve the lives of communities in less developed countries around the world. Guest: Brittany Michalski - project coordinator for Climate Stewards USA Mentions: Keywords: Carbon offsetting, greenwashing, carbon footprint, carbon emissions, carbon tax, A Rocha, Katharine Hayhoe, Interfaith Power and Light, tomato seeds Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | 63. What Your Food Ate, with authors Dave Montgomery and Anne Biklé | 00:50:48 | |
In this episode, Forrest talks with Dave Montgomery and Anne Biklé about their new book, What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health. The authors aim to raise our awareness of the community of life in the soil beneath our feet—or more importantly, the soil on the farms that grow our food. They make a compelling case for changing the ways that food is grown so that the life of the soil is respected and cared for . . . and so that the food produced by healthier soil makes us healthier in turn. Actions:
Keywords: monoculture, industrial farming, Green Revolution, regenerative agriculture, regenerative farming, food cooperatives, soil fungus, organic, permaculture, soil ecology, no-til Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 26 Sep 2022 | 64. Diversity in Common Cause: Jessica Zimmerle of Earth Ministry/WAIPL | 00:47:18 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with Jessica Zimmerle, Advocacy Director at Earth Ministry. Earth Ministry, part of the Interfaith Power & Light network in the US, aims to inspire and mobilize people of faith from diverse traditions, to advocate for strong environmental policies, and offer guidance to faith communities working toward environmental justice. Importantly, they work to create conversation and collaboration that doesn’t ignore cultural and ideological differences; instead, they place a high value on diversity that brings new perspective and broadens understanding. Discount code for $50 of the Waymarkers course: WILDAUTUMNEARTHKEEPERS. Expires 10/01/22 Guest: Jessica Zimmerle - Program & Outreach director for Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | 65. Nature, Culture, and the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership with Nina Simons | 00:54:38 | |
In this episode, Forrest cohosts with Victoria Loorz, author of the book Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred. Together they’ll be in conversation with Nina Simons, cofounder of Bioneers—an organization that amplifies the voices of innovators who are coming up with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. We’ll be talking in great part about her book titled Nature, Culture, and the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership. Among other things, this book makes a case for more cooperation, collaboration, and even community between all those who are working for the good of this planet that we share. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 24 Oct 2022 | 66. Earthy Spirituality: Learning from Farmers (and Children and Dogs), with Norman Wirzba | 01:00:56 | |
In this episode Forrest and James talk to Norman Wirzba, professor and author of a book called Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land. In this book, Dr. Wirzba makes the case for a kind of spirituality that is grounded in deep awareness of creation. Among other things, this sort of humble, earthy spirituality that he encourages us to practice stands against the illusion of certainty and control that has made much of the church seem increasingly irrelevant these days—especially to younger generations. Got a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? Go to https://www.circlewood.online/earthkeepers to leave a voicemail, or send an email to earthkeepers@circlewood.online Guest: Dr. Norman Wirzba – Duke Divinity School Mentions: Keywords: agrarian, interconnection, microbiome, soil, body, political, economic, social, food, agriculture, coercive labor, environmental justice, social justice, spirituality, descent, humility, prayer, generosity, embodiment, mystery, hope Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 07 Nov 2022 | 67. Enneagram for Earthkeepers: Discovering Our Passions and Mobilizing Our Communities, with Matt Schlegel | 00:52:33 | |
Listeners to this podcast care a lot about caring for creation, and about working against the unfolding climate crisis. However, as worthy as those aspirations might be, many of us don’t have a clear sense of how our distinctive abilities and passions translate to climate action. And when we don’t have a sense of our unique role to play in solving climate issues, it makes it that much harder for us to be part of collective, community efforts to that end. In this episode Forrest is in conversation with teamwork consultant Matt Schlegel. Matt is the author of the book Teamwork 9.0 and host of the show Leadership Path of Growth on YouTube. In his unique approach to earth care, he employs the Enneagram—a system of nine personality types combining traditional wisdom with modern psychology. For many, the Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding themselves and the people in their lives. For Matt Schlegel, it is a framework for accelerating progress on climate initiatives, and guiding communities through the steps of problem-solving towards resolution. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 21 Nov 2022 | 68. Rebel with a Cause: Praying Outside the Lines with Christine Aroney Sine | 00:42:43 | |
As we move towards solstice, and look ahead to holy days and seasonal celebrations, do you find yourself feeling disconnected sometimes from the usual songs and ceremonies? What about your personal spiritual practices? The truth is, there are times when our meditations, prayers, and even journaling feel a bit worn out, and at times we find ourselves just going through the motions. In this episode Forrest talks with Dr. Christine Aroney Sine, about how we can move beyond some of the habits and practices that are prescribed for us by religion and culture. In our conversation, she offers guidance for creating new forms and practices that can bring vitality to our spiritual lives, and she offers inspiration for designing new ways to gather communities around meaningful themes, symbols, and rituals. Mentions: Keywords: spirituality, liturgy, liturgical calendar, liturgical rebel, ritual, sacred, God, Christian, contemplation, garden,wonder, creative, joy, imagination, Holy Spirit, seasons, Advent, Celtic, solstice, Blue Christmas, community, food, hospitality, creation care, hope, nones and dones Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 05 Dec 2022 | 69. Unity in Diversity: "Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview" by Randy Woodley | 00:43:36 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with Dr. Randy Woodley who, with his wife Edith, leads Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice. They’ll be talking about that work, and about Randy’s recent book, Indigenous Theology and the Western World View: A Decolonized Approach to Christian Doctrine. Randy challenges mainstream Western churches to embrace and be changed by diverse perspectives; indigenous theology in particular challenges people to redefine the role of humankind as co-sustainers—not masters—of creation. Mentions: Keywords: indigenous, theology, culture, decolonizing, indigenizing, western, worldview, colonial, equity, equality, agriculture, education, learning, center, faith, healing, land, church, climate change, stability, chaos, change, unity, diversity, story, cre Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 02 Jan 2023 | 70. A New Day: James and Forrest Mark the Start of Season Four | 00:33:02 | |
In this episode, we launch season four of the Earthkeepers podcast. The last three years have been an amazing time of growth for us, both in terms of expansion of the Earthkeepers community around the world, and also in terms of establishing the ethos and vision of the podcast as a whole. Forrest and James share a bit about lessons learned in season three, and we look ahead to new challenges in season four! Mentions:
Circlewood Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 16 Jan 2023 | 71. Community with Creation: A Ugandan Perspective on Living Well, with Edward Olara | 00:43:18 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with Dr. Edward Olara, a farmer and educator in Uganda. Edward was once Forrest’s student in the community development program at Northwest University. As friends, they’ve worked together in Uganda to encourage and empower development professionals. Among other things, Edward spends his days teaching about sustainable agriculture, community development, and leadership—and modeling earthkeeping practices on his farm in northern Uganda. He is currently working on a book called The Elephant and the Farmers. Guest: Dr. Edward Olara Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 30 Jan 2023 | 72. Tree by Tree: Planting for the WHOLE community of creation, with Scott Sabin of Plant with Purpose | 00:46:42 | |
In this episode, Forrest talks with Scott Sabin, Executive Director of the organization Plant with Purpose — an international faith-based organization that empowers the poor in rural areas around the world where poverty is connected to deforestation. Importantly, their approach to community development includes not just the planting of food-producing trees on farms, but also the work of the reforestation and species diversification of publicly shared land. Among other things, Scott explains that the tens of millions of trees the organization has helped to plant over the years can seem insignificant when one looks at the enormity of the deforestation problem across the globe. However the crucial practice for staying the course is to focus on the part each of us can play, and trust God to multiply our efforts. Mentions: Article: Haitian farmers and climate change Earthkeepers Ep. 7: Reconciling with the Land: Christi Renaud and Plant With Purpose Keywords: poverty, deforestation, leadership, farming, injustice, community development, climate change, trees, Haiti, Dominican Republic, creation, education, economic empowerment, environmental restoration, spiritual renewal, village savings and loan associations, farmer field schools, agroforestry, agriculture, church, reconciliation, watershed, margin, integrated pest management, compensation, reforestation, biodiversity, relief, story Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 13 Feb 2023 | 73. Life, Death, and Compost Theology: Learning from the Farminary, with Wesley Willison | 00:54:55 | |
In this episode, Forrest talks with Wesley Willison about his experiences at the Farminary—which, according to Princeton Seminary, is “a place where theological education is integrated with small-scale regenerative agriculture to train faith leaders”—leaders who care about ecology, sustainability, and food justice. Wesley is that kind of leader, and we’ll be discussing how his Farminary education has impacted every part of his life, his faith, and his leadership.
Mentions:
Keywords: compost, agriculture, agrarian, farming, earth, environment, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ecology, place, sensory, sustainability, food justice, food, theology, faith, Sabbath, death, soil, ministry, failure, Jesus, God, young adults, Bible, purpose, cultivate, hospitality, communion, seminary Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 27 Feb 2023 | 74. Roots of Injustice in Haiti: A Conversation with Ron and Carla Bluntschli | 00:43:01 | |
At the time of recording, the country of Haiti is in the midst of a socioeconomic and political crisis. In this episode, Forrest talks with Ron and Carla Bluntschli, Americans who have lived and served in Haiti for nearly four decades. They share their views on the roots of the unfolding humanitarian crisis, and also offer insights about environmental issues that are only becoming worse in the midst of increasing conflict and growing poverty. Importantly, their foundation—called N a sonje—works with internationals to promote awareness and understanding of Haitian history and culture. At the same time, they work with Haitians to promote restorative ecological practices. Mentions:
Keywords: Haiti, gangs, refugees, government, immigration, poverty, rural, cities, agriculture, farming, church, agroforestry, soil, Haitian Creole, ecology, deforestation, trees, climate, plastic, pollution, education, slavery, deportation, United States of America, reparations Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 13 Mar 2023 | 75. Cultivating Land and Community: Hope for Haiti with Ryan Robinson and David Sanon | 00:39:03 | |
In keeping with a focus on the environmental, political, and economic struggles of the Haitian people, Forrest talks with Ryan Robinson and David Sanon of Konbit Haiti. Konbit Haiti was founded jointly by a group of Americans and Haitians; they continue to work together to support family health, local business development, and environmentally sustainable practices to meet needs such as clean water, sanitation, and productive farming.
Mentions:
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 27 Mar 2023 | 76. Healing Our Hearts, Learning the Land: Practicing Pilgrimage, with David Pott and Daniel Rutledge | 00:54:33 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with David Pott and Daniel Rutland, two friends from Durham in the UK. Both share wisdom from experiences of pilgrimage—which we define as the practice of purposeful walking guided by a particular goal or sacred destination. They explain how pilgrimage can help us to more deeply understand and love the earth— to open ourselves to a sense of God’s presence in and through creation—and ultimately to become better earthkeepers.
Mentions:
Keywords: pilgrimage, reconciliation, walking, healing, Durham, saint, carbon footprint, sanctuary, spirituality, worship, prayer, ekklesia, gathering, climate change, sacred, indigenous, scripture, destination, realism Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 10 Apr 2023 | 77. Cultivating a Deep Green Faith, with Jerry Cappel and Collin Cornell | 00:53:10 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with Jerry Cappel and Collin Cornell from the Center for Deep Green Faith. Their work is grounded in the belief that the global problems of environmental degradation, climate change, violence, and injustice, are rooted in a crisis of spirit and of faith. The Center for Deep Green Faith then aims to help individuals and communities to cultivate a more environmentally aware, ecologically grounded spirituality and faith praxis.
Mentions:
Keywords: faith, environment, creation, climate change, land, Christianity, church, Scripture, theological education, transformation, technology, spirit, ecological discipleship, ecological justice, burnout, God, teaching, formation, consulting, courses, community, students, certificate, ecotheology, ecospirituality, nature, words, prayer, worship, activism, contemplation, millennials, despair, Hebrew Scripture, death, hope, Jesus Christ, Karl Barth, race, racial reconciliation, conversion Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 13 Apr 2023 | 78. With God in the Wild Spaces: John Wayne Seitzler and Nick Rubesh of Bethany Wilderness Ministry | 00:50:45 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with John Wayne Seitzler and Nick Rubesh, leaders of the Wilderness Ministry at Bethany Community Church in Seattle. The Wilderness Ministry fosters experiences in nature that transform hearts and minds--and that help people to grow in their understanding of God and of the whole community of creation. Recently, in partnership with Circlewood, they’ve embarked on a new adventure: The ecological restoration of church property—and the establishment of a wild space in the heart of an urban community. Mentions:
Keywords: wilderness, ancient, paths, creation, Scripture, spirit, soul, body, meditation, fasting, awareness, trek, trip, Jesus, Christ, pilgrimage, Pacific Northwest, travel, camping, native, land, sacred, stewardship, liberty, conservation, shalom, relationship, name, indigenous, urban, parks, ministry, retreat, experience, environment, nurse log, farm, compost, climate, wild church, climate dread, hope, embodiment, outdoors, discipleship, revelation, restoration, rewilding Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 08 May 2023 | 79. Hospitality, Vulnerability, and Transformational Community, with Jo Swinney on her book A Place at the Table | 00:36:23 | |
In this episode, Forrest is joined by his occasional cohost, Christine Sine. They talk to Jo Swinney, Director of Communications for A Rocha International, a global family of conservation organizations working together to care for creation, and equip others to do likewise. Specifically, they talk about a new book that Jo co-authored with her mother, Miranda Harris. The book is called A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope, and Hospitality. In that book Jo draws from lessons learned from being part of a family that has always practiced hospitality that also creates community among conservation-minded people from all over the world. In this episode, she shares her practical wisdom from experience regarding what it takes to show true hospitality—including the courage to practice vulnerability with those we invite into our spaces.
Mentions:
Keywords: hospitality, conservation, environment, church, Jesus, community, creation, salvation, redemption, family, nature, children, entertainment, cooking, vulnerability, God, justice, hunger, food, feast, new heaven, new earth Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 22 May 2023 | 80. Not Just Human Need: Creation, Community, and Development, with Annah Amani, Plant with Purpose Africa | 00:43:03 | |
In this episode Forrest talks with Dr. Annah Amani, the Africa Programs Director for Plant with Purpose. From past episodes you might know that Plant with Purpose is a global environmental nonprofit organization working to address the interconnected challenges of global poverty and environmental damage. Their aim is to restore the regenerativerelationship between people and the natural environment so that all beings in the community of creation, human and nonhuman, might thrive together.
Mentions:
Keywords: Plant with Purpose, Africa, ecology, environment, community, development, environmental restoration, economic development, spiritual renewal, creation, trees, farming, caretakers, indigenous, Uganda, gardens, food, refugee, poverty, nature, Ethiopia, empowerment, copowerment, climate crisis, environmental justice, agroforestry, sacred forest, reparations Free Webinar—REFUGIA FAITH: Adapting Christian Spirituality and Practice for Life on an Altered Planet Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 05 Jun 2023 | 81. God in the Thin Spaces: Praying Like a Celt, with Kelly Deutsch | 00:46:14 | |
In this episode, Forrest talks with Kelly Deutsch, founder of Spiritual Wanderlust, an organization that supports people on their path to wholeness and intimacy with the divine. This includes encouraging people to engage spirit in nature—a connection that Earthkeepers care very much about. In our conversation, we discuss how Celtic spiritual practices in particular can inspire us to sense God in all of creation.
Mentions
Keywords: thin spaces, Celtic spiritual practices, deconstruction, reconstruction, convent, religion, Christianity, spirituality, inner work, mystic, creation, nature, hope, media Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 19 Jun 2023 | 82. A Better Climate Future: Empowering Young Leaders, with Tori Goebel of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action | 00:37:35 | |
In this episode, Forrest talks with Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. YECA works to mobilize youth to act against climate change, to advocate for creation care, and to promote the hope among young people that a better climate future is possible. Mentions
Keywords: climate crisis, climate change, nature, creation, faith, evangelism, Christian, values, climate action, sanctity of life, politics, partisan identity, generational divide, mercury, air quality, communication, creation care, eco anxiety, eco grief, accountability, support, community, fear, hope, love Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 17 Jul 2023 | 84. The Heart-work of Earth-care: The Teachings of Sri Chinmoy, with Pragati Pascale | 00:42:13 | |
What does an Indian guru--who teaches through meditative art, performance and extreme sport--have to tell us about how we might better love our planet? In this episode Forrest talks with Pragati Pascale about the writings of Indian spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy. Pragati has worked for the United Nations for many years as a senior communications strategist and consultant on sustainability issues. She is also the editor of a new book, Listen to Nature: Living in Harmony with the Earth, which presents some of Sri Chinmoy’s teachings on nature and the environment.
Mentions:
Keywords: meditation, spiritual awareness, United Nations, communications, media outreach, earthcare, environmentalism, climate change, climate action, harmony, relationships, poetry, visualization, peace, divine, respect, preservation, inner change, God, love, spiritual oneness, religion, faith, interfaith, collective behavior, hope Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 03 Jul 2023 | 83. Summer Meditation: The Wonder of an Onion, with Wes Willison | 00:30:06 | |
In this special episode, we depart from the usual interview format and offer you some moments of guided meditation instead. While Forrest is in Ireland interviewing people for future episodes of the podcast, Wes Willison is stepping in to walk you through something called “The Onion Session." Drawn from the book The Supper of the Lamb, by Robert Farrar Capon, this is a guided meditation that is meant to focus our attention on one small and humble object. This soul-and-mind opening exercise helps us to perceive the wonder contained in an onion—and to appreciate it as one part of creation loved by God. Just a note: You might want to wait to listen to this episode for when you’ve got some down time. For this meditation exercise you’ll need an onion, a small knife, a cutting board, and about half an hour of uninterrupted time in a quiet space.
Mentions: Keywords: guided meditation, onion, focus, attention, place, meeting, heaven, location, prejudice, perspective, life, death, being, glory, structure, pressure, water, soul, reflection, nature, revelation, memory, power, echo, God, creation, uniqueness, creativity, love, joy, wonder, time, idolatry Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 31 Jul 2023 | 85. Becoming Hope: Debra Rienstra on her book Refugia Faith | 00:48:08 | |
In this episode, James Amadon and Forrest Inslee reprise a webinar discussion with Debra Rienstra, author of a new book called Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth. In her writing, Dr. Rienstra asks deep and sometimes difficult questions, such as: What might Creator say to us about our role in caring for creation—if we could quiet ourselves long enough to listen? Also, How can we look for the possibilities of new life and restoration of the environment, when everything seems chaotic and hopeless? And most importantly, how can faith communities integrate earth care into their theology and practice, so that they become sources of healing and new life?
Mentions:
Keywords: faith, climate change, community, literature, books, climate anxiety, Christianity, ecosystems, nature, creation, life, death, refugia, church, theology, scripture, transformations, liturgical year, locality, community, passion, reciprocity, stewardship, citizenship, healing, illusion of control, consequentialism, virtue ethics, redemption, reconciliation, anger, Holy Spirit, climate movement, hope Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 14 Aug 2023 | 86. Better Ways to Build: Constructing Eco-Friendly, Healthy Dwellings with Jesse Nathanson and James Sledge of Nomadic Earth Architecture | 00:43:25 | |
As we all know, sometimes it isn’t easy being green. Especially when it comes to sustainable, affordable, earth-friendly architecture. Remember the story of the three little pigs? It didn’t work out so well for the two pigs who built cheap houses out of straw and sticks. But what if it were feasible to build durable, eco-friendly buildings out of straw or sticks—or even corn cobs or woodchips? Our friends at Nomadic Earth Architecture say it’s possible, and they want to tell you how.
James Sledge
Mentions: Keywords: architecture, natural building, sustainability, non-toxic, ancient technology, resources, accessibility, education, runoff, magnesium, packaging, organic materials, affordable housing, volatile organic compounds, VOCs, housing crisis, toxicity, health, affordability, environmental justice, social justice, intersectionality, copowerment, stewardship, relationships, indigenous peoples, community Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 28 Aug 2023 | 87. Food Connects: Community Building and Environmental Awareness, Abigail Fehrsen and Kehinde Micheal Osatuyi of Muizenberg Kitchen | 00:29:21 | |
Changing the climate future of our planet can only happen when we all work together and learn from each other—and that’s why this podcast includes diverse perspectives from around the world. Our guest host in this episode is Abigail Fehrsen in South Africa. Abby talks to Kehinde Micheal Osatuyi about the Muizenberg Community Kitchen—an inspiring and groundbreaking social enterprise that offers nutritious, affordable, plant-based meals to the community—but also gives special attention to the needs of the poor and vulnerable, and to promoting ecological awareness and environmental justice in all they do. You might remember Abby from episode 57, when she and her friend Liesl told the story of the community food cooperative they founded.
Guest: Michael Kehinde Osatuyi
Mentions: Check out the International Community Development Masters program at NU. Keywords: food, kitchen, collaboration, community, COVID-19, volunteers, connection, youth, nutrition, garden, giving, receiving, empowerment, environmental justice, zero hunger, compost, zero waste, faith, generosity
Check out Northwest University’s International Community Development Masters!
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 11 Sep 2023 | 88. Building Green: Architect David Vandervort on Place-Based Design | 00:34:17 | |
As you might know, the Earthkeepers podcast is part of a larger organization called Circlewood—and Circlewood has a dream to establish an inspirational, educational eco-village in a place called Camano Island in Washington State. In this podcast conversation, Circlewood’s Executive Director James Amadon and Forrest are joined by David Vandervort, the architect who has held the vision and designed the built spaces that will make up Circlewood Village. Among other things, we talk about green architecture, about listening to the land, and about building in harmony with the nature of place. ● Vandervort Architects Mentions: ● Circlewood Village Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Keywords: architecture, sustainability, sustainable architecture, community, village, design, creativity, environment, energy, resources, local, living buildings, equity, environmental justice, affordability, green building, regenerative architecture, restoration,
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 25 Sep 2023 | 89. Family Earthkeeping: The DeJongs' Story of Urban Greenspace Restoration | 00:48:50 | |
On the Earthkeepers podcast, we talk a lot about transforming damaged or neglected spaces into thriving ecologies that benefit both the human and more-than-human members of the community of creation. Way back in episode 2, for example, we talked to Tahmina Martelly about how neighbors turned an unused parking lot into a thriving community garden for refugees. In episode 40, we spoke with Casa Adobe in Costa Rica about how folks worked together to restore a neglected region of jungle and to provide community access to a nearby river. More recently, in episode 78, Nick Rubesh and John Wayne Seitzler told the story of their community’s efforts to re-wild a section of church property that was once just an unused stretch of lawn. In all these cases, it took a whole community of earthkeepers, working together, to accomplish the work of healing and transforming the land. In this episode, we’ll hear how the DeJong family was the catalyst to engage whole neighborhoods in the work of reviving and repairing a 43-acre forest called the Cheasty Green Space in Seattle. Mentions:
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Keywords: restoration, trails, accessibility, recreation, ecosystem, ecology, invasive species, deforestation, settlers, native species, wildlife, nature, spirituality, spiritual ecology, community, cultural restitution, cultural restoration, stewardship, connections, relationships, climate change Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 09 Oct 2023 | 90. Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, and Realistic Thinking: Earthkeeping in Jordan, with Mohammad Asfour | 00:46:12 | |
What are the earthkeeping challenges in a place where human beings have been impacting the environment since the Paleolithic era? How does one think about restoring nature in a place known as the cradle of civilization? In this episode, we gain some practical wisdom from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. For that perspective, we welcome Mohammad Asfour, founding chair of WADI—an organization that advances water conservation and land stewardship practices in Jordan. He is also an environmentally conscious businessman and a skilled nature photographer. Among other things, Mohammad has fascinating proposals regarding the power of positivity psychology and mindful practice to help us become better earth keepers. Mentions:
Keywords: water conservation, environmental activism, ecosystem restoration, restorative planting, native plants, sustainability, microclimates, stewardship, community, education, civil society, governance, entrepreneurship, carbon, culture, positive psychology, Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 23 Oct 2023 | 91. The Culture of Whales: Hydrophones, Cetaceans, and the Power of Story, with Joe Olson | 00:34:29 | |
In the Earthkeepers podcast, we often talk about learning how to listen well—to the land, to the family of creation, and to Spirit. How, though, can we listen to our relatives who live under water? Our guest in this episode is Joe Olson, who has designed and built hydrophones – underwater microphones that he tailors specifically for hearing the voices of dolphins and whales. In fact, Joe recorded the voices of the whales at the opening of this episode. In this episode, we turn the tables and record Joe’s voice!
Mentions:
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Keywords: hydrophones, cetaceans, sound, water, noise pollution, orca whales, culture, conservation, animals, captivity, animal rescue, music, connection Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 06 Nov 2023 | 92. Embracing Climate Grief, with Hannah Malcolm | 00:55:18 | |
For many of us who are really committed to earthcare causes, it is easy to put all our focus on changemaking, on action, and on working for a more hopeful climate future. Sometimes though, we focus on taking action without really taking time to embrace the reality of what has already been lost due to climate change. Our guest in this episode makes the case that we need to allow ourselves to grieve what we have lost—and that this grieving will ultimately help us to become better, more honest earthkeepers. Hannah Malcolm is an assistant curate in the Church of England, a young mother, and the editor of a book of essays called "Words for a Dying World: Stories of Grief and Courage from the Global Church.”
Mentions: Keywords: climate grief, climate anxiety, mourning ecological loss, lament, liturgies, Psalms, ministry, church, worship, children, climate change, ecological collapse, creation care, earth advocacy, ecology of place, language, generational grief, climate justice, climate inequity Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 20 Nov 2023 | 93. Truth-Telling and Restorative Justice: The Myth of the First Thanksgiving, with Lenore Three Stars and Robbie Paul | 00:38:22 | |
Every culture has core stories - mythologies that have everything to do with group identity. Sometimes those stories are connected to national holidays, as in the case of the American holiday called Thanksgiving. But who gets to determine what those core stories should be? In this episode we welcome two wise women who have made it their life’s work to serve as truth-tellers, and advocates for the stories of Native peoples that are seldom heard. Lenore Three Stars of the Oglala Sioux Band of the Lakota Nation, and Robbie Paul of the Nez Perce People, are here to help us to understand the importance of knowing, telling, and listening to each other’s stories--in ways that bring healing and restoration. Lenore Three Stars Robbie Paul
Mentions: Keywords: revisionist history, epigenetics, intergenerational trauma, Native boarding schools, residential schools, dec Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 04 Dec 2023 | 94. Greening the Holidays, with Abby Fehrsen and Friends | 00:39:29 | |
This special episode encourages ways we can reimagine our holiday practices. Forrest is in conversation with Abby Fehrsen of Capetown, South Africa talking about how she and her family have creatively adapted their celebration practices to become greener. Then, toward the end of this episode, we’ll hear some holiday greetings from a number of Earthkeepers all around the world. You might remember Abby from an Earthkeepers episode that she hosted earlier this year, and from an interview in season three in which she and Liesl Stewart told us about their work helping communities to source their food in sustainable, earth-honoring ways from local producers.
Mentions:
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple Keywords: Christmas, holidays, food, gift giving, family, tradition, locally sourced food, simplicity, values, choices, spending, celebration, sustainability, creation care, community, New Year, Hannukah, Kwanza, solstice Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 01 Jan 2024 | 95. Launching Season Five, with Forrest and James | 00:25:51 | |
We’re glad to have you back with us as we launch season five of the podcast in this new year. The format of this episode will be a bit different because, as is our usual custom, our Executive Producer, James Amadon, and Forrest reflect a bit on season four and look ahead to some exciting new directions for season five. Forrest Inslee Mentions:
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Keywords: earthcare, creation care, earthkeeping, new year, community, climate crisis, youth, future, climate anxiety, hope, greening vocations, Camano Island Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 15 Jan 2024 | 96. Coffee for the Common Good: TJ Fittis of Camano Island Coffee Roasters | 00:27:59 | |
In this episode, we talk with TJ Fittis, owner of Camano Island Coffee Roasters. I became a fan of Camano Island Coffee way back in 2006, when I asked the company’s founder, my friend Jeff Ericson, to come lecture in a course I was teaching. This course was all about social entrepreneurship—and for those not familiar with that term, a social enterprise is a business that exists not just for financial profit, but also for social benefits that somehow make the world a better place. Jeff was a great person to help me teach social entrepreneurship because, in the year 2000, he had founded Camano Island Coffee Roasters as a means of supporting ethical farming practices, fair pricing and wages, and most importantly, the production of great tasting, all-organic coffee. To accomplish these social and environmental objectives, he partnered early on with a nonprofit called Agros—and organization that helps the very poor in Central America to gain access to land for farming, and to establish new cooperative villages. Eventually, Jeff sold the company to his son-in-law, TJ—who continues to pursue these founding values of making the world a better place by practicing good—and profitable—business principles. But even if you aren’t a business person, there is wisdom in this conversation that can help us to make more earth-wise choices as consumers. That’s where we started our conversation, in fact—with the ways in which Camano Island Coffee uses their subscription-based model they call the Coffee Club, to provide a high quality, organic product that is better for the coffee consumer, for farmers, and for the environment. Mentions: Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple Keywords: coffee, coffee roasting, fair trade, Camano Island, farming, farmers social justice, environment, small business, local business, organic, sourcing, decentralization, community, consumers Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | 97. Eating Like Earthkeepers, with Nutritionist Leslie Aaron | 00:44:42 | |
While most listeners to this podcast have found ways to make changers in their lives in order to live in more earth-sustaining ways, how often do we pay attention to what we eat as a critical factor for an earthkeeping lifestyle? Think about the foods that made up the last meal you ate: Do you know where those foods came from? How they were produced? How those foods impacted your carbon footprint? In this episode, Forrest talks to nutritionist Leslie Aaron—a person who helps people answer such questions for a living. Leslie works to promote community nutrition in places all around the world. She and her husband Douglas also work as contractors with global nonprofits in disaster relief and have their own organization called Fulcrum Missions, which supports local churches and ministries through context-appropriate projects. In one of their most recent endeavors, they’ve been working in Nicaragua to set up aquaponics systems—an approach to farming both fish and vegetables in sustainable, environmentally sound ways.
Mentions:
Keywords: food, nutrition, community, diet, local food, vitamins, creation care, harvesting, greening, simplifying, organic, globalization, availability, childcare, child nutrition, traditional diets, herbicides, pesticides, whole foods, processed foods, ultra processed foods, ingredients, monocropping, animal products, cage free, free range, imports, social justice, environmental justice Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 12 Feb 2024 | 98. Fighting Fast Fashion: Knowing the Stories We Wear, with Kathleen Audet | 00:46:05 | |
In the last episode, we talked about the enormous impact that relatively mundane choices like what we eat have on the health of the planet. In this episode, we talk about another part of our everyday habits that we might not normally think about in earthkeeping terms: what we wear—and the impact of the clothing choices we make on the planet as a whole. To get us thinking about our OWN fashion habits, let me ask you a couple of questions: First though, pick just one item of clothing you are wearing right now. Do you know where that garment was made, and how far it had to travel to get to you? Or let me ask this: Do you know anything about the people who actually made the fabric this item is made of . . . . or anything about the people who stitched all the pieces together . . . or how much they were paid to do it? Do you even know what this item of clothing is made of—or importantly, what impact the making of that material had on the environment? I think a lot of us would be hard pressed to answer even one of those questions. But for those of us who long to become better at loving and caring for all creation, these are the kinds of questions we need to ask of ourselves and of our habits. And that is why we talked with Kathleen Audet, owner of an image consulting firm called Allegory. She has made it her mission to promote awareness about the things we wear—and to think about social and environmental justice when it comes to buying, owning, and even getting rid of clothing. Also, as part of our focus on “greening all vocations” in this season of the podcast, Kathleen shares the story of how she has found ways to do good for people and planet through her work as an image consultant.”
Mentions:
Keywords: image consulting, sustainability, spirituality, religion, style, fashion, fashion industry, personal image, pollution, waste, consumers, affordability, ethics, fair labor, child labor, traceability, social justice, awareness, fast fashion, greening, scripture, creation care, capsule wardrobe, environment Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 26 Feb 2024 | 99. Poverty and Earthcare in Tension: A Ugandan Perspective, with Victor Ochen | 00:29:52 | |
This special episode features a guest host from Uganda, Dr. Edward Olara, who Forrest interviewed in episode 71. Edward was once Forrest's student and has become a friend; they’ve worked together in Uganda to encourage and empower development professionals. Recently, Edward published a book called The Elephants and the Farmers. As the HOST of this episode, Dr. Olara interviews a Ugandan friend and colleague, Mr. Victor Ochen, the founder and Executive Director of the African Youth Initiative. Born in northern Uganda, he spent his first 21 years surviving a violent conflict that in the end displaced over three million people. In that conflict, the Lord’s Resistance Army forcefully recruited or abducted 60,000 children to serve as soldiers—and among them was Mr. Ochen’s own brother, who has never been returned. Guest Host: Edward Silas Olara Guest: Victor Ochen Mentions: Keywords: environment, youth, politics, policy, war, conflict, trauma, healing, social justice, hate, intergenerational trauma, sustainability, tolerance, government, poverty, hope, education, information, society, inclusivity, resources, peace, conflict resolution, coexistence, farms, climate change, activism, economy, green energy, future, global cooperation, faith Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 11 Mar 2024 | 100. Youth in Climate Action: Launching a New Circlewood Podcast | 00:38:00 | |
This is the 100th episode of the podcast! In keeping with this landmark episode, we’ll be doing something special: We’re launching a NEW Circlewood podcast called Youth in Climate Action! As you might imagine, this podcast will focus on the needs and questions of younger folks about earthcare and the climate future. Importantly, it will also feature young voices, and highlight innovative approaches to inspire a new generation of earth activists and advocates. In this episode of the Earthkeepers podcast, James and Forrest will be in conversation with the two founders of the Youth in Climate Action podcast—Michael Matchell and Kinsley Rawson. Guest: Kinsley Rawson
Guest: Michael Matchell
Mentions:
Keywords: environment, youth, climate action, creation care, podcast, community, climate change, climate crisis, UN, climate change conference, COP 28, fossil fuels, stewardship, faith, religion, Christianity, environmental advocacy, stories, hope
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 25 Mar 2024 | 101. Turning the Tables: Forrest Gets Interviewed, on the Think Global podcast | 00:35:51 | |
Recently, Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke asked Earthkeepers host Forrest Inslee to be a guest on THEIR podcast, called Think Global, Do Justice. Among other things, they wanted to ask about a book he edited recently with Angel Burns, called Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions. They also talked about COP 28, evangelical attitudes toward creation care, poverty and environmental justice, Star Trek, and even the story of how Forrest came to adopt his daughter. So, for a change of pace, here is an abridged version of Phil and Brandon’s interview of Forrest. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 08 Apr 2024 | 102. Love is Local: Learning Our Places with Ben Lowe, A Rocha USA | 00:44:06 | |
Earthkeepers has been deeply affected by A Rocha because of the profound formational influence of the organization’s founders, Peter and Miranda Harris. On the podcast we’ve frequently featured A Rocha voices, including that of Leah Kostamo of A Rocha Canada, way back in episode 5. In episode 62, we talked about carbon offsetting with Brittany Michalski of Climate Stewards, a nonprofit in the A Rocha family of organizations. And in episode 79, we spoke about hospitality and community with Jo Swinney, Communications Director at A Rocha International and daughter of the organization’s founders. In this episode, James and Forrest talk with Ben Lowe, the executive director of A Rocha USA about his first year on the job and about his future vision for helping people seek God’s heart for the places where they live. Mentions:
Keywords: creation care, faith, religion, conservation, climate, evangelical, climate action, environment, biodiversity, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, restoration, community, harmony, creation, right relationships, ecosystems, extinction, place, Jesus, environmental footprint, environmental handprint, love, hope, youth, activism Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 22 Apr 2024 | 103. Growing Little Earthkeepers: Shauna Causey of the South Whidbey Preschool | 00:36:24 | |
On this podcast, we talk often about the importance of creative, out-of-the box thinking when it comes to making a difference in promoting earth care and fighting against climate change. In this conversation, we find out what such innovative problem-solving can look like when it comes to educating young kids. Shauna Causey confronted the need for formational, quality preschool education for her own children by designing a solution that included integrating her love of nature and her interest in ocean conservation. The innovative, environmentally-focused preschool that she founded also helps her friends, neighbors, and the entire community. We hear Shauna's story through her interview with James and Forrest on-site at the South Whidbey Preschool.
Mentions: Keywords: youth, kids, school, preschool, education, early education, teaching, nature, stewardship, entrepreneurship, business, technology, environment, community, problem solving, change, hope, teachers, orcas, creation care Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 06 May 2024 | 104. Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos, with Leah Rampy | 00:44:15 | |
Every now and then, Earthkeepers features an interview with an author about a new book, but only ones that we recommend . That is certainly the case with Leah Rampy’s new offering, called Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos. In the book, she explores what lies beneath our unwillingness to change how we interact with the natural world, but also what we can do to nurture deeper connections to our places.
Mentions:
Keywords: climate, biodiversity loss, ecosystem, soil, native plants, living world, grief, loss, joy, compassion, connection, earthcare, place, nature, oneness, othering, separation, unity, species loneliness, eco anxiety, solastalgia, climate chaos, hope, reconnection, awareness, intention, attention, heart, listening, eyes of the mind, eyes of the heart, relationship, church Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 20 May 2024 | 105. Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, with Brian McLaren | 00:46:40 | |
Back in 2001, Brian McLaren wrote a book called A New Kind of Christian. For many, it turned out to be a revolutionary book that explored a kind of faith outside the boxes of mainstream Christianity—a faith that challenged tired, unhelpful ways of thinking and doing, and raised exciting possibilities for a reinvigorated postmodern Christianity. His latest book, called Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart he again challenges readers (of any faith, or no faith) to see the world in a fundamentally new way that acknowledges the dire challenges that face the planet, and to become the sort of people who can speak truth and offer solace in the difficulties to come. In this cohosted episode, Forrest Inslee and Christine Sine talk to Brian about this new book, and about its profound implications for how we live and love in the face of the profound environmental and social changes facing our planet. Mentions: Keywords: climate, climate change, anxiety, doom, future, ecological overshoot, resources, waste, energy, life, fossil fuels, civilization, faith, advocacy, contemplation, action, being, transformation, resilience, church, scripture, Bible, hope, truth, reality, oppression, indigenous Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 03 Jun 2024 | 106. A Millennial's Take on Our Climate Future, with Wes Willison | 00:44:19 | |
In this podcast we speak often of the particular concerns of younger generations—including Gen X, Millennials and Gen Alpha. We try to pay attention to voices representing these generations, knowing that they are the ones who will ultimately suffer more as the climate changes—bringing increasing environmental and social disruption in the coming years. In this, the first of two episodes, Forrest speaks with Wes Willison—a guy in his early 30s who has given a lot of thought to the particular struggles that he shares in common with many other Millennials. Mentions:
Keywords: climate crisis, climate anxiety, younger generations, millennial, gen Z, earthcare, radicalization, politics, ecology, seminary, farming, worms, faith, government, policy, violence, social media, news, anxiety, depression, hope, future, children, parenting, guns, gun conversion, gun violence, gun control, sacrament, Christianity, community, ritual, tradition, cross, crucifixion, church Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 17 Jun 2024 | 107. Greening Real Estate: Ecology, Community, and Bees, with Wes Willison | 00:40:04 | |
In this episode (part two of the conversation begun in the last episode) Forrest and Wes focus more directly on the overarching theme of season five: the idea that every vocation can somehow be made greener—and that in almost every job we can find ways to practice the values of earthkeeping. As a real estate agent in Philladelphia, Wes has given lots of thought to how his work of helping people to find homes is essentially ecological work and an expression of creation care. That’s where they pick up part two of their conversation, where they turn to questions of home, and land, and ownership. Mentions: Keywords: youth, climate anxiety, climate crisis, home, land, ownership, real estate, earthcare, church, politics, theory, theology, systemic injustice, social justice, indigenous, traditions, camas, community, restoration, commons, ecology, generations, homeowners, mortgages, unions, renting, owning, interdependency, communal life, co-ownership, PFAS, green space, belonging, accessibility, ethics, affordability, environment, safety, resources, landlords, property management, love, hope, change, Jesus, kingdom of God, bees, beekeeping, walkable communities, physical closeness Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 01 Jul 2024 | 108. Being a Good Relative in the Family of Creation: An archive episode with Randy Woodley | 00:37:40 | |
In recognition of the recent summer solstice, we are releasing an episode from the podcast archives. This is in fact an episode from season one, a conversation with Randy Woodley. Out of all the episodes we’ve done, this episode has been listened to more than any other—and for good reason! As you listen to this conversation, you might ask yourself a practical question: What is a specific practice that I can embrace in this solstice season, to help me to become a better relative in the family of creation? Eloheh Indigenous Center for Justice Dr. Woodley's book: Shalom and the Community of Creation Dr. Woodley’s book: Decolonizing Evangelicalism Dr. Woodley's article - The Fullness Thereof Earthkeepers' interview with Tri Robertson Richard Twiss - author & teacher
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 13 Jul 2024 | 109. Learning the Art—and Heart—of Science: The Work of Au Sable Institute | 00:42:15 | |
Forrest, the Earthkeepers podcast host, also works for the Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship on Whidbey Island, off the coast of Washington State. This episode focuses on one of PRI's partners, an organization called the Au Sable Institute, which serves undergraduate students whose vocational interests lie in some form of earthkeeping work. Have a listen to Au Sable’s Executive Director, Jon Terry, as well as two Au Sable alumni—Sarah and Carson--about the faith-shifting, mind-and-heart-expanding influence of this organization. These students offer honest reflections about why they've chosen an earth-keeping vocational path, and on how they maintain motivation in the face of climate change and ecological degradation.
Mentions: Keywords: youth, nature, outdoors, education, field work, field experience, outdoor education, students, teachers, environment, animals, diversity, wildlife, sustainability, water, creation, science, creation care, God, sacred, kin, relationships, perspective, purpose, passion, jobs, vocation, despair, inspiration, church, community, utilitarian, intrinsic value, resources, hope, public information, ignorance, future, plan Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 29 Jul 2024 | 110. Spiritual Practices for Creation Care: Becoming People of Restoration, with Liuan Huska | 00:24:14 | |
Forrest talks with Liuan Huska, about her work with what she calls “liturgies of restoration.” Commissioned by the Au Sable Institute, Liuan has developed a workbook, which is now the basis of a course—one that helps people to explore how habits of thought and action shape our character, and inform the larger stories we tell ourselves—especially as they relate to our relationship with creation and our role as earthkeepers. Mentions: Keywords: faith, worship, creation care, spirituality, embodiment, illness, chronic illness, pain, bodies, climate crisis, church, ecology, future, children, responsibility, anger, community, indigenous, liturgies, counter liturgies, stories, relationships, God, fear, news, habits, restoration, creativity, progress, joy, purpose, pleasure, goodness, stewardship, hope, Au Sable Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 12 Aug 2024 | 111. How Nature Heals: Learning to be Present to Place, with Leah Kostamo | 00:54:58 | |
Leah Kostamo, a counselor and spiritual director, discusses the ways in which her helping practices integrate and collaborate with nature. She emphasizes the shared meaning of caring for creation as a way of joining in God’s work and finding hope thereby. In her musings about self-care and creation care, she emphasizes the ways that nature can heal us. She also highlights the growing recognition in psychology of the role of nature in the healing process. Connecting with nature is, she points out, also a way for pushing back against climate despair.
Your Brain on Nature (book and website) Bill Plotkin, Animas Valley Institute Human-Nature Counselling Society Takeaways · Caring for creation is a shared meaning among Christians and a way of joining in with God's work. · Nature has a healing power and can reduce stress and anxiety. · There is a growing recognition in psychology of the importance of nature in healing and well-being. · Guides are needed to help people reconnect with nature and learn to listen, receive, and connect again. Connecting with nature can provide a container for processing deep emotions and wounds. · Parents can support their children who are struggling with climate despair by listening and learning from them. · Being present in nature and practicing mindfulness can help cultivate a deeper connection with creation. · The church can play a role in mediating nature and providing opportunities for people to connect with creation. Keywords: Leah Kostamo, counselor, spiritual director, A Rocha, Christian environmental organization, conservation, creation care, shared meaning, hope, encouragement, healing power of nature, self-care, psychology, guides, reconnect with nature, nature, climate despair, hope, parenting, listening, learning, presence, church, creation care Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 26 Aug 2024 | 112. The God of Wild Places, with Tony Jones and Christine Sine | 00:28:39 | |
This is a different sort of episode from our normal format. Basically, it is a small book review followed by a conversation between that book’s author and Christine Sine. The book is called The God of Wild Places, by a chap named Tony Jones. It is a deeply honest account of the author's life, filled with stories of failure, self-doubt, and redemption. Jones also explores themes of nature, hunting, death, and the inevitability of mortality--all presented with a voice of vulnerability and relatability.
Keywords: book recommendation, The God of Wild Places, Tony Jones, failure, self-doubt, redemption, nature, hunting, death, mortality, vulnerability, relatability, conversation, dones, church, divine, outdoors, God, Spirit, hope Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 10 Sep 2024 | 113. Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land with Norman Wirzba | 01:02:01 | |
In this archive episode Forrest and James talk to Norman Wirzba, professor and author of a book called Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land. In this book, Dr. Wirzba makes the case for a kind of spirituality that is grounded in deep awareness of creation. Among other things, this sort of humble, earthy spirituality that he encourages us to practice stands against the illusion of certainty and control that has made much of the church seem increasingly irrelevant these days—especially to younger generations. Guest: Dr. Norman Wirzba – Duke Divinity School Mentions: Keywords: agrarian, interconnection, microbiome, soil, body, political, economic, social, food, agriculture, coercive labor, environmental justice, social justice, spirituality, descent, humility, prayer, generosity, embodiment, mystery, hope Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 23 Sep 2024 | 114. Uprooted: Refugee Trauma and the Healing Power of Art, with Hale Gencel | 00:33:00 | |
Host Forrest Inslee discusses the profound impact of displacement on individuals and communities, particularly in the context of refugees. He speaks with Hale Gencel, a Turkish mental health professional and artist, who utilizes art as a therapeutic tool to help displaced individuals process trauma and build resilience. The conversation explores the importance of place and identity, the role of community in healing, and the creative approaches that can foster emotional literacy and hope among those affected by displacement. Hale shares her experiences working with refugees and the development of a curriculum aimed at training community healers to support their peers. The episode emphasizes the power of art and community in navigating the challenges of displacement and the significance of rootedness in one's identity. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 14 Oct 2024 | 115. Pt. 1 John Philip Newell: The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Search for Healing and Home (Part One) | 00:27:54 | |
James and Forrest have a conversation with John Philip Newell about his new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Search for Healing and Home. In this book, John Philip argues for a re-imagining of how we relate to creation, to each other, to God and even to ourselves. He advocates for engaging creation as the primary means of knowing God, of seeing the sacred in all life forms, and of loving all creation as we love ourselves. Because the conversation was so full of emerging truths and insights, the conversation is presented in two parts. Here then is part one of a conversation with John Philip Newell. John Philip Newell’s website Earth & Soul Takeaways
Keywords: John Philip Newell, The Great Search, Earth consciousness, spirituality, exile, sacredness, human-earth relations, prophetic voice, transformation, eco-spirituality, Nan Shepherd, Edwin Muir, Thomas Berry, Celtic spirituality, edge walker, Iona, Findhorn, Wild Church Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 28 Oct 2024 | 116. Pt. 2 The Great Search: John Philip Newell: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Search for Healing and Home | 00:34:54 | |
In this episode James and Forrest continue with the second part of a conversation with John Philip Newell about his new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Search for Healing and Home. In this book, John Philip argues for a re-imagining of how we relate to creation, to each other, to God and even to ourselves. He advocates for engaging creation as the primary means of knowing God, of seeing the sacred in all life forms, and of loving all creation as we love ourselves. And because the conversation was so full of emerging truths and insights, we split the conversation into two parts. In this, the second half of the conversation, they pick up at a point in our conversation just after John Philip has explained how some religious teachings have made us forget how to fall in love with nature, and caused us to lose sight of the divine presence in everything, all around us. Here then is part two of the conversation with John Philip Newell. John Philip Newell’s website Earth & Soul Takeaways
Key words: nature, spirituality, healing, connection, divine, pilgrimage, political discourse, faith, edgewalkers, sacredness, Wild Church, Edwin Muir, Victoria Loorz, Thomas Berry, Nan Shepherd Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 11 Nov 2024 | 117. Surviving and Thriving: Earthkeeping after the Election | 00:17:08 | |
What are the prospects for the planet now that Trump has been re-elected? What are the implications of the recent election in terms of how we advocate and care for the earth? In this urgent no-frills episode, James and Forrest offer thoughts on how we might care for ourselves AND how we can persist and persevere in our calling as earthkeepers. They reflect on the recent election's impact on future progress in climate action and the emotional responses it has elicited in many. They discuss the importance of grieving without falling into despair, finding community support, and taking actionable steps towards environmental care. The dialogue emphasizes the need for resilience, the power of letting our actions speak louder than words, and engaging with nature as a source of healing and comfort.
Keywords: climate action, grief, community, environmentalism, hope, divine presence, healing, sustainability, post-election, earth care, Trump, Inflation Reduction Act, global leadership, global warming, renewable energy Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 25 Nov 2024 | 118. Welcoming Creation: A Celtic Advent Reflection, with Christine Sine and Brother Seán Aherne | 00:10:46 | |
Toward the end of the year Earthkeepers podcast always releases a special holiday episode that breaks from the usual interview mode. In this episode, we’re gifting a passage from our friend Christine Sine’s book called Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path Through Advent. Earthkeepers recommends this book because in it, Christine brings fresh, life-giving perspective on the conventional Western practices of advent. According to those Western practices, the advent season this year begins on Sunday, December 1—so why offer an advent reflection in November? In her book, Christine explains: “for Celtic and Orthodox Christians, advent begins the evening of November 15th – forty days before Christmas Day. Celtic Christians always prayed and fasted for 40 days in preparation for any major life event, whether it be the planting of a new monastic center, the beginning of a new adventure, as well as for preparation for Christmas and Easter.” Given the Celtic theme of the passage, it is read by Brother Seán Aherne, an Irish monk who is very familiar with the St. Kevin story that is featured in this episode. Keywords: Advent, Celtic Advent, creation care, Saint Kevin, spirituality, environmentalism, community, nature, God, reflection, Glendalough, John Scotus Eriugena, John Philip Newell, Christ of the Celts, Carmina Gadelica, Alexander Carmichael Takeaways · Celtic Advent begins 40 days before Christmas for preparation.
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 09 Dec 2024 | 119. Edgewalking: Finding New Vision in Wilderness (part I) with Victoria Loorz | 00:40:54 | |
In recent past episodes you might recall hearing the term “edgewalkers”—and by that term, we mean those of us who have moved away from the center of conventional church and faith praxis, and moved toward the creative edges of the institutional church where new imaginings and alternate expressions of faith life are being explored. That includes, of course, new ways of thinking about and experiencing God in and through creation. In our interview with John Phillip Newell earlier this season, he described that mode as dwelling in the space between temple and the wilderness. In this episode, Forrest talks with a good friend and fellow edgewalker Victoria Loorz—cofounder of the Wild Church movement, and current director of the Center for Wild Spirituality, or Seminary of the Wild, as it is also known. In this, part one of their conversation, they explore the idea of what it means to practice prophetic critique of the mainstream church while still loving the church and seeking to be part of its reformation and renewal.
Keywords: wild spirituality, edgewalkers, sacred relationships, community, climate crisis, love, stewardship, othering, church, worldview shift, Newell, wild church, seminary of the wild Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 18 Mar 2020 | 1. Earthcare Spirituality: James Amadon and Forrest Inslee | 00:51:08 | |
In this episode Forrest Inslee, Earthkeepers Podcast host, and James Amadon, Executive Director of Circlewood, talk about what the podcast is about, and what to expect in future episodes. Both tell their stories of how they sense and understand God in nature, and how creation care eventually became a core element of their respective callings. They speak of the need for community among people who believe that earth care is connected to spiritual practice. Only by finding support in one and other, and by learning in global community from a diversity of perspectives, can ecologically-minded people begin to shape a movement--a movement to combat climate change, to mobilize for environmental restoration, to advocate for environmental justice, and to restore right relationship between people and the rest of creation of which they are a part. Circlewood Vision & Mission Statement: https://www.circlewood.online/about James' & Forrest's bios: https://www.circlewood.online/people Author Wendell Berry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Berry Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 04 May 2020 | 3. Gardens and God: Christine Aroney-Sine | 00:39:18 | |
In this episode, contemplative author and gardener Christine Aroney-Sine offers a perspective from the Global South, and from an Australian point of view in particular. Drawing from her books The Gift of Wonder and To Garden with God, as well as from her blog Godspacelight, she shares her thoughts about the connection between gardening and community, and explains lectio tierra--the practice of sensing the presence of God in nature. We speak as well about the ways in which all of these things found expression in ancient Celtic traditions--an historical European indigenous worldview that is finding new relevance today among people who care about community development and creation care. Guest: Christine Aroney-Sine: https://godspacelight.com/about/ Website: https://godspacelight.com/ Book: The Gift of Wonder: https://godspacelight.com/the-gift-of-wonder/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/To-Garden-With-God-177821975582936/ Book: To Garden with God: https://godspacelight.com/shop/to-garden-with-god/ Book: Rachel Carson's Silent Spring: https://www.rachelcarson.org/SilentSpring.aspx Wendell Berry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Berry; http://www.wendellberrybooks.com/ Norman Wirzba: https://normanwirzba.com/ Australian wildfires: https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/3/21048891/australia-wildfires-koalas-climate-change-bushfires-deaths-animals-damage Carbon offsets: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/16/carbon-offset-projects-carbon-emissions or https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/carbon-offset.htm Garden blessing: https://godspacelight.com/2010/09/27/garden-blessing-for-earth-day/ Quote: "The fastest pace for noticing is a walk." ― Wendell Berry, Our Only World: Ten Essays Lectio tierra: https://godspacelight.com/2016/08/25/listening-to-the-life-of-jesus-in-a-tree/ Psalm 1: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+1&version=NIV Poet Mary Oliver: https://www.poet Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 25 Mar 2020 | 2. Urban Community: Tahmina Martelly and World Relief | 00:45:53 | |
In this episode Tahmina Martelly of World Relief explains the connections between social and environmental justice, and how they play out in her work with immigrants and refugees. As a community developer, she prioritizes the voices of the poor and marginalized, and collaborates with them to create solutions to food deserts, the absence of greenspaces, and the challenges of being landless. The community garden that they have built together has become a center for multicultural community, where people celebrate ethnic, cultural, economic, and religious diversity. Tahmina also addresses resistance among some religious folks to matters of global warming and climate change, and challenges us to think about the sort of grace it takes to model a different approach to creation care. Tahmina Martelly - Director of Resiliency & Empowerment programs at World Relief: https://worldreliefseattle.org/leadership-team Community garden website: https://worldreliefseattle.org/garden Seattle Globalist article on the opening of the community garden; https://www.seattleglobalist.com/2018/04/16/refugees-and-immigrants-grow-homeland-foods-at-kent-community-garden/73140 Latin phrase, Nihil de nobis, sine nobis: Nothing about us without us: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_About_Us_Without_Us Article that exemplifies Nihil de nobis, sine nobis: https://www.citylab.com/environment/2019/01/detroit-tree-planting-programs-white-environmentalism-research/579937/ Hillside Church in Kent: http://hillsidechurchkent.com/ Definitions raingarden: https://www.groundwater.org/action/home/raingardens.html or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_garden bioswale: http://nrcsolutions.org/bioswales/ or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioswale food forest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_gardening Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 18 May 2020 | 4. Educating for Earth Justice: Matt Ryan and The Talking Farm | 00:40:13 | |
In this episode we talk to Matt Ryan, and urban farmer in Chicago whose makes it his mission to educate the community about the social and environmental justice dynamics of growing food. The conversation includes crucial topics such as the intimacy of a farmer’s relationship to the land; the sustainability of small-scale farming; urban and backyard farming; the global food supply chain; and winter gardening. The Talking Farm The Talking Farm's Facebook page
Mentions: regenerative agriculture Actions: CSA (community supported agriculture) humanely raised animals (example organizations) independent rating system for ethically-raised animals
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 01 Jun 2020 | 5. Spirituality and Science: Leah Kostamo and A Rocha Canada | 00:53:55 | |
In this episode we’ll be speaking with Leah Kostamo. Leah and her husband Markku co-founded A Rocha Canada, and today she provides leadership and spiritual direction at A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Center in the greater Vancouver, BC area. We’ll be talking about her work, and also about a book that she wrote, called Planted: A Story of Creation, Calling, and Community. Leah explains the work of A Rocha worldwide, an organization that is in great part focused on education—on helping people to understand the spirituality of creation care, but also the science of it—and importantly, on the interconnectedness of both realms. We also touch on themes of hospitality, children and nature, spiritual practices, eco-justice and our “ecological footprint”, and environmental science. Book: Planted: A story of creation, calling and community A Rocha, Canada Peter & Miranda Harris, founders of A Rocha Professors Loren & Mary Ruth Wilkinson, Regent College https://www.regent-college.edu/faculty/retired/loren-wilkinson Dr. Frank Richardson, ornithologist, and Dorothy (Frank’s obituary) Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder,1965. Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods Eva Selhub, Your Brain on Nature Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger Hebrew Passover prayer: Dayenu Ecological footprint calculator Semiahmoo People Dr. Cheryl Bear Dr. Terry LeBlanc Ronald Wright, A Short History of Progress Joanna Macy, on active hope Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 11 Jun 2020 | 6. Creation Kinship: Lenore Three Stars on Indigenous Worldviews | 00:38:08 | |
Lenore Three Stars is a member of the board for Circlewood—the larger creation care community to which the Earthkeepers belongs. In many ways, Lenore has had a shaping influence on the priorities and values of this podcast. In particular, as a member of the Lakota people, she has helped us to understand and embrace elements of an indigenous world view. In this episode we discuss a kinship model of creation care, as a corrective to a dominant Western worldview that views people as separate from, and dominant over, creation. Lenore Three Stars North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies Richard Twiss. One Church, ManyTribes Wendell Berry: "There are no unsacred places, only sacred and desecrated places."Given https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146152.Given Standing Rock Water Protectors Albert White Hat Dr. Randy Woodley. Shalom and the Community of Creation https://bookshop.org/books/shalom-and-the-community-of-creation-an-indigenous-vision/9780802866783 Key words: Native American, First Nations, creation care, ecology, environment, Lakota, environmental justice, kinship, dualism, indigenous world view, Richard Twiss, Randy Woodley, Standing Rock Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 29 Jun 2020 | 7. Reconciling with the land: Christi Renaud and Plant with Purpose | 00:41:29 | |
In this episode we talk with Christi Renaud, Director of Marketing and Development for an organization called Plant with Purpose. Plant with Purpose works with impoverished communities around the world, helping people to build strong local economies by encouraging good agriculture and financial management practices. What sets Plant with Purpose apart from many other international development agencies though is their emphasis on ecology and environmental health. In essence, they help farmers to become better earthkeepers. Importantly though, Plant with Purpose doesn’t teach earthkeeping in a way that dismisses or dishonors what farmers already know. Instead, they work alongside them, offering ideas and resources, but also asking questions that respect local knowledge. Join us as we discuss the importance of local knowledge in community development, the connections between environmental justice and social justice, and creation care’s rootedness in yearning for God. Christi Huizenga-Renaud -Director of Marketing and Development at Plant with Purpose Plant with Purpose Democratic Republic of Congo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 09 Jul 2020 | 8. God in Nature: Victoria Loorz and Wild Churches | 00:51:47 | |
Forrest Inslee and James Amadon talk with Victoria Loorz, founder of the Wild Church Network and author of a forthcoming book called Church of the Wild. The Wild Church Network is a broad association of religious communities that practice faith life in ways that foster connectedness to all of creation. A key practice of a wild church is holding some or all of their community gatherings in the outdoors, encouraging and guiding people to sense God’s presence in the natural world. You might recall from a previous episode with Lenore Three Stars, that an essentially indigenous value is seeking to be a “good relative” among all the myriad beings that make up the family of creation. In a similar way, Wild Churches seek to cultivate this dynamic of relationship that they call “KIN-dom”.
Definition of numinous St John of the Cross' poem Dark Night of the Soul Kids Vs Global Warming - nonprofit Victoria started with her son Thomas Merton - mystic, monk, author - Thomas Merton Center and Wikipedia Definition of Fr. Richard Rohr: Centering Prayer Quote: "All great truths the opposite is also true" in Niels Bohrs' writings Quote: "The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects." Thomas Berry “Petrochemical Age” in Evening Thoughts p. 96 Quote: "We don't protect what we don't love..." Richard Louv, The Nature Principle p. 104 Biography of activist Julia Butterfly Hill Prof. Ryan Bolger, Fuller Seminary Fr. Richard Rohr - Center for Action and Contemplation
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 25 Jul 2020 | 9. Global Community: Randy Borman and the Cofán Forest Guardians | 00:51:20 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to Randy Borman, a respected leader among the Cofán indigenous people of Ecuador. Randy was born at the headwaters of the Amazon; he grew up among the Cofán people, speaking their language and living life in the forest as any young Cofán does. However, he also learned American culture from his missionary parents, and later pursued a Western university education before returning to his home and his people in Ecuador. Today, Randy is a respected leader among the Cofán, and is also well-known internationally among global environmental advocates. In our conversation we talk about indigenous worldviews, the unseen world, protecting the rain forest as a defense against climate change, and the need for a global cooperative approach to earthkeeping. Notes: Guest: Randy Borman - Head of Fundación Sobrevivencia Cofan Cofan Survival Fund webpage Randy Borman bio Washington Post interview Cofan Facebook page Cofan people - Wikipedia page Cofan and ecotourism program If you would like to support the work of Cofán earthkeepers in Ecuador, you’ll find a link to the Cofán Survival Fund in this episode’s notes section. And please note that Randy’s dream of a coop approach to carbon offsetting is still just an idea. If you or someone you know would be interested in further conversation about putting such a plan into action, we would love to be in conversation with you. Please send an email with your ideas and questions to podcast@circlewood.online. Amazon rainforest, Ecuador, indigenous, Cofan, carbon offsetting, carbon coop, forest management, carbon sequestration, river turtle, environmental exploitation, Cofán Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 08 Aug 2020 | 10. The journey so far: Forrest Inslee and James Amadon on the future of Earthkeepers | 00:34:24 | |
In this episode, Forrest and James Amadon review the episodes that we’ve created in the first six months of the Earthkeepers podcast. We identify some of the themes that have emerged, consider some of the personal lessons we’ve learned, and dream a bit about where the podcast is headed in the future! Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 24 Aug 2020 | 11. Cultural Courage: Rachel Jones and Jason Lyle on Life in the American South | 00:55:42 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to Rachel Jones, who teaches at a college in Tennessee, and Jason Lyle, who leads an international nonprofit and serves in a church in Georgia. Both live in places where there is cultural ambivalence about the importance of earthkeeping, and for some, even outright denial of climate change realities. Rachel and Jason though have each found creative ways to express their love of creation, and to speak out of their passion for environmental justice in ways that don’t shut down the conversation. Notes: Key Words: Climate change denial, climate change, global warming, conservative, evangelical culture, creation care, tree hugger, hunting, agrarian, Trump Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 07 Sep 2020 | 12. Dismantling Protection: A Government Employee Speaks Out | 00:50:17 | |
This episode features an employee of a federal land management agency who has much to say about the current administration’s systematic dismantling of programs and laws that have been developed over the years to preserve and restore the health of the environment. According to the Brookings Institution, in this last summer alone the current administration has loosened restrictions on methane emissions from oil wells, undermined the process of determining energy efficiency requirements for appliances, moved to open Alaska’s Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration, and weakened core elements of the Endangered Species Act. On the condition of anonymity, our guest has agreed to share an insider’s view of the relentless attacks being mounted on this matrix of regulations that have taken generations to put into place.
We invite you to become and Earthkeepers supporter. Please visit the Earthkeepers website, where you can quickly and easily make a tax deductible donation. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 21 Sep 2020 | 13. Re-formation: Creation Care and a new kind of church with Tri Robinson | 00:40:34 | |
In this episode we talk with Tri Robinson—rancher, environmentalist, retired evangelical pastor, and the author of several books. He is also the subject of a recently released film entitled Cowboy and Pastor: The Life and Times of Tri Robinson. In this strange era when so many religious folks deny climate change, and actively ignore issues of environmental injustice, Tri has dedicated much of his life to persuading conservative Christians that their faith actually requires them to care for the earth. At the same time, Tri stands with those who stand outside of conservative culture, and offers visions of a new kind of Christ-follower . . . and a new kind of church. Listen in as we explore his hopeful vision, and learn how this man moved past religious politics to become and advocate for God’s love toward all of creation. To leave a review of the podcast: Tri’s Website: Purchase the DVD of Cowboy and Preacher: To stream the film Cowboy and Preacher: Please help us to expand the reach and frequency of this podcast:
Key Words: Climate change, religious right, Moral Majority, Sierra Club, millennials, evangelical, conservative, Roe v.Wade, Pacific Crest Trail, Jesus Movement, environmentalist, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Reformation, climate denier, sanctity of life Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 05 Oct 2020 | 14. Children and earthkeeping: Bonnie Cretton and the Woodsong Forest School | 00:48:24 | |
In this episode we talk to Bonnie Cretton—founder and director of Woodsong Forest School in southeast Tennessee. Bonnie is committed to raising up a generation of children who see themselves as integrally connected to all life on earth. She believes that when children are educated in ways that promote a sense of belonging to all nature, they will inevitably grow up to be earthkeepers. Keywords: forest school, early education, play-based learning, alternative education, nature-based education, forest kindergarten Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 19 Oct 2020 | 15. Indigenizing our worldviews: A Native vision for earthkeeping, with Randy Woodley | 00:40:32 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley—Keetoowah Cherokee teacher, theologian, activist, farmer, and the author of several books. In our conversation today, we focus on a Native theology of land and environment—a subject of particular interest to Earthkeepers, who have come to understand the Western world’s desperate need for new ways of being in and with creation. Free webinar: Signs of Hope for a Troubled Planet Oct. 29 7-8 pm PST Earthkeepers financial support option Guest: Dr. Randy Woodley Eloheh Indigenous Center for Justice Dr. Woodley's book: Shalom and the Community of Creation Dr. Woodley’s most recent book: Decolonizing Evangelicalism Dr. Woodley's article - The Fullness Thereof Earthkeepers' interview with Tri Robertson Richard Twiss - author & teacher
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 02 Nov 2020 | 16. It takes all kinds: Eric Long on why earthkeeping needs scientists, theologians, and everyone else | 00:50:21 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to Professor Eric Long, a biology professor who has learned to live in the space between science and theology. In our conversation about wildlife ecology and ecotheology, we consider the important truth that everyone can and should choose to be an ecologist—or a theologian for that matter. Eric reminds us that anyone can find ways to work for the good of the earth, no matter what their vocation is. You don’t need a degree in environmental science to understand ecology, or a theology degree to see the ways that God is revealed in nature. In this episode we want to encourage and equip people to think way out of the box when it comes to figuring out how their jobs, their hobbies, and even their community and family lives, can all be directed toward promoting the health of the planet. Earthkeepers believe in greening everything! https://www.circlewood.online/earthkeepers
Guest: Dr. Eric Long, wildlife ecologist and professor at Seattle Pacific University SPU's field station on Blakely Island (San Juan Islands) ecotheology minor at SPU ecology definition- study of the interactions in nature emergent properties definition- the whole is the greater than the parts, synergisms. citizen scientists - definition St. Francis quote - Canticle of the Sun Michael Soule - paper: What is Conservation Biology? (synopsis) Actions: US gov. site for Citizen Science list of citizen science projects on Wikipedia Scientific American citizen projects
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 16 Nov 2020 | 17. New-generation earthkeepers: Chris Elisara & Creation Care Study Programs | 00:40:19 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to Dr. Chris Elisara--visionary educator, social entrepreneur, and filmmaker. Having grown up in New Zealand, Chris’ international perspective makes him especially suited to his role as chair of the World Evangelical Alliance's Creation Care Task Force. He is also the founder of Creation Care Study Programs—an organization that provides opportunities for university students to devote an entire semester to learning about creation care in a community setting. He has devoted much of his life to equipping and empowering students because he is convinced that the future of the planet depends on the creative, problem-solving capacities of younger generations. Want to leave a question or comment for Forrest? Use the voice message link at: Guest: Dr. Chris Elisara Tony Campolo Key Words: New Zealand, World Evangelical Alliance Creation Care Task Force, environmental studies, environmental justice, semester abroad, green jobs, Belize Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 07 Dec 2020 | 18. Africa Rising: Debisi Araba and the African Green Revolution Forum | 00:42:16 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to Dr. Debisi Araba, Managing Director of the African Green Revolution Forum. The AGRF is an organization that fosters community and collaboration among countries across all of Africa. Focusing on agriculture in particular, the African Green Revolution Forum works to accelerate the continent’s drive toward economic growth, human flourishing, and environmental health. Africa is rising, and it is the passion of people like Debisi that is driving the vision. He joins our conversation in this episode from Kenya. Notes: Guest: Dr. Debisi Araba, Managing Director for the African Green Revolution Forum AGRF's 2020 Virtual Summit Actions: Mindfulness—in what you eat, where it comes from, who produces it, what you purchase. Be more curious about the agrifood sector. Key Words: Indigenous wisdom, ubuntu, social entrepreneurship, African economy, economic development, Desmond Tutu, Africa rising, global economy, environmental sustainability, African ecology, panAfrica unity Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 21 Dec 2020 | 19. Saving Forests, Changing Lives: The Young Innovators at East Africa Energy Solutions | 00:43:20 | |
In this episode we connect to three friends at East Africa Energy Solutions—friends who are creating ways to provide energy to rural Ugandans that is both cheap and sustainable. By helping people to create their own methane gas with low-tech waste processors called biodigesters, they are giving people a clean alternative to cooking with wood and charcoal—thus helping Ugandans to save money, live healthier, more productive lives, and in the process, slow the destruction of the country’s remaining forests. As part of a generation of young idealists, they are relentlessly hopeful and fiercely committed to the belief that they have the power to change lives and save ecologies. Want to leave a question or comment for podcast? Use the voice message link at: Notes: Actions: Key Words: Uganda, Chad, Cameroon, Sahel, East Africa, West Africa, Multnomah Global Development and Justice, environmental injustice, El Salvador, biodigester, clean energy, holistic development, development and ecology, charcoal smoke and respiratory illness in Africa, sustainable energy in Africa, methane gas production, Path from Poverty, Northwest University International Community Development Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 04 Jan 2021 | 20. Looking back to look ahead: Launching Season 2 of Earthkeepers with Forrest & James | 00:42:41 | |
In this episode, cohosts Forrest and James look ahead to our second season. They discuss exciting new directions for 2021, even as they draw key lessons from recent episodes from 2020.
Keywords: Debisi Araba, African Green Revolution Forum, East Africa Energy Solutions, Randy Woodley, indigenous theology, Paris Climate Accord, solar panels, electric vehicle, permaculture, rewilding landscape, bobcat, Covid 19, Hannah Anderson, Bonnie Cretton, Forest Schools, federal land management Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 18 Jan 2021 | 21. A Life of Meaning: An introduction to permaculture with Dave Boehnlein | 00:50:02 | |
A Life of Meaning: An introduction to permaculture with Dave Boehnlein In this episode in this episode we’ll be talking to Dave Boehnlein—cofounder of Terra Phoenix Design and author of the book Practical Permaculture. In our conversation today, Dave helps us to understand some of the basic tenets of permaculture thinking and practice. According to him, there is a place in permaculture for everyone, no matter what their skills or interests might be. In fact, he contends that this way of thinking and being is something that can help any of us to find greater meaning in our lives.
Want to leave a question or comment for podcast? Use the voice message link at: Notes: Mentions: Key Words: permaculture, sustainability, rewilding, native plants, nature awareness, homestead, garden design, landscape design Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 01 Feb 2021 | 22. The art of seeing: Hannah and Nathan Anderson on their new book Turning of Days | 00:44:49 | |
In this episode we’ll be talking to author Hannah Anderson, and her husband and illustrator Nathan Anderson. Together they’ve collaborated on a book that will be released this week called Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit. Through poignant meditations and detailed drawings, this moving work helps readers to perceive the lessons that are present in every aspect of creation—if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear. Want to leave a question or comment for the podcast? Use the voice message link at: Notes: Guests: Hannah & Nathan Anderson - author & illustrator of Turning of Days Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Hymn "Cursed is the ground because of you" - from Genesis 3:17-19 God sees the sparrow that falls - from Matt. 10:29 Key Words: nature as revelation, Christian environmentalism, birding, birdwatching, naturalist, meditation, creatio divina, devotional essays Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 15 Feb 2021 | 23. Diversity is strength: In support of the small-scale farmer, with Timothy Wise | 00:48:27 | |
In this episode we talk to Timothy A Wise, author of Eating Tomorrow: Agriculture, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food. Recently, I interviewed a guest on this show representing the African Green Revolution Forum—an entity that promotes large-scale agriculture involving multinational companies as the key to Africa’s economic development. In response to that interview, listeners to this podcast asked if we could present an alternative view that might help us understand the risks and challenges of the AGRF approach. Notes: Tim’s web page (with a catalog of all his writings and a lot from the book): His book: Eating Tomorrow: Agriculture, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food: https://www.timothyawise.com/book Book presentation, Seattle Town Hall, October 2019, with AFSA’s Million Belay AGRA: https://agra.org Earthkeepers interview with AGRF’s Debisi Araba: https://www.circlewood.online/podcastepisodes/episode/4798e197/a-beacon-of-hope-for-the-world-debisi-araba-and-the-african-green-revolution-forum
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 01 Mar 2021 | 24. Earth Solidarity: Learning to advocate for—and as—creation, with Mary DeJong | 00:49:36 | |
In this episode we talk with Mary DeJong, founder of Waymarkers. The mission of Waymarkers is to help people to deepen their relationship to the sacred in all of creation. In particular, Mary helps people to shift their world views—and to embrace the profound understanding that we as human beings are not separate from the rest of creation, but instead are an integral part of it. When we shift our perspective in this way, it completely changes our motivation for environmental advocacy and earthkeeping. Want to leave a question or comment for the podcast? Use the voice message link at: Notes: Cedar River watershed Keywords: eco-theology, Celtic theology, indigenous world view, re-wilding, spiritual direction, spiritual companion, kin-dom, copowerment, Iona Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 15 Mar 2021 | 25. The Power of Sports to Change the World: Roger McClendon of Green Sports Alliance | 00:37:43 | |
This episode is cohosted with Beth Knox, President of the Seattle Sports Commission and a board member of Circlewood, the parent organization of this podcast. Together we talk to Roger McClendon, Executive Director of the Green Sports Alliance—an organization that leverages the influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities. According to Roger, sports has the power to unify people, and even to help them have common vision to engage big issues like climate change.
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 29 Mar 2021 | 26. Innovative Business Thinking for Community-based Earthcare: Ryan Metzger of Ridwell | 00:30:20 | |
In this episode I’ll be chatting with Ryan Metzger, the CEO of Ridwell, a groundbreaking organization that is pioneering a different approach to recycling and repurposing. Ryan and his young son Owen cofounded this growing company that now helps people by picking up materials and items that recycling companies normally won’t take. They saw a problem, and took risks to try new ways to solve it with an innovative business model. Today, they are on a mission to empower “neighbors and communities to build a less wasteful future.” Notes:
Actions:
Ideas for actions we can take in community:
Keywords: recycling, repurposing, reusing, grassroots environmentalism, community-based business, social enterprise, social entrepreneurship, business for good Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 12 Apr 2021 | 27. Earthcare is Peoplecare. Milmer Martinez Vergara of Plant with Purpose | 00:33:52 | |
In this episode we’ll have a conversation with Milmer Martinez Vergara, a Program Officer with the international development organization Plant with Purpose. Milmer works with the organization’s Latin American projects to incorporate conservation biology into their development work with the poor. According to him, protecting natural ecosystems also has the effect of creating resilient communities. Guest: Milmer Martinez Vergara - Regional Director with Plant with Purpose Mentions: Gregor Mendel - Augustinian monk who experimented with inherited traits in plants and is now considered the father of genetics. Keywords: community development, poverty, ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, native species, low impact farming, ecological development, Columbia, FARC, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia.
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||
| 26 Apr 2021 | 28. Nature, Art, and Spirit: Conversations with Artists Lenae Nofziger and Alycia Scheidel | 00:30:00 | |
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” Sometimes, we need artists to remind us how to see well, and how to “rightly consider” what lies beyond the surface of nature. In this episode we feature two artists whose work helps us to see beyond the surface of the created world. Our first conversation will be with poet Lenae Nofziger, and the second with wildlife photographer Alycia Scheidel. You will find examples of their work in the podcast show notes at www.circlewood.online/earthkeepers. We begin with Lenae reading three of her poems, in a series called “Branches, Leaves, a Life.” Welcome friends, to the Earthkeepers podcast. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers | |||