Finding Connection in a disconnected World. Returning to our human roots and harmony through fascinating conversations around ancient and indigenous cultures, psychology, anthropology and herbalism.
EP14: Fog Collection: A Low-Tech Solution for Clean Water with FogQuest
Tony and Byron from the Fogquest team take us on a journey of sustainability, adaptation and the challenges with creating projects around the world. Although water is becoming more of a challenge in many places in the world, for some places it has always been difficult. Capturing fog is a brilliant way of working with water harvesting especially for communities that traditionally have difficulty getting fresh water. What is most extraordinary about fog capturing is that it can be extremely low-tech, meaning that anywhere where the landscape has the necessary conditions, this technology can go there without a crazy money investment. But what was even more refreshing and fun for me in this conversation was the openness of the Fogquest team to share the real challenges of working cross culturally around the world. It activated all of my old and still present love for culture and just how curious the human condition is and how to work with each other when we have completely different belief systems, living contexts and languages. None of it is as simple as we often imagine and at the same time, none of it is impossible either.
6 Jul 2024
EP11: The Science Behind Veery Birds and Hurricane Season Intensity with Christopher Heckscher
Christopher Heckscher, a professor of environmental science, discusses his research on the Vireo bird and its correlation to hurricane seasons. He explains that the Vireo bird is a neotropical migrant that migrates between North and South America twice a year. He has been studying the bird’s behavior and breeding patterns for over 26 years. He found that the birds that nest later in the summer and take longer to bring off their young tend to depart for migration later and enter South America later. He also discovered a strong relationship between the severity of hurricane seasons and the timing of the bird’s nesting season. In this part of the conversation, the focus shifts to the reception and potential applications of the research. The guest mentions that the meteorological community has not shown much interest in his findings, possibly because they rely on high-tech mathematical computations and decades of meteorological data. However, he believes that there is a chance that the Vireos are using an environmental factor that has not yet been connected to hurricane season as a predictor. He hopes that his research will inspire meteorologists to consider integrating this factor into their predictive models. The guest also discusses the importance of integrating traditional wisdom and knowledge from indigenous tribes into weather forecasting and land management decisions. He emphasizes the need for long-term data and the precautionary principle when making decisions that impact the environment. The conversation concludes with a discussion on how individuals can contribute to conservation efforts by planting native plants and advocating for the protection of natural areas.
4 Jul 2024
EP10: Plants, People, and Places: A Herbal Journey with Sophia Avramides
In this conversation, Justin Ancheta and Sofia Avramides discuss their experiences as herbalists and the challenges they face in the modern world. They talk about the differences in herbalism between different regions, such as the Northeast and Southern California. They also explore the use of specific plants like mallow and olive leaf for medicinal purposes. The conversation touches on the importance of bio orientation and connecting with the local environment. They also discuss the role of capitalism in herbalism and the value of creating and sharing medicine.
2 Jul 2024
EP9: Advancing Hurricane Forecasting with Sharks with Caroline Wernicke
Caroline Wernicke from the University of Delaware discusses using sharks as ocean observing platforms to collect data for predicting weather patterns. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing different stakeholders' interests in environmental management, the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge, and the potential benefits and risks of seaweed farming.
30 Jun 2024
EP8: Wondering and Wandering with plants and Jim Mcdonald: A deeper look at the world of herbalism.
The conversation with herbalist Jim McDonald delves into the essence of herbalism, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, wonder, and the interconnectedness of nature. Jim's teaching style and approach to herbalism are highlighted, along with his deep connection to place and the plants around him. The conversation also explores the concept of interdependence, the role of local herbalists, and the significance of learning with an open mind.
28 Jun 2024
EP7: CoolAnt: Nature-Inspired Cooling Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Monish from Coolant discusses the work of the startup company in enhancing cooling and air conditioning using natural materials. The company aims to bring back the basics of passive design and make it accessible to the masses. They draw inspiration from nature and traditional architecture to create climate-responsive buildings. Coolant believes in open-source solutions and making their designs public to contribute to the greater good. The challenges they face include the need for patience and a long-term vision, as well as the balance between profitability and environmental impact.
26 Jun 2024
EP6: Wine Wisdom: Insights from Peter Andrews oWine Wisdom: Insights from Peter Andrews on South African Wines and Their Makers
Peter Andrews of Culture Wine Company shares his journey from cooking school to the wine industry, emphasizing the importance of taste and the impact of natural and minimal intervention in winemaking. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working with natural wine producers and the impact of Mother Nature on the wine industry. The conversation delves into the complexities of winemaking, the impact of weather on grape ripeness, the challenges of producing balanced wines, and the concept of natural wine. It also explores the unique stories of South African wine producers and the mission of Culture Wines to bring their wines to the US market.
23 Jun 2024
EP5: Herbal Wisdom: Stephen Horn on Holistic Healing
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Stephen Horn, a seasoned herbalist with four decades of experience in natural healing. Stephen shares his inspiring journey into herbal remedies, discussing the limitations of modern medicine and the profound benefits of a holistic approach to health. Dive deep into topics such as the germ vs. terrain theory, the critical role of antibiotics, and the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Discover the power of plants in addressing various health aspects, and learn about the importance of prayer, intuition, and belief in the healing process. This episode emphasizes individual empowerment and self-trust in seeking health solutions, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in holistic wellness and natural remedies.
21 Jun 2024
EP4: Fields to Seas: How Chemical Agriculture Fuels Ocean Dead Zones with David Kirchman
The conversation covers the impact of dead zones on aquatic habitats, the causes of dead zones, the role of nutrients in dead zone formation, the historical context of dead zones, the impact of agriculture and biofuels on dead zones, and the trade-offs associated with reducing dead zones
19 Jun 2024
EP3: The absurd culture of the American Lawn with Virginia with Scott Jinkins
The conversation explores the history and cultural significance of lawns in America. It begins with the author's research on lawn ornaments and transitions to the topic of front lawns. The origins of lawns in England and their adoption in America are discussed, as well as the development of suburbs and the influence of golf on lawn aesthetics. The conversation also delves into the role of advertising in promoting the ideal lawn and the societal pressure to maintain it. The conversation highlights the changing language and metaphors used in lawn advertisements over time. The conversation explores the historical and cultural significance of lawns in America, highlighting the dominance of the lawn aesthetic and the impact of the advertising industry. It delves into the battle against nature, the use of pesticides and chemicals, and the gendered division of labor in lawn maintenance. The conversation also touches on the failure of progressive movements to challenge the lawn culture and the need for a new aesthetic that promotes sustainability and reconnection with nature.
16 Jun 2024
EP2: 5000-Year-Old Weather Forecasts: Vedic Texts on Climate and Celestial Phenomenal with Professor Iyengar
The conversation explores the intersection of Western reductionist science and traditional Indian knowledge systems. It discusses the different approaches to knowledge generation, with Western science focusing on analytical knowledge and traditional Indian systems emphasizing holistic knowledge. The conversation also touches on the potential of ancient texts and observations to inform modern weather forecasting and climate change predictions. However, there are challenges in integrating ancient knowledge with modern scientific methods, including the need for verification and the probabilistic nature of predictions. In this final part of the conversation, Professor Ancheta discusses the concept of waves in time and the self-similar structure of the Vedic texts. He explains how the Vedic civilization recognized both analytical and intuitive approaches to knowledge. He also touches on the evolution of astrology in India, from community predictions to individual horoscopes. Professor Ancheta emphasizes the importance of understanding the waves and cycles in time and how they can impact human beings and the world.
14 Jun 2024
EP1: The Cosmos of the Andes: Inca Astronomy Unveiled with Gary Urton
The conversation explores the connection between the landscape and the sky in the Andes, particularly in Peru. It delves into the astronomy and cosmology of the Inca civilization, focusing on their calendar system and their mapping of the stars to the physical geography of the earth.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Host of Justin the Sapien Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
