Podcast
Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality
Hosted by Forrest Inslee · EN
The Earthkeepers Podcast promotes global connection among ecological-minded people who believe that earth care is an integral part of spiritual life. Through conversations about topics like ecology, climate change, gardening, farming, social enterprise, theology, environmental justice, outdoor recreation, conservation and community development, we aim to inspire a movement of ordinary earthkeepers who will help heal the world.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Grieving for a Suffering Planet: The Climate of Lament, with Michael Ferber and Philip Mingay | Ep. 151
2d ago00:39:36Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteSummaryExplore the profound role of poetry and lament in addressing climate change, grief, and community resilience through the insights of authors Philip Mingay and Michael Ferber. In this episode, we take a look at their new book—a collection of poems and essays they have edited called Climate of Lament: Reflections on Ecological Grief. Mike and Philip—and the many other contributors to this volume—model for us a way to enter into the pain of letting our hearts be broken…and show us ways in which poetry can serve as a means of expressing both individual and collective sorrow. Importantly, in its inclusion of a range of authors from diverse vocational and cultural backgrounds, Climate of Lament shows us that poetry as an expressive form can be accessed by anyone—by professional poets, but also by those average folks for whom poetry is a new language we are learning to speak.Climate of Lament book website Key TopicsThe role of art and literature in climate change discourseThe significance of lament and grief in environmental activismDiversity of voices in climate poetry and reflectionsThe process of creating and sharing poetry of lamentThe impact of community and place on environmental expression Keywords: climate change, lament, poetry, community, environmental grief, art and activism, climate of lament, storytelling, community resilience, environmental poetryFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →The Rewilded Heart: Kathleen Audet Interviews Forrest Inslee | Ep. 150
2w ago00:26:27Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this special 150th Earthkeepers episode, Kathleen Audet of the Styled Clean podcast and Forrest Inslee discuss the ways in which faith and ecological are intertwined. Niki Hardy of the Wildly Known Life podcast helps frame this conversation, in which Kathleen and Forrest consider such topics as sensing God in nature, deepening relationships to the ecologies of our places, and even shifting our paradigms to see the connections between creation care and missions work. Resources & Links: · Christine Sine’s Walking in Wonder substack· A Rocha US, Churches of Restoration· Norman Wirzba books, including Agrarian Spirituality · Seminary of the Wild· Niki Hardy’s Wildly Known Life podcast· Kathleen Audet’s Styled Clean podcastKeywords:creation care, spirituality, ecology, earthworms, community, environmental stewardship, faith-based environmentalism, sustainable living, nature listening, climate change, fast fashion, missions, community development Main Topics: The spiritual dimension of caring for creation and its roots in faith traditionsThe story of Rachel’s worm rescue as a metaphor for spiritual transformation and environmental consciousnessHow listening to creation and understanding local stories foster environmental awarenessPractical ways to begin living more earth-honoring lives, including outdoor practices and community involvementThe relationship between decolonization, indigenous knowledge, and ecological restorationChallenges and community strategies for overcoming resistance to sustainabilityThe importance of a worldview rooted in creation-centered spirituality and simple daily acts Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →I and Thou: Nature, Resilience, and Healing for Soldiers, with Drew McGinley | Ep. 149
Apr 1500:34:35Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this insightful interview, Drew, an army chaplain with nearly 19 years of service, shares his unique perspective on the intersection of faith, culture, nature, and military service. Discover how his approach to relational encounters and understanding diverse backgrounds enhances his support for soldiers and fosters healing through nature and community. Drew’s LinkedInDrew’s YouTube channelDrew’s Insta key topicsThe role of military chaplains in supporting religious libertiesThe concept of I-Thou versus I-It relationships and its application in military and nature The impact of cultural understanding and diversity training for chaplainsHow outdoor activities and nature foster healing and trust among soldiersThe environmental considerations in military operations and trainingkeywordsMilitary chaplain, faith and culture, nature and healing, relational spirituality, diversity in the military, environmental consciousness, community development, spiritual support, military service, ecological impact, Elwha dam removal, Elwha people Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →Trusting Indigenous Ecological Wisdom, with Ciro Flores and Noah Guthrie | Ep. 148
Apr 100:25:20Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this conversation, guest host Noah Guthrie interviews Ciro Flores Cabrera about the vital work of A Rocha in environmental conservation across Peru. They consider A Rocha’s prioritization on helping to preserve traditional culture of native peoples in connection to their work of protecting native flora and fauna. Their conversation highlights community engagement, ecosystem restoration, and the spiritual connection to caring for God's creation. A RochaA Rocha PeruNoah Guthrie’s essay regarding his time in Peru, on The Ecological DiscipleKey Topics· Ecosystem restoration in dry forests and the Amazon· Community involvement and indigenous knowledge· The spiritual and biblical basis of environmental care KeywordsMachiguenga, Environmental Conservation, Peru, Amazon, Dry Forest, Community Engagement, Ecosystem Restoration, Indigenous Knowledge, Biofauna, Sacred Nature, Christian Ministry, acacia, carob, entrepreneurship, environmental education, tilapiaFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →Churches Loving Their Places: Brendan McClenahan of TEND | Ep. 147
Mar 1800:27:18Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this insightful interview, Forrest and Brendan McClenahan discuss the launch of TEND, a free creation care curriculum rooted in faith and community. They explore the barriers and opportunities for integrating creation care into church life, emphasizing relational healing, indigenous wisdom, and practical actions that reconnect people with their place and creation.The TEND curriculum websitePlant with PurposeKey topicsCreation care as spiritual practiceBarriers to environmental engagement in churchesOpportunities for community-based creation careThe role of indigenous wisdom in environmental stewardship Keywordscreation care, faith, community, indigenous wisdom, environmental restoration, spiritual formation, church, sustainability, relational healingFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →Intentional Community for Human and More-than-Human Beings, with Ruth Padilla deBorst | Ep. 146
Mar 400:46:45Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this episode, Forrest Inslee and Jo Swinney spend time with Ruth Padilla deBorst of A Rocha Costa Rica, sharing experiences and insights on creation care and community living. Ruth highlights the organization's growth, and its commitment to creation care, community engagement, and environmental justice. In particular, she describes the ways that her intentional community, called Casa Adobe, works to foster deep connection between people and nature, and people with other people. The conversation delves into the challenges of seeking such environmental restoration, addressing issues like river pollution, greenwashing, and the need for a more profound understanding of our particular places. Ruth also emphasizes the importance of caring for creation alongside others in community, advocating for a shift from an individualistic, consumption-orientation to shared responsibility and mutual support. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners on how to engage in meaningful environmental action, and the ways that we can balance lament for the current state of the planet while at the same time remaining hopeful for the future.Keywordscreation care, environmental justice, intentional community, A Rocha International, A Rocha Costa Rica, storytelling, ecological stewardship, community living, environmental activism, hope, indigenous wisdom, composting, theology of creationTakeaways Jo Swinney: "I am primarily a storyteller, trying to inspire people to do what they can where they are."Ruth Padilla DeBorst: "It's hard for me to imagine caring thoroughly for creation if we don't get off that train of consumption and accumulation."Ruth Padilla DeBorst: "The most powerful possibility of transformation is communal."Ruth Padilla DeBorst: "Recognizing the river as our sister is an expression of worship of God, not of the river, but of the creator."Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →Partnering for the Planet: Resisting Environmental Injustice, with James Amadon and Ben Lowe | Ep. 145
Feb 1800:40:23Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this episode, Forrest Inslee engages with Ben Lowe (A Rocha USA) and James Amadon (Circlewood) to discuss current environmental challenges and the role of faith communities in addressing these issues. They explore the importance of partnerships, the need for theological reflection and repentance, and the significance of community action in resisting destructive trends. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of love and relationality in ecological advocacy, as well as personal growth in ecological thinking.A Rocha USA Rocha InternationalTake AwaysThe external circumstances regarding climate change are dire, but organizational work is thriving.Partnerships between organizations can enhance resilience and impact.The church has a critical role in environmental advocacy, but has often been absent.Political polarization affects the church's engagement with environmental issues.Repentance is essential for the church to align with God's call to care for creation.Resistance to harmful practices must be rooted in love and community.Local actions can have a significant impact on environmental health.Personal connection to nature fosters resilience and hope.Theological reflection is necessary for effective environmental action.Communal resistance strengthens community bonds and fosters collective action.Keywordsenvironment, climate change, church, ecological justice, partnership, community, resilience, repentance, love, action, A Rocha USA, Circlewood, environmental justiceFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →You Are Not Alone: Action Rooted in Community and Nature, with Christy Berghoef | Ep. 144
Feb 400:52:23Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this conversation, Christy Berghoef talks with Forrest about her book Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming that explores themes of community and the connection to the land, as a foundation for living lives of social and environmental action. She reflects on her journey back to her family farm in Michigan, the challenges of navigating a conservative community with differing views, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging. The discussion also delves into the balance between contemplation and action in social justice work, the dynamics of toxic tribalism versus communal belonging, and the significance of allowing children to experience freedom and wildness. Christy also emphasizes the need for courage in speaking out and finding community.Christy Berghoef, Doctor of Ministry in The Sacred Art of WritingBlog: Wheat & WillowAuthor of Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of HomecomingAuthor of Cracking the Pot: A Spiritual Memoir of ExpansionTakeawaysHome is where you can be who you really are.The land provides a deep connection and sense of belonging.Finding balance between contemplation and action is essential.Toxic tribalism creates division; communal belonging fosters connection.Speaking out can help others realize they are not alone.Children need freedom to explore and learn from nature.Political engagement can impact family dynamics and community.Adversity can lead to growth and understanding, even and especially in kids.Living with less can contribute to environmental justice.Community action is vital for systemic change.Keywords: spiritual memoir, homecoming, community, environmental justice, contemplative photography, social change, toxic tribalism, communal belonging, childhood freedom, political engagement, environmental activismFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →A More Ecological Democracy: Native American Vision for Better Government, with Randy Woodley | Ep. 143
Jan 2300:37:32Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this episode, Forrest Inslee talks with Randy Woodley, reflecting on the historical context of democracy in America and emphasizing the need to learn from Indigenous practices that prioritize cooperation and community over competition. He critiques the current political landscape, expressing frustration with Congress's dysfunction and the erosion of democratic principles, while advocating for a return to a more inclusive and equitable form of governance: a truer democracy that draws on Native American history and values. Woodley discusses his Substack series, 'Make Democracy Great Again,' which aims to address systemic issues in housing, education, and healthcare, drawing parallels between past injustices and present challenges.Randy Woodley’s Make Democracy Great Again Substack series The “Iriquois Confederacy”Getting Started on SubstackEloheh Indigenous Center for Earth JusticeTakeaways · 'Native American peoples had a better way of expressing democracy than the United States has ever come up with.'· 'The bottom line is that the US has never have been a democracy.'· 'We're banning books and we're not teaching certain things anymore.'· 'As long as the power was held by majority white males, it hasn't been a democracy for anyone but them.'Keywords: democracy, Indigenous rights, political critique, solar energy, community leadership, environmental justice, systemic issues, Substack series, government overreach, social equity, Iriquois ConfederacyFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Transcribe →Standing Together in Defense of Creation: A New Season | Ep. 142
Jan 700:13:43Tap to summarizeSend us a voice noteIn this episode, Forrest Inslee reflects on the past and future of the Earthkeepers podcast, sharing personal experiences and new initiatives aimed at fostering community and addressing urgent environmental challenges. He introduces a new podcast series, Edgewalkers, and emphasizes the importance of asking difficult questions about ecological issues and the role of individuals in creating change.Earthkeepers websiteReach out to Forrest at forrest.inslee@circlewood.onlineTakeawaysForrest shares his personal journey and reflections on the podcast.The importance of community in environmental efforts is emphasized.New initiatives will be launched to foster learning and connection.The Edgewalkers podcast will explore faith and relevance in modern times.Forrest plans to share a bit about his personal ecological journey of learning the land where he now lives.The podcast will address the urgency of the environmental crisis..More difficult questions about ecological destruction will be explored in season 7.The need for radical action in the face of climate change is highlighted.Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and recommendations.Keywordsenvironmental crisis, community action, podcast, ecology, Edgewalkers, climate change, creation care, journey of ecological discipleship, Camano IslandFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
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