Podcast
Recombination Nation
Hosted by Shane Simonsen · EN
Explore the intersection of evolution, ecology and civilisation with crop and livestock breeders, low input farmers, social engineers and a dazzling array of deep thinkers.
Read more of Shane Simonsen's work at the Recombination Nation substack.
49episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
New Zealand, Energy Limits and Resilience with Nathan Surendran
6d ago01:36:10Tap to summarizeNathan Surendran is an Engineer who moved from the UK to New Zealand in response to the terrible creaking sound coming from the heart of the world's industrial systems. There he has worked consistently to help local government prepare for the unfolding shocks and stresses in our planetary supply chain, which New Zealand sits on the very end of.You can read Nathan's work at Energy and ResilienceSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
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A Route to Beaver Domestication
2w ago00:23:56Tap to summarizeIn Shane's first solo episode, we explore the possible route to the domestication of the beaver and the potential benefits of developing a close relationship with this powerful ecosystem engineer.Check out more novel domestications in my ebook Taming the ApocalypseAudiobook available on KoboAudiobook also available via a paid subscription to the Recombination Nation Substack
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Agricultural Magic with the Cunning Farmer Todd Elliott
3w ago01:19:00Tap to summarizeTodd Elliott is an experience market farmer who followed his passion for agricultural spiritual traditions deep into history, applied those lessons to his own surroundings, then wrote a book about his discoveries.Read Todd's blog: https://thecunningfarmer.substack.comBuy his book from the publisher: https://www.innertraditions.com/the-cunning-farmerOr Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Cunning-Farmer-Agrarian-Practices-Mythology/dp/B0F1LQSDFCSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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The Russian Outlook on Industrial Decline with Dmitry Orlov
Jul 301:14:21Tap to summarizeDmitry Orlov was a prominent voice in the early 2000s peak oil movement in response to his book "The Five Stages of Collapse", comparing the recent collapse of the USSR with the likely prospects of the USA under similar circumstances. He has since moved from the USA back to Russia, where he continues to monitor history as it unfolds. This conversation was a rare opportunity to delve into the Russian outlook on the state of the world from one of my favourite writers.Sign up for Dmitry's blog: https://boosty.to/cluborlovWatch his delightful Youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@DmitryOrlovAndClubThe Five Stages of Collapse: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Stages-Collapse-Survivors-Toolkit/dp/0865717362/Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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Zach Elfers- Tree Crops and the Organisations That Love Them
Jun 2602:23:02Tap to summarizeZach Elfers is a superstar in the agroforestry community, helping multiple innovative organisations develop both the crops and their uses. We talk about his work with hickory, honey locust and more, and their processing into value added products through collaborative groups.Read his substack: https://zachelfers.substack.com/profile/postsAnd his original blog: https://www.nomadseed.comCheck out his nursery: https://www.futureforestplants.comThe Keystone Tree Crop Cooperative: https://ktcc.coopTickets to the Northern Nut Growers Association conference: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/northernnutgrowersassociation1/2149900Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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Buddhism, Monasteries and Existential Threats with Soryu Forall.
Jun 1901:51:04Tap to summarizeSoryu Forall is a meditation teacher and spiritual leader dedicated to bringing all beings to enlightenment. He teaches that ethical behavior is the beginning of the path, and that the first step in ethics is to prevent the destruction of life on Earth. Soryu is the Head Teacher and Founder of the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth (MAPLE) where he guides that community to develop the wisdom, compassion, and power necessary to create AI systems that genuinely care for all life.Visit MAPLE: https://www.monasticacademy.org/guestsTrain at MAPLE: https://www.monasticacademy.org/trainThe special 3 month program mentioned in the interview: https://cohort.monasticacademy.org/Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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Avocado, Carob and Golden Chinquapin with Nicholas Mallonee
Jun 1201:12:46Tap to summarizeNicholas is a passionate rare tree grower in the blessed lands of California where just about everything seems to grow. He has tapped into the growing diversity in avocado, and gathered up the remnants of legendary crop breeder Luther Burbank in his backyard.If you would like to get in touch with Nicholas reach out to me via my Substack.Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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Eons of Life, Both Future and Past, with Professor Peter Ward
Jun 501:26:17Tap to summarizePeter Ward is a palaeontologist and prolific author with books covering a vast range of the deep past and distant future of life on Earth (and beyond it). His book "Future Evolution: An Illuminated History of Life to Come" caught my attention and I was thrilled for the opportunity to drop an avalanche of speculative biology questions his way.You can find his books online and in major book stores: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter-Douglas-Ward/author/B001I9OZ12Browse reviews on his many titles here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/28065.Peter_D_WardSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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Creating a Seed Farmer Community with Edmund Frost
May 2901:19:29Tap to summarizeEdmund Frost founded a collective of seed growers and breeders who sell their selection of seeds suitable for the humid southeast USA as Common Wealth Seed Growers. He lives in Louisa County, Virginia, a center for the intentional communities movement, and spent many years living at Twin Oaks Community. He is passionate about breeding cucurbits for disease resistance, along with many other crops.Read more about the Common Wealth Seed Growers: https://commonwealthseeds.comSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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Orbiting The Biological Singularity with Arnold Schroder
May 2201:33:37Tap to summarizeArnold Schroder, from the Fight Like an Animal podcast, is an ecological anarchist who bridges the world between biology and politics across the depths of time.Check out his archive of fascinating articles: https://www.againsttheinternet.comGrab his new book: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Like-Animal-Revolutionary-Biology/dp/B0GZ1GKCVX/Listen to his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/09DTUqzsCjGkvxw0GbFobEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fight-like-an-animal/id1511430305Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
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