The Nature Connection Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sanne Giesen
The Nature Connection Podcast is for the wild people of the earth yearning to come home to nature and themselves. In the podcast we explore ways in which nature and ancient earth skills can enrich modern life, how it can support (mental) health and the regeneration of our planet. This show is hosted by Sanne Giesen, nature connection coach, herbalist and regenerative leadership guide with a background in psychology.
What does friction fire and shelter building teach us about everyday situations? Carleigh Fairchild shows us how survival skills translate into basic human needs in everyday life and how this influences how we show up in the world.
In this podcast episode Carleigh shares more about her experience on the Alone show and how her knowledge of the nervous system helped her in the experience.
Find Carleigh here
Instagram @carleighfairchild
Website www.humannatureconnection.com
Mentioned resources
All books by Jon YoungBraving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
Body by breath by Jill Miller
School
www.wildernessfusion.com
What do yoga, mindfulness and nature connection have in common? This is something we explore with our guest Micah Mortali. Micah is the founder of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and author of the book Rewilding.
In this episode we explore our relationship with nature, intuitive archery and meditative practices in the wild.
Find Micah here
Instagram: @micah_rewilding
Website: www.micahmortali.com
www.kripalu.org
Mentioned resources
David Wagoner Poem Lost
Smoke hole by Martin Shaw
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louve
Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
Daniel Vitalis' Rewild Yourself Podcast
Alone TV Show
Instagram: Man of Tanith
Nature contributes massively to our collective health - in this episode we uncover the physiological reasons why this statement is more important now than ever.
With my guest Lars van den Nieuwenhoff we explore two core pillars of health optimizations (which aren't food or movement) and how nature secretly lures us in to seasonal living if we want to be as healthy as possible.
Find Lars here
Instagram @larsvandennieuwenhoff
Website www.ikiguides.nl
Mentioned resources
Professor Douglas Wallace
Michan and Heleen are two outdoor enthusiasts who found each other in their love for mountains, exploring and adventure. She is the gear geek who likes to explore what's off the map, he the nature nerd with a love for tracking and primitive skills.
Last year Heleen and Michan had an incredible nerve-wracking adventure in the mountains. In this episode you'll hear what happend, how they managed to get out. We also speak about adventure and nature in everyday life, choosing life off the beaten track and the importance of good quality gear and building your connection with nature.
Find Heleen and Michan on Instagram
@hilly_goes_on_an_adventure
You can also find Michan on Instagram and Facebook
@tallmanhiking
and www.onderdeberk.online
Mentioned resources
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Secret World of Weather by Tristan Gooley
What the Robin Knows by Jon Young
The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger
Entering the Mind of the Tracker by Tamarack Song
The Rise of the Wolf 8 - Rick McIntyre
Podcasts
The Wild with Chris Morgan
Ologies with Allie Ward
For the Wild
The Wolf Connection
What if we could change the dominant narrative on our connection with earth and the way we view success? I'm feeling deeply honoured to have had the opportunity tospeak with Osprey Orielle Lake about indigenous wisdom, grassroot and personal change and redesigning modern society through rights of nature and systemic interventions.
Osprey is the founder of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN). She works internationally with grassroots, BIPOC and Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and diverse coalitions to build climate justice, resilientcommunities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean energy future.
Her book The Story is in Our Bones will be available in all major bookstores on January 30th.
Resources mentioned:
Women's Earth and Climate Action Network https://www.wecaninternational.org/
The last podcast episode of 2023 is a special one! Our guest is Ilse Donker. She is at the forefront of the skillsharing movement in The Netherlands, and shares her views on community, capitalism and activism. In this episode you’ll discover how nature is deeply woven into her work and ways of being - and the importance of knitting socks as holiday gifts.
This year of making a podcast has fulfilled me in more ways than I could ever thought possible. It allowed me to have many amazing conversations with experts in the field of nature connection and rewilding and meeting such wonderful people. If you supported the podcast this year, I want to send you heartfelt thank you. ❤️
Mentioned resources
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
The Gift by Lewis Hyde
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Marie Auel
Podcasts
The Rewilding Podcast by Peter Michael Bauer
For the Wild
Find Ilse at
Instagram @ ilse.aarde.donker
Website https://www.ilsedonker.nl/
Trigger warning: Sxual abuse*
This episode will rattle your bones, or should I say g*nitals? With social psychologist and adrenal expert Nienke Thurlings we dive into the field of societal norms, gender and how these are deeply intertwined with how we care for nature. Nienke also shares more about finding and building great relationships and learning what your full body YES feels like.
Books
When God was a Woman by Merlin StoneIn Defence of Witches by Mona CholletPleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown
Bitch by Lucy Cooke
Find Nienke atInstagram: @nienkethurlingswww.nienkethurlings.com
Revolution might look different than you’d always thought. While being fully submerged in the field of tec Jessica realized that happiness and progress doesn’t lay in moderntec-derived solutions. In her rewilding journey she took a deep dive learning hunter-gatherer skills, from foraging, crafting to building community.
In this episode we talk about how her inspiring book “Why We Need to be Wild” came to be, how rewilding challenges the status quo and that our greatest act of reciprocitymight be something completely different than what you think it is.
Mentioned resources
Why We Need to be Wild by Jessica Carew Kraft
Local guide books
A New Path by Arthur HainesThe Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods by Nicole ApelianCivilized to Death by Christopher Ryan
Find Jessica hereInstagram @whyweneedtobewild
Website www.jessicacarewkraft.com
What if the whole world was alive and could be your supportive council in your life? In this episode Janina from Wilder Medicines and I talk deeply about the idea of animism and plant allies. Janina shares her personal journey of uncovering, that has led her to South America, Berlin and the Black Forest in Germany.
We also dive into the healing potential of engaging in natural crafts, the land-based rituals from our ancestors and you'll come to know a deeply soothing nature practice for moments of despair.
Mentioned resources
Poems
Lost by David Wagoner
Mary Oliver
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Mirrors in the Earth by Asia Suler
Return by Lynx Vilden
The Spell of the sensuous by David Abram
Podcast
Mythic Medicine
Find Janina here
Instagram @wherethewildflowersblossom
Website www.wildermedicines.earth
Forest bathe anywhere, anytime. In this episode Summer shares her journey of how one powerful question and five minutes of nature a day transformed her whole postpartumlife. We’ll take a deep dive in what forest bathing is and what it can do for you and the importance of connecting with our own ancestors and the stories of the land.
Through the lens of art, creativity and connection we reevaluate what it means to create with nature. And the importance of encouraging our children to engage in rest,play and nature connection. In this episode you’ll learn a couple of Summer’s favourite ways to connect with nature, even as a busy mom!
Resources mentioned
Documentary
Andy Goldsworthy’s Rivers & Tides
Find Summer at
Instagram and facebook @listeningpines
Website www.listeningpines.com
What if you wouldn’t need any external tool for your healing? Just your breath and learning to be with your emotions and experiences? With my guest Jiska van den Brink (breathwork and mindfulness coach an trainer) we’ll dive into the power of the breath and mindfulness and it’s impact on our wellbeing and trauma resolution.
As cherry on top Jiska shares a guided calming breathwork practice in this episode, to bring you back to a state of regulation and relaxation.
You can find Jiska at
Website www.mindlove.nl
Podcast Mindful Navigeren (Dutch)
Instagram @jiska_vandenbrink
Mentioned resources
Podcasts
HubermanLab
Books
Love Revolution by Nadja van Osch (Dutch)
De Fontein, vind je plek by Els van Steijn (Dutch)
Books by Gabor Maté
The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman
What do bushcraft skills and personal development have in common? In this episode we dive in deep in the therapeutic context of the wild - and how you can use it to improve your mental wellbeing.
My guest for this episode is Sam Gravestock, a therapeutic wilderness guide with a background in bushcraft skill. Sam shares how nature became a part of his life when going through a rough time. We talk about the danger of comfort and perceived safety, outdoor skills and Sam's favourite ways of infusing the everyday with nature.
Resources mentioned
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Forest Bathing by Dr. Qi Ling
Outdoor Survival Handbook by Ray Mears
Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski
Field Guide to Wilderness Survival by Tom Brown Jr.
Field Guide to Living with the Earth by Tom Brown Jr.
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
14 Peaks (Documentary)
You can find Sam Gravestock on
Instagram @man_of_tanith
& @the_forest_path_uk
Website www.theforestpath.co.uk
Sam will be hosting his next men's guided therapeutic wilderness retreat on October 13th and 14th.
This nourishing inspiring episode is filled with Madame Formtastica's incredible knowledge on Witchcraft, Crystals and Earth-Based Magick. In our conversation you'll learn the creation story behind House of Formlab, the Winti roots of Madame Formtastica, as well as the conscious story behind the products.
We'll dive in deep into gemstones, working with nature and how you can live an intentional magickal life. And also, discover if Sanne is a Witch in the broom closet.
You can find Madame Formtastica on
Instagram @house_of_formlab
Website www.houseofformlab.com
Trigger warning for eating disorders.
In this nourishing episode we dive into herbalism, nutrition and foraging for a greater connection with the land. With my guest Kara Swenson (Thistle Patch Wellness) we explore how we can learn from plants and how we can incorporate them into our lives to enhance our health and wellbeing.
I hope this episode inspires you to get more attuned to the plants growing around you and get to know how they could support you.
You can find Kara on Instagram @thistlepathwellness or check out her website thistlepatchwellness.com
Kara's recommended books
The holistic herbal – David Hoffman
All books by Matthew Wood
Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask - Mary Siisip Geniusz
Kara's recommended podcasts
The Holistic Herbalism Podcast
The Homegrown Podcast
The Herbal Womb Wisdom Podcast
Are You Menstrual?
In this episode we’ll explore emotional regulation, nature connection and permaculture. With my guest Melissa Grace (Sacred Spring Coaching), we go on a journey to uncover the parallels between nature, emotional regulation and building community.
I hope that in this episode you’ll find hope for a brighter future ahead, feel seen and supported where you are at and get inspired to create your own community - or even your own secret garden!
You can find Melissa on Instagram @sacredspringspodcast or check out her Sacred Springs Podcast
Melissa’s Recommendations
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer
Hunt, gather, parent - Michaeleen Doucleff
Evolutionary Herbalism - Sajah Popham
Wild Remedies - Rosalee de la Forêt and Emily Han
Gaia’s Garden - Toby Hemenway
Podcasts
The Permaculture Podcast
The Modern Homesteader
Practices
Forage - to connect with the world around you
Observe the world - great practice for emotional regulation
In this episode you get a taste of the four doors of rewilding. We'll cover what the doors are, why they are important and how you can weave this ancient knowledge back in your own life.
I'm gathering a group of amazing folks that feel curious about Rewilding and Nervous System work to join me on The Rewilding Project. You can find all the info here https://www.thewildrootsguide.com/rewilding-project
How are our bodies and nature connected and how can we tap into the language that's at the core of both again. In today's episode you'll meet Judith Binias, a nature therapist who dedicated her life and work to restore the connection between our bodies and nature. In the episode we explore the nourishing power of movement, the importance of nature and body connection, eco anxiety and inclusiveness in the outdoor-world. Judith's recommendations
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer
Your Brain on Nature - Logan & Selhub
Women who Run with the Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Practices 5Rhythms – Gabrielle Roth
Find Judith at
Instagram @judith.binias
Website https://seewithyourbody.de/
In this bite-size episode we'll discuss the different aspects of nature that can have a soothing and healing effect on your nervous system. From sunlight, sounds, patterns and the grounding electrical current of the earth. Herbs are a profound way in which nature can help us to take care of our bodies and minds. In this episode we explore different herbs and mushrooms that are amazing for the nervous system. You'll also learn a little bit more about how to incorporate herbs into your daily life and how to work with them.
This episode is all about how nature can help us to find balance in between the highs and lows of life. We'll have a look at things society labels as "unwanted", like anxiety and pests, and look at what the role of these aspects are in the bigger ecosystem. Nature helps us to understand the time and place of everything and this wisdom enables us to grow more resilient.
Engaging in this continuous dance is really where somatic coaching and nature connection meet. Somatic modalities can help us to create space to track our inner world and become aware of the whatever is going on within - and how this affects the interaction with our outerworlds. As a nourishing bonus this episode starts with a felt sense practice that can be done wherever you are at, to feel the benefits of this glorious mix of nature and somatics first hand.
In this short episode we explore slowness and seasonal living as the antidote to modern hustle culture. What can we learn from nature when life feels too slow or too quick. Why can seasonal living be an antidote to stress and how can it boost our collective performance.
In this episode we'll explore five nourishing ways in which you can deepen your relationship with nature. From stories, to elements, reflection and rituals - this episode is loaded with inspiration and practical invitations to get even more out your time in nature. And we'll dabble lightly in why spending time outdoors is not only good for your wellbeing, but for the wellbeing of our planet as a whole.
As a nature connection coach I'm lucky enough to work with many people in nature, and you'll find some wonderful stories in this episode that illustrate how powerful this work can be - and how you can give it a try yourself.
In this episode we explore wildcrafting as rebellion: How it can be a gateway for a deep sense of nature connection and how it can bring back power to the people. In this podcast I share a bit more on how to start wildcrafting, how to do so ethically and what you'll need.
In the episode you'll find seven easy to recognize widespread plants to kick of, or deepen, your wildcrafting adventures. Let's the Musks and Bezos rule the air, while we roam the earth.
In this episode I'll take you along the journey of our tiny house build. How we ended up at an offgrid permaculture community, how we settled on the dome shape design and how we worked with the landscape.
If you like the episode, please share it with your loved ones or leave a review!
You can connect with me on Instagram @runningwithsheep or read more about my work at www.thewildrootsguide.com
Music credits: Purple Planet Music
Let's dive into the world of wintering and darkness. How can we ride the waves of darkness and embark on a revolution to change the world.
If you like the episode, please share it with your loved ones or leave a review!
You can connect with me on Instagram @runningwithsheep or read more about my work at www.thewildrootsguide.com
Music credits: Purple Planet Music
In this episode we explore direct and gradual cold exposure and how to stay and get warm when you are outdoors in nature.
If you like the episode, please share it with your loved ones or leave a review!
You can connect with me on Instagram @runningwithsheep or read more about my work at www.thewildrootsguide.com
Music credits: Purple Planet Music
In this episode we will explore the fascinating healing powers of nature and two nature connection practices to work with them.
If you like the episode, please share it with your loved ones or leave a review!
You can connect with me on Instagram @runningwithsheep or read more about my work at www.thewildrootsguide.com
Music credits: Purple Planet Music