The Wilderness and Wellness Podcast

A short episode discussing the lyrics of the song "Alie Nation" written by the late John Trudell and performed by the musical group "The Halluci Nation" (formerly "A Tribe Called Red"). I offer a personal interpretation of the lyrics, discussing the two different mindsets one may adopt, that of an indigenous way of thinking which may lead to healing, connection, and sacredness, or that of a post-modern...

In this eighth episode of my tracking series I had the fortune to catch up with avid hunter, tracker, and CyberTracker evaluator Brian McConnell. In our discussion we cover a lot of ground (pun intended). Brian fills us in on his background as a young man being taught by his dad how to hunt in the Arkansas woods, then learning intuitively to trail deer, and finally, later in life, connecting with a class offering formal training in...

In this Wilderness and Wellness “Short”, I introduce the inaugural episode for a new format that I plan to start releasing and delve into a passage from Eckhart Tolle's "Oneness With All Life". Based on Eckhart's teachings in this passage I discuss the way that the thinking mind perceives organic natural spaces as chaos, whereas the quiet mind of "being" perceives a sacred order. I offer commentary on ...

Join me for a discussion with Dr. Doug Tallamy about a simple yet revolutionary way that we can save nature while building a relationship with it and gaining the health benefits of such an activity at the same time. With his extensive research background on the interactions of the plant and insect world, Dr. Tallamy skillfully teaches us:

·      The ecology of native vs. non-native plants and why maintaining native plants matters to...

In this seventh episode of my tracking series I get out in the field with Bryon Lichtenhan of Sky Island Alliance to volunteer doing some work in gathering data for a border wall study that the conservation organization is conducting. In this journalistic style episode we learn from Bryon and the Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance, Louise Misztal, why wildlife migration corridors along the border are important, the threat th...

In this sixth episode of my tracking series I had the privilege to sit down and talk about bird language and animism with tracking author, instructor, and podcaster Filip Tkaczyk. Fil teaches us the intricacies of bird language, sharing foundational principles, stories, and examples of how we can tap into, and become a part of the communications of nature. The following topics, and more, are discussed:

-The art of bird language, wha...

In this fifth episode of my tracking series I had the privilege of discussing the topic of mantracking and its applications with European mantracking instructor Kyt Lyn Walken. Kyt and I delve into the many ways that mantracking can be utilized, from survival scenarios to anti-poaching operations and so much more. We talk about the differences and similarities between wildlife tracking and mantracking, some historical situations wh...

In this fourth episode of my tracking series I sit down with tracking practitioner, educator and CyberTracker evaluator, George Leoniak, to explore the concept and practice of “inner tracking”. Through his 20+ years of tracking, and mentoring with some of the world’s most skilled trackers, George has gained an in-depth understanding of tracking both the outer, and inner landscape. George guides us through the shady and sunny parts ...

In this episode I sit down for a chat with mother, wife, survivalist, fishing and big game hunting guide, and Alone Show Season 6 contestant Michelle Wohlberg. Michelle talks about growing up in the Canadian bush hunting and trapping, the events leading up to and how she prepared for her time on the Alone show. Michelle gives us more details about her experience on the show and the mental and physical recovery she went through afte...

In this episode of my tracking series I am privileged to speak with Kersey Lawrence, who is currently the only female in the world that holds the certified highest level of skill with the title of “Senior Tracker” through the CyberTracker system. Kersey and I talk about her journey into a deep connection with the natural world and her foray into the world of tracking. Kersey discusses how the very practical, African style of tracki...

In this second episode of my tracking series I delve more specifically into the ways that tracking contributes to human wellness. I talk about humans’ evolutionary roots within the cradle of the natural world and how this existence predisposes our bodies, minds, and spirits for more natural ways of being. I make the bold statement that it is my belief that tracking, and wildlife tracking specifically, is the most effective activity...

Join me for a discussion with ecotherapist, rewildling coach, and outdoor skills practictioner Kimberly Beck as we explore ways to reverse the ill effects of our divorcement from the natural world due to human domestication. Kimberly shares her nature connected background as well as healing experiences and epiphanies she had which led her down the path of learning the principles of therapy and how to facilitate a relational reconne...

In this introductory episode for a series specifically about tracking, I introduce the concept of tracking by discussing what tracking is, why we as humans are all equipped to be trackers, why our history as trackers contributes to our capability to read words on paper, among other things, and the possibilities and feats of skilled trackers. I also discuss some basic terminology, talk about the meta-level questions of Who, What, Wh...

In this episode I reconnect with survivalist, wilderness guide, homesteader, instructor, and many more titles I don’t have time to name, Nikki van Schyndel. We talk about Nikki’s life, homesteading on a remote island in Echo Bay British Columbia, as well as how her story evolved from being a privileged city girl to roughing it while engaging in the world of wilderness living skills. We speak at length about her experience surviving...

In this episode I sit down for a conversation with Mike Masek, community herbalist, and educator who runs “The Forager’s Path School of Botanical Studies”.  We talk about Mike’s journey into the world of herbs and his promotion of the concept of “Community Herbalism”. We talk about the efficacy of herbal medicine and the best way to approach it to gain the most benefits in light of our “cure in a pill” society. We also discuss ways...

In this episode, I engage in an article review of Robin Wall Kimmerer's (author of Braiding Sweetgrass) 2015 article entitled Nature Needs a New Pronoun: To Stop the Age of Extinction, Let’s Start by Ditching “It”. Through Dr. Kimmerer's words we explore the power of everyday language and a way suggested by Dr. Kimmerer to deepen our relationship with the more than human beings (animals, plants, trees) in the natural worl...

Join me for a discussion with the Pawson-Ryan family as they tell the story of their journey into the world of birds. We learn about David and how his friend Noel introduced him to birding which had a profound effect on him, causing him to do a complete about-face in his education track as a PhD candidate in engineering. We then learn about how David’s newfound obsession for birding slowly rubbed off on his partner Alison, and then...

 Interview with Elena Harder, Bulletproof Mom and mental wellness coach. Elena tells her inspiring story overcoming mental illness and the threads of nature connection that were her support along the way. We talk specifically about Elena’s intuitive use of a sit spot and the importance of creating personal spaces for mental wellness. Elena tells us about her journey, moving from Calgary, Canada to Mexico on a whim with her young so...