Doomer Optimism

East Tennessee farmer Brian Miller discusses his new book “Kayaking with Lambs” with Jason and Josh. The book, published by Front Porch Republic , features a panoply of sensorial and spiritual experiences observed over 25 years of farming and animal husbandry. Our conversation slaloms around Brian’s roots in anarchism and how these led him to an agrarian life, the need for renewed manual competenc...

Sally Thomas joins Donald for another installment of the Doomer Optimism Literary Hour. They discuss her novel Works of Mercy , American poetry past and present, homeschooling, and family life. Sally Thomas is a poet and fiction writer, and author of two poetry collections, Motherland and the forthcoming Among the Living, both from Able Muse Press. Her novel, Works of Mercy, was published in 2022...

Jason speaks with Evan Welkin (@ewelkin ) about the general theme of displacement and dispossession, and what permaculture (permanent culture) means in contexts of people increasingly being uprooted from their homes for political, climate, financial, ideological, or other reasons and having to move. They discuss his growing up in a rural Oregon town where the forests were being clearcut and toxic...

Jason and Roxanne (@happyholistichs ) speak with Andrew Millison (@andrewmillison ), who runs the permaculture design course for Oregon State, and who produces a serious of remarkable educational videos on permaculture concepts and on projects all over the world. They talk about the importance of water in landscapes, his journey towards permaculture and education, how he sees the permaculture move...

In this episode Jason speaks with Scott Miller (@thrivingtthefut) about his podcast and newsletter Thriving the Future, building up his homestead, growing community, holding skills workshops, starting a tree nursery side hustle, and more Scott lives on 10 acres in NE Kansas with gardens, (relatively) new food forests, and a tree nursery. Thriving The Future Podcast focuses on positive solutions to...

Nathaniel Marshall sits down to chat with Going Godward on vocation, the good purpose of work, and rejecting ease as a means of becoming a more integrated person. Explore meaning, work ethic, and optimism in this warm and enlightening episode Nathaniel Marshall: Twitter handle: @‌oblatenate Editor: thebluescholar.substack.com , @‌bluescholarwork Going Godward: Twitter handle: @‌goinggodward

Tres and Sim interview Zach Loeks, and talk about the problems and opportunities around growing food in sub/urban spaces. Zach debunks many of the myths around maintaining food production in urban landscapes, and we dig into the secrets of lesser-known city fruits. Zach is an educator, author, artist, and farmer based in Canada. Zach Loeks (@zachloeks) - https://www.zachloeks.com/ Tres Crow (@doge...

In this episode Jason speaks with Steven Stoll, the author of the excellent book Ramp Hollow: The Ordeal of Appalachia, about the history of land dispossession in Appalachia and the rise of industrial capitalism, manufactured dependency on wage labor due to land degradation or dispossession, The Whisky Rebellion, absentee land ownership and the initial squatters rights movement, coal towns and the...

Donald and Joey talk to writer Jordan Castro about his new novel, the history of the Alt Lit literary movement, punk rock, and the Midwest. Jordan bio: Jordan Casto is the author of The Novelist (Soft Skull, 2022) and two poetry books. He is from Cleveland, Ohio.

Brian Fink chats with Going Godward, offering a unique perspective on finding meaning in the chaos of life. Explore existentialism, spirituality, and optimism in this enlightening episode of Doomer Optimism.

The Weird Wild Wonderful World of Biochar – with Tom Miles, Kelpie Wilson, Myles Gray, and Josh What is biochar and why should we care about it? A roundtable discussion with veterans of the biochar world. Tom Miles –  TR Miles Consultants (ag and bioenergy) and US Biochar Initiative Kelpie Wilson – Wilson Biochar Myles Gray – US Biochar Initiative Josh Kearns – A Field Guide to Biochar Water Treat...

In this episode, Ashley and Jason talk with Michel Bauwens about his work developing ideas for a ‘cosmo-local’ society through the power of horizontal P2P networks, a reimagining of the commons, and crypto. Along the way they talk about ascending and descending civilizations, why he thinks we’re in a descending one, and what that potentiates in terms of reinvigorating local societies and provision...

For decades, indigenous communities in the Amazonian region of Ecuador have been impacted by petrochemical exploitation and monocultural ag for export. They have suffered from pollution and associated ill health effects, economic insecurity, and encroachment on their traditional territories from roads, oil wells, pipelines, and industrial ag plantations. Grassroots groups such as Amisacho Restaura...

Ashley speaks with Geoffrey, @‌longstoryfarms, about his adventures away from home, including time spent in Chile, and his moving back home to be a productive member of his community.

Ashley and Feidhlim Harty of Ireland talk about ecological approaches to water, sewage treatment, constructed wetlands, and more. Feidhlim runs FH Wetland Systems - Creating Spaces for Nature. Find more info at: https://www.wetlandsystems.ie

Join our book club community as Ashley, Donald, AC, Tiffani, and Joel gather to discuss the timeless wisdom of Wendell Berry. Delve into the captivating world of his works, exploring profound insights, reflections, and engaging conversations that promise to leave you inspired and enlightened.

Tres and Simon delve into the urgent question: What are we going to do with the suburbs? As they discuss the repercussions of unrestrained suburban expansion and its impact on the environment, you'll gain insights into the challenges of unchecked growth, from encroaching wildlife to insurance woes. Join the conversation to explore alternative approaches to suburban living and sustainable urban...

Ashley sits down with Andy and Keturah to talk about a future-oriented nomadic culture, drawing from the best of the past and the present. They also drop some exciting news at the beginning of the chat! Follow Andy and Keturah on twitter: https://twitter.com/shagbark_hick https://twitter.com/KeturahAbigail Read Andy’s substack at: https://shagbark.substack.com/

Ashley and Roland talk with Jonathan Rawles, son of famous survivalist James Wesley Rawles about religion, localism in the inner mountain west, the state of the redoubt movement and our thoughts on white nationalism.

Ashley and Jason speak with Ed Bourgeois about his long history in the regenerative agriculture movement, the importance of holistic science, good soil management as the foundation, and his work now building peer to peer networks among farmers working towards a regenerative transition

Nate helps Ashley think through the idea of returning home from Uruguay to Chicago by reflecting on his own story of homecoming.

Will, GG, and Jason discuss Will’s eclectic background researching ‘urban renewal’, the cyclic nature of society, urban decline and polarization, as well as his ‘escape’ to the exurbs to become a low-tech, permacultural, self-sufficient homesteader and the reality checks he’s received in terms of producing enough food and battling invasive species. Will Caverly lives on a permaculture homestead in...

Drake, Nate, and Jason talk about Silvopasture, Drake’s experience with it, and Nate’s plans for it. What it is, why it has so much potential for both food production and ecological restoration, the central role of water management, keyline design, carbon myopia, ecological prefiguration, and the numerous beings that are supporting our efforts.

Description: Tessa Carman and JC Scharl join Donald and Going Godward to talk about poetry, translation, and motherhood in the first-ever Doomer Optimism Literary Hour. Bios: Tessa Carman is a writer and teacher. You can find more of her work at TessaCarman.wordpress.com . Jane Clark Scharl is an American poet, playwright, and critic. Her poetry has appeared in many American and European outlets,...

Over the past several months Josh Kearns has been remote mentoring a small group of Stanford students working on biochar water treatment (mostly though one student contact). Two students just wrapped up a 10-week implementation trip in Malawi. He recorded the conversation the night before they were flying out to come back to Western Civilization. He wanted to talk to them while they were still fre...