Elemental Special; ep 1 FIRE

This episode is the first of 5, in a collaboration special with the Center for Humans and Nature. It is a series to celebrate the Center’s series ‘Elemental’ as well as a celebration of the many voices that contributed to the series. It is a great honor to finally shares these episodes with you.

In this episode of our special, I sit down with nature writer Isaac Yuen and contributor Rina Garcia Cua. We delve into the theme of fire, exploring its multifaceted significance and the personal and collective narratives surrounding this elemental force.

They both share insights into their work, which blends, poetry, creative non-fiction with scientific perspectives, emphasizing the importance of honor and wonder in connecting with the more-than-human world.

Tune in to discover the profound perspectives that emerge from their contributions to the Elementals volume and to hear how fire shapes our understanding of nature and ourselves.

They both read from their work as well as share their perspectives on the importance of looking at the world through the lens of the elements.

““Perhaps the last sunset that truly matters will simply be one seen by those still capable of becoming spellbound at the sight of a fiery disk slipping beneath the horizon.””

— Isaac Yeun

Rina Garcia Chua (she/her/siya) is a creative and critical scholar from the Philippines who is currently based in British Columbia, Canada. Her poems have been previously published in numerous journals, some of which are World Literature Today, Asteri(x), g u e s t, and The Goose: Journal of Arts, Culture, and Environment in Canada, of which she is currently coeditor. Rina is completing her poetry chapbook, A Geography of (Un)Natural Hazards, which is a visual and poetic response to migrant and arriving cultures, liminal environments, and violences of form and language. She can be reached at her website: http://rinagarciachua.com 

Photo by Maude Roxby

Isaac Yuen’s (he/him) creative work has been published in AGNI, Gulf Coast, Orion, Pleiades, Shenandoah, Tin House, and other literary publications. Winner of a Pushcart Prize, his debut nature essay collection titled Utter, Earth from West Virginia University Press weaves together the human and more-than-human world with wordplay and earthplay. A first-generation Hong Kong–Canadian, Isaac is currently a writer-in-residence at the HWK Institute of Advanced Studies in Delmenhorst, Germany.

Follow him here

““After fire there’s fertility and there is life.””

— Rina Garcia Chua

About the series

From the Center for Humans & Nature, Elementals is a new five-volume collection of essays, poetry, and stories that asks: What can the vital forces of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire teach us about being human in a more-than-human world?

Learn more about Elementals at www.humansandnature.org/elementals

Find out where to buy the books here

Becoming Nature: How Loss Inspired a Podcast and Deep Conversations /33

The tables have turned in the episode.

Last year my good friend Rich Skrein asked if he could interview me, for my own podcast. This became a deeply personal conversation through the themes I usually invites guests to explore. 

Rich and I have learned together as mentees, write together in our own little writing group and in May collabing around retreat in the Swedish Forest. It felt like the perfect interviewer to guide me deep into the why of it all. 

We had asked listeners for questions, Rich had asked mutual friends for some and he brought his own. I feel very moved by this conversation. For the opportunity to talk about my friend, who's passing started this whole thing. To talk about what shapes and forms us and the harder parts of life that become important thresholds. 

It feels raw and very honest to share this with you. 

In this epsiode we talk about: 

• Becoming Nature and how it started

• Becoming vs. we are nature

• Honoring teachers

• No BS as a superpower

• Belonging and cultural identity

• Practices for grief and connection

• Dying and the beauty of being alive

Also mentioned in this episode:

• Interview with Stephen Jenkins

• Stefana Serafina

• Interview with Tom Hirons

• Interview with Clare Dubois

• Rachel Corby

“When she died, a talking partner died too, and a philosophical wonder died.”

— Carina

The best way to support the podcast is to listen, share, leave a review, rate and comment. 

Thank you to all of those who have listened and supported Becoming Nature until now.

There is so much more to come. 

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This was a conversation between Rich Skrein

and myself, Carina Lyall

Rich can be found in the woods of Europe and England and is a Forest School trainer, storyteller and author with a profound and enduring passion for the natural world. He works with groups of all ages, building community and long-term opportunities for learning, growth and healing in the outdoors.

For the past 15 years I, Carina have guided people to come closer to nature, their inner and outer wild. I has worked with groups and retreats and has years of experience in holding space for inquiry and connection. The focus has been on community, nature, storytelling and rewilding in a modern world. This podcast is a heart project.

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Join us in the Swedish woods !

Find out more here

Erica Berry - Wovles and the stories we tell about fear. Episode 24

Art by Cille Vengberg <3 - Check her work out here

In this episode I have been so blessed to have a conversation with Erica Berry, author of the book ‘Wolfish- Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear’.

This is a brilliant book that I highly recommend. Ever since putting it down, I knew I had to talk with her some how. And here we are.

We dive into the impact of consuming a constant stream of fear-based stories. From the overwhelming amount of news and information focused on fear and trauma that bombards us in today's world. But also the stories that are ancient. The ancient fear stories that we told, and heard, for many reasons.

We talk about wolves and the history of out of proportion fear that has existed around this beautiful animal.

All of this conversation centered around Erica’s study with wolves, collective and personal fear and what emerges with that - love.

“I think there’s something beautiful in actually thinking about the idea of a lone wolf as someone looking still for connection and actually being vulnerable.”

— Erica Berry

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About Erica Berry

Erica  is a writer and teacher based in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Her essays appear in publications such as the Guardian, The New York Times, Yale Review, The Atlantic, and Orion, and her first book, Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell about Fear, was published by Flatiron/Macmillan in 2023.  She is currently an Associate Fellow at the Attic Institute for Arts and Letters and a writing instructor with Literary Arts in Portland.

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Find her online

Instagram @ericajberry  

www.ericaberry.com.

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Other Episodes you may enjoy

THE ROOTS AND STITCHING OURSELVES BACK TOGETHER STORIES WITH JAN BLAKE

KINSHIP AND FORAGING STORIES WITH GAVIN VAN HORN

MELTING THE ICE IN THE HEART OF MAN WITH ANGAANGAQ

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{CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EARTH} RIVER SPIRIT

THE SERIES 'CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EARTH' IS A COLLECTION OF ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN HUMANS AND THE WILD. THEY EMERGE FROM THE MINI COURSE 'HOW TO BECOME INVISIBLE IN A WORLD THAT DEMANDS TO SEE EVERYTHING' IN THE COURSE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SPECIAL NATURE ENCOUNTERS THROUGH ESSAY, PICTURES, POETRY OR OTHER EXPRESSIONS. THEY ARE CONTINUOUSLY PUBLISHED HERE ON THE WEBSITE.

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River spirit

Spirit of the river, clear and pure, flows with ease and beauty. No obstacles too difficult for her to overcome and she does so firmly but tender. Her gentle sounds are soft and soothing, whispering “let go”.

She welcomes me with joy and laughter, playfully caressing my naked body as I step into her cleansing, fresh waters.

Here I fell at home, a daughter of the river.

by Sigrid Fay

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{Conversations with the Earth} A Story by Clara Pagliaro

A story: 

The rain slowly moved in,

the ocean calling her name.

Finding herself walking down nearly bare,

perhaps showing up to be.

Hesitation encompassed her mind as she stood upon the waves 

gently showing her her own currents. 

"Do not fear" sang the sea.

She sat, surrendering and immersing her body in the vast and salty milk of the mother. 

Every hair on her body stood, her breath deep. 

Her mind whispering prayers to the universe,

"Don't let me go, keep me right here"

The ocean pushed her small body back and forth like a child being rocked. 

Her body frozen, desperate to shut

yet every breath releasing discomfort and opening her soul. 

The rain slowly moved in, 

It is only here she can see herself in all her wholeness. 

Mind still, body numb, lost in nature's power. 

It is here she listens. 

Clara Pagliaro