The Wilderness and Wellness Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Discussion with Rick Berry, student of Tom Brown Jr. and founder of the 4 Elements Earth Education school, about the life, teachings, and legacy of Tom Brown Jr.

Tom Brown Jr. Books

4 Elements Earth Education (founded by Rick Berry)

Discussion with Wendolyn Bird, former outdoor preschool/summer camp director and nature-infused parenting coach. We talk about techniques for mindfully dealing with the difficult but rewarding task of parenting and how to infuse nature into our parenting journey and create mindful, helpful, and nature-connected children.

Connect with Wendolyn:
- https://wendolynbird.com

Book Recommendations:
- How to Calm a Tantrum in 17 Seconds: From Chaos to Calm: Discovering Nature’s Path to Peaceful Parenting (eBook), by: Wendolyn Bird

- Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans, by: Michaeleen Doucleff

- Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One), by: Dr. Deborah MacNamara

- Trails, Tails & Tidepools in Pails, by: Docents of Nurserty Nature Walks

- Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, by: Jon Young, Ellen Haas, & Evan McGown

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 where mantracking has been employed, and some resources for people to begin learning the art of mantracking.

Connect with Kyt and “The Way of Tracking” Mantracking School:

The Way of Tracking Website

The Way of Tracking’s Facebook Page

The Way of Tracking’s Instagram Page

Kyt Lyn Walken’s YouTube Channel

Book Recommendations:

Tracking: A Blueprint for Learning How

Sign and the Art of Tracking: A Guide to Support Law Enforcement Tracking and Anti-Poaching Operations 

Booklist Link from Kyt’s Website (With many free downloads including the two books listed above)

Complete Guide to Tracking: Concealment, Night Movement, and All Forms of Pursuit Following Tracks, Trails and Signs, Using 22 SAS Techniques

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 of our inner landscape, and along the trails of our souls, unfolding the concepts of how a tracker follows oneself using the same principles they may use to follow a trail, allowing the maker of the trail to reveal him or herself instead of forcing a preconceived idea or projection. George discusses the practice of inner tracking in relation to other traditions of self-inquiry, pointing to inner tracking as a method that utilizes the land and the natural world as a conduit through which to explore the self. We reflect on how tracking, deep nature connection, and inner tracking can facilitate a powerful healing journey as one identifies baggage and begins unloading it to move on through the world in a lighter way. George also explains the process of openness, spaciousness, and that where we put our attention and love, our energy flows out and is reciprocated by the world and the people around us. All this and much more.

Connect with George

Mindful Tracker Website

Mindful Tracker Facebook Page

Inner Tracking Facebook Group Page

Knew Spirituality Facebook Page

Knew Spirituality Instagram Page

LeoniakTracking YouTube Channel

george@mindfultracker.com

Book Recommendations

“Tracking and the Art of Seeing” and “The Wild Within”, by: Paul Rezendes

Additional Recommended Links/Resources

8 Shields Institute – Mentoring, Tracking, and Naturalist Training Programs

Think Radio Interview – George Leoniak: Tracking Animals to Find Oneself

The Mindful Trackers Youtube Playlist – Videos of George and Paul Rezendes exploring tracking and self-awareness ideas and principles

Tracking Related Education/Events

Northeast Wildlife Trackers 2020 Conference

Tracker Mentoring Online courses from Kersey Lawrence and Lee Gutteridge

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 afterwards. She fills us in on her recent adventures as a backcountry hunting and fishing guide in Canada, with her 7 year old son in tow. Michelle fills us in on her school “Legacy Survival Training”, and offers some tips on how we can more easily incorporate a preparedness mindset into our lives.

Connect with Michelle and her school Legacy Survival Training

Legacy Survival Training Website

Legacy Survival Training Facebook Page

Legacy Survival Training Instagram Page

Book Recommendations

My Side of the Mountain Series

Hatchet Series

The Alice Network

Other Links

The History Channel's Alone Show

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 tracking really resonated with her learning style and drew her to move to and seek mentorship through trackers from Africa. Kersey describes her journey towards becoming the highest certified female tracker in the world and the humbling responsibility that comes with that title and the naturalist knowledge that she has garnered over the years. Kersey describes the capabilities of a skilled tracker and how tracking and immersion in the natural world can instill within people a desire to protect and preserve the earth and its living creatures. Kersey shares more information about the programs offered by her company, Original Wisdom. Finally, Kersey offers an in-depth look at the CyberTracker system, expounding on its genesis, methods of evaluation to determine the expertise of trackers through its “track and sign” and “trailing” evaluations, and the ways that an evaluation is just as much a tracking workshop as it is a test of skill. Kersey teaches us what characteristics and skills are looked for in a good tracker by CyberTracker evaluators, and offers some advice on beginning to learn the art and skill of tracking.

Connect with Kersey and her company “Original Wisdom”:
Original Wisdom Website
Original Wisdom Facebook Page
Original Wisdom Instagram Page 

Book Recommendations:
A Sand County Almanac
Braiding Sweetgrass
The Art of Tracking: The Origin of Science
Mammal Tracks and Sign
Tracks and Sign of Insects and other Invertebrates
Bird Feathers: A Guide to North American Species
Practical Tracking: A Guide to Following Footprints and Finding Animals
Books by Lee Gutteridge

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 for reconnecting with the natural world and garnering the health and wellness benefits of such a reconnection. I qualify this statement with some reviews of academic theories such as “attention restoration theory”, the Bar-On model of “emotional-social intelligence”, and the introspective self-analysis that come from inner-tracking, with its resulting life inventory that often causes sometimes painful but necessary life upheavals. I weave a few personal tracking stories into the mix for an episode that is sure to offer some insight into the healing power of tracking. 

References:

Metaphyscial Tracking: The Oldest Ecopsychology by: David Kowalewski

Thinking in animal signs: Tracking as a biosemiotics exercise, ecopsychological practice, and a transpersonal path by: Jorge Conesa-Sevilla

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 reconnection between people and the natural world. Kimberly expounds specifically on rewilding and how it fits into the ecotherapy conversation of reunifying people with nature. We talk about ways that people project onto the the natural world, and others, and what one can learn by properly observing and asking questions about one’s projections. Kimberly offers stories of experiences with clients, exemplifying ways that nature connecting events can become an anchor for those struggling with mental illness. We also discuss the natural ability of the awareness skills, such as tracking, bird language, and naturalist knowledge, to facilitate ecotherapeutic self-exploration. We explore the importance of play and its role in helping people become fully realized human beings, as well as other nature reconnective activities that can be incorporated into one’s life.

Connect With Kimberly:

Relational Rewilding Nature Coaching Website

E-mail: wild@relationalrewilding.com

Kimberly’s Instagram Page

Book Recommendations:

How to Raise a Wild Child, by: Scott D. Sampson

Deep Nature Play: A Guide to Wholeness, Aliveness, Creativity, and Inspired Learning, by: Joseph Cornell

Nature and Therapy: Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy in Outdoor Spaces, by: Martin Jordan

A New Path: To Transcend the Great Forgetting Through Incorporating Ancestral Practices into Contemporary Living, by: Arthur Haines

The Power of Now, by: Eckhart Tolle

Other Links:

John Stokes and “The Tracking Project”

Jon Young, “8 Shields Institute”

Wilderness Awareness School

Shelley Torgove, “Artemisia and Rue: Earth Centered Healing Traditions”

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, When, Where, Why, and How, which outlines the various arts of tracking including identification, interpretation, aging, trailing, ecology, and intuition respectively. Next I discuss some techniques for learning how to track including the prerequisite of curiosity, the importance of dirt time, how to study tracks, utilizing animal forms (moving like the animal), the importance of the sit spot, and the benefits of tracking with a buddy. I also give a short primer on the concept of inner tracking, discuss some resources for getting started, and give a brief overview of what to expect in the coming series.

Videos:

The Great Dance: A Hunter’s Story

Web Resources:

Jonah Evans’ Website and Tracking Schools Directory – A great place to find a school near you that teaches tracking

Princeton University’s “Guide to Animal Tracking” – A great basic primer on the practical aspects of tracking

Kim Cabrera’s Bear Tracker Materials – Database of accurate track drawings, videos, links to resources such as the “Animals Don’t Cover Their Tracks” Facebook Page

The Art of Tracking Radio – A free podcast that goes in depth on many tracking topics with many leaders and big names in the tracking world

“The Magic of Reading” Blogpost – A blog article describing Bill Hill’s research into the way human’s read and why our millions of years of tracking as a species contributes to our ability to read and imagine images and stories while doing so

Book Recommendations:

Animal Tracking Basics – by: Jon Young, Tiffany Morgan

Tracker’s Field Guide – by: James Lowery

Mammal Tracks and Sign: A Guide to North American Species – by: Mark Elbroch & Casey McFarland

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West – by: Hampton Sides

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 with minimum modern tools on a wilderness island in B.C. with someone who was at first a complete stranger, but became a cherished friend. Nikki offers details about their experiences of starvation and plenty, failure and success, the changes that happen to the body and mind, and the life lessons on relationships, self-care, gratitude, and learning to work with the natural world instead of against it. We also talk about how her 1 ½ year survival journey prepared her for her time on the Alone Show and the overall themes of her Alone Show experience. We also delve into Nikki’s ability to communicate directly with beings in the natural world and her belief that all people have this ability to connect with the unseen world lying dormant within them. Nikki leaves us with a reflection on the importance of understanding how our thoughts and language shape our attitude and understanding of the world around us and how we attract things into our life.

Connect with Nikki:

Nikki’s Blog - The Chronicles of Daisy Crocket: The Magic, Mastery, and Madness of Wilderness Living

Nikki's Becoming Wild Facebook Page

Nikki’s “Becoming Wild” YouTube Channel

Nikki’s Instagram

Nikki’s Book:

Becoming Wild: Living the Primitive Life on a West Coast Island

Becoming Wild Trailer

Book Recommendations:

The Secret Life of Plants

Do Fish Feel Pain?