Shane Simonsen, host of the Zero Input Agriculture podcast, introduces the structure of the show, his background, places you can read more of his work and his sincere hopes to inspire listeners to pursue crop and livestock breeding for low input agriculture to build a functional alternative to industrial civilisation.

Read more and support Shane's work at his substack blog, Zero Input Agriculture, or buy a copy of his ebook Taming the Apocalypse.

Intro song- Rameau "Les Sauvages" (1735)

Outro song- Rameau "La Poule" (1741)

This is an audio version of a blog post from Zero Input Agriculture on January 3 2024.

This episode explores the book by James C. Scott and applies its key findings to navigating the decline of industrial civilisation.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog - https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane interviews Brian Reeder, life-long breeder of the beautiful and delicious daylilies (Hemerocallis) among many other obsessions.

Check out Brian’s links mentioned in the show:

Sun Dragon Daylilies- http://www.sundragondaylilies.com/

Sun Dragon Daylilies Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/SunDragonDaylilies

Detailed Article on Daylily Breeding Program - https://daylilybreeder.blogspot.com/p/the-daylily-as-permaculture-subject.html

A recent interview article in two parts- http://47daylilies.blogspot.com/2019/12/a-visit-with-our-friend-brian-reeder.html

https://47daylilies.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-visit-with-our-friend-brian-reeder.html

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog - https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Episode 1 – A Solitary Season

This is an audio version of a blog post from Zero Input Agriculture on October 3 2024.

This episode explores the thorny issue of managing events that happen only once in the life span of our planet.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane interviews David Holmgren, cofounder of permaculture and all-round inspiration, about the potential synergies between modern permaculture practice and the breeding of plants and livestock.

Check out David’s recent articles mentioned in the show:

A Table of Many Stories – an exploration of the true age of the largest Australian trees : https://holmgren.com.au/writing/a-table-of-many-stories/

Saving Warners Track- a riveting account of firefighting efforts in remote Tasmania: https://holmgren.com.au/writing/saving-warners-track-jackeys-marsh-forest-festival-aftermath-1983/

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog - https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

In this audio version of a blog post from the Zero Input Agriculture substack Shane explores the recurring pattern of robust staple crops being transformed into weak and inbred vegetable varieties.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane interviews Sam Bonney about his journey into low input agroforestry and the challenges of breeding slower growing crop species.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

This is an audio version of a blog post from the Zero Input Agriculture substack.

In it, Shane explores the deep history of life on Earth and the recurring imbalances in the biosphere that led to disasters that dwarf the current human impacts we worry so much about.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane chats with Evalisa McIllfaterick about her collaborative watermelon breeding project in chilly Canada.

Evalisa's Market Farm- Root Cellar Gardens: rootcellargardens.com

Superior Seed Producers (the local seed collective mentioned): https://superiorseedproducers.wordpress.com/

Lakehead University Sustainable Food Lab/ Breeding Diversity, Community, and Health: Mobilizing Landrace Seeding Breeding in Northwestern Ontario (2024 – 2027) project: https://foodsystems.lakeheadu.ca/agroecology-in-canada/

Robin Wall Kimmerer's essay about corn/maize: https://emergencemagazine.org/feature/corn-tastes-better/

Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Farmer-Led Research: https://efao.ca/farmer-led-research/

Seedlinked- a database of crop variety performance for home and market gardeners: https://app.seedlinked.com/en-US/seeds/search

This episode reviews the book "Agriculture of the Hidatsa" which can be read for free online. Rare first hand accounts of pre-industrial agriculture are a valuable resource for anyone contemplating the nitty gritty details that lie ahead for those forced to develop post-agricultural systems.

Shane interviews Professor Porcupine about the ways that young people without access to their own land can nevertheless get involved in crop breeding and low input agriculture.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Professor Ugo Bardi about his recent book "Exterminations: Preparing for the Unthinkable" about the limits to growth and social, cultural and political responses to civilisational collapse.

Check out more of Professor Bardi's work.

Exterminations: Preparing for the Unthinkable

The Seneca Effect

This episode calculates the minimum area of land needed to provide water, calories, protein and vegetables to a perfectly efficient human being under industrial and preindustrial circumstances. What would such a society look like? Luckily we have a real life example to explore.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane argues for the advantages of direct sowed seed over transplants, and outlines the key ingredients to achieve success sowing your own seed where it will grow.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Jason about his extraordinary passion for breeding diverse, aromatic and hardy basil that goes so far beyond the common leafy green type most people know.

Check out more of Jason's work at the links below

The Basically About Basil main page where you can buy diverse basil seed and select plants

https://basicallyaboutbasil.com

The highly informative Basically About Basil Youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@BasicallyaboutBasil

Email Jason directly at- info@basicallyaboutbasil.com

Shane reflects on his oldest vegetable landrace crop, the humble shallot or spring onion (Allium fistulosum), an indispensable fresh leafy vegetable that deserves a place in just about every warm climate garden.

The general principles and steps in developing your own landraces are explored, plus the numerous long lasting benefits.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Dr Eugene McCarthy about his lifetime studying the importance of hybridisation in the creation of new forms of life (usually called speciation). This is part of a three episode series with Dr McCarthy, Part 2 will investigate his thought provoking pig-chimp hypothesis, and part 3 will cover implications and applications of hybrid speciation theory.

Read all about Dr. McCarthy's work at his extensive website detailing his theories in accessible language:

https://www.macroevolution.net

A recent research paper showing the differences between bonobo and human genomes correlate with pig sequences- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.14.607926v1.full.pdf

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane revisits an old substack post reviewing Fukuoka's "One Straw Revolution", comparing his experiences as an experimental farmer to those of one of the founders of this philosophy.

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Fedor Steeman about the limits of evolving and engineering life itself.

Check out more of Fedor's amazing videos on speculative biology at Phrenotopia-

https://www.youtube.com/@Phrenotopia

The origin of animal body plans - https://youtu.be/3Gql2iyY5Gw?si=lCEY3vtmibvfYaFG

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Salvatore Ceccarelli about his incredible contribution to the preservation and reinvigoration of ancient landrace crop genetics in the Middle East and Europe, putting diverse mixes of ancient grains back into the hands of farmers and bakers throughout the region.

You can read more about Salvatore's work at- https://salvatorececcarelli.wordpress.com

(translation into English might be helpful using translate.google.com for selected passages).

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Gregg about his long journey through breeding a wide range of crops in his challenging Mediterranean climate in southern Australia. We also compare notes on the challenges of creating local crop breeding groups and discuss fresh approaches.

Check out Gregg's incredible range of seeds for sale: https://www.usefulseeds.com

Join Gregg's local crop breeding group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18wjkbJUWh/

You find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Dr Eugene McCarthy once more, delving into his astonishing theory about the possible hybrid origin of humans (and not the recent discoveries about mixing of modern humans with neanderthals and their kin). Eugene has assembled a compelling body of evidence that our chimp like ancestors may have hybridised with the humble pig, accounting for a long list of unusual human traits that are lacking in our primate ancestors.

You can read more detail about Eugene's theory here: https://www.macroevolution.net/human-origins.html

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Kahlil Corazo, a writer, thinker, entrepreneur and former agricultural researcher from the Phillipines about psychofauna, technocapital, the past and future of cacao and a whole bunch of other fascinating topics.

You can read more of Kahlil's writing at his substack blog: https://www.explorations.ph

And his article on psychofauna: https://www.theseedsofscience.pub/p/psychofauna-studies-a-manifesto

A few of Kahlil's books:

https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Ideas-Into-Reality-Entrepreneurship-ebook/dp/B0BRF2568Y/

https://www.amazon.com/Rajah-Versus-Conquistador-Gambit-Conquest-ebook/dp/B0F28XV6K7/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Michael Longfield about his extensive work developing syntropic agriculture systems in the central USA, tapping into an impressive range of local and introduced plant genetics.

You can learn more about Michael's work at Interwoven Permaculture: https://interwovenpermaculture.com

And get more regular updates and contact through: https://www.facebook.com/InterwovenPermaculture

Check out Michael's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interwovenpermaculture/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane interviews Nikomiko about his involvement in the creation of Viossa, a pidgin language that was constructed in online chat rooms through playful interaction in any language except English and which has since grown into a thriving community. We discuss the wild world of constructed and evolving languages, and play with ways that new languages could help build new cultures in this volatile time in history.

Recommended resources

Conlangs Subreddit- https://www.reddit.com/r/conlangs/

Viossa Subreddit- https://www.reddit.com/r/Viossa/

The Conlangery Podcast - https://conlangery.com

Jan Misali's Conlang Critic Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/l-unefmAo9k?si=RFhVZGQQe2Rm034g

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Richard Goerwitz about his remarkable role as head gardener for the East Wind Intentional Community. Richard's work occupies an unusual niche, somewhere between home gardener and market gardener in scale and that includes opportunities for crop breeding with an army of taste testers at his disposal. East Wind is one of the oldest intentional communities in the USA which also hosts a number of vibrant businesses.

You can learn more about East Wind here - https://www.eastwind.org

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Mark W. Kidd about preserving the cushaw squash in Appalachia, growing crops with minimal inputs in remote rural areas, and revitalising communities in the wake of contraction.

The Commonwealth Cushaw Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/commonwealthcushaw

Join a cushaw squash workshop in May:

https://cushawguide.handbarrow.org/

Check out the Going to Seed forum where Mark regularly posts: https://goingtoseed.discourse.group

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Nathaniel from the Ozark Mountains about his extensive work adapting Korean Natural Farming practices to his corner of the world, scaling sorghum as a zero input staple crop, and the thriving community networks which have grown stronger in response to economic stresses.

Read more about Nathaniel's work in this essay: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TkJXkxtg3Xkukre3L4SqY7372jDsdB4K/view

Contact him to find out about his native tree nursery- fourgsnursery@gmail.com

Learn more about the Ozark Area Community Congress- https://www.r3-0.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/A-PERSONAL-HISTORY-OF-OACC-HAENKE.pdf

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Weston Adams about his fascinating work breeding crops at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, including an ambitious project producing intergeneric hybrids of sunflowers.

You can reach out to Weston at Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/weston.adams.921

Or send him an email- Weston.a@rareseeds.com

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Justin Senryu-Williams about his extraordinary work to breed resilient, low input tomatoes for the soggy British climate through extensive outcrossing to wild tomato relatives.

You can learn more about his work through his posts on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JustinSenryu

https://www.facebook.com/groups/182244131939228

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Thomas Stoughton about his extensive field work studying the spring beauties (Claytonia species) a diverse group of plants with enormous untapped domestication potential and a host of weird genetic tricks. They also dive into fungi- foraging, farming and domestication, and a host of other side track topics.

You can read more about Thomas' work and see his beautiful botanical photos at: https://claytonia.org

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Hide

Shane talks to Gus Le Breton about his lifetime of exploring and promoting the vast array of useful edible and medicinal plants that grow Southern Africa and Madagascar. You're in for a rare ethnobotanical treat!

You can learn more about Gus' work at the links below.

Youtube channel with plant profiles and field trips: https://www.youtube.com/@AfricanPlantHunter

Gus' main website- https://africanplanthunter.com

The African Baobab Alliance- https://africanbaobaballiance.org

FairWild ethically connecting local plant producers to markets- https://www.fairwild.org

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Richard Bartlett about his remarkable passion for decentralised social organisations and the cultures and norms which make them thrive.

You can read the book Shane mentions in the episode at: https://betterworktogether.co

Richard's personal website links to all his other projects and contacts: https://richdecibels.com

And Casa Tilo in Barcelona presents an opportunity to immerse yourself in the growing community of apprentice vibe mechanics: https://eltilo.casa

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to temperate tree crop breeder Alex Tanke about his work with persimmons and pecans/hickories, plus a whole bunch of other topics related to tree crops and the development of diverse and resilient food systems.

Read more about Alex's work at his website: https://dispersionfarms.com

Check out his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alextanke8963

And check out the activity on the Nut Processors Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351572005177147/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane chats with Samuel Lewis, a self described 21st century hoe farmer from Brittany, France, who has been growing his staple calorie crops with zero inputs along with many other rural ventures, plus publishing books and producing art along the way.

You can get your own copy of his detailed book and learn more about his work at his website:

https://hoe-farming.com

Here are two short videos about his farm on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/iUmKfqm_znA?si=hVDhEQDkVusTD3Uv

https://youtu.be/tR0Lb5DaMrY?si=TjrgRY6gtGxsdouN

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane and long time fan of the show Cimbri talk about reclaiming our ancestral human potential, the past and future of human evolution (both biological and cultural) and the challenges of being a younger person (and parent) working toward escaping industrial civilisation.

You can check out Cimbri's activity on Reddit- https://www.reddit.com/user/Cimbri/

Special Price Reduction on Taming the Apocalypse ebook- Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Julian Gough, philosopher turned cosmologist, about his stunning theory extending Smolin's Cosmic Natural Selection. If organisms and ecosystems can evolve, then perhaps entire universes are part of a chain of variation and selection as well. Recent observations from the James Webb space telescope have supported many of Julian's boldest predictions and the scientific establishment is beginning to pay attention.

Read more about Julian's work at his substack: https://theeggandtherock.com

A great starting point on Blowtorch Theory: https://www.irishtimes.com/science/space/2025/04/24/beyond-the-big-bang-irishmans-universal-evolution-theory-challenges-accepted-cosmology/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Capello about his experiences establishing diverse hazelnut groves in the Ozarks, integration of sheep grazing, and deeper thoughts about the potential role of animistic/shamanistic world views in response to the unfolding end of industrialisation.

Recommended reading

Joseph Henrich - "The WEIRDest People in the World" (re: cultural adaptation and knowledge transmission)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_WEIRDest_People_in_the_World

Dave Jacke & Eric Toensmeier - "Edible Forest Gardens" (two volumes) (re: food forest layering and production)- https://au.permacultureprinciples.com/product/edible-forest-gardens-volume-1/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Dr Eugene McCarthy for a third time, delving into the implications and applications of hybridisation driven change in organisms.

You can read more detail about Eugene's theory here: https://www.macroevolution.net/human-origins.html

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane has a deep discussion with Klaus Lotz from PermaDynamics, a syntropic farmer from New Zealand whose origin story traces back to working with the originator of this fascinating method in Brazil. We cover dairy goats, tree crops, and the specifics of living in a broader intentional community founded on permaculture principles.

Read more of Klaus' work at his main website: https://www.permadynamics.co.nz

Immerse in beautiful photos of the property: https://www.instagram.com/permadynamics/

Check out the Sapp app for selecting the best local trees and plants: https://www.sapp.earth

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Dr Philip Bell about his ground breaking theory of viral eukaryogenesis. It is well established that important parts of our cells, the energy producing mitochondria, originated from a free living bacteria that were absorbed and incorporated into every complex living thing on the planet. Dr Bell has looked further back into evolution and discovered that the nucleus at the heart of the cell originated from a free living virus, a bold theory which is slowly gaining acceptance.

You can read a popular science article on the theory here- https://www.quantamagazine.org/did-viruses-create-the-nucleus-the-answer-may-be-near-20201125/

You can read a research article summary here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.858064/full

Watch a full seminar on the theory- https://youtu.be/9sTYggbjV5U?si=TAOT8kre2UDZeaUr

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane and Steve have a stimulating chat about his extraordinary life, the seed industry, soil nutrition and health and finding a new community on the bottom of the world. Steve's book "Gardening When it Counts" was one of the most influential books in Shane's life, not because it changed his abstract thoughts. Instead it changed how he acted in the world. This is probably the longest episode recorded but worth every minute.

Check out Steve's extensive list of books- https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steve-Solomon/author/B001JRWZS8?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=97788a39-aee1-424c-915d-4febcd30231e

Many more free articles and books here - https://soilandhealth.org/steve-solomons-home-page/#

Get in touch with Steve by listening carefully through to the end of the episode.

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to his not too distant neighbour Darren, from Herbalistics nursery, about his amazing work crossing Australian crop relatives of citrus, sweet potatoes and a long list of medicinal plants.

Check out Darren's online nursery and blog- https://herbalistics.com.au

And his beautiful collection on instagram- https://www.instagram.com/herbalistics/?hl=en

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane and Cimbri resume their conversation, pivoting back to the all too common challenge of young people living in urban or suburban environments who want to escape to less crowded places, plus all the things they can do with their energy in the meantime.

Subscribe to Cimbri's substack- https://iwritetoyoufrombabylon.substack.com

You can check out Cimbri's activity on Reddit- https://www.reddit.com/user/Cimbri/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks to Greg Willkeen about his Bactelium project, aiming to develop a suite of food safe microbial communities that can provide food security from the most basic feedstock resources. We also delve into his crop breeding work developing a starchy storage squash, and discuss the evolving backyard microbiology community thriving across the world.

Check out Greg's substack blog - https://bactelium.substack.com

His main webpage for Bactelium- https://www.bactelium.com

And donate to support his work- https://givebutter.com/food-security-today

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Brad Neil, an expert in the improved English writing system called Quikscript and all round conscript and conlang enthusiast. We delve into the history of spelling and writing reform, how technology could catalyse a popular English reform in coming years, and Brad evaluates Shane's own ideas about creating a post-industrial writing technology.

You can check out Brad's Quikscript page here- https://friedorange.xyz/quikscript/intro.html

And explore a wide range of conscripts here - https://www.omniglot.com

You can find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

Shane talks with Harriet Mella, an independent soil scientist from Austria about the complexity and resilience of the life beneath our feet and its critical role in supporting crop health (in parallel with crop breeding).

Check out Harriet's soil science web course launching soon: http://agricurls.com/

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/taming-the-apocalypse-2

Our Vitreous Womb - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Vitreous-Womb-Book-1-4-ebook/dp/B0C7H9N1K3/

In this final episode of season 1, I outline plans for the podcast, Substack and planned YouTube channel in the coming year, then answer a stack of questions from followers of my work.

The podcast will be relaunching in November as Recombination Nation, so stay subscribed while I take a break and prepare for a stellar second season.

Find more of Shane’s work at:

Zero Input Agriculture blog

Taming the Apocalypse audiobook

Our Vitreous Womb

Thomas Picard is a landrace cucurbit breeder from France who works with melons, watermelon, pumpkin and kiwano.

You can read more about his work at the Going to Seed forum- https://goingtoseed.discourse.group/u/thomaspicard/summary

Links to the Going to Seed conference will be added once they are available.

Follow Shane's work at his Substack blog: https://recombinationnation.substack.com

Read his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

Shane grills Simon Michaux on the key resource limits preventing the promised renewable energy transition and his comprehensive plans to develop a thorium powered alternative.

Read more about Simon's work at:

The complex systems limits threatening industrial civilisation: https://www.simonmichaux.com

The plan to build an alternative civilisation: https://www.promethean-nexus.com

The plan to develop sustainable thorium energy: https://www.vulcancatalyst.com

Follow Shane's work at Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.com

Read his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/