The Wilderness and Wellness Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Discussion with Dr. Ben Page, author, chiropractor, entrepreneur, and general purveyor of natural healing wisdom and medicine in the form of his company Consuelda’s comfrey salve. In this episode Dr. Page and I discuss his journey into natural healing and his life mission to help encourage robust and natural health for people and the earth. Dr. Page’s motto is “You Heal You”! He believes that the natural intelligence of the human body is the ultimate healer, so long as it is properly supported, and that any true journey into self-healing also includes a desire to support the healing of the natural environment. We also cover the healing superpowers contained in the comfrey plant (bone knit), the importance of proper nutrition, body movement, incorporating the natural cycles and seasons into our lifestyles, protecting our minds from the destructive and divisive power of social media and pornography, and so much more. We hope you enjoy this discussion!

Contact Dr. Page:

·      Consuelda Website (15% discount) 

·      Consuelda Instagram Page

·      Dr. Page’s Youtube Channel

Dr. Page’s Books/Products

·      The 4 Pillars of Health: Your Health and Well-being Made Simple

·      Playing In The Dirt: The Key To Sustainable Health!

·      Consuelda Comfrey Salve on Amazon

Book Recommendations:

·      The Daily Stoic, by: Ryan Holiday

·      Profit First, by: Mike Michalowicz

·      Good Energy, by: Casey Means 

·      Toxic Superfoods, by: Sally Norton

In this episode I sit down with a returning guest, my friend John Slattery who serves as a bioregional herbalist in the American Southwest. During our talk, John shares his stories and knowledge about what he has learned while delving into his self-discovery journey in connecting with his European heritage. John talks about his travels to Ireland, South America, and more. John discusses some of the unconventional knowledge and ideas about the history and spiritual landscape of the indigenous European peoples, especially in Ireland. We discuss ties to the landscape, animism, storytelling, and the importance of a personal spirituality tied to the land and its energies, among so many other topics. Don’t miss this intriguing episode!

Contact John:

John’s Website

John’s Facebook Page

John’s Instagram

Desert Tortoise Botanicals Website

John’s Books

·      Southwest Medicinal Plants

·      Southwest Foraging

Book Recommendations:

Irish Wisdom Preserved in Bible and Pyramids, by: Conor MacDari

How the Irish Saved Civilization, by: Thomas Cahill

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 the importance of the "being mind" while in nature to develop a participatory relationship with other living beings and garner the personal and planetary health and wellness benefits that will ensue.

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 the insect population.

·      how the health of the insect population is foundational for the health of the ecosystem, especially birds. 

·      Why it is important not just to protect places where people aren’t inhabiting, such as national parks and preserves, but to also maintain suitable habitat in the places people do inhabit. 

·      How we can cut our lawns in half to create a “Homegrown National Park” and shatter the almost universally accepted myth that humans and nature cannot coexist in the same areas. 

·      How to approach prohibitive homeowners’ associations to advocate for the planting of more native species.

·      The three historical missteps that modern western humans have made that have disconnected us from nature and helped to create the ecological crisis we now face.

·      Ideas for getting started creating your own “Homegrown National Park”.

Connect with Dr. Tallamy and “Homegrown National Park”:

Homegrown National Park Website

Dr. Tallamy’s Presentation to The National Wildlife Federation

Book Recommendations:

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard, by: Douglas Tallamy

Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Updated and Expanded, by: Douglas Tallamy

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees , by: Douglas Tallamy (Available March 30, 2021)

Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change, by: Larry Weaner & Thomas Christopher

Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States: The Guide to Creating a Sustainable Landscape, by: Tony Dove & Ginger Woolridge

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 that the looming border wall poses to these corridors, and how tracking supports SIA’s efforts in collecting data to bolster conservation work towards preserving the area and the migration corridors used by many species. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn tracking knowledge from Bryon and get a peek into the minds of trackers as Bryon and I attempt to decipher tracks and sign in real time. 

Connect with Sky Island Alliance

SIA Website

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, what it is, how it works, and how we can learn the secrets of the landscape using it.

-The specifics of bird vocalizations and what they mean.

-How bird language fits into the art of tracking.

-A few stories from Fil and I about our experiences with bird language and interpreting the mechanics of what birds are saying with their vocalizations and behavior within those stories.

-Animism as it relates to communications in the natural world.

-The practice of interspecies honoring (species giving space to one another) and how we can practice honoring with other animals as a part of being in relationship with nature.

-The concept of reciprocity with the land as all species give and take and how this relates to humanity’s current state of relationship with the land.

-How to begin learning bird language and building reciprocity-based relationships with the natural world.

Connect with Fil:

Pathwithaheart@hotmail.com

Animism: Listening to the Land Podcast on Apple

Animism: Listening to the Land Podcast Facebook Page

Animism: Listening to the Land Podcast Instagram Page

Book Recommendations:

Track and Sign of Reptiles and Amphibians of North America by: Filip Tkaczyk

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World, by: Jon Young

Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology, by: David Abrams

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, by: Robin Wall Kimmerer

Media Recommendations:

Merlin Bird ID App

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