Hi Rhyd. Thank you for asking these questions. I've been enjoying the podcast.
Here's my suggestion:
You, and everyone else, usually interview people who are "well known" in certain circles. This often means they have published, or promoted their own work. But lately I'm finding my wisest teachers are living closer to the ground. One of my spiritual mentors is an older woman who has spent a lifetime studying and practicing shamanic and pagan spirituality and astrology. She teaches groups of women in her living room in suburban Boston. Another teacher of mine is a naturalist and tracker, in late middle age, also working in very low-key ways with individual students and small groups, teaching nature awareness.
The upside to seeking out "small" people like this to talk to is that you will get to talk to more women. (Women tend to be skeptical of self-promotion and fame, or just too busy doing their work to bother with it.)
(My own work is in play-based and nature-based education for children. I've been doing this for a couple decades in various settings. My current venture is Red Eft Play in southern Vermont (redeftplay.com) ).
I totally second this! I sometimes get a niggly feeling that podcasters just go round interviewing one another on a rota and the guests have to be at least a little bit famous before they get asked. I don't know how well-known you are, Andrée, but perhaps Rhyd could talk to you?
Definitely a great idea. I've a friend who runs a community supported agriculture farm here, and I've been trying to co-ordinate a time to do a discussion with him. Also, as Helen mentions, maybe you'd be interested also?
Let's talk about that! I could probably help you put together an interesting discussion about the importance of free play and nature-connection in the lives of children, with myself and one or two more "real" experts in the field. You can reach me at aczaleska@gmail.com
I loved Wales the time I visited there--mainly Llandeilo--and wouldn’t mind hearing more about your connection to the beings of the land there and how your relationships unfold with it, as a kind of microcosm or ideas for how any of us might engage with others.
I wrote a lot about this years ago. Have you read my book, "A Kindness of Ravens?" My travel journals in that one tell some really wild stories about being at Llyn Dinas / Beddgelert.
Yes, the afternoon cat nap, nothing like it! Pure bliss. I usually get it done in under 15 minutes and rise afresh, but at times am swept away into deeper longer realms.
As someone else who will be 47 in a few months, I'm ready for that to be my new favorite me. I've been cautiously optimistic so far this year, but cycles have to turn eventually and while I'm not sure if it's blind hope or real progress, but I feel like this could be the year.
I've fallen a bit behind on the Re/al/ign, and need to catch up. As for who to interview, I would love to see David Wengrow. With the late David Graeber he wrote The Dawn of Everything, one of the best books I've read in recent years.
Hello Rhyd! I like when you write about politics, or respond to current events. As to guests I agree with the other commenters here, it would be good to throw in some relatively unknown but interesting people as well as the more known ones. Guests out of left field make for stimulating dialogue
Is the sale over February 14th or 24th? You wrote February 14th but the code says FEB24.
What about Caroline Ross? I'd love to hear a conversation between the two of you. I was introduced to your work through her substack.
When it comes to your writing, I've enjoyed it all to be honest. The updates on your life as well as the longer essays. I find your honesty and openness about your life very refreshing. Your mysteria series has been great, so I'd love to see more. You have a way of writing about it, that at least for me, brings clarity and understanding on the intersection of the spiritual, the political and the mess of the world we find ourselves in.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is keep on keeping on. What you're doing has been great! Trust your instincts and inspirations!
P.S have you done any breathwork? Ive found it to be another good way to stay centered in the body besides physical activity. Which at one point was my only means to it.
Ah, the code is short for 2024. The sale ends on the 14th, but I can totally see how this would have been confusing!
I've been wanting to get into more breathwork! My meditative practices are really all over the place right now, and it would be a great idea for me to be more intentional with them.
Thanks especially for your support of The Mysteria. These are my favorite essays to write and research for, though I'm not always certain how they come across to readers.
And definitely, I need to ask Caroline. She's so great!
Hey Rhyd, I stumbled into your world through the magic portal of Gordon White's podcast. I quickly bought and devoured your books, "Being Pagan" and the brilliant "Here Be Monsters" (what a title!). Honestly, your personal stories, your sharp wit, and your deep knowledge of magic are what hooked me. Can't wait for your new book exploring how magic has been viewed through the ages. Between your writing, your speaking voice, and that infectious laugh, you radiate a kind of brave warmth that's simply irresistible. Here's to fresh perspectives, enchanted journeys, and the magic of finding kindred spirits across podcasts and pages.
Hey, and hope you're having a good new year in spite of the muscle pains. I enjoy most of your writing and appreciate the variety, so I'm happy to get whatever you're offering.
As for podcast guests, I'd love to see a conversation with Chris Smaje of Small Farm Future. Along with yourself and John Michael Greer he's my favorite "dark green/alternative green/whatever you want to call it" blogger and thinker. He's a British academic turned farmer who's written a lot about how we might build a saner society and food system. Politically he's broadly sympathetic to left-wing and anti-capitalist ideas, while also supporting private ownership where it makes sense. His blog and contact info can be found at https://chrissmaje.com/
Another option, speaking of JMG: how about Dana O'Driscoll, who took over as head of the Ancient Order of Druids in America after him? She's always struck me as a thoughtful and interesting character too.
Have you ever talked to Paul Cudenec on your podcast, Rhyd? I know you subscribe to his Substack. I haven't read a lot of his work but have picked up that he has different views on Marxism from you, though you otherwise have a lot in common.
Hi Rhyd. Thank you for asking these questions. I've been enjoying the podcast.
Here's my suggestion:
You, and everyone else, usually interview people who are "well known" in certain circles. This often means they have published, or promoted their own work. But lately I'm finding my wisest teachers are living closer to the ground. One of my spiritual mentors is an older woman who has spent a lifetime studying and practicing shamanic and pagan spirituality and astrology. She teaches groups of women in her living room in suburban Boston. Another teacher of mine is a naturalist and tracker, in late middle age, also working in very low-key ways with individual students and small groups, teaching nature awareness.
The upside to seeking out "small" people like this to talk to is that you will get to talk to more women. (Women tend to be skeptical of self-promotion and fame, or just too busy doing their work to bother with it.)
(My own work is in play-based and nature-based education for children. I've been doing this for a couple decades in various settings. My current venture is Red Eft Play in southern Vermont (redeftplay.com) ).
I totally second this! I sometimes get a niggly feeling that podcasters just go round interviewing one another on a rota and the guests have to be at least a little bit famous before they get asked. I don't know how well-known you are, Andrée, but perhaps Rhyd could talk to you?
Yeah, I like this idea!
Definitely a great idea. I've a friend who runs a community supported agriculture farm here, and I've been trying to co-ordinate a time to do a discussion with him. Also, as Helen mentions, maybe you'd be interested also?
Let's talk about that! I could probably help you put together an interesting discussion about the importance of free play and nature-connection in the lives of children, with myself and one or two more "real" experts in the field. You can reach me at aczaleska@gmail.com
I loved Wales the time I visited there--mainly Llandeilo--and wouldn’t mind hearing more about your connection to the beings of the land there and how your relationships unfold with it, as a kind of microcosm or ideas for how any of us might engage with others.
I wrote a lot about this years ago. Have you read my book, "A Kindness of Ravens?" My travel journals in that one tell some really wild stories about being at Llyn Dinas / Beddgelert.
I haven’t, but I love the name! I’ve been saying for a while now that whoever called a group of ravens an “unkindness” got it wrong: it’s a kindness.
Yes, the afternoon cat nap, nothing like it! Pure bliss. I usually get it done in under 15 minutes and rise afresh, but at times am swept away into deeper longer realms.
As someone else who will be 47 in a few months, I'm ready for that to be my new favorite me. I've been cautiously optimistic so far this year, but cycles have to turn eventually and while I'm not sure if it's blind hope or real progress, but I feel like this could be the year.
I've fallen a bit behind on the Re/al/ign, and need to catch up. As for who to interview, I would love to see David Wengrow. With the late David Graeber he wrote The Dawn of Everything, one of the best books I've read in recent years.
I second this request.
Thirded
I like this idea! I need to read The Dawn of Everything first. I particularly liked "On Kings" with Marshall Sahlins.
Hello Rhyd! I like when you write about politics, or respond to current events. As to guests I agree with the other commenters here, it would be good to throw in some relatively unknown but interesting people as well as the more known ones. Guests out of left field make for stimulating dialogue
I'm really liking this idea!
Invite Georgina Rose, pretty please
This is a great idea. :)
Is the sale over February 14th or 24th? You wrote February 14th but the code says FEB24.
What about Caroline Ross? I'd love to hear a conversation between the two of you. I was introduced to your work through her substack.
When it comes to your writing, I've enjoyed it all to be honest. The updates on your life as well as the longer essays. I find your honesty and openness about your life very refreshing. Your mysteria series has been great, so I'd love to see more. You have a way of writing about it, that at least for me, brings clarity and understanding on the intersection of the spiritual, the political and the mess of the world we find ourselves in.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is keep on keeping on. What you're doing has been great! Trust your instincts and inspirations!
P.S have you done any breathwork? Ive found it to be another good way to stay centered in the body besides physical activity. Which at one point was my only means to it.
Ah, the code is short for 2024. The sale ends on the 14th, but I can totally see how this would have been confusing!
I've been wanting to get into more breathwork! My meditative practices are really all over the place right now, and it would be a great idea for me to be more intentional with them.
Thanks especially for your support of The Mysteria. These are my favorite essays to write and research for, though I'm not always certain how they come across to readers.
And definitely, I need to ask Caroline. She's so great!
Haha wow. It's so obvious now that you say that. I guess it's still that early part of the year where my brain hasn't jumped over to 2024 yet.
Wim Hof is just a hop skip and a jump away from you in the Netherlands. With or without the cold exposure I find his breath work stuff very effective.
Well this reader loves them but I don't know how much my interests intersect with the mainstream haha
Hey Rhyd, I stumbled into your world through the magic portal of Gordon White's podcast. I quickly bought and devoured your books, "Being Pagan" and the brilliant "Here Be Monsters" (what a title!). Honestly, your personal stories, your sharp wit, and your deep knowledge of magic are what hooked me. Can't wait for your new book exploring how magic has been viewed through the ages. Between your writing, your speaking voice, and that infectious laugh, you radiate a kind of brave warmth that's simply irresistible. Here's to fresh perspectives, enchanted journeys, and the magic of finding kindred spirits across podcasts and pages.
Wow, thanks so much for your kind words!!!!
Hey, and hope you're having a good new year in spite of the muscle pains. I enjoy most of your writing and appreciate the variety, so I'm happy to get whatever you're offering.
As for podcast guests, I'd love to see a conversation with Chris Smaje of Small Farm Future. Along with yourself and John Michael Greer he's my favorite "dark green/alternative green/whatever you want to call it" blogger and thinker. He's a British academic turned farmer who's written a lot about how we might build a saner society and food system. Politically he's broadly sympathetic to left-wing and anti-capitalist ideas, while also supporting private ownership where it makes sense. His blog and contact info can be found at https://chrissmaje.com/
Another option, speaking of JMG: how about Dana O'Driscoll, who took over as head of the Ancient Order of Druids in America after him? She's always struck me as a thoughtful and interesting character too.
Have you ever talked to Paul Cudenec on your podcast, Rhyd? I know you subscribe to his Substack. I haven't read a lot of his work but have picked up that he has different views on Marxism from you, though you otherwise have a lot in common.
And this is maybe a bit random, but I've started reading some pieces by Brett Scott on money and was thinking it would be interesting to hear you talking to him. https://brettscott.substack.com/p/the-war-on-informality