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 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.
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.
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 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.
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
Invite Georgina Rose, pretty please
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.
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.
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