Forked

If you've ever wondered whether AI will replace your job — or redefine it — this conversation is for you. Staying Relevant in the Age of AI In this episode of Forked, Sean Lewis sits down with John Bennett, author of Don’t Surrender Your Thinking and host of the AIQualiser Podcast. John shares a powerful idea from his book: “You’re not replaceable if you stay relevant.” Together we explore how AI works, why critical thinking is becoming more important than ever, and how individuals can work with AI without losing their sense of identity or purpose. In this conversation we discuss: • How AI generates text using predictive models • Why maintaining critical thinking is essential in the age of AI • The importance of approaching AI with clear intent rather than letting it dictate outcomes • Why revision and human judgment remain crucial when working with AI • Whether AI will force us to rethink how we define ourselves through our work • Why curiosity may be our most valuable skill moving forward • The danger of outsourcing our thinking entirely to technology • Why human interaction and awareness still matter in meaningful work • How AI can free up time — if we use that time wisely Ultimately, John argues that the key to staying relevant isn't competing with AI — it's choosing to remain the thinker in the process.   Connect with John on Linkedin:👉 Connect here Get his book: 👉 Don't Surrender Your Thinking AIQualiser podcast on Apple:👉 On Apple podcast AIQualiser podcast on spotify:👉  On Spotify     Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC  

Welcome to Forked. In this episode I’m talking with Sanidhya Agarwal, author of Gita for Gen Z, for a deep and honest conversation about stress, focus, modern life, and the wisdom we’ve left behind. Drawing from his university experience and personal struggles, Sanidhya shares why ancient teachings like the Bhagavad Gita aren’t relics of the past—but practical guides for navigating today’s mental overload.   This episode is a conversation with Sanidhya Agarwal, author of Gita for Gen Z, he shares his thought on what happens when ancient wisdom meets modern pressure. Sanidhya tells us what first provoked him to write the book, tracing the idea back to his time at university, where he witnessed—both in himself and his peers—a growing undercurrent of stress, anxiety, and inner unrest. What became clear to him was the absence of spiritual grounding in a world that increasingly rewards speed, productivity, and constant comparison. Our conversation moves into the cultural crossroads of modern India, including a thoughtful discussion on Western outsourcing, capitalism, and how rapid economic change has both improved lives and quietly reshaped values, identity, and inner well-being. We explore why the ability to focus—to sit quietly with one’s own mind—is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Sanidhya explains how modernity has intensified mental restlessness, and why practices rooted in stillness, reflection, and self-observation are more relevant now than ever. We also dive into: The psychological toll of fear of missing out Why keeping a daily journal or diary can be a stabilizing force What to do when you’ve followed all the “right steps” in life—and the path suddenly disappears This episode is an invitation to slow down, question inherited ideas of success, and reconnect with inner clarity in an increasingly noisy world.   Get the book! 👉 Gita for GenZ  Follow Sanidhya on Instagram 👉 click here Email Sanidhya 👉sani.ag2002@gmail.com     Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC  

In this episode, we discuss: How modern work challenges are pushing many people toward content creation — and why Jellis focuses on the human-made element of online content rather than chasing algorithms Navigating the ambiguity of starting something new, and maintaining the right mindset when there’s no clear feedback or proof that your efforts are paying off The origin story of The Inner PathSeekers Podcast and the intention behind creating it Why people who are able to find meaning in their struggles often discover a clearer sense of direction Jellis’ experience with depression as a young man, and why stigma around mental health still persists Living with a progressive genetic heart disease, including surviving a near-fatal heart attack The creation and growth of The Heart Warrior Project, a support community for survivors of sudden cardiac arrest Why purpose may be the most important daily discipline we can cultivate How Jellis maintains his fitness through bouldering, mountain climbing, and walking — and the balance between pushing limits and respecting physical constraints Jellis Vaes website: https://jellisvaes.com Inner Path Seekers: https://theipsproject.com Follow Jellis on: Instagram       Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC    

As we move into a new year, there’s a lot of talk about reinvention — new goals, new momentum, becoming more of who we think we should be. But there’s another side to growth that doesn’t get talked about much. The moments when you’re doing the work, showing up honestly… and the feedback goes quiet. In this solo episode, I reflect on what it means to keep walking when momentum fades, when clarity gives way to fog, and when progress turns inward. This is a conversation about staying oriented without forcing certainty — and learning to trust the path even when it’s harder to see. Momentum is easy to trust when it’s loud — when feedback is clear and effort feels rewarded. But almost every meaningful project eventually enters a quieter phase. Nothing breaks. Nothing ends. The road just stops talking back. In this episode, I explore what happens when momentum fades — not as failure, but as a shift. Drawing from my own experiences with creative work, ADHD, mindfulness, and long periods of uncertainty, I talk about how progress can turn inward, and why learning to stay present during these phases matters more than forcing clarity. In this episode, we explore: Why momentum often goes quiet after initial progress The difference between feedback and validation How ambiguity and lack of signal can trigger doubt and rumination What it means when motion doesn’t stop, but turns inward The role of personal tools during periods of fog Why learning and integration matter more than acceleration How to keep walking without pretending you know exactly where the path leads If you’re in a season where the excitement has faded, the signals are unclear, or the road feels harder to see — this episode is a reminder not to check out. Sometimes the quiet isn’t a problem to solve, but a different kind of work asking for your attention. The Journeyman: An Apprentice's Tale  https://a.co/d/iiiWTiv Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/seanchrislewis/   Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC    

This episode is part of The Journeyman season — conversations that explore mental well-being, personal struggle, and the subtle ways we learn to move through life with more presence and compassion. In this episode of Forked, I sit down with Louis Groulx, a Montreal-based nature and wildlife photographer whose work is rooted in patience, presence, and deep attention. Louis shares how spending time in nature — quietly observing rather than chasing moments — has shaped both his art and his inner life. Our conversation explores how creativity can become a practice of grounding, and how slowing down can offer unexpected clarity in a world that constantly pulls us toward urgency and control. In this conversation, we explore: How wildlife photography teaches patience, stillness, and surrender The role of attention in both art and mental well-being Letting go of control and allowing moments to unfold naturally Nature as a teacher rather than an escape Creativity as a quiet companion through personal struggle The calming rhythms of the outdoors and their effect on the nervous system How slowing down can sharpen perception — in photography and in life Walking alongside inner challenges instead of resisting them This episode is part of The Journeyman season — conversations that explore mental well-being, personal struggle, and the subtle ways we learn to move through life with more presence and compassion.   You can connect with Louis on: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisGPhoto Instagram:https: https://www.instagram.com/louisgphoto/   Buy The Journeyman: An Apprentice’s Tale https://a.co/d/13NVZQN Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/seanchrislewis/ Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC    

Welcome to Forked. I’m Sean Lewis and today I wanted to share my insights from last weeks episode with Ananda Fitzsimmons and I hope they resonate with you and maybe we can have some quiet reflections together. As I shared in my 2 part series on the 5 practices, we heard those themes throughout the exchange with Ananda. The importance of being present and witnessing the natural world around us, action steps to be in service to the world under our feet and, not striving for perfection but just doing our own small part. You know, when we talk about the environment, most of us feel two things at once: love… and helplessness. We love the Earth — most of our fondest memories were born close to it. Hot summer days at the lake. Childhood vacations at the beach. Sledding down a snow-swept hillside narrowly escaping real connection with that big oak that sits in the middle of the hill. The first time probably around our late teen years of discovering the peace of sitting under an old tree after a heartbreak. The Earth has been our quiet companion through it all — always there, always offering her gifts, never asking for anything in return. And that’s why this week’s episode — the first in the Journeyman season — is about remembering that our connection to the Earth is essential to finding true peace and lasting meaning. Meaning that carries us through our careers, through the noise of life, and into old age — when everything slows down, and we begin to see what’s always been constant. People come and go. Chapters open and close. But you… and the Earth… are never broken companions. Our conversation last week with Ananda Fitzsimmons brought to light the beautiful complexity of life and the interactions and cooperation that all living creatures provide in order for life to be sustained and well on our earth. The vast majority of people want to be loyal to the great memories nature has provided and want the next generation to share in those experiences of connecting with the earth. And yet, even with all that love, many of us feel a quiet ache underneath it. We see what’s happening to the world — the headlines, the pollution, the garbage, the fires, the storms — and somewhere inside, we start to feel small. Helpless. But maybe that’s where we’ve misunderstood our role. We’re not here to change the entire world — we’re here to connect with it again. Like we were when we were kids. Because the moment you reconnect, the helplessness begins to fade. Let’s take a look together at our 5 daily practices and how they can be guiding points to help us reconnect with the natural world and remind us what it is to be human.   Part 1 — As you’ve learned, Breathing deeply brings The Power of Connection, breathing is a tool for feeling connected When you connect — when you actually walk, breathe, and pay attention — something inside you reawakens. You stop standing on the outside looking in. You start to belong again. And belonging is powerful. It dissolves helplessness. I think a lot of the apathy we feel — the burnout, the guilt — comes from forgetting that we’re part of nature, not separate from it. We scroll through feeds and headlines that show destruction, and we start believing that the world is something happening to us. But it’s not. It’s still happening through us, every single day. (pause) Every morning I take my dog Jaybe for a walk. We often follow the same trail near my home — gravel path, tiny forested areas, and small lake. I’ve walked that route hundreds of times. But almost every time, I notice something new — a new resident muskrat, field mice living under last summers meadow grass. Some geese migrating later than others, calmly floating on a tiny circle of unfrozen lake. You see that at closer inspection, nothing is ever really the same in nature. And sometimes, I’ll stop to pick up a piece of garbage — a coffee cup or a bit of plastic. I don’t do it out of duty or to feel like a hero. I just do it because, in that moment, it matters. That one small act — just bending down to clean up the ground I’m standing on — it connects me. It reminds me that I can be a participant, not just a spectator. That feeling stays with me all day. It’s not pride. It’s something quieter — a sense that I’m part of an energy that’s always happening between us and the Earth. You give something back, and the world gives something in return. Sometimes it’s peace, sometimes energy, sometimes just a breath that feels easier. Feeling that closeness might just be as near as a pause and five deep breaths. Part 2 — The Myth of Scale. Don’t compare One of the biggest illusions we live under is this idea that meaning has to be massive — that if we can’t save the planet, it’s not worth trying. We see people doing big things and we feel if we can’t do that, we just aren’t making an impact. But that mindset just feeds despair. We live in an era that Everything has to go viral, global, or groundbreaking to feel like it matters. But nature doesn’t work that way. The most abundant life in nature is microscopic. That’s where all the real action takes place. As Ananda said, if biodiversity at such a small scale is so essential, why can’t we recognize that our actions at a small scale are equally important…maybe contagious to others until humans just like the cooperation in the microscopic world we’re working and cooperating together. The proverb will always be true: Thousands of candles can be lit from one. A seed falling into the ground doesn’t know if it’s going to become a tree. It just opens, because that’s what it’s meant to do. We can live the same way. So maybe it’s not about saving the world. Maybe it’s about tending to the small part of the world that you can touch — the one that greets you each day when you step outside your door. Your patch of ground, your community park, your own state of mind. You don’t have to change the whole picture to change your relationship with it. When you care for what’s around you, you slowly start to heal that deeper wound of disconnection. And that’s not small — that’s revolutionary, in a quiet way. Because people who feel connected don’t destroy what they’re connected to. They protect it, without even needing to be told. Part 3 — Presence as Participation Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do for the Earth is to notice it. That might sound too simple, but think about it — how much of life passes by unnoticed because we’re rushing through it? The morning light changes every day. The sounds shift with the seasons. But we rarely pause long enough to register it. And when we do, even for a few seconds, the world feels alive again — not as a backdrop, but as something that’s speaking to us. Observation itself is participation. When I walk with Jaybe, there’s this moment where she just stops, nose twitching, tail still. Do you know how present you have to be to hear mice running under the snow? She’s not doing anything by our standards — not producing, not saving, not achieving — she’s simply being in tune with the world. And every time, I think, that’s the relationship I want to have with the world around me. Curious, open, connected. Because when you feel connected, you naturally act with care. You recycle not out of guilt, but because it feels wrong not to. You walk instead of drive sometimes because it feels better, it’s hard to feel present and connected when we’re in a steal box. Your choices start flowing from love, not obligation. That’s the shift that actually sustains action over time — not fear, but love. Not panic, but participation. Part 4 — Overcoming Apathy Through the Local and the Small ACTION steps the cure for despair is seeing a way forward. Apathy is often just disconnection in disguise. We tell ourselves the world is too far gone, too big, too complex — and that belief becomes a kind of shield. It protects us from feeling, but it also keeps us from healing. When we come back to the local — the immediate, the small — that shield starts to crack. It’s not about ignoring global issues. It’s about remembering that your way in is through what’s near you. If everyone reconnected with the bit of the world under their own feet, we wouldn’t need to rely on guilt or grand gestures. Because millions of small, mindful actions done with love add up to something immense. And here’s the beautiful paradox: the more you focus on your small corner, the more connected you feel to the whole. Parents, do you teach your kids to hold on to garbage until you find a garbage can? Clean up after a picnic. Show our children to be quiet in nature, not only so they don’t disturb but so they can start to feel. Plant a tree on you front lawn…or two. Trade out your lawn for a perennial garden bed that doesn’t need to be watered and grows in harmony with the local climate. We forget that we’re walking ecosystems — constantly in exchange with our surroundings. Remembering that gives life meaning again. Part 5 — Finding Meaning in Simple Stewardship (your own unique relationship your own path) If you take some time to practice what we’ve shared today, you’ll begin to discover your own way of being in the world — one that feels right to you. And that’s the only person it needs to feel right for. You don’t have to do a lot. You just have to connect — to listen, to notice, to care in the small ways that feel true. Nature, in all her quiet intelligence, will take care of the rest. She’s the all-knowing parent we sometimes stop listening to — distracted by everything we think matters more. Until one day, life slows down. Maybe it’s in a season of loss or confusion, maybe it’s just a quiet winter evening when the noise finally fades — and you remember. You remember lying on your back as a child, on a snow-blanketed night, breath rising like smoke, the world hushed, the stars endless. And in that memory, something stirs — the longing to return. To the one who’s always been there. The one who asks for nothing but your presence. The Ea

This episode is a call to optimism — proof that regeneration is not only possible, but already happening. Across the world, lands once barren are coming back to life within years, not decades. By following the pillars of life, we can restore biodiversity, draw down carbon, and heal the planet that sustains us. My guest is Ananda Fitzsimmons — the President of the Board of Directors at Regeneration Canada, an author, advocate, and visionary voice for ecorestoration and regenerative agriculture. She’s written two books: Hydrate the Earth: The Forgotten Role of Water in the Climate Crisis, and her latest, Restoring the Pillars of Life. Ananda also founded Concentric Agriculture, a company that manufactures soil amendments from beneficial microorganisms — literally rebuilding the health of our planet from the ground up. Introduction: Celebrating Ananda’s achievement as the author of Restoring the Pillars of Life. She explains the three pillars of life — carbon, water, and biodiversity. Empowering everyday action: Ananda reminds us that real change doesn’t just come from governments or corporations — everyday people can play a powerful role in regeneration. A startling truth: The total mass of man-made materials has now surpassed all living biomass on Earth. Education and empowerment: Are schools teaching our children enough about the environment and the essential pillars of life? Ananda discusses how we can do more to empower youth, showing that focusing solely on carbon emissions misses the bigger story. “The antidote to despair is seeing a way forward.” Case study: The Loess Plateau in China stands as a living example of re-greening — restoring biodiversity to once-dead land. Beyond net zero: Getting to net zero carbon isn’t enough — it doesn’t regenerate land or restore the ecosystems that support life. Microscopic life: Most of the planet’s biodiversity exists at the microscopic level. It’s there that the complex activities sustaining all life take place — when we disrupt these cycles, we endanger the natural balance that supports us. Deforestation and rainfall: Deforestation plays a major role in reduced rainfall. Ananda draws a fascinating comparison between the human microbiome and the microorganisms in soil — both essential to keeping their hosts healthy. She also shares emerging innovations in sustainable agriculture that work with, not against, nature. Profit through regeneration: Regenerative agriculture can be more profitable because it reduces the need for external inputs, restoring soil health naturally. Reimagining social systems: Building cooperative models — rather than purely competitive ones — helps align human systems with nature’s regenerative patterns. Hope in action: The Loess Plateau stands as living proof that regeneration can happen faster than we think. The work of John D. Liu is just one of many inspiring examples. Ananda’s books: Restoring The Pillars Of Life: https://a.co/d/fKIVhfv Hydrate The Earth:  https://a.co/d/iHBK9kJ Ananda Fitzsimmons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananda-fitzsimmons-b8b78420/ Email: anandafitz@gmail.com Website: http://www.regenerationcanada.org/   John D. Liu: https://youtu.be/bLdNhZ6kAzo?si=_EP2cKPcJxrUfvvv   Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC  

Forked — Episode: Presence, Motion & Walking Your Own Path Welcome back to Forked! This is part two of our two-part mini-series introducing the five quiet principles from my free eBook, Magic in the Mundane—a guide to help us find clarity and balance when life shifts unexpectedly. You can grab the eBook through the link below, or just listen along—we’ll walk through it together. Last time, we explored Breathing and Embracing Imperfection—two keys to creating space for clarity. Today, we close with the final three: Presence, Motion, and Walking Your Own Path. Presence: Returning to the Moment You’re Actually In Presence begins with the smallest noticing. It’s not about shutting the world out—it’s about letting it back in with awareness. When you’re grounded in the moment, you can observe how the world affects you and choose how you respond. In presence, you begin to see the quiet signals life sends: A coincidence that makes you smile. A conversation that arrives at the perfect time. A small shift inside whispering, “I’m ready for something new.” Presence is the foundation of intuition—it’s how we start hearing what life’s been trying to say all along. Being in Motion: Finding Clarity Through Movement Once we’re present, the next step is movement. Our bodies aren’t meant for stillness—motion creates clarity. Even the smallest action can shift our perspective: A walk, a stretch, a deep breath. In The Journeyman, Rohan learned peace not through thinking, but through moving. Each step he took interrupted the loops that trapped him. Movement builds momentum. Even when you don’t see results, your intentional actions ripple beneath the surface—shaping outcomes in ways you can’t yet see. Stay present. Keep moving. The magic often appears when you least expect it. Walking Your Own Path: The Liberation of Being You There comes a moment when you begin to feel your inner compass—quiet, steady, pulling toward authenticity. Walking your path means listening to that pull, even when it doesn’t fit others’ expectations. Your path isn’t meant to be tidy. It’s shaped by your contradictions, your pain, your joy, your growth. And every step you take in honesty builds trust in yourself. You stop explaining. You stop comparing. You begin to live from alignment. The wisdom of others can guide you, but your voice must lead. That’s how you find freedom—by showing up fully as yourself. Closing When life changes—as it always does—remember these five principles: Breathe. Embrace imperfection. Be present. Stay in motion. Walk your path. Trust that even without certainty, you have what you need. “I trust myself enough to walk forward—even without knowing where it leads.” Download free ebook Magic In The Mundane  https://sean-lewis.kit.com/32983ca3e5 The Journeyman: An Apprentice's Tale  https://a.co/d/iiiWTiv   Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC    

Part 1: Breathing & Embracing Imperfection Episode Overview: This is the first in a two-part mini-series designed to help us prepare—mentally, physically, and spiritually—for this new season of Forked. It’s about cultivating the mindset to participate in our own transformation, not just listening passively but putting insight into action. In This Episode: We explore why simply consuming content isn’t enough—real growth happens when we engage and apply what we learn. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose touch with the quiet magic woven into everyday life. Reconnecting with that sense of wonder is vital to our well-being, yet rarely discussed. I share a personal story about my own experience with depression and what helped me reconnect with presence and meaning. These reflections aren’t about promoting passivity or slowing ambition—they’re about learning to be deeply present as we pursue our goals. About the 5-Day Practice: This series is based on my free eBook Magic in the Mundane, a five-day practice guide offering one reflection each day. In this episode, we’ll explore the first two reflections; the remaining three will follow in Part Two. Today’s Reflections: Breathe Fully: We’ve lost touch with the natural rhythm of our breath. Stress and distraction have turned many of us into shallow breathers, cutting us off from presence and grounding. I introduce box breathing—a simple, reliable way to reconnect with your body and focus your mind. We’ll also touch on diaphragmatic breathing, using the belly to deepen calm and awareness. Embrace Imperfection: True growth requires the courage to be imperfect. Learning, failing, adjusting—these are essential steps on the path of transformation. Progress only happens when we’re willing to go through the messy, beautiful process of becoming.   Download free ebook Magic In The Mundane  https://sean-lewis.kit.com/32983ca3e5 The Journeyman: An Apprentice's Tale  https://a.co/d/iiiWTiv   Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC    

What The Journeyman Taught Me About Change” In this season we reflect on the moment when the old story stops working and a new one begins. After years of creative pause through the uncertainty of 2020–2024, I share how writing my debut novel The Journeyman: An Apprentice’s Tale helped me rediscover purpose, rhythm, and flow. I speak about how the world’s turbulence mirrored my own inner crossroads — and how The Journeyman became both a story and a mirror for the times we’re living in. The true meaning of the word journeyman — “a day’s labor” — and how steady, daily effort shapes both craft and character. Rohan, the book’s protagonist: a man caught between anxiety and ambition, striving and surrender, learning to find harmony in a world that no longer makes sense. That search becomes the foundation for this new season of Forked, built around five timeless lessons from The Journeyman: 1️⃣ Breathe 2️⃣ Embrace imperfection 3️⃣ Be present 4️⃣ Stay in motion 5️⃣ Walk your path This episode sets the tone for a season about growth, courage, and the daily work of becoming — reminding us that the next step doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be ours. The Journeyman: An Apprentice's Tale  https://a.co/d/iiiWTiv Download free ebook Magic In The Mundane  https://sean-lewis.kit.com/32983ca3e5     Acknowledgements: Music by Poradovskyi Andrii you can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplusmusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@INPLUSMUSIC        

When we think of climate change, it conjures images of industrial smokestacks and bumper to bumper traffic, all spewing toxic emissions into the environment. Perhaps we see a jet take off down the runway leaving billowing black exhaust in its trail. It’s not likely that we look below our feet at the soil and imagine that it could be one of the greatest makers or breakers in the challenge of turning the tides of climate change.  This week we’re speaking with Ananda Fitzsimmons, the president of the board of directors for Regeneration Canada. I’m this episode we discuss:  The mission of Regeneration Canada to educate and raise awareness about the importance of soil regeneration as a critical climate change solution.  Soil as being host to a vast community of microorganisms that are the primary creators of soil fertility.  Farming techniques that harm the microorganisms in the soil and significantly reduce soil fertility.  Tilling soil as a major contributor to releasing carbon back into the atmosphere and destroying the microorganisms in the soil.  The carbon footprint of agriculture.  The principles of regenerative agriculture.  The need to simplify labeling so consumers can know under what conditions their food was produced: regeneratively or in a degenerative manner?  Is the Canadian government doing enough to help farmers transition to regenerative farming? Farmers For Climate Solutions as an organization committed to lobbying the Canadian government to support farmers and regenerative agriculture.  The cycle of debris that settles on the earth surface and the importance of not filling debris into the soil.  How to make farming more profitable by transitioning to regenerative farming.  Large companies finding investing into regenerative farming as a means to build a more conscientious brand.  The emergence of certifications on labels to show that a product has been regeneratively produced.  Organic labels as not evidence of regenerative methods of growing.  The controversy around the use of Glyphosate on our crops in Canada.  The need for immediate action toward climate activism and change. This is not a time for slow change.  You can connect or support Regeneration Canada at:  https://regenerationcanada.org https://instagram.com/regencanada

Erik Chevrier is an accomplished professor, researcher, and social activist. He’s a PhD candidate, specializing in subjects such as, food and culture, political economy of inequality, community and local activism, and food sustainability; to name a few.  In this episode we discuss:  the importance of our imagination and seeing what kind of future we want to create.  How we need to dispel myths in our beliefs of what we’ve been taught about the world. Such as, agriculture does not have to be mechanized and large industrial farms do not necessarily feed the world.  Our present agricultural methods are destroying our planet.  Erik explains the concept of “carbon sinks” and carbon extraction from the air.  How reconnecting with our food through gardening and cooking, helps us to build deeper awareness of our responsibility to our planet.  Small plot intensive farming and how we can produce a significant amount of food on a small piece of land.  Urban agriculture as a real model to produce food.  Building local communities through changing models of agriculture.  In order to solve our current crisis we need to look beyond our present “for profit” way of producing food. Prioritizing community over profit.  The consumer mentality and how to curtail the behaviour in a way that moves away from over consumption.  The myth that food is cheap. In actuality we have cheap food due to the poor work conditions and pay to migrant labourers. The true cost of food is far higher.  How our capitalist system is set up to require continuous consumption.  The need to change our politics and have citizens more involved in their local communities and catalyze change locally as a start.  Beliefs need to change but helping an individual to recognize that their beliefs need to be modified is no easy task.  When our beliefs are challenged we can sometimes become irrational in the defence of them.  Introducing people to ways of seeing different dietary practices in a less intimidating way.  Even though slow change in our industry practices seems like an accessible way forward, we must recognize that change actually needs to be done now and absolutely.  You can connect with Erik on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/erik.chevrier  

We live in a time where so many things are made to be complicated. From exercise and nutrition, to just simply rediscovering our primal connection to our environment. Non of this needs to be made complicated and it is all in fact, simple.  Taylor Thompson is a health and lifestyle coach. He’s a community builder and brings people together around the theme of teaching us to get more in touch with our natural movements, friendships, and introspection as our key practices for a meaningful life.  In this episode we discuss:  The beginnings of Taylor’s Instagram handle wildmanpt.  Taylor shares the story of his outdoor lifestyle in his younger years on the Island of Kawaii.  Community rebuilding from the Covid disruption.  Community as a cornerstone to rebuilding our health and wellness.  The importance of building a tribe of people who learn and grow together.  Strategies people can begin to implement in order to elevate their health consciousness.  The importance of journaling.  Gratitude as a way to set the stage for a great day.  Bioenergetics to address emotional trauma or just to simply to change our state of mind.  Taylor shares his past experience as a power lifter and injuries that he suffered during the sport.  The importance of finding a place to consistently get our workouts in no matter what time of year it may be or whether or not we have a gym.  Staying fit working out from home.  Seeing past the temptations in life and staying on track with our goals.  The importance of patience on the path to better health.  Taylor’s nutrition practice.  You can connect with Taylor on Instagram:  https://instagram.com/wildmanstrengthpt

As we arrive to the middle of summer, the Covid disruption and quarantine seems so far away. We can’t help but think to the months ahead and hope that we don’t revisit the circumstances of early 2020. Whatever the future may hold, we as individuals can challenge ourselves to see our situation as an opportunity to change. As we look to industries and governments to take on the responsibility to adopt more sustainable practices, we as well must take on the challenge to change our lives.    Chase Tucker is an outdoor adventurer, YouTube movie creator, and ultra athlete. He shares his beliefs and practices during the Covid quarantine and lifestyle advise to help us to recapture our sense of adventure.   In this episode we discuss:  The importance of following up with people who show interest in our online brand. Structuring our online business in a way that allows us to be interactive with followers.  The second wave of Covid-19 in Spain. Chase shares how the quarantine impacted his training and preparation for ultra events.  We can continue to work on our conditioning with at home training. It may not be as motivating but we can remain fit while being in quarantine . Managing online business while taking extended days off to compete in events.  The importance of having big goals to keep us engaged in our objectives.  When we are people who chase goals, we can become better people and transmit that to others. The importance of mental toughness. Overcoming fear as the main block to our success.  Daily journaling as a method to work on self improvement.  The importance of devoting time to our personal development each day.  Making life decisions based on our values and not always be money motivated.  Discussion on Chases youtube video “When all this passes.” Link to video below in the show notes.   Chase offers advise on mindset shift, should we go into a second wave of quarantine this fall. Nutrition, longevity, and radicalized attitudes toward what we eat.     6 PRACTICAL WAYS TO BUILD MENTAL STRENGTH FOR THE MOUNTAINS https://basecamptraining.com.au/2020/01/30/mental-strength-for-the-mountains/   When all this passes what will be different? https://youtu.be/U16EJkQeC-s   Website: https://www.basecamptraining.com.au   YouTube: : https://www.youtube.com/c/ChaseMountains   Instagram:  https://instagram.com/chase_mountains?  

Self reinvention never looks the way we imagine it to be. It often is required in times when we least expect it. If we can look past the stress of it and imagine something better for our lives, we can at least work in the direction for something new and maybe even better for ourselves.    As the Covid disruption continues to push us to adapt, many of us have found ourselves having to practice our physical fitness in unfamiliar ways. Coach Anissa Marcanio is a fitness and health coach,    In this episode we discuss: Online entrepreneurship in the fitness industry.  The importance of reflecting our most sincere self online.  The challenge for personal trainers to find their place in the online training world.  Defining what “making it” means in our business.  Instagram influencer content vs true exercise instruction content.  Learning to be aware of our body and how it moves naturally.  Natural outdoor body movements vs the movements performed in a gym.  Women and learning to lift weights and not fearing weight bearing exercises.  Building our own “second wave” through transforming our health and fitness.  Are you self caring or self avoiding?   You can connect with Anissa on Instagram:    https://instagram.com/anissa.mek?

As society slowly returns to activity, there is no denying that our conversations among one another have changed. Covid-19 has awakened us and brought to light fragilities in our current system. Though we have demonstrated our ability to transform many of the ways in which we conduct business, we see more clearly the elements of society that we must work harder on. One of the most pressing issues that demands our attention is the significantly large portion of the population that is not in good health.  Remote indigenous populations are among those who suffer most from health inequality. It is imperative that we acknowledge that these populations represent the failure of our system to foster diversity and support communities far from urban centres. Indigenous people live closest to the natural environment and therefore are most impacted by the deterioration of our ecosystem and poor government polocies. Diversity is our only safeguard for the future of our planet and should we fail to recognize the urgency to reestablish the health of these remote communities, we risk failing our planet.  This weeks guest is Dr. Bernard Reid. He is a family care practitioner in North Eastern Canada. He shares his learning experience and insights into working with these unique remote communities.  In this episode we discuss:  The Waskaganish region in Northern Quebec where Bernard practices as a doctor in family medicine.  Waskaganish is a very rural region that poses very unique challenges to practice medicine.  Bernard describes the diverse medical conditions that present daily in his clinic.  Urban settings verses rural settings and how they differ in a family medical practice.  Bernard acknowledges the challenges of being thrust into this rural setting and dealing with such a variety of medical conditions after only 2 years internship.  We discuss the incredibly steep learning curve in the first year of a medical practice.  Bernard’s passion for the unique challenges that come with practicing family medicine in a remote region.  The unique challenges the region had to face with Covid-19.  The health status of the indigenous people in the James Bay region.  The rates of chronic diseases among indigenous people. Very high rates of obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and coronary heart disease.  The major challenges of health inequality.  Our imperative to respect and embrace cultural diversity as an absolute requirement to safeguard our planets future.  The systematic destruction by Western practices to destroy the indigenous way of life.  The root cause of many of our cultural problems is the disregard for the indigenous people through colonial practices.   

As covid sent the vast majority of our population into sequestration, many of us found ourselves taking the time to see the world through different lenses. Many of the fragilities of our systems were and still are being revealed. This novel corona virus is convincingly demonstrating that there are large portions of our population who’s health are needlessly in serious jeopardy. It doesn’t take much inquiry to understand that inequality is a major driver for poor physical and mental health.  Health inequality is a serious local and global problem that must get resolved. We need to come to a place of agreement where we acknowledge that though we may never see a perfect world of equality, we must make it that every individual is at least provided the tools and opportunity to pursue personal health and well being.  Coach Kristal Lollis is a health and wellness coach and cofounder of Tribe Fitness in Salem North Carolina. In this episode we discuss: The challenges of urban food deserts. How poverty and deep inequality creates an environment that makes practicing a healthy lifestyle almost impossible.  The issues around people not having resources to practice health and fitness.  When we don’t have healthy role models in our lives it makes it more unlikely that we will be healthy.  Scarcity is overwhelming on an individual and makes it very difficult to put their focus on additional priorities, such as fitness and healthy eating.  Communities where all of the local population live with scarce resources, are highly likely to suffer with lifestyle related illness. You can connect with Kristal on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachmekris/  

During these times of sequestration, many of us have found ourselves in contemplation about our health, fitness, and what we would like to change in our lives. With a deep sense that the world is changing and certainly our hopes that the world will in fact change, we don’t want to miss this opportunity to challenge ourselves to change with it.  This is our 3rd part of our conversation with coaches Julia Balit and Nathan Zentner. We go deep in this discussion and explore the very controversial questions of the individual taking accountability for their personal well being.  In this episode we discuss:  let’s take action on our health today and not wait for something to go wrong before we start.  When we wait to make changes in our health practices, we have to take more drastic measures to improve our wellbeing.  Being fit and healthy takes effort and energy.  We acknowledge that there are some people living in scarcity and practicing health and fitness is almost impossible for them due to lack of resources.  We look at reasons people claim as to why they don’t exercise.  Why we should not be so quick to claim to be a specific body type. Adhering to principals of fitness will approximate everyone to a fitter body.  We acknowledge that being underweight and overweight are equally unhealthy.  Body shaming should never be a reason to have someone exercise.  The importance of mentally laying the foundation for better health. Start with the mind and the fitness will follow.  Creating clear, attainable, but challenging goals.  We also need a very big goal that challenges our behaviour over the long term.  You can connect with Julia on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliabalit/ You can connect with Nathan on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zentnernathan/      

Every individual and industry is at a fork in the road. Our lives have been disrupted with very little notice. These are the covid19 lockdown podcast editions. These are the stories of people, sharing their experience & vision of how we can emerge better.  There is a subtle yet clear shift happening in our world. We all feel that the mistakes that have been made in relation to our planet, can somehow be revisited now and made right. Almost as though we can hit a reset button. It is overwhelming to think on such a large scale to bring about the changes that we all feel must be made to heal ourselves and our planet. Before we can heal our earth, we must reconnect and heal ourselves. Much of our healing must be done though our connection to our food and nutrition. The methods by which we produce food is presently broken. Our methods of farming are unsustainable and the health of our population is at risk due to chemical farming and depleted nutrients in our soils. The good news is that we can change this, and there are people like Erik Chevrier, who are inspiring many people to reconnect with their food and health.  There is a new food revolution taking place, bringing food production locally, and maybe even in our own backyard.  Erik Chevrier is an accomplished professor, researcher, and social activist. He’s a PhD candidate, specializing in subjects such as, food and culture, political economy of inequality, community and local activism, and food sustainability; to name a few.    In this episode we discuss:  The health benefits of natural whole food and how gardening benefits our physical and mental health. Collective gardens as a means to build communities.  The myth that we need huge farms and large industries to feed the population. Much of the world is fed by small farms.  Lack of biodiversity in our farming practices puts our food supply at risk.  I ask Erik why biodiversity is so important.  Agroecology as a cornerstone to sustainable farming practices to free us from GMO’s and chemical farming. Many large companies such as Cargill are major contributors to deforestation in order to make way for crops to feed livestock.  The food industry can seem so big that we become lost in how to take charge of our relationship with food.  Erik gives us ideas of how to get started with building a better  relationship with food.  We explore the topics of community sponsored agriculture, and supporting our local food networks.  You can connect with Erik on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/erik.chevrier or visit his website: https://www.erikchevrier.ca    

Every individual and industry is at a fork in the road. Our lives have been disrupted with very little notice. These are the covid19 lockdown podcast editions. These are the stories of people, sharing their experience & vision of how we can emerge better.  This is part 2 of our discussion with fitness coaches, Julia Balit and Nathan Zentner.  In this episode we discuss:  This fit/sick curve. This is a theory that proposes that, our fitness will inevitably help us to shorten sickness times and withstand illness better than those who are not fit.  The importance of maximizing our fitness in current times.  When we don’t know where to start in our health journey, the best thing to do is to start taking control of the things in our life that we have some control over.  How to keep our mindset focused on goal attainment.  Action is what builds our motivation. We need to get into action to get motivated.  Will power and how to harness it to get into action.  To just get moving and the endorphins kick in quickly to keep us moving.  Motivation through accountability partners.  Having a huge goal is the best way to keep us focused on success.  Work hard, be patient, and consistency will come.  To have the taste of a win is critical to elevating our belief that we are capable of winning.  The importance of personal development.  You can connect with Nathan on instagram https://www.instagram.com/zentnernathan/ You can connect with Julia on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliabalit/