Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

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In this episode, cohosted by Forrest Inslee and Stephanie Vander Lugt, Julie Brams discusses the profound connection between nature and mental health, emphasizing the importance of re-rooting our minds in the natural world to foster healing and wholeness. The proposition at the heart of this conversation is, that humanity’s fundamental separation from nature is at the heart of so many of the mental health struggles prevalent in society today. Julie Brams, has carefully and gracefully sought to make this case in her new book, The Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves.  Drawing on her own process of discovery as a mental health practitioner, Julie makes a compelling case for a profound shift of thinking needed at this point in history, especially in light of the suffering of this planet brought about by humankind.
Links:
Julie Brams website: Elemental
The book: The Nature Embedded Mind
Stephanie Vander Lugt
Stephanie’s community: Kinship Plot
 
Key  Topics:
The concept of the nature embedded mind and its importance
How Western culture has separated humans from nature and the effects
Practical ways to foster relationship with nature in therapy and daily life
The role of language in shaping our relationship with the environment
Resistance within the mental health field to ecological approaches
The collective stories that shape our worldview and how to transform them
The importance of playfulness and curiosity in reconnecting with nature
The scientific basis for the interconnectedness of mind, body, and earth
Keywords: eco-psychology, nature-based therapy, mental health, relationship with nature, language, healing, wholeness, cultural stories, environmental psychology
 
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In this Earthkeepers Essentials archive episode, Wes Willison shares his journey from political awareness to ecological engagement, exploring how faith, community, and practical actions like gun decommissioning serve as acts of hope and transformation. In particular, he and Forrest explore ways in which we can resist despair and practice grace for ourselves in a world fraught with really difficult and sometimes overwhelming problems. In that framework, they discuss the importance of sacramental practices in environmental and social justice work, and how surprise and resilience shape our response to a challenging future.
 Information: 
Wes Willison
Shane Claiborne
The Simple Way community
Key  Topics
o   Wes Willison's background and journey into earth care
o   The role of seminary and the Farminary project in ecological understanding
o   The significance of sacramental practices in environmental work
o   The process of decommissioning guns as a symbol of hope and transformation
o   The impact of political shifts and generational perspectives on climate anxiety
o   Coping mechanisms for depression and anxiety related to climate change
o   The potential for surprise and new hope in political and ecological contexts
o   The importance of community, faith, and practical action in shaping a sustainable future
 
Keywords
ecology, faith, social justice, gun decommissioning, community, hope, sacrament, environmental activism, mental health, generational change, depression, self-care, Princeton Farminary, compost theology, Norm Wirzba
 
Some Takeaways
Sacramental practices can serve as powerful acts of hope and transformation in social and ecological justice.
Engaging with the earth through work like composting and farming reveals God's presence in creation.
Decommissioning guns and repurposing their parts into art and tools symbolizes hope and healing.
Surprise is a key indicator of the Spirit's activity and a source of hope in dark times.
Coping with climate anxiety involves intentional practices of rest, community, and engagement.
 
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In this episode from our archives, we explore the profound connection between humans and the natural world through the lens of place-based education, hunting, and relational awareness. Guest Joel Pontius shares his insights on cultivating respect, gratitude, and deep relationships with land and animals, emphasizing how these practices can transform our understanding and care for the Earth. When we did this interview, Joel was an educator, and we discussed in detail his thought-provoking approach to place-based education. The conversation considers how we might teach and form the young people in our lives so that they might better love and care for the planet.
Joel’s Info
Essay: Hearts Like This in Christ & Cascadia
Mentions:
Goshen College Merry Lea Environmental center & ecovillage
Goshen College sustainable farm
canoeing on the Elkhart river 
Lake Michigan
toxic forms of masculinity 
Key  Topics
Place-based education and its impact on ecological understanding
The role of hunting in developing respect and gratitude for animals
Practices for building relational awareness with land and creatures
The importance of humility and reverence in environmental stewardship
The intersection of science, art, and spirituality in understanding nature
How relational practices can foster hope and agency in climate action
The significance of gratitude and apology in human-nature interactions
The influence of childhood experiences on environmental values
Keywords
place-based education, ecology, hunting, gratitude, relational awareness, sustainability, natural history, spiritual connection, environmental education
 
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This episode delves into the spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance of untouched wilderness and our role as “keepers” or caretakers of such spaces. Jim Stump, Vice President of BioLogos and host of the Language of God podcast, shares about his recent journey to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, exploring the intersection of faith, creation care, and environmental advocacy.  Jim speaks up against the potential abuse of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but also shares about the ways he himself was deeply impacted by his encounters with the inhabitants of that remote wilderness—both human and more than human.
Links:
Jim Stump
Biologos
Language of God podcast
Jim Stump’s Substack – photos and essays about ANWR 
American Lands Project
Gwich’in Nation
Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Wilderness and Resource Extraction
                  Alaska Public Media
                  Earth Justice
Response/Action Steps (see the end of the article)
 
Key  Topics:
Jim Stump's background in philosophy and science
The purpose and experience of the Arctic trip
The indigenous Gwichin people's relationship to the land
The environmental and spiritual significance of the Arctic Refuge
Christian vocation to care for creation
Hope and faith in environmental activism
The role of indigenous wisdom in conservation
Practical steps for advocacy and awareness
 
Keywords:
creation care, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, faith and environment, indigenous wisdom, climate change, conservation, Christian vocation, environmental justice, stewardship, Jim Stump, Gwich’in Nation, grizzly bears, Porcupine caribou, Arctic Village, earthkeeping
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In this engaging interview, Bill McKibben shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. Discover practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. 
McKibben’s writing has appeared in countless publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone, and he has written many books over the last few decades. In this perspective-broadening interview, Bill shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. This conversation covers practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. In particular, he claims that now more than ever we need creative thinking about implementing renewable energy strategies. And faith communities, he says, do have a special role to play. This episode, cocreated by Circlewood and our partner organization A Rocha USA, is cohosted by James Amadon, executive director of Circlewood, and by Deb Rienstra, a writer, speaker, and professor who serves on A Rocha USA’s advisory board. 
Links 
Bill McKibben’s website 
Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibben 
A Rocha USA 
Deb Rienstra’s website 
Earthkeepers Episode 85: Becoming Hope: Debra Rienstra on Her Book Refugia Faith 
The Vatican’s solar project 
Third Act: Harnessing generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy. 
350.org: Fighting climate change for people and planet 
A Rocha USA: Ways to get involved 
TEND: Cultivating faith-based, creation-focused community 
Advocating for plug-in solar  
 Key  Topics 
The economic shift towards renewable energy 
The spiritual and cultural role in environmental change 
Practical steps for individuals and communities 
Older generations and their special capacities 
Churches who choose to pursue renewables as acts of love 
 
Keywords 
climate change, renewable energy, faith communities, cultural change, environmental activism, solar power, policy, spirituality, sustainability, environmental justice; Laudato Si, Pope Francis, Pope Leo, plug-in solar, agrovoltaics, solar farms and ecological diversity, wind turbines as ocean reefs, Think Global Do Justice Podcast 
 
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple