Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

In this episode, Forrest Inslee and Jo Swinney spend time with Ruth Padilla deBorst of A Rocha Costa Rica, sharing experiences and insights on creation care and community living. Ruth highlights the organization's growth, and its commitment to creation care, community engagement, and environmental justice. In particular, she describes the ways that her intentional community, called Casa Adobe, works to foster deep connection between people and nature, and people with other people. The conversation delves into the challenges of seeking such environmental restoration, addressing issues like river pollution, greenwashing, and the need for a more profound understanding of our particular places. Ruth also emphasizes the importance of caring for creation alongside others in community, advocating for a shift from an individualistic, consumption-orientation to shared responsibility and mutual support. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners on how to engage in meaningful environmental action, and the ways that we can balance lament for the current state of the planet while at the same time remaining hopeful for the future.
Keywords
creation care, environmental justice, intentional community, A Rocha International, A Rocha Costa Rica, storytelling, ecological stewardship, community living, environmental activism, hope, indigenous wisdom, composting, theology of creation
Takeaways
 Jo Swinney: "I am primarily a storyteller, trying to inspire people to do what they can where they are."
Ruth Padilla DeBorst: "It's hard for me to imagine caring thoroughly for creation if we don't get off that train of consumption and accumulation."
Ruth Padilla DeBorst: "The most powerful possibility of transformation is communal."
Ruth Padilla DeBorst: "Recognizing the river as our sister is an expression of worship of God, not of the river, but of the creator."
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple

In this episode, Forrest Inslee engages with Ben Lowe (A Rocha USA) and James Amadon (Circlewood) to discuss current environmental challenges and the role of faith communities in addressing these issues. They explore the importance of partnerships, the need for theological reflection and repentance, and the significance of community action in resisting destructive trends. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of love and relationality in ecological advocacy, as well as personal growth in ecological thinking.
A Rocha US
A Rocha International
Take Aways
The external circumstances regarding climate change are dire, but organizational work is thriving.
Partnerships between organizations can enhance resilience and impact.
The church has a critical role in environmental advocacy, but has often been absent.
Political polarization affects the church's engagement with environmental issues.
Repentance is essential for the church to align with God's call to care for creation.
Resistance to harmful practices must be rooted in love and community.
Local actions can have a significant impact on environmental health.
Personal connection to nature fosters resilience and hope.
Theological reflection is necessary for effective environmental action.
Communal resistance strengthens community bonds and fosters collective action.
Keywords
environment, climate change, church, ecological justice, partnership, community, resilience, repentance, love, action, A Rocha USA, Circlewood, environmental justice
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple

In this conversation, Christy Berghoef talks with Forrest about her book Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming that explores themes of community and the connection to the land, as a foundation for living lives of social and environmental action. She reflects on her journey back to her family farm in Michigan, the challenges of navigating a conservative community with differing views, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging. The discussion also delves into the balance between contemplation and action in social justice work, the dynamics of toxic tribalism versus communal belonging, and the significance of allowing children to experience freedom and wildness. Christy also emphasizes the need for courage in speaking out and finding community.
Christy Berghoef, Doctor of Ministry in The Sacred Art of Writing
Blog: Wheat & Willow
Author of Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming
Author of Cracking the Pot: A Spiritual Memoir of Expansion
Takeaways
Home is where you can be who you really are.
The land provides a deep connection and sense of belonging.
Finding balance between contemplation and action is essential.
Toxic tribalism creates division; communal belonging fosters connection.
Speaking out can help others realize they are not alone.
Children need freedom to explore and learn from nature.
Political engagement can impact family dynamics and community.
Adversity can lead to growth and understanding, even and especially in kids.
Living with less can contribute to environmental justice.
Community action is vital for systemic change.
Keywords: spiritual memoir, homecoming, community, environmental justice, contemplative photography, social change, toxic tribalism, communal belonging, childhood freedom, political engagement, environmental activism
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple

In this episode, Forrest Inslee talks with Randy Woodley, reflecting on the historical context of democracy in America and emphasizing the need to learn from Indigenous practices that prioritize cooperation and community over competition. He critiques the current political landscape, expressing frustration with Congress's dysfunction and the erosion of democratic principles, while advocating for a return to a more inclusive and equitable form of governance: a truer democracy that draws on Native American history and values. Woodley discusses his Substack series, 'Make Democracy Great Again,' which aims to address systemic issues in housing, education, and healthcare, drawing parallels between past injustices and present challenges.
Randy Woodley’s Make Democracy Great Again Substack series
 The “Iriquois Confederacy”
Getting Started on Substack
Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice
Takeaways
 ·      'Native American peoples had a better way of expressing democracy than the United States has ever come up with.'
·      'The bottom line is that the US has never have been a democracy.'
·      'We're banning books and we're not teaching certain things anymore.'
·      'As long as the power was held by majority white males, it hasn't been a democracy for anyone but them.'
Keywords: democracy, Indigenous rights, political critique, solar energy, community leadership, environmental justice, systemic issues, Substack series, government overreach, social equity, Iriquois Confederacy

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple

In this episode, Forrest Inslee reflects on the past and future of the Earthkeepers podcast, sharing personal experiences and new initiatives aimed at fostering community and addressing urgent environmental challenges. He introduces a new podcast series, Edgewalkers, and emphasizes the importance of asking difficult questions about ecological issues and the role of individuals in creating change.
Earthkeepers website
Reach out to Forrest at [email protected]
Takeaways
Forrest shares his personal journey and reflections on the podcast.
The importance of community in environmental efforts is emphasized.
New initiatives will be launched to foster learning and connection.
The Edgewalkers podcast will explore faith and relevance in modern times.
Forrest plans to share a bit about his personal ecological journey of learning the land where he now lives.
The podcast will address the urgency of the environmental crisis..
More difficult questions about ecological destruction will be explored in season 7.
The need for radical action in the face of climate change is highlighted.
Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and recommendations.
Keywords

environmental crisis, community action, podcast, ecology, Edgewalkers, climate change, creation care, journey of ecological discipleship, Camano Island

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple