Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

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Our guest is well-known author, journalist and environmentalist, Bill McKibben. His 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 engaging 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. 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 
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
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Summary
Explore the profound role of poetry and lament in addressing climate change, grief, and community resilience through the insights of authors Philip Mingay and Michael Ferber. In this episode, we take a look at their new book—a collection of poems and essays they have edited called Climate of Lament: Reflections on Ecological Grief. Mike and Philip—and the many other contributors to this volume—model for us a way to enter into the pain of letting our hearts be broken…and show us ways in which poetry can serve as a means of expressing both individual and collective sorrow. Importantly, in its inclusion of a range of authors from diverse vocational and cultural backgrounds, Climate of Lament shows us that poetry as an expressive form can be accessed by anyone—by professional poets, but also by those average folks for whom poetry is a new language we are learning to speak.
Climate of Lament book website
 
Key Topics
The role of art and literature in climate change discourse
The significance of lament and grief in environmental activism
Diversity of voices in climate poetry and reflections
The process of creating and sharing poetry of lament
The impact of community and place on environmental expression
 
Keywords: climate change, lament, poetry, community, environmental grief, art and activism, climate of lament, storytelling, community resilience, environmental poetry
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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In this special 150th Earthkeepers episode, Kathleen Audet of the Styled Clean podcast and Forrest Inslee discuss the ways in which faith and ecological are intertwined. Niki Hardy of the Wildly Known Life podcast helps frame this conversation, in which Kathleen and Forrest consider such topics as sensing God in nature, deepening relationships to the ecologies of our places, and even shifting our paradigms to see the connections between creation care and missions work.
 Resources & Links: 
·      Christine Sine’s Walking in Wonder substack
·      A Rocha US, Churches of Restoration
·      Norman Wirzba books, including Agrarian Spirituality        
·      Seminary of the Wild
·      Niki Hardy’s Wildly Known Life podcast
·      Kathleen Audet’s Styled Clean podcast
Keywords:
creation care, spirituality, ecology, earthworms, community, environmental stewardship, faith-based environmentalism, sustainable living, nature listening, climate change, fast fashion, missions, community development
 Main Topics: 
The spiritual dimension of caring for creation and its roots in faith traditions
The story of Rachel’s worm rescue as a metaphor for spiritual transformation and environmental consciousness
How listening to creation and understanding local stories foster environmental awareness
Practical ways to begin living more earth-honoring lives, including outdoor practices and community involvement
The relationship between decolonization, indigenous knowledge, and ecological restoration
Challenges and community strategies for overcoming resistance to sustainability
The importance of a worldview rooted in creation-centered spirituality and simple daily acts

 
 
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Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple

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In this insightful interview, Drew, an army chaplain with nearly 19 years of service, shares his unique perspective on the intersection of faith, culture, nature, and military service. Discover how his approach to relational encounters and understanding diverse backgrounds enhances his support for soldiers and fosters healing through nature and community.
 Drew’s LinkedIn
Drew’s YouTube channel
Drew’s Insta
 key  topics
The role of military chaplains in supporting religious liberties
The concept of I-Thou versus I-It relationships and its application in military and nature 
The impact of cultural understanding and diversity training for chaplains
How outdoor activities and nature foster healing and trust among soldiers
The environmental considerations in military operations and training
keywords
Military chaplain, faith and culture, nature and healing, relational spirituality, diversity in the military, environmental consciousness, community development, spiritual support, military service, ecological impact, Elwha dam removal, Elwha people
 
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In this conversation, guest host Noah Guthrie interviews Ciro Flores Cabrera about the vital work of A Rocha in environmental conservation across Peru. They consider A Rocha’s prioritization on helping to preserve traditional culture of native peoples in connection to their work of protecting native flora and fauna. Their conversation highlights community engagement, ecosystem restoration, and the spiritual connection to caring for God's creation.
  A Rocha
A Rocha Peru
Noah Guthrie’s essay regarding his time in Peru, on The Ecological Disciple
Key  Topics
·      Ecosystem restoration in dry forests and the Amazon
·      Community involvement and indigenous knowledge
·      The spiritual and biblical basis of environmental care
 Keywords
Machiguenga, Environmental Conservation, Peru, Amazon, Dry Forest, Community Engagement, Ecosystem Restoration, Indigenous Knowledge, Biofauna, Sacred Nature, Christian Ministry, acacia, carob, entrepreneurship, environmental education, tilapia
Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple