Stories of the regeneration of the living world, not often on the news, often almost beyond belief. With award-winning host Anthony James. It’s ad-free, freely available and entirely listener-supported. You'll hear from high profile and grass-roots leaders from around Australia and the world, on how they're changing the stories we live by, and the systems we create in their mold. Along with often very personal tales of how they themselves are changing, in the places they call home, and with some of the music they love.
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Birds chirping in the background of an interview might sound like a small detail, but a listener voicemail reminds us it can be the difference between a nice conversation and a felt sense of real regeneration. We’re back in the mailbag sharing the messages that have come in from subscribers, land workers, authors, career changers and long-time listeners, and what those reflections reveal about storytelling, trust, and hope in a complicated time.
We also sit with a sharp question raised by a listener after my conversation with holistic management founder Allan Savory: what happens when intuition gets dismissed as “a waste of time”? That tension between scientific legitimacy and other ways of knowing runs through regenerative agriculture, systemic change, and climate work, so it’s well worth exploring more. Along the way, we hear messages of praise for crystal-clear explanations of water cycle and climate dynamics, and musing why radiative forcing and water’s role in climate often fail to reach the wider public conversation.
Then I share special news: a first-time live online podcast audience event for paid subscribers on Patreon or Substack, featuring legendary behavioural ecologist Fred Provenza and his evolving Cosmic Dreaming talk, followed by conversation. If you’ve been looking for a deeper way to participate, this is it, and you can also send your own voicemail or text via the link in the show notes.
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G'day, Anthony James here for The RegenNarration with the stories that are changing the story, enabling the regeneration of life on this gift of a planet. This week I've got some special news about an upcoming event and a mail run. It's been a while since I've done one of these. Since we were stuck in a hurricane in Savannah, Georgia, in fact. And it's not that there aren't a ton of great stories still to share, but I've been wanting to do another one of these for a while. Well, I've been wanting to do a few different things for a while. And now we're back home, I can get to some of them.
So, firstly, to the mailbag, where I share and reply to some of the text or voice messages coming from listeners, including through the link in each episode's show notes. Yes, that's right. You can now leave voicemails through that link. Which of course means this doubles as an invitation to drop a line and let me know if you're happy for your message to land in a podcast like this. You don't have to. So, with thanks to these people for doing just that, let's dig into the mailbag. I will preface this by saying, thanks for all your messages over the journey. It really is the fuel that powers this whole thing and warms the heart. The few I include here are just a selection, as much just to get this idea going again. And in future, I'll make more of a habit of this perhaps, maybe even at the end of episodes. Now that there's an easy way to send your voicemails and texts in, via that link in the show notes. Anyway, you'll let me know what you think too. Okay, let's start with some voicemails, as much because they clearly suit the medium.
First up, stretching back a bit, in response to episode 260, a petroleum pipeline portal to regeneration and home with Christopher Brown. This is from Baltimore from Paid Subscriber and my guest in episode 264 on location in Chuck O Canyon, Dana Scott.
Dana Scott
Morning man. Got to work early, and um I listened to the podcast with the gentleman from Austin. And that was I really you know what's weird? I love like you painted the picture beautifully. But I think the thing that really just I loved was the birds chirping in the background, which I know sounds ridiculous, but the whole time like it just gave this effect of wilderness and outdoors and uh joy so thoroughly contrasted from the story, I guess, of the land, you know, having been this industrial white site. And so it I felt like to me the birds constantly going in the background. It held a light to the veracity of the story, the genuine success that I think would not have been captured if you'd been inside, you know, like in the in it at the kitchen table, even or um in a studio, of course. Just really enjoyed that. I know you always prioritize going outdoors, and I think that's uh a good choice. Definitely curious to go down and see that. I've already I've forwarded it to a couple of folks who, you know, we've been having similar conversations.
AJ
Thanks, my friend. Just as well off prized going on location then, hey? If the birds have me covered as the highlight, that's all really affirming to hear, Dana. And this episode just came up in an exchange the other day, as it happens, with a friend moving to East Austin now. Hope you manage to visit Christopher there too.
This next one is from longtime paid subscriber, now based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Chris Deele, after hearing episode 294 that featured the legendary founder of holistic management, Alan Savory, on release of his memoir.
Chris Diehl
Hey Anthony, I just wanted uh quickly share that I loved the question that you asked Alan Savory in your recent conversation about the role of intuition. Precisely because of the reaction that I listed. I was, dare I say, shocked when I heard him say to you so pointedly that it's a waste of time. And I think that you and I and many of your listeners feel differently that there is a deeply important role for these other ways of knowing. And it's up to us to to bring that back into our consciousness.
AJ
Thanks, Chris. Terrific to hear your thoughts. What a moment it was. I of course respected Ellen's thoughts, and in fairness, I imagine the nature of his journey, perhaps particularly the political aspects of it, and seeking scientific legitimacy, etc., over the decades, informs his response in ways that make a lot of sense in that context. But having said that, I agree with you. And funny, this was a key topic of conversation in last week's episode with Pete McBride on the Colorado River too. I look forward to what you make of that one. Especially knowing you have roots in the southwest.
Okay, now a few messages by text. This first one from globally renowned author, my guest in episode 175, and a pioneer in water, climate, land, people connections, Judith Schwartz. I listened to episode 304 yesterday while putting in tomato plants and was blown away by how clearly, succinctly, and matter-of-factly Katie Ross explained water climate dynamics. How is radiative forcing completely absent from the public conversation? Katie does an amazing job of articulating water's rolling climate and without a wasted word. How can we get this to a larger audience? I'll be passing it around for sure. Wonderful to hear this, Judy, and I so agree. Your reaction was precisely mine when I was in the room on the day, though I do joke with Katie that I made her sound even better on the podcast. I love that you were gardening at the time you were listening to this too. I think Katie may have been gardening at the same time you were listening to in Wisconsin. I was probably chasing fish with dolphins out here, but that's another story. And after the same episode, just a fortnight ago, this came in from the brilliant Stacy Kerchio, naturopath, clinical nutritionist, researcher, educator, and speaker. Thank you for sharing Katie's talk. Wow, I've listened to it twice, back to back. What an absolute star. And related to some hosting duties at the recent Grounded Festival, Stacy later posted And shout out to Anthony James for being an epic human, as well as the world's best interviewer and facilitator of such rich conversations. I thought I'd stick that one in there too. Can't all be about Katie. It is a big call though, Stace. Hard to claim, but thank you. Means a lot coming from you, and glad to hear the Eastwell Farms Heart Summit you presented at a couple of weeks ago went so well. This one is hot off the press from another longtime paid subscriber, recently married, Ben Simons. Thanks for all you do. Definitely my favourite podcast, particularly for the transformational and systemic lens. It was your podcast that got me excited about systems change and regen ag years ago, leading to a career change to focus on just that. Incredible Ben, thanks as always. This is the best. Hearing of inspiration points and changes like this, I'm so glad for you, and humbled to have played a small part. I really enjoy our ongoing exchanges, and of course glad to hear your loving married life. My best to both. And on a somewhat similar note, this one is from a young fella I hadn't heard from since meeting a few years ago, and didn't know listen to the podcast, Gecko Garvey G'day AJ. Firstly, thank you. Your podcast has been such a source of hope, inspiration, entertainment, and as you'll hear, has played a part in my journey to becoming a farmer. And congrats on reaching the decade milestone. Hope you and your podcast keeps flourishing. My name is Gecko, and I've been listening to your podcast for the last four years. I actually met you when you came to Brisbane to speak with Jacob Birch and Zina Cumpston in what became episode 157. You also did a podcast with loop growers, who coincidentally, or not, is where I'm working and living now. Thanks again for another year of beautiful stories, and I think it's about time I joined as a subscriber on Patreon. Well, Gecko, we've since caught up at the recent Grounded Festival, of course, on the back of you and Lindsay travelling the country much as we did when the podcast first started. So I've already had a chance to say how incredible it was to see your message, and to count on your support and that of your wonderful family too. I remembered you and Lindsay well from our first meeting, and really appreciate hearing of the meaning of the pod for you. It continues to blow me away what sharing these stories can do. Here's to your journey ahead, and I continue to look forward to hearing about it. This one came from over the seas. From Ariad Isarina. Hope I'm pronouncing that right. Perhaps you can send a voicemail if I haven't. Hi Anthony, I'm an Australian currently living in Frome, Somerset, UK. Is it Frome? I hope I pronounced that right too. I'm a land worker here whilst also in a chapter of my life exploring the world. Listening to your podcast really keeps me connected and rooted to home, still holding a strong desire to come back. I also adore the global perspectives you invite into your space, and to so warmly and reciprocally invite you. And truly couldn't name another podcast that is so aligning with discourses I yearn to understand. Always with such a deeply caring translation. Thank you. Incredible to hear that, Ariad, thanks so very much for your kind message. You're hearing the podcast as I'd hoped it'd be heard. And great to think of you listening while working in the land over there. Please do keep in touch as your journey unfolds. This one's from a paid subscriber, also in New Mexico, who I met through another generous subscriber and dear old friend Irene. Sasha Menendez wrote this in response to a piece I published on Substack about the extraordinary story of a plane crash and its survivors and what that said about us humans when it counts most. Good stuff, sharing all that you share, Anthony, including this one on how people can come together in disastrous circumstances. Kind of like the Earth is that plane belly side up. We have to unite to help each other out beyond the oligarchs and governments and their ways of adding more fuel to a raging fire. We can do this and with the kind of work you're doing, the people you're interacting with, shedding light on what they're doing as conscious beings? Well, we are doing this. Thank you for what you are doing, keep it up, it's catching on. Dear Sasha and family, you kindly agreed to letting me share this way back then, and I never forgot what you wrote. Thanks so much. Yes, let's each keep it up, and please pass on my best to our favourite ABQ household. This one's from another long time paid subscriber, Nikki Tours, after her subscription had actually lapsed, upon which I'd just written to express my gratitude for such long-term support, but then a few weeks later I received this. Hi Anthony, thanks for your lovely email. I've rearranged a few things and am able to reactivate my subscription. I love what you are doing, and it's more important than ever to get the good stories out there. Keep up your great work. Thanks so much, Nikki. Means so much to hear that, and to know that your support can continue too. I know it's not easy for many right now, so I'm very grateful to you and everyone listening to this. Power to you with your great work too. And penultimately, hot off the press, having just thanked him for becoming a founding member, as they call it on Substack, a super generous supporter, just last week, Richard Savage wrote, Gosh AJ, the thanks are mine to you. Your work gives me something priceless. A connection to more incredibly humble, talented, and inspirational people like yourself, whom I would never have had the chance to listen to or speak to. Loving all this, AJ, go well, mate. P.S. 30 minutes into Pete McBride. Wow. Oh Richard, great to hear. I loved that episode with Pete last week. Thanks so much for listening and for reading on Substack 2. And for this extremely gracious message and support. I feel the same way about this whole project. And of course meeting you on the recent Confluence River journey. Unforgettable. Alright, one last one for today. Last week some of you in Australia may have caught previous podcast guest, famed actress and filmmaker, turned as a grandma, amazing regenerative farmer Rachel Ward on the ABC's Australian story, after having been trolled about how old she looked on an algorithmic media post. In the wake of that, I remembered what she wrote to me after listening to Kimberly Legend, Food Forester and Elder, Wendy Elbert, on episode 174 of the podcast. Loved listening to Wendy's story, and you are such a good interviewer. This one was a gem. If only we all ended up that wise and as good a storyteller, we would never be afraid of getting old and irrelevant. That's the mailbag for today. Now I'll leave you with some special mail from me to
you. You're invited to be part of a live podcast audience. That's to say, if you're a paid subscriber on either Patreon or Substack. And if you're not, you can become a paid subscriber anytime, for as little as about a dollar a week, $5 a month. I'm hoping to do more of these too, so there's that to look forward to, while also, of course, enjoying other benefits and helping to keep the podcast and writing on Substack going. So, to launch the live podcast series, a very special event with Fred Prevenza, the legendary behavioural ecologist and author who has revolutionized how we understand the nature of animal health and intelligence and its connection to our human health and intelligence. And through his own deep personal trials and transformations, Fred has come to embody this knowledge in ways that shine a light not only on the extraordinary regenerative capacities of nature, including us humans, but how regenerating all human systems stems from the wisdom of our bodies. He was on the podcast for episode 123 in June of 2022 with The Wisdom Body on a Paradigm Change in Animal, Human and Planetary Health. And he'll be with us live this June 2026, this time to present his now famous cosmic dreaming paper and talk. Two years ago, on the Northern Summer Solstice, he stood on the back of a truck in a field at the Old Salt Festival in Montana and gave the Cosmic Dreaming Talk for the first time. Festival organiser Cole Mannix said he'd have run the festival for that alone, in a heartfelt and uncanny end to episode 217. Fred's talk has been in demand ever since and has continued to evolve. In fact, Fred nearly made it to the recent Grounded Festival in Australia to offer the latest version. So I asked him if he'd share a reading with us live online, with a conversation afterwards, on the second anniversary of its first run. He was only too happy to. I'd like to invite you paid subscribers to join me and Fred at 10.30am on Saturday the 20th of June, Australian Eastern Time, 6 30pm Friday the 19th of June, Mountain Daylight Time, where Fred is, for approximately 90 minutes. I'll send a link closer to the date, no need to RSVP, just join in if you like. I know that timing means it's going to catch out UK and European subscribers, for example, in the middle of the night. Sorry about that, it's the best we could manage for Fred and me here in WA. Some parts of the event will become a podcast afterwards, and possibly be available to paid subscribers as a recording too. It's all a first-time experiment, but we'll see what we can do. But for the live experience with Fred and each other, we hope you can join us on the
day. Just a reminder, if you're a free subscriber or not yet subscribed at all, you can become a paid subscriber anytime and gain access to this event and more for as little as about a dollar a week, $5 a month, on Patreon or Substack. And if you're not in a position to do that right now, I hope you continue to enjoy the podcast and Substack for as long as I manage to keep them up. And perhaps you can help by sharing your favourite episodes or rating and reviewing the pod, or commenting on articles. That's it for this week. With thanks again to everyone who's ever sent a message in over the journey, you can do so via text or voicemail through the link in the show notes, and again do include if you're happy for it to appear on the podcast. Could be a question, observation, reflection, or just what's hot for you right now, perhaps even a piece of music. And on that note, the music you're hearing is We're Just Getting Started by the Lonely Ramblers, sourced from Art List. My name's Anthony James, thanks for listening.
