Famine and Flood: What 14th-Century England Teaches Us About Climate Resilience | Shannon Gayk, author of "Apocalyptic Ecologies"

In this thoughtful conversation, Richard Roman sits down with his former English professor, Shannon Gayk, to explore how medieval literature and environmental writing can speak powerfully to the climate crises of the present. Professor Gayk is the author of Apocalyptic Ecologies. She reflects on the ways apocalyptic stories, biblical retellings, and ethical traditions from the Middle Ages offer surprising insight into how we live, grieve, care, and remain attentive in fragile times. From the Black Death and the Little Ice Age to modern climate emergency, this episode draws striking parallels between historical catastrophe and today’s environmental uncertainty. We discuss themes of trust, deep attention, embodied care, and “making odd kin” in moments of crisis, as well as why staying with the trouble may be more meaningful than trying to escape it. We also talk about the power of walking in nature, the importance of presence, and how ancient texts can help us reimagine responsibility toward both human and more-than-human life. If you’re interested in climate humanities, medieval studies, religion, literature, or the ethics of care, this conversation offers a rich and moving perspective.