Ep 68 Lisa Wells ~ Making a life at the end of the world

Jade speaks with Lisa Wells, award-winning poet, essayist and author.In her new book, Believers: Making A Life At The End of the World, Lisa seeks out and learns from trailblazers and outliers around the world who are pursuing radically hopeful lifestyles -- even in the face of climate despair.There's so much to glean from this conversation: stories and lessons from those living the change, the treasures that await outside the norm, the beauty of bird language, the mess and wonder of non-tech-mediated human relationships and how to sow a fruitful future. As Lisa puts it, it can take a lifetime to learn how to live -- but hearing from others who have made an art and science of living like tomorrow matters sure helps speed up the process. SHOW NOTESIt's not her first writing rodeo but it's definitely her first book; it took six years!She interviewed those who were on the absolute edge of convention. What can we learn from them? Do human beings have an innate capacity to be beneficial contributors?Growing up in a DIY sensibilityFinishing her education at wilderness schoolTransformation inevitabilityReckoning with the reality that we need to make significant changePushing back on binary perspectives and stake-out positionsMaking our transformation more attractive: Living in community, re-wilding, growing, trial and errorThe physical intimacy of being on her knees in the dirt for the sake of future generations Recognising that we are just creatures on the planet with a very short lifespanWilderness school: becoming rooted in her bioregionLearning birdsong as a foreign language Dismantling domesticationOwning what it means to be in relation to others who you are reliant on Playing the role of translator for the 'outsiders'Managing balance as an empathetic personIf you want to be in relationship, you need to be willing to throw some chips on the tableHer vision of a fruitful future (without devices and with a whole lotta mess)Why it takes a lifetime to learn how to liveBeing freaked out by being immortal LINKS YOU'LL LOVEThe underground history of American education ~ John Taylor Gatto End Game ~ Derrick JensenA paradise built in hell ~ Rebecca SolnitSupport the show