Explorer who investigated Zombies warns against modern despair - Wade Davis & William Crighton

Australian singer-songwriter William Crighton joins host Jack Stafford for a remarkable conversation with legendary explorer, anthropologist and ethnobotanist Wade Davis — bestselling author of The Serpent and the Rainbow and one of the world’s leading voices on indigenous cultures, psychedelics, anthropology and human consciousness.Recorded on Wade Davis’ 70th birthday, this episode explores Aboriginal songlines, Dreamtime, psychedelics, race, optimism, creativity, music as trance, fatherhood, indigenous wisdom and the modern crisis of meaning.Before Wade joins the conversation, William discusses his evolving sound, his acclaimed album Water and Dust, collaborations with William Barton and Jeff Lang, touring in Canada and China, his prison songwriting programme and his focus on lower-carbon solo touring.During the episode, Wade says:“Despair is an insult to the imagination.”Later:“Give your destiny time to find you.”That line inspired William to write a brand new original song called Destiny, which closes the episode.Podsongs is the podcast where musicians interview inspiring non-musical guests as inspiration for a new song.Timestamps:00:00 Show Intro00:34 William Crighton’s Sound Journey04:30 Authenticity, Art & Service05:32 Why William Chose Wade Davis08:57 Wade Davis Stories & 70th Birthday10:58 Touring Canada & Musical Roots12:53 Australia, Landscape & History14:43 China, Walkabout & The New Album20:00 COVID Lockdowns & The Birth of Podsongs22:11 Wade Davis Joins The Call24:02 Aboriginal Dreaming & Songlines28:52 Why Race Is A Myth According To Genetics38:49 Optimism As A Choice43:04 Psychedelics & Phases Of Life46:44 Sacred Experience vs Religion48:07 Music As Trance & Prayer53:30 Nature, Myth & Metaphor56:45 Hope In An Age Of Change01:05:09 How Landscape Shapes Culture01:08:53 Egalitarianism & Human Connection01:17:11 Elder Wisdom & Destiny01:23:48 Lucky Breaks, Risk & Saying Yes01:28:07 Final Reflections & New Song01:32:24 “Give Your Destiny Time To Find You”Wade Davis:Wade Davis Official WebsiteWilliam Crighton:William Crighton Official WebsitePre-save Destiny:Pre-save Destiny on SpotifyPodsongs:Podsongs Official Website#WadeDavis #WilliamCrighton #Podsongs