From Worms to Wardrobes: Creation Care with Forrest Inslee

What does it mean to truly belong to the earth — and how does that change the way we live, consume, and create? In this episode of Style Clean, Kathleen sits down with Forrest Inslee, longtime leader at Circlewood, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to helping churches and communities develop greener faith practices and a theology that puts creation care at the center. Forrest hosts the Earth Keepers Podcast and teaches at the Seminary of the Wild Earth. Together, they explore how a "rewilded heart" can transform our daily choices — including the clothes we buy — and why reconnecting to the land isn't just good environmentalism, it's a spiritual practice.Guest: Forrest Inslee — leader at Circlewood, host of the Earth Keepers Podcast, and professor of community development with a focus on creation care and faith.In This Episode:How Circlewood serves diverse church communities in developing creation care practices and a holistic theologyRachel's story: rescuing earthworms as a profound spiritual practice — and what it reveals about our disconnection from the natural worldThe concept of "paying attention to story" — learning the human, ecological, Indigenous, and cultural history of the place you liveWhy lasting change starts with your why — rooting practical eco-decisions in a clear internal value systemThe "rewilded heart": letting your inner transformation guide sustainable choices rather than trying to do everything at onceResistance to creation care — both cultural and internal — and why community is the key to moving through itThe evangelical church's history of anthropocentrism and how Forrest worked his way toward a more creation-centered spiritualityThe Celtic Christian tradition's "two books of revelation": scripture and natureHow the legacy of missions-focused community development often ignores environmental impact — and why that needs to changeIndigenous wisdom, decolonization of worldview, and learning from communities with more grace for slow, steady changePractical first steps: go outside, plant a tomato, form a relationship with a spring — and let that be the bridgeResources Mentioned:Earth Keepers Podcast — Ecological Disciple — Circlewood's online journalChristine Sine's Substack: Walking in WonderRandy Woodley's books and SubstackArocha USA — Churches of Restoration programPeople Plant with Purpose — TEN curriculum (free for churches)The Wild Church movement (co-founded by Victoria Lourdes)Eileen Fisher — sustainable fashion designThemes: Creation care • Faith & sustainability • Rewilded heart • Slow living • Ethical consumption • Spiritual practice • Indigenous wisdom • Fashion & the earth