Earth Makers: Queer Dharma, Human Stories, and Recovery.

Mother Bear writes you a letter about current events and resisting fascism through acts of neighborism. The text read from Che is found in:Guevara, Ernesto Che. “Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War”, pg. 12 (Seven Stories Press, Oakland), 1963/2006.

Mother Bear shares a poem of revolution with you today:“If They Should Come for Us” by Fatimah Asghar (they/them)these are my people & I findthem on the street & shadowthrough any wild all wildmy people my peoplea dance of strangers in my bloodthe old woman’s sari dissolving to windbindi a new moon on her foreheadI claim her my kin & sewthe star of her to my breastthe toddler dangling from strollerhair a fountain of dandelion seedat the bakery I claim them toothe sikh uncle at the airportwho apologizes for the patdown the muslim man who abandonshis car at the traffic light dropsto his knees at the call of the azan& the muslim man who sipsgood whiskey at the start of maghribthe lone khala at the parkpairing her kurta with crocsmy people my people I can’t be lostwhen I see you my compassis brown & gold & bloodmy compass a muslim teenagersnapback & high-tops gracingthe subway platformmashallah I claim them allmy country is madein my people’s imageif they come for you theycome for me too in the deadof winter a flock ofaunties step out on the sandtheir dupattas turn to oceana colony of uncles grind their palms& a thousand jasmines bell the airmy people I follow you like constellationswe hear the glass smashing the street& the nights opening their darkour names this country’s woodfor the fire my people my peoplethe long years we’ve survived the longyears yet to come I see you mapmy sky the light your lantern longahead & I follow I follow (2018).https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/92374/if-they-should-come-for-us

Mother Bear writes you a letter outlining the current demands of Pam Bondi to the state of MN and how best to respond.

Alex Pretti, a Minnesotan VA nurse, was murdered by ICE agents today in South Minneapolis.

Mother Bear writes to you regarding the presence of ICE in Minnesota.

Johanna Bear is back with a new season and is revisiting the topic of fear in the midst of a harrowing season of life.

Jenn Kelly joins Johanna as the new co-host of the podcast! The girls discuss the spiritual impact of Flow (2024) and what it means to struggle and stay in the present moment.

Johanna is joined by the AMAZING Jenn Kelly as they discuss Johanna’s Top 10 films of 2024!

Paul Hunham in Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers (2023) says, “Life is like a henhouse ladder, shitty and short.” If this is true, dare we take a risk on human connection?

Johanna discusses the controversial topic of Accountability through the lens of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010).

Johanna Bear invites us to explore the vital differences between being kind and being nice through the lens of Morgan Neville’s 2018 documentary film, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? about the life and work of Fred Rogers.

Johanna introduces the new season with a conversation about the election, fear, freedom, and James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta (2005).

Johanna Bear shares an update on the end of the Earth Makers podcast and the beginning of a new podcast project!

Acceptance is not approval. Acceptance is closing the door and doing the dishes on a rainy day. Johanna Bear continues her series on Earth Makers recovery w/a talk on the skill of Acceptance. Please consider donating to the podcast! There is a link in the show notes!

Johanna Bear shares 2 stories about her experiences with her own mortality and invites us to look more deeply into the mirror of our lives.

Welcome back to Earth Makers! Johanna takes us to a place of spiritual nakedness by confronting the question, “Who do I think I am?”

AW: assault, rape Johanna Bear addresses the Abrahamic invitation to “welcome the stranger” and the joys and real life consequences of doing so.

Johanna Bear shares her short story about a small town parson and the horrors that await him and his congregation.

Johanna plumbs the depths of human suffering and is reminded of a gentle, wild forest spirit along the way.

As Johanna recovers from COVID, she shares a story with us.

Johanna has COVID.

Johanna Bear continues her series on The Ten Seeds of Recovery.

Johanna Bear continues the series on Earth Makers Recovery.

Johanna Bear shares the first seed in the brand new Earth Makers Recovery Program live from the JS Bean Factory in St. Paul, MN!

What if everything doesn’t happen for a reason?

Drawing inspiration from films like The Whale and Tár, Johanna kicks off the fifth season with complicated stories of complicated humans.

Johanna offers more transgender reflection on waiting in the midst of bad news. CW: Harsh language and graphic imagery.

Johanna shares a poetic reflection on the anxiety of today. She hopes it’s relatable. Thanks for listening.

Johanna concludes the fourth season with a story about clinging to things and the disregulation of newness.

Johanna Bear shares an update on the future of Season 5 and on the new Earth Makers Recovery program!

Sy Cooper faces the greatest challenge of his journey

The story of Sy, Skinny, Doc, and Arbuckle heats up as they draw closer to the Man in White…

Johanna Bear continues her spooky story.

Johanna Bear shares part 1 of a scary short story she wrote.

Johanna shares her story of stumbling across a spider and the reminder of the web of life we all take part in.

A Zen Buddhist koan and a reflection on what we attach ourselves to.

A reflection on staying with pain and a wise barista who prays for hollow bones.

Joey tells a story from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman to illustrate the relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder and mindful spirituality.

A story about Joey’s dad, a sacred deer, and the unexplained mysteries that bring us our peace.

Joey Bear retells the story of “The Woman at the Well” and invites us to reflect on who it is in our lives who sees, hears, acknowledges, understands, knows, accepts, and approves of us.

Joey Bear explores the profound experience of leaving and the perilous journey home.

A Swedish folk tale about the layers we must remove, sometimes in pain and fear, to connect with our true inner being.

A story about Joey’s first driving experience, the familiarity of failure, and the invitation to do less harm.

Joey Bear tells a story about her Grandma, comfort foods, and the spiritual power of hÿgge.

Joey Bear tells the story of her queer mamas and the difference between gates and gatekeepers.

A story about Joey Bear’s friend, Bee, a Paraclete on the road of life.

A story about sanctuaries, sacred spaces, the JS Bean Factory in St. Paul, MN and a spirit guide named Dakota.

TW: Sexual assault, relapse. Joey shares her recent story of assault and relapse and the power of grace to remind us of who we are. For spiritual counseling, visit [email protected].

A story about Joey Bear’s brother, a fierce ally and compassionate vessel of love.

A story about ICU patients, smiles, coloring books, and destitute widows.