The New Orchard

Title: Catholic Land Movement | Building Communities Where Stewardship, Work, Worship & Family Belong TogetherGuest: Michael Thomas - Executive Director and co-founder of the modern Catholic Land MovementRecorded: April 2026The New Orchard has always been about more than farming.Across previous episodes I've explored regenerative agriculture, homesteading, rural life and land stewardship through conversations with guests including Mary Berry of The Berry Center, regenerative farmers, agricultural innovators and the founder of Cultivate Farms. Running through each of those conversations has been a deeper question: what kind of way of life enables families, communities and cultures to truly flourish?This episode takes that question back to its oldest source.The opening chapters of Genesis begin not in a city, but in the Garden of Eden. Before there were governments, markets or institutions, there was a family, productive land and a God-given vocation "to work it and keep it." What does that tell us about the relationship between work, worship, family and creation? Is the Garden of Eden simply where the biblical story begins, or does it reveal something enduring about how human beings were created to live?Joining me is Michael Thomas, Executive Director and co-founder of the Catholic Land Movement (CLM). Michael and his family have spent more than a decade homesteading in upstate New York, and today he helps families around the world reconnect with productive land, Catholic social teaching, local community and a life of stewardship.In this conversation we explore:• The origins and modern revival of the Catholic Land Movement• Catholic social teaching, subsidiarity and the family• The biblical vision of stewardship in Genesis and the Garden of Eden• Homesteading, regenerative agriculture and rural community• Wendell Berry, Thomas Jefferson and the case for rooted local communities• Land ownership, distributism, self-sufficiency and human flourishing• Practical pathways for families interested in joining or starting a Catholic Land Movement chapterWhether you're interested in regenerative farming, homesteading, Christian living, Catholicism, rural life, food sovereignty, stewardship, family formation or simply searching for a more grounded way of life, I hope this conversation gives you plenty to reflect on.If you enjoy this episode, you'll also find related conversations in The New Orchard catalogue with Mary Berry (The Berry Center), Sam Marwood (Cultivate Farms), Matt Wong and Jake Wolki on regenerative agriculture, family life and reconnecting people with the land.Links and interview references:Catholic Land Movement - https://catholiclandmovement.info Substack - https://oldhollowtree.substack.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/michaelthomasofsharon/ Rerum Novarum Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labor

Title: The Raw Milk Dilemma: Mark McAfee on Food Safety, Pasteurisation & Raw MilkGuest: Mark McAfee - Founder & CEO, Raw Farm and Founder & Chairman, Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI)Recorded: May 2026For most of human history, milk wasn't a controversial product. It was simply milk—produced locally, consumed fresh, and deeply connected to the communities and farms that sustained it.Today, raw milk sits at the centre of one of the most polarising debates in modern food production. Supporters see it as a nutrient-dense, minimally processed food that reconnects consumers with local agriculture. Critics view it as an unnecessary public health risk that belongs in the past.My guest today is Mark McAfee, founder and CEO of Raw Farm, the largest producer of raw dairy products in the United States, and founder of the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI), a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing science-based standards, testing protocols and farmer training programs for the production of low-risk raw milk.Over the past two decades, Mark has become one of the world's leading voices on raw milk, food safety, milk genomics, the gut microbiome, agricultural regulation and consumer choice. His work has helped shape the modern conversation around raw dairy while challenging long-held assumptions about food production, risk and public health.In this interview we explore: • The history of milk, pasteurisation and industrial agriculture• Why raw milk became controversial• Food safety, pathogen testing and the "RAWMI Effect"• The science of raw milk and the gut microbiome• Government regulation and food freedom• The rise of consumer demand for minimally processed foods• The future of dairy farming and local food systems• How technology is changing the raw milk industryWhether you're curious about raw milk, interested in regenerative agriculture, concerned about food sovereignty, or simply want to understand one of the most contentious debates in modern nutrition, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of science, farming, public health and personal freedom.Links and interview references:Raw Farm - https://rawfarmusa.com/ Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) - https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/ Feds Shut Down Amish Farm for Selling Raw MilkThe protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy: The GABRIELA studyThe Beneficial Effect of Farm Milk Consumption on Asthma, Allergies, and Infections: From Meta-Analysis of Evidence to Clinical Trial - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31770653/ Which aspects of the farming lifestyle explain the inverse association with childhood allergy? - https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)00651-8/fulltexthttps://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)00651-8/fulltext

Title: Cultivate Farms - Rebuilding the Pathway to Farm Ownership Guest: Sam MarwoodRecorded: April 2026My guest today is Sam Marwood, founder of Cultivate Farms — an Australian farm transition organisation attempting to solve one of the deepest structural problems in modern agriculture: How do you keep farms alive, productive, and locally stewarded when the traditional pathway into ownership has almost completely collapsed?Cultivate Farms sits somewhere between a farm succession platform, an ownership innovation project, a transition advisory group, and a farm matchmaking network. Sam and his team work to connect retiring farmers, aspiring farmers, investors, and regional communities in order to create viable new pathways into agriculture through shared ownership models, succession planning, community investment, and long-term transition structures.Importantly, Sam is not advocating nostalgia or simply telling people to “go back to the land.” He is trying to engineer entirely new ownership pathways under modern conditions: rising land prices, ageing farmers, succession collapse, investor capital, and a generation increasingly locked out of entry.This conversation also touches on the philosophy of Wendell Berry, whose work has deeply influenced my thinking. Berry once wrote that “eating is an agricultural act,” meaning that no matter how abstract modern life becomes, we are never truly disconnected from the land and systems that sustain us.Modern economies are remarkably efficient at hiding those systems. Food appears from nowhere. Ownership concentrates elsewhere. Communities quietly decline. Productive life becomes something many people observe rather than participate in directly.What makes Cultivate Farms so compelling is that it attempts to rebuild a pathway back into stewardship, continuity, responsibility, and participation in something tangible and deeply real — not through nostalgia, but through institutional invention and out-of-the-box thinking.Sam has spent more than 20 years working at the intersection of agriculture and conservation. He is the author of six books, including You Can Own a Farm, Ageing on Farm, Community Owned Farms, The Cultivate Farms Succession Guide, Your Farm Your Legacy, and No Better Place.Links and interview references:Cultivate Farmswww.cultivatefarms.com Cultivate Farms Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cultivatefarms/ Cultivate Farms YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@CultivateFarms NFSA Film Australia

Title: The War Against the SunGuest: William B. Grant Recorded: April 2026For millions of years humans evolved under direct sun exposure, yet modern dermatology and the $15-billion sunscreen industry declared the sun public enemy number one.In this episode we unpack the evolutionary blueprint that makes sunlight essential for health, the 1980s American Academy of Dermatology rebrand that turned dermatologists into sun-cancer warriors, and the uncomfortable data: despite decades of fear messaging, melanoma rates in the US and Australia have roughly doubled since the mid-1980s.Drawing from A Midwestern Doctor’s explosive editorial Dermatology’s Horrendous War Against the Sun, we explore diagnostic drift, chemical sunscreen absorption, and the dermatology market now exceeding $8 billion in the US alone.Physicist-turned-vitamin-D researcher William B. Grant joins the show to reveal why so many randomised trials on vitamin D fail (they ignore baseline levels and achieved serum levels), the real benefits for cancer, diabetes, pregnancy outcomes, and eight of the top ten causes of death, and why observational data tells a very different story from the official narrative.We close with a bigger question: what happens when we use sunscreen to override the ancient evolutionary bargain our bodies struck with the sun — trading circadian rhythm, nitric oxide, and natural protection for the illusion of unlimited exposure?A must-listen if you’ve ever questioned the sunscreen dogma or wondered whether the sun is actually the villain we’ve been told it is.Listen now and step back into the light.Links and interview references:Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center - https://www.sunarc.org/ William B. Grant - Key Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Grant+WB&cauthor_id=11920550 Dermatology's Disastrous War Against The Sun editorial by A Midwestern Doctor: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/dermatologys-disastrous-war-against-f81 U.S. Dermatological Drugs Market Report: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-dermatological-drugs-market-reporthttps://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/dermatological-drugs-market/united-stateshttps://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/us-dermatological-drugs-market-analysisAustralia Dermatological Drugs Market:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/dermatological-drugs-market/australia

Title: The Burden of Culture - Why Money Can't Fix Australia's Indigenous DivideGuest: Gary JohnsRecorded: January 2026In this podcast episode, Gary Johns, a former Labor politician and author of The Burden of Culture: How to Dismantle the Aboriginal Industry and Give Hope to Its Victims (published in 2022 by Connor Court Publishing), explores the challenges facing Aboriginal communities in Australia. Drawing from his book's central thesis, Johns critiques initiatives that aim to preserve Indigenous cultures but often perpetuate dependency and societal division. He argues that the dominant push for collective self-determination among Indigenous groups contrasts sharply with the individual freedoms available to non-Indigenous Australians, raising questions about whether such models truly serve personal circumstances or hinder growth.Johns highlights the financial realities, noting an estimated $5.3 billion spent annually on Indigenous programs amid patterns of corruption and mismanagement. He emphasizes the presumption that Aboriginal-run organizations inherently perform better, which he believes leads to a lack of accountability and systemic failures. Reflecting on societal apathy, Johns points to the 2023 Voice referendum as an example where the public rejected proposals that could create divisions, allowing ineffective policies to persist. He advocates for recognizing the achievements of Indigenous individuals who succeed outside collective frameworks, urging a re-evaluation of reconciliation efforts to prioritize empowerment over patronage.The Burden of Culture serves as the foundation for this interview, offering a provocative examination of how well-intentioned policies can trap generations in cycles of dependency. Johns draws on his political experience to propose dismantling the 'Aboriginal industry'—a network of programs and organizations that, in his view, prioritize institutional growth over genuine progress. The book challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about funding inefficiencies, cultural romanticism, and the need for policies that foster self-reliance and socioeconomic mobility.Listen for a detailed discussion on rethinking self-determination, the impact of government spending, and pathways to real change in Indigenous affairs. Links and interview references:The Burden of Culture by Gary Johns - https://quadrant.org.au/product/the-burden-of-culture/ Close the Gap Research (CtGR), is a not-for-profit organistion dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal people facing adversity.https://closethegapresearch.org.au/ Ending the Civil War on Race and Culture https://democracyfirst.org.au/civilwar/ IPA Research Confirms $40 Billion Indigenous Spend Claim Correcthttps://ipa.org.au/read/ipa-research-confirms-40-billion-indigenous-spend-claim-correct Commonwealth employee among three people charged over alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme.https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-11-15/commonwealth-employee-among-three-people-charged-over-alleged-multi-million-dollar-fraud-scheme

Title: Roots Over Screens – Farm Life as The Cure for Urban Nature Deficit Guest: Jake Wolki Recorded: October 2025"Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds." These are the words written by Thomas Jefferson an American Founding Father and the third president of the United States. Jefferson throughout his life remained a strong advocate for agrarian life, viewing it as the foundation of a virtuous and more importantly independent society. He believed that farming fostered moral character, self-reliance as well as positive societal outcomes, such as stronger communities and reduced corruption compared to urban or manufacturing lifestyles. What I like about his philosophy is he saw farming not just as an economic activity, not just as a mechanical process but as a path to ethical living, contentment, better family dynamics and personal fulfilment. The body of literature exploring the benefits of raising children in farm or rural settings is growing. There’s a lot of young farmers, homesteaders sharing their experiences online transparently where you can see how different young kids are when given the opportunity to engage in real life, in real work, letting their human instincts express themselves to their full potential. A cornerstone of this discussion is Richard Louv's concept of "nature-deficit disorder," introduced in his 2005 book titled Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. In this book the author argues that this disconnection from nature is resulting in diminished sensory experiences leading to attention difficulties, increased obesity rates and emotional issues like anxiety or even depression. In contrast he argues that farm settings offer real and deeply immersive exposure to nature through daily interactions with animals, soil, weather and cycles of growth and harvest which subsequent research links to improved physical health, emotional resilience and different cognitive benefits like enhanced focus and creativity. Studies building on Louv’s work demonstrate that children with regular outdoor time in natural environments exhibit fewer ADHD symptoms, better mood regulation and stronger problem-solving skills positioning farm life and farm work as an antidote to urban “nature depravation”. Simply put farm-raised kids, by engaging in authentic tasks like tending livestock, planting crops, collecting eggs and so on, develop a deeper sense of connection to the real world, which supports their long-term well-being. In modern sustainable farming families, children are absolutely central, gaining socialization and ethical values from community involvement, which counters urban fragmentation and promotes a deep sense of belonging. To talk about all this and give us a perspective from the ground level as somebody who is in the thick of it, running a big farming operation and being quite successful at it I have invited somebody who I personally find quite inspirational. My guest today is Jake Wolki. Jake runs a beautiful regenerative farm near Albury on the New South Wales and Victorian border. Over the last few years Jake and his family have been on an incredible journey of transformation, learning and growth. A father of 3, soon to be 4 children, a dedicated husband, an innovator and all-round super interesting guy I think Jake the perfect person to tell us why raising kids in a real farm setting at least for some is far superior to mainstream urban model. Wolki Farm Store - https://wolkifarm.com.au/ Jacob Wolki’s X - https://x.com/JakeWolki Wolki Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@wolkifarm Wendell Berry’s The Unsettling of America - https://kyl.neocities.org/books/[SOC%20BER]%20the%20unsettling%20of%20america.pdf Richard Louv - https://richardlouv.com/

Title: After Virtue - Why the West Risks Collapse Without Heeding MacIntyre's Moral Wake-Up CallGuest: Tom Angier Recorded: October 2025A couple of years ago, an algorithm on a book-selling website recommended a title to me—I can't recall exactly where, but it doesn't matter. It arrived amid 30 other books and sat untouched on my shelf for nearly two years, gathering dust in my ever-growing pile of "must-reads." I'm a slow reader; on a good day, I manage 30-40 pages. My appetite for books far outpaces my ability to finish them, hence the dusty towers in my office.When I finally opened it earlier this year, it felt like discovering a map explaining our modern world's deep polarization and fractures. The material seemed fresh, though rooted in the works of philosophical giants like Aristotle and Aquinas. The book is After Virtue, written by Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre in 1981. MacIntyre, a Scottish-American philosopher born in Glasgow in 1929 to a family of doctors, was a restless thinker. Instilled with a sharp intellect and questioning spirit by his parents, he began as a Marxist, critiquing capitalism's alienating effects. He evolved through encounters with Wittgenstein, Aristotle, and Thomism, converting to Catholicism in the 1980s. By the late 1970s, he saw modern moral philosophy in crisis—debates reduced to emotive outbursts, lacking shared foundations or civility. This led to After Virtue, where he argued the Enlightenment's pursuit of universal reason shattered traditional ethics, leaving "emotivism": "good" reduced to personal preference shouted loudest. Upon release, After Virtue sparked a sensation in academic circles. Communitarians and conservatives praised it—thinkers like Charles Taylor and Michael Sandel lauded its revival of virtue ethics and critique of individualism as a lifeline for community morality. Catholics and traditionalists hailed its nods to Aristotle and Aquinas. Liberals criticized it as pessimistic and anti-progressive for dismissing Kant and Nietzsche. MacIntyre revives virtue ethics, emphasizing traits like justice, courage, and honesty cultivated through social practices, not rules. Morality emerges from narratives and traditions, offering meaning amid relativism. He warns Western society resembles post-Roman Europe: civilized but morally bankrupt, heading to barbarism without intervention. I finished After Virtue as news broke of MacIntyre's death on May 21, 2025, at 96. May his soul rest in peace. I'd normally interview the author, but instead found someone insightful to discuss it. The book helps navigate our hyper-complex world, so I wanted to share its message. My guest is Tom Angier, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town. Tom's research focuses on Aristotelian and neo-Aristotelian ethics and politics. Recent works: monograph on Natural Law Theory; edited The Cambridge Companion to Natural Law Ethics (2019) and The Cambridge Handbook to Natural Law and Human Rights (2023); upcoming Human Nature, Human Goods: A Theory of Natural Perfectionism (February 2026).Links and interview references:After Virtuehttps://www.bloomsbury.com/au/after-virtue-9781780936253/ Whose Justice? Which Rationality?https://www.amazon.com.au/Whose-Justice-Rationality-Alasdair-MacIntyre/dp/0268019444 Human Nature, Human Goods, A Theory of Natural Perfectionism - https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/human-nature-human%20goods/CA87A9BFF30D8516D271DF5D7C08CAD4 The Cambridge Companion to Natural Law Ethics - https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-natural-law-ethics/066446693DDE09647A73FA19FEF2142F The Cambridge Handbook to Natural Law and Human - https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-handbook-of-natural-law-and-human-rights/B1E1CEC2C502A8CA72DBB9F33FE29D90

Title: Moving Towards Wholeness - Holotropic Breathwork®, Shamanism And The Dance Of Healing Guest: Sharanya NaikRecorded: September 2025Couple of months ago I had the privilege of interviewing Kylea Taylor, A key figure in the ethics of caring within psychedelic and transpersonal therapy realms and an author of books like The Ethics of Caring and Considering Holotropic Breathwork. That interview was published August 10th 2025 and I recommend you listen to it if you have not done so already and if you are interested in this subject matter. That interview was enlightening to me and allowed me to explore the ethical landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the profound principles of inner ethics in non-ordinary states which Kylea developed over the years. We’ve focused the conversation on psychological theories that govern Holotropic Breathwork as well as discussed how Stan Grof’s original work truly transformed the landscape. Interviewing Kylea left me even more curious compared to how I felt after reading Stan and Christina’s Groff book titled Holotropic Breathwork - A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy earlier this year. I wanted to continue probing this topic but wanted to find a different angle of attack for my second interview about Holotropic Breathwork and I wanted to find somebody who grew and evolved from starting as a participant to ending as an accomplished facilitator with a lot of experience in the field. I’m very pleased to report that I have found just such a person. My guest today is Sharanya Naik a multifaceted practitioner who’s work spans education, bodywork, creative writing and spiritual exploration with a deep-rooted expertise in Holotropic Breathwork®. For those of you who have not had a chance to listen to my previous interview with Kylea Taylor, Holotropic Breathwork® is an experiential method developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof that uses accelerated breathing, evocative music, and focused bodywork to access non-ordinary states of consciousness for healing and self-discovery. For all intents and purposes think of it as something truly magical but also relatively easily accessible as getting into an altered state of consciousness using this method does not require any special tools or ingestion of any special compounds. Sharanya originally from Bangalore, India, she moved to USA in 1984 and has since through hard work and dedication built a rich career integrating both Eastern and Western traditions. She became a certified Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator in 2003 after rigorous training and has since facilitated sessions for groups and individuals across multiple cities in the United States and India. As a module facilitator at The Institute for Holotropics (formerly Grof Transpersonal Training, or GTT), Naik contributes to training programs, helping others learn the technique through immersive modules that include breathwork sessions, group processing, and integration practices. On top of all that she also served as editor of The Inner Door, a journal dedicated to Holotropic Breathwork® practitioners, where she curated content on transpersonal psychology and experiential healing. Naik is also a writer of poetry and short fiction, currently working on a novel. Her creative output often explores themes of impermanence, societal divides, human vulnerability, and conflict—mirroring the introspective insights gained from breathwork sessions and shamanism. Her life journey reflects a commitment to wholeness, drawing from Hinduism, shamanism, and somatic practices, making her an incredibly insightful guest for today’s interview which expands and supplements some of the themes I had the privilege to cover with Kylea back in August this year. Links and interview references:Hansa Holotropic - https://hansaholotropic.com/Grof Transpersonal Training - https://www.holotropic.com/ Charles Eisenstein - https://charleseisenstein.org/books/

Title: Jim’s Journey - Startup Struggles, Success Secrets, and Solving Society's Declining Birth RatesGuest: Jim PenmanRecorded: September 2025Imagine a young man in 1980s Australia, fresh from his history PhD, armed with just a beat-up mower, a trailer, and $20 in his pocket. Instead of academia, he dives into lawn mowing—a simple side hustle that explodes into a franchising empire. Through grit, quality focus, and empowering everyday people, Jim Penman builds Jim's Group: over 5,500 franchises across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, serving thousands daily with services from gardening to pest control, generating $1B+ in annual turnover. It's a story of humble beginnings prioritizing people over profits.But Jim's more than a business titan. A prolific author, his 2015 book "Biohistory: Decline and Fall of the West" weaves epigenetics—environmental stressors altering gene expression—into historical cycles of societal rise and decline, drawing from Rome to modern trends. It's a bold intellectual dive.Beyond books, Jim founded the Institute for Social Neuroscience in 2017, funding independent research on epigenetics, neuroscience, and behavior—free from grants or oversight to dodge ideological bias. He also leads Epigenes Australia, probing gene-environment interactions like calorie restriction's behavioral effects.Politically fearless, Jim backs the Australian Libertarian Party, slamming big government. He called out Victoria's COVID lockdowns under Premier Daniel Andrews as disastrous for small businesses, dubbing him the "worst leader since federation." He urges PM Albanese to create a U.S.-style Department of Government Efficiency to cut waste and red tape.Join me as I chat with this Renaissance man: entrepreneur, thinker, scientist, and critic. Jim Penman unpacks his journey, biohistory, and vision for a freer world. Don't miss it!Links and interview references:https://jimpenman.com.au/ https://biohistory.org/ https://www.epigenes.com.au/ Books: The Cutting Edge: Jim's Mowing, a Franchise Story (1992) The Hungry Ape: Biology and the Fall of Civilisations (1992) Surprised by Success: The Very Australian Story of Jim's Mowing (1998)Selling by Not Selling: From $24 to a Turnover of $400 Million (2013) Biohistory: Decline and Fall of the West (2015) Every Customer a Fan Epigenetics and Character: The Biology Behind History (2021) No Other Success: How a Lawn-Mowing Business Transformed Thousands of Lives (2025)

Title: The Great Poisoning - The Hidden Abuses in Queensland's Fire Ant Eradication ProgramGuest: Trevor Hold Recorded: September 2025My guest today is Trevor Hold, a farmer in Queensland and a leading voice in opposition to the NFAEP. Authoring multiple petitions and calling for reform, a shift to suppression, and protection of property rights. Property rights which the government can trample on due to special provisions in the 2014 Biosecurity Act. Hold is very clear about the nature of fire ants and the need to do something about their presence. He understands that fire ants pose severe threats to human health, the economy, agriculture as well as biodiversity but he does disagree with the principal strategy and pesticide application methods by the QLD government and I don’t blame him for doing so. Imagine this. You’re on your own property, the land you’ve worked for, paid for, maybe even passed down through generations. Suddenly without your consent, without your knowledge government agents roll up – sometimes with police units in tow – to blanket your soil, your garden and your livestock with toxic baits. No permission needed, no negotiation with the property owner, the leviathan does what it wants because it’s fully backed by the force of state law. Signs like "No Trespass" or "No Consent to Poisoning"? They're worthless; the program calls them misinformation and pushes ahead anyway.And that is the reality of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, and it's happening today, in 2025, across south-east Queensland.Unwinnable wars with ill-defined objectives is the name of the game if you want to get your hands on big dollars. It is the case with the war on drugs, war on poverty, war on homelessness, war on terrorism. The word war always betrays the game. My read on this situation is that this isn’t just about ants. It’s about capture by big agriculture and chemical giants who profit massively from an endless unwinnable campaign. There are numerous reasons why mainstream media is not reporting on this story, why there’s no investigative journalism conducted to uncover what really is driving the current strategy and why the health of natural environment is being sacrificed for profit. There’s no better person to tell this story than Trevor Hold who has been in the thick of it for a while. Links and interview references:Australian Advocacy Group - Founded during a campaign to create better outcomes for Queenslanders by stopping the National Fire Ant Eradication Program from causing harm to human health, sensitive eco-systems, wildlife, people’s petsand farming operations through reckless, excessive and irresponsible distribution of toxic chemicals, and mandates to enter private property without consent.https://aagpilot.com/  Pesticide Use in the Imported Fire Ant Program - Environmental Assessment March 2012 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/imported_fireant_ea_march2012.pdfhttps://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/NewsDC&ATC.PAY.fall18-web.pdfNational Fire Ant Eradication Program Official Website - https://www.fireants.org.au/  ‘Wildly toxic’ poison used on fire ants is killing native Australian animals, experts warn Senate inquiry. Guardian editorial - https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/16/fipronil-fire-ant-poison-toxic-senate-inquiry-bansMalcolm Roberts (One Nation) questioning Minister Chisholm and Acting Secretary of the Department, Ms Justine Saunders, regarding the ongoing mismanagement of the Fire Ant Eradication Program in South East Queensland. - https://youtu.be/5wh5o_OHtHk?si=_Hzoi0HfiUhkBmsr

Guest: Kylea Taylor Recorded: July 2025Every moment, without thinking about it, we breathe. But hidden inside this seemingly unconscious rhythm is a mysterious portal, an almost forgotten technology of healing and limitless transformation. Long before we had access to talk therapy, trauma informed coaching or psychedelics, humans knew how to use breath to transition into altered states of consciousness. Shamans, monks, mystics, they all knew, how to tune into something magical, something most of us in our contemporary society ignore or simply are unable to see. From an evolutionary perspective it’s possible that this hidden capacity played an important adaptive purpose. It helped humans cope with trauma in communal rituals or individual healing. At times when used properly it provided incredible visionary insight or symbolic resolution without needing any external substances at all. History books are full of examples of different cultures all over the world using rhythm and breath in rites of passage, different grief rituals and conflict resolutions long before modern psychology or pharmacology ever existed. In the 1970s, a Czech psychiatrist named Stanislav Grof, banned from using LSD in therapy as the drug was shut down due to legal restrictions, turned to the breath discovering that this built in system when used in a specific manner can rival the incredible therapeutic and powerful effects of psychedelics. He called this modality Holotropic Breathwork®. Holotropic meaning moving towards wholeness. The science behind this way of inducing an altered state of consciousness is relatively simple to understand. By deliberately over-breathing in a deep and rapid manner, the patient or the subject will induce a state which mimics stress – but it will be done in a controlled way, which allows repressed material, repressed memories, all kinds of traumas and deeply hidden symbols to come to the surface. Once there on the surface this repressed material can be analysed, transformed and integrated, similar to what happens in dreams or different psychedelic states. A lot of people who have tried Holotropic Breathwork® will attest that these altered states resemble those induced by LSD, psilocybin, DMT and will allow you to experience serious time dilation, complete ego dissolution, incredible visions, deep catharsis and rebirth as well as incredible sense of unity with the universe and connection to the divine. Truly magical tool of the unconscious to heal and reorganize itself when accessed safely. In a holotropic state, you are not just analyzing your problems. You are experiencing and resolving them through the body, psyche, and your soul.In this episode I’ll be discussing this and other adjecent matters with wonderful Kylea Taylor. Kylea is a California based and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She started studying with Stanislav and Christina Grof in 1984 and was certified by them as a Holotropic Breathwork® practitioner in 1990. She worked with Stanislav Grof as a Senior Trainer in the Grof Transpersonal Training throughout the 1990s, facilitating and observing 1000s of extra-ordinary state of consciousness sessions. Throughout her career she observed that traditional codes of ethics didn’t adequately address the altered states of consciousness that arise in breathwork and psychedelic-assisted therapy and this led her to develop Inner Ethics®—a self-reflective, self-compassionate, practitioner-centered approach to ethical care.Links and interview references:Kylea Taylor’s Books at Hanfordmead.com - https://hanfordmead.com/product-category/authors/kylea-taylor/ Kylea Taylor’s Books - Amazon GV Freeman’s Psychedelic Safety Wheelhttps://gvfreeman.com/psychedelics-in-st-louis-missouri/

My guest today is Sofia Karstens and the reason why I wanted to interview her is her editorial titled “Neurodiversity Is a Strawman” published on brownstone.org in April 2025. In the editorial Sofia argues that the concept of neurodiversity has moved well beyond science and into cultural ideology and now appears to be completely divorced from meaningful clinical or neurological distinction. Further to that she critiques the shift from treatment of disfunction toward celebration of difference, even when that difference causes genuine distress. She also calls the scientifically incoherent official messaging where being neurodivergent is at the same time a medical condition and a proud identity – morphing to suit the rhetorical moment. Sofia Karstens is an activist based in California who worked closely with publisher Tony Lyons and Robert F. Kennedy Jr on several projects, including Kennedy’s most extraordinary best-selling book: The Real Anthony Fauci. She collaborates with several organizations in the legal, legislative, medical science, and literary spaces and she is co-founder of Free Now Foundation, a non-profit preserving medical freedom and children’s health. Is neurodiversity an ideological shield that prevents honest engagement with real suffering? Let’s dive in and find out. Links and interview references:Neurodiversity Is a Strawman by Sofia Karstens - https://brownstone.org/articles/neurodiversity-is-a-strawman/Diversity & Inclusion Workplace Statistics in 2023Building a Neuroinclusive WorkplaceLab 257: The Disturbing Story of the Government's Secret Germ Laboratory - https://www.amazon.com.au/Lab-257-Disturbing-Governments-Laboratory/dp/1665271752Cause Unknown: The Epidemic of Sudden Deaths in 2021 & 2022 by Ed Dowd - https://www.amazon.com.au/Cause-Epidemic-Sudden-Deaths-2021/dp/1510776397

Couple of months ago a book by Frank Furedi titled First World War: Still No End In Sight landed in my lap. An acquaintance of mine recommended it without giving me much detail. He just said that I would have appreciation for its insights and original angle and that was enough for me to put a copy into my basket. The author of the book contends that WW1 was not merely a military conflict but a profoundly unique cultural and ideological rupture. Professor Furedi suggests that the conflict catalysed a transformation in societal values, which led to a persistent state of cultural conflict that manifests today as the “culture wars”. He claims that the ideological battles that began in 1914 have evolved and remain largely unresolved, continuing to polarize and influencing debates over identity, morality, and societal norms. It’s a fascinating piece of research and writing which helped me to better understand some of the cultural trends that have permeated the west over the last few decades and this is the reason why I wanted to interview professor Frank Furedi and ask him few questions that have crystalised in my mind after I finished reading First World War: Still No End In Sight. Frank Furedi is an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. He completed his PhD in Research and MA in African Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies. He completed his BA in Political Science at McGill University. He’s a sociologist, social commentator, and author of over 20 books which include: Democracy Under SiegeThe War Against the Past: Why The West Must Fight For Its HistoryHow Fear Works: Culture of Fear in the Twenty-First CenturyParanoid ParentingLinks and interview references:First World War: Still No End In Sight https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/first-world-war-9781441117922/ They Shall Not Grow OldA documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of the end of the war.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7905466/

Starting a school from the ground up in Australia requires navigating an extremely strict regulatory framework, securing serious funding, convincing parents, meeting accreditation standards, which may explain why fewer entrepreneurs attempt starting physical schools compared to entrepreneurs who dedicate their focus to so called edtech (education technology) or educational services. The high capital investment, long term commitment and no immediate big financial gains deter many from even trying. But … not my guest today though, but we’ll get to him in a moment. I’ve decided to dedicate a portion of New Orchards bandwidth to Classical Education as well as other non-mainstream modalities not just because of my ongoing process of discovery which feeds my curiosity but more importantly I wanted this show to have a small role in moving the needle towards a more diverse educational landscape in Australia by promoting and telling stories of people who are going out of their way day in and day out to make that more diverse landscape happen brick by brick. In Classical Education, physical brick-and -mortar settings hold quite a significant importance due to the pedagogical, cultural and communal principles that define this educational philosophy. The idea is to try and incorporate architectural elements inspired by classical traditions – such as columns, beautiful green courtyards, or art filled halls – to create an environment that elevates the soul and inspires deep contemplation. Such spaces reflect the tradition’s belief that physical surroundings shape both character and thought. Unfortunately, in today’s educational mainstream this is something that has been very much relegated to the fringes of priorities sadly with only very few people standing firm and defending the old tested principles. One such person is my guest today. Father Stephen David - Head of St John of Kronstadt Academy in Brisbane, Australia. A father of two, Assistant Priest at Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church and a commercial lawyer. A man of many talents and deep dedication if I’ve seen one. The reason why I wanted to bring him on is very simple. Unlike many people who have tried to start a new school and unfortunately failed he succeed. How he succeeded and what lessons can others draw from his amazing story will be the focus of today’s episode. Links and interview references:St John of Kronstadt Academy Website - www.stjohnacademy.qld.edu.auFaceBook Page - https://www.facebook.com/classicalschoolbrisbane/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stjohnofkronstadtacademy/ YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@StJohnofKronstadtAcademy/videos

The New Orchard Essay SeriesToday we’re publishing an essay from an emerging thought leader in the realm of motherhood, culture, family life, and how our culture is often getting it wrong. It’s a slightly different format compared to our standard long form episodes but is something you’ll be seeing more of going forward. At The New Orchard we are always looking for inspiring and original thinkers, doers, and makers to share their experience and knowledge. It’s our endeavour to share ideas that help us live informed, healthy, connected and consequently more meaningful and purposeful lives. My contributor today does just that. In a spoken essay from her series titled “No one ever told me", Paige writes about the downfall of our society when it comes to the lack of prioritisation of motherhood. It’s something I have seen play out over the last 25-30 years or so, and today, in her essay titled ‘No one ever told me we value the material over the maternal’, Paige brings her firsthand experience and unique voice to a topic we so desperately need to speak more about. Paige Talbot's No One Ever Told Me Substack - https://nooneevertoldme.substack.com/

Guest: Cheree Harveyclassicalconversations.com.auLet’s be honest—something’s not working in mainstream education. Despite this show being quite new I’ve already published a couple of interviews probing this subject matter. Notably Classical Education with Jonathan Hili and Kon Bouzikos published in October 2024 and more recently Diagnosing The Educational System with wonderfully erudite Kevin Donnelly published in February 2025. I’m not hiding it, I desperately want to understand how can we improve status quo in education and make better use of mountains of money the state is currently pouring into the system. Despite record levels of funding, declining student performance has become a global concern. In Australia, literacy and numeracy scores have been falling for over two decades. According to the latest PISA results, Australian 15-year-olds are now years behind their global peers in mathematics, science, and reading. Beyond the numbers, many families are sensing a deeper loss: a disconnect between education and meaning, between learning and character.The factory-model schooling system—designed for efficiency, not individuality—often leaves little room for wonder, wisdom, or moral development. Increasingly, parents are looking elsewhere. And many are discovering an alternative that’s both ancient and surprisingly relevant: classical education. Rooted in the Trivium—grammar, logic, and rhetoric—this time-tested model has cultivated thinkers, leaders, and reformers for centuries. But how does it fit into modern, secular Australia? And can it meet the needs of today’s diverse families?Enter Classical Conversations—a global movement that’s reimagining education by placing parents back at the center. As my guest today, Cheree Harvey, puts it, Classical Conversations is “an organisation that equips and supports parents to homeschool.” It equips through a carefully curated curriculum and guided resources. It supports by training local leaders to build weekly communities—bringing families together to learn, grow, and wrestle with big ideas in a shared space.In just a few short years, Classical Conversations has taken root across Australia and New Zealand, creating a growing grassroots network of families who want more than just test scores—they want truth, beauty, and purpose.Today, we’re exploring what makes this model so powerful, and what it takes to run against the grain of a deeply entrenched system. From pedagogy to parent-led learning, from challenges in a secular framework to the real stories of success, we’re diving deep.And there’s no better guide for this conversation than Cheree Harvey. She’s the Country Coordinator for Classical Conversations in Australia and New Zealand, a passionate educator, and a homeschooling mum who’s lived this journey from the inside out.

Parenting in the modern world can feel overwhelming—so much so that many parents find themselves simply trying to survive rather than thrive. But why is that? What societal pressures, personal histories, and unresolved traumas shape the way we raise our children?In this episode of The New Orchard, I sit down with Sam Jockel, award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of ParentTV, to discuss her latest film project, Seen. This beautifully shot documentary explores the profound link between parents’ mental health and the way they raise their children. We dive into the importance of self-awareness, healing, and the concept of "reparenting"—breaking generational cycles to create healthier family dynamics.If you’ve ever felt the weight of modern parenting or wondered why raising kids can feel so overwhelming, this conversation is for you.Links and interview references:Seen The Film - https://seenthefilm.com Parent TV - https://parenttv.com Dr. Gabor Maté - https://drgabormate.com/ Emerging Minds - Parental mental health and parenting: How are they related?https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parental-mental-health-and-parenting-how-are-they-related/

Matt Wong, founder of Discernable, joins The New Orchard Show to share his original insights on his remarkable transition from a media entrepreneur to a regenerative farmer. What began as a quiet contemplation on benefits and upsides on sustainable living evolved quite rapidly into a mortgage-free collective, driven by a commitment to clean, nutrient-rich food and land stewardship. In this episode Matt discusses the origins of his farming project, challenges as well as rewards of running a regenerative farm and his vision for a future grounded in ecological renewal and tightly bonded local community. Matt’s farming story is a testament to purpose in action. Links and interview references:Discernable Official Website: discernable.io Discernable on X: https://x.com/discernableco Explore Wendell Berry’s writings: wendellberrybooks.com

Education shapes the next generation, but are we setting students up for success? In this thought-provoking conversation, Kevin Donnelly, a veteran educator and policy expert, dissects the current state of education in Australia—its challenges, its ideological shifts, and its future.We explore the erosion of academic standards, the impact of shifting cultural narratives, and the increasing trend toward homeschooling as parents seek alternatives. Kevin offers insights into curriculum reform, teacher training, the balance between tradition and innovation, and the role of parental involvement in fostering real learning.Is education still about intellectual growth, or has it become something else? And what can be done to restore its true purpose?Tune in for a candid discussion on the past, present, and future of education.Links and interview references:Kevin's Website / Bookstore -https://kevindonnelly.com.au/Review of the Australian Curriculum by Kenneth Wiltshire and Kevin DonnellyPaulo Freire's Politics of EducationSingapore PM Lee Kuan Yew once warned Australia could be 'white trash' of Asia

In this episode I’m interviewing sculptor Sabin Howard. We’re discussing dire state and proliferation of modern and post-modern art and its impacts on culture and politics as well as his majestic 58-foot-long bronze artwork called "A Soldier's Journey" he recently delivered for the WW1 Memorial site in Washington D.C. We also dive into Sabin’s journey – from his early influences and classical training to his battles through the concentric circles of seemingly impenetrable governmental bureaucracy and art establishment. We talk about what drives his passion for creating grand works of enduring beauty and his vision for a future where art can once again serve as a beacon of hope and transcendence. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned with the state of modern art or wondered what it would take to spark a renaissance in our time, this interview is for you. Links and interview references: Sabin Howard’s Website – https://sabinhoward.com Pangolin Editions Sculpture Foundry - https://pangolin-editions.com A Soldier's Journey, a short documentary by The Doughboy Foundation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVPtxDS3o5U

Title: DMT, Consciousness and the Nature of Reality. The DMT Laser Experiment Challenging Our Understanding of RealityGuest: Danny GolerCan altered states of consciousness reveal aspects of reality that lie beyond ordinary perception?In this episode of The New Orchard, I sit down with filmmaker and independent consciousness researcher Danny Goler to explore one of the most intriguing and controversial questions in modern science and philosophy. Drawing on his research into DMT experiences and his now well-known DMT laser experiment, Danny argues that these extraordinary states may deserve far more serious scientific investigation than they currently receive.Our conversation examines whether consciousness can exist independently of the brain, why so many people report remarkably similar experiences under DMT, and what these encounters might reveal about the nature of reality itself. We also explore the relationship between meditation, neuroscience, psychedelics, philosophy, and the scientific method, asking whether modern science is adequately equipped to investigate subjective experience.This is not a conversation about promoting psychedelics. It is an exploration of consciousness, epistemology, and the limits of our current understanding of reality.In this episode we discuss:• The DMT laser experiment and why it has attracted international attention• Whether DMT experiences reveal genuine aspects of reality or sophisticated hallucinations• Consciousness and its relationship to the brain• Why so many people report encounters with seemingly intelligent entities• The role of meditation in exploring consciousness• The philosophical limits of materialism• Can science investigate subjective experience?• The future of consciousness research• Rick Strassman, Andrew Gallimore and the growing scientific interest in DMT• Why paradigm shifts are often met with scepticismWhether you're fascinated by neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, spirituality or the mysteries of consciousness itself, this conversation offers a thoughtful and intellectually challenging exploration of one of the most profound questions humanity can ask:What is the true nature of reality?If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The New Orchard, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone interested in consciousness, philosophy, science and the frontiers of human understanding.Links and interview references:The Discovery (Danny's Documentary Movie Trailer) Code of Reality - Danny's Websitehttps://www.dmtx.org/ DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Rick StrassmanAdvanced brain imaging study hints at how DMT alters perception of reality - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/243893/advanced-brain-imaging-study-hints-dmt/

Our guest today is Alexander Voltz, an Australian composer whose work embodies both originality and reverence for tradition. Voltz’s music has been performed, recorded, and celebrated both in Australia and internationally, earning him accolades and cementing his reputation as a significant voice in contemporary classical music. In 2022, he conceived and directed The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert, which was recognized by the Australian Government as the Commonwealth's largest musical tribute to Her Late Majesty Elizabeth II during her seventieth year as Queen of Australia. More recently, in 2024, Voltz achieved international acclaim by winning the Symphonic Category of the 19th George Enescu International Competition in Bucharest with his orchestral work Dunrossil Elms.Beyond composing, Voltz contributes to the cultural conversation as the founding Music Editor of the journal Quadrant and through his regular writings for Sky News Australia and The Spectator Australia. His insights on music, culture, and society are as sharp as his compositions, making him a multifaceted artist whose influence extends beyond the concert hall. Based in Brisbane, Alexander Voltz represents the pinnacle of modern classical composition, and his journey is a testament to the enduring relevance of this art form in the 21st century.We’ll delve into Alexander’s creative process, his inspirations, and his vision for the future of classical music. From the challenges of composing in a modern world to the triumphs that come from dedication and originality.Links and interview references:Alexander’s Website - https://adkvoltz.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566455410018Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adkvoltzLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-voltz-1b8547209/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@alexandervoltz9747 Email Address - [email protected] 'Prayer for a Lost Friend' (2021) for Violin and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXJj2mGiw8 Amadeus (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086879/

Our guest in this episode is Tania de Jong, co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Umbrella Foundation, Creative Innovation Global, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room. She was named in the 100 Women of Influence, the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally in 2021 In this interview we’re focusing on Tania’s work with TGA and a successful conclusion to her lobbying campaign to legalise psychedelic (psilocybin and MDMA) based therapy in Australia. Links and interview references: Tania’s Official Website - https://www.taniadejong.com/ Mind Medicine Australia - https://mindmedicineaustralia.org.au/ Tania de Jong AM at TEDxMelbourne - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_HOBr8H9EM TGA’s change to classification of psilocybin and MDMA to enable prescribing by authorised psychiatrists. https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/change-classification-psilocybin-and-mdma-enable-prescribing-authorised-psychiatrists Why is the FDA Funded in Part by the Companies It Regulates? https://today.uconn.edu/2021/05/why-is-the-fda-funded-in-part-by-the-companies-it-regulates-2/#

Title: The Unsettling of AmericaSubtitle: Why Farming Is About More Than FoodGuest: Mary Berry Fifty years after Wendell Berry published The Unsettling of America, many of the questions he raised have only become more urgent.Why are family farms disappearing? Why have rural communities continued to decline? What happens when agriculture becomes purely industrial, driven by efficiency, scale and profit rather than stewardship, local knowledge and human relationships? And can technology improve farming without severing our connection to the land that ultimately sustains us?In this episode of The New Orchard, I'm joined by Mary Berry, Executive Director of The Berry Center and daughter of the renowned American farmer, essayist, novelist and poet Wendell Berry. Together we explore the enduring ideas behind The Unsettling of America—a book that has shaped generations of farmers, environmentalists and thinkers seeking a more human vision of agriculture.Mary reflects on growing up in the Berry family, the values that shaped her upbringing, and the lessons she learned from watching her father dedicate his life to defending small farms, healthy rural communities and responsible stewardship of the land.Topics discussed:• Wendell Berry and The Unsettling of America• Family farms and the future of agriculture• Industrial farming and mechanisation• Regenerative and sustainable agriculture• Rural communities and local economies• Automation and the future of farming• Agrarian philosophy and land stewardship• Community, place and the human relationship with the landIf you're interested in regenerative agriculture, rural renewal, food security, Wendell Berry's philosophy or the future of farming in an increasingly technological world, I hope you'll find this conversation both thought-provoking and encouraging.Links and interview references: The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture Since its publication in 1977, The Unsettling of America has been recognized as a classic of American letters. In it, Wendell Berry argues that good farming is a cultural and spiritual discipline…https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-unsettling-of-america-9781619025998 The Berry Center is putting Wendell Berry’s writings to work by advocating for small farmers, land-conserving communities, and healthy regional economies.https://berrycenter.org The Berry Center established Our Home Place Meat in 2017 to develop a cooperative for small to midsize livestock farmers to sell local meat to regional markets.https://ourhomeplacemeat.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3IrxBIWiu0 Dyson Farming Project - https://dysonfarming.com Roundup Cancer Lawsuit Update - https://www.millerandzois.com/products-liability/roundup-cancer-lawsuits/ “The Great Agricultural Takeover”, short essay by Wendell Berry.  https://sustainablehuman.org/speaker/wendell-berry/ The Sycamore – Wendell Berry In the place that is my own place, whose earthI am shaped in and must bear, there is an old tree growing,a great sycamore that is a wondrous healer of itself.Fences have been tied to it, nails driven into it,hacks and whittles cut in it, the lightning has burned it.There is no year it has flourished in that has not harmed it.There is a hollow in itthat is its death, though its living brims whitelyat the lip of the darkness and flows outward.Over all its scars has come the seamless whiteof the bark. It bears the gnarls of its historyhealed over. It has risen to a strange perfectionin the warp and bending of its long growth.It has gathered all accidents into its purpose.It has become the intention and radiance of its dark fate.It is a fact, sublime, mystical and unassailable.In all the country there is no other like it.I recognize in it a principle, an indwellingthe same as itself, and greater, that I would be ruled by.I see that it stands in its place and feeds upon it,and is fed upon, and is native, and maker.Wendell Berry

Title: Classical Education Subtitle: Teaching Children How to Think, Not What to ThinkGuests: Kon Bouzikos and Jonathan HiliWhat is education actually for?Is it to prepare students for employment? To maximise standardised test scores? To produce compliant citizens? Or is education ultimately about forming thoughtful, virtuous and intellectually mature human beings capable of pursuing truth throughout their lives?In this episode of The New Orchard, I sit down with Kon Bouzikos and Jonathan Hili from the Australian Classical Education Society (ACES) to explore one of the oldest and most influential educational traditions in Western civilisation: Classical Education.In the first half of our conversation, we unpack the philosophical foundations of the classical model, including the Trivium (Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric), the Quadrivium, the Liberal Arts tradition and the enduring importance of Great Books. We discuss why classical education places such a strong emphasis on wisdom, critical thinking, eloquent communication and the pursuit of truth rather than simply preparing students to pass examinations.We also explore why works by authors such as Homer, Shakespeare, Dante and Dostoevsky continue to shape generations of students, and how great literature teaches far more than language or history—it cultivates judgement, imagination and moral reasoning.In the second half of the interview, we turn our attention to Australia.Kon and Jonathan explain why they helped establish the Australian Classical Education Society, the growing demand from parents seeking alternatives to mainstream schooling, and the practical challenges of building a classical education movement within Australia's existing education system.Along the way we discuss parental responsibility in education, homeschooling, teacher formation, curriculum design, educational freedom and why many educators believe our current system has become increasingly focused on measurable outcomes at the expense of genuine intellectual development.Whether you are a parent, teacher, school leader, homeschool educator or simply interested in the future of education, this conversation offers a thoughtful introduction to one of the fastest-growing educational movements in the English-speaking world.Topics discussed include:• Classical Education• The Trivium and Quadrivium• Liberal Arts education• Great Books and classical literature• Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric• Homeschooling and alternative education• Educational philosophy• Critical thinking and intellectual formation• Australian Classical Education Society (ACES)• Curriculum design and teacher formation• The future of education in Australia• Parents as primary educators Links and interview references:Australian Classical Education Society: Website - http://www.classicaleducation.org.au/X - https://x.com/AustralianClas1FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/ausclassicaleducationLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/australian-classical-education-society-6a07aa232/Classical Education in Australia - https://logosaustralis.com/Via Classica, Online Classes in the Classical Tradition - https://www.viaclassica.com/Market Analysis of U.S. Classical Education in Grades PK-12 - https://arcadiaed.com/2024/02/market-analysis-of-u-s-classical-education-in-grades-pk-12/ The Surging Growth of K-12 Classical Education -https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2024/03/01/the_surging_growth_of_k-12_classical_education_1015509.html “The Classical Education Revolution" with Andrew Kern and Katerina Hamilton, Melbourne 2024 -http://www.classicaleducation.org.au/videos/the-classical-education-revolution-with-andrew-kern-and-katerina-hamilton-melbourne-2024 The Fort Worth Independent School District last week confirmed they were closing their libraries until Aug. 25 "so catalogues can be inventoried. -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POMHSFK2P4s

Title: Healing Beyond the MainstreamSubtitle: Ancient Wisdom, Plant Medicine and Human Health Guest: Laura Reeves When conventional approaches to healing fall short, where do people turn, and how do we explore alternative paths with both curiosity and discernment?In this episode of The New Orchard, I sit down with transformational healer, artist and retreat facilitator Laura Reeves to explore the growing interest in complementary approaches to healing, including plant medicine, Somatic Experiencing, Craniosacral Therapy, breathwork, QiGong, meditation and Peruvian shamanic traditions.Rather than promoting any single modality, this conversation examines why many people seek alternatives after exhausting conventional options, the importance of respecting indigenous knowledge, and the critical role of safety, preparation and integration in any transformational healing journey.Together we explore questions such as:• Why do some people seek healing beyond conventional medicine?• What role can plant medicine, including ayahuasca, play in personal transformation?• How do trauma and the nervous system influence our health and wellbeing?• Why are embodiment, breathwork and meditation becoming increasingly recognised as powerful therapeutic tools?• How can profound experiences be safely integrated into everyday life?• What should people look for—and avoid—when exploring alternative healing modalities?Whether you're curious, sceptical or simply interested in the evolving landscape of trauma recovery and human flourishing, this conversation offers a thoughtful exploration of healing, consciousness and the search for wholeness.About Laura ReevesLaura Reeves is a transformational healer, artist and facilitator whose work draws on Somatic Experiencing, Craniosacral Therapy, QiGong, breathwork, meditation, inner child work and indigenous healing traditions. Through one-on-one sessions and retreats, she helps individuals navigate trauma, reconnect with themselves and cultivate lasting personal transformation.Links and interview references:Website - https://www.laurareeves.co.uk LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/laurareeves Mircea Eliade, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of EcstasyShamans and Shams: The Discursive Effects of Ethnotourism in EcuadorThe Globalization of Ayahuasca Shamanism and the Erasure of Indigenous ShamanismAyahuasca Tourism: Participants in Shamanic Rituals and their Personality Styles, Motivation, Benefits and RisksHeroic Hearts Project - https://heroicheartsproject.org

Title: Rites of Passage Subtitle: Why Modern Boys Need Ancient WisdomGuest: Arne RubinsteinFor most of human history, every culture understood that children do not simply become adults with age. They become adults through initiation, challenge, responsibility and the guidance of older generations. Today, many of those traditional rites of passage have disappeared, leaving countless young people to navigate one of life's most important transitions without a clear path.In this episode I sit down with Dr. Arne Rubinstein, founder of the Rites of Passage Institute and author of The Making of Men, to explore why rites of passage have played such an important role throughout history and why they may be more relevant today than ever before.Our conversation examines how modern society has lost many of the cultural rituals that once marked the transition from childhood to adulthood, what consequences this has had for young people, and how families and communities can intentionally rebuild meaningful pathways into mature adulthood.We discuss the psychology and anthropology of initiation, the work of Arnold van Gennep, mythology, Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, mentorship, storytelling, community, fatherhood, healthy masculinity and the importance of challenge, responsibility and belonging in the development of resilient young people.Dr. Rubinstein also explains how the Rites of Passage Institute has adapted timeless principles for the modern world through programs that bring together young people, parents and mentors in experiences designed to foster confidence, purpose and emotional maturity.Whether you're raising children, mentoring young people, working in education or simply interested in the timeless question of how societies cultivate capable adults, this conversation offers a thoughtful exploration of one of humanity's oldest and most important traditions.Topics discussed include:• Rites of passage and initiation rituals• Raising boys and healthy masculinity• The Making of Men• Parenting and adolescence• Mentorship and elderhood• Mythology and storytelling• Arnold van Gennep and the anthropology of initiation• Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey• Community, belonging and resilience• Modern education and adolescent development• Character formation and emotional maturity• The future of rites of passage in contemporary societyLinks and interview references:The Making of Men: Raising boys to be happy, healthy and successful by Arne RubinsteinRites of Passage Institute - https://ritesofpassageinstitute.org Rites of Passage Institute InstagramRites of Passage by Arnold van Gennep King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Doug GilletteThe Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual by Victor TurnerIf you enjoy conversations about parenting, education, psychology, philosophy and the cultural traditions that shape human flourishing, subscribe to The New Orchard for more long-form discussions with original thinkers from around the world.

Title: Building the ImpossibleSubtitle: Manufacturing, Innovation and Building an Electric Motorcycle CompanyGuest: Dennis SavicWhat does it take to build a manufacturing company in a country that increasingly imports rather than makes things?In this conversation I sit down with Dennis Savic, founder and CEO of Savic Motorcycles, to explore the realities of building an advanced manufacturing business in Australia at a time when much of the Western world has shifted production offshore.Starting with a university engineering project, Dennis has spent years transforming an ambitious idea into one of Australia's most exciting electric motorcycle companies. We discuss the long road from prototype to production, the technical challenges of designing a high-performance electric motorcycle, and the resilience required to build a hardware company in an increasingly competitive global market.Our conversation goes far beyond motorcycles. We examine the broader forces reshaping manufacturing, including global supply chains, the rise of China's industrial capability, Australia's changing economic landscape, and what it takes for entrepreneurs to compete against established international manufacturers.We also discuss battery technology, software integration, product design, engineering, investment, scaling production, government policy, innovation, and the future of electric mobility.Whether you're interested in engineering, entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles or Australia's industrial future, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to build something tangible in an economy that often rewards software over hardware.Topics discussed include:• Building an Australian manufacturing company• Savic Motorcycles and the C-Series• Entrepreneurship and startup life• Electric motorcycles and EV technology• Product design and engineering• Battery systems and regenerative braking• Software, IoT and connected vehicles• Global supply chains and manufacturing• Australia's industrial future• Innovation, investment and scaling productionLinks and interview references:Savic Motorcycles Website - https://www.savicmotorcycles.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/savicmotorcycles/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/savic-motorcycles/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SavicMC/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQpdjhq2NwxbwNmZhE3UmkA If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, engineering, manufacturing, technology and the people building the future, subscribe to The New Orchard for more long-form discussions with innovators, founders and original thinkers.

Title: Autistic Society DisorderSubtitle: Care, Bureaucracy and the Loss of Human RelationshipGuest: Sinead MurphyAutism is one of the defining public health and social questions of our time. Diagnoses have risen dramatically over recent decades, prompting debates about genetics, environment, diagnostic criteria, education, healthcare and the future of our communities. But what if the most important questions are not only medical? What if the way we respond to autism also reveals something profound about the society we are building?In this episode I sit down with writer, philosopher and Brownstone Institute contributor Sinead Murphy to discuss her book Autistic Society Disorder and the ideas first introduced in her essay Beware the Autism-Friendly City. Rather than asking how society can simply become more "autism-friendly", Sinead explores the deeper philosophical question of what modern institutions, bureaucracies and systems of care are quietly transforming us into.Our conversation examines the extraordinary rise in autism diagnoses, the changing language surrounding neurodiversity, and the growing influence of administrative systems over education, healthcare and everyday life. We explore whether the modern pursuit of safety, predictability and institutional management sometimes comes at the expense of genuine human relationships, personal responsibility, community and the rich unpredictability that makes social life possible.We also discuss parenting, childhood, education, disability, the administrative state, the philosophy of care, institutional thinking, modern culture, and why Sinead believes authentic care cannot simply be reduced to procedures, policies or professional systems. Throughout the discussion, she argues that care is fundamentally relational—a human encounter rather than a bureaucratic function.This conversation offers an original perspective on autism, contemporary society and the philosophical assumptions shaping modern life. It is less a debate about diagnosis than an invitation to think more deeply about how we organise our schools, institutions, communities and relationships.Topics discussed include:• Autism and changing diagnostic trends• Autistic Society Disorder• Beware the Autism-Friendly City• Brownstone Institute• The philosophy of care• The administrative state and bureaucracy• Parenting and education• Neurodiversity and modern culture• Human relationships versus institutional systems• Community, belonging and social cohesion• Safety, risk and resilience• The future of education and healthcareLinks and interview references:Sinead Murphy @ Brownstone Institute⁠https://brownstone.org/author/sinead-murphy/⁠ Number of people with autistic spectrum disorder, 1990 to 2021. Autistic spectrum disorder, differentiated by sex. This is inclusive of those with autism, Asperger Syndrome and other autistic spectrum disorders.⁠https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/number-with-autistic-spectrum-disorder?country=AUS~CAN~OWID_NAM~DEU~GBR~NZL ⁠ Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder from NIH Library⁠https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK332896/ ⁠ Autism Statistics & Facts: How Many People Have Autism?⁠https://www.thetreetop.com/statistics/autism-prevalence ⁠ CDC. (2023, March 23). Autism Data Visualization Tool | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ⁠https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data/index.html⁠ Why the increase in Autism (ASD), ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders?⁠https://www.autism-adhd.org.au/autism_prevalence⁠ 51 Autism Statistics: How Many People Have Autism?⁠https://www.discoveryaba.com/statistics/how-many-people-have-autism ⁠ Autism in Australia | The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare⁠https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/autism-in-australia/contents/autism⁠ 1 in 36 Kids Have Autism, CDC Says — Critics Slam Agency’s Failure to Investigate Causes⁠https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/autism-rate-increase-cdc/ ⁠

Title: The Woodline Way with Claire BartlettSubtitle: Building a School Children Can't Wait to AttendGuest: Claire BartlettWhat if you could design a school from first principles? What would you keep, what would you discard, and what would children actually need to flourish?In this conversation I sit down with Claire Bartlett, Principal of Woodline Primary, a small independent school set on a 20-acre farm in the Geelong hinterland of Victoria. Rather than simply rethinking the curriculum, Woodline has sought to rethink the entire educational environment—from the relationship between teachers and students to the role of parents, nature, community and emotional wellbeing in a child's development.We explore why Woodline was founded, the shortcomings Claire believes exist within mainstream education, and what becomes possible when a school is intentionally designed around curiosity, connection, responsibility, wonder and respect for the individual.Our conversation examines what it means to create a place where children genuinely look forward to arriving each morning, how learning changes when it is deeply connected to the natural world, why emotional safety and resilience are complementary rather than competing ideas, and why education should extend beyond the classroom to actively involve families and the broader community.We also discuss technology and screen use, experiential learning, leadership, personal competencies, academic success, teacher culture, the pressures facing modern schools, and whether small, purpose-built learning communities may point toward a more human-centred future for education.Whether you're a parent, teacher, school leader or simply someone interested in how we cultivate the next generation, this conversation offers a thoughtful exploration of what education can become when we place human flourishing and not systems at its centre.Links and interview references:Official website - https://woodlineprimary.com.au/ Instagram: School - https://www.instagram.com/woodlineprimary/ Principal Claire Bartlett - https://www.instagram.com/principal_woodlineprimary/ Woodline Primary Guides - https://www.instagram.com/connecting_woodline/ LinkedInSchool - https://www.linkedin.com/company/woodlineprimary/ Claire Bartlett - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-bartlett-95553b100/ Lael Stone - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laelstone/

Title: The Rage Against God Subtitle: Christianity, Atheism and The Moral Foundations of The WestGuest: Peter Hitchens For more than two centuries the West has steadily moved away from Christianity, yet many of the moral assumptions that shape our societies still depend upon it. What happens if those foundations disappear?In this conversation I sit down with British journalist, author and columnist Peter Hitchens to discuss his influential book The Rage Against God and the deeper questions that sit beneath today's debates about faith, atheism and modern society.Rather than revisiting the well-known disagreements between Peter and his late brother Christopher Hitchens, we explore the ideas at the heart of Peter's work: his journey from atheism to Christianity, the relationship between morality and religious belief, whether Western civilisation can sustain its values after abandoning Christianity, and what he learned while witnessing the collapse of the Soviet Union firsthand.We also discuss the New Atheist movement, Richard Dawkins, Jordan Peterson, the decline of religious institutions, the importance of intellectual honesty, the role of suffering in shaping character, Rogier van der Weyden's The Last Judgement, and why Peter believes Christianity remains one of the strongest restraints against political and ideological power.Whether you agree with Peter or not, this conversation offers a thoughtful challenge to many of the assumptions that underpin contemporary debates about religion, culture, freedom and the future of the West.Topics include:• Peter Hitchens' journey from atheism to Christianity• The moral foundations of Western civilisation• Christopher Hitchens and the New Atheists• Richard Dawkins and secularism• Life inside the collapsing Soviet Union• Why Christianity shaped modern ideas of law and human dignity• Faith, reason and intellectual honesty• Jordan Peterson and the return of biblical ideas• Tradition, transcendence and the future of the WestNotable links and conversation references:Peter Hitchens on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/ClarkeMicah C-Span ‘The Abolition of Britain: From Lady Chatterley to Tony Blair’ debate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM7K1wql-Qs&tC-Span Events in the News Episode (February 14, 1994) - https://www.c-span.org/video/?54546-1/events-news The Spectator - https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/peter-hitchens/ Mail on Sunday - https://hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk/ Buy The Rage Against God - https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/understanding-the-faith/apologetics/rage-against-god/ John Wesley’s Concept of Faith as a Conscious State - https://place.asburyseminary.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2588&context=asburyjournal Story of Pavlik Morozov - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pavlik-Morozov If you enjoy long-form conversations exploring philosophy, history, religion, politics and culture, consider subscribing to The New Orchard.

Title: An End to Upside Down ThinkingSubtitle: Consciousness, Science and the Limits of Material RealityGuest: Mark GoberFor centuries, science has transformed our understanding of the universe. But what happens when the tools we use to study reality become too narrow to explain reality itself?In this conversation, I speak with Mark Gober, author of An End to Upside Down Thinking and creator of the Where Is My Mind? podcast, about one of the biggest questions facing modern science: is consciousness something produced by the brain, or is the brain simply a receiver of something much deeper?We explore the assumptions that underpin modern scientific thinking, why materialism became the dominant framework for understanding existence, and whether science has developed a blind spot when it comes to consciousness, spirituality and metaphysical questions.Mark shares his journey from a conventional education and career into researching some of the most controversial questions in science, including near-death experiences, non-local consciousness, psychic phenomena and the work of researchers who challenge the idea that physical matter is the foundation of everything we experience.We discuss the history of scientific revolutions, the famous Solvay Conference and the discoveries that reshaped physics, whether our current model of reality has become unnecessarily constrained, and why a more complete understanding of existence may require bridging the divide between material and non-material explanations.This conversation explores consciousness, science, death, spirituality and the possibility that our current understanding of reality is only one part of a much bigger picture.Notable links and conversation references:Mark Gober’s website - https://markgober.com/ Where is My Mind? podcast - https://markgober.com/podcast/ Institute of Noetic Sciences - https://noetic.org The Monroe Institute - https://www.monroeinstitute.org University of Virginia - https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/ School of Wholeness & Enlightenment - https://www.soweglobal.com

Title: Return to Beauty Subtitle: Why We Stopped Building Beautiful Cities Guest: Conor LynchWhy do millions of people travel across the world to admire centuries-old cathedrals, palaces and public squares, yet so few make pilgrimages to the office towers and apartment blocks built in the last fifty years?What did previous civilisations understand about beauty that we may have forgotten?In this episode of The New Orchard, I sit down with British architect and architectural commentator Conor Lynch to explore one of the defining cultural questions of our time: why beauty in architecture still matters.Together we trace the rise of modernism, examine why classical architecture largely disappeared from architectural education and practice, and ask whether our cities have lost something essential in the pursuit of efficiency, standardisation and progress.From the enduring grandeur of the Pantheon, St Paul's Cathedral and the great cities of Europe to today's skylines of glass, steel and concrete, we discuss why certain places continue to inspire generation after generation while so much contemporary architecture feels temporary, anonymous and disconnected from human scale.We also explore Hungary's ambitious restoration of Budapest's historic Buda Castle District, the growing international revival of traditional architecture, and why an increasing number of young architects are rediscovering the classical tradition.In this conversation we discuss:• Why beauty matters in architecture• How modernism reshaped cities across the world• Why classical architecture largely disappeared from architecture schools• The economics and incentives behind contemporary development• Budapest's remarkable architectural restoration projects• Can beauty be objective?• Architecture, identity and the health of civilisation• Why buildings once lasted centuries—and why many are now designed for decades• The resurgence of traditional and classical architecture• How individuals can support the return of beautiful placesWhether you're an architect, designer, urban planner, student, historian or simply someone who has stood beneath a great cathedral and wondered why it still moves people centuries after it was built, this conversation explores the profound relationship between architecture, culture, memory and human flourishing.Because architecture is never just about buildings.It is a reflection of what a civilisation believes to be true, beautiful and worth leaving behind.Notable links and conversation references: 1. Conor’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/c_k_lynch 2. Quinlan Terry Architects - https://qtarchitects.com/introduction/ 3. Poundbury, an urban extension to the Dorset county town of Dorchester, built on the principles of architecture and urban planning as advocated by HM King Charles, III, in ‘A Vision of Britain’. - https://duchyofcornwall.org/poundbury.html 4. Moray Estate’s vision is the creation of a traditional town, very like market towns so enduring and popular all over Scotland. - https://www.tornagrain.com/ 5. https://www.intbau.org/ - A global network dedicated to creating better places to live.6. https://www.latablerondearchitecture.com/ - The Architecture Round Table (TRA) is a non-profit association dedicated to the defence and teaching of beautiful, humane and sustainable architecture.7. Andrea Palladio - https://www.worldhistory.org/Andrea_Palladio/ 8. City of Cayalá, in Guatemala. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrnAsMSwGbg 9. Léon Krier - https://twitter.com/leonkrier?lang=en 10. Buda Castle Palace District site restoration project (Nemzeti Hauszmann Program) - https://nemzetihauszmannprogram.hu/ 11. House of Parliament Budapest - https://www.parlament.hu/web/visitors/house-of-parliament