Jarod K. Anderson is the Cryptonaturalist

Jarod K. Anderson, poet, thinker, author, and host of the podcast Cryptonaturalist joins us this week! Jarod chats with us about nature being his church from a very young age, the beauty and invitational nature of moss, writing poetry as a way of making sense of the world, and more. This conversation is not only a breath of fresh air but an invitation back to the forests that make our very breath possible. We are so excited to share with you Jarod’s lovely poems, the ways that nature can be a balm for depression and the weariness of the world, and all the wisdom shared in this gentle, thoughtful conversation. Cool stuff we mention in this week’s episode (or meant to anyways): Jarod K. Anderson Website The Cryptonaturalist Podcast Jarod’s SubstackJarod’s Instagram Forsythia Poem Chapters00:00 The Beauty of Nature and Poetry02:58 The Journey of a Poet05:48 The Role of Poetry in Mental Health08:56 Influences and Inspirations in Writing11:35 Finding Peace in Nature14:35 The Importance of Presence in Nature17:07 Unexpected Encounters in Nature18:10 The Philosophy of Mushroom Hunting21:02 Nature as a Teacher23:39 Reciprocity Between Nature and Self26:56 Reconnecting with Nature30:40 The Magic of Trees and Moss34:07 Finding Thin Spaces41:11 The Nature of Love43:16 Vulnerability and Healing51:16 Creative Projects and Future Endeavors