Heartwood Forest Protection Podcast

Sam Stearns is a forest protection activist from Southern Illinois and has been working to protect the Shawnee National Forest for most of his life. He is the founder of Friends of Bell Smith Springs and a leader in the current movement to create the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve.This year's upcoming 34th Annual Heartwood Forest Council will be held in Southern Illinois over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22nd-25th, 2026. It will be a great opportunity to experience the magic of the Shawnee first-hand, meet up with the amazing folks that make up Heartwood, eat great food, listen to and play great music, do a little dancing, and learn what you can do to make a difference.Learn more about the Shawnee:https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/03/18/on-the-shawnee-forest-money-trail/https://commonreader.wustl.edu/hiking-with-the-lorax-of-shawnee-national-forest/https://therevelator.org/shawnee-climate/https://greatriverslaw.org/2025/10/01/groups-sue-forest-service-over-illegal-road-plan-in-lusk-creek-wilderness/Donate to Friends of Bell Smith Springs to cover legal expenses: https://gofund.me/15f718f6cRegister for the upcoming 34th Annual Heartwood Forest Council, May 22-25, 2026Become a member of Heartwood: https://heartwood.org/support/individual/index.htmlIntro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.This interview took place on March 25, 2026 with Jillian Bar-av.

This interview took place on July 9, 2025. Matt Peters is the current coordinator for Heartwood and a longtime forest protection activist. He founded the Allegheny Defense Project, worked with the Buckeye Forest Council, and now works with local groups in his hometown of Pittsburgh while he continues to work with Heartwood to protect our National Forests.In this conversation, Matt talks about how Heartwood taught him to effectively challenge timber sales on our National Forests by simply reading the law and getting involved with the public process. He also talks about how our current government is intentionally excluding the public through the use of categorical exclusions, and changes to the National Environmental Policy Act.Intro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.Outro music: "You Can't Go Away" by Andy Mahler, 2025. Andy Mahler & Buffalo Strings.Listen to Andy's own original music played with Buffalo Strings at Andy Mahler, Buffalo Strings.Want to donate to Heartwood? Donate here.

This episode is a recording of the keynote address at Heartwood's 34th Annual Reunion on October 3, 2025, which took place at Andy Mahler and Linda Lee's longtime home, the Lazy Black Bear, in Southern Indiana. Steven Higgs speaks about Andy Mahler's life and the coming to fruition of his coffee table book biography about Andy. Following his speech, Indiana State Senator Shelli Yoder presents an award to Andy on behalf of the State of Indiana. The Circle of Corydon Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of Indiana and its people, and was handpicked by Indiana Governor Mike Braun to award to Andy.To purchase a copy of Andy Mahler's Autobiography by Steven Higgs, go here: Andy Mahler and the Hoosier National; The Folk Hero and the Forest He Loves.Intro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.Outro music: "Memories" by Andy Mahler, 2025. Andy Mahler & Buffalo Strings.Listen to Andy's own original music played with Buffalo Strings at Andy Mahler, Buffalo Strings.Want to donate to Heartwood? Donate here.Photo credit of Andy holding book by Steven Higgs: Steven Higgs

This interview of Andy Mahler took place on July 21, 2025 and is the last conversation I had with Andy before he died.Having already spoken about Andy's childhood, the creation of Heartwood, and Andy's efforts to stop the Buffalo Springs project on the Hoosier National Forest in previous interviews, this conversation is of a more personal nature. I wanted to give Andy the space to talk about his cancer diagnosis directly, and to talk about whatever he felt was important to talk about.In this conversation Andy talks about his love of playing music with close friends, a nightmarish visit to the hospital, and his philosophy on the nature of consciousness. At the end of our conversation, Andy asks for people to send support by sending mail, and although Andy is no longer with us, if you would like to send something to his wife Linda Lee, she would greatly appreciate it. Please send your correspondence to Linda c/o the Lost River Co-op and Cafe, 26 Library St. Paoli, IN 47454.Listen to Andy's own original music played with Buffalo Strings at Andy Mahler, Buffalo Strings. Want to donate to Heartwood? Donate here. To purchase a copy of Andy Mahler's Autobiography by Steven Higgs, go here: Andy Mahler and the Hoosier National; The Folk Hero and the Forest He Loves.Photo credit of Andy reclining in his yard: Joshua Martin

 This conversation with Andy Mahler took place July 15th, 2025 and is the third of four interviews I did with Andy during the summer of 2025.The focal point of this conversation is the devastating forest service project called Buffalo Springs, which poses a current threat to the Hoosier National Forest and many private properties adjacent to these public lands, including Andy's own home.True to Andy's form. This conversation meanders a bit like a river, but it's an enjoyable ride. Thanks for joining me.To get involved or show your support, please check out and donate to any and all of the followings groups:Save Hooiser National ForestSave Hoosier National Forest Facebook pageProtect Our Woods Facebook pageIndiana Forest AllianceHeartwoodIntro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.

In this interview, which took place on  July 14, 2025, Andy provides the background of what was happening in his life, and the forest around him, that led to the formation of Protect Our Woods in the late 1980's, and then Heartwood in 1991. He speaks about the joy of meeting like-minded folks who cared about the forest the same way he did, and how Heartwood exists as a network of people who care deeply about each other, while also being an organization that has been highly effective at changing the way National Forests are managed all over the country.Want to get involved, learn, or show your support? Check out:Heartwood websiteHeartwood Facebook pageProtect Our Woods Facebook pageIntro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.

In the summer of 2025, Andy and I took the time to sit with each other on 4 occasions to talk about his life. We had these conversations knowing his time was short due to his stage IV prostate cancer diagnosis. What I did not expect was that he would be gone before I had a chance to publish them.It is with deep sadness, as well as with deep appreciation for the time that Andy spent with me to have these conversations, that I present them to you. May they serve as a memorial to Andy, and to his life’s work, protecting the forests he loved.Our first conversation took place on June 30th 2025, and revolves around Andy’s childhood and young adulthood, up to his first encounters with the Lazy Black Bear, the place that would become his long-time home, and the center-point of the Heartwood organization.Intro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995 Dumpster Diving Across America

Welcome to the Heartwood Forest Protection Podcast, a place where we talk with activists about their work protecting forests and learn what we can do to make a difference. Please subscribe wherever you enjoy your podcasts.