The Awaken to Nature Podcast

Have you ever been through a storm in your life that felt like it would never end?

In this episode, I share my own experience of sailing through a storm in the Caribbean 23 years ago and how it relates to the personal challenges I've faced over the past few months.

Join me as I reflect on my past and how they relate to my current experiences, and listen out for when I have a fresh AHA-moment that gives me extra clarity, calm an confidence for the next part of my journey.

If you're looking for inspiration and guidance to help you navigate through your own stormy periods in life, this episode might just be exactly what you need.

If this episode resonates with you in any way, drop me an email hello@awakentonature.com or pop me a DM on Instagram 

I'd love to hear from you.

Stay True
Mike
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Are you a purpose driven individual having trouble navigating a difficult life transition?
Do you feel as though your life is little off track or perhaps out of balance?
Do you need support achieving clarity, calm and confidence in your personal or professional life?
If you answered YES to any of the above, click here to book a FREE Clarity Call with me.
I am here to help you get your life on track so that you can experience inner success, joy and fulfillment in your everyday life. Hit the link above and lets chat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

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>>> Do you have any feedback to share? Let me know if you need support, I would love to help.
hello@awakentonature.com


>>> If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification.


>>> FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here


If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

Access my interview at The Good Health Revolution
Sign Up for FREE HERE

From January 23rd - 29th, join me for The Good Health Revolution: Industry Leading Experts Reveal Powerful Strategies To Improve Your Health & Create Life Of Energy & Vitality’.

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What kind of relationship do you have with your mind?

Is it like a good friend that encourages and supports your highest values?
Or does it make you doubt yourself, feel unworthy and undeserving?

Are the conversation you have with yourself mostly positive or negative?

What if you had the power to change the outcome of these conversations?
What if you could do it, today!?

In this episode I share something you can do to create change in your life.

At its core it is simple, but putting it into practice is not always easy. The good news... there are ways to make it easier.

I guess the question is, do you want to make positive change in your life?

This episode is for you, if you answered yes.

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Are you a purpose driven individual having trouble navigating a difficult life transition?
Do you feel as though your life is little off track or perhaps out of balance?
Do you need support achieving clarity, calm and confidence in your personal or professional life?
If you answered YES to any of the above, click here to book a FREE Clarity Call with me.
I am here to help you get your life on track so that you can experience inner success, joy and fulfillment in your everyday life. Hit the link above and lets chat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _


>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _


Access my interview at The Good Health Revolution
Sign Up for FREE HERE

From January 23rd - 29th, join me for The Good Health Revolution: Industry Leading Experts Reveal Powerful Strategies To Improve Your Health & Create Life Of Energy & Vitality’.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

>>> Do you have any feedback to share? Let me know if you need support, I would love to help.
hello@awakentonature.com


>>> If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification.


>>> FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here


If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

Everyone has their sights set on the end of the year and the new goals they want to achieve.

Why not do the opposite and take some time to acknowledge the journey you have experienced this year? That way, the goals you achieve in 2023 will be even more satisfying.

This has been an important shift for me in the past couple of years. I hope it works for you too.

Hang in to the end of the episode to find out what Jo and I are up to during the holidays.

Thanks for being on this journey with me. Your support is greatly appreciated. I look forward to connecting more with you in 2023.

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Are you a purpose driven individual having trouble navigating a difficult life transition?
Do you feel as though your life is little off track or perhaps out of balance?
Do you need support achieving clarity, calm and confidence in your personal or professional life?
If you answered YES to any of the above, click here to book a FREE Clarity Call with me.
I am here to help you get your life on track so that you can experience inner success, joy and fulfillment in your everyday life. Hit the link above and lets chat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _


>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.


_ _ _ _ _ _ _


>>> Do you have any feedback to share? Let me know if you need support, I would love to help.
hello@awakentonature.com


>>> If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification.


>>> FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here


If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

I am so pleased to be sharing this magical conversation I had with Isla Macleod.

Isla is a ceremonialist, ritual designer and transformational healer devoted to restoring the Sacred and supporting others in their quest for meaning and belonging.


Her work is expressed through bespoke ceremonies, rites of passage, ritual crafting workshops, guided healing journeys, pilgrimages, soul-making retreats, mentoring and most recently Isla’s new book; Rituals for Life, which in itself is a work of magic.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How Isla’s time in a yurt brought her closer to her darkness.
• How Isla 'grounded' herself whilst navigating her inner and outer landscape.
• How having a framework of Nature connection, ceremony and ritual would help Isla connect with and express her True Nature.
• Learn about a special initiation and how that would shape the rest of her journey.
• Tips on how to deepen your relationship with tree and animal spirits.
• What it means to Re-Enchant the world.
• What you can expect from Isla’s new book; Rituals for Life

And so much more magic and wisdom...


I really enjoyed the conversation and getting to know Isla. I recommend checking out all that Isla has to offer. 

Buy Isla's amazing book Rituals for Life

Visit Isla’s website

Follow Isla on Instagram

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Are you a purpose driven individual having trouble navigating a difficult life transition?
Do you feel as though your life is little off track or perhaps out of balance?
Do you need support achieving clarity, calm and confidence in your personal or professional life?
If you answered YES to any of the above, click here to book a FREE Clarity Call with me.
I am here to help you get your life on track so that you can experience inner success, joy and fulfillment in your everyday life. Hit the link above and lets chat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

 
CONNECT WITH ME:

• Awaken to Nature website
• DM me on Instagram
• Send me an email with your feedback, queries or simply to say hello.

>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.

It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

>>> Hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn on your bell notification .

>>> If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

I went on a 4 day/ 3 night solo wild camping trip into the wilderness of the Western Cape, here in South Africa.


It had been on my 'to-do' list for 3 years!
 

In this episode I share the reason why I procrastinated for so long, some of what I experienced while I was in-the-wild and 3 Key Lessons I received from my time in Nature


I wanted to share these insights and lessons as I do feel they are of value and it might just be the perfect time for you to receive them too.


This is a personal solo podcast, I hope you enjoy this window-into-my-world.


>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.


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>>> Do you have any feedback to share? Let me know if you need support, I would love to help.
hello@awakentonature.com


>>> If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification.


>>> FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

CLICK HERE to register for The Rise Up Rooted Symposium
Join us starting on October 31
Reconnect with the Earth, Reawaken Your True Nature, & Rewild Your Busy Life!

It's FREE to register and you will have access to the content for 72hrs. There is an option to get lifetime access for a small amount.

Please note; The above link is an affiliate link, which means I will get a small % of the sale if any purchases are made. It doesn’t cost you any extra and you would be supporting me and the work I do

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Joining me today is Alex Strauss, A best-selling author, sought-after editor, and entrepreneur, Alex has been showcased in The Guardian, BBC Radio, the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance, FiftyForward, The Wholehearted Business Show, and Women Developing Brilliance.

Her books include The Mindful Walker: Rediscovering the Simple Path to a Happier, Healthier, More Peaceful Life and The Simple Path: 52 Mindful Walks for a Strong Body, a Clear Mind, and a Joyful Spirit.

Alex is the Founder of The Mindful Walker School of Wellbeing and the bi-annual Rise Up Rooted Global Wellness Symposium, a premier forum for Nature-based wisdom from around the world.

I was introduced to Alex via Ian Banyard from Nature Connection World and was really honored to be featured as a speaker at Rise Up Rooted which will be live 31st Oct 2022

Rise Up Rooted is FREE - find out more and register HERE

In this episode you will hear about Alex’ journey and how she was inspired to create The Mindful Walker. Alex experienced some challenging times and shares how the healing power of Nature supported her. She also shares her experience as a mother and how she learnt to manage her own well-being so that she could be a better mother. We’ll hear why walking in nature is so important for managing our well-being.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Alex and the wisdom she has to share.

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>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _

>>> Do you have any feedback to share? Let me know if you need support, I would love to help.
hello@awakentonature.com


>>> If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification.


>>> FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here


If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

>>> Get your FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7  self-care practices that you can use to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

In this episode I share some of what happened in my personal life over the past few months that led to my impromptu sabbatical. You will hear about some of my transformative journey which sheds light on why I have been so quiet.


This is the first time I am publicly announcing that I was one of the 20+ featured speakers for the Rise Up Rooted Symposium. be the first to hear a personal story that I haven't shared publicly, until now.


The Rise Up Rooted Symposium is FREE to all registered attendees but you do need to RSVP, in order to receive the joining instructions and to receive replays the next day.


Simply CLICK HERE to register today, and join us starting on October 31 for The Rise Up Rooted Symposium: Reconnect with the Earth, Reawaken Your True Nature, & Rewild Your Busy Life!

I invited the founder and creator of Rise UpRooted, Alex Strauss, to join me here, on The Awaken to Nature Podcast. That episode will be available next week.

I was honored to be part of this event. I can’t wait to see you there!

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>>> Do you have any feedback to share? Let me know if you need support, I would love to help.
hello@awakentonature.com


>>> If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification.


>>> FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here


If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

This is Episode 2 of a three part miniseries:
Why Time in Nature is Essential For Your Body, Mind and Spiritual Well-Being

Access FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7 ways to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

In this episode I share 7 reasons why time in Nature is good for your Mind.

Some of the topics we cover in this episode include;

• Sunlight and the effect it has on your mental well-being.
• The sea side and the benefits of Vitamin SEA.
• What happens when you spend too much time looking at screens. 
• How Nature can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
• Natural sounds and the effect they have on your  mental state.

Along the way we will identify some of the common challenges we face in the modern world. 
We will look at some of the simple solutions that Nature has to offer and the science that supports them.
I share some of my tips on how to incorporate them into your daily life.


By maintaining a healthy body, mind and spiritual well-being you set yourself up for living a more fulfilled and meaningful life.

NATURAL SOUNDS to help you relax when at home or at the office:

River with Birds - Listen Here

Birdsong - Listen Here

Sound of Spring - Listen Here

Enjoy episode 2.
If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification. In the next episode we will be looking at how time in nature benefits your Spiritual well-being.

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Are you a purpose driven individual having trouble navigating a difficult life transition?
Do you feel as though your life is little off track or perhaps out of balance?
Do you need support achieving clarity, calm and confidence in your personal or professional life?
If you answered YES to any of the above, click here to book a FREE Clarity Call with me.
I am here to help you get your life on track so that you can experience inner success, joy and fulfillment in your everyday life. Hit the link above and lets chat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

Episode 1 of a three part miniseries:
Why Time in Nature is Essential For Your Body, Mind and Spiritual Well-Being

Access FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7 ways to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

Each episode will focus on one of these well-being elements. In this episode I share 7 reasons why time in Nature is good for your body.


Along the way we will identify some of the common challenges we face in the modern world. 
I will introduce a variety of simple solutions that Nature has to offer and the science that supports them.
I share my top-tips on how to incorporate them into your daily life.


By optimizing your time outdoors to positively impact your well-being, you set yourself up for living a more fulfilled and meaningful life.

Enjoy episode 1.
If you haven't already done so, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn your bell notification on to ensure you don't miss the next two episodes.


We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

In this episode I share an encounter I had whilst visiting one of my favourite places; Cape Point Nature Reserve.


During my solo trip into the reserve I had a couple of unique and special encounters with the Eland(worlds largest antelope). I came across a carcass of an Eland and just a short while later I had a close up experience with the main herd of Eland that roams the reserve.

The experience made quite an impact. After taking some time to reflect and connect with these experiences I recorded some of my insights. The main focus for this episode is about exploring how to go about using death as a motivation for life.

Living from this place calls on some interesting questions.

After all, the purpose of life is to find fulfillment. So how do we go about forming a relationship with our own mortality, so that we may take steps towards living a fulfilled life? What does that even mean?

I hope you enjoy me sharing this encounter.

We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

Access FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7 ways to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

In this episode I share my take on what forest bathing is and why I think it is essential for your well-being.

My intention is to introduce the concept and hopefully inspire you to give it a go.

I include the origin story and will touch on the science backing the physical benefits experienced from this simple but powerful practice. I also share my thoughts on why I believe it is important for our spiritual well-being.

Stick around to the end where I share some best practices on how to go about starting your own forest bathing practice.

GROUP FOREST BATHING SESSIONS

Click here if you are based in Cape Town to book a session or to find out more.
 >> Or feel free to reach my via mail should you have any queries: hello@awakentonature.com

If you are based anywhere outside of South Africa then I recommend visiting Nature Connection World to search a list of forest bathing and natural mindfulness guides based all around the world
>> Find out more here.

We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It will help new listeners find our podcast.

Access FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7 ways to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.


In this episode I share the Sit Spot nature connection exercise. 

There are so many positive benefits to gain from spending time in nature.  The Sit Spot is a fundamental practice for nurturing nature connection. 

In this episode you will learn:

• Why you should include the Sit Spot practice as part of your nature connection experience.
• How to go about creating your own Sit Spot practice
• Some of the benefits you can expect from the experience.

I've summarised the main steps in a blog which you can find here should you want to print or save for easy reference. 

I challenged my wife Jo to a Sit Spot challenge, 21 minutes for 21days. You can read about her experience here.

This is a great base for any nature connection experience, I hope you enjoy it. 

Have you tried any of the Awaken to Nature exercises? We would love to hear about your experience:

hello@awakentonature.com

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Are you a purpose driven individual having trouble navigating a difficult life transition?
Do you feel as though your life is little off track or perhaps out of balance?
Do you need support achieving clarity, calm and confidence in your personal or professional life?
If you answered YES to any of the above, click here to book a FREE Clarity Call with me.
I am here to help you get your life on track so that you can experience inner success, joy and fulfillment in your everyday life. Hit the link above and lets chat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It really makes a difference in helping new listeners to find our podcast.

The benefits from spending time in nature can be amplified through what I like to call Conscious Connection.

In this episode I share the first step needed to create Conscious Connection. Its all about taking a moment to ACKNOWLEDGE  Nature.

 
When you do this you create space for a much deeper nature connection experience and it encourages your True Nature to come out and play.


Try it out for yourself and let us know if you gain any insights.


Enjoy!

Have you tried any of the Awaken to Nature exercises? We would love to hear about your experience:

hello@awakentonature.com


We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

Facebook click here


If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It really makes a difference in helping new listeners to find our podcast.

Access FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7 ways to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

Ruth is a qualified Forest Therapy and Natural Mindfulness guide and  founder of Forest Clouds Nature Therapy based in Essex, England.

COMMUNITY, CONNECTION and COMPASSION are important values that she brings to the work she does. They are also strong themes in our wide ranging conversation, which starts off with Ruth sharing a story about how she landed up in ICU a few years ago. 

She shares her story of recovery which included visits to a woodland she explored as a child. You will hear how that woodland rekindled her connection to nature and helped give her a new found appreciation for its healing power.

You will hear about Ruth's journey to becoming a Forest Therapy Guide, which included her own healing experience such as learning to manage PTSD symptoms through nature connection. 

We talk about the various experiences of lockdown and the impact it has had, we talk about POLARISATION a term that we hear a lot more these days. One of the antidotes to this state in society is Reciprocity, a core principle in Shinrin Yoku, Ruth shares her thoughts on what it means and how to go about developing a reciprocal relationship with nature. 

She also shares some great tips on how to go about maintaining human and nature connection and why it is important for us to do so.

Ruth believes that through community and the human connection that it creates, we can find more meaning, purpose and lead a more fulfilled life.

If you are anywhere near essex in England make contact and join Ruth on one of her forest bathing sessions, take a photo and tag @awakentonature :)

If you are feeling inspired to find out more about Ruth and what she has to offer, please check out the links below:

Website

Events

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube


Follow the Awaken to Nature journey:

Instagram

Find more episodes HERE

If you enjoyed this episode then please consider sharing  it with a friend who you think would benefit from what we have to share.

Leaving a review on Apple only takes a few seconds and really helps other people discover our podcast.

Thanks for your support!

In this episode I share my Alive in Five nature connection exercise. 

There are so many positive benefits to gain from spending time in nature. The quality of these benefits is directly related to the quality of your connectedness whilst in nature.

So make your nature connection time count.

The Alive in Five exercise is a great way to start your nature connection experience. It will awaken your senses and help tune you in to the rhythm of nature. This brings you into state of being present where you can consciously connect to nature and will be more open to receive the insights, wisdom and healing that it offers.

I talk you through the following steps:

1. What you can hear.
2. What you can smell.
3. What you can see.
4. What you can touch.
5. Energetically connecting to your surroundings.

**Once you are familiar with the steps you can work through them in as little as 1minute or as much as 10minutes, Do whatever works best for you. 

This is a great base for any nature connection experience, I hope you enjoy it and as always I encourage you to experiment with it, explore what works best for you and make it your own.

Have you tried any of the Awaken to Nature exercises? We would love to hear about your experience:

hello@awakentonature.com


We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

Facebook click here


If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It really makes a difference in helping new listeners to find our podcast.

In this episode of Awaken to Nature Meditations, I share an experience I had whilst hiking in the Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa. 

I share some of what I do to slow down and quieten the mind so that I am present and in a better space to properly connect whilst in the mountains.

Let me know if you enjoy these short episodes?

Do you have any special requests for practices or exercises that you would like me to share?

Have you tried any of the Awaken to Nature exercises? We would love to hear about your experience:

hello@awakentonature.com


We invite YOU to join our community for continued support.

• Sign up for our email newsletter here.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

Facebook click here


If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or share it with a friend?  It really makes a difference in helping new listeners to find our podcast.

It has always been my intention to offer two styles of podcast episodes, so far I have only published Awaken to Nature CONVERSATIONS. These are the long form podcast episodes of me interviewing and connecting with inspiring guests.

This episode marks the beginning of Awaken to Nature MEDITATIONS. A series of natural mindfulness Exercises and Experiences that I share to offer ideas and inspiration to help you create your own nature connection practice.

You will hear why I believe nature connection is so important for our wellbeing and I share more about what to expect from Awaken to Nature Meditations.

I also share some news related to our website and the new nature connection events we offer.

Do you have any questions related to this episode? 

We would love to help: hello@awakentonature.com

Find out more about the nature connection experiences we offer

www.awakentonature.com

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY:

Instagram click here

Facebook click here

Access FREE Well-being Guide here.
It includes 7 ways to improve your well-being in 10minutes or less.

Ian is a UK based Author, Natural Mindfulness Guide and Guide Trainer. He is also the creator of Nature Connection World, an online directory of Natural Mindfulness Guides, Nature Based Therapists and Practitioners.

Ian has always had a love for nature, as a child it was his playground and then as an adult when his life got flipped upside down, it was in nature that he found sanctuary. During this time he embarked on a deep inner journey and experienced an important healing process that would lead him to discover what he calls, his True Nature.

Ian shares what True Nature means to him and we unpack Natural Mindfulness and how we can use this practice to reconnect with our own True Nature.

He shares some of the science that confirms the positive effect nature connection has on our wellbeing as well as some of the positive benefits he has witnessed whilst guiding people in nature.

We hear why working with a guide is important and he shares some top tips for guides or anyone else wanting to share their love for nature.

Ian reminds us that nature connection is a personal experience; there is no right or wrong way to do it. He believes in building community and encourages us to share our experiences.

In the last few years he has trained over 300 guides from more than 30 countries to become Natural Mindfulness Guides, helping them to find their own expression and empowering them to share their passion for nature connection.

Ian is a great guy on a mission to reconnect humanity with nature and our true nature, I am so stoked to be part of the community. I have no doubt that you will find value in all that he has to share.

If you are feeling inspired to find out more about Ian, the courses he offers or to access some of his free content, check out the links below:

Website

Nature Connection World - Online Directory

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube


Follow the Awaken to Nature journey:

Instagram

Find more episodes HERE

If you enjoyed this episode then please consider sharing  it with a friend who you think would benefit from what we have to share.

Leaving a review on Apple only takes a few seconds and really helps other people discover our podcast.

Thanks for your support!

Cullen Taylor Clark is the co-founder of Aether Herbalist and Apothecary. A young company on a mission to restore our connection to the ancient art and healing benefits of herbalism. 

In today’s episode we hear how Cullen took a sharp turn away from a career in corporate to discover a whole new world much closer to nature. As he ventured down this path, he became increasingly more aware of the abundance of medicinal and edible wild foods we have growing in our forests, fields and even our gardens. Fueled with inspiration and curiosity, he developed a deep understanding of herbal and mushroom medicines and now shares this knowledge openly and with passion.

For Cullen, foraging is more than just harvesting edible and medicinal foods, it's a practice of meditation that deepens his connection with nature. He shares some of his top tips and personal experiences. He explains that our primal instincts are not too far below the surface and that it doesn’t take long for them to be activated and for us to tap into this ancient knowledge and practice.

Cullen shares his top 3 medicinal foods and why we should all have them in our cupboards. He explains the foraging best practices we should follow to minimise our impact and rather harvest in a way that promotes growth and sustainability.

We learn about pioneer plants, we hear about an amazing fungi discovery, we talk barefoot walking and mindfulness in nature and so much more!

Cullen and his company is based in South Africa but the knowledge and inspiration he shares can easily be applied wherever you may be.

If you are left feeling inspired to learn more about foraging or to include more wild foods in your diet then I highly recommend checking out the free eBooks that Cullen and his team have put together.

Download FREE eBook HERE

Follow Cullen and Aether on Instagram HERE

Follow the Awaken to Nature journey:

Instagram

Find more episodes HERE

If you enjoyed this episode then please consider sharing  it with a friend who you think would benefit.

Leaving a review on Apple only takes a few seconds and really helps other people discover our podcast.

Thanks for your support!

James van Minnen is a professional percussionist who was inspired at an early age by his musical family and at school by a particular teacher who opened the doors to the world of Ethnomusicology.

This sparked an interest that would lead him down a journey of musical discovery exploring ancient instruments and the sounds they make. He is trained in the typical drum set but also an accomplished percussionist of middle eastern and ethnic instruments.

In this conversation we hear how an experience he had whilst playing the frame drum would ignite a dream to create a unique album called The Cave Project - Meditations and Lullabies.

Today we hear about the story from inception to recording and the various ways things aligned to make a challenging project possible. From cave hunting to recording in a non traditional way to ensure the natural environment was respected and included. 

This is a story about a man who wanted to honour a place through the expression of music. He sees music as the great connector that bridges time and culture. It's a tool that can be used to shift our state. 

During our conversation James eloquently weaves some interesting information related to the origin and history of a variety of instruments.

James reminds us that music speaks through us and he believes that anyone can make music. We just need to be open to receive in order to express. This is about letting go and being present to the moment.


Links from this episode:

The Making of the Cave Project

Rootspring Music

The Misty Cliffs

James Youtube Playlist


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