Forest Spirituality with Julie Brett

David King Interview

In this episode I interview David King who is a Gundungurra man here in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains on Dharug and Gundungurra Country. We speak about the importance of looking after Country as a community, the effects of dispossession, and the importance of incorporating First Nations understandings of how to look after the land into mainstream thinking about land management. 

The interview contributed to the chapter "The Dam and the Gully" in the new book Belonging to the Earth: Nature Spirituality in a changing world, that I published alongside contributions from First Nations community leaders like David. 

You can purchase a copy of the book from any good retailer, or directly from me here: 

https://www.forestspiritjewelry.com/product-page/belonging-to-the-earth

You can find out more about the Swampcare project at Garguree/The Gully here:

https://landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/garguree-swampcare/

Jo Clancy Interview

This interview is with Jo Clancy, a Wiradjuri woman who teaches contemporary dance with an Aboriginal influence. I join her community classes here in Dharug and Gundungurra Country at the beautiful Kindle Hill school that has a lovely hall looking out over the bushland. This interview led to the chapter "Dancing the Earth" in my new book Belonging to the Earth: Nature Spirituality in a Changing World. You can get a signed copy via my jewelry website here:

https://www.forestspiritjewelry.com/product-page/belonging-to-the-earth

Many thanks to Jo for her beautiful contribution to the book, and to the cultural learning of our community through dance. 

 

Welsh Druidry with Kristoffer Hughes

In this episode I interview Kristoffer Hughes who is an author of many books on Welsh Druidry, and it the head of the Anglesey Druid Order in Wales. This interview led to a chapter in my new book 'Belonging to the Earth: Nature Spirituality in a Changing World'. You can purchase a signed copy here:
http://https://www.forestspiritjewelry.com/product-page/belonging-to-the-earth

Kristopher's new book is called 'Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of Inspiration'. 

You can find out more about the Anglesey Druid Order here:
https://www.angleseydruidorder.co.uk/

You can find out more about my books and other work via my blog,
http://www.juliebrett.net 

Uncle Bruce and Patricia Shillingsworth Interview

This interview was recorded in June 2021. Uncle Bruce and Aunty Trish Shillingsworth joined me for an interview over lunch. The chat ended up leading to the chapter "In This Together" that features in my new book "Belonging to the Earth". 

Many thanks to both Uncle Bruce and Auntry Trish for sharing their stories and their wisdom about Country and culture with us. 

Copies of the book can be purchased directly from me at www.forestspiritjewelry.com and include free art postcards including one of Uncle Bruce's art. The book can also be purchased from book retailers. 

 

Uncle Peter Williams Interview

In this episode I speak with Uncle Peter Williams of Ngemba Country in NSW. He is a senior song person and contributed to a chapter in my new book Belonging to the Earth. We chat about how he got into learning about traditional song and dance practices, the area he's from around Brewarrina, the River Tour, and his dreams to set up a cultural center. If you'd like to know more about Uncle Peter's work, you can find him on Facebook via his artist page Mara Mara:

https://www.facebook.com/peterthulliiwilliams

Belonging to the Earth is about ways that the nature spirituality community is responding to the threat of the climate crisis. One important way is through learning more about First Nations culture and how we can better care for the Earth together.

A signed copy of the book along with art postcards - one of which features Uncle Peter's art - are available to purchase via my jewelry website:

https://www.forestspiritjewelry.com/product-page/belonging-to-the-earth

Belonging to the Earth

A podcast introducing my new book Belonging to the Earth: Nature Spirituality in a Changing World.  You can get a signed copy via my jewelry website: https://www.forestspiritjewelry.com/australiandruidry Or through your local bookstore or online bookstore.  Many thanks to the contributors of this book: Uncle Peter Williams, Uncle Bruce and Aunty Trish Shillingsworth, David King, Jo Clancy and Kristoffer Hughes. Their individual podcast interview episodes will be up soon.   

Under a Pagan Sky documentary with Helen Browning

This episode is an interview with Helen Browning, the director of the one hour documentary 'Under a Pagan Sky' that is also being shown as a 30minute version by Compass on the ABC as 'Pagans Down Under'. We chat about the documentary, the process of making it, Helen's inspirations and how it all came about and came together. 

If you're in Australia you can watch the Compass episode on ABC iView until July 20th. It is also re-showing on Sunday 27th June at 6:30pm on ABC TV. 

International friends can find out more about when it is coming your way by following the documentary on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/UnderPaganSky

If you'd like to see it at a film festival in Australia you can find out about that there. If you'd like to organise a screening at your local independent cinema, you can contact Helen about that via the Facebook page above. 

Luke Eastwood and 'The Druid Garden'

In this episode I speak with Luke Eastwood about his new book, 'The Druid Garden: Gardening for a better future inspired by the ancients'. We chat about his own experiences with gardening, gardens he loves and why, what's in the book, what a Druid garden is, and how you can go about starting to create your own. It also has some of his ambient music at the end. I hope you enjoy having a listen! You can find out more about Luke and his work at:

www.lukeeastwood.com 

Gordon Cooper former Grand Arch Druid of the AODA

In this episode I speak to Gordon Cooper, former Grand Arch Druid of the Ancient Order of Druids of America (AODA) 2015-2019. Gordon shares stories of his journey with Druidry and discusses important topics for us all, particularly for those of us practicing Druidry outside of the lands of its origin. 

You can find out more about the AODA at http://aoda.org/

Gordon is also a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) and has contributed articles to their website. eg:

https://druidry.org/resources/wild-crafting-the-modern-druid

Covid life and my Community Gardens

In this episode I share about how the COVID lockdown has affected my life, my community and how my community gardens have offered a beautiful place for me to come back to my center. 

I would love to hear your stories too, so please contact me via my website contact page: www.forestspiritjewelry.com