Mountain Whispers

Dom Francks is a modern day renaissance man, having honed his craft at everything from elite golf, to climate tech, to outdoor leadership. The current expression of this craft is Vivify, a transformative journey for adventurous professionals and leaders. It blends 4 months of online leadership coaching with a unique 8-day off-trail backpacking expedition in the High Sierra. In our conversation we go deep on how one can create transformative spaces in the time they spend outdoors, and more importantly, how one can use these peak states to ultimately be of greater service to those around us. You can find links to go deeper on some of the topics here: Dom's piece on Ritual vs DisciplineJosh Schrei's The Emerald Podcast: Animism is Normative ConsciousnessJosh Schrei's The Emerald Podcast on Ecological Grief: I Wish It Could Have Been Another WayThe Great Simplification | Film on Energy, Environment, and Our Future | FULL MOVIEDom's piece on The “Spiritual Infrastructure” of Climate Dom is offering $500 off this May's Vivify program for listeners of Mountain Whispers. To inquire, follow this link. You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Lauren Bond is a wilderness guide and founder of The River's Path, offering canoe journeys for deep connection and personal transformation. We explore what is actually means to foster deeper connection to the more than human world and how one can access these subtle states of consciousness. We dive deep into how Lauren facilitates this experience in a group setting, as well as how confronting fear and opening yourself to synchronicity are key parts of moving in these spaces. Links mentioned in the conversation: explaining "The Umwelt"Lauren's upcoming trips at The River's Path You can find more of Lauren at The River's Path link above. You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

In this episode Fletcher joins us again to pick up where we left off in Episode 20. We dive deeper into the practice of cultivating intimacy with the more than world through exploring: Links mentioned in the conversation: Animism is Normative ConsciousnessKumano Kodo Pilgrimage route You can learn more about Fletcher's upcoming programs here, or find some of his music here. You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Jon Turk is the quintessential example of someone who has lived a life of adventure and consistently stayed open to let vivid experiences shape him. He's been named a Top Ten Adventurer of the Year by National Geographic for feats including kayaking around Cape Horn and across the North Pacific from Japan to Alaska, to mountain biking across the northern Gobi in Mongolia, as well as numerous first ski descents and first rock climbing ascents around the globe. What's even more captivating is the depth of his introspection throughout out this. The four books he's written document the way that endurance, fear, risk, and awe has shaped his character, but also interwine the history, anthropology, and mythology of the places he's been lucky enough to adventure in. In this conversation we tease out some of these learnings to explore what it means to push adventures to the edge, while staying grounded enough to live to tell the tale. You can learn more about Jon at jonturk.net and can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Alexander Beiner is the author of the upcoming book The Bigger Picture: How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense of the World and one of the founders of the Youtube channel Rebel Wisdom. Together we explore the parallels between outdoor and psychedelic modes of adventure, and more importantly, how one can integrate extreme experience in a way that helps us navigate complexity, thrive under pressure, and better practice compassion and empathy. All of these are skills that are becoming more important in a world that isn't getting any simpler. Links mentioned in the conversation: DMT: The Spirit Molecule: A Doctor's Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near-Death and Mystical ExperiencesEvolve Move PlayTrish Blain's model of four forces You can find more of Alexander at @alexander_beiner on Instagram, or subscribe to his Substack at The Bigger Picture. You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Tara Souch is a clinical counsellor, specialising in nature based therapy, and a wilderness guide. We chat about: Links mentioned in the conversation: Dragonfly HealingSchool of Lost Borders Vision Fast program You can find more of Tara at tarasouch.ca You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Kyle Dow is a coach focused on emotional and spiritual health and wellness. A Rock-climber and seeker, Kyle is adept at exploring ones edge, both in the outdoors and in ceremonial settings. We chat about: Links mentioned in the conversation: Bone Games: Extreme Sports, Shamanism, Zen, and the Search for TranscendenceFit for Service ProgramLSD and the Mind of the Universe: Diamonds from HeavenSpirit Plant Medicine ConferenceUmwelt Effect? You can find more of Kyle www.connectionintegration.com or on Instagram @kyle_dow You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, and connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Mike Spencer Bown has travelled to all 195 sovereign countries in the world, but done so while getting off the beaten path to pursue adventure rather than passport stamps. He also spent 86 straight days in the wilderness of the Valhalla Range of the Kootenays Mountains in BC, hunting and foraging for his sustenance. We chat about many things, including the lessons he's learned from adventure and how travel equips you for life better than formal education. On his experience in the wilderness, we chat about: Links mentioned in this episode include: The World's Most Travelled Man: A Twenty-Three-Year Odyssey to and through Every Country on the Planethttps://mikespencerbown.comJinn and Adam's Rib You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Kyle Koch is movement coach and nature based facilitator, having studied at The Wilderness Awareness School in Washington, and coaching with organisations such as Evolve Move Play In our conversation we explore what it means to cultivate connection with the more than human world, the practice of giving our attention as a gift, and the way that these practices connect us to a wellspring of meaning, a sensation that can can feel scarce as we navigate the modern world. We also dig into the Evolve Move Play's method and how cultivating a state of play is intertwined with flow, the way that fear and risk is held in a container, and a bunch more. You can find Kyle on Instagram @trottingsparrow. Links from the show: John Vervaeke's Awakening From the Meaning Crisis SeriesBreaking the Jump: The Secret Story of Parkour's High-Flying Rebellion by Julie Angel You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Taylor Godber is a mountain athlete, entrepreneur and writer. Balancing her athleticism with a strong stillness & grounding practice, she has a lot of wisdom to share. We chat about: Links mentioned in the conversation: Our Breath CollectiveBreath: The New Science of a Lost Artthedrawout.com You can find more of Taylor at: @taylorgodbercreatetravelinspire.com You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Fletcher Tucker is musician and practitioner of earth-based skills, co-founder of Wildtender, which offers immersive wilderness programs that cultivate intimacy with the natural world, connect with wisdom traditions, and nurture human wholeness. We chat about: You can find more of Fletcher at Wildtender and Gnome Life Records Links mentioned in the conversation: The Practice of the WildBraiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of PlantsThe Dharmanaut Circle community You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Ari in the Air makes a return to the pod to tell the story of his experience competing in Expedition Oregon: America's Toughest Race. "At some point, everyone in this event will seriously regret their decision to race" - Lars Bukkehave 2018 ATR winner Ari gives us a debrief on exactly what let a stuntman to test his hand at expedition racing, paints us an oil canvas of a picture on the level of suffering he inflicted on himself, and provides a glimmer of wisdom he was able to take back from the initiation. You can find more of Ari at: ariintheair.comAri in the Air Podcast@ariintheair You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Jenn Segger is an adventure athlete, coach, and guide based in lower British Columbia. We chat about: Fast Known TimesFastpacking Links mentioned in the conversation: Jenn's websiteHardrock 100 race You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

Harley Rustad is the author of the new book Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in the Himalayas. It tells the story of Justin Alexander Shetler, American adventurer and influencer who disappeared in the foothills of the Himalayas in 2016. While the circumstances surrounding Justin's disappearance grip you like a true crime story, Harley and I explore Justin's spiritual pursuit of adventure, and the forces that drove him to take increasing risks in pursuit of spiritual breakthrough and enlightenment. This includes: Links mentioned in the conversation: InstagramFacebookYoutubeHarley's article on JustinMike Spencer BownThe contemplative practice of Sit Spotting You can find more of Harley at his website, on twitter, or on Instragram You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

In this episode I chat to mountain athlete, podcaster, and filmmaker Ari in the Air. Ari recently gave a talk at The Stoa on Brinksmanship, the art of finding and learning from your edge. Here we discuss the idea and some of the experiences that formed it. Along with Brinksmanship, we chat about: You can find more of Ari at https://ariintheair.com/ or on Instagram @ariintheair Links mentioned: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth GilbertSee here for a post with some more infoBonnitta Roy You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

In this episode, I chat to Jeff Wirth the conservation filmmaker, photographer, and certified wildlife tracker. I discovered Jeff through his Instagram @staywildmedia, where I was absolutely captivated by the shots he captures of some of the beautiful mammals living in the Pacific Northwest We chat about: You can catch Jeff on instagram, @staywildmedia, or view Jeff's film work and buy awesome animal prints at https://staywildmedia.com Links mentioned in the conversation: https://echoconservation.org/Chasing the Thunder You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz

In this episode, I chat with Belinda Kirk, the explorer, author & speaker. Belinda's adventures include walking across Nicaragua, searching for camels in China's Desert of Death, discovering ancient rock paintings in Lesotho, pioneering inclusive expeditions for people with disabilities. She has led dozens of youth development expeditions around the world and gained a Guinness World Record for rowing unsupported around Britain. Her book Adventure Revolution: The life-changing power of choosing challenge explores all the ways that adventure has the power to transform. We chat about: You can find more of Belinda at: https://www.belindakirk.comExplorers Connect newsletter here You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

In this episode, I chat with Tucker Walsh. Tucker is an Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker who has spent the last few years exploring transformation experiences and communities, including a Wilderness Quest with Animus Valley Institute, which is the focus of our discussion. We chat about: Links mentioned in the conversation: the magic of the Pachamama communityTucker's short film "Treatment box"Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human PsycheLost Knowledge of the ImaginationThe Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief For more information on Tucker's coaching offering, travel guide for the soul, see his website www.tuckerlighthouse.com You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

In this episode, I chat to Brent Martin, founder of Ryders Eyewear, one of the OG of mountain bike eyewear brands, as well as xcamp.ca which leads transformational backcountry camps designed to stoke souls and awaken spirits. we chat about: The Shoe Dog-esk Links mentioned in the conversation: Stealing FireRecapture the Rapturebook herehereDr. Ryan D'ArcyDr. Jan Venter You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.

In this episode I chat to former pro snowboarder turned weaver and artist Meghann O'Brien. We chat about: Links mentioned in the conversation: Biocentrism: Rethinking Time, Space & ConsciencenssStalking the Wild Pendulum: On the Mechanics of Consciousness You can find more of Meghann at her website https://meghannobrien.com/ You can support this podcast by leaving a review on the podcast platform you use, or connect with Tim on Instagram @timstewnz.