This episode is with returning guest Chris Trump. He’s a student of Nature, and regarded as one of the leading experts in Korean Natural Farming and it’s adaptations around the world. In this interview Chris shares a bit of his story of how he got involved in natural farming and why he started teaching it. I ask him about the qualities he sees in successful natural farmers, and we dive into philosophy. We also get into a more detailed discussion about Indigenous Microorganisms aka IMO. I...

In this episode I’m flying solo… talking about my thoughts on living a probiotic life. It’s a question I ask myself regularly, and I challenge you to have a question that you ask yourself. It’s a form of meditation; asking yourself a question over a period of time.  Join me as I share a little more of my journey from the last year or so, and where asking this question has taken me. I delve into science, its applications and its limitations, and compare it to traditional eastern thinking,...

Join us in this episode we hear from Gil Carandang who is considered to be a father of modern day natural farming in the Philippines and around the globe. His knowledge and wit shine as he shares insights into what it means to farm closer to nature, and listen to Her wisdom. He is an organic farmer, Fulbright Scholar and educator. Gil’s work developing and teaching about beneficial indigenous microorganisms has been revolutionary for natural farmers worldwide; he is known for his engaging...

In this episode we talk to a fascinating guest from Germany, Dr. Anne Katharina Zschocke. She is a doctor of medicine who studied in Freiburg and London, and worked for the German Red Cross. She did did further studies in naturopathy, and has a unique, holistic view of life. In this episode she shares how she made the transition from MD to horticulture with a focus on microbiology, and EM aka Effective Microorganisms. Anne Katharina has written 5 books on various aspects of EM including...

This episode is close to my heart, it really exemplifies the journey I’ve been on in the last year. Join us today as I talk to Larry Korn who was one of Masanobu Fukuoka’s students 40 years ago, and is now an author, teacher, and natural farmer. Larry shares his story of how he came to be a student of Fukuoka, and his adventure since.  We talk about philosophy and the wisdom of nature as well as compare Fukuoka’s Natural Farming to methods of organic agriculture such as Korean Natural...

In this episode we talk to Dr. Jason Hawrelak. He is a leading clinician, researcher, naturopath and lecturer in the area of probiotics. Jason completed his PHD on dysbiosis in irritable bowels and how to change the microbiome using herbs, prebiotics and probiotics. He is well regarded in the probiotics community worldwide, and has authored many papers on the microbiome, the GI tract and pre and pro-biotics. He’s the lead researcher for probioticadvisor.com and a professor here in Australia...

This is a bit of a different episode. In the first half Ben responds to some emails for the benefit of everyone. If you like it, let us know, and he’ll use this format for episodes between interviews. The second half of the episode Ben gets real, and goes into some of the challenges he’s faced, and some of the things that are inspiring him. He asks for your input on what inspires you on the journey of living a probiotic life. Thanks to Daniel Klenner for the music in this episode. Check out...

Today on the podcast we are talking with fermentation fanatic and entrepreneur Mara King. She shares her passion of probiotics through workshops, talks and fermented food products and has inspired people worldwide through her TED talk - “What can we learn from fermentation?”  Mara worked for many years as a chef, including a period as a sushi chef, but through a journey of process and fermentation, co-founded a fermented food company called Ozuké based in Boulder, Colorado. Join us as Mara...

Our guest today is a Professor of Immunotoxicology at Cornell University. He has become an internationally renowned author, educator and scientist known for his work on the microbiome and the immune system. Not only has he been on faculty at Cornell since 1977 and published many peer-reviewed papers, but he’s traveled the world giving lectures and keynotes in a variety of forums. He may be most well known for his book "The Human Super Organism: How the Microbiome is Revolutionising the...

Join us in this episode as we talk with James Rickbeil and dive deep into the soil food web. James is a soil food web enthusiast, compost artist, and a student of Dr. Elaine Ingham getting certified as Soil Food Web consultant. He is also a cannabis grower who is passionate about regenerative living soil systems. On Instagram he’s known as @microbeherder and he’s been posting some great clips of what he sees down the lens of his microscope. In this conversation James really highlights some...

Join us in this fascinating interview with bokashi expert Cuauhtemoc Villa.  He is a friend of the microbes, student of their ancient wisdom, and teacher of their ways. He has years of experience working with Effective Microorganisms, and creating custom blends of bokashi specific to the needs of the plants he works with. He does work in bio-remediation of land and waterways, and teaches school kids these practices. In conjunction to this, he also teaches Indigenous Agricultural...

In this episode, we bring you an interview with Dominic Anfiteatro from Adelaide, South Australia. Dominic was featured in Sandor Katz’ book ‘The Art of Fermentation’ and is a kefir alchemist of sorts. Join us as he shares his story of how he came across kefir. I enjoyed the way Dom tells stories… He also tells the story of where kefir grains come from, and why you should eat your kefir grains!  Among the topics we discuss are: silken kefir, the systemic anti-inflammatory nature of kefir...

Today we talk to Kristin Ohlson who is an award-winning freelance journalist, and the author of “The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers and Foodies are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet” Though she writes on a variety of topics, I was interested to talk to Kristin specifically because of this book. Join us as Kristin shares bit about her writing career and how she came to write “The soil will save us” She shares a story of a farmer named Gabe Brown and the inspiration she drew from...

In this episode, it is a pleasure to bring you an interview with Geoff Lawton & Sam Parker-Davies of Zaytuna Farm in New South Wales, Australia. Geoff is a world renowned permaculture designer, advisor, and teacher. He’s worked in over 30 countries around the world, and has taught over 15,000 students. Sam is a student of Geoff’s, learning to follow in his footsteps, and is just a few years in to his permaculture journey. He contributes a fresh look at Geoff’s significant work through...

In this episode we talk to Jeff Lowenfels about his trilogy of books: Teaming With Microbes, Teaming With Nutrients, And Teaming With Fungi. He frequently travels and lectures on these subjects which has led to his nickname  “Lord of The Roots.” Jeff also writes the longest running garden column in North America; The Alaska Dispatch Garden Column, having never missed a week in 41 years. Join us for this lively conversation as Jeff shares how he came to write Teaming With Microbes, and how...

In this episode, we talk with Eva Bakkeslett. Eva is a creative at heart and has a Masters in Art & Ecology and she defines herself as an artist, filmmaker, curator and gentle activist. Her works often combine film, workshops and public participation to challenge, inspire and engage people. She is particularly inspired by the process of fermentation and explores how this can be a method for re-imagining sustainable human cultures. Eva shows, lectures, curates and performs her work...

This episode, we talk with Dr. Alan Darlington about his work with air bio-filtration. Dr. Darlington was awarded his PhD investigating the interaction between plants and their physical environment from the University of Guelph, in Canada. He spent 6 years as a member of a research team developing biological life support systems for long term space habitation, and is the “inventor” of a number of patents integral to the application of plant based biofilters that arose from research. In...

In this episode, we talk to Angelina Hjelm of AngelinaNaturalis.com Her passion is to gather nature’s intrinsic knowledge and share it with others. She’s studied alpine botany at Umeå university. Did a Bachelors in organic gardening and design systems at Gothenburg University. And also a Permaculture Design Course with Richard Perkins, at Ridgedale Permaculture Farm. Angelina’s love for nature and her inquisitive disposition has given her extensive knowledge of plants, both wild and...

This episode is another insightful interview with Chris Ferreira. He recently released a book called ‘A Place In The Country’ and we discuss the story of how Chris came to write this book, and delve into the subjects covered. Chris is a friend and a mentor, and I’m happy to support him by giving him a platform to discuss the book. The idea behind the book is an “ ‘eyes wide open’ approach to creating your own beautiful, productive and sustainable rural landscape.” While not directly related...

In this episode we talk to Julie Wolf who is the communications specialist at the American Society for Microbiology. She has her PHD in medical mycology, and teaches at a community bio-lab in New York. As part of her work with ASM she hosts the podcast ‘Meet the Microbiologist’, and I thought it would be fun to talk to someone who talks to microbiologists for a living.  Join us for this intelligent and thoughtful interview as we hear how Julie got into studying medical mycology and her work...

Today’s interview is with with William Padilla-Brown. He’s a mycologist, artist, permaculturalist, and the founder of Mycosymbiotics. He has produced one of the first English books on cultivating Cordyceps militaris. His website www.mycosymbiotics.blog has the quote ”Homeostasis will only be achieved via Symbiosis with local Systems" which is a good way to frame this interview. Join us as William shares a bit about his journey, which leads us through a fascinating dialogue about mindsets,...

In this episode we have a doctor of environmental science known to some as Dr. Greywater. Ross Mars is an author, a teacher and has 20 years experience in the field of greywater and wastewater. He’s the Managing Director of Water Installations, a company based here in Perth, W.A. He is also an accredited permaculture design teacher and teaches people how to teach permaculture. Listen in as Ross shares a bit of his journey and we discuss: the development of permaculture, greywater systems,...

In this episode we talk with Peter McCoy. He is most well known as one of the founders of Radical Mycology, a grassroots organisation and movement that teaches the many ways to work with fungi for personal, societal, and ecological resilience. He describes himself as an interdisciplinary, systems-oriented mycology educator. Join us as we talk about traditional uses of fungi, myco-literacy, what fungi can teach us, and Peter shares a bit about his journey. In 2016, Peter released the book...