Unleash Your Life!

In a world built upon consumption, what happens if we question the paradigm and instead cultivate happiness with what we have? This is a big topic that goes WAY beyond "things", and incorporates our basic state of mind and motivation. Come along as we explore the power of loving what you have! Here are this episodes' Action Points:Foster Your Mindfulness Practice-- We talk about this all the time, but it's that vital. A mindfulness practice will change your life! =)Make a "What I Want" List-- Make a list of what you want in life. Not the usual list (a million bucks, a hot new mate), but the things you think those million bucks will get you. What is it you REALLY want in life, at the base?Examine a Current Action-- Take a current action you're engaged in (maybe you're looking for a new job) and ask how that action is tied to a goal. Then ask what you really want to get from reaching that goal. Awareness of this kind can sometimes reveal new creative ways to get what you are really after, or help you realize you may already have what you want (it might just have been hiding in disguise).Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

We all want to eat healthy, don't we? But what diet is best? Raw vegan? Paleo? Whole 30? Mediterranean? Join us as we leave behind specific diets and instead talk about how loving our food, eating consciously, and losing food fears can transform our health and life enjoyment! Here are this episodes' Action Points: Do Some Positive Food Research-- When you're cooking, take a moment to research some of the health benefits of one of the ingredients. Then, share with your family how good that food is for them. It will add some positive placebo effect to your eating and help undo food fears. Have Fun With Your Next Meal-- Instead of cooking being a chore, make it fun! Try new ingredients (foraged food anyone?), cuisines, recipes, or cooking techniques. Add a Focus Affinity Before You Eat-- Take a moment before you eat to get into a mindful state. Share some gratitude, pray, or do something else to bring you present moment. Make a Meal To Share-- Cook for friends or loved ones! Cooking for others ties all of this together, invoking the power of positive social connections and conscious cooking. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

We all have a "baseline" of happiness in our lives, and research shows that the ups and downs of life (which we spend so much time trying to acquire and avoid, respectively) don't really impact that baseline very much. So the secret to happiness isn't arranging our externals appropriately so much as cultivating an inner joy. But how do we do that? Come along as we explore how to shift that baseline! Here are this episodes' Action Points: Smile-- Smiling is almost magical in its ability to change our own attitude (and it's contagious!). Take a short-duration task and try smiling the whole time. How do you feel? How do those around you respond? Invite Someone-- Foster more human connection in your life by inviting a friend or three to tea, a campfire, a hike, etc. Human connection is a proven life enhancer! The Gratitude Bowl-- Fill a bowl with pieces of paper on which you've written all sorts of things in your life. People, objects, abilities -- things both tangible and intangible. Then, once a day (or as often as you like!) pull one out and imagine that you no longer have that thing. What does it feel like to have lost it? And then reverse things and feel gratitude for having it. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

Hi Friends! Need a good vacation? What if we could take a vacation right now? As in, NOW? This moment? Well, we can if we learn to cultivate a "vacation mindset". You've heard us talk about this before in the guise of an "adventurer's mindset", but in this episode we give some mindful advice about how to soak into each moment as if you were on the beach. Here are this episodes' Action Points: Explore!-- We often walk the same paths in life, literally and figuratively. What happens if we veer a little off that path? Often, adventure is waiting for us down the "road less travelled". Try the "Artist's Eye" Exercise-- Artists often see the world in colors, textures, shapes, and shades of light. What happens if we harness that eye? We start to appreciate the world around us more and see its true beauty. Talk With Strangers-- It can be intimidating, but every human being is a treasure-trove of experiences, ideas, and perspectives. When we start to strike up conversations, we can learn a lot. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

Last season we started a tradition of talking about five books from our shelves and how they've influenced us. This season, we keep the tradition alive! Come with us for an adventure into nature poetry, magic, science, and a bit of intergalactic fun! Here are this episodes' Action Points: Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver-- Spend some time sitting quietly in nature, just observing. It can be 10 minutes or a whole afternoon. Then, try writing a poem, just to honor one of your observations. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben-- Go try to find some fungi! Specifically, the tiny filaments in soil or rotten trees that are the fungi's real "body" (the mushrooms are just the "fruit" of the fungus). Sit with or touch these filaments, and recognize that you're coming in contact with a being that few of us ever see in our lives. The Tarantula Scientist by Sy Montgomery-- Explore an element of nature that you're unfamiliar with, especially with children or especially if you are fearful of the thing. Spiders are a great example. What can you learn about this element? Explore online or at your library, and you'll learn a ton! Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham-- Delve deep with one plant in your yard. Research it online. Can it be used medicinally? Is it edible? Does it have utilitarian uses? And what traditions saw the plant as sacred? There are many stories waiting with every plant. The More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams-- Play a fun mind game by pretending you're an alien who just landed on Earth. What do the inhabitants look like? What are they up to? Observe the world through the eyes of humor, and you might just find that much of our human endeavor looks rather ridiculous! Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

We all know that our environment has a profound effect upon our beings. But we're not often intentional about shaping our environments, or not aware of how we are an integral part of other people's environments. Join us as we discuss how we can be more conscious about the people, colors, sounds, and other experiences that make up each day. Here are this episodes' Action Points: Notice Your Physical Responses-- When you next are experiencing a soothing or stressful situation, tune in to how your body feels. A tense throat? Long, soft breaths? Clenched jaw? As we learn to notice what our body is doing, we gain insight into our emotional state. Change a Situation With Your Tone of Voice-- Next time someone is angry, fearful, stressed, or anxious around you, see if you can shift their state of being simply by speaking in a relaxed way. Try an "Intentional Environment" Day-- Take one day and see if you can be as conscious as possible about all of your sensory input. Extra Credit: Transform Your Perspective-- Sometimes we can shift our environments, but sometimes we can't. Instead, we can shift our perspective. Next time you're dealing with something you can't change, see if you can reframe it and look at it through a different lens. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

Life can be uncertain. It's not just things like aliens and covid, but the everyday shifts in our lives that can be unsettling. In this episode, we consider ways that we can transform our relationship with uncertainty, and even embrace it! Here are this episodes' Action Points: Practice Giving-- Giving is a way to start transforming our mind from a hoarding mentality to a sharing mentality. You can volunteer, tithe, or bake a loaf of bread for your neighbor. There are many ways to give!! Take Up Gratitude-- Start a morning or evening gratitude practice. Take a set amount of time (even just two minutes), and write out what you're grateful for that day (or from the previous day if you've chosen a morning practice). Cultivate Mindfulness-- You can build mindfulness through a simple mindfulness meditation, starting at just 5 minutes a day! Surrender (to Lila) and Play With Life-- Developing a playful mindset is life-changing!!! To do this, we have to learn to respond to life rather than react. And when we respond, to respond with curiosity and a sense of adventure. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

For this episode, we try something a little different -- a totally off-the-cuff talk about what we're currently experiencing in life and what we're learning from those things. It turned into a fun exploration of community, overcoming fears, and imagining a debt-free world. Come along to on this exploration with us! Thank you for being a part of our journey! Please take a moment to share with us some of the life lessons you've been exploring lately! Much love to each of you =) Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

Want some delicious, nutritious food that just happens to be totally free? We've chosen four easy-to-identify wild edibles that have broad global distribution to encourage you to add some wild greens to your diet! Here are this episodes' Action Points: Nettle-- More info on stinging nettles here! https://pfaf.org/plants/edible-weeds-urtica-dioica-stinging-nettle/ Heal-all-- Learn more about heal-all! https://www.ediblewildfood.com/self-heal.aspx Dandelion-- Enrich your knowledge of dandelion here =) http://www.eattheweeds.com/dandelions-hear-them-roar/ Garlic Mustard-- Learn more about garlic mustard here! https://thegoodliferevival.com/blog/garlic-mustard Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

We've all heard the term "toxic people". But how do we avoid them or deal with them? Well, as usual, the story might not be completely one-sided. Come along to explore how we can unwittingly encourage toxic relationships and how we can transform that toxicity into something positive! This episodes' Action Points: Cultivate Gratitude-- You can overdose on almost anything, but probably not on gratitude. Cultivating gratitude transforms the world we experience. Find One Support Person (or More)-- Community rocks! In fact, having someone you can connect with positively is one of the biggest things you can do to create positivity in your life. Find a person, or find a group, and see what a difference it makes! Practice Listening-- Listening is a powerful and mostly-forgotten practice. If we train ourselves to listen, we open pathways into deeper understanding and compassion with the people around us. Make a Person a "Project"-- Not for the faint of heart! In this practice, we actively try to change someone's positivity level. But here's the key -- if our goal is to change another person, we're doomed to failure. Instead, we have to hold this as a "light" goal, with the real goal being to change our own attitudes and compassion level. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

After running the Forest Monk program (and its predecessor, the 11-month Metamorphosis program) for over 12 years, we've come to greatly respect those who ventured out into the woods under our tutelage. And we've learned A LOT from them! Here are the top ten takeaways for us. For this episode, we're doing a special ten-day Forest Monk challenge! Day One: Discomfort is Good -- Today, choose one thing that feels uncomfortable for you, but that also gets you a little excited to try. Cold shower, anyone? A bit of hot sauce on your eggs? Calling your Mom? Do that uncomfortable thing, and see how it makes you feel. Day Two: Finding Hidden Family Patterns -- Today, sit down and ponder one of your close relationships. Are there places where it is stagnating, or where you're afraid to look? Is there something unsaid, or a negative pattern that keeps repeating itself? Today is the day to connect with that person and communicate about this, and see if you can approach it in a loving, non-blaming manner. Together, can you change this dynamic into a positive one? Day Three: Diet Makes a Difference --  Today, make a meal plan to eat ultra-healthy. If you're unsure where to start, try a vegetable-based diet with fish. Skip any excess sugar or alcohol today. Note how you feel as opposed to a day on your "regular" diet. Day Four: The Things That Will Make the Most Difference We Often Avoid -- You know what it is. That thing that you really don't want to try to tackle. Maybe it's quitting a bad habit, making a commitment to exercise, or cutting back on screen time. Today is your day. Tackle it! Day Five: You Can Do More Than You Think You Can -- This is the day for a challenge! Don't go out and try that backflip just because you watched a YT tutorial, but do choose something that you don't think you're quite capable of. If you did a 20 second cold shower on Day One, can you do a 2 minute one today? Choose your challenge and go for it! If you fail, take notes on tomorrow's challenge. Day Six: Failure Makes You Stronger -- Choose something you KNOW you will fail at? Seems counter-productive. But this takes your skills to the max. Maybe it's a way-difficult math problem. Maybe it's starting a fire in the rain. Maybe it's going a whole day without looking at a single screen. Go for it, and when you fail, stop and see what lessons you learned from the effort. If you succeed, then yesterday's challenge really sunk in! Day Seven: Nature Accepts Everyone -- Find some nature time today. Sit under a tree at the park, rest by a stream, or go for a day-long wander. Notice what being in nature does to you. Do you feel more peaceful, more clear? A little bit happier? Be conscious of how nature impacts you, and consider how arranging your life for more nature time might benefit you on multiple levels. Day Eight: An Adventure-based Attitude Makes a Huge Difference -- Today is the day for adventure! If you are more Bilbo than Gandalf, then think of something that will challenge your boundaries a little. An overnight camping trip? Cooking a new cuisine? Asking that guy out that you've been afraid to ask? Whatever you do, embark on it with a sense of adventure, not concerned with the goal so much as the journey. Then reflect upon how your adventurous day felt. Day Nine: Walls Tumble Down Around a Campfire -- Not all of us have access to a campfire. If you do, invite a few friends over. If all you've got is an online community, ask a few people if they would go "deeper" with you, at least imagining that you are all around a fire. Whatever you choose, take this time to open up with those you're with, to share some stuff even if it's kind of difficult. Let the power of the fire (or the pre-commitment) do its magic and invoke some stories from the past, some fears or hopes for the future, or some dreams. Enjoy the camaraderie. Day Ten: The Best Survival Tool Is Your Attitude -- Your final day of the Forest Monk challenge is a special one.

What adventures are waiting right off our usual routes? Numerous and awesome ones! And our "usual routes" aren't just paths through the woods, but the grooves of life that we move in -- the same small talk, the same routines . . . what happens if we venture off those paths a little bit? Join us as we explore some ways to discover the hidden world just beyond our usual perceptions! This episodes' Action Points: One Square Foot-- Choose a place in the woods that's about 1 foot by 1 foot, and start exploring! If there is that much wonder in such a tiny piece of ground, what does that mean for the whole woods? (Or the whole world?!) Climb a Tree-- Getting up in a tree offers a new perspective, and often birds and squirrels don't see you as "human". It's a great place for some new adventures! The Trails Are Lava--  Literally getting off the path can often be enough to lead to new discoveries. Don't allow yourself to step on a path, and see what you find! Fly a Spaceship-- Imagine you're flying a miniature spaceship (like a kids' toy) through the woods. Find an interesting place to land, and explore as if you're on an alien planet. What does the world look like through this lens? Go Barefoot-- Going barefoot automatically gets us to slow down, and can also act as a "hack" toward more mindfulness. Take off those shoes on your next hike and see what happens! Try Crawling--Go animal! When we do, we start seeing nature differently. What does a fox or a bear experience during a ramble through the woods? Plus, getting on all fours lets us see the world from a different angle, opening up new opportunities for exploration. Don a Blindfold-- Try wearing a blindfold (we use Mindfolds) and feel your other senses open up. We often miss much of the world just because we rely on a single sense. But there is SO much more waiting for us! Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

Originally, Rebecca and I thought that we had invented the concept of human rewilding. How wrong we were! Yet over the years, we've sought to define it a bit differently than some other voices in the rewilding community. In this episode we share what we think rewilding is all about, and how to bring its benefits into your own life. This episodes' Action Points: Rewild Your Mind-- We'd love to gift you our online course, "ReWilding Your Mind". Just write to us at rewilduniversity@gmail.com and let us know you'd like to receive it! Uncover/Explore Your "True Nature"-- Rewilding offers us the opportunity to embark on a different sort of life quest. By trusting in our inner goodness and wisdom, we can start a quest of "listening" to ourselves rather than seeking something outside of ourselves. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you all!

Rebecca and I have always dreamed of being writers. For thirty years, we've seen that dream squashed again and again. Then, we decided to take things into our own hands. This is the story of our quest to see a book of ours in print, and we hope it might inspire you to chase your own dreams. This episodes' Action Points: Identify Your Dreams-- We all have dreams-- but many of us have buried them. The first step in chasing your dreams is to delve deep and have the courage to bring those dreams into the light. Find a Friend (or More)-- Finding someone who can support you, believe in you, encourage you, and hold you accountable can be such a help. And you, in turn, can help them! Get Creative-- Not too long ago, the routes to finding your dreams come true were narrower. Today, with social media, the internet, crowdfunding, and self-publishing (among other things), it's easier than ever to create your own business, start a venture, or otherwise get creative to make your dreams manifest. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you

Patience is a virtue, right? But what if it's deeper than that? In this episode, we dissect patience and wonder if patience is less of a virtue than a pointer toward mindful presence. This episodes' Action Points: Pause-- Whenever you transition from one activity to another, stop for a set amount of time (a minute is a good starting-spot). Stop, breathe, and be still until you begin your next task. Gratitude-- Gratitude practice is not only good for you on all levels, but it has the power to turn an unpleasant situation into a pleasant one. Shift Your Focus-- Use your gratitude practice to transform your desire to be "somewhere else" to a desire to be soaking into the here and now. Do this, and patience is no longer necessary! Don't Wait video:  https://youtu.be/Vy-iuNM5Vig Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you

What? Turn this off? Well, almost =) In this episode we talk about getting into nature -- how important it is, all the benefits, and how we can "unplug" a little more. We hope that this episode inspires you to turn off your device for a while! This episodes' Action Points:Make Nature Accessible-- Any good habit is easier to develop if we make it accessible. From getting the proper gear to setting up dates with friends for a nature walk, find ways to make getting into nature easier.Pick an Interest and Cultivate It-- Choose a new skill, from bird watching to cross country skiing, and use this as a great excuse to get out into the woods.Plan a Nature-based Vacation-- Next time you plan a vacation, consider something outdoorsy. From snorkeling reefs to backpacking in the mountains, the options are endless!Turn Off This Podcast-- Use this episode as inspiration to spend a little less time on your device and a little more time in nature!Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!

The research of neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor has revealed many interesting things -- one of which is that stressors aren't as long-lived as we might expect, at least in our heads =) In this episode we discuss how knowledge of Taylor's "90 Second Rule" can change the way we experience everyday life. This episodes' Action Points: Try 90 Seconds-- Go for it! Use the 90 second rule to take the reins of your mind. Learn to Identify Rumination and Triggers-- We all have unique triggers, and most of us share a tendency to be unaware of rumination. When we gain awareness about both of these, we take the first step toward no longer being ruled by stress. Support Yourself With a Mindfulness Practice-- You've heard it from us before. A mindfulness practice may be the single most powerful thing you can do to positively transform your life. Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!

What is wisdom? It's not something a lot of modern people have successfully answered. In this episode, we make an attempt, and consider how embracing this idea of wisdom can lead us toward more compassion, love, and caring. This episodes' Action Points: Examine a Strongly Held Belief-- This is notoriously difficult, as our minds have built-in tendencies to ignore evidence that doesn't support a pre-existing belief. But the ability to be critical of our own ideas and beliefs is a cornerstone of mindfulness. Cultivate Compassion-- Compassion is one of the building-blocks of wisdom. The old saying to "put yourself in another person's shoes" is applicable here, and the more we do it, the more we develop this component of the human mind. Develop Curiosity-- Our minds can tend to leap to judgment, and when they do, curiosity is extinguished. Yet curiosity is the beginning of exploration and adventure, and leads us ever-deeper into wisdom. To do it, simply say "I wonder . . ." when confronting a situation, rather than "I know" or "I think". Pursue Non-Attachment-- Non-attachment is simply the ability to see our thoughts as clouds moving through our consciousness, without equating ourselves with those clouds. We are the consciousness, not the clouds. This ability arises naturally out of a meditation practice. If you want to get started with meditating, here are two videos that can launch you on your way! The One Breath Meditation The Dancing Monkey Meditation Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

In this episode, we wonder why the Amish never seem to fail to wave to us as we drive by, and if it might serve as an inspiration to respect each other as fellow humans, regardless of our differences. This episodes' Action Points: Write a Letter-- What a great way to connect! Letters hold things that email or texts simply can't -- the smell and heft of the paper, the knowledge that someone took the time to sit and write by hand. Letters can even become keepsakes! Send a Surprise Package-- Packages are like letters, but you can have fun filling them will all sorts of surprises. What a great way to tell someone you care. Random Acts of Kindness-- More challenging in the time of COVID, RAKs might require more creativity, but they deliver an impact that can include life-long lessons and memories. If You've Already Had COVID-19 . . .-- You might be in the position to help someone out, as the science is now suggesting that you have at least 6 months of relative immunity. Is there a neighbor or friend who has it, who could use some help cooking, grocery shopping, etc.? Could you be that hero? Do Something Fun, New, Different!-- A new skill or interest often means open doors for connecting with others who share that interest. Could you develop a new skill that leads to new connections? Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

Most of us have absorbed the dominant cultural idea that the world is made of lots of little pieces (like you, me, and chocolate chip muffins) that all fit together. But what if instead of a story of separation, we told a story of unity and connectedness? Could it change our world? This episodes' Action Points:"A Car Called Rocket" Game-- You can perform this mind experiment by imagining anything in your life, and slowly "replace" it part by part. At what point does it cease to be itself? By performing this, we learn more about our personal definitions of "individuality".Origins Exercise-- A fun game for kids or adults, take any object and start to trace its origin. Where do the materials it is made from come from, and what machinery, etc. is necessary to get those raw materials? Did someone design it? What aspects of human history are wrapped up in the origin of this thing? Keep following. It is said that any one thing can lead us to the Ultimate if pursued far enough.Unity Meditation-- For this meditation, sit or lie down somewhere, preferably in nature. Feel your body dissolve into the ground, and feel yourself becoming soil, roots, insects, stones. Expand outward, becoming trees, streams, pathways, roads, towns . . . keep expanding as far as you want, even into the rest of the universe if you like. FEEL your unity with all, and soak into the meditation as deeply as you like.Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

What does it mean to be a modern man? Using a very weird childhood cartoon as a launch-point, we explore the idea of personal power. This episode’s Action Points: The "Shame List" — Make a list of everything you are holding inside you that you are ashamed of. Own it, so it's not hiding from you anymore. Then burn it. Expose Yourself — Next time you feel vulnerable or find yourself confronting one of your faults, try admitting it to those around you. It takes courage, but helps remove self-hiding tendencies. Rite(s) of Passage — Create a large or small rite of passage for yourself. It might be a camping overnight, a day of meditation, or just calling someone you know you should call. These rites build rooted strength. Create a "Rooted Strength" Tribe — Share the concept of rooted strength, and then create a tribe of folks who can help each other develop it! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

We imagine that what we see is "real", yet science tells us that what comes into our eyes is very different from what our brain perceives (did you know that images actually hit your retina upside-down, and your brain turns them right-side-up?). What happens when we realize that our perceptions might not always be "correct"? This episode’s Action Points: Cultivate Mindfulness and Meditation — Mindfulness changes EVERYTHING in your life! And in this case, it helps us to see when our mind latches onto a certain perception that might not be "real". Explore the Other Side of an Argument — Great for reducing one's ego, plus we learn more about life and develop listening skills! Next time you feel ready to argue, stop and see if you can make a genuine attempt to see the other person's side of things. Practice Validation — Validation is magical. When we validate someone, we automatically go into "listening mode", and that builds bridges rather than fosters arguments. The Power of Validation: Arming Your Child Against Bullying, Peer Pressure, Addiction, Self-Harm, and Out-of-Control Emotions by Karyn D. Hall and Melissa Cook is a great place to get acquainted with the principles of validation! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

We can feel guilty for spending time on self-development, but in reality, this is perhaps the most generous act we can perform. Because as we further our own compassion, awareness, and clarity of mind, we are more able to give to others on all levels. This episodes' Action Points: Identify and Utilize Your Resources-- Often we don't even know what resources we have available to help ourselves or others. By stopping to consciously note our resources, we can find ways to utilize them more creatively. Nurture Yourself-- Take some time to really give yourself the things that heal you, nourish you, and bring you happiness and peace of mind. Learn From Your Experiences-- Our "mistakes" and past experiences are ripe with lessons and life wisdom. Let's learn from them! Send us an email or visit rewildu.com and let us know what you thought of this episode! Love, Kenton and Rebecca =)

Media is ubiquitous in our lives. How do we know what to intake? Today we share some thoughts about how to choose nurturing media over "junk food" media. Action Points for this episode: Consume Consciously -- As we choose what media to intake, we'll usually end up partaking in media that ranges from extremely nurturing to also bringing in some "junk food" once in a while. The beginning step in transforming media in our lives is not so much what we choose, but that we make our choices consciously. Choose Challenging Media -- Challenging media can be, well, challenging. But it's also enriching, and the more we intake it, the more we'll come to appreciate its complexity, its ability to help us examine our paradigms, and the mental/emotional "nutrition" it can provide. Try a Media Fast -- There is nothing like a fast to really understand the part that media plays in our lives. Try at least three days without media (more if you are up to the challenge) and let us know what you experience! Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast through Paypal or Patreon, and to see our online courses, forest monk program, and much more!

Rebecca and I focused on love as the centerpiece of our life. It may not be for everyone, but here is how we did it and the gifts it has brought into our life. Action Points for this episode: Add in the "Open Files" Concept -- Open files are places in our lives where we leave something hanging, not communicating about a problem because we hope it will go away or that we can just deal with it. These open files add up, making a mess in our mental and emotional lives. Close those files, and everything feels more clear. Set a Time for Conscious Communication -- Often we can be tempted to have "important talks" right when we're in the heat of an argument. NOT a good time to talk constructively, because we are in our sympathetic mode, and our minds aren't capable of rational, creative thinking. Instead, we can set a future time to sit down, when emotions have settled, and discuss the issue then. Embrace Validation -- Validation is an immensely powerful tool for any relationship. By validating another's feelings, we build bridges and open new doors of communication.  The book The Power of Validation: Arming Your Child Against Bullying, Peer Pressure, Addiction, Self-Harm, and Out-of-Control Emotions by Karyn Hall and Melissa Cook is a great place to start learning about validation, especially with children (although the concepts can be extrapolated to adults as well)! Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast through Paypal or Patreon, and to see our online courses, forest monk program, and much more!

In this special end-of-season episode, we share our adventures in Hawaii for the 100% Project, and also what we’ve learned during the last 30 episodes of Unleash Your Life!! We love you, our Ohana! Be sure to visit rewildu.com to listen to the other 29 episodes of this season! Go unleash YOUR life!

As you probably know, we're about to move to Hawaii for our 100% Project, where we will be literally living on lava. Wait. Living on LAVA? Isn't that, well . . . stupid? Come along as we explore the ideas of risk, security, and adventure! Action Points for this episode: Take a Safe Risk -- You know those things you are afraid of, but aren't really that risky, like saying "hi" to a stranger? Give it a shot! It will get you used to exploring your self-imposed "lines". Take a Good Hard Look at a Risk You're Already Taking -- Maybe it's eating fast food. Maybe it's one too many drinks a night. What are the risks you are taking right now but not willing to look at? Choose one and research the actual risks, then weigh the benefits you're getting. Is it worth it? Consider a BIG Risk -- Many of us have dreams or passions we've stuffed into small, dark boxes. Time to open a box and take one out! What would happen if you really did go for it? Help us continue our videos, podcasts, and the 100% Project by becoming a patron at rewildu.com!

For many of us, negative storytelling is our dominant mental activity. And it can literally rule our lives, driving us into anxiety, worry, and stress. Come along as we explore what storytelling is, how to decrease its negative impact, and even how to make it work for you in positive ways! Here are this episode's Action Points: Partner Up -- Find someone who you can team up with to "call each other out" when you see each other storytelling. But take care! It's easy for this to turn into arguments, so make sure you do it lovingly! Rubber Band Marker -- Choose a "marker" to alert yourself to when you're storytelling. For instance, a rubber band on your wrist that you snap lightly when you catch yourself. This can "snap" your mind into launching into your touchstone. Positive Storytelling -- Learn to use storytelling positively with tools such as mana gardening. Links: Mana Gardening: A fabulous book to deepen your positive storytelling! Videos mentioned in this cast: https://youtu.be/iQBla-bbxJ8https://youtu.be/XpeQLPHcplY Visit rewildu.com to support our podcast, videos, and the 100% Project! =)

We've been told that the key to happiness is amassing tons of things for ourselves, yet science shows just the opposite -- that joy comes from being in service to others. Here's how to add more joy to your life by doing good! Here are this episode's Action Points: Choose a moment of service -- Next time you're going to get a Starbuck's, make a conscious decision to put that time/energy/money toward something else that is of service to others. Afterwards, notice how you feel! Try a day of living in the Attitude of Giving -- Wake up in the morning and say, "this is a giving day". Try to live all day in service to others, bringing as much light and joy into others' lives as you can. Accept from others -- Giving feels great, but to allow others that feeling of giving, we have to be open to receiving. For some of us, it's easier to give than receive. Do your best to receive with graciousness! =) Check out rewildu.com to support this podcast, to learn about online classes, and more!

Addicted to time? That might sound strange, but most of us unknowningly are. And it's an addiction that has surprisingly powerful repercussions in our lives. Here is how to break the addiction! Action points for this episode: Set Alarms -- Instead of constantly watching the numbers on the clock, utilize the power of (nice sounding) alarms. Different alarms can be set to notify you of when to get ready for something, when to start driving to an appointment, etc. And in the meantime, you are time-free! Create "Time Free Zones" -- Choose a few hours in the evening or weekend when you don't have anything time-sensitive happening, and turn off all your clocks. These time-free spaces can become immensely beneficial as we discover the benefits of spending time "outside the numbers". When Hungry, Eat . . . -- Too often, we allow the numbers to decide when we eat, when we sleep, etc., instead of listening to our bodies. Try a day of listening to your inner wisdom, and "when hungry, eat, when tired, sleep." Below is a video we did recently on the same subject ! =) https://youtu.be/nlqZ2t7Wt84 Visit rewildu.com for many more ways to rewild your life!

Miriam Lancewood and her partner Peter lived for eight years in the wilds of New Zealand. Now they've returned to tell their tale. Join us for a sparkling interview with a true woman of the wild! Visit Miriam's website at miriamlancewood.com, where you can find her book and learn more about her! To see this interview in video format with tons of pictures of Miriam and Peter, see the YouTube version of this podcast here. Visit rewildu.com to discover your own pathway into your wild nature!

In a world overtaken by fear, it can seem crazy to let kids roam free. But it's essential to their well-being. Learn more about letting your kids go free range, and going free range yourself! This Episode's Action Points: Start Off Easy -- You don't have to jump right in. Start with short durations of unsupervised time, or go along but don't interfere with your kids' playing. Or, "ninja spy" on young children, trailing behind them and watching from afar until you begin to feel more confident and less fearful. Then let them go on their own. Let Children Lead -- This one serves two functions. First, it allows you to become a free range adult by learning from your children. Go play with them, but let them lead the play, and don't try to control what they do. Second, if you're fearful about letting them go on their own, it creates a new dynamic where you can be present to protect, but you're not dictating how they play. Visit rewildu.com to find online classes, our forest monk program, and more!

Our high-stimulation screen life conditions our mind to only like one "flavor" of excitement. If we're not conscious about our mind-diet, we'll soon find life "boring" unless we're on a screen. Here's how to rediscover the wonder and fall in love with the world again! Action Points for this episode: Artist's Eye -- Develop the habit of looking at the world as an artist. Notice color, shape, texture, and even smell and taste. If you like, draw or paint things to bring your mind back to noticing the incredible details of life. Or write poetry. Or, create nature art, perhaps taking your inspiration from artist Andrew Goldsworthy. Shinrin Yoku -- A perfect practice for falling in love with the world again. And our latest episode was all about it! Notice Creation -- Whether you are science-based or have God in your life (or both!), see everything around you as the creation of something greater than yourself. This can sometimes be enough to create a vast sense of wonder. Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast through Paypal or Patreon, and to see our online courses, forest monk program, and much more!

More than a walk in the woods, Shinrin Yoku is a moving meditation with a laundry list of benefits -- and hard science to back it up. Here's how to harness the benefits of this health-giving practice. This Episode's Action Point: Just one Action Point this time around. Try out a Shinrin Yoku walk! It can take less than ten minutes. Go for it, and let us know how it feels! Visit rewildu.com to become a patron and support these podcasts! =)

We know that foundations are important for buildings, but did you know they are equally important for our minds? In this episode Kenton and Rebecca explore how to build your emotional foundation strong! Here are this episode's Action Points: Meditation Toolbox -- The more meditation styles you have in your toolbox, the more you can adapt your practice to your environment (think anything from a quiet woodland to rush-hour traffic) and your current state of mind. Here are links to two meditations that you can try out! One Breath Meditation Dancing Monkey Meditation Foundation Reset Button -- When you're in a "good" place emotionally, make a practice of placing your hand on your heart (or other spot on your body) and as you do, consciously noticing how you feel calm and poised. Do this enough, and it starts to create a "button" that you can push when you are feeling unbalanced. Angry with someone? Place your hand on your heart and "reset" your mindset so you can think more clearly. Solutions-Based Thinking -- Begin today to train yourself into thinking in solutions. When life gives you a challenge, take a few breaths and see if you can reroute your mind away from dwelling on endless "what ifs" and instead apply it toward actionable solutions. Do this enough, and it becomes your new default way of interacting with life! We spoke about the emWave2 in this episode. You can see it here! Apps -- Here are a few apps that can help you track your HRV. And just in case you are curious about the cat collar we discuss in this episode, here is the Birdsbesafe cat "collar". Visit rewildu.com to become a patron and support this podcast! You'll also find online courses, our forest monk program, and more!

Who wouldn't want nutritious, delicious food . . . for free? Foraging is available to people living anywhere from the forest to the country to the city. Come with us as we explore how to get started, hone your skills, and make foraging a life-long adventure! This episode's Action Points: Forage Your First -- Use one of the links or books below to choose an easy first wild plant. Wood sorrel or dandelion are great places to start. Then, go out and find it, and give it a try! New Plant Challenge -- Whether you're new to foraging or a seasoned forager, you can challenge yourself by adding one new plant a month this summer. Eat Wild Food Outside -- Wild food is awesome, but eating it outside is even better! You'll get the added benefit of more relaxation and nature, which means more absorption of those awesome nutrients in your wild foods. Share Wild Foods -- As you develop a passion for foraging, make sure to share your harvests with others to get them interested. Or, if you're new to all of this, start the adventure off with a friend and you can learn together! Links: The ReWildU Wild Edible Video Playlist -- Fun videos on harvesting and using wild plants. Eat The Weeds -- A great ID website with TONS of plants. Sunny Savage -- Mostly based in Hawaii, Sunny has a book and videos that share fun foraging. Sam Thayer -- If you're in the Midwest, this is the wild food guru for you! Awesome books and website. The Forager Chef -- Check this out for INCREDIBLE wild food recipes! Tom Elpel -- Lots of offerings, including "Botany in a Day", a book that teaches you how to ID plant families. Wildflowers of Wisconsin -- This one isn't "easy to use", but if you take the time to ID with it, you'll learn your plant families. Wisconsin and surrounding states only. Seek-- A naturalist app that helps you ID plants, animals, fungi, birds, and more! Wild Homesteading-- Our friend Daron has an awesome website for anyone looking to bring more wild things into their yards, and increase their wild harvests at the same time! These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

You eat a wholesome diet, you take the time to cook your food in healthy and delicious ways, but you still aren't getting adequate nutrition? Not surprising. In today's stress-filled world, our bodies are shutting down digestion because of over-active sympathetic nervous system activity. Let's change things so we can get the most out of every bite! This episode's Action Points: Skip the TV and other media an hour before and after eating and avoid table trigger topics -- Almost all media is stress-inducing. Imbibe of it before or after eating (or even worse, during), and you'll reduce nutrition. Skip those things and you'll have more time and more food goodness! Same goes for talking about emotional trigger topics during meals -- plan those "important" talks for another time. Do positive food research -- If you're eating whole foods, don't look up what is bad about those foods -- instead, find websites that point out the positive about the foods you're eating. You'll feel better eating them (leading to more nutrient absorption) and you'll harness the power of placebo to get even more health benefits. Gratitude -- Practicing gratitude is good for us on so many levels. Do it before you eat, and you'll get yourself into rest-and-digest mode more easily. Eat whole food -- Of course, none of this works if your food doesn't have nutrition in it in the first place! So start your journey by making the switch to whole foods. Visit rewildu.com to become a patron and make these podcast episodes possible!  Love to you!!

We love to divide things. One of the divisions that can cause us trouble is "exercise". When we extract that out of our lives, we tend to spend most of our time sedentary and try to balance that with an hour at the gym. But when we reframe things and think of "movement", we literally move through our lives in a new way! The episode's Action Points: One Month Movement Goal -- Set an achievable movement goal and give yourself a month to reach it through intelligent progressions. Whether it's trying to do a handstand or get up from a chair, see if you can figure out how to build up to it over your month. Find a Movement Class or Group -- There is nothing like moving with company! Choose a fun class in your area, from belly dancing to jujitsu to dance. Make friends, have a great time, and move your body in new, exciting ways! 10 Minute Movement Meditation -- Take ten minutes a day to visualize a movement you're trying to achieve (works great with the first Action Point!), or just have a "movement fantasy" where you jump around like a superhero. This conditions our minds to be more movement-prone. Meditation of the Senses -- This powerful meditation can help you become more "embodied", less caught in your thoughts and more in your senses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vlVX1e4cdU&feature=youtu.be These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

Our habitual way of encountering life can feel monotonous, leading us to boredom and sometimes, apathy. Yet infusing our lives with a spirit of adventure is close at hand -- it's just a matter of retraining our brains. Here are this episode's Action Points: Use Tech to Undo tTech -- Technology can help us to use less technology? That's right! Thought it may not create major change, it can help cut back our tech use enough that we then have extra energy to make more paradigm-shifting transformations. Here are a few good ones! Make ACIs Less Accessible (And Habits More Accessible!) -- We'll illustrate with food. Want to kick the junk food? Remove it from the house, so it's not always starting at you. Then make healthy foods available by putting out bowls of nuts, having hard boiled eggs waiting in the fridge, and making some veggie salads that you always keep on hand, ready-to-eat. Choose Human Connection Over ACIs -- Feeling the urge to text someone? Call instead. That's just one simple way to err on the side of more human connection. Random Acts of Fun -- RAFs are a great way to add spice to life. Better yet, get your friends in on it. It might be a walk at the park, or going skydiving. But when you have a free day, instead of surfing the net, see if you can think of something out-of-the-box to do. The Bowl of Challenges -- For this one, you'll just have to watch the video =) https://youtu.be/N9O0Wf1xUrI Visit us at rewildu.com to support our podcast and videos, or to learn about our online courses, Forest Monk program, and more!

Is shopping at the grocery store inevitable in today's world, or is there another way? In November, two families with kids will embark on a year-long adventure to source all of their food from foraging, growing, fishing, hunting, or buying locally (within 50 miles of source). Come along with us as we go to 100%! This Episode's Action Points: Join the Movement! -- Join us in the 100% Project by choosing your own %. We won't officially launch until November, but you can begin now. Sign up for The 100% Project Newsletter for inspiration, wild food ideas, and more! Learn One New Wild Edible a Week -- Choose once a week, once a month, whatever. Then hold yourself to learning and introducing into your diet one new wild edible per period. Eat the Weeds is a great online resource, and if you're in the U.S. Midwest, Sam Thayer's books will teach you tons. Less Trash -- Imagine that any trash you have will be dumped in your front yard instead of hauled away to be dumped somewhere else. Now, whenever you buy something, ask yourself if you want that trash in your yard. If not, consider whether you really need that thing, or if there is a way to buy it (or something similar) without the packaging. Design Your Own 100% Project -- It doesn't have to be food. Maybe it's learning a new skill, like a language, and you try to add 10% each month until you can do a full day with only your second tongue. Or maybe it's learning to do a handstand or a goal to lose a certain amount of weight. Taking the long game by only holding yourself to a certain percent per month means that you'll set the new habits in deeply and have a better chance of making lasting change. These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

Think your voice doesn't count? Listen to the story of how two children turned aside an "inevitable" destruction of hundreds of trees. If they can make a difference, you can too! If you want to read the book we reference in this podcast, you can find High Noon in Skivvies by Jeff Alan here! Here are this episode's Action Points: Learn to Distinguish What You Can and Can't Change -- Often, we have more power to change a situation than we've been taught. Think you can't change it? Take some time to really consider if there are out-of-the-box ways that the problem could be solved. This reconditions our mind to become more creative and empowered. Get Involved -- It's not just about voting. It's about getting to know local officials, going to meetings, even running for office. And it doesn't have to be politics, either. If there is something you believe in, can you join a group (or create one) that is working for good? Start a movement like #trashtag. Make a Change -- Pick one thing in your life you want to change, issue you want to confront, challenge you want to take on, etc. Now pretend a friend has come to you with this issue, and get creative! Even wacky! Really put forth some crazy ideas, and then look for "seeds" in those ideas. You're tapping into major creativity here, and will find some solutions that you might not have thought of if you were thinking more "realistically". Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast through paypal or patreon, and to learn about our forest monk program, online courses, and much more!

We are scared of lots of things, but often, the things we're scared of aren't as dangerous as we've been taught, and the things we're NOT scared of are ready to kill us! Come along as we explore fear and dangers, real and imagined. Here are this episode's Action Points: Admit Your Fears -- Just admitting your fears brings them out into the open, where you can then begin to transform them. Write them down in a list, and cross them off as you enact that transformation! Educate Yourself -- The most powerful way to diminish a fear is to educate yourself about it. By learning more, we remove the "unknown" which is often the trigger for our fears. Learn Real Dangers and Make Behavioral Shifts -- Real dangers, like Big Macs and driving, are things we can mitigate by changing our diets or driving safer. Learning what our real dangers are and learning to avoid them is one way to live longer and happier! Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast through paypal or patreon, and to learn about our forest monk program, online courses, and much more!

Our information culture is awesome. So much knowledge at our fingertips! Yet if we Google everything, we miss out on human-to-human connection and using our creativity to figure things out. This week, learn how to Google Your Brain! Here are this episode's Action Points: Get Your Info From a Book or Person -- Google is easy, but taking the time to read a book on a subject will give you much more in-depth information. And when we go to a person for our information, we also forge a person-to-person connection! Take a Course -- Your local university, library, Meetups, or clubs can offer some amazing ways to learn in-person. You gain knowledge even as you make friends! Experiment and Allow Failure -- Trying to figure something out for ourselves can set us up for failure and disappointment. But if we learn to allow ourselves to fail, we open up worlds of possibilities. The truth is that we're all more creative than we think. Let that creativity flow! Try a New Search Engine, or Jump Out! -- We recommend two different search engines that will give you more varied search results. One is Duck Duck Go, and the other is Ecosia. Another fun method you can use is to jump out ten or twenty pages in the search results. You may find something much more interesting than you'd find in the most popular results! Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast through paypal or patreon, and to learn about our forest monk program, online courses, and much more!

As our family moves into our yurt and gives the house to some dear friends, we've been cleaning the house and giving away, recycling, or throwing out a lot of our accumulated stuff. Join us as we "clean house" and discover the benefits of less objects in one's life. Here are this episode's Action Points: Purchase Consciously -- Be aware of the "hidden costs" behind the pricetag. Most items will bear environmental and social costs, as well as upkeep costs and disposal costs, not to mention the time and energy spent in storing or repairing the item. Set a "marker" for yourself, such as $20, and if anything is priced over that marker, make yourself stop and consider the hidden costs before you purchase the item. When You Buy Something, Give Something Away -- This one is easy and powerful. Whenever you purchase something, try to give something away. This keeps you at a relatively steady number of items in your life. Re-do a Room -- Choose a room in your house and go through everything. Every drawer included! Look at each item and decide if it still has a place in your life. You may be surprised at how much clutter is in there! Instead of an Object, Choose a Subject -- A deeper practice, this asks us to notice when we are choosing an object over a subject, and to consciously choose the subject instead. What is a subject? A person, experience, or skill. Go walk in that moonlight, give your partner the attention they're asking for, or stop to give your cat or dog some love. These podcasts are 100% supported by people like you! Keep them coming by becoming a patron through Paypal or Patreon at rewildu.com. Love to you!!

Beyond our normal human tendencies to judge others awaits the principle behind Namaste. Judge, and we live a life divided -- as individuals, as groups, and as nations. Namaste, and we see that each of us is a unique expression of the same interconnected oneness. Here are this episode's Actions Points: Namaste -- Begin with a single "namaste" per day, or go crazy! When you namaste, give a little bow (it can be real or mental), say "namaste", and recognize the deep interconnection between yourself and "other". This re-builds our basic social foundation, and with ample practice, we'll notice differences in how we see others, and how others respond to us. Recondition Your Mind with Media -- The media we consume has a powerful effect on our world-view. Mainstream media leaves our minds revved, conflict-filled, and fearful. Try something different like the Good News Network, which re-wires our brain for compassion, caring, and generosity. Become the Good -- See if you can do something today that would land you on the Good News Network. This gets us thinking in ways that connect us with those around us. Visit us at rewildu.com to find online courses, mentoring, the Forest Monk program, or to become a patron through Paypal or Patreon!

We might imagine that some foods just "taste good" or "taste bad", but the truth is that we are shaping our tastebuds' preferences with every bite of food we eat. Come with us on a no-sugar challenge that turns broccoli into a treat! Sugar Free Sweet Potato Banana Muffins (adapted from: Good + Simple Blog) 1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potato1 1/2 cups mashed banana1 cup spelt flour1 cup oatmeal2 tsp cinnamon1 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt3/4 cup melted coconut oil (raw virgin)3 large eggs1 tsp vanilla (optional) First, prepare the sweet potatoes. (You can do this a day or two ahead, and use the skins to make Tieghan Gerard's "Healthy Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins" (Just one of the many mind-blowingly yummy recipes from her book Half-baked Harvest.)You will be SO happy you did!!)) Pierce the potatoes with a fork and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until the inside is tender when poked with a fork. Remove from oven and let the potatoes cool. Once cooled, peel off the skin and mash the sweet potato filling with a fork. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of filling. To make the muffins: In a large bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine melted coconut oil, eggs, (and vanilla, if using). Mash enough ripe bananas to make 1 1/2 cups. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and then add the sweet potato/mashed banana. Pour into muffin tins/cups (we use a food-grade silicone muffin thingy). Bake at 325 for approximately 30 minutes. Here is the recipe for Tieghan Gerard's "Five Ingredient Chocolate-Covered Cashew Bars" Our only change was that we used 100% (sugar free) chocolate! (Oh, and we sprinkled goji berries and chopped pistachios for the garnish.) Join Mirabelle on her YouTube channel "Mirabelle Meets Life" as she demonstrates how to make these scrumptious treats! Here are this episode's Action Points, all in support of you doing your own one-month sugar-free challenge: Remove Sweets -- One of the best ways to make your one-month sugar-free challenge successful is to remove sugared things from your food environment. This is easiest at home, but presents more of a challenge in work or school environments. Do your best, though, and you'll find that you need to spend less willpower in resistance. Just For Today -- A tactic that works for all habit-development tasks, here we use the idea that we are "just doing this today" to make the task seem more manageable. A month is a LONG time, but a day isn't so bad. Tomorrow, you renew your pledge! Distractions -- Remember that if you can find POSITIVE distractions, you'll need less willpower. Invite some friends for a hike. Write letters to some best friends. Volunteer. These positive actions will fill your time and mind, leaving less energy available for sugar cravings. Get Creative With Your Diet -- Use this time to try new foods, explore some fun recipes, etc. We enjoy doing some "theme" meals when we're doing sugar-free, such as trying a raw-foods meal, a paleo meal, or meals from certain ethnic traditions. Be sure to try one of the recipes above and let us know how it tasted (or even give them a try at the beginning and end of your challenge so you can see how your tastes actually do change)! Visit rewildu.com to become a patron and keep these podcasts coming! Or check out our many other offerings and resources! And be sure to write and tell us what you think of the podcast!

Someone asked us what books we have on our shelves. Well, there are quite a few! But this week, we thought we'd share five books that have impacted our lives in powerful ways. The books we covered in this episode: -- Zen Flesh, Zen Bones compiled by Paul Reps -- Those of the Forest by Wallace Byron Grange -- The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-free Living by Dr. Amit Sood -- A Northwoods Companion (We coverd Fall and Winter but there is also a Spring and Summer) by John Bates -- The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff Here are this episode's Action Points: Consider Your Reactions, Especially Toward People -- From Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. Remember that our ingrained, culturally-trained reactions to people (even someone who steals from us!) aren't always the most appropriate reactions. Can we catch ourselves when we're having an anger-based reaction and instead turn it to a compassion-based response? Remembering There Are Non-human Perspectives -- From Those of the Forest. We share this world with a huge variety of species of plants and animals. They all see the world in different ways. Remembering this can slip us out of our usual human perspective and ask us to take a broader view of life. Reconsider Your First Mental/Emotional Reaction -- From The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living. Research has shown us that our first reaction to a stimulus is often an "autopilot" reaction based on past experiences. If we bring consciousness to our reactions to events, we can pause and ask if there is another way we might approach a situation. Sometimes this can open surprising doors! Getting Local -- From A Northwoods Companion. In a world where Amazon can provide anything with free two-day shipping, we can forget the power of "shopping local". From local artists to local farms to the local bookstore, there is a sense of connection that happens when we begin to spend locally. Challenge Your Cultural Concepts -- From The Continuum Concept. We can get lost in our cultural beliefs. For most people of any given culture, they consider their cultural norms to be "right". Yet a hundred years from now, we might consider many of our current norms to be backward, insane, or unthinkable. What happens if we can step out of our cultural mind for a moment and ask if there are other ways to approach life? Visit rewildu.com for online classes, the forest monk program, or to become a patron and continue to make these podcasts a reality!

We've all heard that it's important to be in the present moment, but as with much similar advice, it's easy to ignore. Come along on a rollicking ride as we discover the why, how, and WOW of being in the Now! Complete with lightsabers! Here are this episode's Action Points: Doorway Pause -- Most of us walk through many, many doorways during a given day. This practice asks us to stop whenever we walk through one, and take a breath. As we breathe, come into awareness and notice your inner state. Set a time limit so that you don't go crazy (for instance, practice from noon to three)! One Breath Meditation -- This simple meditation is a great training aid for beginner and advanced meditators alike. To do it, pause anytime during your day and take a single breath, bringing your full awareness to that breath. You're welcome to do another breath after that, and another and another, but only commit yourself to the breath you're on. Cold Shower -- It might be a cold shower or walk in the rain, but the idea is to take the opportunity to step into something that's rather intense. These intense experiences tend to bring us "in the moment" automatically. Notice what it feels like to be fully present. It might get addicting!! =) One Mindful Task -- During your day, choose one "chore" and give it your full awareness. It should be something that you usually try to "just get done", like doing the dishes. This time, however, really soak into the experience. There is treasure waiting there, and everytime you choose mindfulness, you strengthen the mindful parts of your brain! Visit rewildu.com to become a patron of our work, or to check out online classes, our Forest Monk program, and more!

We're taught to be mostly concerned with what is flowing IN to our lives, but what if we equally celebrate what is flowing OUT from us to the world? Join Kenton and Rebecca in an exploration of a concept Rebecca created: Passive Outflow. Here are this episode's Action Points: Smile -- Realize that science is showing that the simple act of smiling releases positive brain chemicals. Try using smiles as an entrance into a happier state of mind, and since they are very "catching", see if you can spread them around you. They'll pass from person to person, changing everyone's brain chemistry along the way! =) Namaste -- You can "namaste" people silently if you like, without the prayer-like gesture. Or do it gesture and all! Either way, taking on the "namaste" attitude toward people means you treat them better, which means that they treat other people better, which means those people treat other people better . . . you get the point! Write a Letter -- A dying art, writing a letter is a great way to tell someone you care, and it's a gift that naturally outflows passively, because we tend to keep and value letters much more than texts or emails. Listen -- Today, take the time to TRULY listen to someone. We recently did a video on this that can help you get started! These podcasts are supported by listeners like you! Help us keep this podcast alive by becoming a patron on Paypal or Patreon. You can join us at rewildu.com/patrons.

Some things in life we can change through direct action. But many things we can't change, yet we resist and cause ourselves suffering. Discover the positive power of release and surrender in this episode! Here are this episode's Action Points: Breathe -- Find a "count" that works for you (Kenton uses 5 seconds in, 5 seconds out), and whenever you realize you are feeling stress, anxiety, or resistance, stop and take some breaths. Decide on the number before-hand, do your count, and really soften into the experience. This is a proven way to relax your sympathetic nervous system. Day of Silence -- Choose an amount of time (an hour, a day . . .) and commit to silence for the entire time. This is especially powerful if you are around other people who you often try to control in some way. It allows us to notice very directly when we attempt to control someone, because we'll have a strong urge to use our voice to try to exert that control. A POWERFUL practice! Who Knows What is Good or Bad -- This Zen Tale is a powerful reminder of how the world might not be quite the way we think it is, and how even "bad" things may be good. This can release us from needing to have the world always look "just so". Here's a version of the old story : An old farmer had a strong horse that he used to plow his fields. One day, the horse broke through the fence and was gone. His neighbor came over and said, "How awful! How will you make it? I'm so sorry for you!" But the old farmer just said, "Who knows what is good or bad?" The next day the farmer's horse returned. It had found some wild horses and brought them back. The horses ran into the fence and the farmer's son sealed them in. The neighbor came over with a huge smile on his face. "What good fortune! You're the luckiest man on the planet! I'm so happy for you!" But the old farmer just said, "Who knows what is good or bad?" The day after that, the farmer's son was trying to ride one of the wild horses, was bucked off, and broke his leg. The neighbor came over in a state of despair. "Oh no! Those horses were a terrible thing after all! How will you ever make ends meet without your son to help you? This is terrible!!" But the old farmer just said, "Who knows what is good or bad?" The following day, the army came through town conscripting young men for a terrible battle that was being waged against a distant land. The officials took one look at the farmer's son and passed him by due to his injury. The neighbor came over to congratulate the farmer. "What luck! Your son will not have to go to war thanks to that horse!" But the old farmer just said, "Who knows what is good or bad?" Visit rewildu.com to support this podcast, send an email, or see ReWild University's other offerings, including our Forest Monk nature immersion program. Love, Kenton and Rebecca =)

This special episode is a "transformation" story from our lives. Come along as Rebecca gives Kenton a surprise that doesn't turn out so well, and leads them both to realize how much they already love their life together. Here are this episode's Action Points: Negative Gratitude -- Not for everyone, but if you aren't prone to dark thoughts, this one can work wonders. The basic idea is that you imagine losing the thing that you're irritated with. Feeling frustrated with your husband? Imagine he doesn't come home after work because he was in a car accident. Suddenly, we become VERY grateful for what we have. Make a Vow -- This is a powerful practice, and is best done with another person so you can hold yourself accountable. It can be used to break habits, enact personal transformations, or just about anything. In our case, we vowed to not linger in negative thought-patterns, as seductive as they can be, and to bring ourselves back to the present in a state of gratitude. Falling in Love -- Choose a person (or anything else in your life), and at least once a day, stop and secretly admire that person, cherish him or her, and fall in love. Kenton uses this with Rebecca by finding a time when she's busy doing something, and he just soaks into admiration for her. It keeps love young, bright, and alive. Stop Doing -- Today, just once, stop doing something that feels important. It might be vacuuming, writing an email, or texting someone. Stop the task for at least three minutes, and notice how a moment ago your brain was telling you it was vital to keep doing it RIGHT NOW, but that a pause doesn't have a negative impact at all. Rather, it actually slows us down, brings more awareness, and ADDS to life. Visit us at rewildu.com and let us know if you enjoyed this podcast! Of course, we always appreciate reviews on iTunes!! Love, Kenton and Rebecca =)