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Recombination Nation

Shane Simonsen

Explore the intersection of evolution, ecology and civilisation with crop and livestock breeders, low input farmers, social engineers and a dazzling array of deep thinkers.

Read more of Shane Simonsen's work at the Recombination Nation substack.

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27 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 24 min
English

Episodes 27

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S2 · E48
Friday · 1 hr 29 min
Regenerative Meat with Jacob Wolki
Jacob Wolki is an innovator and advocate for regenerative farming, running a direct to consumer mixed livestock farm in rural Australia. We talk about the impact of animal genetics on the viability of such operations, and the impact of new technology on the perpetual challenge of marketing and sales. Check out Wolki Farms website Follow Jacob on twitter or Facebook. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E47
October 2 · 1 hr 16 min
Doomer Optimism with Ashley Fitzgerald
Ashley Fitzgerald took the path less travelled, through a PhD on subsistence agriculture in the USA, to a stint of idyllic rural life in Uruguay, then back into the bubbling cauldron of American suburbia. We discuss the lessons learnt from this life of creative and hopeful responses to the challenges of our time, Follow Ashley on twitter Subscribe to Doomer Optimism on substack Or catch their own interviews on YouTube or any major podcasting app. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. A paid subscription unlocks the archive of past posts. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E46
September 25 · 35 min
The Race to Save Crop Diversity with Stefan Schmitz from Crop Trust
Stefan Schmitz is the executive director of Crop Trust, an international non-profit working to preserve crop genetic diversity and support food security across the globe. The organisation was a key contributor to the Svalbard seed vault along with countless similar organisations in less dramatic locations. We discussed the potential for amateur crop breeders to collaborate with large institutions. Learn more about Crop Trust on their website and YouTube channel. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E45
September 18 · 48 min
Spinning Silk from Shells with Emily Robison
Emily Robison turned her lifelong passion for textile arts into a journey across the planet learning about diverse spinning and weaving traditions from Micronesia to the remote corners of the Mediterranean. We talk in depth about her experience exploring the dying craft of sea silk (spun from the holdfast threads of clams) and her efforts to adapt these techniques to new species in North America. Check out an array of beautiful creations on Emily's Instagram. Read more about the Sea Silk Project. Check out the new short documentary film about my experimental farm. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E44
September 11 · 1 hr 6 min
A Lifetime of Potato and Tomato Breeding with Tom Wagner
Tom Wagner is a legendary tomato and potato breeder who is eager to pass on his knowledge and material to other folks keen to carry on the tradition. If you have some crop breeding experience and would like to take your practice to the next level, Tom is looking for serious collaborators to pass the torch onto. He is also interested in creating podcasts or video documentaries to capture his expertise and vision for the future. Tom is hoping to take on an assistant in Washington State and other locations he visits to facilitate this work. If this opportunity sounds interesting get in touch with Tom at thoswagner at yahoo dot com. Check out Tom's potato forum at Tatermater And the sister forum on Tomatoville Check out the new short documentary film about Shane's experimental farm. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. A paid subscription opens the archive, including the audiobook of Taming the Apocalypse. You can also read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E43
September 4 · 1 hr 57 min
Architecture and Agriculture in Burma and Nepal with Damien Zumbroegel
Damon Zumbroegel left behind a successful career in architecture in the USA to find the living roots of civilisation in rural Burma and the mountains of Nepal. We discuss how he inspired the locals to revive an exhausted piece of land on the banks of the mighty Irrawaddy river, the design principles behind monasteries and high end hotels, and the diverging fates of Nepal (which westernised) and Burma (which sustained its traditions). Follow Damon's many adventures on X. Check out the new short documentary film about my experimental farm. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E42
August 28 · 23 min
Three Floating Staple Crops
In my second solo episode I explore the potential for floating aquatic plants to produce staple carbohydrates, fat and protein in a way that could create a new kind of integrated agricultural package. I also had fun imagining the impact these crops could have in a warm and watery corner of the world in the not too distant future. What novel domestications should I explore in future episodes? If you enjoy this kind of content, then you will love Taming the Apocalypse- an exploration of the entire tree of life for untapped potential domestication. Grab a copy of the ebook on Amazon, the audiobook on Kobo, or a paid subscription to my substack where the audiobook is in the archived posts.
S2 · E41
August 22 · 1 hr 22 min
Experimental Farming for the Win with Tanja Eskildsen
Tanja Eskildsen fell in love with plants in chilly Denmark but unleashed their potential through low-input experimental farming on the sunny island of Majorca. We retrace her path learning to trial, select and breed crops for her challenging soil and extreme climate. Check out Tanja's Substack. And lots of gorgeous photos on Instagram. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E40
August 14 · 1 hr 59 min
Evolving Beyond Hope with Sci-Fi Author Peter Watts
Peter Watts is a notorious science fiction author with a fascination of the outer edges of biology, fractured minds and a taste for the dark and confronting. We dive into the lessons the living world and our own nature can teach us when contemplating the destiny of this civilisation, our species and the fate of the planet. Check out Peter's insightful blog and backlist (including many complete novels, free to read) Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E39
August 7 · 1 hr 17 min
Applying Ethnobotany to Regen Ag with Ryan Huish
Associate Professor Ryan Huish is an experienced ethnobotanist with experience in both North America and the South Pacific, who also runs his own experimental low input farm in the mountains of Appalachia. We explore the lessons from historical and traditional cultures' relationships to plants and landscapes and how that has influenced his own efforts to develop a truly sustainable local agriculture. Learn more about his farm, book a tour or buy some seed. Read more about his extensive research and teaching. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles. Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E38
July 31 · 1 hr 36 min
New Zealand, Energy Limits and Resilience with Nathan Surendran
Nathan Surendran is an Engineer who moved from the UK to New Zealand in response to the terrible creaking sound coming from the heart of the world's industrial systems. There he has worked consistently to help local government prepare for the unfolding shocks and stresses in our planetary supply chain, which New Zealand sits on the very end of. You can read Nathan's work at Energy and Resilience Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology.
S2 · E37
July 24 · 23 min
A Route to Beaver Domestication
In Shane's first solo episode, we explore the possible route to the domestication of the beaver and the potential benefits of developing a close relationship with this powerful ecosystem engineer. Check out more novel domestications in my ebook Taming the Apocalypse Audiobook available on Kobo Audiobook also available via a paid subscription to the Recombination Nation Substack
S2 · E36
July 17 · 1 hr 19 min
Agricultural Magic with the Cunning Farmer Todd Elliott
Todd Elliott is an experience market farmer who followed his passion for agricultural spiritual traditions deep into history, applied those lessons to his own surroundings, then wrote a book about his discoveries. Read Todd's blog: https://thecunningfarmer.substack.com Buy his book from the publisher: https://www.innertraditions.com/the-cunning-farmer Or Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Cunning-Farmer-Agrarian-Practices-Mythology/dp/B0F1LQSDFC Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E35
July 3 · 1 hr 14 min
The Russian Outlook on Industrial Decline with Dmitry Orlov
Dmitry Orlov was a prominent voice in the early 2000s peak oil movement in response to his book "The Five Stages of Collapse", comparing the recent collapse of the USSR with the likely prospects of the USA under similar circumstances. He has since moved from the USA back to Russia, where he continues to monitor history as it unfolds. This conversation was a rare opportunity to delve into the Russian outlook on the state of the world from one of my favourite writers. Sign up for Dmitry's blog: https://boosty.to/cluborlov Watch his delightful Youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@DmitryOrlovAndClub The Five Stages of Collapse: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Stages-Collapse-Survivors-Toolkit/dp/0865717362/ Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E34
June 26 · 2 hr 23 min
Zach Elfers- Tree Crops and the Organisations That Love Them
Zach Elfers is a superstar in the agroforestry community, helping multiple innovative organisations develop both the crops and their uses. We talk about his work with hickory, honey locust and more, and their processing into value added products through collaborative groups. Read his substack: https://zachelfers.substack.com/profile/posts And his original blog: https://www.nomadseed.com Check out his nursery: https://www.futureforestplants.com The Keystone Tree Crop Cooperative: https://ktcc.coop Tickets to the Northern Nut Growers Association conference: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/northernnutgrowersassociation1/2149900 Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E33
June 19 · 1 hr 51 min
Buddhism, Monasteries and Existential Threats with Soryu Forall.
Soryu Forall is a meditation teacher and spiritual leader dedicated to bringing all beings to enlightenment. He teaches that ethical behavior is the beginning of the path, and that the first step in ethics is to prevent the destruction of life on Earth. Soryu is the Head Teacher and Founder of the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth (MAPLE) where he guides that community to develop the wisdom, compassion, and power necessary to create AI systems that genuinely care for all life. Visit MAPLE: https://www.monasticacademy.org/guests Train at MAPLE: https://www.monasticacademy.org/train The special 3 month program mentioned in the interview: https://cohort.monasticacademy.org/ Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E32
June 12 · 1 hr 12 min
Avocado, Carob and Golden Chinquapin with Nicholas Mallonee
Nicholas is a passionate rare tree grower in the blessed lands of California where just about everything seems to grow. He has tapped into the growing diversity in avocado, and gathered up the remnants of legendary crop breeder Luther Burbank in his backyard. If you would like to get in touch with Nicholas reach out to me via my Substack. Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E31
June 5 · 1 hr 26 min
Eons of Life, Both Future and Past, with Professor Peter Ward
Peter Ward is a palaeontologist and prolific author with books covering a vast range of the deep past and distant future of life on Earth (and beyond it). His book "Future Evolution: An Illuminated History of Life to Come" caught my attention and I was thrilled for the opportunity to drop an avalanche of speculative biology questions his way. You can find his books online and in major book stores: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter-Douglas-Ward/author/B001I9OZ12 Browse reviews on his many titles here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/28065.Peter_D_Ward Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E30
May 29 · 1 hr 19 min
Creating a Seed Farmer Community with Edmund Frost
Edmund Frost founded a collective of seed growers and breeders who sell their selection of seeds suitable for the humid southeast USA as Common Wealth Seed Growers. He lives in Louisa County, Virginia, a center for the intentional communities movement, and spent many years living at Twin Oaks Community. He is passionate about breeding cucurbits for disease resistance, along with many other crops. Read more about the Common Wealth Seed Growers: https://commonwealthseeds.com Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 · E29
May 22 · 1 hr 33 min
Orbiting The Biological Singularity with Arnold Schroder
Arnold Schroder, from the Fight Like an Animal podcast, is an ecological anarchist who bridges the world between biology and politics across the depths of time. Check out his archive of fascinating articles: https://www.againsttheinternet.com Grab his new book: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Like-Animal-Revolutionary-Biology/dp/B0GZ1GKCVX/ Listen to his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/09DTUqzsCjGkvxw0GbFobE https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fight-like-an-animal/id1511430305 Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.com Read Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/

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