1 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:11,800 Hello. My name is Dori Robinson and 2 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:16,100 this is tree speech a podcast where we strive to listen to the 3 00:00:16,100 --> 00:00:19,800 forest through the trees. This week's episode was written 4 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:23,700 and recorded in Massachusetts on the native lands of the wabanaki 5 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:26,600 Confederacy. Penacook, Massachusetts and 6 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:29,900 Pawtucket people and a New York on the land of the Lenape tribe. 7 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,000 Tribes tree speech is co-written and produced by Jonathan Zellner 8 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:39,000 who will be joining us today. This is the final episode of our 9 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:43,900 season and we will begin with a discussion of to bishvat the 10 00:00:43,900 --> 00:00:47,900 Jewish New Year of the trees, which began last Sunday evening 11 00:00:47,900 --> 00:00:50,200 at Sunset. We thought this would be the 12 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:54,100 perfect way to commemorate the close of our fourth season. 13 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:57,500 And we will also discuss our thoughts on the guests, and 14 00:00:57,500 --> 00:00:59,900 topics that we've covered since we began. 15 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,100 Can this current season last September. 16 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,800 It was absolutely delightful for me to be interviewed by our 17 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,800 producer, Jonathan for this episode, and to discuss with him 18 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,700 to bishvat and this season of trees. 19 00:01:13,100 --> 00:01:21,100 Let's listen. Hello to Dory. 20 00:01:21,700 --> 00:01:24,600 Hi Jonathan it's so nice to see you. 21 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:33,300 I'm sitting in your seat. I'm not start as you usually do 22 00:01:33,300 --> 00:01:37,400 by saying, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to be 23 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:41,600 with us. So happy that you're here to 24 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,900 talk about to burst fats and die. 25 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,100 I am excited to speak with you today. 26 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,500 Let's Jump Right In this. Feels like a celebratory 27 00:01:51,500 --> 00:01:56,800 episode, so let's start the festivities is celebratory. 28 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:00,900 It's so it's so fun when when everyone gets to hear your voice 29 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:04,800 when we get to have a conversation, let's start, then 30 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:09,199 I'll just ask you for people who may not know what is tuba 31 00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:13,600 schwantz to bishvat, is a wonderful Jewish holiday, it's 32 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:17,500 one of the minor holidays And it's known as the new year of 33 00:02:17,500 --> 00:02:20,400 the trees. It was originally for tithing 34 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:24,000 purposes. So, basically, in Judaism the 35 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:29,000 law judaism's, and actually a very agriculturally driven 36 00:02:29,100 --> 00:02:33,900 Community much more so than sometimes we even realize, so 37 00:02:34,500 --> 00:02:39,300 the the laws, the agricultural laws say that you don't pick the 38 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:43,200 fruit off the tree for the first three years of the trees life. 39 00:02:43,300 --> 00:02:48,100 And in the fourth year, you Bring a tithe or bring a bit to 40 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:52,500 the at the time at the temple to feed the priests but also the 41 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:56,200 poor and such. And so the idea was how could 42 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:59,600 you tell if it was the first three years or the fourth year? 43 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,700 How could you tell you know, who's keeping track of every 44 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:05,900 single tree and when you planted it and what counts as the 45 00:03:05,900 --> 00:03:08,000 birthday? And so, they came up with this 46 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,200 idea of having the new year of the Trees of having two bishvat 47 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:16,300 be the day that all the trees that had Been planted that year. 48 00:03:16,300 --> 00:03:20,600 That becomes their birthday. So that that's when you start 49 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,800 counting their time in existence. 50 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:28,000 And that's because that's when the sap starts to come into the 51 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,200 three itself. So as you know, I'm in New 52 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,900 England. So it's a time that everything 53 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:37,300 looks very Barren and you think nothing's going on. 54 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:41,000 But as we know very well and when we've talked about a lot is 55 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,600 that it's actually a lot of internal work is happening. 56 00:03:45,300 --> 00:03:50,700 So to bishvat started as a holiday about a ties, but then 57 00:03:50,700 --> 00:03:55,400 began to evolve in beside that the 15th or 16th century. 58 00:03:55,400 --> 00:04:01,000 A lot of kabbalists in Israel decided to really investigate it 59 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:02,900 and make it something even bigger. 60 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:08,800 And so these kabbalists, these Mystics created a Seder for to 61 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:13,300 bishvat to think about all the different kinds of fruits and 62 00:04:13,300 --> 00:04:16,600 all the different kinds of wine. Wine and all the different kinds 63 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,200 of ways that we connect with nature. 64 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:23,800 So the Seder breaks into four different parts, and each part 65 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:28,400 has a different kind of fruit, whether it's soft on the 66 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,400 outside, with a pit on the inside, such as a date or an 67 00:04:32,407 --> 00:04:35,600 orange, that has a rind on the outside and soft on the inside 68 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,000 and all the different ways that that helps us reflect on. 69 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:43,300 When are we soft on the outside and hard on the inside? 70 00:04:43,300 --> 00:04:46,500 When I re hard on the outside? Outside and soft on the inside. 71 00:04:46,500 --> 00:04:50,800 So it's this really lovely satyr that many people. 72 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:55,700 Celebrate and now in modern day, it's more of our birthday or 73 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:58,100 Arbor Day. So it's a day that Jewish 74 00:04:58,100 --> 00:05:02,700 communities plant trees or send money in order for trees to be 75 00:05:02,700 --> 00:05:06,600 planted where they're needed. So it's just about our continued 76 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,900 connection to Nature and the environment. 77 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,300 It's beautiful. It's very cold in New York City 78 00:05:13,300 --> 00:05:17,200 today. So, The idea that even though 79 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:20,100 we're all bundled up, not looking at one another screwing 80 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:25,300 around the streets that the sap is slowly coming into the trees 81 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:29,900 and that they are coming alive. Celebrating this Reaper, this 82 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:32,400 new year, I've never attended a satyr. 83 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:36,900 So could you tell us what that is, referring to what that looks 84 00:05:36,900 --> 00:05:40,300 like? And then, maybe go into, you had 85 00:05:40,300 --> 00:05:42,700 talked about the fruit, the hard, and the softness. 86 00:05:42,700 --> 00:05:47,100 And I'm not sure, also, exactly, That means as it applies to us. 87 00:05:47,100 --> 00:05:51,000 So I'd love to hear more about how this to bishvat is 88 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,000 celebrated. Yeah, it's true. 89 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,400 It is really cold here. And I remember as a child when 90 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:59,900 we were celebrating to bishvat and like synagogue and whatnot, 91 00:05:59,900 --> 00:06:05,000 and there were all these photos of Israel and date trees, and 92 00:06:05,300 --> 00:06:09,300 pomegranates, and all these warm things, and we're in February 93 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:11,900 and were bundled up. And so it was always a very, 94 00:06:11,900 --> 00:06:15,900 very funny moment to eat fruits and nuts and Things that that 95 00:06:15,900 --> 00:06:18,900 aren't really accessible usually in February. 96 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:24,100 So the Seder was created in the 16th century by catalysts and 97 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:29,200 Mystics and they really focused on imagery and symbolism meant 98 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:34,300 to Mark, the Four Seasons and in kabbalistic or mystical Theory, 99 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:36,700 everything's always broken into spheres. 100 00:06:36,700 --> 00:06:40,200 There's a lot of alignment with concepts of chakras and and 101 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:42,400 these kind of things, they really go very deep and 102 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:43,600 mystical. Yeah. 103 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:48,500 Oh, it's beautiful. Um, the Seder is referring to, 104 00:06:48,500 --> 00:06:50,100 it's a meal. Is that right? 105 00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:54,100 Or it's so it's at a dinner table at Sunset which is 106 00:06:54,100 --> 00:06:57,100 determined. Usually the rabbi's would say 107 00:06:57,100 --> 00:07:01,100 when you see three stars in the sky, that's when that's when 108 00:07:01,100 --> 00:07:03,700 it's officially Sunset because how could, how else can you 109 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:06,000 tell? You know, it's about. 110 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,900 Yes, yes, yes, in the pre-google world. 111 00:07:08,900 --> 00:07:12,900 How else are you to know? So you see the three stars? 112 00:07:12,900 --> 00:07:18,000 And then what happens? So seder means order, but it is 113 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,700 referring to a meal. So the order of the meal has, 114 00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:26,100 there's lots of rituals that are in a specific order to take you 115 00:07:26,100 --> 00:07:29,800 on a journey. And so it's split into four 116 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,800 sections, and we start with winter. 117 00:07:32,100 --> 00:07:36,900 So, the first sphere is Asia, which is relationship with land 118 00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:39,900 and place. And so, it's really concrete and 119 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:42,000 physical. So, you start with white wine 120 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:45,300 for this because it's the most Barren, the This is really 121 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:48,900 protection about Shields and defenses and and we think about 122 00:07:48,900 --> 00:07:51,600 what it would take to remove the outer shell. 123 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,100 So fruits are nuts. That might be related, might be 124 00:07:55,100 --> 00:08:00,100 almonds, bananas, coconuts, papayas things where you have to 125 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:03,700 peel something or break, something open in order to 126 00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:08,900 consume it, asea means actualization, fruits and nuts. 127 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:13,500 That have a heart outside and a fleshy inside, and they're 128 00:08:13,500 --> 00:08:17,400 supposed to sort of Find us of the ways that we sort of pull 129 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,300 ourselves up. And winter, makes us all feel a 130 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:24,100 bit dormant and all feel a bit cold. 131 00:08:24,100 --> 00:08:29,600 And so how do we connect with what's hidden inside us and 132 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,700 start with that? So the actualization is a 133 00:08:32,708 --> 00:08:37,299 removing the outer covering or the hard shell to get to the 134 00:08:37,500 --> 00:08:43,000 authentic inauthentic, exactly. And so the next is yet Sierra, 135 00:08:43,100 --> 00:08:46,100 which means formation and It's about relationship with 136 00:08:46,100 --> 00:08:48,400 communities. So again that first one is like 137 00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:52,100 relationship with land in place and being, you know, just sort 138 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:55,000 of Landing, if you can think of it that way. 139 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,600 And then you'd see a first of all, with the wine, you still 140 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,000 have your white wine. But you add a little bit of red 141 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,100 to it. And that's how you start 142 00:09:03,100 --> 00:09:06,800 bringing yourself to spring. So this is marked by eating 143 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,500 fruits with pits at the center. And what's fun about this is 144 00:09:10,500 --> 00:09:13,700 that pits are often discarded. Like I always bring updates 145 00:09:13,700 --> 00:09:16,000 their sort of the Thing to talk about. 146 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:19,500 So they're soft on the outside, hard on the, inside the seeds, 147 00:09:19,500 --> 00:09:22,700 on the inside, you throw them away and that's what causes 148 00:09:22,700 --> 00:09:24,700 rebirth. And we eat these fruits to 149 00:09:24,700 --> 00:09:27,200 remind us that flowering trees were once. 150 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,000 Barren, that, that there's a process. 151 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,600 The mystics would say that this is a world of inwardness, of 152 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,300 emotion, a sense of feeling and that what we were protecting 153 00:09:37,300 --> 00:09:41,000 before in the previous fear is part of what's like really, 154 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,800 really important, it's the heart, so some of the things we 155 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,500 would be looking at. Our apricots, avocados cherries, 156 00:09:47,500 --> 00:09:52,200 olives, peaches plums, but again with that knowledge of there's 157 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:56,000 soft and fleshy. And what's inside is really so 158 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:00,600 important because it's that seed that creates regrowth and 159 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:20,100 continuation beautiful. Then we get to relationship with 160 00:10:20,100 --> 00:10:23,000 the world which is in the part of the Seder. 161 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:27,900 It's called Bree I or creation. Actually, the first book of the 162 00:10:27,900 --> 00:10:31,600 Torah of the five books of Moses or what might be known by 163 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,700 others. As the Old Testament is Genesis 164 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:38,500 is translated for us, as is about creation, connects to 165 00:10:38,508 --> 00:10:41,900 creation and it's about eating fruits that are entirely edible. 166 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,800 So that's about reminding us of the wholeness of the world with 167 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:51,100 that, that if everything is soft, then you're more able to 168 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:53,400 as opposed to winter when you were closed off. 169 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:57,100 You're now able to open up and and really connect there's no 170 00:10:57,100 --> 00:11:02,100 more protective shells or hard internal elements and so this 171 00:11:02,100 --> 00:11:06,700 could be blackberries, blueberries figs grapes, 172 00:11:06,700 --> 00:11:10,600 strawberries things like that. And of course we've added more 173 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:14,800 red wine to the white wine. So that we come to summer, we 174 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:20,500 finish off with a solute which means nobility, but it's really 175 00:11:20,500 --> 00:11:22,900 about our relationship with spirituality. 176 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,500 And there's no fruit involved with this. 177 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:30,100 So this is really the mystics saying that this is a world of 178 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:34,100 pure spirit. So you don't need any food at 179 00:11:34,100 --> 00:11:37,700 all. It's about our spirituality, our 180 00:11:37,700 --> 00:11:40,400 highest selves. When we're not necessarily 181 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,500 thinking about our bodies. How we just sort of blend in 182 00:11:44,500 --> 00:11:48,600 with everything in the in the world and find balance that way, 183 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,100 you pour all the rest of the red wine into your glass. 184 00:11:51,100 --> 00:11:54,300 So that it's fall. It's completely red, but a 185 00:11:54,300 --> 00:11:56,700 satyr. So you would eat those things 186 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:59,300 along the way. But you would also probably have 187 00:11:59,300 --> 00:12:05,500 poems from liturgy or the Bible or Jewish thinkers, who care 188 00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:08,900 about the environment or non Jewish thinkers, who care about 189 00:12:08,900 --> 00:12:11,700 the environment. Because it's most satyrs are 190 00:12:11,700 --> 00:12:15,000 also very driven to talk about the environment and to talk 191 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:20,200 about our connection with nature and how being a caring 192 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:23,800 responsible. Human means being an active 193 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:27,500 person who who takes care of the land around us. 194 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:45,500 How else is to bishvat observed? Is this happen that you sort of 195 00:12:45,500 --> 00:12:49,800 sit with or think about throughout the next day or the 196 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:54,900 next day's to ruminate on or what, what is your experience 197 00:12:54,900 --> 00:12:58,500 with this particular celebration in my experience? 198 00:12:58,500 --> 00:13:01,700 It's usually I've been a very active holiday that you have the 199 00:13:01,700 --> 00:13:06,500 seder at night, but then during the day the next day or sometime 200 00:13:06,500 --> 00:13:09,300 of course in our modern world, sometimes we're not able to take 201 00:13:09,300 --> 00:13:13,400 Monday off because of a minor Jewish holiday, right? 202 00:13:13,500 --> 00:13:17,900 But sometime during that day, or that week, There's planting 203 00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:23,100 trees, there's tidying up a community garden, there's trying 204 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:26,600 to send money to other places that might need trees. 205 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,900 There's bringing in speakers about Environment. 206 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:33,000 So it's usually got this very active. 207 00:13:33,100 --> 00:13:35,900 Let's go that kind of element to it. 208 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,200 I love that. It sounds wonderful and it's so 209 00:13:39,500 --> 00:13:45,000 visually Rich, you know, it engages all of the senses, I 210 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:49,600 would think as a child or as a young person that if it would 211 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:54,100 have quite an effect on on a person, is there a specific 212 00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:58,200 memory or a specific thing that sort of stands out in your mind 213 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,200 about? Taking all of this in as a 214 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:04,800 younger person. So I would say that I didn't 215 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:08,600 really learn about or participate in satyrs until I 216 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:12,700 was a little bit older, the focus for me while growing up. 217 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:16,500 I'm I came through the reform movement that is extremely 218 00:14:16,500 --> 00:14:20,800 social justice oriented. So we sort of at the time, 219 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,200 that's not the case anymore, much more integrated now. 220 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:27,800 But at the time, the focus was planting trees helping the 221 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:31,000 environment getting out into the Writing and, of course, February 222 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:34,400 or end of January in New England, that was sometimes hard 223 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,000 to do. So, there was, there were often 224 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:43,100 drives to buy a tree in Israel and have a tree planted in 225 00:14:43,100 --> 00:14:47,300 Israel or dedicate a tree. That would be planted at a 226 00:14:47,300 --> 00:14:50,500 different time because, of course, the environment and that 227 00:14:50,500 --> 00:14:54,300 this big awareness of the environment that Israel's, you 228 00:14:54,300 --> 00:14:56,800 know, when you can plant a tree in Israel versus when you can 229 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,300 plant a tree in, New England is so Very different. 230 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:05,100 But I do remember being a kid in Sunday school and decorating the 231 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:09,100 classroom. I do remember, trying fruits and 232 00:15:09,100 --> 00:15:11,200 nuts and things that I hadn't tried before. 233 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:17,500 As a little kid, I do remember distinctly how the teachers said 234 00:15:17,500 --> 00:15:24,100 here, try carob, it's just like chocolate and the Betrayal that 235 00:15:24,100 --> 00:15:28,200 occurs horrible, because also Court carob, if you just said, 236 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:30,900 here's a cool. Saying eat it, then I could love 237 00:15:30,900 --> 00:15:34,200 it for what it is. But we definitely did sort of 238 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:38,000 mini satyrs and there's a blessing for everything that is 239 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,800 always a fun day. But now, the Seder has become. 240 00:15:40,900 --> 00:15:43,600 I think it was a little seen as a bit hippie. 241 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,200 While I was growing up and now it's much more mainstream. 242 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:50,900 So it's also nice to see how Judaism evolves and Jewish 243 00:15:50,900 --> 00:15:53,600 practice involves within communities. 244 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:58,200 And so, it's lovely that now, it's a very mainstream thing to 245 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,900 do. So yes, that is a great segue to 246 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:07,400 today as you celebrate to bishvat, are there any specific 247 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:12,600 things in your mind that you are thinking about or applying to 248 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:17,000 this day or contemplating with, with the new year of trees? 249 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:22,100 What does it mean to you in 2023 in 2023? 250 00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:25,300 And it actually so much of what we've learned by doing the 251 00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:30,300 podcast comes to mind. So I definitely I am going to be 252 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:34,400 with a community doing a Seder, very much looking forward to 253 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,900 that. And then for me personally, I've 254 00:16:36,900 --> 00:16:40,800 been grappling with what I individually can do. 255 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:44,800 So I have this small little garden plot and I need to tend 256 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:47,200 to it a little bit. There's a little bit of a mess 257 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,900 right now and it needs a little bit of love, even though it's 258 00:16:49,900 --> 00:16:52,100 dormant. I want to make sure that she's 259 00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:55,900 ready for the spring. There's also a community thing 260 00:16:55,900 --> 00:17:00,500 here of a group that gets together and and picks up litter 261 00:17:00,500 --> 00:17:02,900 everywhere. So seeing what I can do in my 262 00:17:02,900 --> 00:17:06,000 own Community is what's going to be a top on my mind. 263 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:26,099 and I think I'm also so sad that this is our last episode of this 264 00:17:26,099 --> 00:17:29,700 season, but a small break for now, but it just seems so 265 00:17:29,700 --> 00:17:34,900 relevant somehow to have this be our last episode, being the new 266 00:17:34,900 --> 00:17:39,100 year of trees, which This contemplation, but also this 267 00:17:39,100 --> 00:17:42,200 forward momentum which is really wonderful and I thought maybe we 268 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:47,100 could take a minute while we're both here together to just sort 269 00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:51,400 of commemorate and discuss. The the season of tree speech 270 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:55,400 that we just embarked on, which started with embracing Autumn 271 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,300 and perhaps maybe you could speak a little bit about the 272 00:17:58,300 --> 00:18:03,200 seeds of the Season. We never know exactly where the 273 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,900 season will go when it starts. But there were some things I 274 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:09,400 know I know that we had discussed that we really wanted 275 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:13,600 to highlight and to lift up within the podcast and and to 276 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:18,100 sort of be our guide throughout the trajectory of the interviews 277 00:18:18,100 --> 00:18:23,300 and episodes we were very forward about our themes for 278 00:18:23,300 --> 00:18:27,700 each of the first three seasons. And for this, I recall that we 279 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:32,700 were really thinking about the divine feminine in the wake of 280 00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:35,500 Roe vs. Wade, being overturned really 281 00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:40,000 thinking of the power of Women their Insight strength, ability 282 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:44,100 to heal themselves and those around them and their innate 283 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:48,900 interconnectedness with nature. And so though we never said the 284 00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:53,700 divine feminine out loud, we were really focused on finding 285 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:58,000 women to elevate to highlight and the work that they're doing. 286 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:02,100 So we started the season with the story of Demeter and 287 00:19:02,100 --> 00:19:06,600 Persephone, which is such an interesting story especially 288 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:10,500 when you You started in Autumn, and then look at it in winter at 289 00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:12,400 a time, that is quote, unquote Barren. 290 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:15,600 But again, over the course of the Season, we've learned time. 291 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:19,100 And again, that nature is busy even when we can't see it. 292 00:19:19,100 --> 00:19:24,400 So, we ended that episode with Heather Porter who gave us this 293 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:29,600 gorgeous meditation on sacred rot, the idea that what is 294 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:33,400 falling, what we need to let go is actually doing work. 295 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:37,400 That, that is good for the environment and Good for 296 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:40,800 ourselves. When we let things go and go 297 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:45,500 through the process of composting and making rich soil, 298 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:50,000 so that things can grow later. I just thought that was a really 299 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,100 powerful perspective. Yeah. 300 00:19:52,100 --> 00:19:55,900 It was really Illuminating just to see things from a different 301 00:19:55,900 --> 00:19:59,800 vantage point and I love how that Trace is all the way to to 302 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:03,300 bishvat at this point, then so he's absolutely getting rid of 303 00:20:03,300 --> 00:20:07,000 the Sacred rot. Which again, seems that those 304 00:20:07,100 --> 00:20:10,200 Those two things don't really go together perfectly. 305 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:13,700 And then from there sort of, moving forward to the next 306 00:20:13,700 --> 00:20:18,000 justices in ecosystem, with Kristen Patterson, which I can 307 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:22,100 say, our is very connected because part of the letting go 308 00:20:22,100 --> 00:20:26,700 of what is not serving became a big theme because Kristen 309 00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:31,600 Patterson was really focused on the interconnectedness of 310 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:35,300 Reproductive Rights and climate Solutions and saying, here's 311 00:20:35,300 --> 00:20:39,400 what's not working. Let's that go and move towards 312 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:43,700 what could work that episode also had Christina Eskridge who 313 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:47,900 took all of her background interests, and abilities and 314 00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:52,700 talents, and insights true to form Elevate theater companies, 315 00:20:52,700 --> 00:20:58,200 this marriage of health and Healthcare and theater and 316 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:03,500 Community which also she was stepping into working within 317 00:21:03,500 --> 00:21:07,500 that full-time making that taking the leap into To her 318 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:12,400 making that her main focus in life which was about letting go 319 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:17,300 of the things in her world in order to see these, these other 320 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:18,800 passions. Yeah. 321 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,200 And for both of them with Elevate theater and withdraw, 322 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:25,800 down lift, Kristen had made the statement that generosity is a 323 00:21:25,808 --> 00:21:30,600 mindset and both of them seem to really live like that, which I 324 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:34,000 really admire again. This is what we had sought after 325 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:39,800 is finding people who Make their worlds better by taking 326 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:43,300 whatever, they have at their fingertips, their own talents, 327 00:21:43,300 --> 00:21:49,000 their own interest, their time, their experience and creating 328 00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:52,000 this change through. That doesn't require all of 329 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:54,000 these things that are outside of ourselves. 330 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:58,200 But we all have that capacity and that ability, we all have 331 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:03,100 those seeds inside of us which leads us to What Lies Beneath 332 00:22:03,100 --> 00:22:06,900 and thinking about compost and that's what casaya was doing. 333 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:10,600 Doing was I was creating compost in the Merrimack Valley and 334 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:16,000 saving us from the amount of methane gas that we could have 335 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,800 experienced and it's also a delightful because it's 336 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:23,200 connecting us with a part that we don't normally think of, you 337 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:25,600 know, especially entry speech. We're looking at the tree 338 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:29,700 itself, what we can see and we're not thinking of the soil 339 00:22:30,100 --> 00:22:33,300 that the tree is in. So that was was fascinating to 340 00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:37,200 think of how do you even start What Lies Beneath and then I 341 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,700 have a log that Vein The Return of spooky trees which is always 342 00:22:40,700 --> 00:22:45,200 one of our favorites fun at that time of year to get into the 343 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,500 lower and the myth. Yeah, spooky trees. 344 00:22:48,700 --> 00:22:51,200 Oh my gosh, we love spooky trees. 345 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:56,500 And then we wanted to replay the Liberty Tree episode which also 346 00:22:56,500 --> 00:23:01,800 is very timely and important. Our country sort of going 347 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:06,600 through these Cycles once again where it seems that we are in 348 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:10,300 that same. Same place that we were at the 349 00:23:10,300 --> 00:23:13,400 time of the Liberty Tree and everything with the same 350 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:20,100 challenges and violence and and needing to figure things out. 351 00:23:20,100 --> 00:23:22,900 And it's just always so interesting to see how within 352 00:23:22,900 --> 00:23:28,000 that story that the tree, the symbol of the tree and then who 353 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:33,900 tells that story is so important and crucial to understand, and I 354 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:36,900 was happy that you were able also to voice your concerns. 355 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:41,000 Cern's, within the world and within your experience, in a way 356 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,600 that we haven't really done with, in this podcast and 357 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:50,300 looking at the rise of violence and anti-Semitism within this 358 00:23:50,300 --> 00:23:53,000 country. And I was so grateful for that 359 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,000 opportunity. And the way you encouraged me 360 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,900 because it is scary to speak up about these things. 361 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,700 And so I was really grateful for that. 362 00:24:01,700 --> 00:24:06,100 Well, I think that's sort of what our podcast can do Best In 363 00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:08,200 My Eyes, is it? It's tree speech. 364 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:12,200 So you know we're looking at current events and things that 365 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:16,300 are happening right now and processing and digesting and 366 00:24:16,300 --> 00:24:19,800 looking at how how they affect us, how they affect nature, how 367 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:22,700 we affect nature, and all of these relationships. 368 00:24:22,700 --> 00:24:26,700 So, it's very important. It's very important. 369 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:31,700 And speaking of learning to use our voices, aren't the next 370 00:24:31,700 --> 00:24:36,100 episode up was a conversation in the clearing the immersive 371 00:24:36,100 --> 00:24:39,900 installation. Created together and The 372 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:43,200 Inspirations for that. And how much the concept of 373 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:47,900 wintering played into that, which, again, sort of continues. 374 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:52,400 We have introduced these challenges that and our take on 375 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:57,100 it is to take our lead to take our example from nature. 376 00:24:57,200 --> 00:25:01,300 And to go into these places to heal ourselves and to heal our 377 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:04,800 communities, and our families. And most of the time, I think 378 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:09,400 that requires a little bit. Bit of soul-searching or 379 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:13,500 becoming quiet, and listening for the answers, instead of 380 00:25:13,500 --> 00:25:16,000 maybe being so reactive. It's so vocal. 381 00:25:16,700 --> 00:25:21,200 It takes some inner growth. I think to get through these 382 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:24,200 places where we find ourselves as people and as a country, and 383 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:28,900 as a world right now, which the Trees, of course, teach us 384 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:31,600 trees, teach us. And it was an exciting 385 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:36,400 opportunity, because you and I both come from the theater world 386 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:41,500 and For on the podcast, we found various ways to make the podcast 387 00:25:41,500 --> 00:25:44,900 theatrical, but this was the first time that we were able to 388 00:25:44,900 --> 00:25:48,600 collaborate and and sort of approach more physical 389 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:52,700 theatrical experience. Yeah, it was, it was fun at the 390 00:25:52,700 --> 00:25:56,800 end of the day to figure out how to bring the podcast into a 391 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:00,200 physical space. And we'll see what happens in 392 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:03,500 the future as well. We'd love to see some other 393 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,200 installations. So stay tuned. 394 00:26:08,500 --> 00:26:12,600 From there, it was really wonderful to welcome neshama 395 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:17,500 carlebach up to ya to speak about her story and to do, we 396 00:26:17,500 --> 00:26:21,300 had it done a show on family trees and which is swept. 397 00:26:22,100 --> 00:26:25,600 Yeah, I know. It seems to be the thing that 398 00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:28,800 everyone is taught at some point, this idea of a family 399 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:31,300 tree. And I like that, we questioned 400 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:34,900 that structure and then also looked at what that and 401 00:26:34,900 --> 00:26:38,900 examined, what that means, why We use that term, it's very own. 402 00:26:38,900 --> 00:26:43,200 Again, you know, going back to is this, the only system that 403 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,100 works for us and if not, how do we let that go? 404 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,500 How do you create, where do you fit into the narrative? 405 00:26:48,500 --> 00:26:51,300 I mean, it really, it was so interesting how much that 406 00:26:51,300 --> 00:26:57,200 episode resonated with our autumnal equinox episode and the 407 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,900 story of how do you create your own Dynamics, in your own family 408 00:27:00,900 --> 00:27:04,200 story, and maybe make something new? 409 00:27:04,500 --> 00:27:11,000 What sort of A Shinto, you have to those people, your family 410 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:14,700 members are those people who have come before you as well, as 411 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:19,900 looking forward to setting the landscape for the type of world 412 00:27:19,900 --> 00:27:23,700 and experience that you want, for those after two to have as 413 00:27:23,700 --> 00:27:27,800 well, this was one episode. That the only thing, I wish I 414 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:31,500 had thought to say was to ask our listeners. 415 00:27:31,500 --> 00:27:35,400 If they have family tree stories, they would like to 416 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:39,300 share or Shinzon, the concept of family trees. 417 00:27:39,500 --> 00:27:44,200 Well, and if they do feel free to contact us through our 418 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:49,600 website tree speech, podcast.com or if you go to Anchor, if you 419 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:53,500 listen on that platform, you can also leave us a voicemail so 420 00:27:54,100 --> 00:28:02,000 that would be fun. Sharing a terrible winter 421 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:04,500 solstice which has sort of become a little bit. 422 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:07,000 It was our second year. So it's now a tradition of Of 423 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:13,000 course, I love that type of ear. We let the light in while also 424 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:16,100 enjoying, we deterring. You know, we're in that frame of 425 00:28:16,100 --> 00:28:20,300 mine so we're going internal. But also noticing the little, 426 00:28:20,300 --> 00:28:23,300 the little bit of more light letting the light in each day 427 00:28:23,300 --> 00:28:27,200 and how to bring that into our lives, learning all the ways 428 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:29,900 that winter can bring so much joy. 429 00:28:30,100 --> 00:28:32,200 It's such a glorious time of year. 430 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:36,000 So I really appreciated being able to enjoy the winter 431 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,600 solstice. And to share it with everyone. 432 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:42,800 It's one of my favorites for sure, me, too, and that leads us 433 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:44,600 to. I was even thinking about the, 434 00:28:44,700 --> 00:28:47,200 the next episode, The open-air Life. 435 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:51,100 Today, as it was so-called and I thought, no, there's no such 436 00:28:51,100 --> 00:28:54,400 thing as, bad weather, only bad clothing. 437 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:58,100 It's a big only bad preparation bad. 438 00:28:58,700 --> 00:29:01,500 So I got it, you know, the right socks. 439 00:29:01,500 --> 00:29:03,800 The right yeah. Everything and I was fine. 440 00:29:03,900 --> 00:29:10,200 It's yes, very enjoyable. And so looking at the Swedish 441 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:14,200 idea of free Lutz Leaf, which is the open-air life of being 442 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:17,300 outside. And then, interviewing Linda 443 00:29:17,300 --> 00:29:22,900 Baker was really a thrill that was really so in such a thrill. 444 00:29:22,900 --> 00:29:26,200 Everyone I told about the book before we even release the 445 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:30,800 episode was like, oh my gosh, I love that thought and it's such 446 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:35,100 a, it makes so much sense. And I will say, you know, I'm 447 00:29:35,100 --> 00:29:39,300 already quite a walker. Hiker, but even more so since 448 00:29:39,300 --> 00:29:42,900 that interview since speaking with Linda, now I'm like wow I 449 00:29:42,900 --> 00:29:44,800 haven't been outside enough today. 450 00:29:45,100 --> 00:29:48,900 Let's make that happen. Yeah, she's very inspiring and 451 00:29:48,900 --> 00:29:51,400 the book is beautiful. As you I think I love you 452 00:29:51,500 --> 00:29:54,100 beautiful to touch the illustrations there rest. 453 00:29:54,100 --> 00:29:56,900 Yes, I can't recommend it enough. 454 00:29:56,900 --> 00:29:59,100 It's really a wonderful resource. 455 00:29:59,100 --> 00:30:02,700 So it delightful, I do think that there's so many people who 456 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:06,000 are waiting for spraying and just to be able to go outside 457 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:08,800 and enjoy. And appreciate something in any 458 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:11,400 weather is so important. It's so huge. 459 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:14,200 I think so often we get into this idea that yes we're waiting 460 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:18,200 for something or counting down the days or whatever and I don't 461 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:22,500 I think it's important not to want time to task by so quickly. 462 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:26,700 I think I think it's important to enjoy wherever you are 463 00:30:26,700 --> 00:30:30,500 whatever time of year and to see all of the beauty, the light the 464 00:30:31,100 --> 00:30:36,500 possibility within a cold day. Something that I also recognize 465 00:30:36,500 --> 00:30:40,000 that The really made sure she wasn't skipping over which I 466 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,600 appreciate it. Is acknowledging when it's not 467 00:30:42,600 --> 00:30:46,400 safe for people to go out or communities where that might not 468 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:50,100 be the case clocking, the privilege involved with feeling 469 00:30:50,100 --> 00:30:54,900 safe enough to walk anywhere at any time and I thought that was 470 00:30:55,400 --> 00:30:58,700 really important and that's the other side of that, right? 471 00:30:58,700 --> 00:31:03,400 Is to understand. If we are able to harness and 472 00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:06,700 explore the possibility that that isn't the case for 473 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:07,600 everyone. Yeah. 474 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:12,500 So if you have it to be able to work towards these outdoor 475 00:31:12,500 --> 00:31:16,500 spaces, being safe, and accessible and, and for everyone 476 00:31:16,500 --> 00:31:20,500 to be able to wear warm clothes. And to understand that there is 477 00:31:20,500 --> 00:31:24,300 more than enough for everyone. And how can we make sure that 478 00:31:24,300 --> 00:31:29,100 things get to the people that don't have access to them? 479 00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:34,600 Is also part of, I think, what? All of our speakers do within 480 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:38,500 their lives and their work and also just A constant thing that 481 00:31:38,500 --> 00:31:43,400 needs to be addressed and to it to be looked at very much so 482 00:31:43,500 --> 00:31:48,600 that leads us to to our last episode which was trees with 483 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:54,300 Megan Buell who started the transgender resource, education 484 00:31:54,300 --> 00:32:00,000 and Enrichment, Services nonprofit in Indiana and saw the 485 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:02,300 needs for something. Again. 486 00:32:02,300 --> 00:32:06,700 This is void of an area that needed to be addressed. 487 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:10,300 And she jumped in rolled up her sleeves and made it happen. 488 00:32:10,800 --> 00:32:15,700 And is so inspiring. And also, I just loved when we 489 00:32:15,700 --> 00:32:20,000 sort of found this organization and and saw the tree metaphor 490 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:24,100 and then again, see how trees are so interrelated in 491 00:32:24,100 --> 00:32:27,800 everything that we do as people they're sort of in our DNA, no 492 00:32:27,800 --> 00:32:33,600 matter what and to be able to interview her and to hear about 493 00:32:33,900 --> 00:32:36,800 the work that she does all over the United States. 494 00:32:36,900 --> 00:32:41,800 It's and that her plans to continue to do that work and to, 495 00:32:42,300 --> 00:32:47,600 to use education, to bring a part or to bring into the world 496 00:32:47,900 --> 00:32:53,500 peace and understanding and better living condition for so 497 00:32:53,500 --> 00:32:56,300 many people is really astounding. 498 00:32:56,300 --> 00:33:02,600 Again is just another example of how we all have these stories 499 00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:06,200 and these things that can be shared and can be used to. 500 00:33:06,800 --> 00:33:14,000 Make the world a better place. What the season? 501 00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:17,900 I mean, look at all that. So many inspiring people who 502 00:33:17,900 --> 00:33:21,800 shared so much with us. I think we will always be 503 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:24,900 grateful to all of our guests for taking their time to sit 504 00:33:24,900 --> 00:33:29,500 with us and to share their stories and experiences and 505 00:33:29,500 --> 00:33:34,700 their inspiration. I look forward to seeing where 506 00:33:34,700 --> 00:33:38,500 the podcast will go further. Let's all take a little break 507 00:33:38,700 --> 00:33:42,300 and regroup and then we'll start up. 508 00:33:42,300 --> 00:33:46,200 Again in the meantime, though, the producer had be must tell 509 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:50,300 everyone that we do have a patreon page with patreon. 510 00:33:50,300 --> 00:33:54,800 You give little goodies to the wonderful people that contribute 511 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:57,400 ours. I think our options are like two 512 00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:00,800 dollars or five dollars or ten dollars a month. 513 00:34:00,900 --> 00:34:06,200 So not a huge investment if if you are capable and 100% of that 514 00:34:06,200 --> 00:34:09,699 money, of course. Horse goes to, to producing all 515 00:34:09,699 --> 00:34:14,400 of the things that have to go into bringing this podcast to 516 00:34:14,400 --> 00:34:17,199 life. We've posted a few things, but 517 00:34:17,199 --> 00:34:21,199 we will start having our tree house hangout where we'll meet 518 00:34:21,199 --> 00:34:25,199 and talk about trees and then things that are meaningful to 519 00:34:25,199 --> 00:34:27,900 us. So if anyone feels inclined at 520 00:34:27,900 --> 00:34:30,300 all, please, we'll have a link in our show notes. 521 00:34:30,300 --> 00:34:34,300 But join our patreon page. We're really trying to build a 522 00:34:34,300 --> 00:34:40,100 community of tree-loving Seeing people who love, who also see 523 00:34:40,100 --> 00:34:44,100 the connection of trees, within all of things that are happening 524 00:34:44,100 --> 00:34:48,199 in our world right now. Well, it was a pleasure to 525 00:34:48,199 --> 00:34:51,900 re-interviewing you today. Thank you so much for joining 526 00:34:51,900 --> 00:34:56,300 us. Thank you for joining tree 527 00:34:56,300 --> 00:35:00,900 speech today. Jonathan I love Hearing my line. 528 00:35:01,100 --> 00:35:00,900 He see you in the new season. Hearing my line. 529 00:35:01,100 --> 00:35:03,400 He see you in the new season.