Mind, Body, and Soil

Kate Kavanaugh
  • 5.0 (11)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Mind, Body, and Soil

Welcome to Mind, Body, and Soil. Join me, Kate Kavanaugh, a farmer, entrepreneur, and holistic nutritionist, as I get curious about human nature, health, and consciousness as viewed through the lens of nature. At its heart, this podcast is about finding the threads of what it means to be humans woven into this earth. I'm digging into deep and raw conversations with truly impactful guests that are laying the ground work for themselves and many generations to come. We dive into topics around farming, grief, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, spirituality, nutrition, and beyond. Get curious and get ready with new episodes every Tuesday!

  1. 6D AGO

    Trees in the Foreground: Climbing, Climate, and the Power of Perspective with Marguerite Holloway

    Episode 113: In this episode, Kate sits down with author Marguerite Holloway to explore her new book ‘Take to the Trees: A Story of Hope, Science, and Self-Discovery in America’s Imperiled Forests’. Marguerite takes us on a deeply personal journey as she learns to climb trees at a women’s tree climbing workshop—an experience that shifts her perspective—quite literally—and opens her up to new ways of seeing the world. From Aspens to Magnolias, and Hemlocks to Beeches, she brings us into the hidden lives of trees, tracing their biology, history, and the complex relationships they share with our ecosystems. As we dive into the perils trees face in a warming climate, we also talk about the from arborists, biologists, and ecologists who are working tirelessly to protect them. This conversation brings into focus the often-overlooked world of trees, challenging ‘plant blindness’ and shifting them from the periphery to the center of our attention. At its heart, the conversation is about reconciling the hard truths of ecological loss with the enduring hope that comes from connecting with nature in such a direct and transformative way. This episode is as much about trees as it is about seeing the world through a new lens—one that invites us to reimagine our relationship with the living world around us. Find Marguerite:  Take to the Trees: A Story of Hope, Science, and Self-Discovery in America’s Imperiled Forests X: @marg_holloway LinkedIn New Yorker Articles Womens Tree Climbing Workshop  Episodes Like It: Episode 93: The Wood Age: Humans and the Forests That Made Them Human with John Perlin Episode 87: Complexity, Cooperation, and Beauty - A New Story for Earth with Ferris Jabr Episode 72: Circular Economies and Linear Infrastructure: The Complex Interplay of Roads, Beavers, and Ecosystems with Ben Goldfarb Episode 66: We are the Drivers of Our Species Tomorrows with Cat Bohannon Episode 95: Basins of Relations: Water, Fire, Beavers, and beyond with Brock Dolman Episode 99: Living Into the Life You Want with Caroline Nelson Support Kate: Patreon Substack PayPal-Leave a One Time Tip Sponsored By: a...

    1h 15m

  2. MAY 6

    Forever Chemicals: A History of Contamination and the Power of Community in the Fight against PFAS with Mariah Blake

    Episode 112: In this episode, Kate is joined by journalist Mariah Blake to discuss her new book, ‘They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals.’ Together, they trace the buried history of PFAS and forever chemicals—synthetic chemicals first developed in the 1930’s—that would go on to saturate everything from firefighting foam to clothes to town water supplies, with devastating consequences for public health. The conversation centers on the story of Hoosick Falls, New York, where a small community uncovered widespread PFAS contamination in their drinking water and began a fight for justice. Kate and Mariah explore the regulatory ignorance that allowed this to happen, the role of DuPont and other chemical giants in shaping the response, and how communities are rising to meet the crisis. They discuss how outrage becomes a catalyst for environmental change, and how ordinary people—farmers, military families, and local organizers—are now on the front lines of the PFAS fight. Through the lens of Blake’s reporting, this episode is a powerful look at what happens when chemical convenience collides with human health, and how resilience grows in even the most contaminated ground. Find Mariah: They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals by Mariah Blake Instagram: @mariahcblake X: @mariahcblake Support Kate:  Patreon Substack PayPal-Leave a One Time Tip Resources Mentioned Plastic List created by Nat Friedman: https://www.plasticlist.org  Plastic: A Toxic Love Story by Susan Freinkel  Dr. Max Liboiron — https://civiclaboratory.nl  Time Bombing the Future by Rebecca Altman  Richard Rhodes Making of Atomic Bomb Related Episodes: Episode 85 with John Vaillant on Consumption, the Petrochemical Industry Episode 82 with Jay Owens on Dust, Testing the Bomb, Our Polluted World Episode 83 with Helen Czerski on the Ocean Sponsored By: REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at Redmond.life Affiliates: a href="http://fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaugh" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 36m

  3. APR 29

    Distilling Transformation and Presence with Tabitha Rose

    Episode 111: In this episode, Kate sits down with Tabitha Rose from Skin Fancy to go deep. At once, it’s an exploration of building a bioregional supply chain for a skincare company and looking to the plants and ingredients that are attuned to an ecosystem to create an incredible skincare line. It’s also an episode about Tabitha and she invites us into her wisdom with beautiful poignancy, sharing about how we’re shaped and respond to life’s surprises, motherhood, growing into our purpose, and embracing change. Tabitha also shares about the alchemical process of making hydrosols, working with distillation and copper. It’s a big metaphor for the episode, because Tabitha distills so much care and deep thought into how she navigates life that so many listeners will resonate with.  Find Tabitha Website: https://skinfancy.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinfancy Other Episodes: Episode 19: Learning to Come Home to Yourself with Lacey Jean Episode 49: Choosing the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Caroline Nelson Episode 99: Living the Life You Want with Caroline Nelson Episode 84: Choosing what to Carry into the Future with Cate Havstad Episode 45: The Discipline/Pleasure Axis with Alex Rosenberg-Rigutto Support Kate:  Patreon Substack PayPal-Leave a One Time Tip Best of Movement Focused Episodes: Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman  Episode 109: We Can Pick Up and Carry Heavy Loads: Exploring Movement in Context with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 64: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel Vitalis Episode 22: Building Strength from the Inside Out with Ashleigh VanHouten Episode 2: The Strenuous Life with Ed Roberson Sponsored By: REDMOND REAL...

    3h 10m

  4. APR 22

    On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters with Bonnie Tsui

    Episode 110. In this conversation, Kate sits down with author Bonnie Tsui to talk about her new book On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters. This episode explores themes of strength, resilience, and the interplay between the physical and the philosophical. Kate and Bonnie have a wide ranging discussion that spans the metaphor and biology of muscle, how death brings us into the present, and the joy found in movement and play. They touch on how strength is also about what moves us, not just physically, but socially, touching on the importance of collective movement and community resilience. It’s an exploration into how physical activities can foster connection and healing. They also delve into the science behind movement, the significance of finding connection in everyday life, and the power of incremental change in personal strength. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted discussion about whales, joy, and the connections we share with nature. Find Bonnie:  Instagram: @bonnietsui8 Website On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters Sarah and the Big Wave Why We Swim American Chinatown Support Kate:  Patreon Substack PayPal-Leave a One Time Tip Best of Movement Focused Episodes: Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman  Episode 109: We Can Pick Up and Carry Heavy Loads: Exploring Movement in Context with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 64: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel Vitalis a...

    1h 14m

  5. APR 17

    We Can Pick Up and Carry Heavy Loads: Exploring Movement in Context with Kate Kavanaugh

    Episode 109. In this episode, I (Kate Kavanaugh) reflect on my personal journey with movement from a practical and philosophical standpoint all while weaving it into some of the bigger themes that we’ve been exploring on the podcast around how we move resources to our bodies and how that itself changes our movement. I start out with some historical context of movement and resources, the impact of sedentarism on our bodies, and the concept of shifting baselines in understanding how our bodies work. I share my experience with chronic illness and how movement has been a source of strength and resilience and how I’ve navigated continuing to move even, and especially, when it feels really hard. This is about the transformative power of physical activity–mentally, physically, and socially. I talk about my movement why–including health, aging, enjoyment, and, yes, even vanity. I talk a little about my home gym, scaling movement, and some tips for making yourself move when it feels hard. It’s a lot of fun, it’s thoughtful, a little heavy at times, but we can carry the load together! Find Kate:  Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh Support Kate:  Patreon Substack PayPal-Leave a One Time Tip Resources Mentioned: On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters by Bonnie Tsui Lizette Pompa Steph Rose, Phase 6 Ben Bruno Kara Duval, Range Dr. Susie Spurlock, Supple Strength Best of Movement Focused Episodes: Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman  Episode 68: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate Kavanaugh Episode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel Vitalis Episode 22: Building Strength from the Inside Out with Ashleigh VanHouten Episode 2: The Strenuous Life with Ed Roberson Sponsored By: REDMOND REAL SALT: Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off at a href="https://glnk.io/oq72y/kate-kavanaugh" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 30m

  6. APR 15

    Is This the Most Unseen and Exploitative Industry in the United States? And Could It Change? With Alice Driver

    Episode 108. (note: recorded Fall of 2024) This conversation with Alice Driver about her book Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company delves into the often unseen and harsh realities faced by workers in the meat industry. The discussion highlights the dangerous working conditions, the isolation and fear perpetrated by meatpacking plant owners, and the challenges workers face in organizing for better labor rights. It also touches on the broader implications of the true cost of food.  Find Alice:  Life and Death of the American Worker: The immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company by Alice Driver  Website Best of Exploring Labor and Working Conditions: Episode 92: NAFTA is in All of Our Bodies with Alyshia Gálvez Episode 90: Sh*t, Shipping, and Blood: Exploring the Ignored and Unseen with Rose George Episode 82: Dust: Salvage, Water, and Hope with Jay Owens Episode 81: The Tapestry of American Manufacturing with Rachel Slade Support the Podcast: Substack Leave a one-time Tip

    48 min

  7. APR 1

    Vision Without Execution is Hallucination with Matt Skoglund

    Episode 107. In this conversation, Kate sits down with Matt Skoglund of North Bridger Bison to have a wide-ranging conversation about agriculture, community, the meaning of work, and what it means to teach about death. Together, they reflect on the complexities of efficiency in food systems, the yearning for simplicity in a complicated world, and the values that guide their lives and work. Matt discusses the importance of pragmatism in environmental work, the need for tangible solutions on the ground and in policy, and the impact of commodity agriculture on communities and how to be more involved. They also explore the role of death in food systems, reflecting on their personal experiences with grief and gratitude. The conversation also touches on the cognitive dissonance surrounding food production and the need for businesses to be resilient and regenerative, ultimately advocating for a deeper connection to the land and the hands that tend it.  Find Matt:  North Bridger Bison Instagram: @northbridgerbison Resources Mentioned: Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard In Pusuit of the Unknown by Ian Stewart Best of Regenerative Agriculture Focused Episodes: Episode 27: Building Resilient Communities with Will Harris of White Oak Pastures Episode 53: Leaving Our Children Shade with Katie Collins of Force of Nature Episode 55: Cook Your Way to an Economy of Peace with Cate Havstad-Casad of Range Revolution Episode 74: The Gravity of Risk and the Potential of Opportunity with Robby Sansom of Force of Nature Episode 75: Building an Agriculture We Can Live in with Cole Mannix of Old Salt Sponsored By: REDMOND REAL SALT Mine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!Redmond.life Affiliates: FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON USA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth - just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens. fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaugh BAHÉ FOOTWEAR Barefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10%...

    1h 55m

  8. MAR 25

    Storytelling, Paradox, and How to Bridge Divides (even with our Stone Age brains) with Kurt Gray

    Episode 106: In this conversation, Kate Kavanaugh and Kurt Gray--whose book, ‘Outraged!: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics’ is out today--explore the themes of human nature, exploring the idea of humans as prey animals and how this evolutionary bent shapes our understanding of threats in modern society. It’s an episode about how we view harm and threat in a modern social media era, how much divisiveness this has fostered, and how we might have conversations that bridge those divides. In it, they discuss the importance of storytelling in bridging divides and fostering empathy, as well as the vulnerability paradox that arises when trying to connect with others who hold differing views. They also explore Kurt’s CIV framework (Connect, Invite, Validate) as a method for fostering meaningful dialogue. It’s also a conversation about how much humans like going deep with one another–even if they think they don’t. Last, and certainly not least, they ponder paradox themselves, and why humans might be prone to more binary thinking from an evolutionary standpoint.  Find Kurt:  Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics  The Mind Club: Who Thinks, What Feels and Why It Matters Outraged! Book Guides Center for the Science of Moral Understanding Instagram: @kurtjgray X: @kurtjgray Resources Mentioned: John Sarrouf / What is Essential Guide for talking politics Kurt and Ben Klutzy Interview for Discourse Sponsored By: REDMOND REAL SALT Mine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!Redmond.life Affiliates: FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON USA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth - just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens. fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaugh BAHÉ FOOTWEAR Barefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off.  Support the Podcast: Substack Leave a one-time Tip Connect with Kate: a...

    1h 4m
See All (113)

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to Mind, Body, and Soil. Join me, Kate Kavanaugh, a farmer, entrepreneur, and holistic nutritionist, as I get curious about human nature, health, and consciousness as viewed through the lens of nature. At its heart, this podcast is about finding the threads of what it means to be humans woven into this earth. I'm digging into deep and raw conversations with truly impactful guests that are laying the ground work for themselves and many generations to come. We dive into topics around farming, grief, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, spirituality, nutrition, and beyond. Get curious and get ready with new episodes every Tuesday!

Information

  • Creator
    Kate Kavanaugh
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kate Kavanaugh
  • Show Website
    Mind, Body, and Soil

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