The Probiotic Life

Ben Klenner

The Probiotic Life is platform to share stories and conversations with people who have devoted their lives in some way to better human life and heal our planet. I interview people who are involved in the art and science of working with microbes, and have changed the way they live because of the interactions or lessons they've learned from nature, and more specifically, from their area of discipline.

  1. 13/07/2020

    051 - Probiotic Musings, Science & Philosophy with Ben Klenner

    In this episode I’m flying solo… talking about my thoughts on living a probiotic life. It’s a question I ask myself regularly, and I challenge you to have a question that you ask yourself. It’s a form of meditation; asking yourself a question over a period of time. Join me as I share a little more of my journey from the last year or so, and where asking this question has taken me. I delve into science, its applications and its limitations, and compare it to traditional eastern thinking, specifically Traditional Chinese Medicine. I go into the wisdom of nature, an ancient knowledge that expresses itself in the patterns all around us. Observing these patterns and rhythms with a curious mind and heart can lead to the understanding that we are all connected. I then share some of the books that have influenced me in the last year or so. These include: Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall-Kimmerer Walden Henry David Thoreau One Straw Revolution Masanobu Fukuoka The Girl Who Sang To The Buffalo Kent Nerburn Little House On The Prairie series Laura Ingles Wilder One I forgot to mention is: The Secret Teachings of Plants Stephen Harrod Buhner Here are a few other links I mention throughout the episode too. Well worth the look. The microscope course I took was with Earthwhile Australia www.earthwhileaustralia.com Yellowstone Wolves https://www.nationalgeographic.org/a12c500d-eb1f-4304-88a6-73d414f3918a Walden: https://vimeo.com/231114403 In summary, I believe we are supposed to be connected through our senses; to plants, to animals, to microbes, to each other. To have the humility to admit we only know a fragment of what life is, and the willingness to trust Nature, and to trust what I call God; the Creator. I hope this, like other episodes, inspires you to dig deeper, to ask your own exploratory question. Thanks for being on the journey, and I’d love to hear from you! May the beneficial microbes be with you. Until next time, Cheers

    46 min
  2. 19/05/2020

    050 - Probiotic Sauerkraut Step by Step with Holly Howe

    In this episode we have a chat to Holly Howe of makesauerkraut.com She shares her story of how she fell in love with this fantastic fermented food, and how she came to write the book Fermentation Made Easy! Mouthwatering Sauerkraut. We talk about various aspects of sauerkraut, from probiotic benefits of this amazing food, to delicious flavours that make your ferment stand out. Holly takes us though the basics of her step by step guide, and gives us some helpful tips. I’m sure you’ll be inspired to go and ferment after you listen to this episode! Be sure to check out her website and find her book HERE. Holly is also on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter But wait, that’s not all! I’m excited to share with you a groovy song and make this episode a celebration of fermentation… Thanks to Charlie Mgee of Formidable Vegetable for sharing this song about KIMCHI! I’ve been jamming to this band for the last couple of years, and my kids love the music. They ask me to play some songs over and over, including this cheeky one about a dunny. Charlie’s songs have been therapy for my soul; they are fun and meaningful. Check out his TED Talk about music with purpose, and how it is an important medium to transfer knowledge and cultural wisdom. You can find all of Charlie’s music HERE. Support him, download the songs, and spread the love! Formidable Vegetable on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube I hope you’re inspired by this episode, and I’d love to hear from you about what you’re fermenting or how you are living a probiotic life. If you like this content, give us a rating and review! May the beneficial microbes be with you. Until next time, Cheers!

    1h 8m
  3. 04/02/2020

    049 - Farming with Nature with Gil Carandang

    Join us in this episode we hear from Gil Carandang who is considered to be a father of modern day natural farming in the Philippines and around the globe. His knowledge and wit shine as he shares insights into what it means to farm closer to nature, and listen to Her wisdom. He is an organic farmer, Fulbright Scholar and educator. Gil’s work developing and teaching about beneficial indigenous microorganisms has been revolutionary for natural farmers worldwide; he is known for his engaging teaching style and empowers farmers to think outside the box. He currently runs Herbana Farms and is an Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) inspector. Gil has done extensive studies including: -Bio-intensive Mini-Farming under John Jeavons in California. -Natural Farming Systems for Crops and Livestocks under Dr. Han Kyu Cho. -Apprenticed with Natural Farmers of Japan. -A graduate of Ecological Horticulture at University of California, Santa Cruz. -Biodynamics preparations at the Biodynamics Association of Northern California. -Permaculture Design Course at the Center for Natural Design, Los Osos, California. His book we talk about: Grow Your Own Beneficial Indigenous Microorganisms and Bionutrients In Natural Organic Farming Gil A. Carandang Here’s a PDF of his book that he doesn’t mind sharing. Some archived info from his old website. Connect with Gil on Facebook And his new project Napayong Island Ecovillage which is under threat from the Taal Volcano. Thanks for listening, and may the beneficial microbes be with you!

    1h 13m
  4. 03/12/2019

    048 - Bacteria Friendly Living with Dr. Anne Katharina Zschocke

    In this episode we talk to a fascinating guest from Germany, Dr. Anne Katharina Zschocke. She is a doctor of medicine who studied in Freiburg and London. She worked for the German Red Cross and in immunology and oncology as well as working in various horticultural projects in Upper Bavaria, Franconia and the Rhineland. She did further studies in naturopathy, and has a unique, holistic view of life. In this episode she shares how she made the transition from MD to horticulture with a focus on microbiology, and EM aka Effective Microorganisms. Anne Katharina has written 5 books: 3 on various aspects of EM, one on intestinal bacteria as the key to health, and one on natural healing with bacteria with her novel approach to microbiome therapy. She lectures internationally on topics for paradigm shifts including: microbiology, nutrition, water, trees and spiritual cultural history. She has described her transition to practical horticulture as "unusual but recommendable". Her heart motive is the harmonisation of humans and nature for deep healing. In this thoughtful episode I was challenged to think about how we anthropomorphise the world around us; how we see things such as bacteria as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and place a moral judgement on them, when really that is only a human view. We also discuss EM aka Effective Microorganisms, which I really want to explore more. You can hear more about EM in episode 41 with Cuauhtemoc Villa. I hope this episode challenges you to think about the way you see the world, and encourages you to live a bacteria friendly life; they are our partners, not enemies. Find out more about Anne Katharina at: www.bacteriotherapy.eu And more info at: www.dr-zschocke.de A talk from Dr. Zschocke on YouTube in German (you can turn on auto generated subtitles by turning on CC then go to Settings>Subtitles>Auto-Translate) If you can read German, you can get her books here. Some of them are also translated into Italian, Spanish, French, and Polish. Thanks for listening to The Probiotic Life! Who’s one person that you would want to share this episode with? May the beneficial microbes be with you. Ben Klenner

    1h 34m
  5. 01/10/2019

    047 - A Natural Farming Adventure with Larry Korn

    This episode is close to my heart, it really exemplifies the journey I’ve been on in the last year. Join us today as I talk to Larry Korn who was one of Masanobu Fukuoka’s students 40 years ago, and is now an author, teacher, and natural farmer. Larry shares his story of how he came to be a student of Fukuoka, and his adventure since. We talk about philosophy and the wisdom of nature as well as compare Fukuoka’s Natural Farming to methods of organic agriculture such as Korean Natural Farming and Permaculture. We also discuss how Natural Farming is in line with the philosophies of indigenous peoples and how some of the main elements are humility and gratefulness. This resonates with me deeply, and I hope it stirs something in you. Thanks again to everyone who is supporting the podcast in some way. If the message in this podcast has benefited you in any way, share your experience with us and your friends! May the beneficial microbes be with you… Larry Korn’s book: One-Straw Revolutionary: The Philosophy and Work of Masanobu Fukuoka Larry’s website about Masanobu Fukuoka, Natural Farming, and more: www.onestrawrevolution.net If you want to connect with Larry direct, he has given his email: ldkorn@gmail.com Masanobu Fukuoka’s books: Shizen Nōhō — Wara Ippon no Kakumei - Japanese edition of The One-Straw Revolution The One-Straw Revolution — An Introduction to Natural Farming - Translated English edition Sowing Seeds in the Desert: Natural Farming, Global Restoration, and Ultimate Food Security The Natural Way of Farming: The Theory and Practice of Green Philosophy (free pdf) The Road Back to Nature: Regaining the Paradise Lost (pdf) See Also: Fukuoka Masanobu Shizen Nōen (Masanobu Fukuoka’s Natural Farm) Official website. Final Straw: Food, Earth, Happiness, documentary by Patrick Lydon and Suhee Kang. SHOW NOTES: Traveled to Japan met a nice lady traveled to different back to the land communes the bozoku - the future primitives when back in America, Larry did soil science and plant nutrition at Berkleyended up going back to Japan with no plan and living on Masanobu Fukuoka’s farm for two years What does do nothing farming mean Fukuoka’s background trying to improve on nature natural farming is about getting back to our natural mind, our natural way of living help nature get whole again so it could fulfil its destiny of providing conditions to foster life building natural diversity getting crop yields equal to or better than conventional farming growing trees from seed - maintaining genetic diversity people can never understand nature - there’s no need to understand just enjoy being with the plants in nature natures design - getting human intellect out of designing a farm Fukuoka’s philosophy is almost identical to what indigenous cultures were doing talking with the plants and animals, and trying things out they had humility and gratitude - this is what we’re missing arrogance is not the way of natural farming try things out then listen - nature points out the direction to go came back to the U.S. with the One Straw Revolution manuscript landscaping in San Francisco moved to Ashland, Oregon wrote the book The One Straw Revolutionary - stories and teachings from his time on Fukuoka’s farm Larry has edited two of Fukuoka’s four english books - One Straw Revolution and Sowing Seeds In The Desert Fukuoka’s other english books are The Natural Way Of Farming and The Road Back To Nature natural farming is suited for orchards, and not so much market gardens natural farming and KNF are different Larry’s wisdom is to relax, and accept things that come to you rather than grasping go easier on yourself and do something that makes you happy Permaculture vs Natural Farming - one is design based, and the other is intuitive observing in permaculture is the first step to separation - the observer and the observed indigenous peoples could talk to the plants and were one with them become the soil onestrawrevolution.net ldkorn@gmail.com

    1h 10m

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About

The Probiotic Life is platform to share stories and conversations with people who have devoted their lives in some way to better human life and heal our planet. I interview people who are involved in the art and science of working with microbes, and have changed the way they live because of the interactions or lessons they've learned from nature, and more specifically, from their area of discipline.