Collapse Curriculum Podcast

Justin McAffee
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Civilization is collapsing. This is the curriculum. collapsecurriculum.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Questioning the Invasive Species Narrative

    JAN 8

    Questioning the Invasive Species Narrative

    In this episode of the Collapse Curriculum Podcast, host Justin McAffee is joined by environmental advocates Nikki Hill and Kollibri terre Sonnenblume, author at Speaking for the Trees (no matter where they’re from), to explore the growing controversy around invasive species, ecological change, and the stories we tell about nature. Using the barred owl debate in the Pacific Northwest as a starting point, where one owl species is being lethally removed to protect another, the conversation moves beyond headlines and into deeper questions. They discuss personal journeys in environmental advocacy, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the importance of relational understanding in addressing ecological challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for respect and curiosity in our interactions with nature, as well as the potential for resilience in the face of environmental change. Kollibri terre Sonnenblume is a writer, photographer, tree hugger, animal lover, and cultural dissident, as well as the author of several books exploring the intersections of ecology and human culture. Their Substack is "Speaking for the Trees, No Matter Where They're From" at kollibri.substack com. Nikki Hill can be found chasing wildflowers throughout the western US. She is not sure when her adoration of plants began, but they share a kindred spirit. Nikki earned a bachelors degree in environmental science and botany which led her to the field of habitat restoration nearly 16 years ago. Disillusioned by methodology that focused on eradication, she struck off on her own. She spent six years growing food and medicine, first as an urban farmer and then as a nomadic rural farmer, and co-founded Daggawalla, a seed and herb company. Since 2014, she has been exploring her feral roots as a wildtender, planting gardens outside agricultural boundaries. Her hope is to foster habitat resilience by sowing a living seed bank for the future, in a spirit of collaboration with the non-human world. Her website can be found at www.walkingroots.net. Collapse Curriculum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Collapse Curriculum at collapsecurriculum.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 14m
  2. Societal Collapse Through Loss of Connection and Meaning

    10/15/2025

    Societal Collapse Through Loss of Connection and Meaning

    Collapse isn’t the end of the world… unless we let it be. In this episode of Collapse Curriculum, Justin McAffee and co-host Mike delve into the final three stages of collapse: social, cultural and environmental... and why humanity must hold the line before the worst outcomes take root. Drawing on Dmitry Orlov’s framework, they explore how societies unravel from within, and how meaning and morality are the last defenses against total annihilation. You’ll hear why rebuilding trust, cooperation, and shared purpose not only more important to survival and storing canned beans and water, but why it’s a moral obligation to prevent the ultimate collapse: environmental destruction and mass extinction. Signs of Renewal: Justin closes with a look at war-torn eastern Ukraine, where abandoned farmland and villages are rewilding... proof that even in the ruins, life returns when the machine stops. Collapse Curriculum Assignment: Begin the work of renewal. Reconnect with one person, share a story or skill, and help rebuild the small bonds that make civilization worth saving. Collapse Curriculum Collapse Curriculum is survival education for a collapsing world, helping you understand what’s breaking, why it matters, and how to rebuild meaning and resilience in the ruins of modernity. Collapse Curriculum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Collapse Curriculum at collapsecurriculum.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min
  3. Navigating the Stages of Collapse

    10/07/2025

    Navigating the Stages of Collapse

    “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if it is broken, can it be fixed?” In this episode, Justin McAffee is joined by his former college mathematics professor, Mike Paxinos, as they dive deep into the stages of societal collapse as outlined by Dmitry Orlov, exploring what happens when the systems we depend on begin to fail… financially, politically, culturally, and ecologically. From the fragility of global markets to the rise of decentralized communities, from the moral consequences of greed to the promise of cooperation, this conversation asks:What’s worth fixing? What should we let fall? And what new systems might emerge from the rubble? Join us as we unpack collapse as a crossroads and explore how humanity might still choose care, despite ruin. Here’s the article mentioned in the podcast. Get full access to Collapse Curriculum at collapsecurriculum.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 11m
  4. The World Is on the Collapse Train

    09/25/2025

    The World Is on the Collapse Train

    50 years ago, MIT scientists released The Limits to Growth, a computer model that warned civilization was on an unsustainable path. In 2022, sustainability researcher Gaya Herrington revisited that work and found that real-world data matches the collapse scenarios almost exactly. In this episode of Collapse Curriculum, I’m joined by my old college math professor and now my co-host. For those deep in the “doomersphere,” he’s kind of a normie. Which makes this a fun and engaging conversation: one collapse-aware perspective, one mainstream perspective, clashing and finding common ground. We discuss: * The Limits to Growth model (1972) and its “business-as-usual” collapse trajectory * Gaya Herrington’s 2020 re-analysis and why it’s so alarming * Is “green growth” is a myth? * What collapse actually means (not Hollywood apocalypse, but steep decline in complexity and capacity) * Signs of collapse all around us in 2025 Collapse Curriculum is survival education for a collapsing world. If you’ve ever felt the machine is breaking down and wondered how to prepare, you’re in the right place. Collapse Curriculum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Today’s discussion includes reference to these posts: And this is the 9 Planetary Boundaries reference: https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html Get full access to Collapse Curriculum at collapsecurriculum.substack.com/subscribe

    49 min
  5. The Patterns of Collapse: From Rome to Today

    09/18/2025

    The Patterns of Collapse: From Rome to Today

    Why do great civilizations rise to power only to fall apart? In this first episode of the Collapse Curriculum Podcast, I’m joined by my former college math professor, Mike Paxinos, where we explore the common threads in societies that collapse, drawing on Jared Diamond’s insights from his Tedtalk and historical examples like Rome, the Maya, and the Soviet Union. We discuss: * Jared Diamond’s three major threads of collapse * Why civilizations often collapse rapidly after reaching their peak * How strongly held cultural values can accelerate collapse * The conflict between short-term elite interests and long-term survival * Signs of collapse in today’s world Mentioned in the podcast: There’s a 90% chance of collapse by 2050 due to deforestation The Happiness Machines… and the story of Edward Bernays and American Marketing. Collapse Curriculum is survival education for a collapsing world. This podcast is where philosophy, history, and practical skills meet to help you navigate the unraveling of industrial civilization. Collapse Curriculum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Collapse Curriculum at collapsecurriculum.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min
  6. Unveiling the Transformation: The Natural World of Florida Through Time

    03/15/2024

    Unveiling the Transformation: The Natural World of Florida Through Time

    Join us on this captivating podcast journey as we explore the profound transformations of Florida's natural world. From the lush expanses of untouched wilderness to the bustling urban landscapes and agricultural fields that mark the state today, we delve into the complex story of how civilization has reshaped the land under the Florida sun in just the last 100 years. We are joined by Joel Curzon, author of a book on the Everglades, to discuss on-the-ground perspectives about the natural environment that still exists and what used to be. Utilizing a rich tapestry of sources, we'll uncover the scale of change and its impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate. With the power of Google Earth at our fingertips, we'll take you on a virtual tour across time and space, offering a bird's eye view of the dramatic shifts in land use and cover. Witness firsthand the loss of millions of hectares of natural forest and tree cover, the encroachment of urban sprawl, and the impact that climate change and future development will have on Florida tomorrow. * Explore Historical Changes: From the early 1900s to the present day, understand the magnitude of land alterations and the driving forces behind Florida's environmental evolution. * Visualize Deforestation: Through Google Earth's time-lapse features, see the stark reality of deforestation and its toll on the state's carbon emissions and wildlife habitats. * Considerations: How and why civilization is the cause and cannot be sustainable. * See into the Future: Learn about the challenges that lie ahead with climate change and growth. Whether you're an environmental enthusiast, a concerned citizen, or simply curious about the changing world around us, this podcast will provide valuable insights and stimulate discussion on the future of Florida's natural environment. Don't miss this enlightening journey through the ever-changing landscapes of Florida. Your perspective on the natural world and the impact of human activity may never be the same. Sources: FLORIDA LAND USE AND LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE PAST 100 YEARS — Michael I. Volk , Thomas S. Hoctor, Belinda B. Nettles, Richard Hilsenbeck, Francis E. Putz, and Jon Oetting https://floridaclimateinstitute.org/docs/climatebook/Ch02-Volk.pdf TRANSFORMATION OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA LANDSCAPE — William D. Solecki and Robert T. Walker https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/10144/chapter/19#241 FLORIDA — Global Forest Watch bit.ly/43lOYur FLORIDA — Center for Biological Diversity https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/esa_works/florida.html THREATS TO FLORIDA'S BIODIVERSITY — Denise Rocus and Frank J. Mazzotti https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW107 Get full access to Collapse Curriculum at collapsecurriculum.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 56m
  • 6 Episodes

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Civilization is collapsing. This is the curriculum. collapsecurriculum.substack.com

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