#78 On Decolonization and Embracing Cultural Diversity

#78 On Decolonization and Embracing Cultural Diversity

In this episode I get curious about an interesting conversation I had at a party with another white male, about what decolonizing means. It was an excellent dialogue, which caught me a bit off guard, but overall was a valuable space of checking in around what decolonization means to me. What it looks like, day by day, or how it even starts, I was proud to reflect from the perspective of a settler that has taken this journey for many years with humility and openness. Later into the podcast I begin to shift the focus onto cultural humility, and my broadening perspective on what it means to embrace cultural diversity. Some subtopics that arose: - Wearing a T-shirt that says “Decolonize” means something - Navigating a conversation about what colonialism means - What “Healing” can look like on a personal or collective level - Cultural humility and biodiversity - The metaphorical symbolism of “Avatar, The Last Airbender” Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits. Ways to support indigenous communities: * Recommended Readings: ⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠ [https://ojibwe.net/resources/] - ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray * To learn the unceded land you are on: ⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠ [https://native-land.ca/] * Ask yourself… Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation? What language do they speak? What does this nation represent? Where does their name come from? What does it mean to be an ally? Are these your teachings to share? * I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th. * DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brandontilt.substack.com [https://brandontilt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#77 On the "Total Cost" of Maintaining A Counselling Practice with Helen Ward

In this episode I do my first podcast (aside from group panel podcasting) with my colleague and friend Helen Ward. This dialogue is a kind of “behind the scenes” conversation between two therapists where we share about the importance of self care, what goes into running an ethical practice , and the amount of extra time and money that we invest into our practices. Some of this is required by the profession, but other things are seen more as personal choices that contribute to the quality of care we offer clients. We have a lovely chat! Helen Ward is a BACP Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist offering online therapy to adults across the UK and Europe. She works with anxiety, OCD, trauma, misophonia, misokinesia, and a range of other emotional and psychological challenges, providing a warm, compassionate, and supportive therapeutic space. You can learn more about Helen Ward here: TikTok : ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@helenwardtherapy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@helenwardtherapy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/helen_ward_therapy?igsh=MW5udWFoZmV4a2IxMg%3D%3D⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/helen_ward_therapy?igsh=MW5udWFoZmV4a2IxMg%3D%3D] Website : ⁠Helen Ward Therapy - Counselling, Psychotherapy, Brainspotting and Coaching⁠ [https://www.helenwardtherapy.com/] Some subtopics that arise: - Going to therapy as a counsellor - Dual Relationships and therapy - Normalization of Gossip and Venting - The Value of Confidentiality - Continued Education as Counsellors - What goes in the Cost of Therapy (the invisible costs) Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits. Ways to support indigenous communities: * Recommended Readings: ⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠ [https://ojibwe.net/resources/] - ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray * To learn the unceded land you are on: ⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠ [https://native-land.ca/] * Ask yourself… Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation? What language do they speak? What does this nation represent? Where does their name come from? What does it mean to be an ally? Are these your teachings to share? * I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th. * DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriatio This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brandontilt.substack.com [https://brandontilt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#76 On The Integration of Plant Teachers

In this episode I revisit some of my previous reflections around integration of plant teachers, in particular drawing from my past few years of integrating my ceremonies with Grandmother, as well as other teachers. I draw from my personal experience developing my personal somatic attunement along with my perspective of healing trauma that surfaces in ceremony. It’s been a deep dive, which has left me feeling ripped open, sometimes deeply alone and has pushed me to my edge in more than one ways. But thankfully, with good support, attending more integration circles to deepen my perspective and finding ways to heal my body, or process the trauma somatically, has helped me move forward. If you or somebody you know is struggling to integrate a difficult experience of working with a plant teacher, I have a wide range of experiential knowledge and tools I have learned from running my coaching and counselling practices. My newly evolving role as an Existential Clarity Guide is unique, and a role I am stepping into offer those who need it. If you have any questions about the work I do , please reach out at featheroflightcounselling@outlook.com or book a free consult call on my website at www.featheroflightcounselling.ca Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits. Ways to support indigenous communities: * Recommended Readings: ⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠ [https://ojibwe.net/resources/] - ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray * To learn the unceded land you are on: ⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠ [https://native-land.ca/] * Ask yourself… Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation? What language do they speak? What does this nation represent? Where does their name come from? What does it mean to be an ally? Are these your teachings to share? * I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th. * DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brandontilt.substack.com [https://brandontilt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#75 On The Healing Journey with Jared Dunlop

In this episode I chat with a good friend, Jared, a mixed Indigenous Chinese medicine student, Qi Gong practitioner, and firekeeper in sweat lodge ceremonies. Their path is grounded in healing and transformation, weaving together movement, traditional medicine, and earth-based ways of relating as they continue learning how to live in alignment with body, land, and spirit. Jared and I speak openly about our healing journeys which have intersected in a range of very beautiful ways, meeting at forest clean ups, both working with IFS and last year attending and fire-keeping Sundance. I appreciate Jared as they show up authentically, from a deeply heart centered place embodying a beautiful balance of divine masculine and divine feminine energy. Subtopics that arise: - Acknowledgement of the Indigenous worldview - Youthwork and Healing community - Searching for the space to belong - Wholeness and Community - Reconnecting to the “Spiritual Network” - Traditional Chinese perspective on Peace - Offering our wounded parts space and safety Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits. Ways to support indigenous communities: * Recommended Readings: ⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠ [https://ojibwe.net/resources/] - ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray * To learn the unceded land you are on: ⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠ [https://native-land.ca/] * Ask yourself… Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation? What language do they speak? What does this nation represent? Where does their name come from? What does it mean to be an ally? Are these your teachings to share? * I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th. * DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brandontilt.substack.com [https://brandontilt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#74 On Rest, Chilling Out, and Being Present

I originally felt like I should be talking about AI, or Poly, or something related to Psychology, and then I got into my hammock and just...relaxed. Sounds crazy, right? Well, here’s the thing... we all just need to chill out sometimes. If you aren’t interested in my spiel, that’s alright, I get it, it’s not a rant. But what this episode does reflect is my real-time realization that there is a lot more to this experience of being human than we are currently experiencing when we are in perpetual “productivity mode”. So don’t just take my experience for fact, get a hammock and set it up next to a lake out in the middle of the forest, or anywhere there is water, for that matter. Watch your mind ping-pong around for a bit and then see what happens when you can allow the mind and body to settle. Topics that arise: - Phone addiction - Philosophizing about technology - Chilling out - Noticing the body (how feeling feels) - Doing nothing Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits. Ways to support indigenous communities: * Recommended Readings: ⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠ [https://ojibwe.net/resources/] - ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray * To learn the unceded land you are on: ⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠ [https://native-land.ca/] * Ask yourself… Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation? What language do they speak? What does this nation represent? Where does their name come from? What does it mean to be an ally? Are these your teachings to share? * I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th. * DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brandontilt.substack.com [https://brandontilt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]