The Alchemy Pod with Karen Darke

The Wild Within: Miriam Lancewood on Freedom, Simplicity, and Belonging to Nature

Episode Description: In this episode of The Alchemy Pod, Karen Darke is joined by adventurer, author, and wilderness dweller Miriam Lancewood for a conversation about freedom, simplicity, and what happens when we step outside the structures of modern life. Together, Karen and Miriam explore a life lived close to the land: walking, hunting, foraging, sleeping outdoors, and learning to move with the rhythms of nature rather than against them. Miriam reflects on the choices that led her away from a conventional path and into a wilder, more elemental way of being, where comfort is stripped back and life becomes more immediate, physical, and alive. The conversation moves through wilderness, partnership, solitude, courage, instinct, and the deep intelligence of the body. Miriam shares how living in nature has shaped her understanding of fear, resilience, freedom, and belonging — not as abstract ideas, but as daily experiences formed through weather, hunger, movement, stillness, and trust. At its core, this episode is about what the wild can reveal in us. It is a conversation about letting go of excess, listening more closely to the natural world, and discovering a different kind of wealth: one rooted in presence, simplicity, connection, and the courage to live by what feels true. Links: Connect with Karen and The Alchemy Pod on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/thealchemypod/] Keywords: Miriam Lancewood, Karen Darke, The Alchemy Pod, wilderness, nature, freedom, simplicity, adventure, alchemy, transformation, wild living, instinct, resilience, courage, solitude, belonging, self-trust, partnership, foraging, hunting, New Zealand, nature connection, unconventional life, presence, Thruhike. Credits: The Alchemy Pod presented by BLIMP and Thruhike Studios Hosted by: Karen Darke Produced by: Erica Mellon Ian Morland Karen Darke Katherine van Hengel Original Songs by: Lucas William Gardner Mixed & Edited by: Ian Morland Developed in association with: Zach Carver Liv von Oelreich Untethered Productions

Hard Times: Roz Savage on Courage, Calling, and Nature

Episode Description: In this episode of The Alchemy Pod, Karen Darke is joined by ocean rower, environmental campaigner, author, and Member of Parliament Roz Savage for a wide-ranging conversation about transformation, courage, and the strange magic that can emerge when life gets difficult. Together, Karen and Roz explore the many transitions that have shaped Roz’s path—from law graduate and management consultant to solo ocean rower, environmental advocate, PhD student, and politician. Roz reflects on what she calls the “gift of hard times,” sharing how the hardest moments in her life have become a resource: proof that her comfort zone can expand, that fear can be moved through, and that the unknown can become a place of growth. The conversation moves through ocean crossings, intuition, purpose, politics, nature, and the threads that carry through a life. Roz speaks about the calling that led her first to row across oceans in service of an environmental message, and later to stand for Parliament, where she is now working to bring climate and nature into the heart of political conversation. At its core, this episode is about how adventure can alchemize fear into clarity, hardship into wisdom, and personal change into collective purpose. It is a conversation about listening for the ideas that both thrill and terrify us, trusting the path as it unfolds, and remembering our deep connection with each other and the natural world. Links: Connect with Karen and The Alchemy Pod on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thealchemypod/]. Keywords: Roz Savage, Karen Darke, The Alchemy Pod, ocean rowing, adventure, alchemy, transformation, life transitions, courage, intuition, resilience, gift of hard times, environmental campaigner, climate and nature, Parliament, Climate and Nature Bill, nature connection, purpose, self-trust, collaboration, compassion, connection, systems change, Thruhike. Credits: The Alchemy Pod presented by BLIMP and Thruhike Studios Hosted by: Karen Darke Produced by: Erica Mellon Ian Morland Karen Darke Katherine van Hengel Original Songs by: Lucas William Gardner Mixed & Edited by: Ian Morland Developed in association with: Zach Carver Liv von Oelreich Untethered Productions

Part 2: Beyond the Record: Sara Mitchell on Pressure, Balance, and Self-Trust

Episode Description: In Part 2 of our conversation, sports psychologist Sara Mitchell shifts from theory into practice—working directly with host Karen Darke as she prepares for a return to competitive cycling. What begins as anxiety around breaking another land speed record at the World Human Powered Speed Challenge, transforms into a dialogue about pressure, freedom, and redefining self-care on her own terms. Together, they explore the tension between commitment and choice, ambition and wellness, rebellion and belonging. Sara helps Karen reframe performance not as losing herself to extremes, but as an opportunity to integrate: to push limits while staying grounded, to pursue goals without sacrificing connection, and to trust that self-care can include adventure, intensity, and joy. This episode is both deeply personal and universally resonant. It’s about how we hold commitments without losing ourselves, how we navigate fear without shutting down, and how we practice the art of self-trust in the face of pressure. Links: Connect with Karen and The Alchemy Pod on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thealchemypod/]. Keywords: Performance psychology, mental resilience, identity, balance, self-trust, intrinsic motivation, reframing pressure, self-care, connection, adventure, cycling, record attempt, Iceland, Sara Mitchell, Karen Darke, The Alchemy Pod, Thruhike. Credits: The Alchemy Pod presented by BLIMP and Thruhike Studios Hosted by: Karen Darke Produced by: Erica Mellon Ian Morland Karen Darke Katherine van Hengel Original Songs by: Lucas William Gardner Mixed & Edited by: Ian Morland Developed in association with: Zach Carver Liv von Oelreich Untethered Productions

Part 1: More Than Winning: Sara Mitchell on Awareness, Endurance, and Change

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: In this episode of The Alchemy Pod, sports psychologist Sara Mitchell invites us to reimagine what it means to perform—on the field, in our lives, and in the quiet moments between. Drawing on years of experience working with elite athletes, Sara offers a radically human approach to high performance. She challenges the conventional narrative of pushing harder and instead explores the power of noticing more: how presence, awareness, and self-compassion can unlock resilience, growth, and sustained excellence. Sara shares how pain, discomfort, and even suffering can become teachers—not obstacles—and how the stories we tell ourselves shape what we’re capable of becoming. Whether it’s managing pressure, reframing adversity, or holding space for inner transformation, her work moves far beyond sport. At its core, it’s about creating space for change. From Olympic-level competition to personal turning points, Sara reflects on the delicate relationship between performance and identity, pressure and potential. She reminds us that sometimes the most important race isn’t the one on the track—but the one inside ourselves. This episode is a meditation on mental resilience, the power of language, and the small internal shifts that create lasting impact—on and off the field. LINKS: Connect with Karen and The Alchemy Pod on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thealchemypod/]. KEYWORDS: Performance psychology, mental resilience, sports psychology, elite athletes, identity, endurance, mindfulness, awareness, discomfort, growth, mindset, human potential, Sara Mitchell, Karen Darke, transformation, The Alchemy Pod, Thruhike. CREDITS: The Alchemy Pod presented by BLIMP and Thruhike Studios Hosted by: Karen Darke Produced by: Katherine van Hengel Erica Mellon Ian Morland Karen Darke Original Songs by: Lucas William Gardner Mixed & Edited by: Ian Morland Developed in association with: Zach Carver Liv von Oelreich Untethered Productions

Beyond the Summit: Erin Parisi’s Ascent to Visibility

Episode Description: In this episode of Podcast Alchemy, we delve into the transformative journey of Erin Parisi, a trailblazing mountaineer and founder of TranSending7. Erin shares her path from confronting personal fears to embracing the vastness of the world’s highest peaks, all while navigating the complexities of her identity as a transgender woman. Erin recounts the inception of her ambitious goal to climb the Seven Summits, a challenge that became a metaphor for reclaiming her life and passions post-transition. She speaks candidly about the initial steps of venturing beyond her neighborhood, overcoming the trauma of past assaults, and reigniting her love for outdoor sports. The Seven Summits presented not just a physical challenge, but a framework for personal growth and risk management. She reflects on the scarcity of positive transgender narratives in media, noting that most stories focus on adversity rather than triumph. Erin emphasizes her desire to create a positive narrative, one where a transgender person not only survives but thrives and achieves remarkable feats. Erin also shares poignant moments from her climbs, such as reaching out to help a fellow climber on Mount Elbrus, highlighting the profound connections forged in shared adversity. She discusses her experience in Antarctica, where, despite the harsh conditions and lack of precedent, she felt a euphoric sense of accomplishment. Challenging the traditional “conqueror” mindset, Erin describes her evolving relationship with nature. She no longer sees it as a battle but as a partnership, where the journey and the lessons learned are the true rewards. Erin’s initiative, TranSending7, is more than a personal quest; it’s a movement to increase transgender visibility in outdoor sports. By aiming to be the first openly transgender person to complete the Seven Summits, Erin hopes to inspire others and pave the way for greater inclusion.   Join us as Erin Parisi shares her story of resilience, redefining narratives, and finding harmony with the natural world. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of embracing one’s true self and the mountains we all have to climb. For more information on Erin’s mission and to support TranSending7, visit transending7.org [https://www.transending7.org/]. Timestamps: 0:53 – Erin and Karen discuss the personal journey of hiding and coming into authenticity. 2:52 – Erin reflects on early experiences with gender incongruence and playground survival. 4:30 – Moving away to find space for identity, but still delaying transition. 6:15 – The adventuring spirit and feeling unsupported in old communities. 8:45 – Erin on rediscovering the outdoors as a safe haven. 10:05 – Incremental return to adventure and what “gravity sports” meant to her. 13:00 – Choosing the Seven Summits challenge and confronting global discrimination. 16:05 – The founding of Transcending and the importance of positive trans narratives. 20:45 – On rejecting negativity and choosing joy and visibility. 21:58 – Most meaningful moments from expeditions—human connection over glory. 26:43 – Shifting mindset: from conquering nature to moving with it. 30:05 – Reflections on freedom, safety, and gratitude as a trans traveler. 33:25 – The duality of visibility and the need to sometimes still hide for safety. 36:00 – On being labeled inspirational and navigating role model dynamics. 39:12 – Loving oneself in a world full of judgment and restriction. 41:02 – Responding to hate with empathy or boundaries. 44:05 – Transformation through difficulty: learning to love and be loved again. 47:00 – The alchemy of self-love and ending on a note of shared growth. Links: Connect [https://www.instagram.com/thealchemypod/] with Karen and The Alchemy Pod on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thealchemypod/]. Learn more about Transending: transending7.org [https://www.transending7.org] Keywords: Adventure, Seven Summits, resilience, transgender visibility, self-love, nature, personal growth, inclusion, overcoming fear, outdoor community, identity, Erin Parisi, Karen Darke, empathy, transformation, Transending. Credits: The Alchemy Pod presented by BLIMP and Thruhike Studios. Hosted by: Karen Darke Produced by: Katherine van Hengel Erica Mellon Ian Morland Karen Darke Original Songs by: Lucas William Gardner Mixed & Edited by: Ian Morland Developed in association with: Zach Carver Liv von Oelreich Untethered Productions