Episode 37: On deep ecology, ecological identities and the Council of All Beings, with John Seed

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Cara Gubbins, animal communicator, author, and founder of the Animal Communicator Academy.Cara shares the personal and spiritual journey that led her to animal communication—including the unforgettable encounters with grey whales that cracked her open to new levels of healing and growth. We talk about the wisdom animals offer us when we’re willing to listen—lessons about curiosity, openness, presence, and the simple truth that animals and humans aren’t all that different.At the heart of our conversation is Cara’s powerful vision: that animal communication isn’t just a skill—it’s a pathway to personal transformation and planetary healing. As she explains, learning to truly listen to animals requires us to face our own emotional blocks, shift how we relate to ourselves, and ultimately become more compassionate, connected humans. And from that space, real change becomes possible.Cara shares stories from her practice and teaching, and speaks about her mission to save animals by helping people become confident, heart-led animal communicators. Because when we learn to communicate with animals, she says, we begin to remember who we really are—and that remembering is the healing our planet needs.We also talk about her books, The Confident Animal Communicator and Animal Chakras, and how she helps people around the world awaken their intuitive gifts and step into service.For more information about Dr. Gubbins, visit her website:https://www.caragubbins.com/ 

This meditation, titled Evolutionary Remembering, has been adapted from the book, Thinking Like a Mountain, and read aloud by Lisa Christel. We thank Lisa and the beautiful birds that gave life to the audio for this special episode. We also thank John Seed (interviewed in our last episode), Joanna Macy, Pat Flemming, and Arne Ness, for bringing this book into the world.

In this special episode of Animals & Us – Voices of a New Paradigm, we share an impromptu conversation with legendary environmental activist and deep ecologist John Seed.John has spent over four decades defending rainforests and advocating for the Earth - not only through direct action, but by inviting us to transform how we see ourselves in relation to the natural world. As the founder of the Rainforest Information Centre and co-author of Thinking Like a Mountain, John’s work has inspired a generation of changemakers, spiritual ecologists, and everyday people yearning for reconnection.We speak with John about the roots of the Deep Ecology movement, the role of grief and love in environmental action, and the power of the Council of All Beings workshops to awaken ecological identity. Our conversation explores what it means to shift from seeing the Earth as “other” to remembering that we are the Earth, and that our activism, care, and listening arise from that sacred belonging.This is a gentle yet powerful episode with someone whose life reminds us that protecting the planet is not just an act of urgency - but of reverence.Follow John's work at:https://www.facebook.com/johnseed.deepecology        https://www.instagram.com/johnseed_deepecology/  Substack at https://substack.com/@johnseed  Occasional blog posts at htpps://johnseed.netSchedule, podcasts, essays, films etc. at https://rainforestinfo.org.au/johnseed.htm

In this episode, we chat with Sydney Kuppenbender, a Métis-Ukrainian-French Canadian researcher and environmental advocate from rural Northern Saskatchewan. Sydney’s powerful vision for the future of the environmental sector emphasizes the need for animals and the land to be consulted as equals in conservation and land management processes.Sydney recently completed her Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, where her research focused on the role of intuitive interspecies communication (IIC) in wildlife conservation and human-animal conflict resolution. Her work beautifully intertwines her Indigenous roots with modern conservation science, offering a fresh perspective on how we can better understand and respect the spiritual and relational connections we share with animals.In this episode, Sydney takes us through her journey of discovering IIC, the challenges and breakthroughs of working alongside animal communicators, and how her research can shift the paradigm in conservation practices. She shares powerful stories from her research, including a case where an animal communicator was called in to help with the relocation (which can often be very complex, challenging and even dangerous) of elephants. Join us as we explore how asking the right questions, and truly listening to the answers, can help foster a more harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.Listen now to hear Sydney’s inspiring journey and her vision for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to environmental conservation.For more information, visit Sydney's:Website at https://www.sydneykuppenbender.ca/ Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/borealiskwiw/LinkedIn account at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-kuppenbender-596b22b3/She also mentions Indigenous Elder Copper Jack's work in this episode. If you are interested in learning more about him and his work on the Land and Peoples Relationship Model, visit https://www.respectcareshare.ca/

In this episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we are joined by the incredible wildlife photographer Dan Elster, whose work captures the raw, authentic moments of animals in the wild. Dan’s unique approach to wildlife photography goes beyond just snapping a picture - he shares how he establishes a deep, respectful connection with the beings he photographs, often creating a silent space that allows for the magic to happen in the interaction.We dive into the process behind his photography, discussing how patience and presence play crucial roles in forging these meaningful connections with wildlife. Dan reflects on some of his most profound encounters, including a powerful story of a mother bear and her cubs, as well as the deeply personal lessons he’s learned about human-animal connections and the importance of understanding animals as individuals with distinct personalities.In this episode, we also explore the complexities of anthropomorphism in wildlife photography, examining how attributing human emotions to animals can shape our understanding of them. Dan also shares his thoughts on how he thinks animals might perceive humans in their space and how we can show up for them in ways that are respectful and non-threatening.With a deep commitment to conservation and education, Dan hopes his photography inspires others to connect with the natural world in a more meaningful and respectful way. He shares advice on cultivating stillness and presence in our interactions with animals and the environment, helping us all take steps toward a more mindful, compassionate relationship with wildlife.Catch the full episode to hear about Dan’s transformative experiences in the wild and the profound lessons animals have to offer.Check out Dan's incredible photography HERE.He has a beautiful collection of greeting cards with his amazing photography, and he donates a portion of all proceeds to conservation efforts. Click HERE to see his unique and stunning greeting cards.Dan is also very active on Facebook, where he shares about his adventures with wildlife photography.

In this episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we are joined by the incredible Kristina Hunter, founder of the Eco-Impact Academy, and a passionate advocate for sustainability and personal wellbeing. Kristina has dedicated over 20 years to teaching about environmental sustainability and green building, and she believes that the health of the planet, our communities, and ourselves are all interconnected. Kristina’s work centres around the deep connection between personal healing and healing the earth. She shares her powerful belief that sustainable living starts with taking care of our own wellbeing—because a healthy planet begins with healthy people.In our conversation, Kristina unpacks her innovative work with Eco-Impact Academy, and the importance of addressing eco-anxiety. She also reflects on her time teaching on the land in Churchill, Manitoba, and how connecting with nature enhances our learning and understanding of the world.Kristina also opens up about her evolving perspective on animal communication, sharing how her scientific background initially made her skeptical, but how she’s become more open to the idea of intuitive connections with nature and animals. Her story about grieving the loss of a tree in her neighbourhood and her experience connecting with an animal after the passing of her beloved dog, Maddie, are powerful examples of the emotional and spiritual ties that bind us to the natural world.This episode is a beautiful reminder of the importance of integrating personal health with environmental sustainability and how emotions play a critical role in our journey toward a more compassionate and sustainable world.Listen now to hear Kristina’s inspiring insights on sustainability, wellbeing, and the importance of recognizing our emotional connection to nature.Check out Kristina's work on her website HERE.Kristina also has an amazing newsletter and a podcast that are incredible resources for anyone who is looking to live a more eco-conscious life.

In this special episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, Avantika shares a significant life change—her move to Belgium to pursue her PhD. This marks the beginning of a new academic chapter, one that aligns closely with her personal aspirations and her grandfather’s legacy. Avantika reflects on the excitement and challenges of this new adventure and the personal significance of this step in her journey.Her upcoming research will be with the ANICOM project—a groundbreaking study on intuitive interspecies communication (IIC), funded by the European Research Council. The project, led by Prof. Vanessa Wijngaarden at the University of Liège (Belgium) explores the practices of animal communicators and how they engage in two-way communication with animals. With a multidisciplinary team and fieldwork across 8 countries, the ANICOM project aims to develop new methods for engaging with non-human animals as full research participants. Avantika discusses her involvement with this project and how it will contribute to the development of "dialogic multispecies methods," combining insights from animal cognition, Indigenous knowledge, biosemiotics, and new materialism.Join Barbara and Avantika as they talk about the intersection of personal growth, academic pursuit, and professional passion. This episode is about honouring the past, embracing the future, and forging a path toward a more inclusive and interconnected world where humans and animals communicate on equal terms.Listen now to hear more about Avantika’s exciting new chapter in Belgium and her commitment to advancing research on animal communication through the ANICOM project.Click HERE for more information about the ANICOM project.Avantika will also be sharing snippets of her journey during this process on her Instagram account. 

In this episode, we share a conversation with me (Avantika Mathur) on Dani Fankhauser's Spirit Doggies Podcast. Here's a little bit more about the episode, from that podcast:"If your first thought was that animal communication doesn't exactly sound science-based, you wouldn't be alone.This week's guest combined her drive for a purposeful career with her academic roots to become a pioneer in the field of animal communication research. She set aside her own initial doubts and put on her researcher hat to find out.This interview absolutely blew my mind! There's already so much work underway in understanding and making practical use of animal communication, on both small and large scales.Avantika Mathur is an academic researcher with a master of science in Global Health, co-host of the Animals & Us podcast, and is currently completing a research fellowship focused on Intuitive Interspecies Communication. She's a trailblazer in this space, both in coordinating events and editing for academic journals on the topic.Learn more about the podcast here: ⁠dogdeities.comIn this episode: Avantika's career pivot into studying animal communicationAdoption story of her first dog, SimbaThe current academic research around animal communicationWhat humans can learn from animals, and their perception of us and our contributions to the globe (!!)How intuitive interspecies communication (IIC) can help address major global issues like climate change, without fear or shame tactics"

In this  episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we welcome the wonderful Dr. Estella Carolye Kuchta, a passionate researcher and educator. With her recent PhD completion, Dr. Kuchta explores the transformative potential of love in our understanding of the natural world and our connections with it.Join us as we jump into her fascinating research on intuitive interspecies communication (IIC) and how love serves as a vital bridge in fostering deeper connections with animals, particularly trees. Dr. Kuchta shares her insights on how each being possesses intrinsic value, not only for their contributions to our lives but simply for existing.Here’s what we talked about:The Role of Love in Interspecies Communication: Dr. Kuchta shared her research on how love enables intuitive communication with animals, particularly trees. She believes that by tuning into love, we can become more responsible and caring members of Earth.Re-envisioning Education: We discussed the need for a paradigm shift in educational practices, moving beyond traditional "green" initiatives to address the deeper values embedded in our systems.Messages from Trees: Dr. Kuchta revealed the insights she received from trees about how to communicate with them and the important messages they want to share with humanity.Skepticism and Fear: She shared a story about a friend who transitioned from skepticism to understanding, highlighting the often-fear-based roots of skepticism regarding intuitive communication.Future Vision for Education: Dr. Kuchta articulated her vision for integrating love and environmental awareness into educational systems, emphasizing the importance of changing how we think about our relationships with nature.About Dr. Kuchta:Dr. Estella Carolye Kuchta teaches ecocriticism and research writing at Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. Her doctoral research investigated the epistemological potential of love and the redefining of love from an ecological perspective. She is the coauthor with Sean Blenkinsop of Ecologizing Education: Nature-Centered Teaching for Cultural Change (Cornell, 2024). Her ecocritical research into Canadian love stories resulted in the novel Finding the Daydreamer(Elm Books, 2020). She has worked as a research assistant to Dr. Gabor Maté (MD), an editor for Susila Dharma International, and an intern for the CBC Radio, and is a long-time member of the International Love Research Network and the interfaith group Subud.