Remembering Relationality with Copal Resin: Seeding Relations Conference Talk

This episode attempts to weaves together personal encounters and academic, historical accounts of human and animal relationships. I reflect on my own encounters with so-called "dangerous and dying" animals--Miko, a reactive dog we adopted; and Francie--a hedgehog dying from cancer. I turn to wisdom from Amazon, Singapore, and ocean mammals. This was produced as a project for a course called Animals and The Unseen taught by Teren Sevea This episode is dedicated to Michael Nunziato and Miko. Michael, you've been so dedicated to Miko's wellbeing. Miko, you're such a beautiful being, thank you for letting me love you. You two have taught me so much. Content warning: the storytelling, particularly in the beginning of the episode, includes stories of animals who can be considered dangerous as well as experiences of animal deaths. Here are some links from sources mentioned in the episode: Dog & deer from @thedodo Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Undrowned Professor Sevea's work on the miracle workers in Singapore Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, Cannibal Metaphysics The Case of the Animals versus Man before the King of the Jinn by Ikwan al-Safa' On tigers see: Dato' Paroï by Zainal Abidin bin Ahmad One example about the state of the Amazon I also want to acknowledge Professor Teren Sevea for this opportunity to produce this episode as a class project. Additionally, an earlier draft of this story was inspired by courses and conversations with Professors Michael Puett and Janet Gyatso. Thank you to my community: Amy and Henry, Nat and Liri & Lala, Quinn, Rebeccah, Claudia, Jessy and Scout for walking through this experience with me, and to Michael, Miko, Francie, Rūmī for all your patience and love. *** To learn more about Palestine from Native American, decolonial perspectives I recommend ⁠The Red Nation ⁠on Youtube or podcast apps. I have also signed on to ⁠this statement ⁠as a Ford Fellow, you can find further resources there. PS: enjoy Rūmī's meowing (and the heater) in the background.

September of 1519 in Yucatan, Mexico. September of 2018 in Denver, Colorado, USA. Copal is a powerful incense across centuries, a scent and ceremonial presence familiar to Indigenous peoples, Mexicans, and Chicanx communities alike. But what happens when copal is stolen from Maya sacred sites and brought to storage in Massachussetts? For over 100 years thousands of bodies from Chichén Itzá have been held in a Harvard museum in Cambridge, Massachussetts, USA. This is  a tragic rupture of a relational network.This is a bonus episode and based on a paper for Seeding Relations Conference March 2022. Here, I articulate some experiences, reflections, and questions that are emerging during my research and relationships with copalli. These are questions I hope to engage in my thesis and future doctoral work. Thank you for listening!Check out the March 2022 conference: Seeding RelationsRead the paper, a partial transcript of this episode.Aztec Philosophy, James MaffieFind out more about Harvard  Museum Collections hereMusic from Epidemic SoundsThis podcast episode was recorded and produced on the ancestral lands of the Pawtucket and Massachussett. To support the show and/or Rebecca's PhD applications fall 2022 venmo @Rebecca-Nunziato

On this episode Johanna Guevara of Dropping Seeds joins Rebecca to discuss the ways that we can relate to plants and remember ancestral survival skills and healing practices. Johanna shares her personal journey of Indigenizing her family structure, homeschooling her children, and cultivating herbal medicine. Johanna inspires us to be held by nature and in rooted relationships even in fast-paced urban settings like Brooklyn or Boston. Please consider purchasing amazing herbal blends for tea, smoking, and more from dropping-seeds.com! Resources & Recs from Johanna:Kim Tallbear on All My Relations PodcastGod is Red by Vine DeloriaMil Mundos BooksFollow Dropping Seeds on IG & FBThis podcast was produced on Pawtucket and Massachussett land. Learn about the Indigenous lands you occupy here: https://native-land.ca/To support the show and/or Rebecca's PhD applications venmo @Rebecca-NunziatoAbout Johanna:Johanna migrated to America with her family in the 80’s. As a last generation Colombian, her upbringing under the 7 Train in Queens, NYC, was mostly in Spanish. As with many Central, South American and Caribbean countries, both of her Grandmothers were influential and always had a plant for every ailment. From very young, Johanna’s passion was creating. Her drive and determination lead her to graduate with a BFA from Parsons School of Design, only a couple months before Sept. 11. This global event would not only change the course of history but also propel her freelance design career into a full service branding studio with clients like Time Inc., CUNY, Afropunk, Department of Education, HighTimes and Sony Japan. In 2008, during the collapse of the housing bubble which led to the Great Recession, she closed up her design studio and decided to travel the world with her then partner SirRoan. These travels very synchronistically turned into studies of sacred plant medicine, Ayurveda & Curanderismo with different masters from Brazil to New Mexico to heal personal emotional traumas. Johanna has also received certification in Reiki Level 2, Integrated Energy Technique Advanced , a Wasteskun Meztli Canada Moon Dancer and a Vision Quester in Atlantida, Colombia.

In this episode Rebecca is joined by Jamee Pineda for a conversation about ancestral healing, traditional medicines, and decolonial approaches to remembering and reclaiming knowledge and practices for collective liberation. Listen for insights about food, fractals, and an invitation to reject ideas of "purity" while embracing decolonial pathways for wellness in daily life.  Support Jamee and QTBIOC healing on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JameePinedaHealingArtsAbout JameeJamee is a hilot binabaylan, acupuncturist, and Chinese medicine practitioner.  With the combination of his lived experience and training, his goal is to help individuals and communities live their fullest lives by offering a decolonizing approach to medicine rooted in traditional and ancestral practices.  He is the host The Decolonizing Medicine Podcast! Subscribe & listen now: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dTvGlwkri4s8KvLx5ZNVoLearn more here! http://www.jamee-pineda-lac.com/ 

In this episode Rebecca is joined by Diana Morales, Purepecha artist and a graduate student at UCLA. Diana generously shares stories from her family, her community, and from the earth. Tune in to hear Purepecha origins of the sacred tabaco plant,  the power of seed memory and planting in community, and Diana's journey of self care and representation through art.  About Diana MoralesDiana is a Purepecha migrant living in Santa Ana, CA Tongva and Achachemen territory. She is an indigenous artist and digital illustrator. She shares her work to highlight Purepecha culture in the diaspora and "to remind us that we are here with our stories, our language and our history. "Follow Diana and see her incredible work on IG @arte.es.medicinaBuy beautiful stickers and prints by Diana hereSupport Diana's Masters Degree on GoFundMe herehttps://www.gofundme.com/f/help-diana-get-her-masters-in-teaching

Welcome to season 2 of Decolonize Everything podcast! In this episode Rebecca is joined by Curandera Erika Buenaflor to celebrate her fourth book, Animal Medicine: A Curanderismo Guide to Shapeshifting, Journeying, and Connecting with Animal AlliesListen to Erika's journey of embracing her gift as a healer. She offers insights and invitations around issues of appropriation and accessibility of ancient and contemporary Indigenous wisdom. Light a candle and some incense with Rebecca and enjoy a taste of all the profound research and experiences that Erika generously shares.  Follow Erika on Instagram hereBuy Animal Medicine or any other of Erika's books hereSupport this podcast by buying Rebecca coffee/books via Venmo: @Rebecca-Nunziato Subscribe, rate, review, share wherever you listen to stuff you love!Theme Music produced by TheRealPakman for Eating Beatz and all other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions.

This is the final episode of season 1 of Decolonize Everything and it's a very special episode.Rebecca is joined by her sister Sara Nicole Mendoza. Sara Nicole is a life coach who helps highly sensitive people and empaths learn to regulate their nervous system, and ultimately to step into their power and heal. In this episode Sara and Rebecca share laughter and lament. Sara offers insights and inspiration for those who are often "tempted to stay small," she even does some coaching on the spot and invites  us all into deep engagement and work with our egos and energy.Sara and Rebecca are  both first-generation graduate students: Sara is a master student at Naropa in the Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling program and she has her BA in psychology. They share struggles and successes while considering their privilege and opportunities to change the game. Listen now and be sure to follow and support Sara's work:Sara Nicole Instagram account.More wisdom dropped on her YouTube Channel.Learn more & book a coaching session with Sara here.Theme Music produced by TheRealPakman for Eating BeatzAll other music comes from Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)So much gratitude to all listeners & supporters of this podcast! More coming soon in Season 2

In this episode Jenny Medrano (she/they) joins Rebecca for a conversation about deconstructing DEI (diversity equity & inclusion) and envisioning "holistic liberation." Jenny offers practical tips, potential rituals, and profound insights for our path towards decolonization. Also: Join us in celebrating! Jenny has spent the last four years at Building Bridges and when we recorded this conversation she had yet to announce her transition off of the BB team. In addition to turning 30 in May 2021 she also will be focusing full-time on her own business: Jenny Medrano Coaching! Happy Birthday and congratulations, Jenny!Links from this episode:Building BridgesMaren Miller, Energy HealerGuided Wim Hof Method BreathingI referenced this IGTV when Jenny was talking about her rage after Adam Toledo and Daunte Wright in particular.Jenny mentioned this book, which I *always* recommend: Voices From the AncestorsSubscribe & follow along here:Facebook: @decolonizepodcastInstagram: @decolonizepodcastTwitter: @DecolonizepodTheme music produced by TheRealPakman for Eating BeatzAll other music from Blue Dot SessionsAbout Jenny Medrano:Jenny’s unique experience as a Latina leader in the city of Denver has fueled her passion for holistic liberation. With over a decade of experience in education, youth development and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) training, she has equipped hundreds of youth and adults with the tools to uproot systemic oppression in their personal and professional lives. She is especially passionate about supporting women and femmes of color in deprogramming their limiting beliefs, and toxic lifestyle habits. 

In this bonus episode I offer critiques of colonial systems and academic assumptions about religion and medicine. I share a bit about my research and experience of an unfolding relationship with copal. The decolonial healing path continues to draw me in. I am deeply grateful and increasingly aware of all that I need to un-learn and re-learn. This is a project for a wonderful course I took this spring at Harvard Divinity School called "Religion and Healing: An Anthropological Perspective." I am really grateful for a chance to TALK. IT. OUT. (in the quiet, dark covid-19 cave). Because so much of this year of online school has been in very isolated conditions. So I get a bit nerdy. I'd love to hear what you think! References in this episode:Read Podcasting as Sacred Listening and Collective Liberation here: revista.drclas.harvard.edu/decolonize-everything-podcasting-as-sacred-listening-and-collective-liberation/ Read Sacred Smoke of Copal here:https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/sacred-smoke-of-copal/The Invention of World Religions, Tomoko Masuzawa: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/I/bo3534198.html The History of the Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Diaz Del CastilloThe work of archaeologist Leonardo Lopez Lujan: www.mesoweb.com/about/leonardo.html The brilliant teaching of Dr. Giovanna Parmigiani, lecture notes.hds.harvard.edu/people/giovanna-parmigianiProjectoArtefakto Etsy Shop (and photo): www.etsy.com/shop/ProjectArtefaktoRead more of Rebecca's writing here: www.rebeccamendozanunziato.com/writingWatch The Possibility of Spirits Documentary:https://vimeo.com/235886345 Audio features:Theme music produced by TheRealPakman for Eating BeatzVicks Commercial from Cartoon Network 1994Emerge-C AdGrupo Tlaloc DanzantesAll other music from Blue Dot SessionsSubscribe & follow along here:Facebook: @decolonizepodcastInstagram: @decolonizepodcastTwitter: @DecolonizepodBuy Rebecca coffee/books via Venmo: @Rebecca-Nunziato Thanks for listening to Decolonize Everything!

Have you thought about the way that our transportation systems are colonial? The violence of our cars?On this episode, Jonathon Stalls speaks about "unhurried movement" and every-day opportunities for connection and action in the face of a violent car-centric society. Join the sacred circle as Jonathon and I explore how walking/rolling/moving has transformed our experiences of self and relationship with the earth. Jonathon graciously shares his own encounters with life, death, spirituality, and growth.  About our incredible guest:Jonathon Stalls spent 242 days walking across the United States in 2010 and has continued to move alongside thousands of people for thousands of miles. He is an artist, social entrepreneur, advocate for social, economic, and racial justice, LGBTQIA+, Creator of Intrinsic Paths and Pedestrian Dignity, and Founder/Member of the Walk2Connect Co-op.  Learn more and support Jonathon here: www.Patreon.com/IntrinsicPathsPhotography by Art HeffronThanks for listening to Decolonize Everything!Subscribe & follow along here:Facebook: @decolonizepodcastInstagram: @decolonizepodcastTwitter: @DecolonizepodSupport the show via Venmo: @Rebecca-Nunziato New theme music produced by TheRealPakman for Eating BeatzAll other music from Blue Dot Sessions