#61: Dave Scott - How Wildlife Tracking Changes the Mind & Perception

I visited Russia after their war with Ukraine started. I traveled into the country & tracked Siberian tigers in what was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. After returning, integration came with some challenges & my good friend Jared Nations asks some questions to allow me to process more thoroughly. Enjoy.

We've all heard the quote "history repeats itself", but usually there are too many factors for it to repeat verbatim. However, it does come close. I dig into some historical context around the current state of the world and suggest some things to consider in preparing for what the future looks like.

Dan Doty uses meditation, somatic awareness, and the wilderness to facilitate transformation in men and especially fathers. He is the co-founder of Evryman where he gained thousands of hours supporting men in developing greater emotional capacity to show up better in the world. He's learned a thing or two about men, about healing, and the wilds of nature.

Taylor Keen, or "Blueberry", is a man of Omaha and Cherokee cultural lineage and a scholar teaching at Creighton University. In this conversation, we discuss his cultural upbringing within his tribal identities, how the obliteration of indigenous people through disease impacted their culture, and how new findings about north and south American indigenous people suggest new paths for civilization. At the end, he shares a powerful story of his first traditional hunt.

Daniele Bolelli is a historian, podcaster, and philosopher who shares many interests as me. In this conversation, we discuss the compelling communal nature of indigenous Americans, we discuss Lakota leader Crazy Horse, and Bolelli's views on creating religion based off the best that existing establishments have to offer. Bolelli is a frequent Joe Rogan Experience guest along with an immense podcast of his own called History on Fire. 

How do we make good choices in this new era of fear, mandates, and divisiveness? I tackle some audience questions about how to handle the risks we face as a collective. Good choices start from making good sense of the world. I break down some cornerstone concepts for making sense yourself. I also share my own perspective on the state of the world.

Jordan Reasoner is a friend, backcountry hunter, and he has undergone a transformation in the past few years. In this conversation, we discuss some of the more compelling encounters with wolves and bears in the backcountry, but transition into even tougher challenges Jordan faced with his businesses and relationships only a short time ago. 

Nathan Smith is a movement specialist. Beyond ample time spent hunting, skiing, and rock climbing, he is a MovNat Level III, ELDOA Level III, and CHEK certified. He knows movement. In this conversation, we cover core concepts of movement and how to take action. Towards the end, we have a special treat that we share about Sacred Movement. Alongside Nathan Smith is Matt Kinneberg, another movement specialist who has helped to create the Sacred Movement program and is an integral part of the concept development.

We are facing a "meaning-making crisis" according to John Vervaeke. I have faced the challenge of modern civilization by incorporating eco-spiritualism from my mentor into my life. I pay attention to the nature surrounding me and allow the symbology to guide and influence my actions. This episode records a particularly interesting encounter with a rattlesnake and how you can also incorporate this type of symbology in your life.

Dave Scott is the founder of Earth Native Wilderness School east of Austin, TX where he teachers thousands of children and adults primitive skills, survival, and wildlife tracking. He is one of the best wildlife trackers in the world. His background as a child participating in search and rescue, his military experience, and his immersion into the wild have given him a new perspective on life in modern civilization.