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#763: Margaret Atwood and Boyd Varty

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Aug 14, 2024

Margaret Atwood, acclaimed for her groundbreaking works like "The Handmaid's Tale," and Boyd Varty, a lion tracker and wildlife activist, dive into intriguing discussions. Atwood shares her insights on the creative process behind speculative fiction, connecting it to childhood experiences and poetry. Varty reveals transformative lessons from the wild, exploring themes of fear, healing, and personal growth. Their engaging narratives highlight the profound links between literature, nature, and human connection—spanning the creative spectrum from storytelling to tracking.

03:00:50

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ANECDOTE

Rhenius's Dedication

Varty shares an anecdote about master tracker Rhenius choosing to continue tracking a lion even when clients wanted to return to camp.
This highlights Rhenius's dedication and mastery of tracking.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Leopard Tracking and Richard Sowella

Varty discusses the challenges of tracking different animals, with leopards being the most difficult due to their solitary and secretive nature.
He shares an anecdote about a tracker named Richard Sowella who specialized in tracking leopards.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

The Tracker's Mindset

Embrace discomfort with the unknown, and develop track awareness by attuning to specific signs.
Cultivate the following state, constantly responding to what is occurring, and build a community of fellow trackers.

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Celebrating a Milestone: Speculative Fiction and Creative Perspectives

04:04 • 4min

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Reflections on Speculative Fiction and Childhood Creativity

07:52 • 20min

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The Heartbeat of Underground Poetry

27:33 • 5min

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The Impact of Personal Experience on Literature and Life

32:38 • 5min

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Legacy of the Land: A Family's Safari Journey

37:20 • 18min

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Tracking Transformation

55:02 • 27min

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Facing Fear and Finding Connection

01:21:37 • 8min

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Exploring Ubuntu: The Collective Consciousness and Relational Identity

01:29:52 • 2min

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Embracing Solitude in Nature

01:32:19 • 13min

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Bees, Lions, and the Dance of Nature

01:44:49 • 24min

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The Healing Journey: Embracing Vulnerability and Connection

02:08:24 • 15min

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Healing Journeys: Connection with Nature and Self

Exploring Tools for Health and Wellness

02:55:42 • 5min

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#12030

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Cathedral of the wild

Boyd Varty

Cathedral of the Wild is Boyd Varty's memoir about his life on the Londolozi Game Reserve, where he learned to track animals and connect with nature. The book explores his journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, highlighting the transformative power of the wild. Varty recounts his adventures, including surviving dangerous encounters with wildlife, and reflects on the lessons he learned from his family and the land.

#8980

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood

The Blind Assassin is a historical fiction novel by Margaret Atwood, set primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. It follows the lives of sisters Iris and Laura Chase, weaving together multiple narratives that blur the lines between reality and fiction. The novel includes a novel within a novel, also titled 'The Blind Assassin', which is initially attributed to Laura but later revealed to be written by Iris based on her own experiences.

#5010

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

Arctic Dreams

Barry López

#2678

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Lion Tracker's Guide to Life

Boyd Varty

In this book, Boyd Varty merges his experiences as an African tracker and a Master Life Coach to convey profound lessons on how to live a fulfilling life. The story follows Varty and his friends tracking lions in the South African bush, highlighting strategies such as navigating without a fixed destination, staying alert, and using all senses to read the environment. These strategies are applied to everyday life, helping readers find and follow their inner tracks to discover what is deeply important to them. The book emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and listening to one's 'wild self,' which has been conditioned to be neglected in modern life.

#9239

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Day of the Triffids

John Wyndham

In this classic science fiction novel, a spectacular meteor shower causes widespread blindness, leading to the collapse of society. The protagonist, Bill Masen, who retains his sight due to being in the hospital with bandaged eyes, must navigate this new world. Along with a few other sighted survivors, including the novelist Josella Playton, Bill faces the dual threats of blind humans and the triffids, carnivorous plants that can move and kill with their poisonous stingers. The novel explores themes of survival, societal collapse, and the human response to catastrophic events, including bio-warfare and mass destruction, all set against the backdrop of Cold War paranoia.

#114

• Mentioned in 160 episodes

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

#2771

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

The Left Hand of Darkness

Ursula K. Le Guin

In this groundbreaking novel, Ursula K. Le Guin delves into the society of Gethen, a planet where the inhabitants are androgynous and only enter a state of sexual arousal once a month. The story follows Genly Ai, an envoy from the Ekumen, as he navigates the complexities of Gethenian culture and politics. The novel is a profound exploration of gender, identity, and the human condition, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and femininity.

#1854

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The Gift

Hafiz

Daniel Ladinsky

This book presents a stunning collection of Hafiz's most intimate poems, translated and interpreted by Daniel Ladinsky. It imparts the wonderful qualities of Hafiz as a spiritual teacher, including an audacious love, profound knowledge, wild generosity, and a sweet, playful genius. The poems explore themes of the beloved, faith, and exposing hypocrisy, and are known for their ability to encourage love, happiness, and a deep spiritual connection. Although Ladinsky's renderings are not traditional translations but rather modern interpretations, they have been praised for their accessibility and timeless appeal.

#3316

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Of Wolves and Men

Barry López

Originally published in 1978, this book delves into the intricate and varied interactions between humans and wolves over centuries. Lopez uses a wide range of sources, including personal experiences with captive and free-ranging wolves, to create a compelling portrait of the wolf. The book celebrates scientific fieldwork, dispels folklore that has demonized wolves, explains myths, and honors indigenous traditions. It explores how wolves are perceived differently by various cultures, such as scientists, Eskimo hunters, and Native Americans, and argues for the wolf's preservation. The book also examines the historical and cultural significance of wolves in human imagination and society.

#30550

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Old Babes in the Wood

Margaret Atwood

While specific details about Margaret Atwood's "Old Babes in the Wood" may require further research, it is known to be a work of fiction by the celebrated author. Given Atwood's prolific career and diverse themes, it is likely that this novel explores complex characters and situations. The title suggests a potential focus on aging, perhaps with elements of mystery or suspense. Further investigation into reviews and summaries would provide a more complete understanding of the book's plot and themes. It is anticipated that "Old Babes in the Wood" will demonstrate Atwood's signature blend of sharp wit, social commentary, and compelling storytelling.

#190

• Mentioned in 117 episodes

The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood

The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government. Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'. The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights. Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement. The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense.

#416

• Mentioned in 69 episodes

Awareness

a de Mello spirituality conference in his own words

Anthony de Mello

In 'Awareness', Anthony de Mello combines Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Hindu breathing exercises, and psychological insight to challenge readers to wake up from the go-go-go world of illusion. The book, composed of short chapters and lectures, encourages readers to become aware of their thoughts, actions, and motivations. De Mello argues that true happiness and freedom come from dropping illusions and living in the present, free from the constructs of culture, conditioning, and fear. He emphasizes the need to observe oneself, understand negative feelings, and practice detachment to achieve a more authentic and fulfilling life.

#4164

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

The Testaments

Margaret Atwood

Set 15 years after the events of 'The Handmaid’s Tale', 'The Testaments' is narrated by three women: Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy. The novel delves into the inner workings of Gilead, revealing the complexities of its theocratic regime and the resistance against it. Aunt Lydia, a former judge turned Aunt, secretly works against Gilead from within, while Agnes and Daisy become embroiled in a plot to topple the regime. The story is presented through a manuscript and testimonies, culminating in a metafictional epilogue that discusses the authenticity and impact of these accounts in a future where Gilead has fallen.

#170

• Mentioned in 128 episodes

How to Change Your Mind

What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence

Michael Pollan

In this book, Michael Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic drugs, from their rise in the 1960s to their current resurgence in medical research. He combines historical and scientific analysis with personal narratives of his own experiences with psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin. The book explores how these substances are being used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety, and discusses their potential to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and consciousness. Pollan's work is a blend of science, memoir, and travel writing, offering a nuanced and engaging look at the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics.

#283

• Mentioned in 90 episodes

Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury

In this classic dystopian novel, Ray Bradbury depicts a future American society where books are outlawed and 'firemen' are tasked with burning any discovered. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman who starts to question his role after encountering Clarisse, a young girl who loves nature and reading. As Montag delves deeper into the world of books, he begins to see the emptiness of his life and the dangers of a society that values entertainment over critical thinking and intellectual freedom. With the help of Faber, a retired English professor, Montag rebels against the system, leading to a confrontation with his fire chief, Captain Beatty, and ultimately joining a group of intellectuals who have memorized books to preserve knowledge for a post-apocalyptic future.

• Mentioned in 1,758 episodes

1984

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited.

The episode features segments from episode #573 "Margaret Atwood — A Living Legend on Creative Process, The Handmaid’s Tale, Being a Mercenary Child, Resisting Labels, the Poet Rug Exchange, Liminal Beings, Burning Questions, Practical Utopias, and More" and #571 "Boyd Varty — The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life."

Please enjoy!

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Timestamps:

[00:00] Start

[05:11] Notes about this supercombo format.

[06:14] Enter Margaret Atwood.

[06:48] What drives Margaret's ability to craft engaging speculative fiction?

[10:52] The downsides of raising a family isolated in the woods.

[15:44] Factors that nudged young Margaret toward poetry.

[21:54] How limited options led Margaret to her current vocation.

[24:07] How long it took for writing to pay off, and its benefits in the meantime.

[30:34] Life lessons learned by teaching.

[34:18] Enter Boyd Varty.

[34:42] Setting the scene.

[37:00] Origins of Londolozi Game Reserve and Boyd's childhood influences.

[39:17] Why Boyd's family kept the seemingly useless property.

[41:23] Boyd's experiences with The White Knuckle Charter Company.

[50:00] Transforming scrubland into a safari business with help from Ken Tinley and Shangaan trackers.

[56:04] Shangaan trackers' lineage and wildlife trust in Londolozi's caretakers.

[59:46] Renias Mhlongo's supreme tracking skills and work ethic.

[1:05:18] Hardest animals to track at Londolozi.

[1:08:30] Safety measures in Londolozi's unpredictable environment.

[1:10:21] "I don't know where we're going, but I know exactly how to get there." —Renias Mhlongo

[1:12:26] Boyd's tracking evolution: from childhood to trauma recovery.

[1:30:30] Definition of Ubuntu.

[1:32:40] Boyd's 40-day tree-dwelling experience.

[1:45:47] Bees, birds, and hive algorithms.

[1:57:07] Interacting with lions in the wild.

[2:01:41] Death conversations, ancient myths, and inexplicable animal movements.

[2:07:30] Comparing trauma recovery paths within Boyd's family.

[2:11:08] Ceremony work for trauma healing.

[2:14:06] An authentic life as activism.

[2:19:27] The impact of Byron Katie's Work on Boyd and me.

[2:23:55] Boyd's first sweat lodge experience in Arizona.

[2:29:18] Feelings. Nothing more than feelings.

[2:31:48] What a close encounter with a beautiful predator taught Boyd about Ubuntu.

[2:40:53] The therapeutic value of spending time with animals.

[2:45:22] Contrasting lion roar descriptions: van der Post vs. Boyd.

[2:49:40] Invitation to Londolozi and parting thoughts.

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