According to the SSA (Self Storage Association), the United States has upward of 50,000 storage facilities, more than five times the number of Starbucks. Right now, at this very moment, there are 7.3 square feet of self storage space for every man, woman and child in the nation. That means that it is physically possible to have every American stand—all at the same time—under the total canopy of self storage roofing.
Woah.
But what does that mean?
That means that we, as Americans, are consuming so much stuff that we literally don't know what to do with it all, other than throw it into a dark room to be forgotten or sold to people who want more stuff.
And if that's not enough, check these statistics out:
- The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year (Huffington Post).
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The average American woman owns 30 outfits—one for every day of the month. In 1930, that figure was nine (Forbes).
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The average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually (Forbes).
[STAT CREDIT (and full article): http://www.becomingminimalist.com/clutter-stats/]
Again, this is telling me that we, as a consumerist culture, have gone ape shit. Instead of hunting and foraging, we're spending and buying.
What happened to creating something from nothing? Using your hands. Getting dirty. Making mistakes and figuring stuff out for yourself?
That's why I'm so excited to have Blake Ward of the Seed store to join me on today's episode of Ancestral Health Radio to discuss the art of working with your hands, of craftsmanship. This, tribe, is the beginning of a series called "The Maker Series."
No; it won't all be linear. Next week won't feature some badass blacksmith (although, if you know someone who might fit the bill, please email me at james@ancestralhealthradio.com).
But I will be featuring people who have dedicated their life to working with their hands to create something that transcends their brand and ushers in a time where people are respected for creating small-batch goods and services.
I'm calling not just American's out, but everyone: What do you create that adds value to your tribe?
In today’s episode, you’ll learn…
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The difference between cannabis and industrial hemp,
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How to foster creativity and reciprocity through what Blake calls "collaborative community",
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Practical tips and personal insight on how to become a maker, and…
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Much, much more.
- The frustration that caused Blake to buy a sowing machine and begin Seed
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Blake and I recap the horrors of the Rana Plaza disaster and the unfair labor practices in third world countries
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Why certain manufacturers install bars on windows of multilevel buildings
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Blake tells of future plans moving forward with Seed
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Blake discusses how "community made clothing" can shine a light on textile waste
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What's the difference between marijuana and industrial hemp?
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The benefits of hemp fabric and its the similarities hemp has to its animal fiber cousin—merino wool
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Why Blake believes it's the producers and makers that change the world, not the consumers
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How to foster creativity and reciprocity through what Blake calls a "collaborative economy"
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The common mistake that held Blake back five years before finally starting Seed (I struggle with this, too)
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The course Blake took three times a week that dramatically improved his sewing skills
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The juxtaposition of the workers in Blake's manufacturing facility versus the nightmarish labor conditions in India (this is what you really pay for)
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The missing elements in yoga, mountain, and athletic apparel that led to the design of Seed's most popular piece of clothing—the antidote pant
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How Vibram Five Fingers are similar to Seed's antidote pant
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Why there is a Sri Yantra on every pair of sacred seed collection antidote pants
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Blake gives his best piece of advice towards becoming a maker
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Well...
Leaky Gut Syndrome, or intestinal hyperpermeability, is where the small gaps in your intestinal wall -- or “tight junctions” -- become loose due to pro-inflammatory foods and stressors.
These loose intestinal walls can then lead to inflammation that can affect the whole body by allowing harmful bacteria and toxins to directly enter your bloodstream.
Many health experts are now saying that inflammation may be the root cause to many of today’s chronic health diseases. Some of these diseases include--but are not limited to--diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and even cancer.
I’m not trying to scare you guys, but I am trying to get the point across that taking care of your health is much more than eating whole foods.
That’s why I’m honored to have Dr. David Perlmutter on episode #20 of Ancestral Health Radio.
Not only do David and I talk shop about inflammation and gut permeability, we go deep into the science of how to heal this inflammation from the inside out.
In today’s episode, you’ll learn…
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The direct correlation between diabetes and dementia,
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What coconut oil, ghee, and turmeric all have in common,
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How to heal your gut using fats and prebiotic fiber, and…
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Much, much more.
Subscribe on
iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Google Play | SoundCloud
Episode Breakdown
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Why people are being affected by carbohydrates and grain sensitivities
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How Leaky Gut Syndrome occurs and increases inflammation in the body
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The ONE thing that causes chronic diseases (e.g.- cancer, coronary disease, and Alzheimer’s)
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What ingredient makes up 40% of the foods we eat in America
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The #1 Cause of Death in the World
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The Glamorization of Gluten-Free Foods
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How carbohydrates affect degenerative brain diseases
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The Correlation between Diabetes and Dementia
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The BEST cure for Dementia and maladaptive gene expressions
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A 1960s scare tactic used to distract you from the dangers of sugar
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What soft drink manufacturers hope you never find out about artificial sweeteners
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What you do to screw up your gut and how to fix it
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The Surprising Truth about your Sweet Tooth
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Why you should embrace cooties
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Which foods have the highest levels of prebiotic fiber
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Why Fat is important in your diet
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How genetically modified fats are affecting your genome
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The Problem with blanket statements about “high fat” diets
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Grass-fed beef vs. Most beef sold in stores
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Which vitamin is vital to heart health and brain health
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The Debate between Dr. David Perlmutter and Dr. John Douillard
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How the Mediterranean Diet is often misunderstood
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Why people who take acid-blocking drugs (e.g. – Prevacid, Nexium, etc.) should beware
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The myth sold to teens with acne
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How Autism and gut-bacteria are related
- What coconut oil, ghee, and turmeric have in common
- And many, many more...
Episode Breakdown
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The disillusionment of our culture and where Steven believes many of us begin our search
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The story and connection between Steven and his grandfather (hint: grafting)
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Steven mentions a few of his inspirations and resources from living in the woods
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Steven discusses what brought him out of the bush
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Steven talks about age and the illusion of choice
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Steven’s introduction to wild or sacred gardening and warrior-king culture
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James and Steven talk about our lack of story and participation and co-creation with the land
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How to build a secular relationship with the Earth
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Why being “green” isn’t enough
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Steven explains the reciprocal relationship between the land and animals and hunter, fisherman, or gardener and the animals and land
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James shares a resource where you can live and learn from organic farming
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Both Steven and James want you to become a craftsman (or woman!)
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Ways Steven says you can give back to the land or wild places you take from
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The problem with nuclear families and the abandonment of eldership
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How to respect the land that you steward through sacred communication
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Steven explains what he calls “industrial ruts” and how easily it is to fall into them
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Why we want to find a place and grow our roots into the ground
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Benefits and differences of maple water and why you shouldn’t buy maple water products you see on store shelves
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Why harvesting root vegetables in the spring produces more natural sugars
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Steven mentions that he healed himself of Lyme disease with herbs
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Steven’s parting words
Questions I Ask
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“Can you open that up for us and tell give us some of your background as to kind’ve where you got to where you are today?”
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“You grew up with some of this knowledge?”
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“What exactly is grafting?”
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“What exactly made you feel like you needed to be living in the woods? What type of lifestyle were you living?”
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“Whose teachings did you latch onto in the beginning, then?”
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“How do we start fostering a more conscious relationship with the land?”
- “Is having a plot of land going to hold us down?”
Hey Tribe! Welcome back to part two of How to Uncage a Human with Jonathan Mead.
I'm going to try and do a little something different with today's show...
At the end of today's show, I'm going to summarize the key points mentioned, give action steps, as well as a system to help you succeed.
However...
I'm going to demand I hear back from you -- the tribe -- on your progress the following week.
I want this progress posted in one of two places:
- My email: james@ancestralhealthradio.com, or...
- The official Ancestral Health Radio (AHR) Facebook page.
This is part two of How to Uncage a Human.
In today's episode, you'll learn...
- The many pitfalls with over-specialization and perfectionism in your movement and lifestyle practice,
- How both Jonathan and I are approaching our businesses and how this will affect you (the listener),
- The many different views and philosophies shared by both Jonathan and myself, and...
- Much, much more.
Subscribe on
iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Google Play | SoundCloud
Episode Breakdown
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Jonathan and James outline what they see for themselves and for the future of both Uncaged Human and Ancestral Health Radio
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The struggle of trying to find a middle ground between primitive and modern living
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Jonathan asks the audience to ask themselves, "What is your biggest priority?"
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Jonathan stresses the importance of setting goals and creating systems
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Both Jonathan and James's morning and evening rituals
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Why Jonathan practices something called "cloud gazing"