Dorcas grew up in Kenya, where her father instilled in her the value of planting trees—his farm was full of trees and coffee plants. Dorcas also recalls the generational stories that were passed along: they once had forests full of trees that have now been cut down. These stories sparked a deeper appreciation for nature within her. While she once overlooked tree-cutting on farms, believing it would bring other benefits, Dorcas's perspective shifted over time.

With eye-opening studies in marine science management, Dorcas founded the Mazingira Pamoja Initiative, dedicated to empowering women and girls. Among its projects, the initiative focuses on restoring mangroves on Funzi Island.

What are Dorcas's experiences in planting mangroves with local communities, and why does she view forest ecosystems as essential?

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Rūta: https://www.instagram.com/dorcaswakio/

Support the Mozengida Pamoje Initiative: https://www.instagram.com/mazingirapamoja/

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Rūta's upbringing was enriched by her mother's presence and the wisdom of her grandmother, a passionate geologist deeply connected to the natural world and its spiritual essence.

When her grandmother faced a grave illness, Rūta found herself pondering: “If we were able to present the diagnosis with a very different approach, how would people heal?” This question ignited her journey into psychology, intertwined with her understanding of biology.

As a dedicated researcher, writer, and facilitator of multi-species imagination, Rūta immersed herself in interpreting the human psyche through the lens of nature. Exploring the innate mechanisms of regeneration and embracing co-creation with the natural world, she sought to unravel the mysteries of the psyche and promote healing.

What symbolism does the forest hold? And what profound insights does nature offer about ourselves?

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Rūta: https://www.instagram.com/r_u__ta/

Read Rūta's articles: https://rutazem.substack.com/

Sympoiesis: https://www.instagram.com/sympoiesis.world/

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Ana was raised in Venezuela with her family, who had been cattle farmers for generations. They, from whom she inherited Indigenous ancestry, maintained a deep connection to the land.

However, due to increased governmental pressure, she was compelled to leave with her parents for Canada, thus becoming separated from her family, homeland, and culture.

Growing up far from her ancestors' lands, Ana found solace through meaningful encounters and the nature around her. By exploring the forest whenever possible, observing her surroundings, foraging, and learning the names of the trees, she cultivated a sense of belonging to her new environment. Embracing her Indigeneity, Ana's worldview evolved.

How did she forge this profound bond with the forest, and what experiences did she encounter there? Follow Ana's journey as a forager, activist, and influencer.

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Ana: https://www.instagram.com/ana.inthewild/

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram

LinkedIn

After a long journey that took her from writing poems to strangers, to the Shakespeare & Company bookstore café in Paris, and to an immersive writing experience in a forest in Sweden, Billimarie found herself back in her mother's garden. "This is a man-made woods," Billimarie recalled a phrase that had struck her during her time in Sweden. "Man-made," she thought.

Meanwhile, her mother, wise and attuned to nature, understood the needs of her plants instinctively, without relying on science or other methods. Witnessing her mother's connection with nature, Billimarie felt compelled to pass on this knowledge to her own daughter.

What could be more beautiful than nurturing the dream of a greener world, where such a connection is not only cherished but also achievable?

This is why she decided to create her own dream, a forest oasis in the desert.

How did she reach this point? Join us as we dive into Billimarie's creative journey.

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Billimarie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bee0robinson/

Billimarie's Ecofarm project: https://www.instagram.com/foreverystaratree/

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Welcome to Season 2 of Terra Stories.

What’s on the agenda? FORESTS. 🪲🌳🌲🪵🍄 Specifically, “Reviving Forests Roots” explores forest ecosystems and their wisdom, deepening the intrinsic links between nature and humanity through the people who live and listen to it. It’s a journey to our roots, steeped in stories, to imagine, rediscover, and reconnect with the natural world and our ancestral origins.

This first episode is a brief introduction to the series. I wanted to share something with you, focusing on forests, my connection to them, and how my perspective has evolved. Whether my words resonate with you or not, that’s the beauty and purpose of this series. It acknowledges that our experiences with nature differ due to cultural backgrounds and perspectives. I reflect on the stories I’ve been told by those around me, the myths and folklore that shaped me, and explore alternative narratives to deepen our connection with our rooted selves.

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Naima's father has always taken care of his garden as if he were hiding a secret within it. Naima couldn't help but wonder, 'how could such a tough person have such a tenderness to care for the plants, the fruits that grew on the trees, and the birds that latched on them.'

It wasn't until she re-entered that sacred space, a few years after painful events, that Naima began to unravel the precious mysteries her father nurtured within his garden.

In the midst of pain, that garden became the doorway to her interest in nature, caring for the little things, the simple things. She found life lessons hidden in the trees, discovered comfort in its presence, and drew meaning from its richness.

What did she learn and what is the wisdom hidden in every garden?

Join us as we immerse ourselves in the soft words of Naima's poetry, where, as a writer, poet, performer, and nature advocate, she unravels the emotions hidden within the heart of her father’s garden.

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Naima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-payton-34a13222b/">https://www.instagram.com/naimaaishalemu_/

Naima's website: https://msha.ke/naimaaishalemu#articles-and-books

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram">Instagram

LinkedIn">LinkedIn

Justine's grandfather had a passion for photographing trees, particularly those with character. This made him a man who knew how to find wonder in the small things.

Justine found her grandfather's legacy to be a guiding light amid the growing waves of the haunting melodies of a changing world.

As she embarked on her own odyssey, she understood that the wonders of the world weren't just confined to the grandiose; they flourished in the hidden corners of the Earth, just waiting for someone to see them.

Justine is now a writer, she believes that words and the stories we build with them have the ability to unveil the wonders we often overlook.

What brought Justine back to seeing the wonder in the small things?

Dive into this new episode and open your eyes to the wonders of the natural world.
⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Justine: https://virtuallyrooted.com/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-payton-34a13222b/

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram">Instagram

LinkedIn">LinkedIn

Birungi's journey starts with her ancestors, who always found inspiration in nature for their creative work.

Through the use of banana tree fibers, bark cloth, and batik techniques native to Uganda, they crafted various forms of art that shaped her childhood. This left her with a profound respectful relationship with the natural world, driving her to revisit these traditions and incorporate them into her own life, leading her to become a collage artist and art tutor.

Influenced by her roots, nature, Black feminism, and Afro-somatic movement, Birungi employs her art as a means to explore ways of achieving well-being within a community.

How did Birungi's origins impact her childhood? Why did she choose natural materials for her art, inspired by her ancestral traditions? How can this art promote healing?

Dive into the vibrant colors, textures, and movement of Birungi's mindful art as we explore these questions and more in this episode.

⭐ Do you want to support Terra Stories? Add 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with Daiva: https://virtuallyrooted.com/">https://virtuallyrooted.com/

Let us know on social media if you liked the episode and follow our updates:

Instagram">Instagram

LinkedIn">LinkedIn