Wilderness Within

In this deeply personal solo episode, Kai J. returns to one of the lands that raised him—Los Angeles—to walk, reflect, and speak aloud the truths that have shaped his latest chapter. Through spontaneous storytelling on the trail, he explores what it means to finally meet the hero he’s been searching for: himself. From honouring ancestral roots and interviewing his parents on camera for the first time, to shedding victimhood and stepping into authorship of his own life story, this is an intimate meditation on privilege, presence, and the power of becoming your own witness. Blending ancestral reverence with humble awe for modern miracles, Kai J. invites listeners into a moment of grounded gratitude and radical self-honesty. This episode is a reminder that storytelling isn’t just for others—it’s for the future self, too. Whether you're in transition, healing family dynamics, or redefining your own path, this episode holds space for the question: What story are you here to tell—and are you brave enough to be its protagonist? Kai J.'s website: subtledream.com Instagram: @subtledream Newsletter: subtledream.kit.com/profile Patreon to support his newsletter & this podcast: patreon.com/subtledream - The Wilderness Within (WW) Podcast is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or VPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show with a friend, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your favourite listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson & Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack and logo. A shoutout to the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph P., Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., Alex A., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.

After a hiatus, we're back! This episode features a very special guest and friend, Tamara Wilder. Tamara became fascinated by ancient living skills in at age 19 when she attended an Ancient Living Skills gathering. She was “hooked” and quickly began incorporating the practice of skills into her daily experience. Ever since, she has been dedicating her life to enjoying, learning, researching, experimenting with, writing about and teaching Paleo Technologies through a variety of programs, workshops & demonstrations on a range of skill topics at a plethora of locations through her company Paleotechnics. Now, over 30 years later, she runs programs in stringmaking, firemaking, rope making & hunting technology and other fiber arts for grade school students all around Northern California as well as adult workshops in the Pacific Northwest and is co-author of the book Buckskin: The Ancient Art of Braintanning, a series of Paleotechnics Handbooks and numerous chapters in other books. Tamara's offerings, information, and contact can be found via https://www.paleotechnics.com Her patreon: https://www.patreon.com/paleotechnics The Spirit Weavers gathering: https://spiritweaversgathering.com/ -- Wilderness Within (WW) is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or NordVPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month or year. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your favourite listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson & Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack and logo. A shoutout to the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph P., Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., Alex A., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.

Greetings, and happy new year! In this episode, I speak with Beth Huggins amongst the hills of coastal Ecuador on land being stewarded and restored by Regeneration Field Institute. This conversation was recorded in June '22. Beth believes in development work that intimately considers unique community and individual needs with a systemic and holistic approach. I recall her soaking up the book (amongst countless other books) 'How Can I Help?' while living and working together in Nepal. She says "The concept of service in my mind is that you just show up, day after day. You have no expectations. You have no agenda. You are there to support life." When I asked about the cultural barrier of working in Nepal, "I never imagined I'd spend 7 years in a place. But 7 years (is what) it's taken me to understand the background of those cultural challenges. To understand that, 'oh, even if I don't like this power dynamic that exists' when we work with communities, I don't really get to choose this - it's their power dynamic. It's their culture... All I get to have a say in is how I get to spend my life minutes to support other people to have a say in that - whose space it is." We also speak into sacrifices, challenges, patience, and of inspiring people in Beth's life who have guided and positively impacted her. Connect with Beth via @bugggins and follow her work @consciousimpact + @regenerationfieldinstitute -- On the next episode - we move out of Latin America and return north to the Pacific Northwest on the edge of the Salish Sea where I used to reside - Seattle. I sit down and have a conversation with a long-time friend, Jennifer Grasso. -- Wilderness Within (WW) is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or NordVPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month or year. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your fav listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson & Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack and logo. A shoutout to Melissa Carter for her editing & production magic, and the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph P., Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., Alex A., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.

In this episode, I have another connective walk and talk with Orion Haas, a long-time friend and brother amongst the jungle on the outskirts of Tulum, Mexico. Orion speaks into the early months of our friendship, then diving into our time and work in Nepal which brought us into a post-disaster, service-oriented community and the contrast to the living situation then in Tulum as a newly married man to Mariana, who was the guest in the previous episode. He offers insight into their lifestyle decision to live life with as little plastics and inorganic waste as possible while maintaining a connection and sense of responsibility to the natural environment and the elements. In essence, Orion shares why a conscious impact is not only important but vital to living an aligned, value-driven life. We converse about community living and the difference he has experienced when the community has a collective sense of purpose. The conversation then shifts towards the ubiquitous and profound quesiton of "What does it mean to be human?" and his purpose of late of deepening his learnings and practice of Ayurveda, an ancient form of medical sciences from India dating back thousands of years. There is a bonus something at the end of the episode :) Connect with Orion via Instagam @orionhaas & Facebook. -- On the next episode - we move continents to South America, on the central coast of Ecuador amongst the rolling hills outside of Bahía de Caráquez where I converse with a dear friend, Beth Huggins. -- Wilderness Within (WW) is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or NordVPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month or year. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage with this journey @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson and Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack. Scott is also a guest on 1 of the upcoming episodes, and Carlos pourted his artistic talent for the WW logo. A shoutout to Melissa Carter for her editing & production magic, and the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph B. P. Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.

In our first full episode with a guest, I have a connective walk and talk with Mariana Jimenez Moreno, a dear friend, natural building teacher, and community living advocate in the tranquil forested art walk at Holistika in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Mariana speaks into her unique dual-world upbringing in Mexico & the United States, snippets of travel and living experiences in Mexico, France, India, Dominica, and Nepal that have shaped her perspectives and ways of being. We dive into her early curiosities in school on ecologically-sound building methods, and being disappointed by professors and classes' lack of coverage beyond the conventional. Mariana and I also had a round of shares on some of the dilemmas of isolated modern day living and the contrast to the community living we experienced together through Conscious Impact in Nepal since 2015. She paints a picture as to what the near future could look like for her and her husband Orion, on land and in community, connected with the natural cycles, the elements, and leaning into the skillsets and interests of those around them. This episode was recorded in Feburary 2022 during my memorable visit to the region. Follow Mariana's natural building journeys via Instagam, @superadobe.delanait. --- On the next episode - another beautiful walk and talk with Mariana's husband and my long time friend, brother, Orion Haas. --- Wilderness Within (WW) is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or NordVPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month or year. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage with this journey @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson and Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack. Scott is also a guest on 1 of the upcoming episodes, and Carlos pourted his artistic talent for the WW logo. A shoutout to Melissa Carter for her editing & production magic, and the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph B. P. Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.

In this pilot episode-trailer, I share the "ah-ha" moment of this podcast in the Spring of 2021 during a camping trip with an old friend outside of Los Angeles in southern California, and the months and years that followed of its shaping and materialization. Next up - our first full episode with guest and dear friend, Mariana Jimenez Moreno. --- Wilderness Within (WW) is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or NordVPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month or year. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage with this journey @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson and Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack. Scott is also a guest on 1 of the upcoming episodes, and Carlos pourted his artistic talent for the WW logo. A shoutout to Melissa Carter for her editing & production magic, and the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph B. P. Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.