This episode takes you on a riveting journey through the verdant watersheds of Hawaii, unraveling ancient practices of land stewardship, sovereignty, and a deep-seated connection with nature. The guest on the show is a unique individual who lives off-grid and off-property, unplugged from mainstream society. His intriguing insights into the ancient Hawaiian practices and the concept of 'ahupuaha' (translated as 'pig altar' or 'watershed') make for a captivating listen.

The episode delves into the nuances of land stewardship and food sovereignty in Hawaii. The challenges posed by racism, government bureaucracy, and corporate agriculture are tackled head-on. Our guest presents a stark contrast between traditional Hawaiian cultivation and modern industrial practices, stressing the value of nurturing a deep connection with Mother Nature.

Through captivating stories of resilience, negotiation, and the farmer's crucial role in establishing food security, the listener is offered a fresh perspective on how communities can strive for self-sufficiency. But it doesn't stop there. The conversation takes an exciting turn as we venture into the mystical domain of plant consciousness.

Our guest shares his personal experiences with foraging and nurturing a nursery, illustrating the profound link between the plant kingdom and human consciousness. This isn't merely about green fingers and a love for nature. It's about challenging societal norms and questioning the influence of substances on our consciousness. The conversation draws on ancient Hawaiian wisdom, combining anthropology, ecology, botany, and spirituality in a truly unique blend.

From exploring Hawaiian watersheds and their significance in achieving self-sufficiency to discussing the impact of land stewardship on food sovereignty, the episode takes you on an intellectual roller-coaster ride. Discussions about the healing power of medicinal mushrooms and plants, the influence of substances on consciousness, and the relevance of ancient Hawaiian terms to modern existence, add multiple layers of depth to the conversation.

So, whether you are a nature enthusiast, a student of anthropology, a spiritual seeker, or simply someone with an insatiable curiosity, this episode promises a rich tapestry of ideas and insights. It invites you to look at nature and human consciousness through a fresh lens, challenging norms and encouraging you to explore the untapped potential of the natural world. Tune in and embark on this enlightening journey.

Aero is a food farmer living & growing on no man's land in Hawaii. Many principles of his current living situation are founded on pre-contact "Hawaiian"/polynesian culture.

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 Intro

08:40 Ahupua'a & watersheds: the real roots of sovereignty

12:30 Pre-colonial Hawaiian sovereignty

31:30 Makaʻāinana and living off the land

39:24 Olde Growth Organics

42:50 The Consciousness of Plants

53:42 Societal Substances Historically

58:30 8-Circuit Model of Consciousness

01:09:07 Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

"The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World" by Michael Pollan

"Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers: The Secrets of Ancient Fermentation" by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Eight-circuit Model of Consciousness

(it's also written about in "Neurologic" by Timothy Leary and "Prometheus Rising" by Robert Anton Wilson)

--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------

Sovereignty, Self-Sufficiency, Hawaiian Practices, Watersheds, Land Stewardship, Food Sovereignty, Racism, Government Bureaucracy, Corporate Agriculture, Traditional Cultivation, Industrial Practices, Plant Consciousness, Foraging, Plant Kingdom, Human Consciousness, Green Fingers, Nature, Societal Norms, Substance Use, Ancient Hawaiian Terms, Ahupuaha, Land, Seasons, People, Mother Nature, Resilience, Negotiation, Farmer, Food Security, Consciousness, Stimulants, Psychedelics, Breathwork, Ayurvedic System, Terrestrial Circuits