The Earth Sea Love Podcast

033- History, Literature and Trees with Zakiya Mckenzie

Zakiya McKenzie, one of the first writers in the forest for the Forestry Commission, talks with Sheree Mack, The Earth Sea Love Podcast's host about:Embracing sweet moments in each dayThe value of sleepBecoming a writer of the forestThe barriers for Black and People of Colour within white establishments An arboretum, a collection of trees Unravelling plant historyColonialismComparisons between Jamaican and British landscapesForest ecologiesChildhood experiences with natureBlack and Green BristolExperiences in nature for Black peopleWorking in partnership with other organisations to provide opportunitiesPhD in Journalists from the Caribbean during the Windrush generationRacism within the PhD systemThe balance between creative and academic writingFuture publications and eventsBio:Zakiya McKenzie is a PhD candidate with the Leverhulme Trust-supported Caribbean Literary Heritage project at the University of Exeter researching Black British journalism in the post-war period. Zakiya is a writer and storyteller and was the 2019 writer-in-residence for Forestry England during its centenary year. In Bristol, she was 2017 Black and Green Ambassador and is a volunteer at Ujima Community Radio station. She regularly leads nature, art and writing workshops, including one on Caribbean storytelling for primary schools. Her work has featured at the Cabot Institute for the Environment at the University of Bristol, the Institute for Modern Languages Research at the University of London, the Hepworth Wakefield Gallery, the Free Word Centre, at Cheltenham Literature Festival, on BBC’s Woman’s Hour, Farming Today and Inside Out West. She has written for Smallwoods Magazine, the Willowherb Review and BBC Wildlife Magazine. Website - Zakiya MTwitter - Zah - KEY- yahTESTIMONIES ON THE HISTORY OF JAMAICA VOL 1 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

032 - Outdoor Experiences with Tammy Shakur

Sheree Mack chats with Tammy Shakur in this episode about:The promise of Spring and shifting energyTaking things slowA year on from Covid-19 lockdown in the UKGoing out to go inReconnecting with ourselves through natureWhat does an Outdoor Experience Guide do?Barriers to connecting with natureNature as a teacherChildhood experiences of connecting with natureNature as a healerThe value of affinity spaces Bio: Tammy Shakur,  an Outdoor Experience Guide and Certified Life Mindfulness Coach.Runner, Hiker, Passionate outdoor enthusiast.Tammy's passion and mission in life is helping women to connect and engage with nature to support their own personal healing and wellness journey.  She does this through guided outdoor experiences centering nature, community and healing conversations.  Tammy's goal in every interaction is that the beauty, the lessons and the seasons glimpsed OUT in nature inspire and support the journey IN for every woman she is blessed to connect with.Instagram: goingout_2_goinMeet-Up: Wander Women of GA    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

031- Education, Writing and Connection with Sarah Hussain

Your host Sheree Mack has an in-depth and wide ranging intimate conversation with Sarah Hussain which takes into account:The privilege of having outdoor spaces at homeBeing an educatorBeing a writerUniversity teachingWriting to bring about change in perceptions of South Asian womenAmplifying the voice of women of colour within ecological researchA PhD in Ecological Degradation The women's struggle to protect the environment Growing up as South Asian in BritainGaining a sense of identity through family and cultural heritageBeing a positive role model for future generationsWriting from lived experiencesTaking opportunities to sit at the table of power‘The Campaign to Protect Rural England’ research Barriers to accessing the countrysideRisk assessment for going outside  Bio:Sarah Hussain is a Huddersfield based author and educator. Her first novel Escaped from Syria was a winner finalist in the People’s Book Prize Award and her short story collection Sit up, Stand up, Speak up was released in 2017. In 2018 she won the Ms Shakespeare competition and was shortlisted in a competition run by The University of Huddersfield and her short story, You will be free one day, my dearest India, is included in the anthology Trouble, celebrating protest, published by Grist and was ‘highly commended’. Sarah uses her writing as a means of expression to enable her to use her voice to promote tolerance. She is currently completing a PhD and her research is looking at ecological degradation in the Himalayan region from a postcolonial ecofeminist perspective. She aims to use her research to amplify women’s knowledge and she wants to challenge negative representations of South Asian women. Sarah carried out research into barriers to engaging with nature for people of colour as part of a participant-led project commissioned by CPRE.CPRE commissioned essay, The invisible barriers that hold people back from enjoying the countryside.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

030 - Collaborative Walking with Cherelle Harding

As Sheree Mack, your host, chats with Cherelle Harding from the Midlands, this episode covers:Black Girls HIkeCreating Steppers UKPublic backlash against Black walking groupsWorking with the Youth and NatureChildhood experiences for a lasting impressionComing to Nature through the artsHealth and WellbeingBritish Science Week and ResearchAreas of Outstanding Natural BeautyCollaborative rather than competitionBarriers to walking outsideAll the ElementsChildhood upbringingFuture plansBio:Cherelle Harding is a youth worker from Coventry, Founder of Steppers UK & Midlands leader of Black Girls Hike. Not growing up knowing much about 'The Great Outdoors' Cherelle was inspired to connect with nature through reggae music and school residential trips. Now a full time adventurer, Cherelle is passionate about inspiring underrepresented communities to build positive relationships with the outdoors.Cherelle HardingFounder @Steppers UKGO FUND ME -  Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ChallengeInstagram: @SteppersUKTwitter: @SteppersUKFacebook: Steppers UK  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

029- Sharing Nature Connections Across A Younger Generation With Amina Smith-Gul

Sheree Mack your host really enjoyed talking to Amina Smith-Gul about her many different experiences and activities within nature and how she takes the time and energy to share her love of nature with others, particularly with the younger generation. In this episode you'll hear them talking about:The two films that explore Black people and swimming, Blacks Can't SwimThe development of the City Girl in Nature's YouTube channelAll the Elements social eventsLiving in London and green spacesAmina'a Peruvian Amazon rainforest experienceGiving back to the communityInspiring others to get out into natureWebsite developmentProcessing our experiences in natureGrowing through traumatic experiencesChildhood and travelLiving off the landPlanning for her next trip to Kenya Bio: Amina Smith-Gul grew up in Deptford, an inner city area of South-East London. Along with many of her friends, neighbours and peers, who all experienced a great deal of the challenges that come with living in an area, and with people, who have often been neglected, excluded and marginalised.She struggled a great deal with making sense of senseless violence and trauma, she had faced, she found herself homeless, moving from sofa to sofa, and struggling with her mental health and well-being. Her life was chaotic, often harsh, without meaning or any sense of direction or purpose.At her lowest, she received what could be regarded as a gift and a blessing. An opportunity to be part of a British Exploring Society’s expedition to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. She spent 3 weeks in a remote part of the jungle, with no phone or contact with the outside world, & with a group of people that she barely knew.This, in many ways, was a life-changing experience for her. She experienced the beauty of nature, where there was no judgement, just life teaming with energy and opportunity. And bonds of friendship and loyalty with strangers who had to discover ways to live and work together in order to be successful. On her return she started to think about connecting with other people, particularly with young people like herself, some of whom have never had the opportunity to experience anything other than poverty and hardship. She wanted to explore if a connection with nature, could touch them in a similar way that it had with herself.This led to the start of City Girl in Nature, as a way to give back to her community. To share her love and passion for the outdoors, and belief that everybody should have the chance to be healed, to be nourished, and to life with abundance.Please do join her on my journey and keep up-to date with progress.Website: City Girl in NatureInstagram: City Girl in NatureYouTube: City Girl in NatureBlacks Can't Swim See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

028 - To connect with birds, do we need to know their names?

Talking from a personal perspective, Dr. Sheree Mack, shares her thoughts, feelings and creative pieces around her developing connection with birds.interspersed with field recordings from her walks, Sheree shares family history, superstitions and wonder about these remarkable creatures. Herring Gull, one of the poems Sheree reads in this episode, was published by Poetry Village, September 2020.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

027 - Working to include All The Elements in the Great Outdoors with Soraya Abdel-Hadi

Soraya Abdel-Hadi is an award-winning writer, artist, and advocate for women and diversity in the UK outdoors.In this episode you get to enjoy the conversation around:Lockdown fatiguePaying attention to the seasons.All the ElementsBuilding community to create diversity in the outdoorsCreativity to bring about changeBarriers to equitable access to the outdoorsFear - internal and externalThe dominate image of the Great Outdoors is maleOperating from a place of privilegeMixed heritage backgrounds Getting an outdoors fix with horses and climbingWorking with women and sustainability through a holistic lensHow the Black Live Matter movement applies to the UK How to keep hoping and moving forward for change Bio:Soraya Abdel-Hadi is an award-winning writer, artist, and advocate for women and diversity in the UK outdoors. She believes in taking a holistic approach to making the world a better place, and writes about sustainability, nature and adventure travel. Soraya is Lonely Planet Sustainable Storyteller 2021 and founder of the All The Elements – a community working to increase diversity in the UK outdoors. She is mixed race - white British / black Sudanese. Personal website: www.soraya.earthSocials: @sorayaearth on Twitter, Instagram and FacebookAll The Elements website (including free directory and resources): www.alltheelements.coSocials: @alltheelements_ on Twitter and Instagram All the Elements next social will take place on 3rd June, and details can be found here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

026 - Trying to find the ways to talk about nature, environment and race with Joanna Henry

Jo is an advocate for social, environmental and global justice. She is passionate about creating change through who we are and what we embody and believes in the power of connection to heal and transform.In this episode we talk about:Getting out into local areasExclusive spaces 'v' public landPrivatised land in the UKBarriers to getting into the countrysideCommon land and common right to roamChildhood connection to natureEnvironmental and social issues connectionWoofing around the worldFamily heritageThe gaze and not being reflectedGaslighting around race and racismPeer research project with Countryside Protection for Rural EnglandHomogenising the Black experiencePoliticisation of the landscapeTrying to find the ways to talk about  nature, environment and raceBlack Girls Hike, getting Black women walkingLanguage for diverse experiencesHope for changeSelf-love, joy and spirituality interconnected with natureJo feels strongly about shifting narratives and amplifying the people, ideas and stories that work towards our collective liberation.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

025- Herbalism and Ancient Medicine with Rasheeqa Ahmad

Rasheeqa Ahmad, Hedge Herbs - medical herbalist in the community in Walthamstow in north east London.Rasheeqa has been practicing with plant medicine for the last 8 years after studying herbal medicine in Glasgow and London.In this episode we talk about:Going out to go into natureDoorstep explorations Urban green spacesPlant medicine and and community Herbal medicine within the community Body wisdom and taking back our powerWestern medicine 'v' traditional medicine Ancient healing systemsFamily history within medicineRadical Herbalism Preventative medicineKnowing the names of plantsThe properties of yarrowThe abundance of winter leaves Bio: Rasheeqa Ahmad, Hedge Herbs - medical herbalist in the community in Walthamstow in north east London.She has been practicing with plant medicine for the last 8 years after studying herbal medicine in Glasgow and London.Rasheeqa's path has brought her ever more in the direction of herbalism as systems change, inside and out - partly inspired by being part of the Radical Herbalism Gathering organising crew since 2013, bring the politics to herbal medicine!Since qualifying, she has been mixing clinical practice with community collaborations and the sharing and spreading of knowledge as a way to deepen their connections with the earth around them and find more fitting ways of living together in our wild home.She enjoys developing herbal healthcare projects in diverse groups, sharing skills and resources and responding to needs and imbalances they see amongst them - these are some that she's part of currently, as well as her own practice:Mobile Apothecary - street solidarity herbal medicine distribution to fellow community members including people sleeping rough, and going through the asylum system in east London (currently Bethnal Green, Hackney & Dalston)Community Apothecary - patchwork of herb gardens in north London where we are growing herbs, making medicines and offering community training in plant medicine practice and cultural exchange (Waltham Forest borough)   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 024 - Don’t Sacrifice Your Skin For Anyone

Within this episode, our first where we platform the creative works from women of colour and nature, your usual host Dr Sheree Mack shares a prose poem created a few years ago which explores her multiple visits to Iceland. Previously published with Something Other, for the first time ever, you will be able to hear and experience Sheree read this piece.We hope through sharing these creative pieces that we are expanding the growing exposure and appreciation of Black Nature Writing. A little side note :Title quoted from a poem by Emmy Fisher.Section VII is a source of information or inspiration from: http://issuu.com/rvkgrapevine/docs/issue02_2017_lowres See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.