In this profound conversation, Victoria Loorz is joined by ethnobotanist, Franciscan brother, and spiritual ecologist Gary Paul Nabhan—also known as Brother Coyote—exploring themes of cultural and spiritual resistance, sacred relationship with the land, and the transformative power of remembering ancient ways. Gary shares stories of his time with Indigenous communities, his recent recovery from a traumatic head injury, and his hope for agrarian sanctuaries in a time of ecological and societal collapse. Inviting us into a re-enchanted worldview grounded in interconnection, reverence, and resilience and concluding with a poetic practice of naming the relationships in the natural world, reorienting us toward wonder and communion.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Book: Against The American Grain: A Borderland's History of Resistance by Gary Paul Nabhan
• Article: On Doors and \cracks\ by Bayo Akomolafe
• Book: Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Debra Reinstra
• Podcast: Refugia Podcast with Debra Reinstra
• Agrarian Trust: agrariantrust.org

Connect with Gary:

• Website: garynabhan.com

Connect with the Center:

• Website: wildspirituality.earth
• Victoria's Website: victorialoorz.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Linktree: linktr.ee/ctrforwildspirituality
• Instagram: @center_for_wild_spirituality

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 05:53 The Land That Raised Brother Coyote
• 07:22 Engaging All Senses
• 09:52 Old Stories Collapsing
• 11:32 Awkward Teen Phase
• 12:28 Against The American Grain: A Borderland's History of Resistance
• 15:24 Desert Spirituality
• 17:29 Practical Sanctuaries of the Wild
• 22:32 Listening Through Diversity
• 24:29 Cultural Resistance
• 28:13 Retreat to Assisi
• 29:57 Take Little Steps
• 31:34 Coming To Our Senses Through Body
• 34:09 Active Incarnation
• 36:29 Relationship > Thing-ness
• 38:53 Ancient Expressions
• 41:59 The World of Fragrance
• 46:23 Wild Invitation
• 49:26 Alex and the Ocean