#32 Rewilding the Human Spirit with Jesse Wolf Hardin
What does it truly mean to rewild yourself?
In this powerful, impactful episode, I had a conversation with Jesse Wolf Hardin, an American author, activist, musician, artist, herbalist, and wilderness guide to explore the concept of ''rewilding".
This conversation goes far beyond ecology. It’s an invitation to remember that we are not separate from nature. We are nature. Together, we talked about how modern life has distanced us from our instincts, intuition, and wild essence and how reconnecting with the Earth can restore not only ecosystems, but our very identity.
From Wolf’s 50 years living off-grid in New Mexico to his reflections on plants, activism, and inner transformation, this episode is a call to return to your roots, reclaim your wildness, and live more fully, and authentically.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- 00:00 – Teaser and Intro
- 00:43 – Jesse Wolf Hardin & his life’s work
- 02:12 – What rewilding really means
- 03:06 – Rewilding ecosystems vs. rewilding ourselves
- 04:28 – Disconnection, conflict, and the illusion of separation
- 07:08 – Humans as “feelers” of the Earth
- 10:04 – Wolf’s early experiences of wildness
- 12:17 – Learning from elders and living outside the system
- 14:02 – Finding his land in New Mexico
- 15:41 – Living off-grid and building a life rooted in nature
- 20:04 – Technology vs. connection: reaching the world from the wild
- 21:28 – The Good Medicine Confluence experience
- 23:16 – Feeling like an outsider & carrying “medicine”
- 24:44 – Raising children with imagination and wildness
- 26:26 – Can you rewild in the city or suburbs?
- 29:11 – Rewilding as a lifelong process
- 32:10 – Practical ways to begin rewilding anywhere
- 35:37 – Plant energy, medicine, and ecological connection
- 40:04 – Lessons from plants (especially Alder)
- 42:42 – Recommended books by Wolf
- 44:25 – Final reflections & gratitude
Memorable Quote:
“We cannot be natural practitioners unless we are within our own nature.” ~Jesse Wolf Hardin
“You are a part, just as the tree is, of all that has ever existed.”
“Rewilding is not a place. It’s a way of being.”
Books by Jesse Wolf Hardin:
Links & Resources:
About the guest, Jesse Wolf Hardin:
Jesse Wolf Hardin is a presenter, musician, ecosopher, activist, artist, and author of hundreds of magazine articles and dozens of books – a champion of both human and bio diversity, as well as of nature’s medicines. Wolf tends and rewilds his very remote wilderness sanctuary home, and founded the international Good Medicine Confluence and Plant Healer Magazine with Kiva Rose in 2008. Connect with Wolf and Plant Healer on Instagram
About the host, April Punsalan:
April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. Connect with April: Wild Herb Academy Instagram Page
Invitation
Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review and most importantly, share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way and to reWILD their spirit.
🌲 Stay WILD. Stay human. And remember—you are nature.
With Love,
April Punsalan
