There is a moment that many homesteaders eventually encounter. It might happen with a goat that keeps escaping the same fence. It might happen with a chicken that suddenly changes her behavior. It might happen with a horse that refuses to load into the trailer. Or perhaps it's the sheep who consistently gather in one particular corner of the pasture for reasons you can't quite explain. Eventually, if you're paying attention, you begin to ask a different question. Not: "How do

Adventuring with the Earth Something is unfolding—and I’m getting more excited by the day. In one week, I’ll be departing for a ten day visit to El Lugar, where Sean will be attending his first CF Training and I’ll be facilitating Talk to the Animals—yes, at El Lugar, with all those incredible animals. I can hardly wait. It’s reminding me how often life expands this way: a choice, followed by a choice, followed by another choice… and suddenly there are possibilities you c

When we think about communicating with our pets, we often imagine asking questions. Listening for answers. Understanding behaviors. Solving problems. Helping them through illness. Addressing anxiety. Working through challenges. Those are all valuable moments for communication. But what if some of the richest conversations happen when no one is trying to fix anything? What if they happen while you're playing? What If the Purpose of Life Is Joy? Within Talk to the Animals, we o

What if domestication isn't about living in a house? What if domestication is about shrinking your awareness? Most of us weren't born domesticated. We were born curious. We were born aware. We were born asking questions. We were born sensing things that nobody else seemed to notice. Then life began teaching us how to fit in. Sit still. Be polite. Be realistic. Work harder. Don't be too much. Don't be too loud. Don't be too sensitive. Don't be weird. Somewhere along the way, m

There is a curious thing that happens when we live with cats. We decide they are mysterious. Independent. Aloof. Unpredictable. And then we stop listening. Not because cats aren't communicating, but because we've convinced ourselves that we are the species responsible for all the talking. What if your cat has been communicating with you every single day? What if they have never stopped? Cats Are Masters of Subtle Communication Unlike dogs, cats often communicate in quieter wa