12-19-14: Audio Book Review: Mark Samuels, Written in Darkness
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"This is an abyss that is not content to merely gaze back."
I've been wanting to fire off some audio reviews for my podcast and broadcast, and found myself with enough time to do so today. THis is a nice time of year, as I get to catch up on some reading and writing Ive been meaning to get to, and evven the most interviewable sorts tend to get busy around the holidays.
For your on-the-go listening pleasure, then, here is my audio review of Mark Samuels' oustanding 'Written in Darkness,' a book that literally creeps up on you. It's is the most engaging work of disengagment you're going to find. I hope to do this on a regular basis so that on my radio show, I can cover the work of writers I'm not able to speak to in person.
"I want to integrate both the traditional uses and the traditional wisdom and knowledge and experience with modern science."
—Christopher Hobbs
Christopher Hobbs is easygoing and relaxed as we sit down to discuss his book 'Grow It, Heal It' — more so than I'll ever be. After all, here's a man who has spent his life in the world of natural health, mining ancient medicine with modern science. The continuity implied has got to give him the level of peace and intelligence that he brings to the conversation.
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I have always tended to be quite skeptical of any writing in this genre. It's very easy to make claims that you cannot back up and slather them with graphics that are impressive and entertaining. But Hobbs is first and foremost a scientist who understands the technical aspects of the practice. That said, his work and his presence on the page and in-person, are far more humane than are typically associated with the words "research scientist."
For me, the striking aspect of 'Grow It, Heal It' was the cookbook slant. It's not really in the text, but I love cookbooks, and the idea of being able to create your own medicinal herbs at home, with the recipes you find here is very appealing. It's also nice that the work in the book does not involve a lot of high-tech, high-maintenance gardening stuff. I'm edging my way into growing my own herbs, as I have some nice places in the front yard to do so.
Chris and I talked about his work, and his take on how growing your own herbs (and yes, he does mention that herb as well, only very briefly) can save you money and cure your headaches — literally, in this case. If you're interested in growing herb, matters of mind, body and spiritual health, or just want to hear something you can easily do in your own home, then Christopher Hobbs is your man.
[Disclosure Note: I am currently creating a Living Well podcast for Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems, who employ Christopher Hobbs.]
12-16-14 UPDATE:Podcast Update: Time to Read Episode 187: Christopher Hobbs, 'Grow It, Heal It'
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Here's the one-hundred eighty-seventh episode of my series of podcasts, which I'm calling Time to Read.
I've been worjking for more of a live format lately, and to this end in this Time to Read "lightning round," I've included some of the banter beforehand, to give a feel for the atmosphere when we run these little mini-interviews. The boom line: THey're a fun way to finish off the gig.
My hope is that in under four minutes I can offer readers a concise review and an opportunity to hear the author read from or speak about the work. I'm hoping to offer a new one every week.
The one-hundred eighty-seventh episode is a look at Christopher Hobbs and 'Grow It, Heal It.'
08-21-15: Agony Column Podcast News Report : Senator Claire McCaskill is 'Plenty Ladylike' : Internalizing Determination to Overcome Sexism [Incudes Time to Read EP 211: Claire McCaskill, Plenty Ladylike, plus A 2015 Interview with Senator Claire McCaskill]
Agony Column Podcast News Report : Emily Schultz Unleashes 'The Blondes' : A Cure by Color [Incudes Time to Read EP 210: Emily Schultz, The Blondes, plus A 2015 Interview with Emily Schultz]
07-05-15: Commentary : Dr. Michael Gazzaniga Tells Tales from Both Sides of the Brain : A Life in Neuroscience Reveals the Life of Science
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Michael Gazzaniga : "We made the first observation and BAM there was the disconnection effect..."
04-21-15: Commentary : Kazuo Ishiguro Unearths 'The Buried Giant' : The Mist of Myth and Memory
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Kazuo Ishiguro : ".... by the time I was writing this novel, the lines between what was fantasy and what was real had blurred for me..."
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Marc Goodman : "...every physical object around us is being transformed, one way or another, into an information technology..."
Agony Column Podcast News Report UPDATE: Time to Read Episode 199: Marc Goodman : Future Crimes: Everything Is Connected, Everyone Is Vulnerable and What We Can Do About It
