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Recombination Nation

Shane Simonsen
Sustainable Agriculture
Crop Breeding
Zero Input Agriculture
Plant Breeding
Permaculture
Climate Change
Agriculture
Hybridization
Human Microbiome
Genetics
Chestnut Breeding
Drought Resistant Crops
Kushaw
Evolution
Seed Saving
Low Input Farming
Daylilies
Genetic Diversity
Low Input Agriculture
Sustainability

Explore the intersection of evolution, ecology and civilisation with crop and livestock breeders, low input farmers, social engineers and a dazzling array of deep thinkers.

Read more of Shane Simonsen's work at the Recombination Nation substack.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes90Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Home & GardenLeisureLife SciencesScience

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Artwork for Recombination Nation

Latest Episodes

In my second solo episode I explore the potential for floating aquatic plants to produce staple carbohydrates, fat and protein in a way that could create a new kind of integrated agricultural package. I also had fun imagining the impact these crops c... more

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Tanja Eskildsen fell in love with plants in chilly Denmark but unleashed their potential through low-input experimental farming on the sunny island of Majorca. We retrace her path learning to trial, select and breed crops for her challenging soil and... more

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Peter Watts is a notorious science fiction author with a fascination of the outer edges of biology, fractured minds and a taste for the dark and confronting. We dive into the lessons the living world and our own nature can teach us when contemplating... more

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Associate Professor Ryan Huish is an experienced ethnobotanist with experience in both North America and the South Pacific, who also runs his own experimental low input farm in the mountains of Appalachia. We explore the lessons from historical and t... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Watts
Canadian science fiction writer with a background in marine biology
Episode: Evolving Beyond Hope with Sci-Fi Author Peter Watts
Ryan Huish
Farmer, ethnobotanist, and researcher focused on agroforestry, medicinal plants, and low-input systems
Independent researcher/farmer (Appalachian Cove Forest Farm and Homestead)
Episode: Applying Ethnobotany to Regen Ag with Ryan Huish
Nathan Surendran
Writer and commentator focusing on energy systems and New Zealand's energy crisis
Substack/Zero Input Agriculture blog
Episode: New Zealand, Energy Limits and Resilience with Nathan Surendran
Todd Elliott
Author of The Cunning-Farmer; organic farmer; proponent of agrarian paganism and agricultural mysticism
The Cunning-Farmer / Substack / Inner Traditions International (publisher)
Episode: Agricultural Magic with the Cunning Farmer Todd Elliott
Dmitry Orlov
Author and commentator on societal collapse and Russia's preparedness
Episode: The Russian Outlook on Industrial Decline with Dmitry Orlov
Zach Elfers
Ethnobotanist from Pennsylvania focusing on tree crops and perennial agriculture
Episode: Zach Elfers- Tree Crops and the Organisations That Love Them
Soryu Forall
Ordainded Zen Buddhist monk and founder of the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth
Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth
Episode: Buddhism, Monasteries and Existential Threats with Soryu Forall.
Nick Mallonee
Avocado, carob, chestnut, and other tree crop breeder growing and experimenting in Northern California
Episode: Avocado, Carob and Golden Chinquapin with Nicholas Mallonee
Peter Ward
Paleontologist; author and educator
Episode: Eons of Life, Both Future and Past, with Professor Peter Ward

Host

Shane Simonsen
Host of Recombination Nation

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 44 ratings
  • Just keeps getting better!

    Have been listening and reading for years and it just keeps getting better!

    So may topics and in depth discussions with actual in depth information not just superficial fluff

    Topics and ideas that just make you think about things in new ways and consider things you never thought possible

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Courtstev
    Australia5 months ago
  • Original ideas you might need

    Shane's a scholar-turned-do-er, plodding forward with *solutions* to the environmental and resource issues we're now seeing bite worldwide.

    Are you a veggie gardener? Have you ever thought about growing high calorie-yielding crops on a small scale as well?

    You'll hear stories, experiments, and ideas that will light a fire under you to stop doom scrolling and get to work helping yourself and your community in the "interesting" times we've got coming.

    Shane brings a rare combination of rigour... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gbellinoz
    Australia5 months ago
  • Knowledge seeker

    A few of these episodes have already influenced me beyond the listen- from trial farming tomato varieties to writing about science and climate change, the podcast goes beyond the normal egotism of hosts wanting things to be about them and actually dives into diverse subject matter. Staying on my rotation for sure, thanks Shane for the diverse, knowledgeable, and passionate guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    unknowna1
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent, bringen a lot of New insights!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Rathwiesergut
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, data-driven discussions with practical takeaways.
A rare blend of rigor and curiosity that challenges conventional wisdom.
Diverse guest roster keeps topics fresh and relevant for practitioners.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Evolving Beyond Hope with Sci-Fi Author Peter Watts
Q: Could cosmological or biological uplift concepts offer a synthesis of science and spirituality?
Watts expresses cautious interest in cosmological natural selection and related ideas as inspirational prompts for science fiction, while noting that the line between metaphor and empiricism is delicate; he admires the imaginative potential but warns against overclaiming scientific certainty when discussing cosmology or religion.
Evolving Beyond Hope with Sci-Fi Author Peter Watts
Q: Do you think civilization is on a collision course, and what biological or cultural changes could alter that trajectory?
Watts argues that industrial civilization is on a collision course with ecological limits, but he sees a potential in neurodivergent thinkers and radical bio-cultural redesign to avert collapse. However, he cautions that systemic resistance and deep neurological constraints make widespread change unlikely without new incentives or interventions.
Evolving Beyond Hope with Sci-Fi Author Peter Watts
Q: What are the core challenges for incorporating realistic biology in science fiction?
Watts notes that balancing accuracy with narrative pace is key: biology is slow and intricate, so writers must avoid overexplaining while preserving plausibility; metaphors and thoughtful world-building can convey complex ideas without alienating readers. He also stresses that readers tolerate imperfect biology if the story remains emotionally and philosophically engaging.
Agricultural Magic with the Cunning Farmer Todd Elliott
Q: what kind of traditions or rituals do you see as sustainable for the modern farm, especially around staple crops like maize and wheat?
Ceremonies that acknowledge the land's gifts, simple harvest celebrations, and local, community-based rituals help keep cultural memory and ecological stewardship in balance with modern agriculture.
Agricultural Magic with the Cunning Farmer Todd Elliott
Q: how do you approach blending esoteric traditions with practical farming, and what are the risks of mixing belief systems with horticulture?
I mix what works in the place, what the land tells me, and I stay grounded in observable farming practices while allowing for spiritual perspective to inform rather than override practical decisions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Recombination Nation

What is Recombination Nation about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show mixes science, farming pragmatism, and big ideas about how ecosystems, crops, and civilization intersect. Episodes frequently center on low-input farming, seed systems, and regenerative agriculture, paired with thoughtful explorations of biology, culture, and technology. Guests run the gamut from plant breeders and seed savers to philosophers, language designers, and energy economists, offering practical breeding tips, organizational strategies, and big-picture insights for building resilient food systems. The format tends to favor deep-dive conversations, data-driven perspectives, and curiosity-driven experimentation, making it a strong fit for listeners who want actionable ideas alongside provocative thinking. A notable strength... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Recombination Nation?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Recombination Nation:

1. KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century
2. Planet: Critical
3. Growers Daily
4. Conversations with Tyler
5. Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff

How many episodes of Recombination Nation are there?

Recombination Nation launched 2 years ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Recombination Nation?

Recent guests on Recombination Nation include:

1. Peter Watts
2. Ryan Huish
3. Nathan Surendran
4. Todd Elliott
5. Dmitry Orlov
6. Zach Elfers
7. Soryu Forall
8. Nick Mallonee

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