Episode 42: A Necessary Conversation with Everett Bumstead

Today is a day we’re supposed to, as part of a marketing campaign ultimately aimed at making money for their own personal interest, talk about a still taboo subject that cracks upon the depths of a soul. Mental illness. That word feels so far away from me now, though it was only 4 years ago, to the day, that I was newly engaged. One might compare my symptoms to hysteria or a manic high, otherwise known in my case as a mentally healthy human as pure, naive, fairytale-like love. Little did I know how my life would unravel in the coming months. My denial of reality, but mostly my lack of education around mental illness was the true culprit to the downward spiral I experienced. I witnessed first hand what untreated and poorly treated mental illness not only does to a person, but to everyone around them. To their home, to their environment, to their systems, to their world. My experience is but one of millions people experience everyday. Every single day I know there are women and men out there going through a similar experience I did. Every single day people lose the battle to mental illness. Every single day people are berated from friends, family and loves ones who are uneducated and underprepared on how to support them. Every. Single. Day. If there is but one thing I ask every one of you today, it is to educate yourself. For those who suffer, educate yourself on how you can let others know what you need. Formulate a plan with your support team so they can see the signs and symptoms of when you are not okay and what they need to do to truly help you. For those who don’t suffer, educate! Educate yourselves on how to hold space and support those in your life who struggle. Educate so you can have awareness for others and for yourself. Take charge of your part in a future where this is no longer taboo, where we don’t have to have a special day, week or month dedicated to this to attempt to raise more awareness. Contribute to a future where everyone is aware, educated, and supportive. The only way out is through, together. I felt called to do this episode, in an effort of transparency and vulnerability on my part. I have an intimate relationship with mental health, that did not start within. I am now a firm advocate of mental wellness all around, whether you struggle with unresolved trauma or not. 2020 saw many people, some I know, transition out of this world. Now more than ever the transparency is needed to cultivate supportive environments for all of us and whatever we are moving through. I wanted to be able to connect with all of us who have suffered on and off the block, and to hopefully inspire all of us to ask for a little more help now and again. My poetry book is the child of all my grief, channeled into my worded experiences. I put it out to all of you so these words can reach you, and find your own experiences within them. LINKS To purchase a copy of my poetry book, This is for me: https://www.blurb.ca/b/10505733-this-is-for-me iBook link: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/this-is-for-me/id1545866424 The WRAP program I did, its FREE: https://vancouver-fraser.cmha.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WRAP-Brochure.pdf Another program for women of domestic abuse: https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/care-programs/mental-health/wrap

28 Jan 202137min

Kat has two seasons under their belt in Saskatchewan, with a little planting in AB and BC. They switched over to BC fully in 2020, where they actually had their Dad join them for the spring plant from April-June! This is a great episode for anyone looking to get into planting as Kat discusses a lot of their own perceptions about planting and what it was actually like getting into it. For anyone who is looking to stay closer to home this year due to covid, they give an insight into more of what prairie planting looks like...really building on episode 14 with Matthew Kent where we discussed similar planting areas and styles. We also discuss boots a fair bit, especially as smaller people who have trouble finding ones that fit, and planting within the southern interior of BC. We really just talk about everything...its a great conversation between two planters just shooting the shit. Update: Kat's Dad excelled during the planting season, and although he said he would never do it again...started to miss it a few weeks after planting finished up and they are BOTH going back to the same spot this year... #classic Also, kept my caulks in the Cariboo. Don't regret it. Will be doing it again. Caulks for life.

21 Jan 202149min

Welcome to 2021! Kicking off this year with an interview with my good buddy Connor, who I have watched go through and come out the other side of a back injury. I wanted to share our conversation around his story and the tools he used to get to where he is now, because I have known so many people over the years who had retired solely because of injury. If you're currently debating whether you can go back this year, perhaps this episode can help you out! Back injuries are a very common issue for planters because #duh, we bend over a lot. LINKS The best foam roller out there. I know it is available at Atmosphere and probably other Canadian outlets, but if you are elsewhere here is their main website: https://triggerpoint.implus.com/ What every planter should be getting for any pulled, sore muscles: https://www.lifemark.ca/services/intramuscular-stimulation

14 Jan 20211h 2min

Today, December 20th, was to be Ben's 33rd birthday. He left a lasting impression to all those around him. His passing has rippled shock waves around his communities, including this one. This episode is commemorating and honouring Ben and all that he was to those around him, as well as what he accomplished within the planting community represented in TWIG (Tree Workers' Industrial Group)  and Tree Amigos Cooperative. If you would like to pay your respects, there are links below to access his virtual memorial service today.  "Slipping my way through the cracks And I hope you don't overreact when my body collapses I've been wandering hoping to find my own place on this planet I've been up in the middle of it, I've been up in the middle of it In the middle earth, I've been nothing but real with you" LINKS Ben Prunty Memorial Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/3ItiHWWl8 Zoom link to the memorial service at 10am PST: https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/88480046598?pwd=RUZ1Wm9tSlJMaFh5bGViM0xIQW01dz09 Have a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk9L31Oc7MA

20 Dec 202040min

Sooooo this is the coolest thing, a treeplanting video game!!! I saw Sean's post on KKR and am hoping that with this episode the word will get out for more of you well versed in these skills to reach out to him. He is looking for more artists and collaborators all the time! We go into Sean's own planting career and his plans moving forward now that he is done school. We talk about how this entire idea came about in the first place and how it has evolved over time. Such a rad idea!!

11 Dec 202048min

Danielle Adams is an artist and illustrator based on the BC coast, a landscape that inspires much of her work. One of the unique parts of Danielle is that she does NOT use planting as inspiration or fuel for her art, but rather a break from it. Planting trees allowed her to fund her way through a Bachelors of Design without having to sacrifice her soul at the altar of Minimum Wage Jobs. She is now pursuing painting full time over the offseason and fully expects to be broke by May. LINKS https://www.danyeti.ca https://www.instagram.com/lasnorgs/

9 Dec 202034min

Trigger warning: sexual harassment, assault & rape. Womxn in Silviculture is dedicated to gender inclusivity, equality, and worker's rights within the silviculture industry. A safe space to discuss all things fxmme and trees. I interview Mirina van der Veen, one of the creators of this sacred space. We cover Mirina's own planting career, and her current status as she looks to move further into silviculture. She has planted in Australia as well and we talk a little about her experiences down under compared to her time here in Canada. We talk about her passion around these issues and how she plans to give back and keep moving these rights forward as she transitions out of planting eventually. LINKS https://www.instagram.com/womxn.in.silviculture/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/172706926654848

1 Dec 202049min