Why I Took a Break From Podcasting

I told a friend how I unplugged from producing my podcast earlier this summer. He’s in the publishing world, and he understands how difficult it is to build an audience and keep people’s attention.

The advertised best practice is to continue doing what is working. I’ve spent the last six years turning out new podcast episodes every month, and I’d grown it to 8,000–10,000+ downloads per month.

He used a term that summarizes why I needed a break from podcasting, “Fallow ground”

“…some farmers and gardeners let their land go fallow – or unplanted – so that the soil’s natural nutrient balance can be restored…it became more and more unpopular to leave land fallow and unproductive in Western societies. The production won out over soil health. ” Timothy Baron Hunker.com

To leave the land unproductive yes that’s why I took a break. I know that the podcasting world might say it’s crazy to walk away and intentionally leave my land fallow.

Is it possible that the health of my soil is more important than production?

My favorite wisdom literature says, “There is nothing new under the sun.” I choose to believe that ancient wisdom can help guide us through our present day culture. Land replenishes when you give it a break. The laws of our universe eventually apply to us also.

I’m excited to see what grows in my soil after “the soil’s natural nutrient balance can be restored.”

What fields in your life could use some rest?

Where are you demanding production as the priority over health?

If you choose unproductive for a season, what good things can grow later?

The Economy of Free: Wendell Berry

Last evening I was introduced to Eighty-three-year-old Wendell Berry, Poet, author, essayist and voice of the local farmer by way of a private screening of the film, Look and See. A sound bite from his writings and living voice was, (paraphrased),

“The world believes there is one economy, of business and profit. There in fact is more. The economy of free is available to all like the delightful viewing of a flower.”

Mr. Berry’s writings, public speeches, and off-screen interviews created the steel girdings of this poignant movie. Since the early 1970’s, his sustainability advocacy transmits from his local farm plot in Tobacco alley Kentucky. Simple. Unhurried. Connected.

I told my wife last night he reminds me a lot of Yvonne Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. Who Yvonne Chouinard has been for the wilderness, Wendell Berry has been for the local farmer. Both fathers have helped save and restore our lands from the other economy.

With deep gratitude, Mr. Wendell Berry, I thank you for sharing what you see. I have lived disconnected from the food I eat, the local communities I rely upon and the impact my consumption has driving the machine of “progress”.

Our inaugural little six foot by three-foot suburban garden plot has awakened in me a gratitude for the toil and reward that our food possesses. Today, I will take a walk and enjoy the free economy of flowers by the old farm house.

Sincerely,
Aaron McHugh

Interested in hosting a local screening of Look and See in your community? Details are available here.