65. “Lessons From The Forest” with Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy – Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees
SUBSCRIBE, FOLLOW & LISTEN:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | AmazonMusic | YouTube Music
Welcome to episode 65 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast, today I’m delighted to welcome back Leah Rampy, who previously joined me in Episode 41, but this time we’re also joined by Beth Norcross to discuss their beautiful new book Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees.
Beth and Leah have worked together over several years guiding groups into the forest to seek wisdom, understanding and guidance from the trees, this lead to a 6 week online video course and ultimately culminated in their recently published book that offers us the opportunity to consider new ways of connecting with the lessons that trees have to share.
The forest can teach us about love and light but also about darkness and death. During these challenging threshold times that are calling us both as individuals and a society to examine the path we have walked and take responsibility for reimagining a vision for the future that is inclusive and nurturing for all beings, we can turn to the trees for more than just strength and support.
Beth and Leah share the lessons they have discovered of resilience, adaptation, hope and renewal whilst amongst our tree folk. Their guidance on how to connect and collaborate more closely, to listen and approach life with an open heart, shifting out of the mind and allowing the heart to guide us to move beyond our current confined perception of life and our illusion of separation.
Through simple practices they gently guide us into this remembering of how we can walk more consciously once more, rediscovering the relationships that were familiar to our ancestors and finding the courage to move through our discomfort to ensure we do what is ours to do.
Learn more about Beth
Beth brought her training and experience in both theology and ecology in founding The Center for Spirituality in Nature. She regularly speaks, teaches, and writes about the importance of immersion in nature as an essential way to encounter Divine Mystery deeply and intimately, and to foster a healthy, active, and loving relationship with Earth.
After receiving a B.A. in mathematics and a Master of Forestry from Duke University, Beth spent the early part of her career working as professional staff for the U.S. Senate National Parks and Forests Subcommittee. After leaving the Senate, Beth served as Vice President of Conservation for American Rivers, then returned to school to study the interface between ecology and theology at Wesley Theological Seminary. There she completed her Master of Theological Studies and Doctor of Ministry degrees, specializing in eco-spirituality.
Beth is adjunct faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where she has developed and taught courses on eco-spirituality and eco-theology. Along with colleagues Laurel Kearns and David Rhoads, Beth co-founded the Green Seminary Initiative dedicated to infusing care for, and engagement with, Earth into theological education.
Website: https://www.bethnorcross.com/
Learn more about Leah
Leah Rampy, Ph.D. is a writer, speaker, and retreat leader who weaves ecology, spirituality, personal stories, and practices to encourage others to deepen their relationship to the natural world. She is the author of the award-winning book Earth & Soul: Reconnecting amid Climate Chaos (2024) and the coauthor with Beth Norcross of Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees (Broadleaf Books, April 22, 2025). She frequently speaks and leads programs on contemplative leadership and spiritual ecology for these edge times.
Leah is the founder and leader of Church of the Wild Two Rivers that meets regularly to deepen spirituality through time in the natural world. She has led programs and pilgrimages for the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation where she previously served as the Executive Director and continues as an adjunct staff member. Leah offers retreats and programs through Friends of Silence, the Center for Spirituality in Nature, and a variety of other organizations. Leah publishes weekly essays on Reweaving Earth and Soul.
Leah is a cofounder and member of a local volunteer group Save Our Soil that seeks to educate about and inspire interest in soil and water health, native plants, regenerative practices, and local food. She and her husband life in WV in a cohousing community.
Website: www.leahmoranrampy.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/leahrampy/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leahrampy.author/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leahrampy/
SubStack: www.leahrampy.substack.com
Other Useful Resources:
Centre for Spirituality in Nature’s Spiritual Wisdom of Trees six-week video course: https://www.centerforspiritualityinnature.org/spiritualwisdomoftrees
Episode 41 “How to Live as our Hearts break for Mother Earth” with Leah Rampy, Earth & Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos: https://fionamackayphotography.com/2024/05/41-how-to-live-as-our-hearts-break-for-mother-earth-with-leah-rampy-earth-soul-reconnecting-amid-climate-chaos/
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
If you enjoy our conversations, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts here and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. Please Subscribe or Follow the podcast on your favourite podcast players to make sure you don’t miss our future episodes.
Connect with us and join the conversation on social media:
Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotography
Facebook @FionaMacKayPhotography
Twitter @FiMacKay
Available as a Video Podcast on YouTube: www.youtube.com/prettyflyphotography
Listen To the Latest Episodes: