MIND, BODY, & SOIL
Seeing the Unseen: How Sand Builds Our World
with Vince Beiser
Sand. It’s everywhere and it’s foundational to the built and digital worlds, yet we rarely see or think about it. Vince Beiser’s the World in a Grain tells the story of sand as it makes its way into the materials that make up our world: concrete, glass, silicon chips, and beyond. In this episode of the podcast, we explore some of the broader implications of sand – what it means to build worlds, how to grapple with the largesse of sand’s impact as we run out of this critical resource, and what, if anything, we can change in our relationship to sand. It’s about infrastructure, but it’s also about our relationship to infrastructure and how often the use of more resources begets the use of… more resources. We dive a little into the magic of sand, not just to house and transport us, but also the creation of the lens and how sand allows us to see things really small, really far away, and also really everyday – through glasses. We also talk about time, which sand is a measurement for and also a manifestation of, with the average grain of sand created over 200 million years. This is a conversation that will change the way you see and relate to your world.
Find Vince:
World in a Grain: the Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization
X: @VinceBeiser
Books Mentioned:
Crossings and Eager by Ben Goldfarb
Ninety Percent of Everything with Rose George
Other Episodes of Interest:
Support the Podcast:
Connect with Kate:
email: kate@groundworkcollective.com
Current Discounts for MBS listeners:
- 15% off Farm True ghee and body care products using code: KATEKAV15
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Mind, Body, and Soil
Welcome to Mind, Body, and Soil. Join me, Kate Kavanaugh, a farmer, entrepreneur, and holistic nutritionist, as I get curious about human nature, health, and consciousness as viewed through the lens of nature. At its heart, this podcast is about finding the threads of what it means to be humans woven into this earth. I’m digging into deep and raw conversations with truly impactful guests that are laying the ground work for themselves and many generations to come. We dive into topics around farming, grief, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, spirituality, nutrition, and beyond. Get curious and get ready with new episodes every Tuesday!
Power Metal: Recycling, Repair, and Re-Imagining Energy and Beyond with Vince Beiser
In this episode I sit down with Vince Beiser, whose book Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape The Future is an incredible follow up to his book Sand: the World in a Grain. When we last caught up with Vince we plumbed the depths of sand and how, while largely unseen, it is one of the major resources our world is built on. In this conversation, Vince and I explore more unseen resources our world is increasingly dependent on: the critical metals that are powering our energy transition. We talk about how everything has a cost, about how the electro digital age, while feeling post-material, is anything but. We touch a little on the materials used in this energy transition. We have a complex conversation around reshoring mining and exploring if where we might mine next is here at home. And then we talk about recycling, repair, and real tangible solutions to what might happen next.
Find Vince:
Instagram: @vince.beiser
X: @vincebeiser
Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape The Future
Resources Mentioned:
Washington Post on Data Centers
Sponsored By:
- Mine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!
- redmond.life
FIELD COMPANY CAST IRON
- USA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth – just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens.
- fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaugh
- Barefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off.
Support the Podcast:
Connect with Kate:
Instagram: @kate_kavanaugh
