In this episode of the Breath of Life podcast, Yulia talks with Wendy Peterman, a forest soil scientist and conservationist with over 20 years of experience working in land management and environmental systems.

We explore what forests can teach us about regeneration, resilience, and working with complexity rather than against it. The conversation moves between science and lived experience touching on nature connection, empathy, leadership, conservation work, and what happens when human systems forget they are part of living systems.

00:00 Growing up in forests and early belonging
04:20 Nature connection and “nature deficit disorder”
07:40 Soil, humus, and the role of decomposition
10:30 Forests as home, regulation, and perspective
14:10 Complexity, interdependence, and forest systems
18:00 Science, empathy, and holistic thinking
22:45 Human systems vs. living systems
27:05 Leadership, listening, and adaptability
31:20 Forests, resilience, and learning from failure
35:30 Apex predators, balance, and power
41:45 Disconnection, domination, and modern culture
46:00 Forest Thinking and practical applications
52:10 Closing reflections

Wendy Peterman is a forest soil scientist and conservationist with more than two decades of experience working in land management and environmental systems. She grew up in the forests of Northern California and has spent her career studying soil, forest ecology, and complex living systems. Today, she supports grassroots and conservation organizations in developing resilient structures that honor relationship, balance, and regeneration. She is the author of Forest Thinking.

→ Wendy on Substack: https://substack.com/@wendybrd

→ Pattern Synthesis webpage: https://patternsynthesis.com/

Stay in touch:
→ The Breath of Life on Substack
https://substack.com/@yuliabogdanova

→ Connect on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliabogdanova/

→ Nature Flow Lab
Outdoor, experiential sessions for teams to approach complex challenges through engaging with nature and a shift in mental state.
https://natureflowlab.com/