Heartwood Forest Protection Podcast

Sam Stearns is a forest protection activist from Southern Illinois and has been working to protect the Shawnee National Forest for most of his life. He is the founder of Friends of Bell Smith Springs and a leader in the current movement to create the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve.This year's upcoming 34th Annual Heartwood Forest Council will be held in Southern Illinois over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22nd-25th, 2026. It will be a great opportunity to experience the magic of the Shawnee first-hand, meet up with the amazing folks that make up Heartwood, eat great food, listen to and play great music, do a little dancing, and learn what you can do to make a difference.Learn more about the Shawnee:https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/03/18/on-the-shawnee-forest-money-trail/https://commonreader.wustl.edu/hiking-with-the-lorax-of-shawnee-national-forest/https://therevelator.org/shawnee-climate/https://greatriverslaw.org/2025/10/01/groups-sue-forest-service-over-illegal-road-plan-in-lusk-creek-wilderness/Donate to Friends of Bell Smith Springs to cover legal expenses: https://gofund.me/15f718f6cRegister for the upcoming 34th Annual Heartwood Forest Council, May 22-25, 2026Become a member of Heartwood: https://heartwood.org/support/individual/index.htmlIntro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.This interview took place on March 25, 2026 with Jillian Bar-av.

This episode is a recording of the keynote address at Heartwood's 34th Annual Reunion on October 3, 2025, which took place at Andy Mahler and Linda Lee's longtime home, the Lazy Black Bear, in Southern Indiana. Steven Higgs speaks about Andy Mahler's life and the coming to fruition of his coffee table book biography about Andy. Following his speech, Indiana State Senator Shelli Yoder presents an award to Andy on behalf of the State of Indiana. The Circle of Corydon Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of Indiana and its people, and was handpicked by Indiana Governor Mike Braun to award to Andy.To purchase a copy of Andy Mahler's Autobiography by Steven Higgs, go here: Andy Mahler and the Hoosier National; The Folk Hero and the Forest He Loves.Intro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.Outro music: "Memories" by Andy Mahler, 2025. Andy Mahler & Buffalo Strings.Listen to Andy's own original music played with Buffalo Strings at Andy Mahler, Buffalo Strings.Want to donate to Heartwood? Donate here.Photo credit of Andy holding book by Steven Higgs: Steven Higgs

This conversation with Andy Mahler took place July 15th, 2025 and is the third of four interviews I did with Andy during the summer of 2025.The focal point of this conversation is the devastating forest service project called Buffalo Springs, which poses a current threat to the Hoosier National Forest and many private properties adjacent to these public lands, including Andy's own home.True to Andy's form. This conversation meanders a bit like a river, but it's an enjoyable ride. Thanks for joining me.To get involved or show your support, please check out and donate to any and all of the followings groups:Save Hooiser National ForestSave Hoosier National Forest Facebook pageProtect Our Woods Facebook pageIndiana Forest AllianceHeartwoodIntro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995. Dumpster Diving Across America.

In the summer of 2025, Andy and I took the time to sit with each other on 4 occasions to talk about his life. We had these conversations knowing his time was short due to his stage IV prostate cancer diagnosis. What I did not expect was that he would be gone before I had a chance to publish them.It is with deep sadness, as well as with deep appreciation for the time that Andy spent with me to have these conversations, that I present them to you. May they serve as a memorial to Andy, and to his life’s work, protecting the forests he loved.Our first conversation took place on June 30th 2025, and revolves around Andy’s childhood and young adulthood, up to his first encounters with the Lazy Black Bear, the place that would become his long-time home, and the center-point of the Heartwood organization.Intro music: "Diamond in the Sun" by Robert Hoyt, 1995 Dumpster Diving Across America