Recombination Nation
Shane Simonsen
Show overview
Recombination Nation has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 75 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 100 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 2nd season.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 1h 3m and 1h 41m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 47 episodes published. Published by Shane Simonsen.
From the publisher
Explore the intersection of evolution, ecology and civilisation with crop and livestock breeders, low input farmers, social engineers and a dazzling array of deep thinkers.Read more of Shane Simonsen's work at the Recombination Nation substack.
Latest Episodes
View all 75 episodesCultural Evolution with Roger's Bacon
Teosinte, Arracacha and Mauka Breeding with Steve in Australia
Reviving Landrace Staple Crops with Glenn Roberts from Anson Mills
Talking Baseyu with Andiru- The Hot New Auxlang on the Block
S2 Ep 23Talking Toki Pona and Esperanto with Okan
Okan learnt two of the most successful constructed languages- the sprawling, romantic Esperanto and cute minimalist Toki Pona.After covering the history of these languages we delve deeper into the dynamics of experimental language communities, the psychology of conlangers, and the potential interplay of culture, technology and experimental languages in the near future.Drop me a message on substack if you would like to reach out to Jan.Try learning Toki Pona yourself here: https://wasona.comLearn more about Esperanto here: https://lernu.netSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 22Technopuritanism for the Next New World with Malcolm Collins
Malcolm Collins is an unclassifiable frontiersman for the coming century of chaos, a hardened fighter from the trenches of the culture wars, and a pronatalist who put his own blood line on the line by having a gaggle of embryo selected children with his lovely wife Simone, who cohosts their Based Camp podcast.You can watch their diverse discussions at Based Camp: https://www.youtube.com/@SimoneandMalcolmAnd also check out their Pragmatists Guide book series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/365119-the-pragmatist-s-guideSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 21Breeding Mashua, Babaco and Passionfruit with Chuck Chan
Chuck Chan is an accomplished amateur crop breeder from the humid cloud forests of California, adapting plants to his little pocket of Andean climate. He has made the most of his challenges by breeding a host of rare crops which struggle in other places, particularly the root crop Mashua, and papaya relative Vasconcellea along with numerous other projects. We also delve into how he manages his diverse plant collection and his experiences sharing the breeding work with the wider community.You can check out glimpses of his successes through his regular posts: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.chan.562019Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 20Gail Tverberg- My Favourite Data Wrangling Grandma at the End of the Oil Age
Gail Tverberg was a star during the 2000s oil crisis, producing data rich reports on the TheOilDrum.com in a way that only a trained actuary could pull off. She has continued to impress me in subsequent years with her uncommon knack for digging into the numbers beneath the stories that others are trying to spin.In this interview we discuss the current state of the energy crisis, why a handful of people saw it coming decades ago, and how she hopes society can adapt to the coming challenges.Read Gail's regular articles at her website: https://ourfiniteworld.comCheck out a teaser for another podcast interview with Geopolitics and Empire (who also interviewed me a while back): https://youtu.be/pW5xeCGWFjM?si=88rThEep8qIcA1GASign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 19The Dynamic of Declining Civilisation with James Howard Kunstler
From razor tongued darling of the peak oil movement to bette noire of the culture wars, James Howard Kunstler simply cannot keep from running his mouth, rustling feathers and shining a spot light on the absurdity and obscenity of modern civilised life as it staggers toward the dust bin of history.You can read his weekly blog here: https://www.kunstler.comHis latest fiction book, following a 12 year olds New York adventure the week JFK is assassinated is hot off the presses: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Gone-James-Howard-Kunstler/dp/1952685974His non-fiction book The Long Emergency is a founding document of the peak oil movement: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Emergency-Converging-Catastrophes-Twenty-First-ebook/dp/B008UX3KY2/Sign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 18In the Permaculture Nursery with Sean Demobrosky from Edible Acres
Sean Dembrosky runs Edible Acres, a permaculture nursery in New York. We explore his recent successes with edible Canna, and his appreciation for persimmons, plus all the ins and outs of managing a huge range of plants for sale.Check out the nursery: https://www.edibleacres.orgTake a tour of his gardens on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/EdibleAcresSign up to Recombination Nation on Substack for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 17The Front Lines of Ecological Journalism with Fred Pearce
Fred Pearce is a prolific author and environmental journalist with fifteen extraordinary books under his belt, including the one which transformed my own perspective on invasive species "The New Wild".In this conversation we discuss the numerous topics he has investigated, and probe the state of science journalism today.Check out Fred's latest book "Despite it All" that finds hope among the chorus of climate catastrophism : https://www.amazon.com/Despite-All-Handbook-Climate-Hopefuls-ebook/dp/B0FT6GFTFPMy personal favourite "The New Wild" : https://www.amazon.com/New-Wild-Invasive-Species-Salvation-ebook/dp/B00N6PB69A/And all his other titles here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HMRS9QSign up to Recombination Nation for free weekly articles: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead Shane's book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 16Recombining Crop Selection and Production with Bunya Halasz
Bunya Halasz is a permaculturalist and syntropic practitioner from the lush hinterland of northern New South Wales. This in depth conversation explores his winding journey through the roots of permaculture in Australia, his experience in reuniting the ongoing selection of crops in the context of spaces that produce an economic yield.You can sign up for Bunya's course on Dynamic Agroforestry beginning April 30- https://www.growingrootspermaculture.com/events/p/dynamic-agroforestry-refining-food-forests-incorporating-fungi-animals-and-community-dynamics-into-agroforestry-systems-march-26-29And check out all the other work he does with Growing Roots Permaculture: https://www.growingrootspermaculture.com/aboutSign up to Shane's Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 15Ambling with Sam through Andean and Papuan Agricultural History
Sam runs the brilliant Youtube channel, documenting his adventures exploring the traditional agriculture of the Andes, Papua New Guinea and the natural world in his own back yard in the chilly plains of North America. You can watch Sam's many wonderful videos here:https://www.youtube.com/@AmblingwithSam/featuredI recommend starting with this impressive documentary about Andean agriculture: https://youtu.be/CWYAWX9rOPE?si=hPZINZO4qsrGlUmgSign up to Shane's Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 14Genetics, Evolution, Technology and Culture with Stetson from Holodoxa
Stetson is a medical geneticist who writes about his extensive interests on Substack, dipping into a wide range of topics including genetics, neuroscience, human behaviour, psychology, history, literature, culture, politics, and much more.Check out his writing: https://stetson.substack.comSign up to Shane's Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 13Building the Experimental Farm Network with Nate Kleinman
Nate is a long term experimental crop breeder who has also invested heavily in building community to bring other growers together, most notably with the Experimental Farm Network which is developing a wide range of perennial crops.You can follow Nate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experimentalfarmnetwork/Join the Experimental Farm Network: https://citsci.org/organizations/experimental-farm-network/Buy seeds from the EFN: https://store.experimentalfarmnetwork.orgSign up to Shane's Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 12Ritual Money Burning with Reverend Jonathan Harris
Jonathan Harris is the spark behind the Church of Burn, a UK group which burn money to reimagine our relationship to this mysterious substance which follows us everywhere. In this conversation we talk about money, sex, privacy and death along with countless other aspects of society which are up for renegotiation during these turbulent times.Read more about the Church of Burn:https://churchofburn.orgAnd find more of John's writings at the Vestry:https://churchofburn.substack.comSign up to Shane's Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 11Crop Breeding for Human Health with Mark Christensen
Mark Christensen transitioned from a career in accounting to a passion for quantifying the astonishing health benefits of select heritage crops through the power of modern chemistry. He founded the Heritage Foods Crops Research Trust in New Zealand and created a potent organisation to spread his work into the wider community.Check out his organisation: https://www.heritagefoodcrops.org.nzTheir Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/heritagefoodcropsAnd their superstar apple : https://www.heritagefoodcrops.org.nz/montys-surprise-apple/Find more of Shane's work at Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 10The Microbiome Revolution with Stephen Skolnick
Stephen Skolnick is a human microbiome researcher exploring the outer fringes of this rapidly expanding field. His theories on the microbiological origins of a host of significant and baffling diseases like schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes can be found on his substack.Stephen's Substack Eat Shit and Prosper: https://stephenskolnick.substack.comAnother episode about the power of microbiology with Bacterium: https://rss.com/podcasts/zeroinputagriculture/2198945/https://youtu.be/I30ZJcklA3Q?si=HWKM6yL-GB-ywtGhFind more of Shane's work at Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 9How This Civilisation Ends with Professor Jiang
Professor Jiang brought deep historical, economic and cultural analysis to the masses through his popular YouTube lectures.In this interview Shane digs deeper into his perspective on the east/west divide as we navigate the unfolding end of the industrial era.Find all of Professor Jiang's videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@PredictiveHistoryAnd sign up to read his substack articles: https://predictivehistory.substack.comFind more of Shane's work at Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/
S2 Ep 8Restoring Lost Crops with Professor David Shields
Professor David Shields is most often known for his work restoring Carolina Golden Rice to prominence in his native South Carolina, but this conversation goes further to explore parallel projects returning a wide range of preindustrial crops to the local food system. We also explore the culture impact of food, and its essential role as a touchstone for identity and belonging.Read more of David's work at his blog: https://davidsanfordshields.substack.comCheck out his many books starting here:https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Provisions-Creation-Revival-Cuisine/dp/022614111Xhttps://www.amazon.com/Ark-Taste-Delicious-Distinctive-Define/dp/031647732XHe can be reached through his university: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/english_language_and_literature/our_people/directory/shields_david.phpFind more of Shane's work at Substack: https://recombinationnation.substack.comRead his book, Taming the Apocalypse, about the future of post industrial biological technology: https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/