Vildhjärtas Forest Prayer – A Poem of Grief and Wild Beauty @campfire-stories

Campfire Stories Maria Westerberg, known as Vildhjärta ("Wild Heart"), is a Swedish artist, poet, and environmental advocate whose unique "twig art" and poignant poetry have captivated audiences across Sweden. Living in the forests of Värmland, she transforms fallen branches and natural materials into expressive sculptures, each accompanied by reflective verses that explore the deep connection between humans and nature.

In this short film Maria shares a heartfelt poem that serves as both a tribute to the forest and a call to protect it. Her work not only highlights the beauty of the natural world but also addresses pressing environmental concerns, urging a reevaluation of our relationship with nature.

🌿 Support the cause:
Learn more about sustainable forestry initiatives in Sweden: skyddaskogen.se
Support Campfire Stories: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

#Vildhjärta #MariaWesterberg #TreeToo #ForestPoetry #Ecopoetry #Artivism #NatureArt #ProtectTheForest #SwedishForests #EnvironmentalArt #CampfireStories #Rewilding

updated 3 years ago

Vildhjärtas Forest Prayer – A Poem of Grief and Wild Beauty

Campfire Stories 2023-03-21 | Maria Westerberg, known as Vildhjärta ("Wild Heart"), is a Swedish artist, poet, and environmental advocate whose unique "twig art" and poignant poetry have captivated audiences across Sweden. Living in the forests of Värmland, she transforms fallen branches and natural materials into expressive sculptures, each accompanied by reflective verses that explore the deep connection between humans and nature.

In this short film Maria shares a heartfelt poem that serves as both a tribute to the forest and a call to protect it. Her work not only highlights the beauty of the natural world but also addresses pressing environmental concerns, urging a reevaluation of our relationship with nature.

🌿 Support the cause:
Learn more about sustainable forestry initiatives in Sweden: skyddaskogen.se
Support Campfire Stories: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

#Vildhjärta #MariaWesterberg #TreeToo #ForestPoetry #Ecopoetry #Artivism #NatureArt #ProtectTheForest #SwedishForests #EnvironmentalArt #CampfireStories #Rewilding

The Peace Ambassadors | Official Trailer

Campfire Stories 2025-09-30 | This is a trailer for the film The Peace Ambassadors, which will be released on Oct 11th, here at the Campfire Stories channel.

Synopsis: Erni and Ola Friholt, both 88, have spent their lives campaigning for disarmament, justice, and the environment. From marching to Moscow during the Cold War to running journals and hosting visitors at their café – where every pastry honored a peacemaker such as Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi – their activism has left its mark in countless ways. Set against the striking Bohuslän landscape, this heartwarming portrait captures their humor, love – and a conviction that change is always possible.

Join our Patreon at patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson or our Youtube channel at youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join to be invited to this film's release event – and other fun perks!

The Peace Ambassadors: A Lifetime Fighting for Change

Campfire Stories 2025-09-29 | Erni and Ola Friholt, both 88, have spent their lives campaigning for disarmament, justice, and the environment. From marching to Moscow during the Cold War to running journals and hosting visitors at their café – where every pastry honored a peacemaker such as Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi – their activism has left its mark in countless ways. Set against the striking Bohuslän landscape, this heartwarming portrait captures their humor, love – and a conviction that change is always possible.

These films are made possible by their audience. Please consider joining our Patreon community: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson

And/or join the Campfire Stories channel:
youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

Award Winning Documentary Imprint | Release Event with Invited Guests

Campfire Stories 2025-09-13 | This is the release event for the award winning documentary film "Imprint". Watch the full film here: youtu.be/e0IQV1z_kgY

The event is hosted by Campfire Stories' founder Mattias Olsson, and features invited guests from the film, as well as a special appearance by Transition Network founder Rob Hopkins.

Big thanks to producer Julie Parker for making the show run flawlessly.

• • • • • • •

Links | Campfire Stories:

• To support Campfire Stories, and get invited to part take live in future release events, join: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson

• Sign up for the newsletter here: campfire-stories.org/newsletter

• Become a Youtube channel member here: youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

• • • • • • •

Links | The Guests:

Johan Örlander, Naturliv

• https://www.munkafolkhogskola.se/naturlivskurser/
• https://www.wildmoon.eu
• naturliv.org

Pella Thiel, End Ecocide Sweden

• embassybalticsea.com
• open.spotify.com/show/61MObL19NjGZQMEvef0Ryh

Andy Frank, Street Festival Organizer

• http://southside19.com
• instagram.com/southside_19_markets

Anton Pettersson, Musician/Teacher

• open.spotify.com/artist/0tD3qr5Pdfu69jM6du1eKl?si=IrAfJ0IzTYa_lOXk57berw

Dougald Hine, Author

• https://dougald.nu
• dougald.substack.com
• aschoolcalledhome.org

Carolina Castillo, Activist

• https://landetsfria.nu/2021/nummer-201/bygdebolag-tar-over-lanthandel/

Rob Hopkins, Founder of Transition Network

• robhopkins.net/about

• • • • • • •

Chapters:
00:00 INTRO
04:49 JOHAN ÖRLANDER
12:45 PELLA THIEL
18:08 ANDY FRANK
25:40 ANTON PETTERSSON
31:11 DOUGALD HINE
39:45 CAROLINA CASTILLO
49:40 ROB HOPKINS
1:05:34 OUTRO

Imprint | Full Documentary

Campfire Stories 2025-09-06 | What can one person do? What can a group of people do? What do we want to leave behind? In the feature length film “Imprint” we visit 13 projects in 13 different places where committed groups work for a vibrant future. A personal and poetic investigation into what it means to be fully human in the age of the Anthropocene. A co-production between Campfire Stories and the Swedish Transition Network.

The topics that the film investigates include:

• Solutions to food waste.
• The importance of knowing your neighbours; of collaborating and celebrating together.
• The importance of the work of poets and artists during troubled times.
• Replanting forests.
• Local food resiliency.
• A grocery store that went from being boarded up to being locally co-owned.
• Greta Thunberg and Fridays for Future.
• ”End Ecocide” – recognising nature’s legal rights.
• Tipping elements explained by Andreas Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research.
• The connection between inner and outer transition.
• Downscaling, simplifying and tiny house living.
• Local economies.

Cast: Andy Frank, Anton Pettersson, Ylva Lundqvist-Fridh, Fredrik Lundqvist Fridh, Annelie Hilmerby, Dougald Hine, Maria Westerberg, Johannes Söderqvist, Thorsten Laxvik, Carolina Castillo, Melda Nahnfeldt, Pella Thiel, Christine Wamsler, Johan Örlander, Sandra Falkeborn, Nils Phillips, Axel Lindén, Greta Thunberg and Johan Rockström.

Links
• Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join
• Please join our Patreon crew to support us and get an inside track to new releases: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
• We’ve made a separate short film about Maria “Vildhjärta” Westerberg called Once Upon a Forest: youtu.be/C5ozGHIK03A
• Maria and her partner Johannes are also part of our films A Tale from the Woods: youtu.be/-Yp_aLxQnn0 and #treetoo: youtu.be/qlJgcuMDWoQ
• Read more about the markets that Andy Frank is part of manifesting in Stockholm: southside19.com
• Read more about Folkets Skafferi’s efforts to save and redistribute food: https://folketsskafferi.se/
• Listen to Anton Pettersson’s song Tom Bombadil from the film: open.spotify.com/track/3f7ZCCG0UsWLjI5hiNdS4u?si=e56edfa2cc414bcd
• Read more about Ylva Lundqvist-Fridh and her work with Social Finance: https://www.givasverige.se/faq/ylva-lundkvist-fridh/
• Read about some of the Permaculture projects in Stjärnsund: https://xn--stjrnsund-x2a.nu/
• Find out more about the Dark Mountain Project: dark-mountain.net and about Dougald Hine and A School called HOME: aschoolcalledhome.org
• Read more about Thorsten Laxvik and co-subsistence in Edsele: https://edsele.se/
• Read more about the co-owned grocery store in Önneköp: https://levandeonnekop.se/
• Read more about Fridays for Future: fridaysforfuture.org and Rebellmammorna: https://extinctionrebellion.se/rebellmammorna/
• And about the Aurora case, where Swedish youths are suing the government: https://xn--auroramlet-75a.se/
• Read more about Pella Thiel: https://pellathiel.se/ and End Ecocide: endecocide.org/en
• Watch videos on Youtube with Dr. Christine Wamsler: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvxER7MH8wSUKctwYtzdlP9HelUdZOeh
• Find out more about the Wilderness courses with Johan Örlander: https://www.munkafolkhogskola.se/naturlivskurser/
• Read about the local currency Backs in Malmö, Sweden: https://www.malmoideella.se/backs
• Find out more about the author Axel Lindén: https://www.albertbonniersforlag.se/forfattare/46601/axel-linden/
• Visit the open stage at Mässingshornet in Malmö: facebook.com/groups/290745460987511
• Listen to Knyttet Larsson, who played at Mässingshornet in the film: open.spotify.com/artist/4o69xkPHZO0YExSjygmdO8?si=tJ7_-e6BTCiShdzdsuGszA
• Visit the packaging free store Gram in Malmö: https://www.grammalmo.se/

Imprint | Documentary Film Trailer

Campfire Stories 2025-08-11 | This is the official trailer for the documentary "Imprint" which will be released on Youtube on Sept 6th 2025. The film is a collaboration between Campfire Stories and Transition Network Sweden, and it follows 13 different projects that work for a thriving future.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

Stephen Jenkinson interviewed by Mattias Olsson | Orphan Wisdom Mix Tape Release Event

Campfire Stories 2025-07-29 | To access the full “Orphan Wisdom Mix Tape Series”, become a member via one of the following options:
→ Join the Orphan Wisdom Scriptorium as a Lineage Member: thescriptorium.orphanwisdom.com/lineage-member
→ Or support Campfire Stories on Patreon: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson

This video marks the release event for the Orphan Wisdom Mix Tape Series, a three-part collection of interviews with Canadian author and philosopher Stephen Jenkinson, conducted by Mattias Olsson of the film platform Campfire Stories.

In this opening conversation, Stephen Jenkinson is interviewed on a range of esoteric and rarely discussed topics, such as Reincarnation, UFOs, Ghosts, and a counterintuitive take on Christianity – subjects that have not previously surfaced in interviews with Stephen Jenkinson by Mattias Olsson. This interview sets the tone for the deeper inquiries that unfold in the full series.

“Mix Tape #1: Mystery/Religion/Jesus” – is available for free at the Campfire Stories YouTube page: youtu.be/9fKgZlUgEbc

To access the two remaining episodes:– "Mix Tape #2: Soil/Grief/Tools/Machines"and "Mix Tape #3: Prayer/Language/Clearcutting
viewers are invited to become either a Scriptorium Lineage Member or a Patreon supporter.

The Art of Slowing Down Time | Official Trailer

Campfire Stories 2025-07-27 | What happens when you leave the pace of the modern world behind? This poetic 30-minute documentary follows solo-sailor Emma Ringqvist, who spends 164 days alone at sea, seeking a deeper rhythm of life. Featuring words from author and philosopher Stephen Jenkinson, music by Gregory Hoskins, and striking visuals from artist Daniel Beerstecher and photographer Andy Isaacson. A powerful meditation on solitude, beauty, and the art of living slowly.

Watch the full film here: youtu.be/227oV4zLRhI
Support more films like this on Patreon: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson

“A beautiful and thought-provoking piece of art that invites us to pause and reflect.”
Read the full review: medium.com/@annika.moller-nilsson/the-art-of-slowing-down-time-a-review-c0c13a2842

#Documentary #SlowingDown #Sailing #Solitude #EmmaRingqvist #CampfireStories

Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

Orphan Wisdom Sessions | Mix Tape #1: Mystery/Religion/Jesus

Campfire Stories 2025-07-20 | An intimate interview with author Stephen Jenkinson exploring some of the deep mysteries of our existence, and the early role of religion in human life. Throw in a few reflections on the historic Jesus figure, as well as the “Sunday schooled” version he’s become. A deep wondering aloud touching on wisdom, mortality, and the stories we live by.

There's two more episodes available of this series: Mix Tape #2: Soil/Grief/Tools/Machines and Mix Tape #3: Prayer/Language/Clearcutting.
To access them, either join the Orphan Wisdom Scriptorium: thescriptorium.orphanwisdom.com/lineage-member
or become a Patreon member of Campfire Stories: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson

There's actually a third way to access these episodes, and that is by becoming a member of this Youtube channel:
youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

Celebrating One Million Views | Once Upon a Forest | Maria Westerberg

Campfire Stories 2025-06-28 | A conversation between Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories, Morag Gamble of the Permaculture Education Institute, and the subjects of the film "Once Upon a Forest" Maria Westerberg & Johannes Söderqvist. Along with them, their friend and collaborator Victor Pettersson, who plays a big part in their creative process, which they describe as "rewilding, regreening and rebeautifying". This conversation was part of the 2025 "Permaculture Festival of Wild Ideas", hosted by Morag Gamble, and it took place before a live Zoom audience.

Links:
Join the 1 000 000+ people who've seen the film "Once Upon a Forest": youtu.be/C5ozGHIK03A
Read more about Maria, Johannes and Victor's project, and make a donation to keep them going: sites.google.com/view/romantikernasreservat/home
Check out Morag Gamble's Youtube channel: @MoragGambleOurPermacultureLife
Join the Campfire Stories Patreon crew: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson
And/or join the Campfire Stories Youtube channel (this channel) as a member, to be invited to our future release events, and get access to members-only videos:
youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

Radical Neighbouring Release Event

Campfire Stories 2025-06-07 | This is the recording of the release event for the film Radical Neighbouring, hosted by Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories and Adam Wilson of Sand River Community Farm. In the Q & A Adam answers some questions about what a gift is and how it's possible to run a farm and then give away all it produces. And Mattias talks a little bit about how he found this story and how the film came to be.

If you'd like to be invited to participate live in the next release event, please join as a member of this channel: youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join

Another way to receive invitations to release events, and support Campfire Stories, would be to join as a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/c/mattiasolsson

Thank you so much!

Oh, and here's a link to the film Radical Neighbouring: youtu.be/dynQV-oKM0E

Radical Neighbouring | Adam Wilson

Campfire Stories 2025-06-01 | What do humans who aren't consumers look like? What happens when we find ways of feeding ourselves and each other without buying or selling food?

Sand River Community Farm in upstate New York is an experiment in gift economy and community building. Ever since farmer Adam Wilson was offered $500K from a community member to take this piece of land off the market, the food from this place has been offered as a gift to the neighbours and strangers who find their way here. Welcome to the farm where nothing is for sale.

Links:
Follow Adam's Substack "Peasantry School" for a weekly update from the Sand River Community farm: peasantryschool.substack.com
Boris Laible edited the film, as well as produced the music and designed and mixed the sound: borislaible.com
The musical theme was composed by Jonas Källstrand and produced by Boris Laible. Listen to it here: open.spotify.com/track/5nestkHGcrAPywOfSqKe21?si=d130a76a9d5a4993
You can also hear the original tune, with lyrics, here: open.spotify.com/track/3F6JZH6z655R8yFn1MKMTB?si=152a26e7b0df4c75
Phil Hilfiker played clarinet on the film's soundtrack. Check out his instagram here: instagram.com/philfiker
Samuel "Looptok" Andersson played the violin for the film's soundtrack. Read more about his work here: looptok.com
Here’s a clip that didn’t make it into the film. It’s the story of The Woman Who Pledged Zero: youtu.be/YFNrFnmGzUU

Here's the Release Event for this film, including a Q & A with Adam Wilson: youtu.be/QccjzyVKLJE
If you'd like to be invited to the next live release event, make sure to become a member of this channel: youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join
Or join us as a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

A huge thank you to the following brilliant people, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles for this film, in the following languages:

Croatian: Davor Bobanac
Dutch: Karla Greven
(English: Mattias Olsson)
German: Tanja Pütz
Italian: Grazia Gironella
Slovak: Zuzana Beračova
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

The Woman who Pledged Zero | Adam Wilson | The Peasantry School

Campfire Stories 2025-04-26 | This is the story of the woman who pledged zero, told by Adam Wilson of Sand River Community Farm. Follow his work on food gifting at the Substack The Peasantry School. Also look out for the Campfire Stories film about Adam's work, titled "Radical Neighbouring".

Murmurings of the Land | Stephen Jenkinson & Nathalie Roy | Orphan Wisdom

Campfire Stories 2025-03-22 | Stephen Jenkinson is a storyteller, a ceremonialist, an off-grid farmer and a "grief literacy advocate". He's the author of many books, including prize winner "Die Wise".

Jenkinson, along with his wife Nathalie Roy, is the founder of the Orphan Wisdom school, which operated in tandem with the farm from 2010 until 2024. Its principal teachings centered around modern Western people "suffering from culture failure and a lack of instruction on how to live with the world around us, with our dead and with our history."

"Murmurings of the Land" is a portrait of the people, animals and other beings of the Orphan Wisdom farm. Narrated by Jenkinson, this film is part poem, part instruction, and asks the question: "What's worth doing, given the troubles of our times?".

The soundtrack was created by Gregory Hoskins, who's a long time collaborator of Jenkinson's. The pair have created three studio albums together and have toured the world several times over with the show "Nights of Grief and Mystery", which is a combination of stories drawn from Jenkinson's decades of work in palliative care, and original songs from Hoskins.

The director of the film, Mattias Olsson, has previously conducted several interviews with Stephen for the Campfire Podcast. This is the first time he's visited the Orphan Wisdom farm, and it's the first time he's made a film with Jenkinson.

A huge thank you to the following people who have generously provided subtitles for this film in the following languages:

Croatian: Davor Bobanac
Dutch: Karla Greven
(English: Mattias Olsson)
German: Tanja Pütz
Indonesian: Ary Nuansa
Italian: Grazia Gironella
French: Amélie Macoin
Slovak: Zuzana Beračova
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

Off-Grid in a Truck: How This Couple Built a Self-Sufficient Life in Rural Sweden

Campfire Stories 2024-11-30 | "Humble Habitat" is the name of a permaculture-based homestead tucked away in the Swedish countryside. Here, David and Eliza have transformed an old military truck into a fully functional off-grid tiny house, complete with a DIY greenhouse attached to the side. Their home is a creative experiment in sustainable living — rooted in simplicity, resilience, and respect for the land. A nearby beaver family plays a quiet but vital role in restoring the landscape, turning dry terrain into a thriving wetland. This handcrafted homestead, with its inventive design and resourceful inhabitants, offers a hopeful glimpse into what’s possible when we choose to live with intention. Welcome inside.

With: Eliza Roxendal and David Roxendal
More info: https://roxproductions.se/
Produced, filmed and edited by: Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories
More info: campfire-stories.org
Sound mix: Boris Laible
More info: borislaible.com

This film is part of a series called "Something Beautiful for the World”, which is a collaboration between Happen Films, Reflections of Life and Campfire Stories. Watch all the films of the series here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLye1JIzaiQ6rKe40SkcSWqoC_sn4v_vIY

More info about the three production companies below:

Campfire Stories
Youtube: youtube.com/@campfire-stories
Website: campfire-stories.org
Patreon: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

Reflections of Life
Youtube: youtube.com/@ReflectionsofLife
Website: https://reflectionsof.life/
Patreon: patreon.com/c/reflectionsoflife

Happen Films
Youtube: youtube.com/@happenfilms
Website: happenfilms.com
Patreon: patreon.com/c/happenfilms

A huge thank you to the following kind folks, who've given so generously of their time to help provide subtitles for the film:

Croatian: Davor Bobanac
Dutch: Karla Bakker
(English: Mattias Olsson)
French: Amélie Macoin
German: Sibylle Steinpass
Indonesian: Ary Nuansa
Italian: Grazia Gironella
Slovak: Zuzana Beračova
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

Music:
YouTube Monetization ID: TUZDXYVBV1QTFUY9
YouTube Monetization ID: HFW5STKAFFMX8BZO
YouTube Monetization ID: XKVNSM0EWH8HVAQN

Stephen Jenkinson | Is Where We Are Before Were Born And After We Die The Same?

Campfire Stories 2024-10-31 | My recent interviews with Stephen Jenkinson at the Orphan Wisdom farm resulted in 27 of these long form answers. This is the first one. It was quite the warmup question: "Do you imagine the place we are before we're born to be the same as the place we go when we die?"

Mattias Olsson Of Campfire Stories Live With Musician Gregory Hoskins

Campfire Stories 2024-10-24 | Link to the campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/campfire-stories/music-for-film-with-stephen-jenkinson

This is a live conversation between Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories and musician Gregory Hoskins. Mattias is creating a documentary film with author, poet and author of "Die Wise" Stephen Jenkinson. Gregory is creating the music for the film. Hoskins has collaborated extensively with Jenkinson during their world tour of "Nights of Grief and Mystery". The pair have also created three studio albums together.

Mattias has asked Gregory to create the soundtrack for the film. Now there's a Kickstarter campaign to attempt to raise $5000 to be able to pay Gregory for his work.

Link to the campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/campfire-stories/music-for-film-with-stephen-jenkinson

Mattias Olsson Live | On New Film With Stephen Jenkinson

Campfire Stories 2024-10-16 | Link to the campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/campfire-stories/music-for-film-with-stephen-jenkinson

Description: This is a live stream where Mattias Olsson (founder of Campfire Stories) talks about the upcoming film "The Orphan Wisdom Sessions" with Stephen Jenkinson. He will talk about how the film has come to be, what his experience was during the shoot and about the crowdfunding campaign where he will try to raise $5000 to be able to pay the musician Gregory Hoskins to create the soundtrack for the film.

Link to the campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/campfire-stories/music-for-film-with-stephen-jenkinson

The Gift | A Sámi Story of Legacy, Friendship & Hope

Campfire Stories 2024-08-31 | A powerful story of a disappearing tradition — and an unexpected bond that could help save it.

In the Arctic wilderness of Sápmi, young Daniel dreams of becoming a reindeer herder — a life far from reach, as his family has no ties to the practice. Nearby, Leif and Isabell, elders in a dwindling Sámi herding community, face retirement with no one to carry their legacy forward.

"The Gift" follows their intersecting paths in a visually stunning portrait of resilience, culture, and the transformative power of trust.

Filmed in Lapland’s Árjepluovve (Arjeplog), this deeply human story reflects a universal truth: sometimes, the most meaningful legacies are the ones we choose to give away.

With: Daniel Barruk, Leif Lundberg and Isabell Lundberg
Produced, filmed and edited by: Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org)
Sound mix: Boris Laible (borislaible.com)
Music by Arvid Rask (https://www.kolonien.nu/about)
Vocals by Petronella Sjöö (instagram.com/petronellasjoo)
Drone footage by: Carl-Johan Utsi (instagram.com/cjutsi)

🔗 This film is part of the series "Something Beautiful for the World" – a collaboration between Happen Films, Reflections of Life, and Campfire Stories.
▶️ Watch the full series here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLye1JIzaiQ6rKe40SkcSWqoC_sn4v_vIY

More info about the three production companies below:

Campfire Stories
Youtube: youtube.com/@campfire-stories
Visit our website: campfire-stories.org
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

Reflections of Life
Youtube: youtube.com/@ReflectionsofLife
Visit website: https://reflectionsof.life/
Support on Patreon: patreon.com/reflectionsoflife

Happen Films
Youtube: youtube.com/@happenfilms
Visit website: happenfilms.com
Support on Patreon: patreon.com/happenfilms

A huge thank you to the following kind folks, who've given so generously of their time to help provide subtitles for the film:

(English: Mattias Olsson)
French: Amélie Macoin
German: Tanja Pütz
Indonesian: Ary Nuansa
Italian: Grazia Gironella
Slovak: Zuzana Beračova
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

How an Abandoned Shoe Shop Became a Sanctuary for Culture and Connection

Campfire Stories 2024-05-29 | What happens when a forgotten shoe shop becomes a place for something new to take root?

In the quiet Swedish town of Östervåla, an old cobbler's shop—once home to three generations of shoemakers—has found new life. When cultural catalysts Dougald Hine and Anna Björkman discovered the space, they saw more than its worn leather and dusty shelves. They saw potential.

“The Shoe Shop” tells the story of how one couple transformed a relic of the past into a gathering place for the present — a space for music, stories, learning, and human connection. From intimate concerts to evenings of shared storytelling, the shop has become a beacon for those seeking a slower, richer way of being.

Featuring:
Dougald Hine & Anna Björkman – aschoolcalledhome.org
Guest Artists: Caroline Ross (@foundandground) & Theresa Emmerich Kamper (@traditional_leather)
🎶 The song at the end of the film was composed and recorded by Arvid Rask - https://www.kolonien.nu/about
🎧 Sound mix by Boris Laible - borislaible.com
🎬 Filmed by Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories – campfire-stories.org

✨ This film is part of the Something Beautiful for the World series — a collaboration between Reflections of Life, Campfire Stories, and Happen Films.
🎥 Watch the full series here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLye1JIzaiQ6rKe40SkcSWqoC_sn4v_vIY

More info about the three production companies below:

Campfire Stories
Follow us on Youtube: youtube.com/@campfire-stories/featured
Visit our website: campfire-stories.org
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

Reflections of Life
Follow us on Youtube: youtube.com/@ReflectionsofLife
Visit our website: https://reflectionsof.life/
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/reflectionsoflife/posts

Happen Films
Follow us on Youtube: youtube.com/@happenfilms
Visit our website: happenfilms.com
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/happenfilms/posts

A huge thank you to the following kind folks, who've given so generously of their time to help provide subtitles for the film:

Bulgarian: Polina Stoyanova
Croatian: Davor Bobanac
Dutch: Karla Greven
(English: Mattias Olsson)
French: Amélie Macoin
German: Tanja Pütz
Indonesian: Ary Nuansa
Italian: Grazia Gironella
Slovak: Zuzana Beračova
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

Vandana Shiva | On Cultivating Fearlessness | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2024-04-09 | Dr. Vandana Shiva is a lifelong activist standing up against GMO:s, seed patenting, fake food and poisonous and extractive methods of farming. She works for the freedom of farmers to save and share seeds and for small scale, organic and regenerative farming and thriving eco systems. She's the author of over 30 books and the founder of the organic farm, learning center and seed bank Navdanya in India. She is also a Doctor of quantum physics. In this conversation the topics range from non-violence principles to disrupting multinationals in their pursuit of turning nature into money, to GMO:s, fake food, seed saving, biodynamic farming and quantum mechanics. And, most importantly, Shiva discusses fearlessness, and how that’s a trait to cultivate and grow into.

To support this show please consider joining as a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
Read more about YIP: https://yip.se/
Watch the film On Biodynamic Farming that is referenced in the episode: youtu.be/kzbQWtSqcj0
Sign up for our newsletter here: campfire-stories.org/newsletter

Stephen Jenkinson | From the Ruins of a Greenhouse (part 2 of 2) | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2024-04-02 | In the second part of this special podcast edition of the live event "From the Ruins of a Greenhouse", Campfire Stories founder Mattias Olsson continues his interview with activist, farmer and author Stephen Jenkinson. The set finishes with Stephen Jenkinson and Gregory Hoskins performing two pieces from their "Nights of Grief and Mystery"-show. This event was recorded live at the farming collective Under Tallarna in Järna, Sweden.

Please consider becoming a Patreon supporter of Campfire Stories: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
Or, to make a one-off donation, visit: campfire-stories.org/boxoffice

To watch all of the Campfire Stories' films, visit: campfire-stories.org/film-library
And to listen to all podcast episodes, check out: campfire-stories.org/podcast-library

Follow Petronella Sjöö on Instagram: @petronellasjoo
Find out more about Gregory Hoskins at: gregoryhoskins.com

Read more about Stephen Jenkinson and the Orphan Wisdom School at: orphanwisdom.com

Stephen Jenkinson | From the Ruins of a Greenhouse (part 1 of 2) | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2024-03-26 | In this special podcast edition of the live event "From the Ruins of a Greenhouse", Campfire Stories founder Mattias Olsson interviews activist, farmer and author Stephen Jenkinson. The evening opens with a song by Petronella Sjöö, followed by part one of the interview, where the topics range from farming to village mindedness to animism. The set is closed out by a live performance from Stephen Jenkinson and Gregory Hoskins' show "Nights of Grief and Mystery". This event was recorded live at the farming collective Under Tallarna in Järna, Sweden.

Please consider becoming a Patreon supporter of Campfire Stories: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
Or, to make a one-off donation, visit: campfire-stories.org/boxoffice

To watch all of the Campfire Stories' films, visit: campfire-stories.org/film-library
And to listen to all podcast episodes, check out: campfire-stories.org/podcast-library

Follow Petronella Sjöö on Instagram: instagram.com/petronellasjoo
Find out more about Gregory Hoskins at: gregoryhoskins.com
Read more about Stephen Jenkinson and the Orphan Wisdom School here: orphanwisdom.com

Vandana Shiva on Food, Gross National Happiness & Finding Our Purpose

Campfire Stories 2024-03-16 | Can regenerative agriculture help us meet the 1.5°C climate goal? In this inspiring Youth Initiative Program (YIP) lecture, world-renowned environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva explores the deep connections between organic farming, permaculture, and the urgent need for climate resilience.

Drawing from the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), Dr. Shiva challenges conventional economic models and highlights the power of community-based agriculture, sustainability education, and soil regeneration to transform not just our ecosystems, but our sense of purpose.

🌱 Key topics include:

Why food and climate are inseparable

The role of biodynamic, permaculture and organic farming in reversing climate change

How switching just 10% of industrial farms will help meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target

The danger of digital disconnection

Reclaiming our creativity

Finding meaning and direction through Earth-centered living

📍 Recorded at YIP (Youth Initiative Program) in Järna, Sweden
🎬 Filmed & edited by Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories
🎧 Listen to the in-depth podcast interview with Vandana Shiva: campfire-stories.org/vandana-shiva-on-cultivating-fearlessness
💚 Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

#VandanaShiva #YIP #OrganicFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #Sustainability #Permaculture #ParisAgreement #GrossNationalHappiness #ClimateAction #YouthInitiativeProgram

Vandana Shiva on Cultivating Fearlessness | From the Campfire Podcast

Campfire Stories 2024-03-05 | This is an excerpt – the full podcast episode is available here: campfire-stories.org/vandana-shiva-on-cultivating-fearlessness

To support the show, join as a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

Dr. Vandana Shiva is an author, teacher and eco-feminist, and she holds a PhD in quantum physics. She's a lifelong activist working against GMO:s, seed patenting and poisonous methods of farming. Shiva works for the freedom of farmers to save and share seeds, for small scale and regenerative farming, for real food and for thriving eco systems. She's the author of over 30 books and the founder of the organic farm, learning center and seed bank Navdanya in India.

In this conversation the topics include non-violence principles, disrupting multinationals in their pursuit of turning nature into money, GMO:s, fake food, seed saving, biodynamic farming, quantum mechanics and how to cultivate fearlessness.

Hosted by Mattias Olsson of the Campfire Podcast and the film platform Campfire Stories.

Once Upon a Forest: A Twig Poet’s Rewilding Journey

Campfire Stories 2024-02-24 | When a climate crisis strikes her beloved forest, artist Maria Westerberg must reinvent both her art and herself.

As a child, Maria struggled to fit into a conventional life. But the forest—with its gnarled twigs and quiet strength—offered her a path to healing and purpose. Now known as Sweden’s “twig poet,” she transforms nature’s remnants into powerful sculptures and poetry.

This intimate short film follows Maria’s emotional journey as she confronts ecological loss, rewilds her creative process, and deepens her bond with the land that once saved her.

A story of healing, resistance, and wild inspiration.
Directed by Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories.

#Rewilding #ForestArt #ClimateGrief #NatureHealing #MariaWesterberg #ShortDocumentary #vildhjarta

This film is part of a series called "Something Beautiful for the World”, which is a collaboration between Reflections of Life, Campfire Stories and Happen Films. Watch all the films of the series here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLye1JIzaiQ6rKe40SkcSWqoC_sn4v_vIY

Title: Once Upon a Forest
Created by: Campfire Stories
Filmed in: Värmland, Sweden
Featuring: Maria "Vildhjärta" Westerberg & Johannes Söderqvist (vildhjarta.net) and Martin Jentzen (https://www.jentzen.se/)
Support Maria and Johannes' project here: sites.google.com/view/romantikernasreservat/donate
Produced, filmed and edited by: Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org)
Sound mix: Boris Laible (borislaible.com)

The films of the series "Something Beautiful for the World" explore how small acts of love and kindness have the potential to ripple out and change the world, touching hearts and minds in ways that we could never begin to imagine. We'll be sharing a total of 12 short films, from across five continents - releasing one per month for the whole year of 2024 - four from each filmmaker.

More info about the three production companies below:

Campfire Stories
Follow us on Youtube: youtube.com/@campfire-stories
Visit our website: campfire-stories.org
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

Reflections of Life
Follow us on Youtube: youtube.com/@ReflectionsofLife
Visit our website: https://reflectionsof.life/
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/reflectionsoflife

Happen Films
Follow us on Youtube: youtube.com/@happenfilms
Visit our website: happenfilms.com
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/happenfilms

A huge thank you to the following brilliant people, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles for this film, in the following languages:

Bulgarian: Polina Stoyanova
Chinese: Xinyi Li
Dutch: Karla Greven
Croatian:Davor Bobanac
(English: Mattias Olsson)
French: Amélie Macoin
German: Tanja Pütz
Greek: Antonia Koutsogiannaki
Hungarian: Peter Laszlo
Indonesian: Ary Nuansa
Italian: Grazia Gironella
Polish: Anna Konieczna
Portuguese: Sibylle Steinpass
Romanian: Oana Drăgan
Slovakian: Zuzana Beračova
Slovenian: Jasmina Kovačič
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

Trailer | Once Upon A Forest | Maria Vildhjärta Westerberg | Something Beautiful for the World

Campfire Stories 2024-01-24 | Trailer for the film "Once Upon A Forest", with Maria 'Vildhjärta' Westerberg, Johannes Söderqvist and Martin Jentzen.

The film, which will be released on Feb 24th 2024, is part of the series "Something Beautiful for the World", which is a collaboration between three independent filmmakers: Reflections of Life, Campfire Stories and Happen Films. These films explore how small acts of love and kindness have the potential to ripple out and change the world, touching hearts and minds in ways that we could never begin to imagine.

We'll be sharing a series of 12 short films, from across five continents - releasing one per month for the whole year - four from each filmmaker - making a total of 12 films. Stay tuned here to see them all as they are released.

Follow us on YouTube:
Reflections of Life - youtube.com/@ReflectionsofLife
Campfire Stories - youtube.com/@campfire-stories
Happen Films - youtube.com/@happenfilms

Join us on Patreon:
Reflections of Life - patreon.com/reflectionsoflife
Campfire Stories - patreon.com/mattiasolsson
Happen Films - patreon.com/happenfilms

Collaboration With Happen Films and Reflections of Life | Something Beautiful for the World

Campfire Stories 2023-12-12 | To receive notifications as the films of this series are released, please sign up to our newsletter: campfire-stories.org/newsletter

We're excited to bring you a new series of films in 2024. Twelve portraits filmed in five continents across the world, brought to you by Campfire Stories, @happenfilms and @ReflectionsofLife . The episodes will be released once a month throughout 2024. We're very proud to present "Something Beautiful for the World". Beginning in January.

Stephen Jenkinson on Farming | From the Ruins of a Greenhouse

Campfire Stories 2023-11-20 | Sign up to our newsletter to receive a prompt when the full interview gets released: campfire-stories.org/newsletter
From the live event "From the Ruins of a Greenhouse" at Under Tallarna in Järna, Sweden in Aug of 2023. The evening opens with Petronella Sjöö singing and playing crystal bowls, followed by an interview with Stephen Jenkinson conducted by Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories. To close out the evening, Stephen Jenkinson and Gregory Hoskins perform five pieces from their "Nights of Grief and Mystery"-tour.

Stephen Jenkinson | From the Ruins of a Greenhouse | Trailer

Campfire Stories 2023-11-06 | Sign up to our newsletter to receive a prompt when the full interview gets released: campfire-stories.org/newsletter
From the live event "From the Ruins of a Greenhouse" at Under Tallarna in Järna, Sweden in Aug of 2023. The evening opens with Petronella Sjöö singing and playing crystal bowls, followed by an interview with Stephen Jenkinson conducted by Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories. To close out the evening, Stephen Jenkinson and Gregory Hoskins perform five pieces from their "Nights of Grief and Mystery"-tour.

Trailer #2 for Documentary Imprint (Avtryck)

Campfire Stories 2023-08-06 | The full film is available here: campfire-stories.org/imprint-avtryck

What can one person do? What can a group of people do? What do we want to leave behind? In the film "Imprint" we visit 13 projects in 13 different places where committed groups work for a vibrant future. A personal and poetic depiction of what it means to be fully human in the age of the Anthropocene. A co-production between Campfire Stories and the Swedish Transition Network.

The topics that the film investigates include:
• Solutions to food waste.
• The importance of gathering, celebrating and getting to know your neighbours.
• Permaculture and rewilding.
• The importance of the work of poets and artists in troubled times.
• Replanting forests.
• Local food resilience.
• A grocery store that went from being boarded up to being locally co-owned.
• Greta Thunberg and Fridays for Future.
• The hidden meaning of the word ”hope”.
• ”End Ecocide” – recognising nature’s legal rights.
• Tipping elements explained by Andreas Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research.
• The connection between inner and outer transition.
• Downscaling, simplifying and tiny house living.
• Survival skills, foraging and what being in nature does with us.
• Local economies.
• Counter-urbanization.

How Two Subway Musicians from Different Worlds Made Magic in Brooklyn

Campfire Stories 2023-07-03 | On a busy subway platform in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, two musicians — Dorel and Ricardo — stunned L train commuters with an unlikely musical bond. One spoke Romanian, the other Spanish. They came from different continents, played entirely different styles, and didn’t share a common language. But together, they created something extraordinary. This documentary captures the remarkable story of how music became their shared language, transforming a noisy underground platform into a place of beauty, connection, and daily wonder.

Fertility Awareness Explained | Justisse Method & Natural Birth Control

Campfire Stories 2023-05-30 | Discover the power of body literacy and natural birth control in this eye-opening documentary about Fertility Awareness and the Justisse Method. Follow Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner Disa Mineur as she guides filmmaker Mattias Olsson through the world of cycle tracking, hormone-free contraception, and the deeper meaning of menstrual health.

🌿 Learn how Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) offer a natural, side-effect-free alternative to hormonal birth control.
🌱 Understand the Justisse Method and how it supports menstrual cycle charting and reproductive autonomy.
🧠 Hear about the risks of hormonal contraceptives (Contraceptive Endocrine Disruptors) and how they affect long-term health.
👩‍👧 Get practical advice on how to talk to teens about fertility, sex, and body awareness.
💬 Disa also shares her healing journey after a diagnosis of Cervical Dysplasia, offering hope and insight.

This film is for anyone interested in body literacy, natural fertility, menstrual health, or alternatives to hormonal contraception.

👉 Watch more from Campfire Stories: campfire-stories.org
🙏 Support our work: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

#FertilityAwareness #JustisseMethod #NaturalBirthControl #HolisticHealth #MenstrualCycleAwareness #BodyLiteracy #HormoneFreeContraception #CervicalDysplasia #FAM #ReproductiveHealth

Dougald Hine | On Regrowing a Living Culture | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-04-03 | Campfire Podcast EP13. From Dark Mountain to a School called Home. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

Dougald Hine is a writer and social thinker, and the author of ”At Work in the Ruins”. Along with Paul Kingsnorth, he’s the founder of the Dark Mountain Project. Dougald and his partner Anna Björkman have recently bought an old shoe factory in a small community in Sweden, and are in the process of turning it into a home and a teaching house. In this interview with Campfire Stories founder Mattias Olsson, he speaks of what the Dark Mountain Project is, why it came about and how it’s intertwined with the Transition Movement. Among other things.

Rune Hjarno-Rasmussen | Animism in the Modern World | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-03-27 | Campfire Podcast EP12 on connecting with the deep past in order to move us towards a regenerative future. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

Rune Hjarno-Rasmussen is a historian of religion and a specialist on Nordic animism and shamanism. He doesn't believe that animism belongs in the dusty cabinets of the ancient history museum of humanity, but rather wants to explore how we can merge an animistic worldview with modernity to move forward into planetary healing.

Check out Rune's Youtube channel here: youtube.com/@NordicAnimism

Stephen Jenkinson | Origins of an Orphaned Culture (part 2 of 2) | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-03-20 | Campfire Podcast EP11 with Stephen Jenkinson. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

With author, poet and grief counsellor Stephen Jenkinson, this episode revolves around the topics of Grief, Soil and the Origins of an Orphaned Culture – our culture. Our elder-bereft, drunk-on-efficiency, consumerist, clearcutting-of-forests, fracking-of-mountains, bottom-trawling-of-the-oceans culture. The unfortunate inheritance of our day. Some of the questions in this conversation are inspired from the interviewer’s recent reading of the book “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn. Others come from the pain of being a human in the time of the Sixth Mass Extinction.

Stephen Jenkinson | Origins of an Orphaned Culture (part 1 of 2) | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-03-13 | Campfire Podcast EP10 with Stephen Jenkinson. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

This episode features author, poet and grief counsellor Stephen Jenkinson, and it revolves around Grief, Soil and the Origins of an Orphaned Culture – our culture. Our elder-bereft, drunk-on-efficiency, consumerist, clearcutting-of-forests, fracking-of-mountains, bottom-trawling-of-the-oceans culture. The unfortunate inheritance of our day. Some of the questions in this conversation are inspired from the interviewer’s recent reading of the book “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn. Others come from the pain of being a human in the time of the Sixth Mass Extinction.

Brigid LeFevre | On Life, Soil and Kimchi | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-03-06 | Campfire Podcast EP09 with ”Kimchi Queen” Brigid LeFevre, on regenerative agriculture, biodynamic farming and food fermentation. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

Brigid LeFevre runs the community supported agriculture operation ”Förädlad” (roughly ”Enhanced”) in Järna, Sweden. It’s a biodynamic vegetable garden that focuses on fermenting the harvest in order to enrich it with lactic acid bacteria.

Brigid grew up in an anthroposophically inspired Camphill community in Northern Ireland where volunteers lived and worked together with people with special needs.

Growing up in a place where food production was separated from the economic market has had a big impact on Brigid’s philosophy as a farmer. She grows and ferments vegetables for the members, who subscribe to her jars of sauerkraut and kimchi. It’s a local, circular economy, which underpins an alive garden, buzzing and chirping, where the goal isn’t to turn a profit, but to make the soil more alive with the passing of each season.

We’ve also produced a film with Brigid, which you can watch here: campfire-stories.org/into-the-soil

Kristina Turner | On Home Birth | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-02-27 | Campfire Podcast EP08 with birth activist Kristina Turner. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

Kristina Turner is the author of the book "Natural Birth – A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding". She describes herself as a birth activist, and was one of the leaders during the occupation of Sweden's last midwife-led maternity ward when it was being shut down in 2016.

This conversation about Birth, Life and the Sacred Feminine was recorded at Kristina's home in Stockholm in Jan of 2021. This episode includes a poem by Stephen Jenkinson.

Charles Eisenstein | Coronation and Beyond | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-02-20 | Campfire Podcast EP07 with author and eco-philosopher Charles Eisenstein. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

A conversation about negative interest, universal basic income, nature’s rights and a reimagined school system. And of course about the corona virus.

The music in this episode is ”As if we remember” by Ben Bushill.

Stephen Jenkinson | On the Corona Crisis | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-02-13 | Campfire Podcast EP06 with author, poet and spiritual activist Stephen Jenkinson. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org)

The entry point for this conversation is the corona pandemic. But we also talk about some other interesting topics, including a mysterious phenomenon that made books fall out of the shelves in my living room recently. Plus we'll treat you to one of the tracks from Stephen Jenkinson's and Gregory Hoskins' album Dark Roads.

This conversation took place in April 2020.

Stephen Jenkinson | Brushes with Death | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-02-06 | Campfire Podcast EP05 with author, poet and palliative care worker Stephen Jenkinson. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org)

Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories interviews Stephen Jenkinson at his farm in Canada on topics like burial practices, the meat industry and touring with his mentor Brother Blue. We’ll also hear Stephen describe some of his brushes with death, and what they’ve done to his relationship with life.

This conversation is a follow-up to episode 1, and it took place in September of 2019.

Happen Films | Antoinette Wilson & Jordan Osmond | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-01-30 | Campfire Podcast EP04 with Antoinette Wilson and Jordan Osmond of Happen Films. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org)

What’s the role of filmmakers in times of ecological and social collaps? Can they contribute to positive change through inspirational and solutions-focused films?

@happenfilms is a production company based in New Zealand that produces films on topics like tiny house living, permaculture, regenerative farming and waste-free living.

This conversation took place over a zoom call on Jan 20th 2020.

Rob Hopkins | What is the Transition Movement? | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-01-23 | Campfire Podcast EP03 with Rob Hopkins. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org)

Rob Hopkins is one of the founders of the Transition Network. In this conversation he speaks about how and why the movement got started, and shares some of the projects going on in his hometown Totnes.

This conversation took place at the Transition Network headquarters in Totnes, UK on June 7th 20219.

Charles Eisenstein | On Interbeing | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-01-16 | Campfire Podcast EP02 with Charles Eisenstein. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

Charles Eisenstein is an author, philosopher and speaker. In his book "The Ascent of Humanity" he seeks to answer the question "How did we end up here – at the tipping point between an alive Earth, and a dead one?". His search for answers goes all the way to the root of the human existence, as he dissects the story which underwrites that which we call "normal". The myth of our time, if you will.

This interview took place in Järna, Sweden on Aug 2nd, 2018, following Charles' visit to the 10 year anniversary of the Youth Initiative Program.

Stephen Jenkinson | On Death and Dying | Full Podcast Episode

Campfire Stories 2023-01-09 | Campfire Podcast EP01 with Stephen Jenkinson. Presented by the film platform Campfire Stories (campfire-stories.org/).

Stephen Jenkinson is an activist, teacher, author and farmer. He has a master’s degree in theology from Harvard University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Toronto. He worked for many years in what he refers to as the “death trade” (palliative care) at a hospital in Canada, and has guided hundreds, maybe thousands of people through their dying times.

This conversation was recorded the day after Stephen Jenkinson and Gregory Hoskins appeared in the “Nights of Grief and Mystery” show in Portsmouth, UK, on June 5th 2019.

Morphic Resonance | Communicating with Nature | Full Film

Campfire Stories 2022-11-25 | Morphic Resonance presents a meditative soundscape, a wordless interaction between human and nature. It was filmed on location in Sweden. All the audio in the film is authentic – nothing has been added or taken away.

Cast: Andris Birdwhisperer (Andris Fågelviskare) is a tracker who can imitate 120 different species of birds. Ellen Molnia is a singer, artist and music producer. Charu Hariharan is a world renown kanjira (drum) player from India. Joakim Ehn is a singer songwriter. youtube.com/@JoakimEhnMusic Petronella Sjöö is a singer, storyteller and plays crystal bowls.

A few words on the title: ”Morph” being short for ”Metamorphosis”, or “change of form or structure”. And ”Resonance”, as in “prolongation of sound by reverberation”. In addition to the marriage of these two words into a film title, there’s another meaning to it too.

Morphic Resonance is the name of a theory, put forth by biologist, author and parapsychology researcher Rupert Sheldrake. The theory says that if a change occurs once, it creates a field of change that makes it easier for the same change to happen elsewhere. Like when a large enough group of mice master a labyrinth in Australia, other groups of mice in, say, North America suddenly have an easier time solving it. Or, as a possible extension of the theory, if someone acts with kindness, it becomes easier for others to do the same.

Campfire Stories is a community supported project. Please consider becoming a Patron: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

Welcome to Campfire Stories + A Tour Of The Place

Campfire Stories 2022-11-15 | What if humans belong to the Earth—and not the other way around?
Welcome to Campfire Stories, a cinematic journey hosted by documentary filmmaker Mattias Olsson, where we explore the deeper myths shaping our modern world, and offer glimpses of alternative ways forward.

Discover films and conversations with visionaries like Dr. Vandana Shiva, Charles Eisenstein and Stephen Jenkinson, diving beyond climate headlines to ask why our civilization ended up here in the first place.

Think of it as storytelling for the soul—rooted in wonder, myth, and a search for belonging.

Watch more films, join our community, and explore the platform at:
campfire-stories.org

👉 Join our Patreon: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
Sign up for the newsletter: campfire-stories.org/newsletter

Fermented Vegetables for Beginners | Brigid Lefevre’s Step-by-Step Guide

Campfire Stories 2022-11-07 | Learn how to ferment vegetables at home with farmer and fermentation expert Brigid Lefevre! In this hands-on introduction to lacto-fermentation, Brigid shares three easy recipes — mixed vegetables, beetroot-cauliflower, and turmeric-cauliflower — along with tips to spark your creativity and avoid common mistakes.

🎥 This course is in Swedish with optional English subtitles.
📘 More recipes and resources: https://foradlingsodling.se/
🌱 A film by Brigid Lefevre & Mattias Olsson of Campfire Stories
📺 Watch their previous film “Into the Soil”: youtu.be/Z1YlA1TEkb0

Made possible by Jordbruksverket.

Tags: #Fermentation #LactoFermentation #FermentedVegetables #BrigidLefevre #CampfireStories #FoodPreservation #HomeFermentation #SwedishFermentation

Into the Soil: Growing Food, Community, and a Life Beyond Profit

Campfire Stories 2022-10-03 | What if farming wasn’t about profit — but about healing soil, community, and ourselves?

In this intimate and visually rich documentary, we follow Brigid LeFevre, a biodynamic farmer in Sweden who’s redefining what it means to grow food. Raised in a moneyless, self-sufficient community in Northern Ireland, Brigid now runs a regenerative CSA in Järna where fermented vegetables, shared labor, and living soil are the foundation of a new kind of wealth.

This is a story of circular economy, radical simplicity, and why real abundance begins underground.

▶️ Directed by Mattias Olsson (Campfire Stories)
🎵 Music by Arvid Rask | 🎧 Sound Design by Boris Laible & Jonas Källstrand
🌱 Support more films like this: patreon.com/mattiasolsson

”A refreshing perspective on what it means to be wealthy” – Don Smith, Kiss the Ground