Meet Warrick and Debbie, who I met when they quietly placed a card on sidewalk café table at which our family were sitting, and then kept walking past. When I saw the card, which was prompting me what I thought about the “vaccine” I chased after them and invited them for a cup of tea. The rest is history.
It’s with a heavy heart that I report the passing of Robert H. Stremba, originally of the Philadelphia PA area. Bob was a good friend and fellow board member of Mountain Spirit Institute based in the USA. He served on the board, and as president, until his death. Bob supported the vision of Mountain Spirit through thick and thin.
Every conversation with him was always framed in the positive, from brainstorming what types of programs we could run in the USA, Peru, and in New Zealand from music exchanges to author speaking engagements to trips to Lakota Studies on the Rosebud Reservation. I met Bob when working in recruiting and marketing for Hurricane Island Outward Bound on the east coast, during a stopover at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where we has the Adventure Education Department chair. We became good friends, and I eventually asked him if he’d serve on the board of my new non-profit I was creating based on Outward Bound principles with a bit of a spiritual element. He was on board. Not long after, he asked if I’d be interested in being an adjunct professor, teaching Intro to Outdoor Education and other classes. I took him up on the offer.
Over the years, Bob supported Mountain Spirit Institute by attending and assisting with fundraisers, providing ideas on program curriculum, experiential educational ideas based on his background with the Association of Experiential Education and as an instructor with Outward Bound and he even gave generously in financial support to Mountain Spirit.
Three of my favorite interactions with Bob were: The last time I saw him in the US when my family and I stayed with him at his home. We did the normal tourist things in Durango and would come back for dinner then join him for a jaunt into his favorite trails in the mountain surrounding his home.
One of the best courses I ever had the opportunity to run, was with Bob called H.A.W.K or Healing Adventure for Teens We had a small group of teens that had in common, some recent loss of a loved one in their lives. Our job was to provide a safe space in nature with experiential activities that allowed them to better process their loss, within a peer group. It was an amazing course and I cherish the time I had planning and working the course with Bob.
One last adventure we had was when he came to visit us in New Zealand. We picked him up at the airport, took him to the campervan rental desk, only to discover he had left his driver’s license in stateside. We headed back to Kingston, where we lived at the time to regroup and come up with a driverless vacation for Bob. The original plan was for him to spend time adventuring with us, and to spend some time traveling on his own. After numerous phone calls stateside and here in NZ, it was clear, Bob wasn’t going anywhere without me. Hence we rented a Juicy van, with a roof tent above, and headed off for parts unknown. I’m glad he left his license in the states.
Bob retired as Chair of the Fort Lewis College Adventure Education Department in 2017, after serving 11 years developing and teaching in the Adventure Education Bachelor’s degree program. His areas of focus include teaching how theory, research, and conceptual models inform practice, and vice versa; the connections between nature and mindfulness; project-based learning; and adventure processing and facilitation to promote social-emotional development. He co-wrote the graduate text and faculty resource book about how to teach theory experientially, Teaching Adventure Education Theory: Best Practices (2009), and wrote the instructor guide chapter on outdoor leadership for the college text, Effective Leadership in Adventure Programming (2018).
He has instructed for Outward Bound in Colorado and Northwest Outward Bound in Washington state, including courses for adolescent grief and loss, adult life-career renewal, and young adult leadership.
Bob also developed bachelor’s degree programs in adventure education and outdoor leadership at Plymouth (NH) State University, and New Mexico Highlands University. He developed and implemented new student outdoor orientation programs at two universities, and served as Director of Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services at the University of Puget Sound for 17 years. Bob even did a short stint creating and leading outdoor programs for REI, an outdoor cooperative retailer based in Washington.
Over the years, and continuing until his death, Bob served with the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) as a lead reviewer of outdoor education and therapeutic wilderness programs internationally, traveling to far flung and remote locations. He also served on AEE regional and international conference planning committees, including convening two AEE regional conferences at Fort Lewis College in recent years. Bob also served on the Board of Directors of Durango Nature Studies.
Most recently Bob was Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Experience Collaborative with Jay Zarr and Andrea Parrish. EC’s mission is “Enhancing your strengths through experiential consulting and training.
Bob leaves many friends in the professional outdoor educator’s world. There are many who could share a good story or two, of learning, and outdoor adventures with Bob. If you have any, feel free to post them in the comment section below.
There will be service, both live and online, celebrating the life of Bob on the 25th of September 2022. Please get in touch if you would like more info.
We miss you Bob!
Randall
Randall Richards, Director/Founder
Mountain Spirit Institute
Mountain Spirit Ltd, NZ
By Randall Richards
Mountain Spirit Media
It’s one thing to read the newspaper, or watch the evening news, or listen to national radio (or NPR in the U.S.) and to think that this is “the news”, that “this is reality”. I’m here to say, – No it’s not. One learns to crack the hard shell of that paradigm once one considers, possibly, just maybe, that these sources are not “the whole truth” or, are not “All Things Considered” as they claim. You learn to break the trance once you realize that there’s much more that they’re actually omitting. Check out the Hegelian Dialectic, (or this link ): where public debate is confined to a range of issues between limits of right and left, but not beyond those defined boundaries.
Here in New Zealand, (and worldwide) it’s becoming glaringly clear that the media establishment is panicking because its citizens, and even some of its reporters, are fed up with being told what to think and what to say on air. It’s also obvious that creators of the news cycle promote an agenda akin to selling an old used car. They roll out talking points and subjects like an old merchant selling wares that nobody wants.
For example, take the recent rollout of the hit pieces regarding New Zealand’s alternative media, (which is a collection of citizen reporters), who did their best to cover what happened during the Wellington protest. They didn’t do a perfect job, but damn close. Were they unbiased? No, most of them were there because they cared about removing unjust mandates and restoring some common sense and freedom. But they were truthful in reporting of what they saw. How do I know? I was one of them, and I saw others doing good work. In the age of the internet, the truth will come out, eventually. The New Zealand official Mainstream media’s clumsy attempts at the protest, and these recent days to produce absurd hit pieces on those reporting accurately, do nothing more than erode their own credibility. Their actions are nothing more than temper tantrums from a cornered and wounded animal, – Oh sorry , a dinosaur.
Take for example Marcus Lush’s comment on IHeart Radio. “The amount of traffic on Facebook misinformation pages even eclipsed that of pages operated my NZ MSM outlets combined – receiving 357,089 and 247,620 interactions respectfully on March 2, 2022”
One of my fellow open-minded friends adds, “And that’s just comparing FB to FB, there are other platforms as well.”
Eyewitness testimony is gold. Each day at the Parliament grounds in Wellington, thousands saw one thing, only to be shown a completely dishonest accounting on the evening news and other media. Not only that, but events were clearly staged, such as “The car squealing into a crowd” event, which was a set-up. The media were invited to be present for the show. More on that from personal interviews I’ve conducted with people that were right at the car, and saw the whole thing. Can’t argue with that one.
More on these latest feeble attempts:
“NZ’s “Disinformation Dozen” drove 3/4 of fake news chatter.” (Another friend in the alt media thinks it’s time we adopt “The Dirty Dozen” moniker)
The video clip in this piece, of some official-looking talking head news anchors, makes me nauseous.
Their featured pundit in the piece is Kate Hannah of The New Zealand Disinformation Project. I feel like contacting her and asking, “Do you actually believe what you’re saying, or are you being paid?” Well, part of the answer appears to be the latter, as Planet B Media reports “The Project received $4 million from the Governments Tertiary Education Commission and $4.2 million funding from the Marsden Fund.”
Sorry to repeat but, let me put it more simply, If you’re in MSM and doing this sort of reporting, you’re either being played or being paid.
And this lovely attempt at truth:
“Alt-Right and Conspiracy Theories have ‘Grown in the Shadows'”
Really? I’ve had unbelievable reactions from friends in the US that think we must all be Trump supporters and all right-wing racists. On a personal note, while I do agree, Trump has done some obviously good things, he’s still pushing the “vaccine” though. You you know a man by his enemies – so time will tell in the end. My point is, many of us who agree with what he has done don’t fit the stereotype imagined by my friends who have drunk the mainstream Kool-Aid. Again, anyone who was actually at Parliament grounds saw that there were good people there, a cross section of NZ humanity, fathers, mothers, whole families, young and old, farmers, Maori, and lawyers, hippies, and yes, there were even meditators (see image below), yoga practitioners and musicians. One thing they all had in common was, they simply wanted the government to come out and speak to them about the mandates, and they wanted it all to remain peaceful. The guy behind this article above actually has a title, “Disinformation Researcher.”
And this just came out in yesterday’s The Press, from Christchurch, NZ:
Back to the Disinformation Project: It turns out they have been watching us through foggy-colored glasses: This, from their home page:
“The Disinformation Project is pleased to release a new working paper discussing the occupation of Parliament grounds from February 2022 – March 2022. Download it here. ” I can’t wait.
The good news is there are critical thinking reports like this from The Looking Glass. Their title: Meet the new thought police: the ‘Orwellian’ researchers working to pathologise dissent. I like that.
More from that report:
“The propaganda war is heating up, and we need to respond with coherence by unravelling their disinformation with good argument and proof, even though the elites are not listening ….The public is. We need to treat the public with respect and as adults who can think for themselves, something the government and media is not doing. So just check the card is not belittling. Here are a couple of good responses to the Disinfo Elitist view that we should all share ONE narrative (their one) to wash your brain out.”
And this recent piece by Ian Wishart entitled: Your right to be wrong: how far does it go?
I was a “stringer”, a photojournalist, for United Press International in New Hampshire, (US) where all the presidential candidates would rifle through on their whistle-stop tour on their hopeful way to the US Presidency. I had a fleeting thought on the first day of the protest when my family and I arrived by ferry from Picton on New Zealand’s South Island. It briefly occurred to me, I should contact UPI again, and see about reporting for them, what I knew would be an important event. Then it dawned on me of course, that they would never accept what I would report. So I started a Telegram channel instead. More on the take-down of my content on that channel in a later post.
And why is eyewitness testimony gold? Because all those who were at Wellington, who saw what they saw, and then, saw “The News” report a completely unrealistic, (sorry, untrue) version of what happened, headed back to their homes throughout New Zealand, and told their friends and family what they actually saw. That is game over.
They say it only takes a fraction of the populace to affect change for the good. Evidently US independence from the crown was started by only by a handful of the colonists before a shift in critical mass happened that changed history.
A Chinese proverb states, “May you live in interesting times.” That we do. It’s time to walk your truth, in a peaceful way, and not care what others think of you. Good luck.
Editor’s Note:
You can find out more about Randall Richards, & Mountain Spirit Media at www.mtnspirit.nz/msm
Mountain Spirit Institute is a US 501-c-3 non-profit in the US
Mountain Spirit NZ is an off-grid retreat centre based near Wanaka, NZ
By Randall Richards, Mountain Spirit Media
I recently sat down with publisher and owner of Tross Publishing from Wellington, New Zealand, to talk about the recent release of “A Jab in the Dark” by Ron Asher. Here’s the interview in full. Mr. McLean recently spoke in Wanaka, New Zealand to a full house.
Editor’s Note:
You can find out more about Randall Richards, & Mountain Spirit Media at www.mtnspirit.nz/msm
Mountain Spirit Institute is a US 501-c-3 non-profit in the US
Mountain Spirit NZ is an off-grid retreat centre based near Wanaka, NZ
By Randall Richards
Mountain Spirit Media
“You went to the Wellington protest against mandates and medical tyranny, and all I got was this T-shirt.” Hey yeah, I want one!
My friend Meagan, just posted this image of her on FB. Yes they lifted the mandates, but lots of nice and peaceful protestors got pushed and banged up by police. All they wanted was for someone to come see them and address their concerns.
Anyway, here’s a cool t-shirt!
As Meagan wrote on her post,
“Thanks for the beautiful Camp Freedom T-shirt Janine!! This version depicts one of my favourite days there, Valentine’s Day, where the government was emailed a letter stating why we were camped on the lawn outside parliament, and telling them what we wanted to talk about. The day was filled with so much love and hope and unity On this beautiful day, we had no idea that the government would continue to ignore us and eventually send in the police to riot on the people.”
Meagan found herself thrown into reporting doing livestreams for Chantelle Baker’s Facebook page during the Wellington protests, and a damn good job she did too.
You can find these T’s on her FB page or her website
Editor’s Note:
You can find out more about Randall Richards, & Mountain Spirit Media at www.mtnspirit.nz/msm
Mountain Spirit Institute is a US 501-c-3 non-profit in the US
Mountain Spirit NZ is an off-grid retreat centre based near Wanaka, NZ
By Randall Richards,
Mountain Spirit Media
Publisher and owner of Tross Publishing, John McLean, as well as The Health Forum NZ founder, Lynda Wharton, both spoke to a sellout crowd of close to two-hundred people here in Wanaka, New Zealand last Wednesday the 11th of May, 2022. Audience members came from throughout the south island to hear Mr. McLean deliver a spirited talk based on the book, Jab in the Dark, by Ron Asher, which focuses on New Zealand’s misdirected policies on Covid-19 and the Government’s official line that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective. This author interviewed Mr. McLean prior to the event and you’ll be able to hear the interview once posted here on this blog.
Later in the evening Lynda presented an emotional installation of large posters hanging on stage’s backdrop, each one with someone’s picture and details about their vaccine injuries, ranging from numbness, miocarditis to death.
The event was organised in the main, by Kaz von Heraud-Parker, (Wanaka NZ) with special staging help from her husband Greg and Joel Van Riel of Hawea, NZ. A number of other local volunteers helped at the event. They were brought together within the community over the past 18 months thorugh the mandates imposed by the New Zealand government, that forced many to lose their jobs, including local Dr. Mark Edmond who was a praticing partner of Aspiring Medical Centre. Another doctor of neuro science who also lost her position, attended the event. Thousands throughout New Zealand lost access to their work, had to permently close their businesses, lost access to government buildings, restuarants and even hair-cutting establishments because of their choice to not get the “vaccine” when the govenment installed a “traffic light” system.
Says Kaz of the evening, “I’m really pleased we had a successful event that created a space for free speech. Thanks to our speakers for magically appearing, and to those that traveled from all over the South Island to take part.” Baked goods were on sale as a fundraiser, and a table of Tross Publications’ books were available for sale after the event. For further information on Tross Publications try : https://trosspublishing.co.nz
For futher information on The Health Forum NZ, which is a clearinghouse house for reporting vaccine injuries and helps find legal support for those injured from the injection, affected by workplace mandate, or were declined a medical exemption, go to: https://t.me/covaxnz/ . You can also reach her by email at thehealthforumnz@protonmail.com The Health Forum NZ’s Facebook account has taken down. Lynda is Naturopath, Acupuncturist, Health Researcher, Author, Journalist and Public Speaker.
This event was significant in a few aspects. Firstly, it was held in a publicly owned space in which most of the attendees were not permitted a few months ago because of their choice not to take the “vaccine”. Secondly, there was not one mask to be seen in the close to 200 audience members. Thirdly, it was probably one of the larger indoor gatherings since the Wellington protests of like-minded, (or shall we say, open-minded) people in New Zealand, a coming together again of, the tribe.
Editor’s Note:
You can find out more about Randall Richards, & Mountain Spirit Media at www.mtnspirit.nz/msm
Mountain Spirit Institute is a US 501-c-3 non-profit in the US
Mountain Spirit NZ is an off-grid retreat centre based near Wanaka, NZ
Mountain Spirit's Blog 