Podcast Ep 91: Is True Kinship With Animals The Right Path For You?
Listen to the clip below or the full episode on Apple Podbean iHeart Radio or your favorite podcast station.
Script
Hello folx,
This is true kinship with animals, a podcast that offers you stories, conversations and possibilities on how you might deepen your relationship with animals and relate to them through a new place of understanding. My name is Janet Roper, your companion on this journey.
I’ve returned to podcasting after unexpectedly being called to take a break.
During that time, three creative projects have evolved that I’m delighted to share with you. First, the True Kinship With Animals Store will soon be opening! There you will find items like hoodies, mugs, journals, totes and animal accessories for daily reminders about true kinship and to support and carry with you on your journey. For the big opening announcement, sign up for my newsletter or visit my website.
The 2nd project? I’m working on a true kinship book project. I have a book coach who is helping me stay focused, organized and guiding me through the different stages of creating a book. I did not know there are stages. I truly thought I would just sit and write!
The 3rd one is practicing reciprocity in my work, which enlivens and nurtures me. The online work I do is given freely as a gift, with the intent to help the animal human relationship become based in relationship-with instead of power over. It’s not transactional yet its value is boundless. For those wishing to participate in an energetic exchange of gifting, I have opened a way to make that possible. More about this later in the podcast.
Now on to this episode, which asks if true kinship is the right path for you.
For myself, the answer to that question has changed over the years.
Starting back in early 20something the answer was “Damn straight. I know my stuff and I’m the person you want to work and study with. Let’s get started, shall we?”
A decade later the answer had changed to an ingratiating “I believe so, it’s a way to connect in harmony with all animals so they can heal us.”
Now the answer is a short, sweet, simple “Yup” and how I now show up in the world is formed by having gone through radical overhauls over the decades.
Here are my thoughts on what true kinship is, what it means to me, to animals and to you.
What True Kinship Is
True kinship with animals is a service to the world that offers a vision and perspective for the future, not one that is marooned in the present. As I experience true kinship at this moment in time, it is:
Recognizing animals are more than ‘just an animal’
Relating to animals through a new place of understanding
Reimagining a new way of being with animals
What True Kinship Means To Me
Since practicing true kinship I am learning to:
•Stop masking so that I am liked and fit in with certain groups
•Authentically show up for animals - including humans - if asked and to the best of my ability
•Move from a networking mindset to co-creating in community
•Authentically share with like minded souls when asked
•Accept support
•Give support when asked
It’s a relief to not have to downplay my relationship with animals and true kinship and what they are to me. It’s cathartic to be with an animal in kinship and not as a human overseer or master. Justifications are a thing of the past.
What True Kinship Means To Animals
It’s not my place to speak for them, they have their own voices.
What I can tell you is how one of the cats in the Roper animal family, Raven, lived it. He felt comfortable showing up as his own self. He acted with intentionality and made decisions based on his preferences and desires. He ruled the household and all of us in it from his perspective, which was thoughtful and considered, whether or not the rest of us agreed with it.
Am I glad Raven showed up as Raven? Yes. In hindsight, would I change anything? Most probably, but it has more to do with me wanting to override his agency.
What True Kinship Mean To You
In all honesty I don’t know. That’s something only you can answer. And that answer is not a cop out.
What I can do, however, is help you find clarity, support and companionship as you are working through that question for yourself. If that sounds like your cuppa tea, the starting place is a visit to my website.
Remember the practice of reciprocity I mentioned earlier in the podcast? To engage with me through reciprocity, go to my website at or click the banner at the top the pages on my site.
Thank you for being here and listening. If you would like to interact with me, visit my website, subscribe to the newsletter and shop the soon to be expanded true kinship with animals store!
Just for today remember: We all do better when all creatures do better. Until next time, take good care!
In Reciprocity
My online work is energetically and freely given so that we see animals with different eyes, relate to them through a new place of understanding and reimagine a new way to be with them.
If you are called to contribute in financial reciprocity click here. For moral support and to cheer me on, contact me. They are both welcomed! Thank you!
(Reciprocity is always optional.)
