AHR 22: Can Industrial Hemp and Craftsmanship Change the World with Blake Ward

According to the SSA (Self Storage Association), the United States has upward of 50,000 storage facilities, more than five times the number of Starbucks. Right now, at this very moment, there are 7.3 square feet of self storage space for every man, woman and child in the nation. That means that it is physically possible to have every American stand—all at the same time—under the total canopy of self storage roofing.

Woah.

But what does that mean?

That means that we, as Americans, are consuming so much stuff that we literally don't know what to do with it all, other than throw it into a dark room to be forgotten or sold to people who want more stuff.

And if that's not enough, check these statistics out:

• The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year (Huffington Post).

• The average American woman owns 30 outfits—one for every day of the month. In 1930, that figure was nine (Forbes).

• The average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually (Forbes).

[STAT CREDIT (and full article): http://www.becomingminimalist.com/clutter-stats/]

Again, this is telling me that we, as a consumerist culture, have gone ape shit. Instead of hunting and foraging, we're spending and buying.

What happened to creating something from nothing? Using your hands. Getting dirty. Making mistakes and figuring stuff out for yourself?

That's why I'm so excited to have Blake Ward of the Seed store to join me on today's episode of Ancestral Health Radio to discuss the art of working with your hands, of craftsmanship. This, tribe, is the beginning of a series called "The Maker Series."

No; it won't all be linear. Next week won't feature some badass blacksmith (although, if you know someone who might fit the bill, please email me at [email protected]).

But I will be featuring people who have dedicated their life to working with their hands to create something that transcends their brand and ushers in a time where people are respected for creating small-batch goods and services. 

I'm calling not just American's out, but everyone: What do you create that adds value to your tribe?

In today’s episode, you’ll learn…

• The difference between cannabis and industrial hemp,

• How to foster creativity and reciprocity through what Blake calls "collaborative community",

• Practical tips and personal insight on how to become a maker, and…

• Much, much more.

• The frustration that caused Blake to buy a sowing machine and begin Seed

• Blake and I recap the horrors of the Rana Plaza disaster and the unfair labor practices in third world countries

• Why certain manufacturers install bars on windows of multilevel buildings 

• Blake tells of future plans moving forward with Seed

• Blake discusses how "community made clothing" can shine a light on textile waste

• What's the difference between marijuana and industrial hemp?

• The benefits of hemp fabric and its the similarities hemp has to its animal fiber cousin—merino wool

• Why Blake believes it's the producers and makers that change the world, not the consumers

• How to foster creativity and reciprocity through what Blake calls a "collaborative economy"

• The common mistake that held Blake back five years before finally starting Seed (I struggle with this, too)

• The course Blake took three times a week that dramatically improved his sewing skills

• The juxtaposition of the workers in Blake's manufacturing facility versus the nightmarish labor conditions in India (this is what you really pay for)

• The missing elements in yoga, mountain, and athletic apparel that led to the design of Seed's most popular piece of clothing—the antidote pant

• How Vibram Five Fingers are similar to Seed's antidote pant

• Why there is a Sri Yantra on every pair of sacred seed collection antidote pants

• Blake gives his best piece of advice towards becoming a maker