My guest for this episode is Bernie Harberts. We covered so much ground in this podcast, much like Bernie has done for much of his life. When I say covering ground, that’s for real. Bernie has taken several cross-country trips with his mules over the years, covering over 10,000 miles and 1,000 nights.
In our conversation, he offers his hard-earned wisdom on approaching life on the road, life with horses and mules, and living a full and meaningful life in general.
One of the themes that has helped him take to the road is giving up perfection and learning to live with vulnerability. We explored this and many of the themes that have informed his journeys.
Here’s what Bernie has to say about himself:
Author and Long Rider Bernie Harberts is the subject of the Emmy award-winning PBS North Carolina program “The Mule Rider” and the author of “Two Mules to Triumph”, about his 7-month mule voyage from North Carolina to Idaho. Even though he has traveled both ways across the United States and Newfoundland by mule, he still can’t keep his mule Cracker from occasionally bolting.
Bernie lives in a small cabin in western North Carolina with his wife Julia, two border collies, three mules, two ponies and eight thousand wild-caught honey bees. When he’s not writing or rambling, he enjoys bee lining, planting ginseng and 23-minute naps.
Learn more about Bernie’s books, films and journeys at RiverEarth.com.
Topics
- Bernie Harberts' Long-Distance Journeys and Philosophies (0:02)
- Vulnerability and Generosity on the Road (7:02)
- Navigating Ideological Differences (10:35)
- The Role of Perfection and Imperfection (22:13)
- The Art of Horse and Mule Handling (26:27)
- The Impact of Social Media and Public Perception (31:07)
- The Importance of Presence and Attunement (31:23)
- The Role of Pressure and Challenge in Personal Growth (31:57)
- The Balance Between Vulnerability and Control (32:13)
- The Role of Forgiveness and Self-Acceptance (32:36)
- Meditation and Way of Being (32:51)
- Personal Pressure and Neural Rewiring (1:24:32)
- Balancing Personal Bliss and Relationships (1:27:48)
- Physical and Spiritual Challenges (1:32:07)
- Learning Skills and Building Muscle Memory (1:38:49)
- The Importance of Holding the Reins Lightly (1:43:30)
- Future Plans and Projects (1:49:09)
- Acknowledgements and Final Thoughts (1:53:04)
Guest Contact Information
Email: bernie@riverearth.com