About Us

Into a Darker Wilderness podcast sits at the intersection of nature and Black history, expanding our definitions and seeking new understandings of our relationships with and through time, nature, and history.

Into A Darker Wilderness is co-hosted by Erin Sharkey, editor of A Darker Wilderness anthology, and Michael Kleber-Diggs, poet and author of Worldly Things and contributor to A Darker Wilderness. Each episode offers engaging dialogue with writers across the United States, unpacking the ways that Black folks have stewarded natural spaces despite pervasive structural racism. Into A Darker Wilderness Podcast celebrates the little and big impacts that Black folks have had on nature writing, all while inspiring listeners to cultivate new relationships with the outdoors.

Become a member

Fireweed

$5.00 per month

Fireweed is often the first plant to emerge after a forest fire because its roots are uniquely adapted to harvest potassium which was burned off in the heat. It's a specialist preparing damaged land for regrowth.
  • Tick Sneak peeks and exclusive preview segments of upcoming episodes
  • Tick Into a Darker Wilderness Supporter T-Shirt

Second Growth

$10.00 per month

A second growth forest is the first set of canopy-height trees emerging after a disturbance. The forest allows quite a bit of light, creating a dense understory packed with shade-tolerant species.
  • Tick Early access to newly released podcast episodes
  • Tick Sneak peeks and exclusive preview segments of upcoming episodes
  • Tick 5% Discount on Supporter Merchandise
  • Tick Into a Darker Wilderness Supporter T-Shirt

Old Growth Forest

$25.00 per month

The final stage of forest succession, at which the canopy is fully closed, there are multiple understory layers co-existing, and there are entirely new species of birds, plants, and animals depending on the dense shelter and solitude of old growth forests.
  • Tick Early access to newly released podcast episodes
  • Tick Sneak peeks and exclusive preview segments of upcoming episodes
  • Tick 5% Discount on Supporter Merchandise
  • Tick Into a Darker Wilderness Supporter T-Shirt
  • Tick Exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content
  • Tick Old Growth Forest hat
  • Tick Early access to sales of additional premium perks including wilderness expeditions and naturalist talks