Drawing Connection: A Conversation with Johnny Dame

In this intimate conversation recorded at the 2024 Florida Permaculture Convergence, seventh-generation Floridian Johnny Dame shares his journey as an artist, naturalist, Earth Shepherd, and environmental educator. Opening with a grounding meditation, Johnny reveals how his childhood gift for locating indigenous artifacts evolved into a life dedicated to helping others connect with the land. Through his beautiful Wildflower Wheels—which help people discover their ecosystem-specific "birth flowers"—and his detailed physiographic maps, Johnny demonstrates how art can bridge the gap between people and place. He shares moving stories about his grandmother Reita, who learned native plant medicine from those who lived with the Seminoles, and offers insights into the ancient European practice of "scrying"—finding meaning in natural patterns. The episode captures Johnny's unique blend of ancestral wisdom and artistic expression, illustrating how direct observation of nature can help us rediscover our essential connection to the Earth.

The Proven Sustainable™ Conversation Series is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Any funding directed towards the Conversation Series will go towards production efforts to ensure the the recorded discussions are diligently captured and meaningfully distributed. This Conversation Series and website are not-for-profit and created with the intent of channeling support directly to the Peoples represented.