Care, Connection, and Death: A Journey Through Our Effluvia with Cutter Wood

Mind, Body, and Soil

Episode 117: In this conversation, Kate sits down with Cutter Wood to discuss his new book Earthly Materials: Journeys Through Our Bodies’ Emissions, Excretions, and Disintegrations. It’s a poignant and touching exploration of the often-overlooked aspects of our physical being: our body's "effluvia." From the science of mucus to our last breath, from our tears to our flatulence, Cutter delves into the interconnectedness of bodily materials and how these substances reflect our shared vulnerability, humanity, and care for one another. These substances are sometimes hidden for reasons of sanitation, but also because they remind us of our fragility and mortality, which means—this is also a podcast abut death. Cutter brings humor, depth, and honesty to his exploration of the body’s excretions and emissions, reminding us that these “leaky meat suits” are also what connect us.

Find Cutter:

Earthly Materials: Journeys Through Our Bodies’ Emissions, Excretions, and Disintegrations

Website: Cutterwood.com

Instagram: @cuttermwood

X: @cuttermwood

Related Episodes:

Episode 51: Heidi Boucher talks about Caring for our Dead at Home

Episode 90: Rose George on Sh*t, Shipping, and Blood

Episode 70: Scott Carney on Sleep

Episode 67: Dan Egan on Phosphorous

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