Sage Against the Machine

By: Irene Tsouprake Sandy Skees
  • Summary

  • This is a conversation for people who are looking for a roadmap to a more equitable society and regenerative future. As women of a certain age, we’re embracing wisdom as our currency. Our guests will explore new thinking and alternative paradigms, both modern and ancient, across cultural, biological, economic and political systems, and will include artists, scientists, tacticians, thinkers and advocates. Our aim is to provide hope through amplifying systems that increase the health and wellbeing of humanity and the natural world and to activate and accelerate solutions to today’s polycrisis. (That's all!) In a society drowning in knowledge, we’re seeking wisdom. Find us on socials at Sage Against the Machine Learn more about us by visiting sageagainstthemachine.com
    Copyright 2025 Irene Tsouprake, Sandy Skees
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Episodes
  • 6. Our Bodies, Their Choice: Women’s Reproductive Rights in America
    Apr 12 2025

    Irene and Sandy explore the current reality facing women with the overturning of Roe V Wade as well as the medical and legal risks surrounding women’s bodily autonomy.

    Guests Diane Lamotte RPh (Retired Pharmacist) and Kate Flewelling, Associate General Counsel at the University of Michigan, share their work on the American College Health Association Reproductive Rights Advocacy Task Force. They walk us through what’s happening, what’s coming, and how we can work together to restore and protect our reproductive health and rights.


    We discuss the basics of birth control and different medications used to prevent and terminate a pregnancy as well as save lives, and the legal ramifications following the Dobbs decision and recent state laws.


    Together, we can help and inform our sisters in other parts of the country. Knowledge is power. Don’t give up hope! Join us on this powerful mission.


    In today’s episode, we cover:

    • Diane and Kate’s journeys and what led them to the joint task force they’re a part of
    • Current forms of contraception for both males & females
    • Emergency contraception vs. the abortion pill
    • Types of abortions
    • How to get into GOOD trouble and avoid BAD trouble in regards to abortion rights


    Links/Resources mentioned in episode:

    • Plan C Pills — Facts, access to Medication Abortion; abortion pills by mail to every state
    • PlannedParenthood — Healthcare, Facts, Medication Abortion, surgical abortions
    • Center for Reproductive Rights — Legal information
    • Guttmacher Institute — Policy Institute focused on reproductive health, stats, legal information, state regs
    • Hey Jane — Information, Medication Abortion & Surgical Abortion locations
    • Ineedana.com — Where and how to access an abortion
    • Bedsider.org — Contraception Options information
    • abortionfunds.org — Funds to help with travel and other expenses


    Connect with us on socials:

    Instagram

    Facebook

    TikTok

    LinkedIn

    Learn more about us by visiting our website

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 5. The Depths of Forgiveness with Lara Love Hardin
    Mar 12 2025

    It’s a special joy and privilege to welcome today’s guest, Lara Love Hardin, to the podcast!

    Lara Love Hardin is a woman of many talents – she is a literary agent and president of her own agency, True Literary. She has a Masters Degree in Creative writing and is a NYT’s best selling author. Her personal memoir The Many Lives of Mama Love, A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing and Healing was selected by Oprah to share with her audience. Our conversation centers on forgiveness and Lara’s challenge to forgive herself as an act of freedom.


    We follow her journey from writer to addict to felon to best selling author and her new role as a prison reform activist. Lara is funny, self-effacing, smart, and a clear voice for all of us in our journey to being our truest selves. Take a listen - you’re going to love this one!


    In today’s episode about the depths of forgiveness, we cover:

    • Lara’s story of going from a supermom of 4 boys, to a convicted felon, and eventually, a best selling author and prison reform activist
    • The act of self-forgiveness + the power that comes from getting yourself out of a ‘dark’ moment
    • How loneliness and neglect can be pathways to addiction + Lara’s personal experience of isolation and feeling embarrassment regarding her emotions growing up
    • Learning to embracing it ALL, and owning your ‘stuff’ as a coping mechanism (rather than turning to substances)
    • The way we view forgiveness and show treatment towards incarcerated people in the U.S.
    • The staggering statistic of mothers in prison + how they cope with not being with their children
    • How the judicial system is designed to keep putting people back ‘in’, instead of allowing people the option to get ‘out’ for good
    • How we can actually support women who are incarcerated + the importance of second-chance hiring for women and mothers
    • The typical mindset people have of ‘once a felon, always a felon’ + why many convicted individuals tend to feel safer in jail
    • The 10 week program, The Gemma Project, Lara created to support women while they’re in prison with a vast array of basic skills + vital community component
    • The surreal, beautiful experiences Lara has been a part of + the underlying, deep-rooted fear and rejection she has still struggled with along the way


    Connect with Lara Love Hardin more by visiting her website

    Order your copy of Lara’s book, The Many Lives of Mama Love

    Learn about and consider supporting The Gemma Project


    Watch/listen to Lara’s interview with Oprah on the Super Soul Sunday Show HERE



    Connect with us on socials:

    Instagram

    Facebook

    TikTok

    LinkedIn

    Learn more about us by visiting our website

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    1 hr
  • 4. Choosing A Regenerative Life - Fin Makepeace
    Apr 9 2024

    Our guest on the podcast today is a true expert and changemaker for regenerative agriculture, and climate change as a whole!

    Fin Makepeace is a soil health advocate and Kiss the Ground cofounder. Fin went from passionate regenerative agriculture evangelist to building an educational non-profit that’s trained hundreds of citizen soil advocates. He’s also a lead policy advocate and was in the room where it happened - it being the shaping of the federal farm bill. He is also an accomplished musician, award winning documentary film producer, husband and father of two! Our conversation ranges from exploring the power of regeneration to embracing an insight that can change your life trajectory…for the better.

    This work is incredibly daunting, but we do have the solution to dramatically transform our future world. Regenerative agriculture is common ground, and it equals HOPE for climate change. Ultimately, you can be a champion without being an expert - it all starts with choosing a regenerative life!


    Learn more about Kiss the Ground’s resources and advocacy, and consider signing the petition for regenerative agriculture HERE


    Watch Kiss the Ground Film


    Connect with us on socials:

    Instagram

    Facebook

    TikTok

    LinkedIn

    Learn more about us by visiting our website

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.