How We Build the Evolved Nest We Need to Thrive with Dr. Darcia Narvaez: Podcast Interview
In this episode of This Is How We Care, Emily Race-Newmark sits down with developmental psychologist and author Dr. Darcia Narvaez to explore what children—and humanity—truly need to thrive.
Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, Indigenous wisdom, and decades of research, Dr. Narvaez introduces the concept of the Evolved Nest: the caregiving system humans evolved with for 99% of our history—and how far modern culture has drifted from it. Read the transcript from the interview here.
Together, Emily and Darcia unpack how early “undercare” shapes everything from individual anxiety to collective violence, how capitalism and colonization disrupted our natural caregiving systems, and what it looks like to return—without shame—to a more connected, communal, and life-affirming way of raising children.
This conversation weaves together science, spirituality, grief, and hope, offering practical, everyday ways to begin re-nesting ourselves, our families, and our communities—starting now.
This episode covers:
- What the Evolved Nest actually is (and why babyhood matters so much)
- How “undercare” shapes adult disconnection, greed, and burnout
- The role of touch, play, breastfeeding, and communal caregiving
- Why nature connection and music are essential to human regulation
- How the “Wetiko” mindset took hold—and how we heal it
- Why children (and adults) need to be welcomed, not given “independence training”
- How to begin rebuilding village even inside modern life
This episode is an invitation to remember who we are, what we need, and the kind of world our children are asking us to build.
To Connect with Dr. Narvaez:
- Website: https://nestedworld.org/
- Become a “Nesting Ambassador”
- Read “Restoring the Kinship Worldview”
- Read “The Evolved Nest”