Podcasts & writing

Media appearances

Pieces Lorca has written, and pieces written about her work.

By me

Climber on a red rock wall

Supporting Mental Health After a Major Outdoor Accident

Lorca’s contribution to Viristar’s article on supporting mental health after a major outdoor incident.

Read the article
The Yellowstone River in autumn below snow-dusted peaks, gold cottonwoods along the bank and a lone fly fisher in the water

A Different Food Chain

Modern Huntsman, Volume One — Lorca’s words, Dušan’s photographs, and their own table. Five links of food, from what they hunt and grow to what they still buy. “Food that has a story tastes different.”

Read the essay · PDF

About me

A white canvas wall tent lit warmly from inside at dusk, standing in a clearing among aspens

Decades Teaching Resilience and Spreading Joy

OES Magazine, Summer/Fall 2026 — Jana F. Brown on the farm, the grove, the first year of fellows, and joy as both fuel and diagnostic. “Joy is not a domestic creature.”

Read the article
Lorca sitting on wooden porch steps in a patterned wool sweater and boots, laughing

Soul Gardener: Lorca Smetana

Out of tragedy, grief, and trauma, Lorca Smetana has managed to find and spread joy throughout her adult life.

Read the article

Photograph · Devin Archilla

The printed Montana Parenting page: the headline Finding Joy through Resilience, with photographs of Lorca

Finding Joy through Resilience

An interview in Montana Parenting, March 2019 — the toolbox, the climb, and the progression from victim to survivor to leader.

Read the article

Resilience Loves

A letter worth opening

Reflections, resources, and resilience in practice — it lands gently in your inbox.