Nature With You

Journey around the U.S. National Parks with my parents and me! 🌄 🦦 🌾 🦬 🏞️ 🌳 In this episode, we talk about the passion of National Park Rangers, the diverse ecosystems of the United States, the unique way that nature connections are forged in National Parks, and more. Enjoy!

Episode 60, Nature in the Movies: Don't Look Up 💚 🎬 Don't Look Up, directed by Adam McKay, is based on truly possible events: two astronomers go on a media tour to warn humankind of a planet-killing comet hurtling toward Earth. The response from a distracted world, "Meh" ☄️Co-host Jackson & I go beyond the "on-the-nose" themes of this film to explore how human connection & political influence shape our nature!Episode Highlights: planet Earth & space, science in politics & politics in science, communicating science with the public, mobilizing in the face of misinformation & frustration, using humor to process humanity's biggest issues, bringing the focus back to the nature that we are trying to protect

Eugenia inspires every day conservation actions as an environmental educator and science communicator 📲💡🌿Episode Highlights: reflecting on the moments that empowered our passion for environmental advocacy, food systems in Hong Kong, appreciating regenerative agricultural practices & how they connects us to our food, public transportation systems & car-centric societies, and more!💬⭐️ "Because when you see how long it takes and how much care it requires to go from seed to fruit, you never wanna waste food ever again."

Episode 58, Nature With Faith 📸 🏔️ 🌿 🏂Faith graduated from Towson University last fall, and just completed an internship over the summer with a stream and coastal restoration company. Her passion for environmental conservation and restoration is clear as she recalls some of her favorite nature places and memories in this episode. Enjoy!Episode Highlights: growing up & becoming more aware of personal & systemic impacts on nature, east vs west coast of the U.S. (& some midwest love too!), nature photography, experience as an intern at a stream restoration company & more.💬⭐️ "And so as important as it is to do things in your own time to fight back against climate change and try to mitigate it, it is so important to recognize the systems in the world that are affecting it."

The Ocean is calling 🌊🌀⛵️Join Jackson & I as we journey with Moana through nature themes in Disney's wonderful film 🎬We talk about different cultural, mythological, and religious depictions of nature and creation (and connect Moana characters with real Polynesian legends); the value of different generational perspectives (and compare the ways Moana and her dad approach adventure and duty); what animals we wish we had the power to shape-shift into; and more! 🩵

Nature With Charlie🌶️ 🐺 🏔️ 🦬 👨‍🌾 🛣️Charlie certainly has some unique experiences with nature across the United States! It is always so fun to listen to a passionate storyteller 🌻🌿Episode Highlights: making homemade hot sauce, wildlife interactions, hiking the Appalachian Trail, gardening, road trips to national parks💬⭐️ "Nature's played a vital role in my overall mental health and just the person I am."

It was truly wonderful to talk to Brenda Sieglitz this week! I left our conversation feeling uplifted by her personal stories about how her relationship with nature has evolved & helped create the "amazing mosaic" that is her life. Enjoy!Episode Highlights: natural diversity of Pennsylvania, changing how nature is part of our lives: recreation to protection, how nature heals & helps us process grief, Master Naturalist course, knowing your audience in scientific communication💬⭐️ "And suddenly, I shifted that perspective to this [nature] is something I should be protecting and caring for and stewarding because this is helping me get through this really difficult time."

An adventure 65 million years in the making! Join Jackson & I this week as we explore the environmental themes in Jurassic Park 🦖🌄Episode Highlights: commercialism disguised as conservation, archaeology/paleontology/paleobotany, genetic engineering, humans' constant underestimation of nature, & more! 🦕💬⭐️ " they forced this dinosaur into the world and made it become alive and it's gonna tear down the very thing that they were trying to create, which I think is beautifully messed up in a way"

Episode 53: Nature With Guy 🎣🚣🐾As you will soon learn, Guy was a fantastic guest this week. I was grateful to have some real conversations about relevant environmental issues while simultaneously reflecting on a man's life through the decades.Episode Highlights: generational fishing; environmental efforts in Pennsylvania; remembering when...there were no lawn-care or trash services, plastic wasn't prevalent, and activities were more outdoor-focused

Episode 52, Nature With Bella 🌿 🐠 🍅 🎨 🪸 ⭐ 🧑‍🌾 Listening to Bella speak about the natural world will surely inspire you to engage in more nature-focused conversations. Whether she talks about how marine life inspires her creativity or how her experience working on a farm changed the way she looks at food systems, her knowledge & calming presence will leave you feeling hopeful & informed 💚Episode Highlights: state & national park experiences, how nature inspires art, food systems & sustainable agriculture, experience working on a farm💬⭐️ "There are groups of people, there are places on this Earth that are being disproportionately affected by climate change"