The Nature Between Us

No doubt many of us know how good it feels to spend time in nature, but did you know that the act of gardening has huge psychological benefits for our brains, our relationships, and many other aspects of our physical and mental health? In this episode Tessa sits down with Sue Stuart-Smith to discuss the positives of digging around in the soil. Sue is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist who’s latest book The Well Gardened Mind explores the psychological significance of gardening. A Sunday Times bestseller, Sue combines observation, horticulture, brain science, literature and history.  The pair speak about Sues introduction to gardening, her study of horticulture programs within prison systems, why the colour green is so relaxing for our visual cortex and brains, and many other interesting insights into the human/garden relationship. Keep up to date with Sue on Instagram @suestuartsmith  This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, Camp Cove Swim and For Purpose Recycling. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prizepacks head to our website for more details https://www.thenaturebetweenus.com/ @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

The Great Southern Reef spans the entire bottom half of Australia, and 70% of our national population lives within 50kms of it. Yet, it's largely unknown. In this episode Tessa sits down with Dr Sahira Bell to chat about this vital cool water ecosystem, and a marine plant they both adore: seaweed! With its many benefits and uses, seaweed is becoming a hot topic in the climate conversation and on The Great Southern Reef it's the 'kelp forests' that have Sahira's heart.  Sahira is marine ecologist at the University of Western Australia's Ocean Institute and a self confessed kelp enthusiast, currently working on the Great Southern Reef Project alongside filmmakers and scientists. In 2019 she led the original designation of the Great Southern Reef as a Mission Blue Hope Spot, she sits on the management committee for the not-for-profit, the Balu Blue Foundation, and her mantra 'people protect what they love, and love what they understand' is the driving force behind all her projects.  You can keep up to date with Sahira Bell on instagram at @sahirabell and The Great Southern Reef at @greatsouthernreef or https://greatsouthernreef.com/ This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, Camp Cove Swim and For Purpose Recycling. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prizepacks head to our website for more details https://www.thenaturebetweenus.com/ @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

In this episode we're diving into the ocean waters to learn about our incredible coral reef systems. As beautiful as they are important, coral reefs are often called the ‘rainforests of the sea’ and are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. But, they are struggling against the effects of climate change so Tessa sits down with tropical fish and coral reef expert David Booth to get the 411 on how reef systems function, their current state and what we can do to help them thrive. David is a Professor of Marine Ecology at UTS, and the past-President of the Australian Coral Reef Society. He is a prominent researcher on reef-fish ecology, the effects of climate change on marine life and other anthropogenic impacts on reef systems. While his research spans areas such as the Caribbean and Hawaii todays conversation focuses on the amazing Great Barrier Reef. To find out more about David’s research, and the Opera House reef project, head to uts.edu.au This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prize-packs head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

It's been three decades since the landmark Mabo decision overturned the concept of terra nullius - land belonging to no one - yet the idea of aqua nullius and the fight for restoring Aboriginal water rights remains. In this episode Tessa speaks to Wiradjuri Nyemba woman Dr Virginia Marshall about detangling the complex web of water management, the Royal Commission into the Murray Darling basin and the commodification of water. Virginia is a practicing lawyer and a duty solicitor specialising in intellectual property and traditional knowledge. She's also an Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Water Trust and was a member of the inaugural Indigenous Water Summit established by the National Water Commission. In addition she was the first Indigenous postdoctoral fellow with ANU and a winner of the Stanner Award with her thesis "A web of Aboriginal water rights: Examining the competing Aboriginal claim for water property rights and interests in Australia". Keep up to date with Virginias work via ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance : https://regnet.anu.edu.au/our-people/academic/virginia-marshall This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prize-packs head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

Fashion, clothing, shoes, accessories .... we all buy them, use them, and dispose of them. But what are the environmental and human impacts of this? And as much as marketing loves to sell it - can the fashion industry ever be truely sustainable? In this ep, Tessa sits down with sustainable supply chain expert Kelly Elkin. Having previously co-founded online store Well Made Clothes, as well the Australian Ethical Fashion Association - Clean Cut, Kelly has been on the forefront of sustainable fashion in Australia for decades, helping both emerging and established brands build strategies driven by social and environmental impact. Currently, she's focusing her efforts on implementing emerging technology and sustainability measures at the long-running surf label Piping Hot. The pair get chatting about the environmental and human costs of the fashion industry. The pros and cons of natural materials, the synthetic takeover, transparent supply chains & the possibility of a circular economy, and the most sustainable way to stay cute whilst not being naked ;) This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prize-packs head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

Bees are infinitely important to our food production, plant pollination and ecosystem biodiversity. You've probably come across a European honeybee before, but did you know Australia has over 2000 different types of native bees? In this episode, Tessa speaks with Dr Tim Heard - an entomologist and ex CSIRO research scientist who focuses on stingless and native bees. The pair get chatting about the differences between native and introduced bees, the types of native species here in Australia, the challenges they are facing and what we can do to help our buzzy friends thrive. Keep up to date with Tims work at - https://sugarbag.net/ This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win an epic prize-pack head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

In this ep, Tessa chats with Tishiko King, a proud Kulkalaig woman from the Island of Masig in Zenadth Kes (Torres Straight Islands). She's the Campaigns Director at Seed Mob, an organiser for the Our Islands Our Home campaign and an all-round legend who is passionate about sharing culture, amplifying social inequality, and advocating for the rights of First Nations people. Tish is currently based in Naarm but has bounced around a bit throughout her interesting life. Hear about her journey to studying marine biology, how she went from working for a mining company to fighting gas exploration in the NT, her experience of attending COP26 last year and the many powerful First Nations led campaigns she is currently fighting for. You can follow Tish @thediaryofagreengirl and get behind Seed Mob at @seedmob and Our Islands Our Home at @ourislandsourhome This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win an epic prize-pack head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

In the first episode of season 2, Tessa sits down with one of Australia's most accomplished climate campaigners, Anna Rose. Anna is the co-founder of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) and Groundswell Giving. She's on the board for Farmers for Climate Action, a Governor of WWF Australia and co-star of the ABC documentary I Can Change Your Mind on Climate Change. With the upcoming federal election and increase in extreme weather events supercharging the climate conversation, Tessa wanted to hear from someone who's experienced political change first hand, and knows exactly how to turn the dial for good. The pair chat about her early climate win's, Earths tipping points, the upcoming election, why it's important to have governmental change, how you can vote effectively and have meaningful climate conversations. You can follow Anna's work on Instagram @climateactionanna or @youth4climatejustice and join the Groundswell movement at @groundswellgiving Wanna know how to vote better? Then check out Vote Compass: https://votecompass.abc.net.au/ This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboard, Camp Cove Swim and For Purpose Recycling. To win a prize-pack giveaway head to our website for entry details- www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast

After a year of chatting, recording and editing (plus hiking a couple mountains in between)....your favourite enviro pod, The Nature Between Us, is back! In this season, Tessa delves into topics such as natural gas fracking, sustainable fashion, Aboriginal water rights, the plight of our bee's, diminishing kelp forests, migrating tropical fish, the psychological benefits of gardening and of course - climate change and the upcoming election! It's a smorgasbord of enviro thoughts, feelings, solutions and fun. Tune in to keep your mind ticking over and the fire in your belly raging. Launching April 26th, with episodes released fortnightly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or directly via the website www.thenaturebetweenus.com This podcast is produced on unceded Gadigal and Bidjigal country of the Eora Nation, it acknowledges they are the traditional owners of this land, and pays respects to their elders past present and emerging.

This episode is all about creating art in the era of climate change. Specifically theater, which has the power to connect, provoke and inspire people far and wide. Which got Tessa thinking....could theater be the answer to climate anxiety, science communication or even just a subtle push for action? Today's guest is David Finnigan, a writer and theatre-maker who works with earth scientists to produce engaging performances about climate and global change. His plays include Kill Climate Deniers, You're Safe Til 2024, and 44 Sex Acts In One Week. Outside of being a playwright he is also a member of a number of theater ensembles which create interactive science-theater performances for festivals, conferences and schools. Boho in Australia, Coney in the UK and the Sipat Lawin Ensemble in the Philippines. Tessa came across David in Rebecca Huntley book How To Talk About Climate Change In A Way That Makes A Difference. If you've tuned into Ep6 you'll know all about the power of emotions and engagement, and this episode is some ways an extension of that conversation. We chat about David's plays and how he translates scientific research for the stage, why he was wrong about the fires, the power of theater and how we're crossing planetary boundaries. To sign up to David's newsletter, hit his website @ www.davidfing.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast