4 Podcast on The Healing Power of Nature

The healing power of nature has been documented in books such as The Nature Fix,  Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, and Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the Healing Power of Nature. So it should be no surprise that people who have experienced the benefits of nature have taken to podcasting to share their experiences.  

Below are four podcasts that are worth listening to if you want to learn more about how nature heals.

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One in Nature with Pamela Wirth & Kat Novotna

This podcast’s mission is to bring “people and the world of nature closer by interviewing leading edge contributors about nature-based wellbeing, greater balance, and sense of belonging within the web of life. We hope to spark many moments of heartfelt connection between people and nature beings everywhere.”⁽¹⁾ 

In the July 28, 2020, episode titled “Tuning to the Frequency of Nature” Pamela interviews forest therapy educator Geeta Stillwel about her experience as an embodiment teacher. Their conversation explores a range of topics including:

• How nature connects us to our soul and teaches us to trust the quiet voice of the heart, 
• How to access deeply restorative nature experiences that are significantly different from other ways of enjoying nature;
• How to experience interactive relationships with the beings of nature and get intuitive cues for our wellness; and 
• Why having a guide is important for forest bathing.

Check out this episode and any of the other episodes by visiting their website or Spotify.

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The Nature Pod with Suzanne Radford

This podcast is a conversation between Suzanne and a guest as they “navigate pathways to nature inspired by forest bathing and the practice of Shinrin Yoku.”⁽²⁾ 

One thing that I like about this podcast is that Suzanne asks each interviewee what is their one word to describe nature and that becomes the title of the episode. I think this is a fun way to name the episodes.

Episode 7 is titled “Peace”. In this episode, Suzanne interviews Sophia Berger. Sophia, who is 22 years old, talks with Suzanne about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her generation.  This conversation is very interesting especially when Sophia talks about learning to be alone but not lonely.

The pair also talks about the impact of social media on mental health and Sophia has some great insights into how social justice is the foundation for environmental justice.

You can check out this episode on Spotify. 

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The Bioneers: Revolution From the Heart of Nature 

Bioneers Radio offers “in-depth interviews with leading social and scientific innovators. It highlights diverse voices of grassroots leaders and voices that are often marginalized or excluded by corporate media. The programs cover a wide range of topics, including intelligence in nature, climate justice, food and farming, gender equity, Indigenous knowledge, reigning in corporate power, and youth activism.”⁽³⁾

In the episode titled “Shamans and Scientists: Changing the Landscape of Power”,  Mark Plotkin, ethnobotanist and Indigenous rights advocate, talks about how scientists are working with the indigenous people of the Amazon to save their land and heal the planet.  

 You can find this episode on the Bioneers website or Spotify.

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Talk Healthy Today Podcast with Lisa Davis, MPH

In this podcast, Lisa “provides you the latest research, tools, and common sense tips you need to get and stay healthy.” ⁽⁴⁾ Although not all of the podcasts in this series excited me, I was interested in the August 16th episode titled, “Greening Spirituality: The Connections Between Spirituality and the Natural World with Dr. Rita Sherma”.

In this episode, Dr. Sherma talks about the foundations of the Greening Spirituality online learning opportunity from the Graduate Theological Union’s GTUx.  The conversation ranges from the Native American and Dharma traditions’ impact on American environmentalism to the ecological influences of Asian religions and Native American cultures on America’s literary, artistic, and architectural heritage.  Listeners to this podcast are also given free access to the Greening Spirituality learning modules with a coupon code provided during the episode.

You can find this episode and the other Talk Healthy Today episodes on Spotify

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Resources:

1. One in Nature
2. The Nature Pod
3. Bioneers
4. Talk Health Today Podcast

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