Our Nature: Conversations about the relationship between nature, spirituality, and well-being

Bringing Birds Back: A Journey of Remembrance and Rediscovery Featuring Writer and Birder Tenijah Hamilton

lys.says@gmail.com (Tenijah Hamilton, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 7 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Since 2021, Tenijah has hosted and produced Bring Birds Back, a podcast about conservation, formal/ citizen science, and of course—birds, told through the lenses of intersectionality and environmental justice.

What’s inspiring to me about Tenijah (among many things) is that she didn’t grow up with a familiarity and love of being outdoors. In fact, she described her relationship as mostly centered around an avoidance. But, over time, she’s begun to rewrite her nature-relationship and has uncovered so much richness in the process.

In this conversation, Tenijah and I discuss everything from her personal journey of embracing discomfort and following her curiosity, to what it’s been like for her as a Black woman to reclaim parts of herself and her community. We also talk stepping into your personal power, and we obviously talk about birds! Tenijah shares the number one misconception about birding, tips and techniques for bird observation, why humans are so obsessed with birds, and some weird bird behavior that I loved knowing.

Resources:

For the full show notes, please visit www.ournaturepodcast.com/tenijah-hamilton

-----

>> HOMECOMING, my once-a-year retreat and course is back !! << Apply here!

Homecoming is designed for those in the midst of a big life transition. Whether you’re looking to shift your career, call in more abundance, attract a meaningful relationship, build a deeper connection to your body, or discover your purpose, Homecoming will support your unfolding.

This is truly my absolute favorite experience I offer all year. It’s the course where I share all of the learnings, tools, techniques, rituals and perspectives that have completely transformed my life–that have helped me pivot my career, triple my income, call in a fulfilling romantic relationship, embrace my authenticity, work through my fear of being seen, strengthen my intuition, and create an inner stability that supports me during challenging times.

If you're interested in joining this year's cohort, fill out an application
As of 6/6/23, there are 2 spots left, so don't hesitate if you're feeling called to join us

Each One, Teach One: Inclusive Communities for the Modern Nature Enthusiast with Michael Washington of Usal Project

lys.says@gmail.com (Michael Washington, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 17 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

For this week's episode, I’m speaking with Michael Washington. Michael is the founder of Usal Project, an LA-based community offering experiences and goods for the modern nature enthusiast. Usal hosts over 20 monthly experiences that (in addition to forest therapy) include: foraging and herb walks, falconry, oceanic species dives, incense-making workshops, flower arranging classes, community hikes, and more. In this conversation, Michael and I talk about the importance of cultivating community in a world where people are struggling with loneliness. We also discuss his relationship with nature growing up in Texas, how the music industry shaped his path, the origin story of Usal, why diverse perspectives and voices are essential in the outdoor space, and Michael’s perspective on failure, self-doubt and building a rapidly growing business.

Resources:

Show Notes:

Michael’s relationship to nature growing up as a child in San Antonio “the biggest little city”
How being in the music industry planted the seed for Michael’s current path
Michael shares the insight and opportunity that inspired him to create Usal Project
Michael’s invitation to listeners that will fundamentally improve your life
The common barriers that prevent people from exploring the outdoors
Michael’s intention when it comes to the curation of nature-based classes for Usal
Life lessons that come from trying new activities
The unconventional way Michael structures his business and what it means to be “Usal”
Michael Washington gets real about perfectionism, self-doubt, creative output, growing a business
Failure as the greatest gift - “I’m more happy failing with something I really liked than failing with something I really tried to make other people like…because then you’re just lost.”
What people may be surprised to learn about Michael

The Relationship Series Part 2: How to Grow Together in a Conscious Partnership with Alyssa Benjamin and David Sleininger

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, David Sleininger) — Wed, 3 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

“I think one of the best thing’s we’ve done to ensure the likelihood of our long term success is to really see this relationship as something that’s unfolding in the present moment, and being very open and flexible about what that will look like in a month, a year, in a decade.” - David Sleininger

In this episode, we discuss: what we mean when we use the term “conscious relationship”; the cultural messaging that warps our perspective on romantic relationships; what to do if you’re invested in personal growth and your partner is not; how a trigger can be our greatest teacher; the practice that will exponentially grow your self-awareness; navigating conflict in a healthy and productive way and why it can be the greatest gift of a relationship.

Resources:

Show Notes:

What we mean when we use the term “conscious relationship”
The cultural messaging that warps our perspective of romantic relationships
The most important element in a conscious relationship
What to do if you’re invested in personal growth and your partner is not
How a trigger can be our greatest teacher
Ways to cultivate greater self awareness
The practice that will exponentially grow your self-awareness
Navigating conflict in a healthy and productive way
The reminder that has helped us get to a resolution of a conflict a lot quicker
A few key elements of conflict in our relationship
The pleasure of a heartfelt apology
Why conflict can be the greatest gift of a relationship
Radical honesty and brave communication are necessary - here’s why
How to show up for your partner when they’re going through a tough time
How to build a lasting, long-term connection, especially after marriage and kids
A few of our relationship policies that keep the mystery alive ;)
The best thing we’ve done to ensure the likelihood of our relationship’s longterm success

The Relationship Series Part 1: Planting the Seeds of a Conscious Partnership Featuring Alyssa Benjamin and David Sleininger

lys.says@gmail.com (David Sleininger, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

This week, my partner David and I are chatting about….drumroll, relationships! Specifically romantic relationships. This episode is very different from the type of content I usually have on this podcast, but when I started this show in 2019, my intention was to uncover how each of us could live in harmony with the natural world and thus be able to care for ourselves, our communities and ultimately, the earth. The dynamics that surface in romantic relationships are often a mirror, and therefore, a catalyst for our personal growth and evolving consciousness. So in the spirit of believing that we can transform the world by first transforming ourselves, I thought it would be interesting to explore this topic.

Resources:

Show Notes:

David reveals the patterns that shaped his past romantic relationships
Alyssa shares some of her [many] romantic relationship patterns that caused her to fear commitment
How chronic illness and relationships can co-create and perpetuate a cycle of stress and challenge
David’s period of celibacy - his intentions for this period of time and what he learned as result
Alyssa’s biggest heartbreak that became a breakthrough
The surprising relationship that transformed and healed Alyssa’s experience of romantic partnerships
The story of how David and I met, and how a loaf of bread brought us together
What we were able to recognize in each other when we met that helped us turn towards one another
In praise of the slow burn and how to recognize it for yourself
Why it’s ok to feel unsure at the beginning of a relationship
How I manifested David ;)

For additional resources, quotes and information about this episode, head to www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Finding Peace Through Plants – A Conversation with Horticultural Therapist Erik Keller

lys.says@gmail.com (Erik Keller, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 5 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

“I love the matrix and quilt of different things all over the place. Monoculture is boring. So for me, diversity is the spice of life in the garden.” - Erik Keller, ep 60

Helpful links:

Highlights from our conversation:

Erik’s relationship to nature as a child
The definition of horticultural therapy and Erik’s journey from master gardener to horticultural therapist
The various types of horticultural therapy sessions
The elements of surprise and delight in the natural world
Wild salads
How we might re-imagine what we plant in our gardens
Advice for the beginner gardener or urban gardener
Lessons from the garden that we can bring into our lives
The last five questions

For more of Alyssa and Our Nature

To the Last Bite: How to Minimize Food Waste and Savor Every Flavor with Alexis deBoschnek

lys.says@gmail.com (Alexis deBoschnek, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

“I think if I can inspire people not to be perfect, but just a little more conscious–that would be a win. And hopefully, the recipes become part of people’s repertoire that they make on a weekly or monthly basis.” - Alexis deBoschnek

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

What it was like to grow up in upstate NY
Alexis’ journey from fashion school to the world of food
How to be more intentional with the food we purchase in order to reduce food waste
An invitation to grow a victory garden and how that can transform your relationship with food
An example of two vegetables that you can easily regrow
Why food waste is an issue we all should be thinking more about
What/how each of us can begin to reduce food waste
The two ways to use Alexis’ cookbook and the how the structure supports a systematic approach to cooking and eating
What it’s like to put something out into the world that’s so personal to you
The experience of returning to the land that shaped her and what it’s like to live in a rural community
What community looks like for Alexis
Tips for the beginner cook
The last fives questions

Return to Nature–The New Science of Us and the Outdoors, featuring Author and Environmentalist Emma Loewe

lys.says@gmail.com (Emma Loewe, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 8 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

Emma’s relationship to nature as a child
What inspired Emma to write her book “Return to Nature”
The reasons she organized “Return to Nature” by a series of eight distinct landscapes
The intention around using the word “return” in the title
Crafting a new definition of “wellness”
An overview and practice for each of the 8 landscapes (parks and gardens, oceans, mountains, forests and trees, ice and snow, desert, rivers, cities and built environments)
Why accessibility matters when it comes nature relationship
All about awe
How we can all find our “desert eyes”
How people living in cities can still have powerful experiences in nature
Micro-dosing on nature: How small is too small when it comes to building deeper nature-relationship
A passage from “Return to Nature” that represents kinship and belonging
How writing the book changed Emma’s relationship with the more-than-human-world
The last five questions

>>> For the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Flipping the Script (Hard-won Lessons From the Past Year with Alyssa Benjamin)

lys.says@gmail.com (David Sleininger, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

The reason why Alyssa paused this podcast and many aspects of her business for almost a year
The new opportunity that came into Alyssa’s life that led to an unexpected career shift
How to work within the system to change the system
The framework that has been really supportive for Alyssa’s creative efforts
Demystifying forest therapy
How the magic of forest therapy is made!
How being diagnosed with ADHD became a catalyst for personal transformation
My ADHD symptoms
What’s to come this year!

The Practice of Inner Gardening with Regenerative Farmer, Educator and Consultant Farmer Rishi

lys.says@gmail.com (Farmer Rishi, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 6 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +0000

This week, I’m speaking with Farmer Rishi, a farmer, educator and consultant based in Los Angeles working in the field of regeneration. Everything Rishi does is with the intention to help people understand the basic principles behind healing of our bodies: both our physical bodies and our Earthen body.

Resources:

<< Doors close for HOMECOMING on Sunday, April 17th >> Homecoming is a four-day retreat in Ojai, California and 6-week course. If you're feeling burnt out, stuck and/or going through a major transition in your life, Homecoming is an experience that will supercharge your intuition, help you build an inner stability and clarify your path forward. You'll walk away from Homecoming feeling more joy, ease and spaciousness in your life.

I have two spots left, claim yours by applying below:

For the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

A New Way of Being with Breathwork Facilitator and Healing Guide Regina Rocke

lys.says@gmail.com (Regina Rocke, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000

This week I’m speaking with Regina Rocke, a breathwork teacher, and healer who uses many modalities including yoga, tarot, Ayurveda, and movement practices to help people in their spiritual journeys.

Regina knows firsthand what the healing path requires. They say: “It was through great discomfort, emotional upheaval, and a lot of self-loathing that I came to this life of offering up ways for people to heal through connection to their bodies.” Their work is an invitation and they truly believes that you can (and should) decide what is right for you in any given moment. In this conversation, we discuss: Regina’s relationship with nature as a child, the experience that reconnected Regina to the natural world, what brought Regina to Ayurveda, Regina’s healing journey: what it’s been and what it is now, why healing is layered and more complex for some people than others, what breathwork has brought to Regina’s life, and advice for people looking to cultivate more awareness when it comes to breathing deeply and more fully.

What I really appreciate about Regina is how real they are about what healing has looked like and continues to look like for them. I really trust a guide who is continuously growing and evolving, who doesn’t pretend like they have it all figured out, and that is Regina.

So, let’s dive into my conversation with Regina Rocke.

Resources

<< You're invited to: HOMECOMING >> A four-day retreat in Ojai, California and 6-week course.

For the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

The Journey Home to Yourself with Philosopher and Teacher Peter August

lys.says@gmail.com (Peter August, Alyssa Benjamiin) — Wed, 9 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your life when you cultivate a deep and intentional connection with the natural world, this episode is for you. Today, I’m in conversation with teacher, philosopher and former Homecoming participant Peter August. Peter also has a nature TikTok (which I’ll link to in the show notes) where he shares his practices, perspectives and experiences of being in nature with his over 72K followers.

In this episode, we talk about: what nature invites in us that we so desperately need; the nature-based practice practice that fuels creativity; why we resist the natural world and why that’s ok; how to build trust with nature and what that can bring us; the difference between physically being in nature and truly “being” in nature; what happens when we follow our intuition when faced with big decisions; what Homecoming was like for Peter; how we can approach life with beginner’s mindset and what that perspective can bring us; the practice of getting curious about what’s familiar and why that’s so profound; and what life has been like for Peter after Homecoming. We also do something really fun at the end of this episode that I’ve never done before with a guest, so you’ll have to make it to the end to hear what I mean.

Resources

<< You're invited to: HOMECOMING >> A four-day retreat in Ojai, California and 6-week course.
Early bird pricing until Sunday, March 13th.

For the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

The Great Regenerative Agro-tourism Experiment with Nick and Spencer of Solar Punk Farms

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave the city, move to a small, rural town and build a regenerative, community-oriented farm? Well, Nick and Spencer of Solar Punk Farms did just that. Solar Punk Farms is a queer-run, regenerative agro-tourism experiment in Guerneville California. As Nick and Spencer share in this episode, the vision for Solar Punk Farms is emergent and ever-changing, but they have always intended to create a community-first place for people to connect with the land and each other in the process.

RESOURCES:

<< ANNOUNCING HOMECOMING >> A four-day retreat and 6-week course in Ojai California
Early bird pricing until the end of Feb.

For the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Author and Teacher Dr. John Hausdoerffer on Deepening Our Connection With the More-Than-Human World

lys.says@gmail.com (Dr. John Hausdoerffer, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 9 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

This week, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. John Hausdoerffer. Doctor Hausdoerffer is an environmental philosopher, author, teacher and Dean of the Clark School of Environment & Sustainability at Western Colorado University. He has written and co-edited titles such as Catlin's Lament, Wildness, What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?.

Most recently, he was the co-editor of Kinship: Belonging in a World of Relations, a five volume series published by the Center for Humans and Nature that explores our deep interconnections with the living world. Along with his two co-editors Gavin Van Horn and my personal hero Robin Wall Kimmerer, the series contains essays, interviews, poetry, and stories of solidarity about how we can deepen our care and respect for the plants, animals, rivers, mountains, and others who live with us in this tangle of relations.

Resources:

>> Get my FREE mini course: Build Your Magnetic Nature Altar to supercharge your magnetism and deepen your connection with the natural world <<

For the full show notes: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Connect with Dr. John Hausdoerffer:

Astrologer, Teacher and Intuitive Mary Grace Allerdice on Heart, Earth, Space and Your Place In It All

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Mary Grace Allerdic) — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

This week I’m speaking with my friend and fellow nature enthusiast Mary Grace Allerdice. Mary Grace (or MG as I like to call her) uses astrology, divination, energetic healing + oracular practices to help people access their own inherent wisdom + healing so they can navigate life’s difficulties and connect to their purpose.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Mary Grace has a special and miraculous gift for communicating complex topics in simple, articulate and incredibly clear ways. It’s truly a delight to speak with her and I always walk away with so many nuggets of wisdom

Resources:

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OUR NATURE NEWSLETTER to be the first to know about my newest offering launching next week!

Leave the podcast a review, take a screenshot, DM me @ournaturealways on IG with the screenshot and... receive something special :)

Healing From the Inside/Out with Lisa O’Connor, Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Intuitive Healer

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Lisa O'Connor) — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

RESOURCES:

Connect with Lisa:

Connect with Our Nature:

Our Nature Instagram

For full show notes, please visit: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Earth Medicines and Indigenous Wisdom with Curandera Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz (Season 3 Finale!)

lys.says@gmail.com (Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This week, (episode 50 and the final episode of Season 3), I’m speaking with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, a curandera, indigenous foods activist, and natural foods chef whose work is deeply rooted in the healing properties of all earth medicines. Her business name came to be after friends lovingly called her "the kitchen curandera", as she was often creating healing foods and remedies in her tiny adobe kitchen.

Her work has been featured in Food & Wine, Spirituality & Health, and on Padma Lakshmi's Taste The Nation, among many other platforms. Felicia lives in the Sonoran Desert with her husband. Her first book, Earth Medicines, will be released next month.

Resources:

REGISTER October 28th Free Event: Body Neutrality Salon with Helen Phelan
Pre-order Earth Medicines

Connect with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz:

For the full show notes, visit ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

How to Become Creatively Fearless with Spiritual Provocateur Ayesha Ophelia

lys.says@gmail.com (Ayesha Ophelia, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The earth is a schoolroom, and what a joy to be able to continue to remember through all these wild and wonderful means.” - Ayesha Ophelia

If you’re looking to expand and transform your relationship to self expression and creativity, this episode is for you. Ayesha Ophelia is a self identified spiritual provocateur who is passionate about women, plants and human potential.

Ayesha’s offerings include The Girlfriend Manifesto where she shares a daily dose of inspiration, spirituality, adventure, self-love and sisterhood. She also offers private support, group experiences and a membership community called the Society of Wild Hearts.

Resources:

As always, there are more resources and helpful information in the show notes, which you can find at ournaturepodcast.com/episodes.

The Universe and You with Vedic Astrologer Blaine Watson (Part Two)

lys.says@gmail.com (Blaine Watson, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This week is the second part of an interview I had with Vedic astrologer Blaine Watson. In this final part of my conversation with Blaine, we discuss: How Blaine’s interpretation of a chart changes over the years as that person evolves and transcend, What it means to live a successful life from a Jyotish perspective, how often Blaine looks at his chart, why knowing when to have Yagyas done helps create a better and brighter future, Jyotish for our dog friends :), what Blaine would say to those who are skeptical of Jyotish, how someone would know if they’re ready for a reading from Blaine, and what happens to your chart when you reach enlightenment.

Blaine has a level of consciousness that is powerful and we talk about pretty advanced subject matter in this conversation. If you are a seeker, which I know many of you are, and are interested in being a catalyst for your own evolution, this conversation is definitely for you.

Resources:

To book a session with Blaine, email: blainepw@gmail.com

For full show notes, please head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

The Universe and You with Vedic Astrologer Blaine Watson (Part One)

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Blaine Watson) — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, I’m speaking with my Vedic astrologer - Blaine Watson.

Blaine has been a life-long student of astrology, having studied it since childhood. In 1980, on a trip to India, he became specifically interested in Vedic astrology and after almost 9 years of self-study, the Dean of the Department of Sanskrit at Benares Hindu University in Varanasi, India certified him as an expert in Jyotish. He’s been a personal astrologer for the past 30 years, seeing over 30,000 clients in over 30 countries. And because the Vedic tradition prohibits him from advertising, clients find him only via word of mouth, which is a true testament to his expertise.

This episode is part one of a two-part series on Vedic astrology, karma and transcendence. In this conversation, we discuss: Blaine’s relationship to nature as a child growing up on a farm, what led him to seek out astrology when he was very young, the role of past life karma in a person’s present life, all about Jyotish: what it is, its purpose, the difference between eastern and western astrology, what speeds up the process of our evolution, the incredible thing that astrologers in India do to gain trust from their clients, why there is no such thing as free will, and why it’s almost impossible to miss your dharma (which is your life’s purpose). Enjoy!

Resources:

To book a session with Blaine, email: blainepw@gmail.com

How to Develop a Kinder, Compassionate Relationship with Your Body Featuring Pilates and Movement Instructor Helen Phelan

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Helen Phelan) — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This week, I’m speaking with Helen Phelan, a body neutrality pilates and movement instructor who believes that everyone deserves to feel good in their body. Helen’s approach to fitness and health is one centered around how exercise makes you feel, versus how it makes you look. She uses conscious breathing techniques to enhance bodily intuition and high repetition sequences that encourage body awareness and mindfulness. As a former professional dancer, Helen developed disordered eating and exercise habits that caused a lot of self-criticism and harm. It was in her recovery that she realized just how often the boutique fitness industry subtly encouraged disordered eating and body shaming. She believes that the healing impact of the body neutral movement on mental health is the most important result exercise could give anyone.

For full show notes, head to: https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Connect with Helen:

Resources:

A Joyful Approach to Climate Activism Featuring Writer, Eco-Strategist and Podcast Host Alexa Gantous

lys.says@gmail.com (Alexa Gantous, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Today’s guest is a very dear friend of mine – Alexa Gantous of Trash Talk Studio. Alexa is a creative brand strategist and writer focused on eco-consulting. Her work uses ecological innovation and the power of play as a way to co-create a positive cultural impact. She is also the co-founder of LitterRally, a trash pick up dance party that elevates joy as a radical form of resistance and connects people to environmental action through fun. She’s a contributing writer for Mind Body Green and host of the Trash Talk Studio Podcast where she interviews guests from different industries, disciplines and perspectives about how they apply environmentalism to their respective fields.

Resources:

>> Our detailed show notes can be found at: https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Connect with Alexa:

------------------------------------

HOMECOMING

Our Nature's Newest Offering: **HOMECOMING** - A four-day retreat + six-week course ~ 2 spots left! (Deadline to book an exploratory call is Monday, August 9th)

CLICK HERE to schedule an exploratory call ~

Your Body as Nature featuring Somatic Energy Healer David Sleininger

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, David Sleininger) — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:53:24 +0000

“We are all interacting with the energetic world already whether we are aware of it or not.” This week, I’m speaking with my favorite human on this earth - my partner David Sleininger. For those of you who have been friends of Our Nature for a while, you’ll remember David because he was a guest on Episode 19 of Season 1 where he shared his incredible healing journey, guided by his intuition. Today, we do a deep dive into somatic energy healing - what it is, how it works, why it matters, David’s gift of clairsentience, why more people don’t do energy work, the root of many physical and emotional illnesses and the incredible healing that energy work can offer. I speak with David every day, but it was truly an honor and a joy to connect with him in this episode.

David is not only a powerful healer, he’s an equally powerful speaker. Embodiment is necessary in order to connect with nature in any meaningful capacity, so if you’re struggling with anxiety, depression or a lot of mental activity, this episode is for you. Enjoy!

>> Our detailed show notes can be found at: https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Connect with David: *David is now offering in-person or virtual healing sessions. To book a session, click the link for his website below.

------------------------------------

Announcing Our Nature's Newest Offering: **HOMECOMING**

A four-day retreat + six-week course ~ only a couple spots remain

CLICK HERE to schedule an informational call ~

More details on HOMECOMING

Medicinal Mushroom Magic with Tonya Papanikolov of Rainbo

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Tonya Papanikolov) — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:23:12 +0000

This week I’m chatting with Tonya Papanikolov, the founder of Rainbo. Rainbo is a medicinal mushroom based line of supplements and functional foods whose mission is to optimize health and open minds with medicinal mushrooms. They believe that plants, food and fungi are medicine for the body, mind and consciousness. What I appreciate so much about Rainbo is how educating people on the healing power of fungi is so central to their purpose and that is exactly what we do in this episode! In this conversation we discuss: How Tonya’s own healing journey turned her attention towards mushrooms, the definition of medicinal mushrooms, how mushrooms heal ecosystems, what mushrooms can teach us about ourselves, Tonya’s theory about why they’re trending right now and Tonya even briefly goes over the different tinctures Rainbo offers and their benefits. The world of fungi is so vast and complex that there’s no way we could cover everything in this episode, but if you’re new to the medicinal mushroom world like I was, I encourage you to check out Rainbo’s website, where you’ll find so many helpful resources about this magical, mysterious mushroom world.

RESOURCES:

>> Our detailed show notes can be found at: https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

-----------

Announcing Our Nature's Newest Offering: **HOMECOMING**

A four-day retreat + six-week course, currently with early bird pricing

CLICK HERE to schedule a call by Friday June 25th and lock in early bird pricing!

Note: If you book a call with me by Friday, June 25th (even if the call is after June 25th) you can lock in early bird rates

More details on HOMECOMING

A Life in Flow with Functional Wellness Practitioner, Eco Grower and Coach Angelo Grinceri

lys.says@gmail.com (Angelo Grinceri, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 9 Jun 2021 15:37:32 +0000

This week I’m speaking with Angelo Grinceri, a functional wellness practitioner, eco grower and coach. I’ve known Angelo for about five years and it’s been a joy to watch his life unfold with all of the unexpected twists and turns of a meandering stream. Angelo is someone who spent the majority of his early career in the world of fitness and personal training where appearances often mattered more than anything that was happening on the inside. He trained Victoria’s Secret models and in 2016 was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Trainer Alive, an accolade that became a catalyst for deep inner reflection and re-evaluation. In 2020, Angelo left his fitness career, a long-term relationship and his home in New York City for a life in the country. He recently moved back to New York after a three month trip in Africa where he worked on a conservancy, lived in the bush, and helped build sustainable homes. In the process of living so close to the land and observing nature through tracking wildlife, Angelo re-discovered himself and what truly mattered.

Resources:

For complete show notes, head to: https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Encouraging Black Adventure with Courtney Lanctot of The Unpopular Black

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Courtney Lanctot) — Wed, 26 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This week, I’m speaking with Courtney Lanctot founder of The Unpopular Black @theunpopularblack, whose mission is to "encourage Black adventure beyond the stereotypes and narratives of what Black people ‘don’t do.'" The goal of her company is to “show a real representation of Black people adventuring and provide information on how to access outdoor spaces and adventure activities that have been white facing/focused for far too long.” Nature is a place where we can all find belonging and I believe it's essential for each of us to work towards making the outdoors feel inclusive for everyone. Courtney’s vision is so powerful and I’m so inspired by the work she is doing in the outdoor space!

Resources:

For full show notes, visit: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

To sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter, head to: ournaturepodcast.com

On what it was like to grow up in Alaska surrounded by nature, but disconnected from it
What nature offers us
What inspired Courtney to start The Unpopular Black
Why Black people don’t feel like there’s a place for them on the trail
The 3 pillars of The Unpopular Black
How The Unpopular Black helps Black people feel safe in the outdoors
The delicate balance of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone while also creating a foundation of safety in nature
The challenges of putting away your phone so that you can be present in nature
Courtney’s struggle to be present while also capturing content
Where to begin if you’d like to cultivate a deeper relationship with nature through adventuring
How Courtney’s relationship with nature has shifted since starting The Unpopular Black
Vision for The Unpopular Black going forward
What Courtney is most proud of
The Last 5 Questions

How to Align Your Routine With The Cycles of Nature Featuring Ayurvedic Doctor and Holistic Healer Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya (Part 2)

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamiin, Bhaswati Bhattacharya) — Wed, 12 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Today’s episode is the final part of a series of conversations with my Ayurvedic teacher Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya. As many of you already know, Dr. Bhaswati is so incredible. I’ve been studying with her at the Dinacharya Institute through the Dinacharya master classes for about four years now. She is a biomedical scientist, international health specialist, primary care physician and holistic healer. She has a masters in neuroscience and pharmacology from Columbia University, a masters in International Public Health from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rush Medical College. She’s a Fulbright Scholar. She was the the only Indian and the second woman in history to be selected as the Commencement Graduate Orator at Harvard University in 1993. Dr. Bhaswati is also the author of “Everyday Ayurveda” which outlines the daily habits that support health and well-being. I love talking to Dr. Bhaswati so much that I had her on three episodes! I just can’t get enough of her.

Re-Naturing Immersion:

>>> To register for the free 7-day Re-Naturing Immersion: CLICK HERE

Covid Relief for India:

CLICK HERE to be taken to a Google form from Diaspora Co. where you can donate to vetted Covid Relief organizations

For complete show notes: ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

Resources:

EP 39: How to Align Your Routine With The Cycles of Nature Featuring Ayurvedic Doctor and Holistic Healer Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya

lys.says@gmail.com (Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

This week I am so excited to welcome back Our Nature’s first repeat guest, my Ayurvedic teacher Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya to focus on the elements of Dinacharya, which is the Sanskrit word for the concept of looking at the cycles of nature and basing daily routines around these cycles to maintain optimum health.

Before I go more into detail about what we discuss in this episode, here’s a refresher on Dr. Bhaswati. She is a biomedical scientist, international health specialist, primary care physician and holistic healer. She has a masters in neuroscience and pharmacology from Columbia University, a masters in International Public Health from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rush Medical College. I also just learned that she was the first U.S. Fulbright Scholar to exclusively research medical ayurveda throughout India and teach at Banaras Hindu University. Today, she serves as the director of the Dinacharya Institute, teaching workshops, seminars and courses for students (such as myself) who are interested in studying Ayurveda. In her book “Everyday Ayurveda,” Dr. Bhaswati focuses on Dinacharya, or the daily habits that can change your life.

SIGN UP FOR THE FREE 7-DAY RE-NATURING IMMERSION HERE

What We Cover:

Ayurveda in a nutshell as described by Dr. Bhaswati
Why everything you take in matters
Why the body needs routine to maintain optimum health
Everything that’s involved in the early morning routine
Why you should touch the ground with your hands upon waking
Your morning alter - connecting to the divine through the five senses
The natural cure for depression
How to approach your daily routine according to your dosha
Drinking water - how much, when, why
How to modify Dinacharya according to the seasons or climate
Circumstances when you should shift your Dinacharya
What to do if you have chronic indigestion
How to bring more health and prosperity into your life
Setting up rituals and observing what works for you
The best natural treatment for thyroid problems
Rasa Shastra
The number one thing you can do for your health
The last five questions

For complete show notes, visit https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

EP 38: Ancient Greek Wisdom for Modern Times with Kristina Headrick of Yia Mas

lys.says@gmail.com (Kristina Headrick, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:19:49 +0000

This week, I’m speaking with Kristina Headrick of Yia Mas, a lifestyle brand and workshop series inspired by the traditions of wellness and self inquiry embedded in Hellenic culture. Yia Mas’ aim is to “elevate alternative perspectives of Greek culture beyond the mainstream.” Kristina is a Greek American who became fascinated with exploring new and more modern ways to present Greek folk remedies and ancient traditions. Through Yia Mas, she hosts workshops focusing on topics such as: Greek herbs and remedies for wellness or Greek dance gatherings. Whether you are Greek or not, you’ll definitely resonate with many of the practices in ancient Greece, which remind us to slow down, to live with intention and to celebrate and honor the powerful forces in nature.

What we cover:

What the term yia mas means and origins of Kristina’s company of the same name
Greek Mountain Tea and its significance in Greek culture
What about the land of Greece spoke to Kristina so deeply
The concept of “friend of a foreigner”
How Yia Mas has shaped Kristina in a personal way
Herbs that are endemic to Greece
Why Greek dance is the antidote to our modern times
What the Greek myths can teach us about ourselves
The myth of Persephone and its wisdom
The Greek philosophers and what they still offer us
Epictetus - a primer for mindfulness
Eudemonia - how to live with intention in order to flourish
How to honor a culture without appropriating it
The Last 5 Questions

For complete show notes, visit https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

EP 37: Reclaiming Your Wild Spirit with Wildlife Tracker and Regenerative Rancher Doniga Markegard

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Doniga Markegard) — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:03:14 +0000

This week, I’m speaking with Doniga Markegard, a wildlife tracker turned regenerative rancher. In her memoir, Dawn Again, Doniga shares the incredible story of how a near death experience as a teenager changed the course of her life, setting her on a new path, back to nature and reclaiming her wildness. From a young age, Doniga was steeped in indigenous wisdom and eventually adopted by an indigenous elder Gilbert Walking Bull. She learned the ways of the natural world at the Wilderness Awareness School, an alternative high school where there were no grades and the main measure of success involved having an active, participatory relationship with nature. An interest in permaculture led her to learn more about holistic management, and then regenerative ranching. Today, she operates Markegard Family Grass-Fed with her husband Erik, which is a regenerative cattle ranch that produces certified grass-fed and grass finished beef and lamb, and pasture raised chicken and pork.

EP 36: Elemental Wisdom for Better Health and Vitality Featuring Nadine Artemis of Living Libations

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Nadine Artemis) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

This episode will forever change the way you relate to the sun, your dental health and your microbiome. In this first episode of Season 3, I speak with one of my personal heroes – Nadine Artemis. She is the creator and inspirational force behind Living Libations, a botanically-rich line of serums, elixirs and oils that have a cult-like following, garnering rave reviews from the NY Times, The National Post and the Hollywood Reporter. Nadine busts so many wellness myths in this episode – from why you shouldn’t fear the sun, how traditional acne products make our skin worse and why “getting clean” can actually be harmful for our health. This episode will truly shift the way you experience your body as a part of nature.

Covered in this episode:

The philosophy of vitalism
Why the sun needs a new PR agent
UVA vs. UVB
How to get safe sun!
The myth of "getting clean"
Why traditional acne products can make our skin worse
How to properly care for your yoni
Nadine’s game changing dental protocol
What essential oils can do for our mouth’s microbiome
How to heal a UTI naturally
Why the health of your mouth is a litmus test for your overall health
How Nadine connects with the earth element on a regular basis
The most exciting development Nadine has come across since writing Renegade Beauty

Resources

The show notes for this episode can be found at www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

If you enjoyed this episode, please let me know by writing a review or sending me a DM on Instagram - @ournaturealways

EP 35: (Season 2 Finale) How Simple Can Be Sacred With Jenn Tardif of 3rd Ritual

lys.says@gmail.com (Jenn Tardif, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:39:03 +0000

“A hammer is just a hammer. But it’s you, by way of your intention, that either uses it to build something or destroy something.”

“We’re always surrounded by natural patterns, but when there’s a moment of tension, it means that there’s resistance at play, and that might or might not be conscious. It’s really a resistance to the flow of movement that’s occurring around us and within us.”

“A tree isn’t always sprouting new leaves. There’s a time in which it almost looks dead. And, it’s going to come back to life, and that’s exactly as it should be, because nothing is permanent, it’s in constant flux.”

“When we view our lives through this binary lens of good or bad, or good or evil, then we can lose sight of that constant ebb and flow that’s actually much more nuanced and impermanent.”

“I think of rituals as way of remembering because ultimately the state that we aspire to access isn’t something new, it’s not something foreign. It’s not taking ourselves somewhere we’ve never been. It’s a returning to.”

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

3rd Ritual’s tools and techniques that bring people into greater harmony with the natural world
All about the Bel
The origin story of 3rd Ritual
What inspired Jenn to create the 3rd Ritual Retreat
The seasons according to Chinese medicine and the meaning of fall
The difference between knowing and doing and why that’s ok
What nature teaches us about binary thinking
How Jenn aligns 3rd Ritual with nature while existing within a capitalist system
The business “no-no” that Jenn purposefully. ignores
Why we have an epidemic of loneliness
Why Jenn calls 3rd Ritual a collective and not a company
From intention to practice: ways to connect with nature from wherever you are
The difference between "ritual” and “routine”
Jenn’s rituals for these times
The Last Five Questions
A guided breathwork practice for the fall season

For full show notes and resources, please visit www.ournaturepodcast.com

EP 34: From Hollywood to the Farm – A Conversation With Father, Permaculture Farmer and Multi-disciplinary Artist Ethan Delorenzo

lys.says@gmail.com (Ethan Delorenzo, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 7 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +0000

Resources:

Connect with Ethan:

Ethan Delorenzo’s Instagram

Connect with Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com

For full show notes, please visit wwww.ournaturepodcast.com

EP 33: Three Practices for Grounding with Grace This Fall (solo episode)

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:00:23 +0000

In this episode, I want to touch on three autumn-oriented practices that have been instrumental in helping me feel more grounded as I move through waves of anxiety and grief. We have nature within us, and because of that, the seasonal shifts in our external environment become expressed in our bodies. I mention this because we have just entered what we in the West call Fall. In Ayurveda, the life science from ancient India that I study, this time of year, from mid- September to the mid-November is called Sharat Ritu (with ritu meaning ‘season’ in Sanskrit). In fact, the seasonal changes are considered some of the most significant factors governing proper lifestyle and diet at any given time.

EP 32: The Revolution Within Featuring Synmia Rosine – Plant Medicine, Ancestral Healing, Birthwork

lys.says@gmail.com (Synmia Rosine, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 9 Sep 2020 12:00:06 +0000

Quotes

“Anytime that I’m out of sync, or need to be checked, I’m checking myself.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“It’s very important that we understand that what has happened this year is beautiful in a way that: this is not sustainable. This way of thinking. This way of farming. This way of eating. This way of loving...it’s not sustainable.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“We were all dealt a certain hand of cards, and some hands are better than others - for sure. But that’s none of our business. Our business is – acknowledging and accepting the fact that this is our hand, and how we can do better and prepare ourselves to make the best hand every time.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“It’s this false idea that living in the country, living off the land, having your own homestead, growing your own food is difficult, is for poor people, is time consuming, is not important - all these things – when that’s the only thing that’s going to bridge us to what’s real.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“I am not a healer. You have the power within yourself to heal you.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“You have a revolution within.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“The more you move. The more the universe moves.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

“Nature’s in everything. We are nature beings.” - Synmia Rosine x Our Nature

RESOURCES

Tara Brach podcast

SHOW NOTES

On how the fires and Covid-19 have affected Synmia
Why giving birth and growing your own food are the realist, most tangible aspects of life
How to start your own garden in the easiest way possible
On Synmia’s process of returning to nature and how a series of toxic events changed the course of her life
How Synmia got off prescription medication by turning towards indigenous wisdom
How the spiritual wellness community in California was not what it seemed
The practice that brought Synmia out of a rut
On how to feel empowered no matter how tough your circumstances
On finding her calling in birth-work and how she defines the term
Why Synmia encourages her expectant mothers to take their pregnancy back
Why Synmia believes it’s so important to normalize birth and remove cultural fear around the process
Why pregnancy and birth is so divorced from community and how that negatively affects everyone
The most important lesson I’ve learned by being the host of Our Nature
On the importance of finding guides and connecting with nature
Synmia’s perspective on how we can end racial injustice
Why ending racism is connected to saving the environment
Why community is essential for us to heal each other and our planet
How to decolonize your diet
Synmia practices for connecting with the natural world
The Last Five Questions

Connect with Synmia Rosine:

Synmia's Instagram

The Last Five Questions

What is your favorite place in nature? By the water…any body of water.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? Comfrey - An herb that helps bones heal, it rejuvenates the soil. It’s really taught me that I don’t have to nit pick so much.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? 12 minutes of silence...reflection.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? Patience. Peace. Reflection. To slow down and that we are not a reflection of God only, first we are a reflection of nature.
Complete this sentence: Nature brings me…Joy.

Connect with Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia and Andrea Cortez of Mind Body Music Center

EP 31: Still stressed? How Hemp Can Help with Alexis Rosenbaum of Rosebud CBD

lys.says@gmail.com (Alexis Rosenbaum, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:00:12 +0000

Resources

Episode 30: Stressed? Meet Your Herbal Allies with Nadine Joseph of Peak and Valley

Rosebud CBD

Brooklyn Defender

The Equity Organization

Episode 2: A Path To Deeper Consciousness With Rastafari Anthony Bailey

Episode 9: How to Heal Your Body With Plants Featuring Herbalist Rachelle Robinett

CBD Dosing Guide

Wooden Spoon Herbs

Show Notes

The benefits of CBD

What Alexis’ relationship was to nature, growing up on a dairy farm in Indiana

On growing up anti-cannabis and the moment that changed

What prompted Alexis to start Rosebud CBD

The challenges of starting a CBD company in an unregulated market

CBD as a gateway to deeper connection to self

Getting into the science: What CBD stands for, the definition of turpines, a rundown of the other cannabinoids and what they do for the body (THC, CBG, CBN)

The dangers of heavy metals in CBD-based products

How CBD affects our bodies

The three types of hemp extracts: full spectrum, broad or wide spectrum, CBD isolate

The physical benefits of CBD

Why proper dosing is essential

Side effects of taking CBD…can you overdose?

Rosebud CBD’s products - original, double, and extra strength

Alexis’ personal dosing amounts

What to look for when choosing CBD products

The role that privilege plays in the CBD industry and how Rosebud is addressing this privilege

How Alexis is working to break the stigma around marijuana and why diversity in the industry matters

How hemp can help heal the world

Other things we can do or take to receive similar benefits to CBD

The ways cannabis has brought Alexis closer to the natural world

The Last Five Questions

EP 30: Stressed? Meet Your Herbal Allies, With Nadine Joseph of Peak and Valley

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Nadine Joseph) — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 13:14:41 +0000

Resources:

Our Nature x Peak and Valley

As a thank you for being an Our Nature listener, you can use code "OURNATURE" at checkout to receive $5 off your next order of Peak and Valley.

Show Notes:

On growing up with an understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world
What Nadine learned studying the neuroscience of stress
What adrenal fatigue looks like in the body
How the culture of work in the United States is leading us to adrenal burnout
The HPA axis in the body and why it’s important
How Nadine’s own wellness journey led her to found Peak and Valley
Nootropics - what they are and what they do for the brain
Why the beta-glucan content in mushrooms matters
Adaptogens - explained
Primary, secondary and tertiary adaptogens
Peak and Valley’s adaptogenic blends
What happened after Nadine began regularly consuming adaptogens
Nadine’s experience with entrepreneurship
Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s influence in the research behind adaptogens
The Nourish My Skin blend explained from an Ayurvedic perspective
The incredible health benefits of turmeric
Why Nadine sources her turmeric from Diaspora Co.
Why consumers need to be really careful when purchasing plant based products
How to screen plant based products for purity and quality
How different types of stress maps differently in the body
The limitations of adaptogens
Highlighting Nadine’s favorite adaptogenic herbs + mushrooms
How the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement have affected Nadine personally and Peak and Valley
How to honor the traditions that adaptogens came from without appropriating them
The Last Five Questions

EP 29: Movement for Every(body) with Jules Bakshi of GOOD MOVE

lys.says@gmail.com (Jules Bakshi, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 13:57:09 +0000

This week on Our Nature, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my favorite individuals and teachers Jules Bakshi. She’s a dancer, choreographer, certified pilates instructor, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the owner of GOOD MOVE, a dance and mindful fitness studio for movers of all levels, genders, races, shapes, and sizes. Her classes are designed to take the intimidation out of dancing and help you feel the joy, freedom, and empowerment of expression through movement, which you’ll hear much more about in the episode.

EP 28: Star Powered With Psychological Astrologer Danielle Beinstein

lys.says@gmail.com (Danielle Beinstein, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 12:00:08 +0000

This week I chat with Danielle Beinstein, a psychological astrologer who combines astrology with archetypes to reveal and reflect different aspects of the human psyche. She believes that astrology offers us “a window into our personal life cycles.” Because astrology is so complex and individualistic that it’s hard to unpack without a specific chart to read from, I asked Danielle to give as much of a high level overview of astrology as possible. This interview was recorded remotely rather than my preferred in-person experience, so you’ll hear some background noise on the recording. We also start this conversation a bit differently than most episodes. We didn’t have a chance to connect prior to recording, so I spent time at the beginning of the call sharing some background with Danielle about why I started the podcast. This resulted in an interesting conversation about comfort and conditioning as it relates to nature. For example, for those of us who have felt disconnected from nature for a while, or perhaps for our whole lives, the process of connecting with the natural world can feel intimidating or uncomfortable. I think being honest about these feelings helps make them less feel like less of a barrier. I know this has been true for me. This episode is both for people new to astrology and for those who are familiar with it, but curious about how astrology and psychology connect. Danielle uses archetypes and her intuitive gifts to invite people to bring a sense of agency and consciousness when learning about their innate energy. I think this episode is especially important in this moment when many people I know, myself included, are turning inward and doing deep work. So, without further ado, welcome to my conversation with Danielle Beinstein.

EP 27: Daily Habits That Can Change Your Life Featuring Ayurvedic Doctor Bhaswati Bhattacharya

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamiin, Bhaswati Bhattacharya) — Wed, 1 Jul 2020 12:30:05 +0000

This week, I chat with my longtime Ayurveda teacher Doctor Bhaswati Bhattacharya. Dr. Bhaswati is a biomedical scientist, international health specialist, primary care physician and holistic healer. She has a masters in neuroscience and pharmacology from Columbia, a masters in International Public Health from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rush Medical College. She also completed a mid-career Phd from Banaras Hindu University in India. Dr. Bhaswati was selected from over 4000 graduates as the Commencement Graduate Orator at Harvard University in 1993, the only Indian and the second woman in history to be given this opportunity. She serves as the director of the Dinacharya Institute, teaching workshops, seminars and courses for students (such as myself) who are interested in studying Ayurveda and is the author of "Everyday Ayurveda," a book about the daily habits that can change your life. Dr. Bhaswati has far too many accolades for me to name them all here, but she’s been an incredible teacher and friend as I continue to immerse myself in the world of Ayurveda.

EP 26: The Transformation From Within

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 12:00:11 +0000

This week, I will not be putting out a typical Our Nature episode like I usually do because this is not a typical time. Many of us who are white are waking up to the ways that our unearned privilege has made us blind and passive to the ongoing suffering of Black people in America, suffering that has endured for over 400 years. Nature’s way is for the long haul. Nature’s brilliance evolves and unfolds over time. I do believe that if each of us who has benefited and continues to benefit from racial inequality does the deep work, work that sometimes makes us feel uncomfortable, we can truly begin to undo racism within ourselves and within our society. This moment is a movement, and it deserves our attention and sustained support. As my favorite spiritual teacher Tara Brach says “Each of us has a medicine to bring to these times.” I invite you to reflect on what medicine you uniquely bring – a revolution has many lanes.

EP 25: An Unfolding Life Featuring Photographer, Textile Artist and Private Chef April Valencia

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, April Valencia) — Wed, 20 May 2020 11:00:08 +0000

This week I’m chatting with April Valencia, a photographer, textile artist, sustainability consultant and private chef. She’s shot for Apiece Apart, Levi’s Made and Crafted, Sezane, Gjusta, among others, cooked for Yola Mezcal and the ICA in London, and she’s also on the board at the Elizabeth Street Garden in Manhattan. My dear friend Caroline Ventura introduced us because she knew I was heading to LA for three months and thought we’d enjoy meeting each other. What started as a leisurely meal in Venice, turned into a friendship, and I’m so excited to share this interview with April for what I believe is her first podcast interview. I wanted to speak with her because she’s had such a wide ranging, varied life - from being married at 21 and working at Trump Tower in New York, to losing her brother and finding herself alone in the jungle of the Yucatan, April’s life has shifted and evolved as she’s grown into herself. Nature teaches us that the only permanence is change, and April’s journey feels in harmony with nature. It’s always changing, hard to define, and that’s precisely what makes it so vibrant and beautifully complex. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of this conversation because April shares an important perspective for anyone struggling with a chronic health condition, or simply anyone who feels overwhelmed by often conflicting and confusing health advice. With that, let’s get into my conversation with the wonderful April Valencia, who actually just celebrated her birthday on Monday. Enjoy!

EP 24: Bath Ritual and Meditation with Water Healer Jobi Manson

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Jobi Manson) — Wed, 6 May 2020 11:00:10 +0000

Welcome to a very special episode of Our Nature. On the last episode of the podcast, I spoke with Water Healer Jobi Manson about water, and its power to transform us through its inherent wisdom. Jobi leads people into their creative expression through water immersion experiences in the ocean, which she calls “Sefaris.” She came to this practice through her own transformational relationship with water after a life changing accident almost left her permanently paralyzed. In order to have the proper context for this episode, I encourage you to go back and listen to Jobi’s incredible journey on the last episode of Our Nature, episode 23, if you haven’t already. Originally, we had the idea to record a part 2 of that episode after I had been on a Sefari so you could all get a glimpse into what that experience was like, but because we’re social distancing right now, that wasn’t possible. So I wanted to offer the next best thing, perhaps an even better thing! A chance for all of you to experience water’s creative power through a bath ritual and meditation hosted by Jobi Manson. What I love about this offering is that we have an opportunity to connect with the most powerful element in nature from wherever we’re sheltering in place (as long as you have access to a bathtub). It was always my hope for Our Nature to provide simple, practical things you can do to connect with the natural world and in turn, yourself, in the most accessible way possible. And, this feels like one of those offerings. Please visit ournaturepodcast.com for full show notes.

EP: 23 Embracing Water to Know Ourselves, Featuring Water Healer Jobi Manson

lys.says@gmail.com (Jobi Manson, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 11:00:09 +0000

There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary than by sharing an episode that focuses on the life giving element of water. Jobi Manson is a water healer, a creative director, photographer, entrepreneur and designer. She believes that “nature is the key to a creative life” and helps guide people into their creative expression through water immersion. Jobi calls these experiences “Sefari’s” or rebirth water experiences. Think of them as adventures into one’s creativity by inviting in water’s inherent wisdom. For Jobi, water is the most powerful and essential element within all forms of life, one that helps us feel and move our emotions with ease. She’s led Sefari experiences for people such as the Founder of Toms Shoes to the Founder of Conscious City Guide, among others. In this episode we discuss: what makes water so unique and healing, how water can be the key to unlocking our creativity, what happens during a Sefari experience, Jobi’s path from surfer to Sefari guide, the serious accident that changed everything for Jobi (wait until you hear more about this profound experience), how we can better understand our emotions and feelings in order to be with them differently, and how we can more easily flow with the waves of our lives.

EP 22: How Nature Can Be Our Greatest Teacher With Biomimicry Student Azita Ardakani

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 8 Apr 2020 11:00:19 +0000

This week, I’m speaking with Azita Ardakani all about biomimicry, which according to Azita, is about revealing nature’s strategies to solve problems or create new innovations. She’s currently studying biomimicry at Arizona State University, but prior to this, Azita had an incredibly successful career living in New York City as the founder of Lovesocial, a communications agency that landed her on the Forbes 30 under 30 list. I don’t want to give too much away because I think Azita should share her story in her own words, but Azita chose a radical path and left her agency and life in New York for an extended moment of pause and contemplative connection with the natural world. Her story is nature’s story - resilient, complex, full of opposites, and ever expansive.

EP 21: The Healing Power of Sound With Music Therapist Andrea Cortez

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Andrea Cortez) — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:00:27 +0000

This week’s episode is an incredibly fascinating conversation about music and sound with Andrea Cortez. Andrea is a board certified music therapist, sound artist and sound meditation instructor. She specializes in studying the effects of music on the brain and body to help people rehabilitate from brain injury and neurological disorders. She founded the Mind Body Music center whose mission is to utilize and promote music’s inherent therapeutic and healing qualities in order to elevate the minds, bodies and hearts of others. Her work has brought her to playing music for animals and even with plants using a fascinating device called Plant Wave that detects electrical variations in plants and these variations are then translated into pitch messages that play musical instruments. Be sure to listen to the end of the episode to hear more about how Andrea composes music with plants. Throughout the conversation you’ll also have a chance to hear samples of music that Andrea has composed with plants and compiled into her Secret Song of Plants album. If you want to learn more about Andrea, her teachings, and journey into the world of sound, tune into her podcast called Sound Meditation Radio.

EP 20: High Vibrational Beauty with Kerrilynn Pamer of CAP Beauty

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Kerrilyn Pamer) — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:00:04 +0000

Welcome back to Season 2 of Our Nature with the authentic and delightful Kerrilynn Pamer of CAP Beauty. Kerrilynn is the co-founder of natural beauty store CAP Beauty and the co-author of the bestselling book “High Vibrational Beauty,” which combines mantras, meditation, natural skincare recipes, and practices with the aim of helping you achieve natural radiance. What I love about Kerrilynn is how open and real she is. She doesn’t claim to be perfect, to have it all figured out, but rather, she’s a work in progress, as all of us are. In this episode we discuss Kerrilynn’s journey to from the fashion industry to eventually founding CAP, how she defines beauty, why the word “natural” is often misused, elitism in the wellness industry and the simple practices that are free (but profound), how to be well when you don’t have a lot of money, what high vibrational beauty means to Kerrilynn, and the personal practices that keep her physically, emotionally and spiritually well. I chose this conversation to be my kick off for season 2 because I believe we all want to feel beautiful, and I think Kerrilynn does an incredible job of articulating what multi-dimensional beauty really looks like.

EP 19: (Season 1 Finale!) Going all in, with Homesteader David Sleininger

lys.says@gmail.com (David Sleininger, Alyssa Benjamin) — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 00:00:23 +0000

Welcome to the Season 1 finale of Our Nature! This week’s guest is a very special one to me because he happens to be my boyfriend. David Sleininger is a former jazz musician turned homesteader turned energy healer. His story is one of both devastating injury and immense healing. I don’t want to give too much away because I think it’s important for him to share his story in his own voice, but I will say that after years of darkness and suffering, he turned to nature for support...and it was instrumental in helping him heal from chronic pain. His journey is so inspiring to anyone dealing with chronic pain or injury, anyone who is interested in learning more about homesteading or simply being more self reliant, and anyone who is looking to witness someone who has followed their intuition even when the path seemed uncertain.

In this episode, we talk about what homesteading is, why there has been a recent resurgence in homesteading, what David’s homestead looks like, his journey from music to bread baking to homesteading to energy healing and what each shift has taught him along the way, why he can’t use power tools and how that affected his building project, what nature taught him about himself, the balance of feminine and masculine and so much more. It was vulnerable and fun for me to record this podcast with David. We’re very real with each other as you’ll hear. David doesn’t have social media at all and I don’t put him on my social media, so it feels really special to use this platform to share his story. I hope you enjoy it and I’ll see you in 2020!

“I tend to think about things like - am I moving away from something, or am I moving towards something?” - David Sleininger

“I have had a few dramatic shifts in my life and I have found that when my intuitive voice is loud enough, if I follow it, those transitions are actually much smoother and more settled than you’d think.” - David Sleininger

“Being with nature is a dance.” - David Sleininger

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

What homesteading is
Why there has been a recent resurgence in homesteading
A description of David’s homestead
The devastating injury that caused David to give up playing music permanently
David’s journey from a bread baker and homestead apprentice to purchasing his land in rural Maine
What it was like for David to transition from an urban to a rural place
Why David couldn’t use power tools and what that meant for his homesteading project
How David got through his darkest moments
What nature taught David about himself
David’s newest chapter in New York City
The Last 5 Questions

Connect with David:

Email: David.Sleininger@gmail.com

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com
Email me at: ournaturepodcast@gmail.com

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

1. What is your favorite place in nature? Anywhere that can wake me up despite myself.

2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? I have always felt deeply connected to trees.

3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Look up a tree, or rock or plant you’re curious about and learn about it.

4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? That I’m capable. That I can do it. And that – nature will support everything I need, anytime I need it.

5. Complete this sentence: Nature brings me…If I listen to what’s going on in my inner nature and connect to the natural world around me, I’ll have the information, I’ll have the intuitive messaging, I’ll have the health that I need to do what I feel drawn to do.

EP 18: How To Live In Support of Your Microbiome With Seed Co-founder and Co-CEO Ara Katz

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Ara Katz) — Wed, 4 Dec 2019 12:57:20 +0000

Probiotics are everywhere. But what’s the deal with these strains of bacteria that are supposed to work wonders for our guts and – therefore – our overall health? This week on Our Nature, Ara Katz, the co-founder and co-CEO of Seed is on the show to demystify the microbiome. Seed is a life science and consumer health company focused on the microbiome and its undeniable potential in shaping the future of human and planetary health. Before founding Seed, Ara co-founded the mobile commerce company Spring and was named in Marie Claire’s The New Guard: The 50 Most Influential Women in the US. Being someone who has studied digestion through the Ayurvedic perspective, I thought I already knew a lot about the microbiome and our gut bacteria, but Ara brings a wealth of fascinating and lesser-known information to this episode in a way that is easy to understand and assimilate. Seed empowers their customers to learn about gut health first so they can then make informed decisions. Wait until you hear this episode – you’ll be so much more thoughtful about your daily practices after hearing what Ara has to say about the bacteria inside our bodies. In this episode we talk about: what the microbiome is and what it does for us, how the microbiome has shifted as we’ve evolved (or as Ara called it - the climate change of our insides), why big pharma and science are very different and why this distinction is so important, the multiple microbiomes that live in areas other than our gut, why not all probiotics are the same, the myths and misunderstandings about probiotics and what’s actually true, what you can do to increase your microbial diversity (the answer isn’t just take probiotics), how to know if the probiotics you are taking are “working,” and so much more. Get ready to go deep!

QUOTES:

When it comes to your microbiome - “Help them, help you.” - Ara Katz

“We’re actually learning about our bodies through marketing campaigns and through products that claim to do something and I’m not sure that that serves us.” - Ara Katz

“The greatest marker of health is resilience. It’s the idea that under some antagonism, how soon (and in what way) can you return to that place of stasis.” - Ara Katz

“People need a door to walk through and they need someone to extend a hand to walk them through it.” - Ara Katz

“The only way that I believe people can get better is by being empowered with the truths of the things that they can do – or choose not to do – that don’t cost them anything.” - Ara Katz

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

Why people are so invested in the microbiome right now?
How our microbiome has become a symbol for the marriage of eastern and western health philosophies
What is the microbiome and what it does for us
Our multiple microbiomes and what we know about them so far
How the microbiome has shifted as we’ve evolved
The climate change of our insides - what has caused the microbiome to shift over multiple generations
What has supported our microbiome in the past
What menstruation does to our microbiome
The story of why Ara founded Seed
How big pharma and science are different and why that’s such an important distinction to make
What probiotics are and why Seed probiotics are different
All about allostasis
How Seed probiotics account for the fact that every person’s microbiome is different
Why SEED probiotics need to be refrigerated
How long before Seed probiotics start working and how to determine whether they are working
Seed’s new research on developing a revolutionary treatment for UTI’s that don’t involve antibiotics
99% of bacteria are neutral or good
Why Kimchi and Kombuchas don’t have probiotic impact
How sex disrupts our microbiome
The relationship between science and spirituality
The Last 5 Questions!

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature? Anywhere where I’m surrounded and can’t see the built environment.

What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? I could never pick a favorite in nature. We’d be sitting here for hours if we tried.

What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Be in it.

What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? That we are of it.

Nature brings me…Breath.

Connect with Seed:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

EP 17: In Observation of the Natural World With Photographer Molly Steele

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Molly Steele) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:44:18 +0000

This week on Our Nature, I spoke with Molly Steele, a Los Angeles-based analog photographer who whose work evokes an emotional discourse of intimacy, nature and alternate lifestyles separate from the status quo. I first came across Molly’s photographs in 2015 on Instagram and fell in love with the very personal way she captures the natural world. What also struck me about Molly was watching her embark on solo excursions into the wilderness, something I could never fathom doing out of fear of being alone with nature. Aside from talking about courage and inspiration, we discuss many things: Molly’s path to becoming a photographer, why she doesn’t keep plants in her home, what it’s like to go solo into nature, why people are so unfulfilled today, why we sometimes resist nature even though we know it can be healing for us, and what photographing the natural world has taught her about herself. This conversation was so interesting and eye opening for me, I know it will make you reconsider the way you interact with nature and with other people going forward. Enjoy the wonderful and wise Molly Steele.

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

What it was like to grow up isolated on an herb farm
How living in a city has changed the way she thinks about connecting with the natural world
Why Molly doesn’t have plants in her home
How a life changing event shifted the way she explores the natural world
Why checking want and desire is the key to wasting less
Why millennials have to work extra hard to connect
Why we resist nature even though we know it would be healing for us
How being at Standing Rock changed Molly’s perspective on LA and living the way she lives
What photographing the natural world has taught Molly about herself
What inspires Molly’s photography
The Last 5 Questions!

Connect with Molly Steele:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature? The Northern California coastline - the lost coast.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? Bryophytes - mosses really thrive in wet environments and are humble presenting.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Put down your phone, step outside your door and look up for five minutes. If you feel good having done that, go further because it’s worth it.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? That humans are trash and it’s all our fault.
Nature brings me…Life.

EP 16: The Architecture of Nature With Vaastu Consultant Hunter Cressman

lys.says@gmail.com (Hunter Cressman, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 6 Nov 2019 12:00:08 +0000

For this week’s episode of Our Nature, I chat with Vaastu Consultant Hunter Cressman. I’m guessing you’ve probably never heard of Vaastu before. I know I hadn’t until Hunter spoke about it during a vedic meditation class at the Spring Meditation Center back in June. Vaastu is the architecture of nature. It is incredibly precise and specific. It’s designed to create well-being in a space through a series of mathematical principles that are applied to determine the direction a building is facing, its measurements, the materials its made of, etc. “Each one of us, we have a fundamental frequency inside of ourselves,” says Cressman. “And what we want to do is align our frequency with the frequency of the building, so that they resonate together in harmony.”

In this episode, you’ll learn the core principles of Vaastu, how it differs from Feng Shui, where to see examples of vaastu buildings, why measurements need to be within the width of a hair, how to pay tribute to the culture and people that are the originators of Vaastu, how to conceptualize and contextualize the ancient texts of Vaastu within our modern society, and how to create Vaastu energy even if you don’t have the means or desire to construct a Vaastu building. I’m so excited for you to hear about Vaastu from Hunter. I think he’s on the forefront of a new way of building and imagining our spaces and I’m thrilled to bring you this knowledge before it reaches the masses! Please enjoy my conversation with Vaastu Consultant Hunter Cressman.

QUOTES:

“The Veda is a body of wisdom that has been around for thousands of years. It's knowledge of nature, knowledge of our central nature as humans, and understanding our nature through practices such as meditation, yoga and ayurvedic medicine.” - Hunter Cressman

“Vaastu is a series of mathematical principles that are followed in order to bring about a resonance inside of a contained space that contains qualities of well-being, so that any inhabitants in that contained space, will resonate with those qualities and benefit from the design of the space.” - Hunter Cressman

“Vaastu is pure, unmanifest energy – and that pure consciousness contains all qualities of consciousness.” - Hunter Cressman

“Each one of us has a fundamental frequency inside of ourselves. And what we want to do is align our frequency with the frequency of the building so that they resonate together in harmony.” - Hunter Cressman

“There’s a subtle geometry to our central nature and Vaastu mimics that geometry in order to create this resonance between the two from our inner nature to the outside. Vaastu is a way of using the containment of space or architecture to awaken us from the inside out.” - Hunter Cressman

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

The difference between vedic meditation and Vaastu
The main principles of Vaastu architecture
The difference between Vaastu and Vaastu
How Vaastu architecture developed from the ancient texts
Examples of Vaastu Architecture - the Taj Majal and the pyramids
The four main aspects of Vaastu
Why topography is a critical factor in Vaastu
The reason measuring within an inch is still not enough in a Vaastu build
The Vaastu mandala and how it is used to create customized measures
The difference between Feng Shui and Vaastu
What is subtle nature?
Why Vaastu does’t have “cures” for energy like in Feng Shui
Why Vaastu matters for people right now
How we can pay tribute to the culture and people that are the originators of Vaastu
How we can conceptualize and contextualize the ancient texts of Vaastu within our modern society
Why the materials of building factors into determining the life of the Vaastu energy in the building
What’s ahead for Hunter now that he graduated from the Vaastu program
How to create Vaastu energy if you don’t have the means or capacity to build a Vaastu home
The Last 5 Questions!

Connect with Hunter Cressman:

Connect with Alyssa and The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Alyssa Benjamin's Instagram
Get in touch! Suggest a guest, reach out about collaborations or just say hi: ournaturepodcast@gmail.com
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com

EP 15: Welcome To The Slow Flower Movement With Florist Elena Seegers of Le Fleuriste

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Elena Seegers) — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 11:00:11 +0000

In nature, flowers exist for reproductive purposes. But, for humans, they’ve been a source of awe and inspiration for centuries. For Georgia O’Keefe, they were her ever-generous subjects. In “A New Earth,” spiritual teacher and author, Eckhart Tolle, writes: “When you are alert and contemplate a flower, crystal or a bird without naming it mentally, it becomes a window for you into the formless. There is an inner opening, however slight, into the realm of the spirit.” The giving and receiving of flowers has traditionally symbolized love and a positive gesture towards intimacy. But, as with anything that is produced en masse, the floral industry has negative implications on human health and the health of our planet. So, the next time you go to the bodega, or the supermarket or even your local florist to buy flowers, I invite you to ask - where have these come from?

That mystery is revealed this week during my conversation with Elena Seegers, a designer, botanist and florist, and an advocate for slow flowers, a movement started by florist Debra Prinzing for people who are interested in supporting local, domestically-sourced flowers. In this episode we discuss the dark side of imported flowers, why most conventionally grown roses don’t have a scent, the little-known, but toxic monopoly that is floral foam, the slow flower movement and the leaders of sustainable florals who are making a difference, and how to shop for flowers in an ethical way. You’ll also learn why Valentine’s Day is actually the worst time to buy flowers.

This conversation blew my mind in the best way and I know you’ll appreciate this knowledge the next time you have the power to choose what and how you buy flowers!

QUOTES:

“You have to be a very peculiar person to work with flowers and not be fundamentally nice.” - Elena Seegers

“If you have a band around the center of the world, that’s where most of the floral production happens.” - Elena Seegers

“If you want a peony in January, they all come from Australia.” - Elena Seegers

“Scent is costly to a flower in that it takes a lot of energy for it, so that the more a flower smells, the less long it will last.” - Elena Seegers

Connect with Elena Seegers:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

On growing up in a small town in Southwest France
The story behind the creation of her blog - Le Fleuriste
How an internship at the Ritz turned Elena away from traditional floristry
Botanical Agency - Elena’s artistic practice working with plants on an exhibition-type basis
An introduction to the Slow Flower Movement
What’s floral foam? And why is it so toxic?
How the American government encouraged the rose industry in Columbia in order to dissuade people from cultivating cocoa for cocaine
Why the global rose industry is detrimental to local populations
Why most conventionally grown roses don’t have scent
The most wasteful parts of the design and agricultural aspects of the floral industry
How Garbage Goddess is creating a low waste option for floral design
How Elena ensures that she wastes as little as possible when she produces events
Why there isn’t more of a public outcry about waste and pesticide use in the floral industry
How to shop for flowers in a sustainable way
The Slow Flower Movement and the American Grown dinner series
Floral foam - the worst!!!
Little known facts about indoor plants
Flowers make us feel good
Why buying flowers during Valentine’s Day is the worst time to buy flowers
Did you some flowers are GMO?
Elena’s hack for inexpensive, sustainable flowers
Elena’s favorite flower
Where to go if you’re interested in learning more about slow flowers and the Slow Flower Movement
Elena and Simon’s original idea for Le Fleuriste
The difference between native and non-native flowers and where to find them
The Last Five Questions!

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

1. What is your favorite place in nature? My parent’s in the south of France.

2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? Salt!

3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Use the greens on the top of your vegetables.

4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? Interconnectivity. The fact that each being is a big multicellular bag of different organisms and bacteria.

5. Nature brings me…Home.

EP 14: Naturally Radiant Skin With Skincare Expert Jenna Levine of LINNÉ Botanicals

lys.says@gmail.com (Jenna Levine, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 9 Oct 2019 12:00:04 +0000

How can we care for our skin naturally? And, why does it matter what we put on our skin in the first place? We’ll answer these questions and more as we dive into the world of natural skincare with Jenna Levine of LINNÉ Botanicals. Jenna turned a childhood passion into a career when she started her line of non-toxic skincare named after famed Swedish Botanist Carl Von Linné. Whether you are a skincare superfan who wants to build upon your knowledge or, someone who doesn’t know much about skincare and skincare practices at all (ahem, me), I know you’ll love this episode.

In this episode, Jenna shares how her background in botany and permaculture offered amazing foundational knowledge for starting LINNÉ Botanicals. We discuss how to properly source and use essential oils, why you can use all the oils on your skin and it can still be dry, retinol and where it exists in nature, how to massage out wrinkles, what to do if you have acne prone skin and are afraid to switch to natural products, how to shop for non-toxic skincare, to sunscreen or not to sunscreen, proper exfoliation practices and so much more.

QUOTES:

"I think the whole term anti-aging is funny. How wonderful to be alive and to be aging gracefully." - Jenna Levine

RESOURCES:

Connect with Jenna Levine:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

SHOW NOTES:

Growing up in Chicago and how Jenna became interested in natural skincare
The story of how Jenna Levine founded LINNÉ Botanicals
Why it matters what we put on our skin
All about essential oils - why they get a bad reputation, what they can do for us
Why every beta keratin source is not the same and how Linne's beta keratin works with your skin in incredible ways
Retinol explained
How LINNÉ Botanicals addresses the reality that every person's skin is different and therefore has different needs
What LINNÉ Botanicals would say to someone who isn't using natural skincare, someone who has acne and who is afraid to switch to natural skincare
How to massage away wrinkles
Why you can put all the oil on your skin and it will still be dry
How modern skincare practices mimic those of our ancestors
Sunscreen and skin cancer - what's the deal?
Why mineral sunscreen is not only good for your health, but good for the environment
Exfoliation - how, how often and why?
Bilberry extract - what it does for your skin
Why your cleanser is probably stripping your skin
What to know when you're shopping for natural skincare
The Last Five Questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?Where the mountains meet the sea.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? I love old, twisty, olive trees with crazy bark and ripe little fruits. I started my skincare journey by pouring olive oil all over my body. It’s always my go-to in a pinch.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Step outside wherever you are and take a deep breath
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? To be receptive
Nature brings me…Joy.

EP 13: Mushrooms, Mycelium and More with Andrew Carter, Co-founder and CEO of Smallhold

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin, Andrew Carter) — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 18:42:19 +0000

Mushrooms may be one of nature’s true mysteries, which is probably why we can’t get enough of them. In this episode, I talk to Andrew Carter, co-founder and CEO of Smallhold, the only mushroom farm and organic farm in New York City. His company installs mini farms, or space-like growing units – in grocery stores such as Whole Foods, restaurants like Mission Chinese, and hotels like The Standard Hotel – that grow mushrooms in controlled climates from bags of sawdust so they can be harvested at their freshest moment. Smallhold's mushrooms look like organisms from another world - some resembling pine cones, others flowers, some look like heads of cauliflower. And, not only do they appear extra terrestrial, they have names like deer butt (aka Lion’s mane), hairy nuts disco, and cinnamon jellybaby. Their spores can survive extreme temperatures, radiation, even outer space. And, scientists have yet to fully understand how to mimic nature enough to cultivate some varieties. While we may never fully understand mushrooms, in this episode we try to get to the bottom of what’s going on with these wild fungi.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Andrew Carter:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter: www.ournaturepodcast.com

SHOW NOTES:

What Smallhold does and why it’s incredibly unique in the growing space
The ins and outs of organic farming in New York State
How Andrew’s background in permaculture prepared him to work with mushrooms
Why ayurveda doesn’t support the consumption of mushrooms
Why people don’t like mushrooms and how Smallhold encourages people to give mushrooms a second chance
The mushroom craze - why now?
What are mushrooms tho?
The process of growing mushrooms the Smallhold way
Mycelium explained
The function of mushrooms in the natural world
How Smallhold curates their eleven varieties of mushrooms
Mushrooms - wild vs. cultivated, which are better?
Andrew’s favorite type of mushrooms
How Smallhold addresses the reality of accessability when it comes to fresh, organic produce
The future of Smallhold
Where to learn more about the mysterious world of mushrooms
Mushrooms powders - why knowing your dose matters
Why should you know your source if you’re taking Chaga
Where to find Smallhold mini farms in New York City
The Last 5 Questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature? Ocean.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? Citrus Trees.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Go outside. Turn off your phone. Try to disconnect. There’s so much more to look at.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? There’s no real way to control it or understand it, and you don’t really have to.
Nature brings me…Everything. It is everything.

QUOTES:

“I like to understand ecology enough to try to imitate it, but it doesn’t have to be for us. It’s not made for us. I don’t know if we need to figure it out.” - Andrew Carter

“I think that anyone farming anything that says: this type of production is the way that everyone’s going to be farming in the future, just doesn’t understand how it’s going to work.” - Andrew Carter

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

EP 12: How To Sleep Better With Buffy Co-founder and CEO Leo Wang

lys.says@gmail.com (Leo Wang, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 16:26:09 +0000

Each of us, at some point or another, has struggled to fall asleep, to stay asleep, or to feel rested after sleeping through the night. This week, we talk all things sleep with Buffy co-founder and CEO Leo Wang. Leo shares his personal journey of dealing with insomnia and the surprising way he resolved his sleep troubles (it’s not what you might think). You’ll learn some practical tips for how to get a restful sleep, how the teachings of Daoism can help us sleep better, Leo’s rituals for getting more rest, and the biggest misconception about sleep according to Leo. This episode is so incredibly rich and unexpectedly profound. I know you’ll take away universal lessons for how to live your life in a more harmonious way regardless of your relationship with sleep at this moment in time.

Resources:

Connect with Leo Wang:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram
Get Our Nature in your inbox!: www.ournaturepodcast.com
Say hi! ournaturepodcast@gmail.com

“The consumer is not even aware that they’re just bringing synthetic and chemical dyes into their bedroom and wrapping and cocooning themselves into them every night. What if those dyes were made from things like walnut peel or geranium husk or other things that you wouldn’t mind bringing into your kitchen?” - Leo Wang

“It is a belief that we have a natural programming that will correct for imbalance those things that need to be fixed, without the help of melatonin, without the help of binging on sleep, without the help of spending hours and hours into the night reading about sleep on Web MD…” - Leo Wang

“We are very busy, we live fast paced lives, we’re all highly educated and we think a lot, we’re in our heads a lot...try to contact your body a bit more. Whether that means sitting down and feeling what your body sensations are telling you or meditating or dance or yoga…” - Leo Wang

“In Daoism, or most Eastern thought, everything is about balance. It takes darkness to see the light and light to see the dark. A candle lit is a shadow cast, and the origin of everything is in its opposite.” - Leo Wang

“Sleep, and your quality of sleep, is nothing more than a manifestation of your overall health.” - Leo Wang

SHOW NOTES:

What Buffy does and why it’s changing the sustainability industry
Why Buffy uses Eucalyptus in its comforters
Why what you sleep in matters
How Leo’s childhood shaped his personal and career trajectory
How a common case of insomnia brought Leo to a surprising discovery
The Daoist concept that says “do not doing” or “wu wei,” which means achieving without achieving
Ying and Yang and why they matter when it comes to sleep
The different elements in traditional Chinese medicine and how they can help you sleep better
Why doing less helps us return to ourselves
How acupuncture can help resolve sleep issues
Why diet matters when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep
How eating late at night inhibits the restorative state that the body needs to be in to rest
How to create more Ying (calm) energy in your bedroom
Leo’s rituals for great sleep
The biggest misconception about sleep
The Last Five Questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature? A cornfield.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? Dogs!
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Embrace the fact that everything is part of the natural world and stop looking for it. Even us – man, and the ugliest inventions of man, are part of nature. Everything is nature, and we can try and accept that more I think.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? The most valuable thing in existence is life.
Nature brings me… Nature is trying to bring me, me. Nature is trying to bring you, you.

EP 11: Honoring Our Past and Hopes For The Future

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 15:20:01 +0000

Hi ! Welcome to a very special and very short edition of the Our Nature Podcast. The date this episode will air will be on Wednesday, September 11th, which is the same date and day of the week that New York City experienced the worst terrorist attack in American history. It was a day that marked the end of innocence for many people, including myself. And although it has been 18 years since 9-11, the event changed the city and our collective sense of safety forever. For these reasons, and especially because this podcast is based in New York City, I wanted to do something different for today.

September 11th is an important reminder of our universal connection, how we are all part of this beautiful planet we call home. How one person’s pain is our collective pain and how one person’s joy is our collective joy. If we have the capacity to create devastation and discord, we also have the capacity to support life, encourage compassion and spread love. I hope you continue to honor the victims, survivors, first responders and anyone else directly affected by 9-11. Let your actions be a seed, a singular event, that grows and helps to shape this world for the better.

Resources:

How The Wolves Changed the Rivers

Connect With Our Nature:

Want Our Nature in your inbox?
Sign up for the Our Nature Newsletter here!

EP 10: Harness Your Energy and De-stress Your Body With Qigong Facilitator Michael Ventura

lys.says@gmail.com (Michael Ventura, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 4 Sep 2019 11:00:16 +0000

Michael Ventura has done it all - he’s an author of the book Applied Empathy, a podcast host, and the CEO of a highly successful branding agency. He’s also an accomplished healer, with roots in Qigong as taught to him by master Yuwen Ru, and in the Shamanic traditions of the Nahuatl Indians as shared by curandera Doña Leova. His mission is to be of service to his patients so that they can release any karmic, ancestral and personal trauma that holds them back from their essence. It was a trauma in the form of a back injury that first led Michael to Qigong in his mid-twenties and he’s been devoted to the practice ever since. In this conversation we explore how Michael found Qigong, the basics of the practice, what it means to live in harmony with nature according to Daoism, and how to experience Qigong if you’re new to the practice.

QUOTES:

“The best practitioners really hold the space and the intention for the energy in your body to heal itself.” - Michael Ventura

“Within you, there is a capacity to heal itself and sometimes you need the safety and security to do so.” - Michael Ventura

“The subtle body and the physical body doesn’t need dogma to know how to do what it does, and if you can extract the dogma, then you get an express train to the real lessons.” - Michael Ventura

“It (Qigong) has moved from an experiment, to a nice to do, to a must-do, to a do.” - Michael Ventura

NEW! OUR NATURE CHALLENGE

For the next week, do the Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade video every morning!
Share your experiences via the hashtag #onpodcast

Connect with Michael Ventura:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

RESOURCES:

SHOW NOTES:

The type of healing work Michael does
What happens during a session with Michael
How a devastating back injury brought Michael to Qigong
Master Ru
The basics of Qigong: Qi = life force, Gong = cultivation and movement
What it means to live in harmony with nature according to Daoism
The triple heater organ
Michael’s personal Qigong practice
Eight Pieces of Brocade
Five Animals
What Michael would say to skeptics of Qigong
The Last Five Questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
A crow.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Take your shoes off and stand on the earth.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Patience. I think that it [nature] is a great teacher in that everything opens and grows and blooms in its own time and you cannot force a tree to bloom and a flower to blossom, they have to do it themselves.”
Nature brings me…
Peace.

EP 09: How to Heal Your Body With Plants Featuring Herbalist Rachelle Robinett

lys.says@gmail.com (Rachelle Robinett, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 11:00:09 +0000

Rachelle Robinett is an herbalist, holistic health practitioner and this week’s guest on the Our Nature Podcast. After spending many years working in marketing in the fashion industry, Rachelle transitioned into her greatest passion - herbs and plant-based medicine. In this episode we talk all about Western Herbalism, the use of teas, tinctures and decoctions, which herbs are overrated (hello adaptogens and CBD) and which are underrated (nervines), why the millennial generation is suffering from an epidemic of chronic disease, and practical things each of us can do to feel healthier. If you’ve ever been curious about Western Herbalism, this episode is for you. If you’ve been contemplating a career transition or are hesitant to fully step into your calling, this episode is also for you. Rachelle is a bright light in the wellness space and I can’t wait for you to hear her wisdom!

“If a person is willing to make themselves a cup of tea, it’s likely they’ll get better in your care because it shows that they’re willing to set aside the time to take care of their health.”

“It’s [herbalism] a way of looking at the world where you just see the natural world as a companion, and as our foundation, as opposed to all the other ways it can be seen.”

“There’s a massive disconnect from our bodies – being able to hear them, being about to understand what we’re hearing, and having any idea what to do about that.”

“It’s challenging and liberating to experience being able to experience the world without all of our crutches, even if they are good ones, for a period of time.”

Resources:

Rachelle Robinett
* HRBLS
* CAP Beauty

Connect with Rachelle Robinett:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:
Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Mixed by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Subscribe!:

Apple podcasts
Google Play
Spotify

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

SHOW NOTES:

What Herbalism is and why it’s synonymous with plant-based wellness and holistic wellness
How Rachelle got into herbalism
How all of the holistic medicine systems work with all of the same energy systems like prana and chi
Why Rachelle always favors a local remedy verses one that comes from abroad
What an apothecary is and how someone would get started if they were interested in herbalism
The power of tea as medicine
What an herbal infusion is and why you should use it
A decoction is used to extract roots and medicinal mushrooms
The higher fiber content, the more time, heat or force is necessary to extract an herb or substance
On transitioning from the fashion industry to the wellness sphere
The vulnerability that comes with putting yourself out into the world
Why millennials have more chronic disease than previous generations and what we can do about it
The importance of working with people wherever they’re at in their wellness journey
Why adaptogens are over-hyped – adaptogens are not a synonym for herbs and how they mask symptoms of burnout
Why nervine herbs are underrated and how we can use them
Why we should be skeptical of an extraction from a full plant verses using the whole plant
The issue of cost and accessibility in the wellness industry
How Rachelle eases her clients into lifestyle changes
Why it’s valuable to shed all of your supplements, phones, routines etc. and retreat for a week.
How Rachelle stays connection to the natural world on a regular basis
Supernatural Cafe and HRBLS
The last five questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?
The jungle.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
Nettle.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Going outside more and really taking a closer look at our food and the sources of our food.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
To be flexible. To be more like water. To be receptive to the wind. To listen to the intuitive sense and to acknowledge the direction it’s blowing and flowing.
Nature brings me…
Immense joy.

EP 08: A Pain Free Existence With Alexander Technique Practitioner Alan Katz

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 10:00:05 +0000

If you’ve ever been injured or have suffered from chronic pain of any kind, this episode is for you. Alan Katz is an Alexander Technique practitioner who came to Alexander Technique after a devastating injury left him in constant pain. After only a few sessions, his pain began to subside and Alan quit his job to make Alexander Technique his life’s practice. Today, he teaches people how to use their bodies the natural way - with balance instead of tension. What’s most amazing about Alexander Technique is that it invites us to use our body to heal our body. In this episode, you’ll learn what happens during an Alexander Technique session, how Alan believes people when they say they’re in pain, why Alexander technique works when other healing modalities don’t, and simple, effective ways each of us can begin to properly align our bodies. I hope you’ll walk away from this episode feeling inspired to pay closer attention to what your body is trying to communicate. I know that learning Alexander Technique gave me that permission.

QUOTES:

“The body would prefer to be in what we call homeostasis. It prefers to be feeling better. It prefers not to have pain here, pain there, pain everywhere. And if you bring it to a place which makes more sense, it generally stops hurting.” - Alan Katz

“I teach people how to use their bodies with balance instead of tension.” - Alan Katz

“Everything should be stacked on everything else. That’s how the body is made.” - Alan Katz

“We’re not meant to hold our bodies. We’re meant to be in our bodies.” - Alan Katz

“The body is a balancing act and the more attune to that you are, the happier your body is.” - Alan Katz

Resources:

Alexander Technique

Connect with Alan Katz:

Alan Katz’s Website
Call Alan to book an appointment at: 212-691-8607

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Will Wells
Mixed by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Subscribe!:

Apple podcasts
Google Play
Spotify

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

SHOW NOTES

The story of how Alan first found Alexander Technique
Why Alexander Technique is very difficult to explain
Why Alexander Technique is associated with acting
Alexander TEchnique is another level of mindfulness
Why people come to Alexander Technique as a last resort and why it’s so effective
How balancing your body does not include holding.
Modern society has caused us to improperly use our bodies, which has led to pain
What happens during an Alexander Technique session
How aAlan would respond to the skeptics of Alexander Technique
“This (Alexander Technique) is about the way we are meant to use our bodies, period.”
Why doctors send people to Alan when they’ve given up
Alan’s greatest success story
Why Alexander Technique can help with other ailments - OCD, stomach issues, shaking
What Alexander Technique can do or people with chronic pain
Why table work during an Alexander Technique is like deep meditation
Simple technique that anyone can do to feel more balanced and aligned
“There’s no join in the body that’s meant to be locked.”
Your skull is meant to be supported by your spine, not your neck
Let your feet support you
The last five questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:
1. What is your favorite place in nature?
I love the ocean and I love the forest. I kind of like nature, period.
2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
I like rocks a lot.
3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Breathe into your belly.
4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Yin and Yang. Balance. Within all Yang, there is Yin and within all Yin there is Yang.
5. Nature brings me…
Happiness.

EP 07: The Color of Your Energy With Aura Reader Susanna Merrick

lys.says@gmail.com (Susanna Merrick, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 11:00:14 +0000

This week's episode is all about energy. Specifically, your energy, also known as your aura, and what it says about you. I chat with intuitive aura reader Susanna Merrick who sees people’s aura colors. It’s sort of like being able to see the colors that are captured in an aura photograph, but all the time. Because every single living thing has an aura, I see them as the great equalizer, moving us ever closer to each other and to the natural world. In this episode, Susanna shares her fascinating story of how she finally stepped into her calling, when she first began seeing aura colors, what each color means, and more. I’ve got a magenta aura apparently. I think you’ll love this episode and will learn so much!

Quotes:

“I wanted to empower women, I wanted to cultivate and build community. I wanted to help women express themselves via their style and their fashion and I wanted to find a way to take your essence and put it out there.”

“We walk around in a city where we’re constantly just bombarded and stimulated by people and things and messages, and I think sometimes it’s really helpful to just sit with someone and be reminded of who you are…”

“I’m not here to judge, I’m here to bring to light all the good that is in you.”

Resources:

Connect with Susanna Merrick:

Susanna's Website
* Susanna’s Instagram

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram - @ournaturepodcast

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Will Wells
Mixed by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

+++ Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Subscribe!:

Apple podcasts
Google Play
Spotify

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!

Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

Complete Show Notes:

An aura reading - what is it?
How our energy flows around our bodies
Your aura color and what it means for you
What happens during an aura reading
Alyssa’s innate energies
Magenta energy - very outside of the box, fun, and unique energy
Yellow energy - optimistic and positive energy
What Susanna would say to someone who is skeptical of aura readers
The story of how Susanna first came ot her calling and why she resisted them for so long
Clairaudient, clairvoyant
The science behind auras
The leaf phenomenon study that used electronic plates to capture energy
“Everything that is living has an aura”
Plants have mostly yellow auras
Why we feel better in nature through the lens of an aura
Why losing a parent brough Susanna closer to her magic
How Susanna stays grounded
New York’s predominant aura energy
An overview of the main aura colors and what they mean - yellows, violets, magentas, turquoise, indigo, orange, red, green
Dan Barber’s aura energy
The difference between an aura photograph and your innate aura energy
Lavender energy
The last five questions!

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?
Zion’s Antelope Canyon, “nature’s gallery”
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
Dogs
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Sit down with a friend and remind them that you see them and you hear them.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Life is not just one season. Storms are going to come and go and that is just part of it. And, they might wipe away everything, but the surface is still there and the will to rebuild is always there.
Nature brings me…
Life. Joy. Peace

EP 06: How To Dye Fabric From Food Scraps With Designer Maria Elena Pombo

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 7 Aug 2019 11:00:04 +0000

Maria Elena Pombo is a designer from Venezuela who uses natural dyeing techniques to ignite conversations about society, culture and the environment. She hosts workshops, demonstrations and presentations showcasing how to dye fabric with food scraps such as avocado seeds and onion skins. In 2018, she launched her first collection featuring timeless silhouettes dyed millennial pink with avocado seeds. Listen in for an inspiring conversation about the magical, mystical world of natural dyeing!

Resources:

Fragmentario
* NY Times Feature

Connect with Maria Elena:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Will Wells
Mixed by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES

On growing up in Venezuela and how that introduced her to the dangers of nature
How moving to New York made Maria Elena more aware of seasonal influences
Where natural dyes originated from and why Maria Elena became fascinated with the world of natural dyeing
How her partner’s desire to create custom colors for his bag company propelled her onto her true path
How to know what materials you can/cannot sue for natural dyeing
An overview of how to extract color from natural materials
If you don’t use fixatives, dyeing takes a lot longer
Why trial and error is the best way to naturally dye
All about Indigo dyeing
Misconceptions about natural dyeing
Fragmentario’s workshops - connecting natural dyeing to societal and environmental conversations
Maria Elena’s first collection for Fragmentario made from the color of fabric dyed with avocado seeds
The link between natural dyeing and water quality
The circular economy of natural dyes
Where to start if you’re interested in dyeing with natural materials
How do dye with onion skins
How to dye with avocado seeds
Why there’s a resurgence of interest in natural dyes
The last five questions

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?
The beach
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
La Mandioca (Cassava)
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
I think appreciate it more and don’t ask from it, give to it.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
There’s a lot of harmony. Everything is assigned how it’s assigned for a reason.
Nature brings me…
Calm

EP 05: How To Be A Citizen Of The Natural World With Foraging Expert Laura Silverman

lys.says@gmail.com (Laura Silverman, Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:00:35 +0000

Laura Silverman is a writer, branding consultant, and Founding Naturalist of The Outside Institute, which aims to foster a greater connection between individuals and the natural world. Before creating The Outside Institute in 2017, Laura wrote Glutton for Life, which was a blog exploring Catskill living. She also regularly contributes to Edible Hudson Valley, The River Reporter and WJFF, and was a speaker (“On Foraging”) at Bitten 2018. Laura regularly hosts foraging 101 workshops as well as botanical mixology and woodland walks. She is the author of The Outside Institutes Field Guides, which offer practical information about the flora and fauna of the Hudson and Upper Delaware Valleys.

Resources:

Connect with Laura Silverman:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Will Wells
Mixed by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

SUBSCRIBE, RATE AND REVIEW<<<<<

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

SHOW NOTES <<<<

What foraging is and where it originated
Why it’s important to understand the total ecology of an area before you forage
How Laura got into foraging
A naturalist is a student of the natural world
Laura’s relationship with nature - from a childhood spent in northern california to eventually moving to upstate NY
How to connect with the natural world even in the middle of a city
Is dumpster diving urban foraging?
The first rule of foraging: When in doubt, throw it out
Why having a mentor or consulting a field guide is so important
The Outside Institute’s Field Guides
Why you might not want to forage in the city
Laura’s passion for botanical mixology and why moving to upstate NY helped expand her skills in cooking and making cocktails
Making probiotic beverages from foraged flowers
What foraging has brought to Laura’s life
The healing benefits of comfrey for your bones
Why eating seasonally is the key to health
The Outside Institute - what it is and why Laura created it
Why getting outside helps us understand nature and understand ourselves
What Laura would say to someone who feels intimidated or overwhelmed by the natural world
Why plants and trees are documented to help with blood pressure and mood
All about Shinrin-Yoku - the Japanese practice of forest bathing
What gets Laura out of her house and into nature every single day
Where to find the Outside Institute on the interwebs

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:
1. What is your favorite place in nature?
The woods across the street from my house.
2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
I love a black birch tree...It’s just a beautiful strong tree.
3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Take a walk in nature. Whether that’s in a city along a river or in a park, just allow yourself to relax and observe what’s around you and get a bit granular with these observations.
4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Every aspect of the human condition is mirrored in nature. Nature is so filled with metaphors. You can take any sorrow or trouble or worry into nature and find solace.
5. Nature brings me…
Joy.

EP 04: How To Feel Good In Your Space With Feng Shui Practitioner Susan Balaban

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 12:00:07 +0000

Susan Balaban is an Astrologer and Feng Shui practitioner who uses her readings to empower people to live their lives with authenticity. As a self-described skeptic of all things spiritual, Susan found a new, more conscious path after the death of her mother brought her to the doorway of a Shaman who introduced her to the world of spirit. Susan found her calling in studying Black Hat Sect Feng Shui, which comes from the Bon tradition in Tibet and emphasizes following the flow of Chi (energy) in your home. In this episode, Susan shares the core principles of Feng Shui and offers practical cures anyone can make to create more harmony and prosperity in their homes and in their lives!

Resources:

Connect with Susan Balaban:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List:
This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Kevin Aguirre and Will Wells
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

SHOW NOTES

Susan’s fascination with rocks and stones as a child
How the death of her mother led her to a Shaman / set her on a new path
Why the worst thing you can do is begin a spiritual process and stop halfway through
How Susan got into Feng Shui after feeling stuck for a period of time
The Black Sect Feng Shui tradition, which is about the psychology of spaces
The core principles of Feng Shui
The main spaces in your home where you spend most of the time should be facing a door so you see what’s coming and what’s leaving
Put a mirror in back of your stove to welcome prosperity
Piercing heart doors are two doorways lined up that create a build up of energy
How mirrors change the consciousness of a space
How changing your house, can change your consciousness
What Susan would say to those skeptical about Feng Shui
What happens during a Feng Shui consult
How to scare off negative energy when you have slanted walls
Marie Kondo’s relationship with Feng Shui
Is Susan’s house Feng Shui?
Why the thing you specialize in is the thing you have deficiency in
How mobiles and ceiling fans help keep movement going in your space
Dead space and why it isn’t great for your health
One thing every person can do to Feng Shui their space
Why Feng Shui can be the antidote to our age of anxiety
Why it’s always important to use all the burners on your stove
Why you should keep the entrance of your home welcoming
The principle of “If you want to create something in your life, you have to make room for it.”
Cures for changing your karma and your energy
What Feng Shui says about family disagreements and how to cure them

Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Leave a review!

Click on the podcast app
Search the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

EP 03: The Mystery Of Nature With Artist Emily Johnston

lys.says@gmail.com (Emily Johnston, Alyssa Benjamin) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:10:12 +0000

Emily Johnston is an artist and photographer whose work takes her around the world exploring the intimate landscapes of our relationships to each other and to our environments. In this episode of the Our Nature Podcast, Emily shares how the mystery of the natural world has been a source of consistent exploration for her art and for her life. From growing up in Paris to living in New York City and finally finding a home in upstate NY, Emily’s journey is one of curiosity, creativity and a perpetual dialogue with nature. Her Ash Drawing series wherein she scattered ash from communal fires out onto the snow explores the significance of ritual, impermanence, memory, and presence. This episode is inspiring for anyone who has looked to nature for inspiration and collaboration. We’re all artists and creators engaging in some sort of conversation with the natural world. This is Emily’s story. I hope you enjoy it!

Resources:

Connect with Emily Johnston:

Emily Johnston’s Website
* Emily Johnston’s Instagram

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List:
This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago and Will Wells
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Subscribe!:
Apple podcasts
Stitcher
Google Play
Spotify

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!:
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES

What it was like for Emily to grow up in Europe and her relationship to nature as a child
Sources of early inspiration for Emily when she lived in the city and how she began to develop a dialogue with the natural world
How the work of Ralph Eugene Meatyard and Sally Mann influenced her photography
How growing up in a religious community shaped how Emily began to view the world
On moving to New York and creating collages using photographs, National Geographic magazines and gold foil wrappers from Mast Brothers chocolates
How spending three months in the Catskills turned into a permanent move Upstate
How being in upstate NY helped her reconnect with her inner voice and inspired her Ash Drawing series
How rituals inspired the Ash Drawing series and how it became an ongoing auto-biographical series
Reactions to the Ash Drawing series and what people see in her work
How her work has shaped her experience of the natural world
What is means to record the intimate landscapes of our relationships to each other and to our environments
Her latest project, a portrait of the island of Iona
The inevitability of grief in our relationship with nature and how we must confront the reality of what we’ve done to our environment
The last five questions with Emily Johnston

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?
Canyons.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
Wood...trees.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
I think stop and slow down and breathe the air we’re breathing consciously.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
That I’m a being that’s a part of something and not separate from what’s around me.
Nature brings me…
Joy.

EP 02: A Path To Deeper Consciousness With Rastafari Anthony Bailey

lys.says@gmail.com (Anthony Bailey, Alyssa Benjamin) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:05:08 +0000

Weed. Marijuana. Ganja. Cannabis. This substance is the topic of the moment. Wrapped around this herb are issues of race, culture, politics, human rights, our relationship to the natural world and our well being. People use marijuana for a variety of reasons - to relax, to focus, to spark creativity, to relieve pain, to mellow out, to check out. But what if marijuana could be a vehicle for a deeper connection, meaningful conversation, even spirituality? In today’s episode, Rastafarian and former co-worker of mine, Anthony Bailey, explains how weed or “herb” is used in Rastafari. Anthony is an entrepreneur and a practicing Rastafarian. He smokes weed every day, but not for the reasons you may think. In this episode, he shares his extensive knowledge of the origins and practices of the Rastafari religion and movement. At its core, Rastafari emphasizes living naturally as a means to understand one’s self, and there is so much we can learn from this perspective. I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I did having it.

Resources:

Connect with Anthony Bailey:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List:
This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago and Will Wells
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Subscribe!:
Apple podcasts
Google Play
Spotify

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

Spread the word!
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, strangers, social friends.

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES

How traveling to Jamaica as a young child from Yonkers connected him to the natural world
On discovering Rastafari and afro-centricity at 15-years-old
The elements of Rastafari
How seeking knowledge of afro-centricity led to the creation of Rastafari
How anyone can be a Rastafari if they understand the essence of who they are
Haile Selassie, and how many consider him to be the king of kings in Rastafari
Why Orthodox Rastafaris don’t smoke marijuana
The purpose of marijuana in Rastafari and the ceremonial ways it is used
How marijuana helps Rastafaris have a “reasoning,” or in-depth conversation
Why intention is so important when smoking weed
The reason marijuana was criminalized above other narcotics
The state of weed culture in America and how capitalism has negatively impacted marginalized populations
Ways to connect back to nature every day
How Bob Marley has become a caricature in Rastafari
How understanding one’s self helps you navigate life’s challenges and overcome the fear of imperfection
The last five questions with Anthony Bailey

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?
Where the sand meets the waves at the beach.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
Mint tea or herbs that I can make tea from.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Be open about communication.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Patience. As much as we want something, it’s not going to come when we want it.
Nature brings me…
To one’s self.

EP 01: Ayurvedic Chef Divya Alter – What To Eat For How You Feel

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:00:02 +0000

Have you heard of the term Ayurveda and wondered what it’s all about? Or maybe you already know the basics, but would like to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of this system of medicine, which is over five thousand years old. Divya Alter is a chef, entrepreneur, teacher, nutritional coach, and author of the best-selling cookbook, "What To Eat For How You Feel". In the first episode of the Our Nature podcast, Divya shares her incredible journey from growing up in Bulgaria, discovering Ayurveda and healing her autoimmune condition, to eventually finding success in New York City with her cookbook and her restaurant, Divya’s Kitchen. This episode is for anyone who is currently struggling with their health, who wants to feel better and prevent disease, who is interested in Ayurveda, or who is simply curious about alternative ways of healing.

Resources:

“The goal of Ayurveda is to help us achieve balance and harmony with nature - with our own nature, with who we are, and also with the nature around us.”

Connect with Divya:

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast:

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List:
This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago and Will Wells
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

Support The Our Nature Podcast:

Subscribe!:

Apple podcasts
Google Play
Spotify

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

SHARE!

Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, social friends and strangers.

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES:

What life was like growing up in Bulgaria
On discovering Ayurveda in India while she was living and working at an ashram
How nature can heal us
Studying Sanskrit poetry, Ayurvedic cooking, and the Bhagavad Gita while living in India for five years
Attending the Barbara Brennan School of Healing and how it got her through a major healing crisis
What Ayurveda is and the core principles you should know
How Ayurveda teaches us how to determine what is good and bad for us to eat and why Ayurveda always treats the cause of the symptoms
How Ayurveda’s principles can work for us today
Ways you might already be practicing Ayurveda
What are the doshas and the qualities of each one: vata, pitta, kapha
Why it is so important to eat seasonal foods
How Ayurveda can be relevant today even though it’s 5,000 years old
How EMFs cause problems and a few easy, practical ways we can cleanse our bodies from the harmful effects of EMF
The latest health and diet fads and how they correspond to Ayurveda
How everything is medicine in Ayurveda and how to know whether something will be good or bad for you specifically.
What inspired Divya to write her book “What To Eat For How You Feel”
How the book is structured and what it can do for you
The misconception that Ayurvedic food is Indian food
Why eating local is so essential for your health and well being
Ayurveda’s perspective on mushrooms and which mushrooms are the best to eat and why
How stones and other minerals can become medicine
The importance of cooling our livers
Transdermal medicines bypass the liver and how they can help people with weak digestion
What to do if you’re dealing with chronic conditions
The celery juice craze and what Ayurveda believes about its effectiveness
How vegetable juice is really hard to digest
The Ayurvedic approach to vegan diet, raw diet etc.
GHEE - the miracle ingredient in Ayurveda!
The one recipe you can make each day that is simple, quick and incredibly healthy for you
The last 5 questions with Divya

THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite place in nature?
The Bulgarian forest because that’s where I grew up, but any forest is what I gravitate to.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
Cows. They’re beautiful animals, very sattvic and also cows teach me patience.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Breathe deeply and calm your mind and meditate because this helps us center ourselves and be fully present in the world.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Purity. Nature is perfect and nature is pure in its origin and even when it looks imperfect, it’s actually perfect the way it is. So that is what nature inspires me to be.
Nature brings me…
Peace.

EP 00: Welcome to the Our Nature Podcast

lys.says@gmail.com (Alyssa Benjamin) — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 21:20:51 +0000

Connect with The Our Nature Podcast!

Follow Our Nature on Instagram

Gratitude List:
This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

Produced by: Kevin Aguirre Buitrago and Will Wells
Graphics by: Tim LaSalle
Music by: Nick Ceglia

Support the Our Nature Podcast:

Leave a review!:

Click on the podcast app
Search for the Our Nature Podcast
Click on the show art
Click the “Subscribe” button
Scroll down and click “Write a Review”
Write your review, click 5 stars :) and then click “send” - your review will typically appear in 24 hours
Thank you! You just made my day

SHARE!
Please follow @ournaturepodcast and share with family, friends, lovers, social friends, strangers.