Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers
A podcast about the human connection to nature. Biophilia is the innate connection that human beings seek with the natural world. Every other week, hosts Monica Olsen and Jennifer Walsh sit down with thought-leaders and experts across a wide range of industries to discuss the impact that nature has on our wellbeing, why we need nature in order to thrive, and what steps we can all take to live in harmony with the natural world. They pose questions centered around finding common-sense solutions to some of society's biggest problems. Asking guests, how can we take local and global actions that nurture the living, social, and economic systems that will sustain future generations? Faced with challenges like climate change and an ongoing pandemic, reconnecting with nature has never been more imperative. We hope you’ll join the conversation around the growing biophilic movement and come along on our biophilic journey. Subscribe, follow and listen today, because nature has the answers. Learn more at biophilicsolutions.com
Episodes
90 episodes
Redefining Wildness with 'Wild Souls' Author Emma Marris
Is the idea of pristine, untouched nature a misguided fantasy? Are any animals truly wild on a planet so dominated by human impact? And while we’re on the topic - what do we mean by wildness in the first place? Join us for a thought-provoking c...
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Season 4
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Episode 87
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48:07
What Do We Owe Animals? With ‘Meet the Neighbors’ Author Brandon Keim
We know that many animals possess “human-like” qualities: the ability to play, sustain friendships, mate for life, and even reflect on the past. But what should we actually do with that information? That’s the crucial question that Bra...
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Season 4
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Episode 86
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38:15
A Thriving City is a Walkable City with Jeff Speck
With the rise of suburban sprawl and city planning that has prioritized car travel above all else, modern American cities seriously lack comfortable walking and biking infrastructure. It’s a massive issue - but solutions do exist and importantl...
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Season 4
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Episode 85
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46:01
Mushroom Hunting and the Joy of Discovery with Emily & Gregory Han
Mushrooms are fascinating. They’re not quite plants and they’re not quite animals. Unique and charming mushroom caps are just the fruit of a massive, interconnected mycelium network. And there are millions of mushroom species yet to be discover...
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Season 4
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Episode 84
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39:30
Social Prescribing and Nature as Medicine with Author Julia Hotz
What would you think if your doctor wrote you a prescription to take a walk outside? To visit an art museum? To take a yoga class? It may sound unconventional, but the practice of prescribing nonmedical interventions to improve health, known as...
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Season 4
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Episode 83
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47:38
Author Talk: Wellness Architecture and Urban Design with Dr. Phill Tabb
Wellness is a buzzword that gets thrown a lot these days - but at its core, what does wellness really mean? And how do we design homes, towns, and entire cities where the wellness of residents is a top priority? In this special episode...
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Season 4
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Episode 82
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33:36
The Mini-Forest Revolution with Hannah Lewis
Today’s guest, Hannah Lewis, is on a mission to restore biodiversity in our towns and cities by planting native trees, pollinators, and shrubs on abandoned lots, degraded land, and in backyards. In her acclaimed new book, Mini-Forest Revolution...
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Season 4
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Episode 81
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44:27
Biophilic Leaders Fireside Chat: Ryan Gravel, Michael Phillips & Steve Nygren
In this episode of Biophilic Solutions, we are presenting a Fireside Chat recorded live at the 2024 Biophilic Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference for leaders in the Biohpilic world to come together, share ideas, and learn from one another...
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Season 4
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Episode 80
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46:44
Biophilic Summer Reading: Our 2024 Picks
Hello! Monica and Jennifer here, back yet again with some of our favorite books from the past year. We think that there is no better way to enjoy the summer months than by unwinding with a good book and we've got just that. Our picks range in s...
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Season 4
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Episode 79
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27:42
Beauty, Awe, and Biodiversity in Old Growth Forests with Joan Maloof
Old Growth Forests, natural forests that have grown undisturbed over a long period of time, offer a wide variety of benefits including storing more carbon and nitrogen than typical forests, providing a unique structure that supports rich ecosys...
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Season 4
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Episode 78
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37:50
Harnessing the Power of New Technology for Greener Cities with Nadina Galle
The smart cities movement, which seeks to optimize public wellbeing through the use of technology and data, and the biophilic cities movement are happening at the same time - but it rarely feels like these two movements are working together tow...
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Season 4
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Episode 77
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52:42
Myth, Science, and the Age of Deer with Erika Howsare
In the lives of many humans, deer occupy a really fascinating middle ground between so many binaries: domestic and wild, familiar and alien, beautiful and pest. They’re also, interestingly, the only large mammal that seems to thrive in human-do...
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Season 4
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Episode 76
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40:04
How Austin L. Ray is Fixing Atlanta
Today’s episode is a great example of using your unique skills to amplify your impact. This week, Monica is chatting with Atlanta-based writer Austin Louis Ray, who has contributed to publications like Rolling Stone, GQ, Creative Loafing, and E...
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Season 4
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Episode 75
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37:13
Calling Business Leaders to Action with David S. Eady
It’s easy to think that business interests are diametrically opposed to environmental progress - and in many cases, you wouldn’t be wrong. However, meaningful evidence suggests that many businesses would actually improve their bottom line if th...
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Season 4
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Episode 74
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38:05
Nature in Recovery & Corridors of Beauty with Karen Lloyd
What does it really mean when we talk about reconnecting with nature? To actually connect with nature, is it enough to simply get outside? Who speaks for the rights of nature to remain undisturbed? These are just a few of the compellin...
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Season 4
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Episode 73
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46:52
Expedition Behavior: Growing Leaders with NOLS President Sandy Colhoun
Time and time again, we’ve seen that spending time in nature has profound effects on our physical and mental wellbeing, but did you know that the outdoors are also uniquely suited for imparting leadership skills? This week, we’re chatting with ...
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Season 4
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Episode 72
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37:24
Native Plants, Keystone Species, and Ecosystem Restoration with Doug Tallamy
E.O. Wilson once said, “if insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos”- and he wasn’t wrong. In fact, our entire food system depends on the energy that tiny bugs transfer to vertebrates. So, what’s the issue? Insects them...
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Season 4
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Episode 71
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37:02
The Life Changing Power of Outdoor Adventure with Shelby Stanger
Our guest today, Shelby Stanger, believes that a little bit of outdoor adventure is the key to a full and happy life. In fact, Shelby credits her own experiences surfing and escaping her comfort zone with catapulting her into a totally new life...
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Season 4
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Episode 70
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45:21
The High Line, Therme, & Social Infrastructure with Robert Hammond
Our guest today, Robert Hammond, has dedicated his life to creating vibrant public spaces that foster human connection, wellbeing, and bring out the best in our communities. In the late 90’s, Robert, alongside business partner Joshua David, co-...
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Season 4
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Episode 69
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1:02:55
Ellen M. Bassett on Design Innovation, Urban Planning, and Global Perspectives
Thoughtful and creative design can change the world, from the products we use every day to innovative and climate-resilient buildings, to entire cities that prioritize the health and vitality of the people who live in them. Our guest today is D...
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Season 3
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Episode 68
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47:43
The 2023 Biophilic Holiday Reading List
It’s officially cozy season! This week, Monica and Jennifer are back with another roundup of biophilic holiday reads, perfect for gifting or curling up with by the fireplace. So, whether you’re looking for a beautiful coffee table book, inspiri...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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25:45
Public Green Space is Essential Infrastructure with George Dusenbury
Everyone should live within 10 minutes of a public park. Why? Because public green space improves overall health, strengthens community ties, combats climate change, and - when implemented correctly - reduces inequality. Our guest today is Geor...
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Season 3
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Episode 66
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47:32
Finding Deeper Wellness in Nature with Dr. Mark Campbell
On the surface, you may not think that the military or professional baseball have much to do with fields like wellness, mindfulness, or biophilia - but that’s exactly where you’d be wrong according to today’s guest, Dr. Mark Campbell. Dr. Mark ...
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Season 3
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Episode 65
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42:48
Beware of Biophobia with Journalist Emily Harwitz
At this point, we all know that biophilia literally means the love of nature, right? But have you ever stopped to consider its opposite, biophobia? If you’re a regular listener of this podcast, we’d be willing to bet you haven’t - and to be hon...
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Season 3
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Episode 64
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41:26
The Economics of Biophilic Design with Bill Browning and Catie Ryan
The health benefits of biophilic design are well-established: reduced anxiety, improved focus, lower heart rate, and generally just better overall wellbeing. However, how do those health benefits translate to financial outcomes? How do we get m...
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Season 3
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Episode 63
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58:14