Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

Latest Episodes:

Earth’s Generous Alchemy with Lindsay Branham & Florence Williams Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we explore a question that feels more urgent than ever: what if healing ourselves and healing the planet are deeply interconnected?

Monica is joined by author Lindsay Branham, whose book Heartwood: The Wisdom and Healing Kinship of Trees chronicles her personal journey through chronic illness and toward a deeper relationship with the natural world. Guest co-host Florence Williams, bestselling author of The Nature Fix, also brings her expertise on nature, health, and well-being to this wide-ranging conversation.

Together, they explore the story behind Heartwood and the experiences that led Lindsay from a career as a war journalist and Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker to an exploration of ecology, spirituality, and embodied healing. The conversation delves into interoception – sometimes called our “eighth sense” – and how tuning into the body’s internal signals may help us reconnect with ourselves and the living world around us.

From chronic illness and nervous system regulation to reciprocal healing, belonging, and even erotic ecology, this episode examines why so many of us are searching for deeper connection in an increasingly disconnected world and what nature may have to teach us about finding it. If you’re interested in the intersection of science, spirituality, and healing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Show Notes

Key Words: biophilia, biophilic design, nature connection, healing, planetary health, human health, ecology, spirituality, interoception, nervous system regulation, forest healing, nature therapy, forest bathing, ecological connection, mindfulness, embodiment, emotional well-being, Florence Williams, Lindsay Branham, Heartwood, The Nature Fix, Biophilic Solutions, sustainability, conservation, healing through nature, wild places, environmental psychology, holistic health, connection, natural world, regenerative living, personal transformation, neuroscience, nature and well-being, eco-spirituality, environmental stewardship, intentional living

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Building Bridges for the Wild with Beth Pratt & Tim Beatley May 19, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Biophilic Solutions, Monica Olsen is joined by wildlife conservationist and author Beth Pratt alongside special guest co-host Tim Beatley for a conversation about urban wildlife, national parks, and the future of conservation in our cities.

As California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation, Beth shares the story behind the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles, the cultural impact of mountain lion P-22, and how storytelling can inspire people to reconnect with the natural world. The conversation also explores Beth’s work as the author of Yosemite Wildlife and When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors, as well as Tim’s vision for creating biophilic cities that make room for both people and biodiversity.

Together, they discuss wildlife crossings, urban ecology, public lands, and why fostering connection with nature may be one of the most important challenges (and opportunities) of our time.

Show Notes

Key Words: biophilic design, biophilic cities, urban wildlife, wildlife conservation, Beth Pratt, Tim Beatley, P-22, mountain lions, wildlife crossings, Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, urban ecology, biodiversity, conservation, Yosemite National Park, national parks, nature connection, ecological design, habitat connectivity, coexistence, rewilding cities, biodiversity corridors, conservation storytelling, environmentalism, public lands, sustainable cities, climate resilience, nature and cities, human-nature connection, wildlife advocacy, environmental podcast

History, Memory, and the Fight for Environmental Justice with The Corridor's Jaha Nailah Avery May 05, 2026

Show notes

Cancer Alley, an 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, has become shorthand for one of the most urgent environmental justice crises in the United States. Lined with more than a hundred petrochemical plants, it’s often talked about in terms of statistics and headlines. But in the new podcast The Corridor, those abstractions start to fall away, revealing something much more human: the lived experiences, histories, and deep-rooted connections of the communities who call this region home.

In this episode of Biophilic Solutions, we’re joined by Jaha Nailah Avery, a journalist and storyteller from Asheville, North Carolina. Trained in constitutional and civil rights law at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she moved from the tech world to journalism, with work featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Architectural Digest. Her work centers on documenting and preserving Black history, from interviewing Jim Crow survivors in her book Those Who Saw the Sun to her latest project producing and hosting The Corridor.

In our conversation, she shares how a single article about Cancer Alley sparked a bigger question – how did we get here? – and set her on a path to trace the connections between slavery, land use, and modern-day environmental harm. We talk about the legacy of plantation country and the role that oral storytelling plays in preserving history and preventing its erasure.

What emerges is a far more nuanced picture that holds both injustice and resilience, hardship and community. It’s a conversation about why listening matters, and what becomes possible when we truly hear the stories that shape a place.

Show Notes

Cancer Alley, environmental justice, biophilic design, place-based storytelling, landscape and memory, oral history, Black history preservation, petrochemical industry, Mississippi River corridor, Louisiana communities, land use and legacy, industrial pollution, community resilience, environmental health, storytelling and justice, historical memory, plantation history, civil rights, environmental storytelling, human-centered narratives, cultural preservation, climate and community, listening and empathy, social impact, public health and environment

Charting Our Path Forward with Dr. Katharine Wilkinson Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Climate change can feel overwhelming, especially for those already deeply attuned to the natural world. Alongside that awareness often comes anxiety, grief, and a lingering question: how do we move from overwhelm to action?

In this episode, we’re joined by climate leader and author Dr. Katharine Wilkinson to explore her fantastic new book Climate Wayfinding. In it, Katharine offers a hopeful framework for navigating climate emotions and finding a sense of purpose. Co-host Steve Nygren brings his perspective as the founder of Serenbe and longtime advocate for biophilic living.

Together, we discuss turning concern into agency, the importance of art and beauty, and how we can begin charting a more hopeful path forward one step at a time.

Show Notes

climate change, climate crisis, climate anxiety, eco-anxiety, hope, resilience, agency, action, climate action, sustainability, biophilia, nature connection, community, regenerative living, emotional resilience, environmental stewardship, storytelling, climate leadership, intergenerational collaboration, purpose, optimism, healing, mindfulness, environmental awareness, adaptation

The Lost Art of Being Human Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

As we welcome a new season of Biophilic Solutions, we’re also sharing a bittersweet farewell to our wonderful co-host, Jennifer Walsh. From the very beginning, Jennifer has brought a thoughtful, grounded perspective to nearly every conversation, drawing on her work as a business leader and expert on biophilia.

The silver lining is that she’s stepping away precisely because her message is resonating. From speaking engagements to nature walks to wellness room design, her essential work is in greater demand than ever. Finally, it seems like people are ready to log off, slow down, and really reconnect with both nature and themselves.

In this episode, Monica and Jennifer look back on the first five seasons of the podcast, sharing key lessons and memorable moments along the way. They also explore Jennifer’s new project, The Lost Art of Being Human (LABH), and reflect on how the field of biophilia has evolved in recent years. And of course, they look ahead, offering a glimpse into what’s next from exciting guest co-hosts to the future of our relationship with nature in an increasingly chaotic world.

Show Notes

The Lost Art of Being Human
Jennifer Walsh on Instagram and LinkedIn
Stephen Kellert
Biophilic Leadership Summit

biophilic design, nature connection, wellness, sustainability, architecture, human health, nature-inspired spaces, wellness retreats, environmental psychology

Solutions Rewind | Alfie Vick on Native Plants, Wildness, and Ecological Responsibility Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Is it important to understand the cultural context of a place? And how can landscape architects help us feel more connected to the natural world? This week, we’re revisiting our most popular episode ever, a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with Alfie Vick on Native American ethnobotany, environmental ethics, and the delicate balance between wildness and order.

Alfie is the Georgia Power Professor of Environmental Ethics at the University of Georgia and the Director of its Environmental Ethics Certificate Program. A licensed landscape architect and LEED Fellow, his work focuses on preserving and strengthening natural systems while thoughtfully weaving in human use. Alongside his academic role, he continues to practice professionally, contributing to a range of LEED-certified projects, including the LEED Platinum headquarters of the Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta.

With Alfie as our guide, we explore the intersection of landscape architecture and Native American studies, reflect on how design and biophilia have evolved over time, and even share a memorable tip for naturally managing poison ivy.

As conversations around land stewardship, belonging, and ecological responsibility continue to grow, it’s no surprise this episode continues to resonate with listeners around the world.

Solutions Rewind | Beauty, Biophilia, & Your Brain with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re revisiting a favorite from the Biophilic Solutions archive: a thoughtful conversation on beauty, the brain, and our relationship to nature with Anjan Chatterjee. In this episode, we explore whether our aesthetic preferences are culturally shaped or more universal, why nature brings deep calm to some people while evoking unease in others, and how researchers are beginning to measure the real cognitive and emotional impacts of biophilic design.

Dr. Chatterjee is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and a leading voice in the emerging field of neuroaesthetics, the science of how the brain perceives and responds to beauty. His insights help unpack what’s actually happening neurologically when we encounter inspiring spaces, art, and landscapes.

As conversations around mental health, neurodiversity, and the built environment continue to evolve, this episode feels as relevant as ever. Whether you’re listening for the first time or returning with fresh ears, it’s a rich exploration of why beauty matters—and how it shapes the way we feel, think, and live.

Show Notes

Anjan Chatterjee, M.D.
Neuroaesthetics
Biophilia as Evolutionary Adaptation: An Onto- and Phylogenetic Framework for Biophilic Design (Frontiers in Psychology)
Biophilia by Edward O. Wilson
Buildings, Beauty and the Brain: Q&A with Anjan Chatterjee (CNS: Cognitive Neuroscience Society)
What We Like About Built and Natural Spaces (Psychology Today)
How Our Brains Decide What Is Beautiful (TED)

Key Words: Neuroscience, Neurology, Neuroaesthetics, Neuroarchitecture, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Brain Health, Beauty, Art History, Architecture, Aesthetics, Nature, Psychology, Science, Research, Research and Development

Solutions Rewind | Why Nature Makes Us Happier with Florence Williams Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

We’re excited to bring back a favorite conversation from 2021 with the incomparable Florence Williams. Florence is, of course, the acclaimed author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, a book that beautifully explores the science behind nature’s profound effect on our minds, bodies, and sense of connection. It’s biophilia in its purest form.

In this episode, we dive into the experience of awe in nature and how it can make us more open, generous, and connected to one another. We explore the often-overlooked impact of our soundscape on health and well-being, and why spending time outdoors (yes, even right now in the depths of winter) can be one of the most restorative choices we make.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the headlines or simply craving a reset, this conversation is a gentle reminder that nature is always there for us, offering grounding, perspective, and a way back to ourselves.

Shownotes

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by Florence Williams (2017)
Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv (2006)
To Fight the Winter Blues, Try a Dose of Nature, by Florence Williams (Wall Street Journal)
Is Your Noisy Neighborhood Slowly Killing You? by Florence Williams (Mother Jones)
The 3-Day Effect (Audible)
Florence Williams Podcasts
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey by Florence Williams (2022)

Solutions Rewind | Doug Tallamy on Native Plants, Keystone Species, and Ecosystem Restoration Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

As we gear up to launch another season of incredible guest interviews we’re revisiting a few of our most beloved episodes, starting with the fabulous Doug Tallamy.

Over the course of his career, Doug has become a leading voice helping people understand why native plants matter and how simple and accessible it can be to support biodiversity right in your backyard. In this conversation, we talk about the power of keystone species, the remarkable progress he’s made restoring native plants on his own Pennsylvania property, and the nonprofit he founded to inspire private landowners to be part of this growing movement.

Dr. Tallamy has an incredible gift for breaking down big, complex environmental challenges into ideas that feel approachable rather than overwhelming, offering practical, common-sense ways to make a real and meaningful impact.

Doug Tallamy is the T.A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, and the author of more than 100 publications, including Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, Nature’s Best Hope, and his most recent book, The Nature of Oaks.

Where Science and Spirit Meet with Lyanda Lynn Haupt Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In a world where many of us feel increasingly disconnected from the Earth and from one another, author Lyanda Lynn Haupt offers us a way back. Through her blend of science, nature, and spiritual insight, she invites us to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover the wildness of everyday life. Her award-winning book Rooted explores what it means to cultivate inner wisdom and a deep sense of belonging with the natural world, no matter where we live or what we believe.

In this episode, Monica sits down with Lyanda to explore how nature can be a source of solace, creativity, and meaning. They talk about why wonder is backed by science, why spirituality doesn’t have to be religious, and why it’s healthy (ahem, necessary) to be a little weird. You’ll hear more about why our cultural norms aren’t serving us, a fresh perspective on hope, responsibility, and grief, and how simple practices like walking barefoot can gently reconnect us to something more reciprocal and real.

If you’re longing for a deeper relationship with the natural world, or you’re searching for a grounded sense of hope heading into a new year, this conversation is a beautiful place to begin.

Shownotes

Keywords: nature connection, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Rooted book, spiritual ecology, awe and wonder, science and spirituality, biophilic living, environmental mindfulness, reconnection with earth, intentional living, hope and grief, human evolution outdoors, cultural norms, nature-based wisdom, mindful practices, podcast interview