Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

Latest Episodes:

Conversational Communities in Nature with Author Fred Dust Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

In a world where people are so divided, what does it mean to have meaningful, thoughtful conversations? And is it even possible? If you asked today’s guest, Fred Dust, author of Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful Communication, the quick answer would be a resounding yes. However, we often lack the tools we need to communicate effectively. In today’s episode of Biophilic Solutions, we’ll look at the state of conversation today, explore the concept of conversational communities, and of course, we’ll discuss how nature provides the best backdrop for thoughtful communication.

Fred Dust will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 Biophilic Leadership Summit, April 23-26 in Serenbe. A former Senior Partner and Global Managing Director for acclaimed design firm IDEO, Fred Dust works at the intersection of business, society and creativity. Most recently, he has been investigating new ways to ignite constructive dialogue in a climate of widespread polarization, cynicism and disruption. His keynote address will center on creating meaningful dialogue about biophilic principles.⁠

Show Notes

Learn More & Register: The Biophilic Leadership Summit, April 23-26 in Serenbe
About Fred Dust
Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful Communication by Fred Dust
Better Conversations: the 7 essential elements of meaningful communication by Fred Dust (Fortune)
House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy | 11.30.22 | Episode 12: Fred Dust: Can We Talk? (YouTube)
IDEO

Key Words: Communication, Conversation, Dialogue, Biophilia, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Design, Architecture, Conversational Communities, Biophilic Community, Nature Based Solutions, Nature Based Learning, Keynote, Keynote Speaker, Environment, Climate, Climate Change

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The Simple Power of Being Outside with Merrell’s Lindsey Lindemulder Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

lWhether we like to admit it or not, the outdoor industry can sometimes feel like an exclusive club. If you didn’t grow up camping, hiking, canoeing, or mountain biking, all of the gear, specialized clothing, and different types of footwear can feel cumbersome and overwhelming to say the least. Enter Lindsey Lindemulder and her team at Merrell, industry leaders in the outdoor footwear space, who are actively seeking ways to expand access to the outdoors so that everyone can enjoy the simple power of time spent in nature.

As Merrel’s Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Lindsey understands the importance of establishing a brand that feels approachable and inclusive, whether you’re an experienced hiker or a total novice. In this episode, we talk about representation in the outdoor industry, Merrell’s approach to sustainability and their 2025 goals, and answer the question, “when did self-care get so hard?”

Show Notes

Key Words: Merrell, Merrell Footwear, Footwear, Outdoors, Outdoor Industry, Nature, Marketing, Biophilia, Biophilic, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Recycling, Recycling Program, Inclusivity, Representation, Diversity, Self-Care, Wellness, Recreation

Thin Places, Sacred Architecture, and Biophilic Patterns with Dr. Phill Tabb Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever felt that you were on the precipice of a sacred experience? Or visited a place that left you with a profound sense of awe or serenity? If so, you’ve had a thin place experience. On today’s episode of the podcast, Dr. Phill Tabb, our first ever guest, is back to talk about his new research on this fascinating and mysterious topic. In this conversation, we define thin places, talk about emotional responses to thin places, and discuss the overlap between thin places and biophilia.

Dr. Phillip James Tabb is the Emeritus Professor of Architecture at Texas A&M University. He will present his research on thin places and biophilia at the upcoming Biophilic Leadership Summit, happening April 23rd - 26th in Serenbe. His new book, Thin Place Design: Architecture of the Numinous, comes out this Summer.

Show Notes

Tickets: Biophilic Leadership Summit, April 23 - 26
Confirmed Speakers: Biophilic Leadership Summit
Pre-Order Thin Place Design: Architecture of the Numinous by Dr. Phillip James Tabb
Dr. Keith Critchlow | The Art of Sacred Geometry (Keith Critchlow Legacy)
Rudolf Otto and the Numinous (Wikipedia)
Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner
Serenity as a Goal for Nursing Practice by Kay T. Roberts, Ann Whall (Journal of Nursing Scholarship)
Plutchik’s Emotion Wheel: Purpose, Definition, and Uses (Berkeley Wellbeing Institute)
14 Patterns of Biophilic Design (Terrapin Bright Green)

Key Words: Thin Places, Serenity, Serene, Awe, Dacher Keltner, Biophilia, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Biophilic Patterns, Sacred, Sacred Geometry, Spirituality, Architecture, Sacred Architecture, Ireland, Skellig Islands

Olmsted, Awe, and America’s Public Lands with Author Jeffrey H. Ryan Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail? Taken a family vacation to the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone? Or strolled through Central Park for some respite from the Manhattan hustle? If so, you can thank a handful of early American environmentalists who advocated for, designed, and built the public lands we enjoy today.

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Jeffrey H. Ryan, author of This Land Was Saved for You and Me: How Gifford Pinchot, Frederick Law Olmsted, and a Band of Foresters Saved America’s Public Lands. Jeffrey, an avid outdoorsman in his own right, walks us through the fascinating history of the early environmental movement and its major players. We also discuss the difference between preservation and conservation, Jeffrey’s own experiences as a writer and hiker, and the awe-inspiring moments we find in nature.

Show Notes

This Land Was Saved for You and Me: How Gifford Pinchot, Frederick Law Olmstead, and a Band of Foresters Saved America’s Public Lands by Jeffrey H. Ryan
Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-Year Hike on America’s Trail by Jeffrey H. Ryan
Man and Nature by George Perkins Marsh
Northeast Wilderness Trust - Rewilding the Northeast
About Jeffrey H. Ryan
The Biophilic Leadership Summit, April 23-26 in Serenbe

Key Words: History, Environmentalism, Public Parks, National Parks, National Parks Service, Central Park, Environmental Movement, Biophilia, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Urban Planning, Frederick Law Olmstead, Jeffrey Ryan, Nature, Outdoors, Hiking, Appalachian Trail

Nature and Renewal with Mindfulness Expert Nina Smiley Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Adherents of biophilia know that humans have an innate connection to nature and living things. But in a fast-paced and technology-driven world, how do we cultivate - or even discover - that connection in the first place? Today we’re speaking with Nina Smiley, Director of Mindfulness at Mohonk Mountain House, an iconic resort in New York’s Hudson Valley renowned for its environmental stewardship and focus on outdoor recreation. Nina walks us through the ways that practicing mindfulness in nature calms our bodies and clears our minds, from reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels, easing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even widening our perspective. We also get pretty scientific in our discussion about the airborne organic compounds found in forests that have antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Nina Smiley is the co-author of multiple books including The Three Minute Meditator and Mindfulness in Nature. She earned her doctorate in Psychology from Princeton University, teaching at the University of Maryland and directing public relations at the American Psychological Association, before she and her husband became full-time steward of Mohonk in 1990.

Show Notes

Mohonk Mountain House
Mindfulness at Mohonk
Mindfulness in Nature by David Harp and Nina Smiley
The Three Minute Meditator: Reduce Stress. Control Fear. Diminish Anger. In Almost No Time At All by David Harp and Nina Smiley
An Intro to Forest Bathing: Where Mindfulness Meets Nature by Nina Smiley
History of Mohonk Mountain House
Environmental Stewardship at Mohonk Mountain House

Key Words: nature, mindfulness, wellness, meditation, mindfulness meditation, Mohonk, Mohonk Mountain House, forest bathing, biophilia, biophilic, biophilic design, environment, eco tourism, tourism

The Case For Climate Optimism with Anne Therese Gennari Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

An optimistic outlook on life tends to make people happier, more successful, and even healthier - but how do we apply optimism to a situation that oftentimes feels as serious and dire as the climate crisis? Enter today’s guest Anne Therese Gennari, author of The Climate Optimist Handbook. In this book, Anne Therese hopes to shift the narrative on climate change so that those of us in the fight can work from a place of courage and excitement rather than fear and anger. In this interview, Anne Therese traces her own journey from burnt out activist to climate optimist, tells us why she thinks individual action is crucial, and walks us through some action steps we can take to shift our own perspectives.

Show Notes

The Biophilic Leadership Summit
The Climate Optimist Handbook: How to shift the narrative on climate change and find the courage to choose change by Anne Therese Gennari
About Anne Therese Gennari
The Climate Optimist Newsletter on Substack
Hey Change: A Podcast On How To Change The World
From Angry Activist to Climate Optimist (TEDxOneonta)
Follow Anne Theres on Instagram

Key Words: climate change, climate action, climate optimism, climate optimist, optimism, wellness, activism, activist, climate activism, biophilia, biophilic

Introducing Season 3 of Biophilic Solutions Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

Season 3 of Biophilic Solutions premieres on January 24th! This season, we'll explore some new topics like climate optimism, national parks, and eco tourism. We'll also take a deeper dive into some familiar territory like thin places, awe, and biophilic design. Be sure to tune in!

Amplifying Your Impact with The Carbon Almanac’s Paige NeJame Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

This week, we’re talking all about how to amplify your impact with Carbon Almanac contributing writer Paige NeJame. Have you ever wondered whether your efforts to recycle, compost, and eat a plant-based diet make a real difference for the planet? While individual action is good, Paige provides tangible, creative - and most importantly, doable - ways to take our action steps to the next level and create actual, systems-level change. The best part? Paige is living proof that regular people can make a huge difference; even with all of her work with the Carbon Almanac network, she has continued in her role with a commercial paint company and has used her knowledge to affect major, positive changes.

The Carbon Almanac is a collaboration of hundreds of volunteer writers, researchers, thinkers, illustrators, and experts. Using drawings, histories, and lots and lots of data, The Carbon Almanac is the definitive (and highly approachable) guide to carbon’s impact on our food system, oceans, energy, the economy, human health, and extreme weather. Paige NeJame wrote the “Climate Change for Rookies” section of The Carbon Almanac, as well as a children’s guide to climate change, Generation Carbon.

Show Notes

Key Words: Carbon, Carbon Emissions, Climate, Climate Change, Emissions, Nature, Environment, Sustainability, Solutions, Environmentalism, Alternative Energy, Carbon Almanac, Seth Godin, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Biophilia

Biophilic Books for the Holidays Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

We firmly believe that this time of year should be all about slowing down, enjoying quality time with friends and family, and of course enjoying some time outdoors (weather permitting). So, as the holiday season approaches, we’re back with another roundup of biophilic books to curl up with on those cold, cozy nights or give as gifts to the nature lovers in your life. Themes include brain health, climate change, fungi, and even the intersection of botany and booze.

Show Notes

The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life by Lisa Miller, PhD
The Carbon Almanac: It’s Not Too Late, edited by The Carbon Almanac Network and Seth Godin
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create The World’s Great Drinks by Amy Stewart

Buy all these books and more from our favorite local bookstore Hills & Hamlets or their online partner BooksShop.
Key Words: nature, holiday, reading list, nature books, biophilia, biophilic, biophilic design, climate change, climate, climate crisis, mindfulness, wellness, carbon footprint, carbon, fungi, mushrooms, bewilderment, richard powers, the overstory, botany, cocktails, holiday cocktails

Building With Nature & Scaling Biophilic Ideas with Mary Davidge Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Mary Davidge has spent her career at the forefront of biophilic design. Between 2014 and 2021, Mary served as Google’s Director of Global Design, where she worked closely with biophilic leaders like Bill Browning and Judi Heerwagen to implement design solutions across Google’s campuses that prioritize health, happiness, and the environment. Prior to that, she ran her own firm, where her groundbreaking work in biophilic design and green building helped lay the foundation for certifications like LEED Platinum and the Living Building Challenge. Nowadays, Mary serves on the board of the Biophilic Institute and on the advisory board of the International Living Future Institute Biophilic Design Initiative, advocating tirelessly for biophilic solutions at scale. In this episode, we discuss Mary’s career at the intersection of tech and green building, the importance of placemaking, and why greening cities can solve multiple societal problems at once.

Show Notes

About Mary Davidge
Google’s Mary Davidge Talks Sustainability Changes in Silicon Valley Over the Years (Green Building Matters)
Why Does Biophilic Design Make Us Feel So Good? With Bill Browning (Biophilic Solutions)
Biophilic Design and the Human Habitat with Dr. Judith Heerwagen (Biophilic Solutions)
Terrapin Bright Green
LEED Rating System (U.S. Green Building Council)
Living Building Challenge (Living Future)
Defining the Worst Type of Street Design (City Lab)
What is Placemaking? (ArchDaily)
Opinion | Since When Have Trees Existed Only for Rich Americans? (New York Times)
The Biophilic Institute

Keywords: Nature, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Green Building, Google, Google Campus, Silicon Valley, Tech, Tech Industry, Design, Architecture, Equity, Environmental Justice, Health

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Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy | 11.30.22 | Episode 12: Fred Dust: Can We Talk? (YouTube)

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