Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Latest Episodes:

Unpacking Connectivity with Jared Rosenbaum of Wild Ridge Plants Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Jared Rosenbaum (Co-Owner Wild Ridge Plants, Author Wild Plant Culture) to discuss connectivity with our natural heritage. Topics include revisiting the recent NY Times article about ecologically minded gardening and what it means to the novice and what it means to the professional, how disconnected are we from nature and what is the path back, and places you can look for inspiration. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Jared Rosenbaum Here.

Follow Wild Ridge Plants Here.

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The Buzz - This Native Garden Could Be Yours Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There will be a live Podcast in September! Will you be there? “That’s Hot” becomes a chuckle patch. “This or That” comes to a home near you. We are giving listener shoutouts! We have a brand new Mt. Rushmore. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

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Finding the Cozumel Fox with Travis Bayer of Pathos Wildlife Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Travis Bayer of Pathos Wildlife to discuss the discovery of the Cozumel Fox. Topics include learning what we know about the Cozumel Fox, how long it was thought to be extinct and how it was rediscovered, what technology is needed to learn more about this animal, how we can help protect and preserve this species, and what obstacles are in the way of accomplishing this mission. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Pathos Wildlife Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

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The Buzz - Oh Baby! Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Oh Baby! Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Native Plants were the hot topic at the Perennial Plant Association's National Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan. “That’s Hot” is influenced by tall grass prairies. “This or That” biodiversity on both land and sea. We are giving listener shoutouts! Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

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Respect and Balance with Luke and Linda Black Elk Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Luke and Linda Black Elk to discuss Ethnobotany and Food Sovereignty. Topics include choosing zombie apocalypse teams, reconnecting with indigenous foods, personal paths into environmentalism, heroes in ecology, favorite indigenous plants and food, and milkweed soup! Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow NATIFS Here.

Follow Linda Black Elk on Instagram Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

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The Buzz - Native Plants in the News Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Native Plants are in the news again, let's discuss what it means. “That’s Hot” has us eating crow and expanding our horizons. “This or That” meets up in some unexpected places. “Listener Shoutouts” questions emoji choices. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Insects and their Stories with Samantha Nestory of Natural Lands Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Samantha Nestory (Engagement Manager at Natural Lands) to discuss the importance of not only pollinators, but all insects. Topics include the history and Natural Land's aspirations for Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, what threatens our insect populations and what you can do to help, empowering yourself with the knowledge of your ecosystems and asking "and why", and what insects are currently on Sam's radar. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Stoneleigh Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

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The Buzz - Coming to a Sale Near You Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Can you pronounce "Surprise"? “That’s Hot” Has deep roots and pretty flowers. “This or That” widens the expanse of native plants. “Listener Shoutouts” speak many kind words. We go back to the Question and Comment Line. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Replaying the Hits with Owen Wormser Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes from the Native Plants Healthy Planet Archives. In this episode, Tom and Fran talk with Owen Wormser (Author of Lawns into Meadows) of Abound Design. They discuss Owen's unique upbringing, the importance of meadows and their benefits, ecological facts about maintaining turf grass, and native plants to help turn your meadows into a reality. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men.

Follow Owen Wormser - Websites / Instagram / Buy The Book

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit Here.

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The Buzz - Bad Crotches Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” spills the tea and even adds honey. “This or That” speaks to preservation and understanding. “Listener Shoutouts” gets hype and “This or That” takes an unexpected turn. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Buy Mirabelle Visits A Garden- A Native Plant Garden Adventure Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.