Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Latest Episodes:

Meet Bill Jones of Carolina Native Nursery Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Bill Jones (Founder and President) of Carolina Native Nursery to discuss resilience in native plants and mankind. Topics include starting a nursery, choosing to grow native plants, devastation at the hands of a hurricane, resurgence after the storm, and the importance of community. It wouldn’t be a show without talking about our favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Carolina Native Nursery Here.

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

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The Buzz - Well Hello Polly Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Between a Reddit AMA, a Roots So Deep screening, MANTS, and NDAL there is a ton of follow up! “That’s Hot” is gold and green. “This or That” offers hope and information. Tom and Fran have plenty of shout outs this episode. Are you listening to the end for a 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

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Follow Fran Chismar Here.

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

Visit our store Here!

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Mt. Cuba Center Solidago Trials with Sam Hoadley Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome back Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the results of their soon to be published Solidago trials. It’s time to get excited about Solidago! They discuss which Solidago performed well and which ones performed better, surprise value of many of the Solidago species, How species rated in the trials as well as the buzz generated by this timely research. Find out what trials are next! Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Mt. Cuba Center – Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Solidago Trials

Attend the Roots So Deep screening here.

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

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Follow Fran Chismar Here.

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The Buzz - Top 10 of 2025 Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There are winners for the Roots So Deep Screening! “That’s Hot” strings together chewing gum and milk. “This or That” deals with Hope and Change. We talk about our Top 10 Episodes of 2025 and the Top 10 Episodes of All Time. Tom has a secret. Make sure you listen to the end. 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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Replaying the Hits with Heather Holm Jan 02, 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 author Heather Holm to celebrate our native bees and wasps. Topics include debunking popular myths about native bees and wasps, diving deep into specialist bees and parasitoid wasps, exploring soft landings and native plants, and how you can do your part helping native bees. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Heather Holm here.

Learn more about American Beauties Native Plants here.

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

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Follow Fran Chismar Here.

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

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Replaying the Hits with Camille Dungy Dec 31, 2025

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 Camille Dungy (Author and Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University) to discuss her new book Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden. Topics include the inspiration for Soil, the progress of "The Prairie Project", finding one's relationship with nature, different voices in the environmental world, and improving equity in nature. Listen to find out how to win a signed copy of Soil. Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men, outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Camille Dungy - Website

Buy Soil - Amazon

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

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Follow Fran Chismar Here

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Replaying the Hits with Daniela Shebitz Dec 26, 2025

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 Dr. Daniela Shebitz (Chair and Professor, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences - Kean University) to talk about land management and our connections with nature. Topics include theories of land management throughout different cultures, the importance of succession, the practice of prescribed burns, and our responsibility to reach a wider audience. Also discussed is the one native plant you should have on your property for its medicinal value. Dr. Shebitz introduces Tom and Fran to a native plant right in their backyards. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men.

Follow Dr. Daniela Shebitz - Website

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

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Follow Fran Chismar Here.

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Replaying the Hits with Kyle Lybarger Dec 24, 2025

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 Kyle Lybarger (Founder, Director, and CEO) from Native Habitat Project about creating a space for conservation and restoration in social media. They discuss the formation of a community of passionate conservation and sportspersons professionals, the beginnings of the Native Habitat Project, and the importance of spreading the native plant message. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men.

Follow Native Habitat Project - Website / Facebook / TikTok / Instagram / YouTube / Patreon

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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Grievances for All with John Mark Courtney and Santino Lauricella Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Happy Festivus! Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with John Mark Courtney (Owner, Kind Earth Growers) and Santino Lauricella (Education Manager, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve), to celebrate the Airing of Grievances. Topics include light native plant snacks and drinks, Mt. Rushmore of ecological heroes, and Feats of Strength with a Plant ID quiz. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Kind Earth Growers Here.

Follow Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve 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!

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

The Buzz - Native Plant Work Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Want to see Roots So Deep with us? Tune in to find out how to win tickets! “That’s Hot” is for the birds but may be hard to swallow. “This or That” shows the world who we are and how to heal you. In a new segment we have a listener topic. Fran has a secret? Make sure you listen to the end. 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.