Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Latest Episodes:

Ecological IQ with Preston Montague Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with ecological landscape architect Preston Montague. Topics include adding human elements to ecological landscapes, finding your niche in the ecological world, doing justice with current projects, giving props to gardening heroes, and favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Preston Montague 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” is both black and white and gray. “This or That” researches ticks and introduces bison. Did we give you a shoutout this week? "Take it or Leaf it" is a little stream of consciousness. Hey Mom, how about a some Meatloaf? 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

Resources on the language of invasive species Here / Here / Here / and 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 Return of Rebecca McMackin Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick reconnect with Rebecca McMackin. Topics include what has happened in Rebecca's world since her last visit to the podcast such as Ted Talks and discussing environmentalism with Neko Case. We also discuss favorite native plants, horticultural media, and upcoming projects. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Rebecca McMackin 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - So You Want To Start A Nursery Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about the Land Ethic Symposium. “That’s Hot” is both near and far. “This or That” talks about hope for both birds and trees. Did we give you a shoutout this week? What advice to Tom and Fran have about starting a Native Plant Nursery. Stay tuned in for the secret as it becomes this episode's outro music. Intro music by RJ Comer.

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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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

Plant One On Me with Summer Rayne Oakes Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with environmentalist, activist, and author Summer Rayne Oakes. Topics include Summer's path into ecological landscaping, the importance of education and storytelling, combining the love of ecology and nature with homesteading, and favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Summer Rayne Oakes Here.

Follow Plant One On Me Here.

Follow Flock Finger Lakes 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - The Art of Reconnection Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. How many magazine covers has Tom been on? “That’s Hot” is nothing to sneeze about. “This or That” talks about shapes and connections. A listeners phones in about AI. Did we give you a shoutout this week? 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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

Listening to Nature with Amy Martin from Threshold Podcast Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Amy Martin (Executive Producer, Threshold Podcast) to talk about Listening to Nature. Topics include Amy's path from a fam in Iowa to creating Threshold Podcast, adding perspective and humility to the human experience, the journey to becoming one with nature, and meaningful experiences along the way. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Listen to Threshold Podcast Here.

Follow Letters to Earthlings 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - Cheesed Out Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about Ireland and Iowa - and how much cheese is too much? Tom goes to PPA. “That’s Hot” is home and away. “This or That” deals with making a difference and needing more. Did we give you a shoutout this week? 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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

Native Lawns with Todd Bittner of Cornell Botanic Gardens Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Todd Bittner (Director of Natural Areas, Cornell Botanic Gardens) to talk about Native Lawns. Topics include the history of Native Lawn 1.0 and its advantages, New York Times coverage, surprise performers and workhorses in native lawn settings, what comes next, and of course, favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Find More Info on Native Lawns 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - Out of Proportion Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. The burning question is are there more voices??? Listen to find out. Tom and Fran go to Cultivate “That’s Hot” brings The Chop! “This or That” gives Muskrat Love in a tiny forest, while “Take it of Leaf it” has unlimited growth potential. Can we talk ferns? Did we give you a shoutout this week? 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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