Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Latest Episodes:

Crossings with Ben Goldfarb Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Ben Goldfarb (Author of Crossings, Eager) to talk about road ecology. Topics include the history of road ecology, how our highway systems impact wildlife, how have wildlife crossings improves, what type of wildlife is impacted most, and of course, favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Ben Goldfarb 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.

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

The Buzz - Do More Better Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Find out what it is like to record the same episode twice. Tom wins a prestigious award!!! “That’s Hot” discusses dye and drugs. “This or That” discusses evolution and ethnobotany, while “Take it of Leaf it” talks about the housing situation. Let me stand next to your fire! 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

Learn more about PACD Lawn Conversion Mini Grant 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.

Bad Naturalist with Paula Whyman Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Paula Whyman (Author of Bad Naturalist) to talk about creating change and finding ecological peace. Topics include collecting professional advice, figuring out the best place to start a project, understanding the historical context of your ecological restoration, and of course, favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Paula Whyman 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 - Don't Mess with the Zohran Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have a little Reddit Follow Up this week. “That’s Hot” discusses spines and spikes, “This or That” debates lists and sizes, and “Take it of Leaf it” is a rare treat. 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.

Making Real Change with Edwina von Gal Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Edwina von Gal (Founder at Edwina von Gal + Co. and Founder at Perfect Earth Project) to talk about making real ecological change in our gardens. Topics include global ground rules, changes in the landscape design world, embracing being an expert, the creation of the Perfect Earth Project, and of course, favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Edwina von Gal Here.

Follow Perfect Earth Project Here.

Listen to our podcast episode with Perfect Earth Project 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 - Planting on Common Ground Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Our Facebook Group has the BEST content! “That’s Hot” discusses yellow and blue. “This or That” takes a look under the ground as well as the health of our forests. Don't you dare call “Take it of Leaf it” lazy. 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.

Meet Meadow Lab Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Claire Chambers of Meadow Lab and Sam Monaghan of Wildflower Turf UK to talk about an exciting new product that is making its way to the United States. Topics include the concept of wildflower sod, the benefits of wildflower sod compared to traditional restorations that are done by seeding, the journey of perfecting wildflower sod as well as the journeys of both Claire and Sam, and the process of bringing this technology to the US. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Meadow Lab Here.

Follow Wildflower Turf UK 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 Perfect Balance May 30, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about our Facebook Group! “That’s Hot” highlights two plants we have never seen in the wild...that we know of. “This or That” is good over here but not over there. "Take it of Leaf it" gets called some bad names. Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of the episode 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

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.

Moving Art with Louie Schwartzberg May 23, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with award winning director and cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg (Fantastic Fungi, Wings of Life, Moving Art) to talk about finding a connection with nature. Topics include being thankful for the little things, the art of storytelling, rooting for the underdog, and the healing properties of nature. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Moving Art Here.

Follow Fantastic Fungi 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 - Personal Evolutions May 16, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” highlights some favorites that we don't give enough love to. “This or That” dives deep into some heavy topics. "Tom's Petty" rises up to defend our friends. Fran and Tom zoom out and see a larger picture. Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of the episode 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

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.