The Landscape Nerd

In this episode of Landscapes Unmuted, Divine and Maci explore the concept of success, and redefining it. They discuss the traditional stereotypes of success and the challenges they present to keeping people in the field. The conversation emphasizes the need to redefine success to include personal well-being, work-life balance, and community impact. Then they close out the episode by sharing their definitions of success, celebrating achievements, and sharing their dreams for the future.⁠Remesha Design Lab⁠@design_unmuted⁠The Landscape Nerd⁠@thelandscapenerdKey ThemesRedefining success is essential for more diverse perspectives in Landscape Architecture.Exploitation in the industry begins during education, where students are expected to prioritize work over well-being.The narrative of needing decades of experience to be considered good is limiting and harmful. Redefining success involves finding balance and joy.Dream big.Success is a personal journey that evolves.Chapters08:11 Challenging Stereotypes of Success14:38 The Impact of Gender Dynamics on Success19:55 Understanding Exploitation in the Field30:40 Personal Redefinitions of Success39:01 The Shift from Production to Impact45:05 CenteringJoy and Balance49:52 Collaboration and Self-Knowledge in Success57:20 Celebrating Achievements and Community01:01:47 Dreaming Big: Personal Aspirations and GoalsKeywords for the algorithm success, landscape architecture, International Women's Day, gender dynamics, exploitation, redefining success, personal growth, career challenges, work-life balance, community impact, creative work, emotional toll, redefining success, joy, balance, collaboration, self-knowledge, self-discovery, community, personal aspirations

Audio OnlyDon't worry, The Landscape Nerd is not going anywhere, it's just growing a bit!In this inaugural episode of Landscapes Unmuted, hosts Maci Nelson and Divine Ndemeye introduce their new podcast, discussing their backgrounds, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges of navigating mental health and burnout in the design field. The conversation highlights their commitment to creating a healthier, more inclusive environment in landscape architecture and design. Maci and Divine both host their own podcasts, The Landscape Nerd, and Design Unmuted respectively. You can follow their work in the links below⁠Remesha Design Lab⁠@design_unmuted⁠The Landscape Nerd⁠@thelandscapenerd⁠Transcript for the episode ⁠Key ThemesChapters00:00 Introduction to Landscapes Unmuted03:02 The Journey of Co-Hosting06:02 Personal Backgrounds and Identities09:11 The Importance of Collaboration12:01 Navigating Burnout and Mental Health14:50 The Power of Community and Support21:12 Defining Success and Personal Growth24:10 Designing a Life of Ease39:41 Celebrating Milestones 41:48 Writing Ourselves into the Narrative47:02 Asking for Opportunities and Collaboration49:07 Claiming Our Talents and Multiple Passions01:06:12 Final Thoughts and Future Episode PromptsKeywords for the algorithm:podcast, landscape architecture, mental health, collaboration, community, burnout, design, personal growth, identity, creativity, entrepreneurship, design, education, inclusivity, neurodiversity, community, collaboration, milestones, storytelling, personal growth

Don't worry, The Landscape Nerd is not going anywhere, it's just growing a bit!In this inaugural episode of Landscapes Unmuted, hosts Maci Nelson and Divine Ndemeye introduce their new podcast, discussing their backgrounds, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges of navigating mental health and burnout in the design field. The conversation highlights their commitment to creating a healthier, more inclusive environment in landscape architecture and design. Maci and Divine both host their own podcasts, The Landscape Nerd, and Design Unmuted respectively. You can follow their work in the links belowRemesha Design Lab@design_unmutedThe Landscape Nerd@thelandscapenerdTranscript for the episode Key Themes Collaboration is key to overcoming challenges in the design field. Mental health awareness is crucial for a healthier work culture. Personal identities shape our perspectives and work in design.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Landscapes Unmuted03:02 The Journey of Co-Hosting06:02 Personal Backgrounds and Identities09:11 The Importance of Collaboration12:01 Navigating Burnout and Mental Health14:50 The Power of Community and Support21:12 Defining Success and Personal Growth24:10 Designing a Life of Ease39:41 Celebrating Milestones 41:48 Writing Ourselves into the Narrative47:02 Asking for Opportunities and Collaboration49:07 Claiming Our Talents and Multiple Passions01:06:12 Final Thoughts and Future Episode PromptsKeywords for the algorithm:podcast, landscape architecture, mental health, collaboration, community, burnout, design, personal growth, identity, creativity, entrepreneurship, design, education, inclusivity, neurodiversity, community, collaboration, milestones, storytelling, personal growth

Maci and Kristen discuss the subtlety of bias and the barriers to belonging in landscape architecture. The conversation shares many personal insights revealed in addressing the challenges of navigating assumptions in public design and advocating for more inclusive thoughts and conversations throughout the design process. Maci @thelandscapenerdthelandscapenerd.comKristen @pop_of_good#landscapearchitecture #biasindesign #belonging #designforbelonigng #publicdesign #mentalhealth

In this episode, we celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month and Autism Acceptance Month with a conversation about connection! Maci and guest Caressa Joyce explore the deep connections humans have with the land and how practices help connect us to our understanding of nature and community. This interdisciplinary conversation is guided by the following questions:What is the overarching theme of your work and philosophy?What is your origin story?Who/what is part of your lineage?What are some of the earth-based things you do?What do you wish everyone knew/practiced to help humanity and Mother Earth? About Caressa:www.caressajoycenteredlife.com A Yoga-Massage-Energy Therapist, A Life Cycles Celebrant, Artist, Activist, Mama, Life Partner, Oracle Card Reader, Mystic, Healer, Teacher, Friend, Sacred Circle Leader, Writer, Earth and Moon Lover. Upcoming Events:Landscape Lore with the Landscape Nerd April 24th- Get your tickets!Seasonal Tea Ceremony: Bellatierra  April 27th -Get your tickets!Guided Meditation and Tea Blending May 9th - SOLD OUTTakeaways:The interconnection between self-care and caring for the earth is vital.Nature serves as a profound teacher in understanding life's complexities.land connection, rituals, personal journey, lineage, earth-based practices, community, self-care, environmental awareness, landscape architecture, mindfulness

In this episode, we explore the enchanting world of cherry blossoms- their beauty, cultural significance, and the folklore surrounding them.Words for the algorithm:#Landscapearchitecture #design #Cherryblossoms #spring #folklore #culturalsignificance #symbolism #nature #beauty #ephemeral #cherrytree

Vulnerability in EntrepreneurshipMaci and Divine explore the complexities of entrepreneurship, focusing on the intertwining of personal identity and professional life. They discuss the challenges of vulnerability, community support, and the emotional facets of being an entrepreneur. The conversation continued beyond the intended end time, so please enjoy 2 extra bonus clips! ⁠Remesha Design Lab⁠@design_unmuted⁠The Landscape Nerd⁠@thelandscapenerdTranscript for EpisodeKey ThemesEntrepreneurship requires navigating personal and professional identities.Community support is crucial for sustaining entrepreneurial journeys.Building a multi-passionate business is possible and fulfilling.Chapters00:59 Reflecting on Five Years of The Landscape Nerd04:27 The Intersection of Personal Life and Professional Identity19:04 The Importance of Community and Support24:52 The Intertwining of Life and Work29:49 Unexpected Ease in Public Speaking30:52 Embracing AI in Entrepreneurship41:51 The Importance of Emotional Expression51:49 The Challenge of Sharing Personal Stories56:06 Setting Accountability and Challenges for GrowthKeywords for the algorithm Landscape architecture, podcast, entrepreneurship, vulnerability, personal growth, community support, emotional intelligence, AI in business, multi-passionate, work-life balance, authenticity, design

In this episode, we are celebrating 5 years together!!! We’ve been through a lot and I wonder what the next 5 years have in store for us. As the podcast has grown, so has the number of nerds tuning in! We are making an impact and I want to keep learning together.We will talk about the purpose of the podcast and how it got started and how it has evolved.Lessons learned/ advice for others wanting to speak out or take a non-traditional landscape architecture journey. Favorite EpisodesI’ll answer the most frequently asked questionsThen we will talk about upcoming projectsConsider supporting the podcast by leaving a review and sharing episodes with friends. Monetary support is also appreciated to fund necessary software and hosting platforms- venmo @maci-nelson213Keywords for the algorithm: #neurodiversity, #landscapearchitecture, #motherhood, #representation, #design, #inclusion, #education, #personalgrowth, #professional development

In this episode, we are celebrating 5 years together!!! We’ve been through a lot and I wonder what the next 5 years have in store for us. As the podcast has grown, so has the number of nerds tuning in! We are making an impact and I want to keep learning together.We will talk about the purpose of the podcast and how it got started and how it has evolved.Lessons learned/ advice for others wanting to speak out or take a non-traditional landscape architecture journey. Favorite EpisodesI’ll answer the most frequently asked questionsThen we will talk about upcoming projectsConsider supporting the podcast by leaving a review and sharing episodes with friends. Monetary support is also appreciated to fund necessary software and hosting platforms- venmo @maci-nelson213Key words for the algorithm: #neurodiversity, #landscapearchitecture, #motherhood, #representation, #design, #inclusion, #education, #personalgrowth, #professional development

Hello Everyone! Maci here, happy to share a new episode! We discuss emotions informing the design of our environment. Please rate and/or leave a review, it helps the show a lot!  If you wish to learn more about Kelsey and Mental Landscapes? https://mentallandscapes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mentallandscapedesign/ Eventide: Nov 14 2024 https://www.thelandscapenerd.com/ Also, Thank you to KoffeeSwap for the music in today’s episode! KoffeeSwap Theme v1 - 100bpm by tukyo.eth -- https://freesound.org/s/625533/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 -Additional audio records provided by me, Maci Nelson, are not to be used for any commercial purposes 

Just in time for the supermoon! We are learning about dark skies, nocturnal conservation, and light pollution. To learn more check out:https://darksky.org/ @darksky_intl and listen to: https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-12-16/red-lighting-could-rewild-night-skies-plagued-by-light-pollution Stay connected on IG @thelandscapenerd + thelandscapenerd.com Theme music by KoffeeSwap Theme v1 - 100bpm by tukyo.eth -- https://freesound.org/s/625533/ -- License: Creative Commons 0  #landscapearchitecture # landscapenerd #darksky #celestial #landscape #nerd #ohio #observatorypark

Let's all talk about advocacy! This episode is a recording from the 2024 New Jersey Chapter ASLA Annual Meeting! The session you will hear today was a panel titled Future Forum: The Journey From Advocacy to Leadership. I've gotten a lot of questions and have had amazing conversations about this topic and I am really glad there was an opportunity to share one of them with you! The panel: Gina Ford, co founder Agency and WxLA. Marc Miller, former president of BlackLAN, and pofessor at Penn State University Su Lin Kotowicz, ASLA President Music  Music by raspberrymusic from Pixabay

It feels good to be back! Hello everyone and hello 2024! This year we are focusing on how to bring out your uniqueness in the profession. I know we do that already, but it is nice to say it again! Today we are speaking with someone who knows you all fairly well,but maybe you did not know about them. Jenny Frenkel (she/her) is the founder of Intuitive PR, public relations firm (I am luck to have her as a publicist), and she is the Brand Manager of Anova Furnishings We are discussing how this unconventional collaboration has helped us and we are hoping it can help you! Please enjoy this very nerdy conversation between friends and business collaborators about finding out voices within Landscape Architecture. Contact Jenny: intuitiverelationspr@gmail.com @theintuitivepr Maci: thelandscapenerd@gmail.com @thelandscapenerd Music by Rasberry Music "Lo-fi Summer Background"

Hello Nerds! Today, we are discussing what it means to be a person of color in outdoor spaces. We can’t cover everything but we sure give it a try! Please join me in speaking with Kimberly Young and Bronlynn Thurman, the creators of Black Women Explore a community in Akron, Ohio promoting women and femme-identifying people of color to enjoy outdoor spaces together.  Please rate and/or leave a review, it helps the show a lot!  Also, Thank you to Prigidia for the awesome song “Picture Frames”. You’ll hear a bit throughout the episode. If you wish to learn more about BWE you can send them an email:Blackwomenexplore@gmail.com Find them on IG @blackwomenexplore  Articles Mentioned in the episode- not formatted:1. Nature Gap: Why Outdoor Spaces Lack Diversity and Inclusion https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2020/12/nature-gap-why-outdoor-spaces-lack-diversity-and-inclusion/#:~:text=At%20NC%20State's%20College%20of,agencies%2C%20organizations%20and%20advisory%20boards.  2. Outdoor Recreation has historically excluded people of color. That’s beginning to change by Leah Asmelash, CNN https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/14/us/national-parks-history-racism-wellness-cec/index.html 3.US Forest Service on Benefits of Being Outdoors (https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/wellness-benefits-great-outdoors#:~:text=Studies%20also%20show%20that%20being,risk%20factors%20for%20cardiovascular%20disease.)  4. Out of California Statue University San Bernadino, There was a social work dissertation that looked at the impacts that outdoor rec had on self-esteem in adolescent girls of color- spoiler, so far, it seemed positive. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1673/  5. The Urban Mobility & Equity Center out of Morgan State University Investigated the walking and biking activities of low-income African Americans https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/66721  6. The International Journal of Mental Health Nursing is calling for more access to something called Nature Nursing! https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/inm.13109  7. And lastly, the book I mentioned is To Stand And Stare: How to Garden While Doing Next to Nothing by Andrew Timothy O'Brien

We are enjoying the retelling of a Chinese folklore story called The Blue Rose. I hope this story inspires you to find the people who make your dreams a reality. www.thelandscapenerd.com

Oh the ominous LARE. The Landscape Architecture Registration Exam is something that everyone in the profession knows about. Yet, despite its popularity, the exam remains a mystery in many ways. Today we are going to talk to Claire Kern, founder of Pass the LARE, a new study resource. We are discussing the challenges of the exam and new ways to approach studying to make the exam more accessible. passthelare.com thelandscapenerd.com

We are going to investigate how designers and DnD players participate in world-building! This episode is full of nerdy joy and curiosity! Dungeons and Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game that requires collaboration to solve problems and tell a compelling story. If you've never thought about DnD as a design tool before.... please allow me to change your mind! In this episode, we will hear from: Designer, Regan Flavelle (@regularflavelle) Lead Storyteller, Marcy Brown (gaming@myceliumyouth.org), and Long time DM and game designer, Frank Tedeschi (@deadboxgames) Music: Folklore by Alexander Nakara

Encouraging a conversation about designing for the autistic experience. Get ready to get real nerdy with the upcoming dungeons and dragons episode!!

It is often overlooked how isolating the landscape experience can be for autistic minds. Many people in the autistic community desire outdoor spaces where they feel safe and able to connect with others. In this episode, we speak to the organizers and a founder of the Autism Nature Trail located in Letchworth State Park. This unique trail is geared toward autism families and building confidence in outdoor spaces. autismnaturetrail.com thelandscapenerd.com @thelandscapenerd

Wrapping up the Best Book Ever conversation with a reflection on how important stories are to the way we see landscape.