Our Nature: Conversations about the relationship between nature, spirituality, and well-being

Since 2021, Tenijah has hosted and produced Bring Birds Back, a podcast about conservation, formal/ citizen science, and of course—birds, told through the lenses of intersectionality and environmental justice.What’s inspiring to me about Tenijah (among many things) is that she didn’t grow up with a familiarity and love of being outdoors. In fact, she described her relationship as mostly centered around an avoidance. But, over time, she’s begun to rewrite her nature-relationship and has uncovered so much richness in the process.In this conversation, Tenijah and I discuss everything from her personal journey of embracing discomfort and following her curiosity, to what it’s been like for her as a Black woman to reclaim parts of herself and her community. We also talk stepping into your personal power, and we obviously talk about birds! Tenijah shares the number one misconception about birding, tips and techniques for bird observation, why humans are so obsessed with birds, and some weird bird behavior that I loved knowing.Resources:Homecoming ApplicationBring Bird’s Back PodcastBring Bird’s Back: The Zero Sum of it All with Corina NewsomeBring Bird’s Back: The Feminist Bird ClubBring Bird’s Back: Bird Love Language For the full show notes, please visit www.ournaturepodcast.com/tenijah-hamilton----->> HOMECOMING, my once-a-year retreat and course is back !! << Apply here!Homecoming is designed for those in the midst of a big life transition. Whether you’re looking to shift your career, call in more abundance, attract a meaningful relationship, build a deeper connection to your body, or discover your purpose, Homecoming will support your unfolding.This is truly my absolute favorite experience I offer all year. It’s the course where I share all of the learnings, tools, techniques, rituals and perspectives that have completely transformed my life–that have helped me pivot my career, triple my income, call in a fulfilling romantic relationship, embrace my authenticity, work through my fear of being seen, strengthen my intuition, and create an inner stability that supports me during challenging times.If you're interested in joining this year's cohort, fill out an application As of 6/6/23, there are 2 spots left, so don't hesitate if you're feeling called to join us

For this week's episode, I’m speaking with Michael Washington. Michael is the founder of Usal Project, an LA-based community offering experiences and goods for the modern nature enthusiast. Usal hosts over 20 monthly experiences that (in addition to forest therapy) include: foraging and herb walks, falconry, oceanic species dives, incense-making workshops, flower arranging classes, community hikes, and more. In this conversation, Michael and I talk about the importance of cultivating community in a world where people are struggling with loneliness. We also discuss his relationship with nature growing up in Texas, how the music industry shaped his path, the origin story of Usal, why diverse perspectives and voices are essential in the outdoor space, and Michael’s perspective on failure, self-doubt and building a rapidly growing business. Resources:Usal ProjectArticle: How Loneliness is Damaging Our Health Subscribe to the Our Nature Monthly Newsletter  -  full of special announcements, resources, recommendations and tools and practices for your expansionShow Notes:Michael’s relationship to nature growing up as a child in San Antonio “the biggest little city”How being in the music industry planted the seed for Michael’s current pathMichael shares the insight and opportunity that inspired him to create Usal ProjectMichael’s invitation to listeners that will fundamentally improve your lifeThe common barriers that prevent people from exploring the outdoorsMichael’s intention when it comes to the curation of nature-based classes for UsalLife lessons that come from trying new activitiesThe unconventional way Michael structures his business and what it means to be “Usal”Michael Washington gets real about perfectionism, self-doubt, creative output, growing a businessFailure as the greatest gift - “I’m more happy failing with something I really liked than failing with something I really tried to make other people like…because then you’re just lost.”What people may be surprised to learn about Michael 

“I think one of the best thing’s we’ve done to ensure the likelihood of our long term success is to really see this relationship as something that’s unfolding in the present moment, and being very open and flexible about what that will look like in a month, a year, in a decade.” - David SleiningerIn this episode, we discuss: what we mean when we use the term “conscious relationship”; the cultural messaging that warps our perspective on romantic relationships; what to do if you’re invested in personal growth and your partner is not; how a trigger can be our greatest teacher; the practice that will exponentially grow your self-awareness; navigating conflict in a healthy and productive way and why it can be the greatest gift of a relationship. Resources: EP 62 - The Relationship Series Part 1: Planting the Seeds of a Conscious Partnership Featuring Alyssa Benjamin and David SleiningerMind Body Green article about conscious relationshipsSign up to be the first to know about Homecoming, my once-a-year retreat and course Show Notes:What we mean when we use the term “conscious relationship”The cultural messaging that warps our perspective of romantic relationshipsThe most important element in a conscious relationshipWhat to do if you’re invested in personal growth and your partner is notHow a trigger can be our greatest teacherWays to cultivate greater self awarenessThe practice that will exponentially grow your self-awarenessNavigating conflict in a healthy and productive wayThe reminder that has helped us get to a resolution of a conflict a lot quickerA few key elements of conflict in our relationshipThe pleasure of a heartfelt apologyWhy conflict can be the greatest gift of a relationshipRadical honesty and brave communication are necessary - here’s whyHow to show up for your partner when they’re going through a tough timeHow to build a lasting, long-term connection, especially after marriage and kidsA few of our relationship policies that keep the mystery alive ;)The best thing we’ve done to ensure the likelihood of our relationship’s longterm success

This week, my partner David and I are chatting about….drumroll, relationships! Specifically romantic relationships. This episode is very different from the type of content I usually have on this podcast, but when I started this show in 2019, my intention was to uncover how each of us could live in harmony with the natural world and thus be able to care for ourselves, our communities and ultimately, the earth. The dynamics that surface in romantic relationships are often a mirror, and therefore, a catalyst for our personal growth and evolving consciousness. So in the spirit of believing that we can transform the world by first transforming ourselves, I thought it would be interesting to explore this topic.Resources:Tickets for Project Utopia at The Line Hotel in LADavid’s episode about healing for Our NatureDavid’s somatic healing episodeTara Brach podcastChances With WolvesSubscribe to the Our Nature newsletter!Show Notes:David reveals the patterns that shaped his past romantic relationshipsAlyssa shares some of her [many] romantic relationship patterns that caused her to fear commitmentHow chronic illness and relationships can co-create and perpetuate a cycle of stress and challengeDavid’s period of celibacy - his intentions for this period of time and what he learned as resultAlyssa’s biggest heartbreak that became a breakthroughThe surprising relationship that transformed and healed Alyssa’s experience of romantic partnershipsThe story of how David and I met, and how a loaf of bread brought us togetherWhat we were able to recognize in each other when we met that helped us turn towards one anotherIn praise of the slow burn and how to recognize it for yourselfWhy it’s ok to feel unsure at the beginning of a relationshipHow I manifested David ;)For additional resources, quotes and information about this episode, head to www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

“I love the matrix and quilt of different things all over the place. Monoculture is boring. So for me, diversity is the spice of life in the garden.” - Erik Keller, ep 60Helpful links:Erik's WebsiteErik’s InstagramHighlights from our conversation:Erik’s relationship to nature as a childThe definition of horticultural therapy and Erik’s journey from master gardener to horticultural therapistThe various types of horticultural therapy sessionsThe elements of surprise and delight in the natural worldWild saladsHow we might re-imagine what we plant in our gardensAdvice for the beginner gardener or urban gardenerLessons from the garden that we can bring into our livesThe last five questionsFor more of Alyssa and Our NatureSubscribe to the Our Nature newsletterSign up for the FREE mini course: Build Your Magnetic Nature AlterFollow Alyssa on Instagram

 “I think if I can inspire people not to be perfect, but just a little more conscious–that would be a win. And hopefully, the recipes become part of people’s repertoire that they make on a weekly or monthly basis.” - Alexis deBoschnekRESOURCES:To The Last Bite BookAlexis’ websiteAlexis' InstagramGarlic and Sapphires bookMagpies on Pink StreetBovina FermentorySHOW NOTES:What it was like to grow up in upstate NYAlexis’ journey from fashion school to the world of foodHow to be more intentional with the food we purchase in order to reduce food wasteAn invitation to grow a victory garden and how that can transform your relationship with foodAn example of two vegetables that you can easily regrowWhy food waste is an issue we all should be thinking more aboutWhat/how each of us can begin to reduce food wasteThe two ways to use Alexis’ cookbook and the how the structure supports a systematic approach to cooking and eatingWhat it’s like to put something out into the world that’s so personal to youThe experience of returning to the land that shaped her and what it’s like to live in a rural communityWhat community looks like for AlexisTips for the beginner cookThe last fives questions

RESOURCES:EP 58: Flipping the Script: (Hard Won Lessons from the Past Year) with Alyssa BenjaminReturn to Nature BookEmma’s WebsiteSHOW NOTES:Emma’s relationship to nature as a childWhat inspired Emma to write her book “Return to Nature”The reasons she organized “Return to Nature” by a series of eight distinct landscapesThe intention around using the word “return” in the titleCrafting a new definition of “wellness”An overview and practice for each of the 8 landscapes (parks and gardens, oceans, mountains, forests and trees, ice and snow, desert, rivers, cities and built environments)Why accessibility matters when it comes nature relationshipAll about aweHow we can all find our “desert eyes”How people living in cities can still have powerful experiences in natureMicro-dosing on nature: How small is too small when it comes to building deeper nature-relationshipA passage from “Return to Nature” that represents kinship and belongingHow writing the book changed Emma’s relationship with the more-than-human-worldThe last five questions>>> For the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

RESOURCES:Alyssa’s InstagramSubscribe to my newsletterANFT Forest Therapy TrainingUsal Forest Therapy Walk: MarchUsal ProjectHolisticismSHOW NOTES:The reason why Alyssa paused this podcast and many aspects of her business for almost a yearThe new opportunity that came into Alyssa’s life that led to an unexpected career shiftHow to work within the system to change the systemThe framework that has been really supportive for Alyssa’s creative effortsDemystifying forest therapyHow the magic of forest therapy is made!How being diagnosed with ADHD became a catalyst for personal transformationMy ADHD symptomsWhat’s to come this year!

This week, I’m speaking with Farmer Rishi, a farmer, educator and consultant based in Los Angeles working in the field of regeneration. Everything Rishi does is with the intention to help people understand the basic principles behind healing of our bodies: both our physical bodies and our Earthen body.Resources:Sardovaya FarmsHealing GardensRishi’s WebsiteHomecoming courseConnect with Alyssa<<  Doors close for HOMECOMING on Sunday, April 17th >> Homecoming is a four-day retreat in Ojai, California and 6-week course. If you're feeling burnt out, stuck and/or going through a major transition in your life, Homecoming is an experience that will supercharge your intuition, help you build an inner stability and clarify your path forward. You'll walk away from Homecoming feeling more joy, ease and spaciousness in your life. I have two spots left, claim yours by applying below:APPLY to Homecoming (application will take you less than five min.!)Learn more about HomecomingFor the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

This week I’m speaking with Regina Rocke, a breathwork teacher, and healer who uses many modalities including yoga, tarot, Ayurveda, and movement practices to help people in their spiritual journeys.Regina knows firsthand what the healing path requires. They say: “It was through great discomfort, emotional upheaval, and a lot of self-loathing that I came to this life of offering up ways for people to heal through connection to their bodies.” Their work is an invitation and they truly believes that you can (and should) decide what is right for you in any given moment. In this conversation, we discuss: Regina’s relationship with nature as a child, the experience that reconnected Regina to the natural world, what brought Regina to Ayurveda, Regina’s healing journey: what it’s been and what it is now, why healing is layered and more complex for some people than others, what breathwork has brought to Regina’s life, and advice for people looking to cultivate more awareness when it comes to breathing deeply and more fully.What I really appreciate about Regina is how real they are about what healing has looked like and continues to look like for them. I really trust a guide who is continuously growing and evolving, who doesn’t pretend like they have it all figured out, and that is Regina.So, let’s dive into my conversation with Regina Rocke.ResourcesJacob Riis BeachAbsolute Beauty book by Dr. Pratima RaichurKripalu’s ayurveda programHomecoming courseConnect with Alyssa<<  You're invited to: HOMECOMING >> A four-day retreat in Ojai, California and 6-week course.APPLY to Homecoming (application will take you less than five min.!)Learn more about HomecomingFor the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your life when you cultivate a deep and intentional connection with the natural world, this episode is for you. Today, I’m in conversation with teacher, philosopher and former Homecoming participant Peter August. Peter also has a nature TikTok (which I’ll link to in the show notes) where he shares his practices, perspectives and experiences of being in nature with his over 72K followers.In this episode, we talk about: what nature invites in us that we so desperately need; the nature-based practice practice that fuels creativity; why we resist the natural world and why that’s ok; how to build trust with nature and what that can bring us; the difference between physically being in nature and truly “being” in nature; what happens when we follow our intuition when faced with big decisions; what Homecoming was like for Peter; how we can approach life with beginner’s mindset and what that perspective can bring us; the practice of getting curious about what’s familiar and why that’s so profound; and what life has been like for Peter after Homecoming. We also do something really fun at the end of this episode that I’ve never done before with a guest, so you’ll have to make it to the end to hear what I mean.ResourcesPeter’s TikTokPeter’s InstagramDaily Rituals BookHomecoming courseConnect with Alyssa<<  You're invited to: HOMECOMING >> A four-day retreat in Ojai, California and 6-week course.Early bird pricing until Sunday, March 13th.APPLY to Homecoming (application will take you less than five min.!)Learn more about HomecomingFor the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave the city, move to a small, rural town and build a regenerative, community-oriented farm?  Well, Nick and Spencer of Solar Punk Farms did just that. Solar Punk Farms is a queer-run, regenerative agro-tourism experiment in Guerneville California. As Nick and Spencer share in this episode, the vision for Solar Punk Farms is emergent and ever-changing, but they have always intended to create a community-first place for people to connect with the land and each other in the process.RESOURCES:Occidental Arts and Ecology CenterSeek appHomecoming courseConnect with Solar Punk FarmsConnect with Alyssa << ANNOUNCING HOMECOMING >> A four-day retreat and 6-week course in Ojai CaliforniaEarly bird pricing until the end of Feb.APPLY to Homecoming (application will take you less than five min.!)Learn more about HomecomingFor the full show notes, head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

This week, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. John Hausdoerffer. Doctor Hausdoerffer is an environmental philosopher, author, teacher and Dean of the Clark School of Environment & Sustainability at Western Colorado University. He has written and co-edited titles such as Catlin's Lament, Wildness, What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?.Most recently, he was the co-editor of Kinship: Belonging in a World of Relations, a five volume series published by the Center for Humans and Nature that explores our deep interconnections with the living world. Along with his two co-editors Gavin Van Horn and my personal hero Robin Wall Kimmerer, the series contains essays, interviews, poetry, and stories of solidarity about how we can deepen our care and respect for the plants, animals, rivers, mountains, and others who live with us in this tangle of relations.Resources:Sign up for the Our Nature NewsletterFREE Mini Course: Build Your Magnetic Nature AltarKinship the series“The practice of the wild” bookWhy I Consider Environmentalism The Ultimate Act Of Emotional Awareness & Self-Love – by Alexa Gantous >> Get my FREE mini course: Build Your Magnetic Nature Altar to supercharge your magnetism and deepen your connection with the natural world << For the full show notes: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodesConnect with Dr. John Hausdoerffer:Dr. John Hausdoerffer’s WebsiteThe Center for Humans and NatureThe Center for Humans and Nature IG

This week I’m speaking with my friend and fellow nature enthusiast Mary Grace Allerdice. Mary Grace (or MG as I like to call her) uses astrology, divination, energetic healing + oracular practices to help people access their own inherent wisdom + healing so they can navigate life’s difficulties and connect to their purpose. As you’ll hear in this episode, Mary Grace has a special and miraculous gift for communicating complex topics in simple, articulate and incredibly clear ways. It’s truly a delight to speak with her and I always walk away with so many nuggets of wisdomResources:Alyssa's episode on Home–Body (Mary Grace's) PodcastMary Grace's websiteSUBSCRIBE TO THE OUR NATURE NEWSLETTER to be the first to know about my newest offering launching next week!Leave the podcast a review, take a screenshot, DM me @ournaturealways on IG with the screenshot and... receive something special :) 

RESOURCES:Sign up for the Our Nature NewsletterFollow Lindsay on EtsyHolisticism!Wintering by Katherine MayBee Venom therapyA Radiant Life PodcastConnect with Lisa:Lisa’s websiteLisa’s InstagramConnect with Our Nature:Our Nature InstagramFor full show notes, please visit: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

This week, (episode 50 and the final episode of Season 3), I’m speaking with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, a curandera, indigenous foods activist, and natural foods chef whose work is deeply rooted in the healing properties of all earth medicines. Her business name came to be after friends lovingly called her "the kitchen curandera", as she was often creating healing foods and remedies in her tiny adobe kitchen.  Her work has been featured in Food & Wine, Spirituality & Health, and on Padma Lakshmi's Taste The Nation, among many other platforms. Felicia lives in the Sonoran Desert with her husband. Her first book, Earth Medicines, will be released next month.Resources:REGISTER October 28th Free Event: Body Neutrality Salon with Helen PhelanPre-order Earth MedicinesConnect with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz:Felicia’s WebsiteFelicia’s InstagramFor the full show notes, visit ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

The earth is a schoolroom, and what a joy to be able to continue to remember through all these wild and wonderful means.” - Ayesha Ophelia If you’re looking to expand and transform your relationship to self expression and creativity, this episode is for you. Ayesha Ophelia is a self identified spiritual provocateur who is passionate about women, plants and human potential.Ayesha’s offerings include The Girlfriend Manifesto where she shares a daily dose of inspiration, spirituality, adventure, self-love and sisterhood. She also offers private support, group experiences and a membership community called the Society of Wild Hearts.Resources:Leave a review of Our Nature!Ayesha’s InstagramAs always, there are more resources and helpful information in the show notes, which you can find at ournaturepodcast.com/episodes. 

This week is the second part of an interview I had with Vedic astrologer Blaine Watson. In this final part of my conversation with Blaine, we discuss: How Blaine’s interpretation of a chart changes over the years as that person evolves and transcend, What it means to live a successful life from a Jyotish perspective, how often Blaine looks at his chart, why knowing when to have Yagyas done helps create a better and brighter future, Jyotish for our dog friends :), what Blaine would say to those who are skeptical of Jyotish, how someone would know if they’re ready for a reading from Blaine, and what happens to your chart when you reach enlightenment.Blaine has a level of consciousness that is powerful and we talk about pretty advanced subject matter in this conversation. If you are a seeker, which I know many of you are, and are interested in being a catalyst for your own evolution, this conversation is definitely for you.Resources:Our Nature InstagramRegister for Our Nature x Good Move Mini RetreatEP 29: Movement for Every(body) with Jules Bakshi of Good MoveEP 47: The Universe and You with Vedic Astrologer Blaine Watson (Part One)Ramana MaharshiTo book a session with Blaine, email: blainepw@gmail.com For full show notes, please head to: www.ournaturepodcast.com/episodes

This week on the podcast, I’m speaking with my Vedic astrologer - Blaine Watson. Blaine has been a life-long student of astrology, having studied it since childhood. In 1980, on a trip to India, he became specifically interested in Vedic astrology and after almost 9 years of self-study, the Dean of the Department of Sanskrit at Benares Hindu University in Varanasi, India certified him as an expert in Jyotish. He’s been a personal astrologer for the past 30 years, seeing over 30,000 clients in over 30 countries. And because the Vedic tradition prohibits him from advertising, clients find him only via word of mouth, which is a true testament to his expertise. This episode is part one of a two-part series on Vedic astrology, karma and transcendence. In this conversation, we discuss: Blaine’s relationship to nature as a child growing up on a farm, what led him to seek out astrology when he was very young, the role of past life karma in a person’s present life, all about Jyotish: what it is, its purpose, the difference between eastern and western astrology, what speeds up the process of our evolution, the incredible thing that astrologers in India do to gain trust from their clients, why there is no such thing as free will, and why it’s almost impossible to miss your dharma (which is your life’s purpose). Enjoy!Resources:Book an exploratory call for HomecomingOur Nature EP 16: The Architecture of Nature With Vaastu Consultant Hunter CressmanTo book a session with Blaine, email: blainepw@gmail.com  

This week, I’m speaking with Helen Phelan, a body neutrality pilates and movement instructor who believes that everyone deserves to feel good in their body. Helen’s approach to fitness and health is one centered around how exercise makes you feel, versus how it makes you look. She uses conscious breathing techniques to enhance bodily intuition and high repetition sequences that encourage body awareness and mindfulness. As a former professional dancer, Helen developed disordered eating and exercise habits that caused a lot of self-criticism and harm. It was in her recovery that she realized just how often the boutique fitness industry subtly encouraged disordered eating and body shaming. She believes that the healing impact of the body neutral movement on mental health is the most important result exercise could give anyone.For full show notes, head to: https://ournaturepodcast.com/episodesConnect with Helen:Helen’s InstagramHelen’s WebsiteResources:EP 29: Movement for Every(body) with Jules Bakshi of Good MoveHelen Phelan Studio