Why We Protect What We Appreciate - Louie Schwartzberg (ep. 956)

We’re honored to sit down with award‑winning cinematographer, director, and producer Louie Schwarzber the visionary behind Fantastic Fungi and the upcoming documentary Gratitude Revealed. Over four decades, Louis has turned the invisible rhythms of nature into breathtaking time‑lapse masterpieces, turning galaxies, seashells and the circulatory system into mirrors that reflect our own inner patterns.

In this conversation we’ll explore:

• How growing up with Holocaust‑survivor parents planted a lifelong seed of gratitude in Louie.
• Why beauty is nature’s survival tool, and how love—not just appreciation—drives us to protect what we cherish.
• The powerful “Oh my God” moment that Louis unpacks into “Oh = attention, My = soul‑touch, God = universal energy.”
• The urgent need to shift from a culture of consumption to one of biomimicry and shared abundance, inspired by mycelial networks, bee pollination, and the timeless wisdom of forests.
• Inside look at Gratitude Revealed: a multi‑platform experience—screenings, curriculum, games, and a new OTT channel (louichannel.tv)—designed to translate nature’s quiet teachings into everyday practice.

Whether you’re seeking a quick mental reset, a deeper connection to the planet, or inspiration to bring more love and gratitude into your life, this episode offers a vivid roadmap. Stay tuned, and let Louis’ images and insights remind you that when we see, feel, and protect the world around us, we unlock the very heartbeat of gratitude.

Resources:

Louie's website: https://movingart.tv/programs/gratitude-revealed

Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code GRATITUDE and depending on the model, you’ll receive UP TO 39% off or UP TO $300 off! Exclusive to podcast customers, you will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value! 

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What's your #1 takeaway from this interview? Would love to hear from you in the comments section on Spotify & Youtube!

Timestamps:

• 01:26 – Guest intro: award‑winning cinematographer Louis Schwarzberg, known for time‑lapse storytelling.
• 02:34 – Warm welcome to Louis; brief mention of shared love for nature and gratitude.
• 03:04 – Louis describes his filmmaking mission: making the invisible visible, celebrating life through nature footage.
• 04:23 – Highlight of Louis’s documentary Fantastic Fungi and its place among classic nature films.
• 05:13 – Discussion of universal aesthetic connection: patterns in galaxies, beaches, brain pathways, and circulatory systems.
• 06:24 – “Oh my God” breakdown: Oh grabs attention, my touches the soul, God represents universal energy.
• 07:44 – Louis’s gratitude roots: growing up with Holocaust‑survivor parents who valued everyday miracles.
• 08:40 – Commitment to protect “the little guys”: bees, fungi, and any species threatened by human actions.
• 10:00 – Gratitude framed as kindness, mindfulness, and essential for survival—non‑religious and inclusive.
• 11:01 – Gratitude’s common thread across religions; a cornerstone of life worldwide.
• 12:56 – Linking gratitude to protection: we protect what we love, not merely what we appreciate.
• 13:41 – Beauty as nature’s survival tool; love drives protection, not duty.
• 14:02 – Reproduction described as a “dance of love” that activates sensory receptors in plants and pollinators.
• 15:22 – Hard‑wired love leads to protection of offspring—mirrored in human empathy for babies, puppies, kittens.
• 16:16 – Gratitude and love identified as universal pillars found in diverse cultures.
• 17:48 – Insight on using beauty from advertising for positive impact rather than consumer manipulation.
• 18:53 – Shift from product‑selling to protecting the planet by repurposing persuasive energy.
• 20:41 – Gratitude amid hardship: Romania’s challenges, war, and the resilience it fosters.
• 22:48 – Gratitude as hope and catalyst for change; the podcast itself as a movement.
• 23:08 – Success of Fantastic Fungi and upcoming project Gratitude Revealed to spark global awareness.
• 24:19 – The mycelial network explained as a shared, non‑greedy underground economy.
• 25:08 – Biomimicry: learning from nature’s proven designs for sustainable technology.
• 26:25 – Tree‑communication research (Suzanne Simard) showing love and information flow in plants.
• 27:36 – The golden rule: “Do unto others…” – interconnectedness reinforces kindness and gratitude.
• 29:01 – Motivation for Gratitude Revealed: mental‑health crisis, post‑pandemic loss, political turmoil.
• 30:34 – Simple gratitude practice: notice breathing, light, tiny details to break negative spirals.
• 31:44 – Gratitude as antidote to media‑driven oppression and “Big Brother” manipulation.
• 32:30 – Healing self, community, and the world by starting with gratitude.
• 33:46 – Louis’s childlike enthusiasm and curiosity highlighted as a source of inspiration.
• 34:58 – Wonder defined as the intersection of art and science; a gateway to gratitude.
• 35:44 – Abundance reframed: “just enough” rather than “more”; nature’s balanced resource use.
• 36:27 – Contrast between nature’s sharing economies and human greed; warning about fossil‑fuel exploitation.
• 38:34 – Nature as a practical pathway to reconnect with gratitude when feeling disconnected.
• 39:31 – Everyday appreciation: pausing to notice simple beauties (flowers, sidewalks, light).
• 40:23 – How to access Gratitude Revealed: website, screenings, events, educational curriculum.
• 41:28 – Scientific backing: UC Berkeley Greater Good studies on purpose, gratitude, and wellbeing.
• 43:33 – Launch of LouisChannel.tv (April 20); OTT platform delivering 4K positive content.
• 44:08 – Need for a safe, positive media alternative to violent/negative mainstream programming.
• 46:01 – Healing power of nature imagery in healthcare; clinical trials and patient testimonials.
• 48:12 – Acknowledgment of logistical, technical challenges behind capturing stunning footage.
• 51:11 – Closing: call to share the episode, keep seeking and spreading gratitude.

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