During our summer break, we are re-airing some of our favorite episodes! Margaret Renkl calls herself a backyard naturalist—but not because she has any particular expertise. From the birds in her yard to the bugs in her flower beds, she has learned the art of attention. Nature has taught her a speed at which to live, to hope, to stave off despair.

In this conversation, Kate and Margaret discuss:

What we miss when we imagine we have to drive somewhere else to experience nature, instead of noticing it around us
What birds teach us about what it means to be a good mother
How to learn to love even the mosquitoes and wasps
Where Margaret experiences moments of holiness
How we might all start to be besotted by beauty

Perhaps, we can borrow some of Margaret’s innate curiosity together and see how it might open us up to wonder and love and connectedness once again.

Watch clips from this conversation, read the full transcript, and access discussion questions by clicking here or visiting katebowler.com/podcasts.

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Mark 1:1-15 (Episode 215)