Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

Have you ever felt that you were on the precipice of a sacred experience? Or visited a place that left you with a profound sense of awe or serenity? If so, you’ve had a thin place experience. On today’s episode of the podcast, Dr. Phill Tabb, our first ever guest, is back to talk about his new research on this fascinating and mysterious topic. In this conversation, we define thin places, talk about emotional responses to thin places, and discuss the overlap between thin places and biophilia. Dr. Phillip James Tabb is the Emeritus Professor of Architecture at Texas A&M University. He will present his research on thin places and biophilia at the upcoming Biophilic Leadership Summit, happening April 23rd - 26th in Serenbe. His new book, Thin Place Design: Architecture of the Numinous, comes out this Summer. Show NotesTickets: Biophilic Leadership Summit, April 23 - 26Confirmed Speakers: Biophilic Leadership SummitPre-Order Thin Place Design: Architecture of the Numinous by Dr. Phillip James TabbDr. Keith Critchlow | The Art of Sacred Geometry (Keith Critchlow Legacy)Rudolf Otto and the Numinous (Wikipedia)Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher KeltnerSerenity as a Goal for Nursing Practice by Kay T. Roberts, Ann Whall (Journal of Nursing Scholarship)Plutchik’s Emotion Wheel: Purpose, Definition, and Uses (Berkeley Wellbeing Institute)14 Patterns of Biophilic Design (Terrapin Bright Green)Key Words: Thin Places, Serenity, Serene, Awe, Dacher Keltner, Biophilia, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Biophilic Patterns, Sacred, Sacred Geometry, Spirituality, Architecture, Sacred Architecture, Ireland, Skellig IslandsBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

Have you ever hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail? Taken a family vacation to the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone? Or strolled through Central Park for some respite from the Manhattan hustle? If so, you can thank a handful of early American environmentalists who advocated for, designed, and built the public lands we enjoy today.Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Jeffrey H. Ryan, author of This Land Was Saved for You and Me: How Gifford Pinchot, Frederick Law Olmsted, and a Band of Foresters Saved America’s Public Lands. Jeffrey, an avid outdoorsman in his own right, walks us through the fascinating history of the early environmental movement and its major players. We also discuss the difference between preservation and conservation, Jeffrey’s own experiences as a writer and hiker, and the awe-inspiring moments we find in nature.Show NotesThis Land Was Saved for You and Me: How Gifford Pinchot, Frederick Law Olmstead, and a Band of Foresters Saved America’s Public Lands by Jeffrey H. RyanAppalachian Odyssey: A 28-Year Hike on America’s Trail by Jeffrey H. RyanMan and Nature by George Perkins MarshNortheast Wilderness Trust - Rewilding the NortheastAbout Jeffrey H. RyanThe Biophilic Leadership Summit, April 23-26 in SerenbeKey Words: History, Environmentalism, Public Parks, National Parks, National Parks Service, Central Park, Environmental Movement, Biophilia, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Urban Planning, Frederick Law Olmstead, Jeffrey Ryan, Nature, Outdoors, Hiking, Appalachian TrailBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

Adherents of biophilia know that humans have an innate connection to nature and living things. But in a fast-paced and technology-driven world, how do we cultivate - or even discover - that connection in the first place?  Today we’re speaking with Nina Smiley, Director of Mindfulness at Mohonk Mountain House, an iconic resort in New York’s Hudson Valley renowned for its environmental stewardship and focus on outdoor recreation. Nina walks us through the ways that practicing mindfulness in nature calms our bodies and clears our minds, from reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels, easing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even widening our perspective. We also get pretty scientific in our discussion about the airborne organic compounds found in forests that have antifungal and antibacterial properties. Nina Smiley is the co-author of multiple books including The Three Minute Meditator and Mindfulness in Nature. She earned her doctorate in Psychology from Princeton University, teaching at the University of Maryland and directing public relations at the American Psychological Association, before she and her husband became full-time steward of Mohonk in 1990.Show NotesMohonk Mountain HouseMindfulness at MohonkMindfulness in Nature by David Harp and Nina SmileyThe Three Minute Meditator: Reduce Stress. Control Fear. Diminish Anger. In Almost No Time At All by David Harp and Nina SmileyAn Intro to Forest Bathing: Where Mindfulness Meets Nature by Nina Smiley History of Mohonk Mountain HouseEnvironmental Stewardship at Mohonk Mountain HouseKey Words: nature, mindfulness, wellness, meditation, mindfulness meditation, Mohonk, Mohonk Mountain House, forest bathing, biophilia, biophilic, biophilic design, environment, eco tourism, tourismBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

An optimistic outlook on life tends to make people happier, more successful, and even healthier - but how do we apply optimism to a situation that oftentimes feels as serious and dire as the climate crisis? Enter today’s guest Anne Therese Gennari, author of The Climate Optimist Handbook. In this book, Anne Therese hopes to shift the narrative on climate change so that those of us in the fight can work from a place of courage and excitement rather than fear and anger. In this interview, Anne Therese traces her own journey from burnt out activist to climate optimist, tells us why she thinks individual action is crucial, and walks us through some action steps we can take to shift our own perspectives. Show NotesThe Biophilic Leadership SummitThe Climate Optimist Handbook: How to shift the narrative on climate change and find the courage to choose change by Anne Therese GennariAbout Anne Therese Gennari The Climate Optimist Newsletter on SubstackHey Change: A Podcast On How To Change The WorldFrom Angry Activist to Climate Optimist (TEDxOneonta)Follow Anne Theres on InstagramKey Words: climate change, climate action, climate optimism, climate optimist, optimism, wellness, activism, activist, climate activism, biophilia, biophilicBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

Season 3 of Biophilic Solutions premieres on January 24th! This season, we'll explore some new topics like climate optimism, national parks, and eco tourism. We'll also take a deeper dive into some familiar territory like thin places, awe, and biophilic design. Be sure to tune in!Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

This week, we’re talking all about how to amplify your impact with Carbon Almanac contributing writer Paige NeJame. Have you ever wondered whether your efforts to recycle, compost, and eat a plant-based diet make a real difference for the planet? While individual action is good, Paige provides tangible, creative - and most importantly, doable - ways to take our action steps to the  next level and create actual, systems-level change. The best part? Paige is living proof that regular people can make a huge difference; even with all of her work with the Carbon Almanac network, she has continued in her role with a commercial paint company and has used her knowledge to affect major, positive changes. The Carbon Almanac is a collaboration of hundreds of volunteer writers, researchers, thinkers, illustrators, and experts. Using drawings, histories, and lots and lots of data, The Carbon Almanac is the definitive (and highly approachable) guide to carbon’s impact on our food system, oceans, energy, the economy, human health, and extreme weather. Paige NeJame wrote the “Climate Change for Rookies” section of The Carbon Almanac, as well as a children’s guide to climate change, Generation Carbon. Show NotesThe Carbon Almanac: It’s Not Too LateThe Carbon Almanac NetworkGeneration CarbonThe Carbon Almanac PodcastsSeth GodinAkimbo: A Podcast From Seth GodinConnect the DotsThe Daily Difference NewsletterKey Words: Carbon, Carbon Emissions, Climate, Climate Change, Emissions, Nature, Environment, Sustainability, Solutions, Environmentalism, Alternative Energy, Carbon Almanac, Seth Godin, Biophilic, Biophilic Design, Biophilia Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

We firmly believe that this time of year should be all about slowing down, enjoying quality time with friends and family, and of course enjoying some time outdoors (weather permitting). So, as the holiday season approaches, we’re back with another roundup of biophilic books to curl up with on those cold, cozy nights or give as gifts to the nature lovers in your life. Themes include brain health, climate change, fungi, and even the intersection of botany and booze. Show NotesThe Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life by Lisa Miller, PhDThe Carbon Almanac: It’s Not Too Late, edited by The Carbon Almanac Network and Seth GodinThe Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der KolkEntangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, & Shape Our Futures by Merlin SheldrakeThe Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael EasterBewilderment by Richard PowersThe Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create The World’s Great Drinks by Amy StewartBuy all these books and more from our favorite local bookstore Hills & Hamlets or their online partner BooksShop.Key Words: nature, holiday, reading list, nature books, biophilia, biophilic, biophilic design, climate change, climate, climate crisis, mindfulness, wellness, carbon footprint, carbon, fungi, mushrooms, bewilderment, richard powers, the overstory, botany, cocktails, holiday cocktailsBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

Mary Davidge has spent her career at the forefront of biophilic design. Between 2014 and 2021, Mary served as Google’s Director of Global Design, where she worked closely with biophilic leaders like Bill Browning and Judi Heerwagen to implement design solutions across Google’s campuses that prioritize health, happiness, and the environment. Prior to that, she ran her own firm, where her groundbreaking work in biophilic design and green building helped lay the foundation for certifications like LEED Platinum and the Living Building Challenge. Nowadays, Mary serves on the board of the Biophilic Institute and on the advisory board of the International Living Future Institute Biophilic Design Initiative, advocating tirelessly for biophilic solutions at scale. In this episode, we discuss Mary’s career at the intersection of tech and green building, the importance of placemaking, and why greening cities can solve multiple societal problems at once. Show NotesAbout Mary Davidge Google’s Mary Davidge Talks Sustainability Changes in Silicon Valley Over the Years (Green Building Matters)Why Does Biophilic Design Make Us Feel So Good? With Bill Browning (Biophilic Solutions)Biophilic Design and the Human Habitat with Dr. Judith Heerwagen (Biophilic Solutions)Terrapin Bright GreenLEED Rating System (U.S. Green Building Council)Living Building Challenge (Living Future)Defining the Worst Type of Street Design (City Lab)What is Placemaking? (ArchDaily)Opinion | Since When Have Trees Existed Only for Rich Americans? (New York Times)The Biophilic InstituteKeywords: Nature, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Green Building, Google, Google Campus, Silicon Valley, Tech, Tech Industry, Design, Architecture, Equity, Environmental Justice, HealthBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

The world is losing its biodiversity at a rapid rate, due in large part to habitat loss caused by climate change. These dual threats pose serious risks to human health and wellbeing, particularly if global leaders fail to take meaningful and quick action. Our guest today is Brian O’Donnell, Director of the Campaign for Nature, an organization whose goal is to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. The Campaign for Nature works with scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers to advance solutions on a global scale. In this episode, we talk to Brian about why 30% is a benchmark number, why biodiversity loss is as great a threat to us as climate change, the highly significant Biodiversity Conference (COP15) which will take place in Montreal this December, and much more. Show NotesCampaign for Nature30 x 30 Sign the 30 x 30 Petition UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15)Rodale InstituteNew report shows why fighting climate change and nature loss must be interlinked (World Economic Forum)Shifting to a Green Economy with Dr. Edward B. Barbier (Biophilic Solutions)Can Organic Agriculture Feed the World? (Biophilic Solutions)Key Words: Nature, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Infrastructure, Government, Environment, Environmental Policy, COP15, Montreal, Biodiversity, Biodiversity Loss, Climate, Climate Change Biophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

One of our most effective tools for improving planetary health is the food we choose to eat. In environmental terms, a vegetarian diet is great and a vegan diet is even better. However, imagining that the bulk of the population will willingly shift to a vegan diet over the next few years seems pretty unlikely (to put it mildly). So, where does that leave us? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Eat the Change co-founder Seth Goldman to advocate for a plant-based approach to food and diet. In a plant-based model, vegetables, fruits, fungi, and legumes are the key players - but there’s not a single food group that’s entirely off-limits. In this episode, we chat about Seth’s line of delicious and healthy snacks made from back-to-basics ingredients like carrots and mushrooms, his background as an entrepreneur in the health food space, and why you can’t sacrifice taste if you want to change peoples’ eating habits. Show NotesEat the ChangeAbout Seth GoldmanPLNT BurgerBeyond BurgerHonest TeaETC ImpactInnovator’s Agenda: How We Approach Innovation at Eat the ChangeEat the Change on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers