Stepping into the garden with Joe Lamp'l (better known as Joe the Gardener) feels like walking alongside a trusted friend who's been tending the soil for decades. The Emmy award-winning host of PBS's "Growing a Greener World" brings warmth, wisdom, and infectious enthusiasm to our conversation about finding joy in nature and living more intentionally.

Joe's journey began with a magical childhood moment—at eight years old, he accidentally broke a branch from a hedge, stuck it in the ground to hide his mistake, and returned months later to discover it had taken root and sprouted new leaves. That single moment of wonder sparked a lifelong passion that eventually led him from corporate accounting to becoming one of America's most beloved gardening educators.

What strikes you immediately about Joe is his authentic connection to the natural world. Despite decades in the field, his curiosity remains insatiable. "I love gardening more today than yesterday, and tomorrow I'll love it more than today," he shares, explaining how each discovery adds another layer to his appreciation rather than replacing what came before. This perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint to our culture of constant consumption and disposable experiences.

Throughout our conversation, Joe weaves practical gardening wisdom with profound insights about slowing down and rewilding both our landscapes and ourselves. He describes his morning ritual of sitting outside with coffee at dawn, listening to birdsong before checking emails—a simple practice that grounds him in nature's rhythms before the day's demands begin. This intentional approach to living carries through to his gardening practices, where he's recently embraced incorporating more native plants and creating habitat spaces that support wildlife.

One of the most thought-provoking moments comes when Joe articulates a concept many of us intuitively feel but struggle to name: "It's the losses we notice, it's the diminishment we don't see." Using the example of monarch butterflies, he illustrates how gradual decline often escapes our attention until species are critically endangered. His gentle reminder that "every bit counts" empowers listeners to take action in whatever space they have available—from extensive acreage to apartment balconies.

Ready to reconnect with nature and discover the joy of growing? Subscribe to our podcast for more conversations with people who are living differently and creating positive change in their communities. Share your own gardening journey with us on social media—we'd love to see how you're living slow and re-wilding your corner of the world.

Joe's Webiste: https://joegardener.com/

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What is the Natural Obsession Podcast all about?

Growing up, we all had those moments in nature that stuck with us—whether it was a quiet walk in the woods or a grand adventure. On Natural Obsession, it’s our desire to bring those moments to life. As we talk to people from all walks of life we will learn how they fell in love with the outdoors, the different ways they enjoy it today, and explore how we can work together to ensure these spaces are around for years to come. It’s all about sharing memories from the outdoors and ensuring future generations can make their own.

To find out more about Natural Obsession and hosts, Daniel Emison and TJ Virden, visit our website at https://www.natob.co/.

If you have questions about episodes or have guest recommendations please email us at info@natob.co.

Follow us on social media to keep up with upcoming guests and episode info:

• Natural Obsession on Facebook
• @NatObPodcast on Instagram

Bruce McMath paints a vivid picture of what we've lost as artificial lighting has erased our view of the stars, and why it matters more than you might think.

When was the last time you truly saw the night sky? Not the dim scattering of stars visible from suburbs, but the breathtaking cosmic vista our ancestors considered as fundamental to human experience as sunrise and sunset. For most Americans today—especially the 90% of young people who've never witnessed the Milky Way—this connection has been severed by the steady creep of light pollution.

As chair of the Arkansas Natural Sky Association, McMath explains how this environmental issue extends far beyond astronomy. The Earth has experienced the rhythm of day and night for 4.5 billion years, and every living thing has evolved within this cycle. Artificial light disrupts these patterns at a fundamental level, suppressing melatonin production in humans (increasing risks of diabetes, cancer, and depression), disorienting migratory birds (killing hundreds of millions annually), confusing nocturnal pollinators, and even altering plant growth patterns. The conversation reveals surprising facts about how "security" lights often make properties less secure by illuminating potential targets for criminals, while wasting energy and creating harmful glare.

The good news? Unlike many environmental challenges, addressing light pollution actually saves money and improves visibility. Communities like Flagstaff, Arizona have implemented lighting ordinances that allow residents to see the Milky Way from within city limits while maintaining safe, functional lighting. Simple solutions include using motion sensors, warmer light colors (3000K or lower), properly shielded fixtures, and turning off unnecessary illumination. McMath shares practical steps everyone can take—from enabling night mode on electronic devices to certifying homes as night-sky friendly.

Ready to reconnect with the night sky? Join us for this illuminating conversation about slowing down and rewilding our relationship with darkness. As McMath beautifully expresses, there's nothing quite like "letting your soul wander among the stars with nature's chorus" of whippoorwills and tree frogs—an experience that's "soul-cleansing and heart-refreshing" in our increasingly artificial world.

Arkansas Natural Sky Association:

https://darkskyarkansas.org/

Dark Sky International: https://darksky.org/

Dark Sky approved lighting fixtures and retailers: https://darksky.org/what-we-do/d

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What is the Natural Obsession Podcast all about?

Growing up, we all had those moments in nature that stuck with us—whether it was a quiet walk in the woods or a grand adventure. On Natural Obsession, it’s our desire to bring those moments to life. As we talk to people from all walks of life we will learn how they fell in love with the outdoors, the different ways they enjoy it today, and explore how we can work together to ensure these spaces are around for years to come. It’s all about sharing memories from the outdoors and ensuring future generations can make their own.

To find out more about Natural Obsession and hosts, Daniel Emison and TJ Virden, visit our website at https://www.natob.co/.

If you have questions about episodes or have guest recommendations please email us at info@natob.co.

Follow us on social media to keep up with upcoming guests and episode info:

• Natural Obsession on Facebook
• @NatObPodcast on Instagram

Reconnecting with the land doesn't mean you have to do it all at once. Dirk Tanner of Tanner Farmstead shares his practical wisdom on finding balance in the homesteading journey.

"I think there's valuable skills that we've lost in today's day and age that our grandparents had," Dirk reflects early in our conversation. His journey from suburban upbringing to homesteader wasn't motivated by apocalyptic concerns, but rather a desire to reclaim connection with food production and traditional knowledge.

What makes Dirk's perspective so refreshing is his balanced approach. Rather than promoting complete self-sufficiency (which he acknowledges is nearly impossible), he advocates starting with manageable projects that bring joy. A garden and some chickens provide the perfect entry point for most people. From there, Dirk offers counterintuitive wisdom about prioritizing ruminant animals like sheep that convert grass into meat efficiently, rather than the grain-dependent chickens and pigs that many homesteaders focus on first.

Throughout our conversation, Dirk shares practical insights on everything from water systems (rainwater collection may be more practical than expensive well drilling), to food preservation strategies (focusing on naturally storage-friendly crops), to the honor system farm stand he once operated. His experience scaling back from commercial farming to homesteading highlights an important reality: sometimes less truly is more.

Beyond the practical aspects, Dirk speaks eloquently about how homesteading has connected him to the cycles of life and death, deepened his faith, and created opportunities for meaningful community. His ultimate goal isn't just self-sufficiency, but creating lasting memories with his family and teaching his children to be connected to reality in ways that modern convenience often obscures.

Whether you're a seasoned homesteader or just curious about growing your first tomato, Dirk's approachable wisdom offers valuable perspective on slowing down and rewilding your life, one small step at a time. Check out Tanner Farmstead across social media platforms for more homesteading content and consulting services!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tannerfarmstead/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tannerfarmstead/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tannerfarmstead

Tanner Farmstead Store: https://tannerfarmsteadacademy.thinkific.com/

_______________________

What is the Natural Obsession Podcast all about?

Growing up, we all had those moments in nature that stuck with us—whether it was a quiet walk in the woods or a grand adventure. On Natural Obsession, it’s our desire to bring those moments to life. As we talk to people from all walks of life we will learn how they fell in love with the outdoors, the different ways they enjoy it today, and explore how we can work together to ensure these spaces are around for years to come. It’s all about sharing memories from the outdoors and ensuring future generations can make their own.

To find out more about Natural Obsession and hosts, Daniel Emison and TJ Virden, visit our website at https://www.natob.co/.

If you have questions about episodes or have guest recommendations please email us at info@natob.co.

Follow us on social media to keep up with upcoming guests and episode info:

• Natural Obsession on Facebook
• @NatObPodcast on Instagram