Episodes

  • 118. The Poetry of Science, Nature Check, and Groups of Belonging w/ Dr. Sheryl Hosler
    May 9 2025

    Send us a text

    Dr. Cheryl Hosler, creator of Nature Check and The Roving Naturalist, shares her journey from feeling inadequate in science to becoming a postdoctoral researcher and innovative science communicator who uses storytelling and gaming to connect people with ecological concepts.

    • Cheryl's educational path from English major to scientist, overcoming early discouragement in high school science classes
    • The limitations of the "deficit model" in science communication and why simply providing information rarely changes behavior
    • How cover crops function in agricultural systems and their ecological benefits
    • The importance of applied science that directly addresses stakeholders' needs
    • Why scientists should study humanities to develop critical thinking and empathy
    • Using Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games to humanize scientists and make science accessible
    • The Roving Naturalist YouTube channel and its approach to science communication
    • How community and "groups of belonging" influence our attitudes and behaviors

    Find your community and surround yourself with people who help you see the best version of yourself that could be. The right community will motivate you to become that person.


    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 117. Chaos Garden Gremlins, Necessary Context, and Practical Landscapes w/ Sean Patchett
    May 2 2025

    Send us a text

    Sean Patchett, known online as Garden Guy Muskoka, shares his multifaceted experience in horticulture, from landscape work to science communication, emphasizing the critical importance of context in gardening advice.

    • Context is everything when sharing gardening information – advice must be tailored to location, climate, and specific situations
    • The internet contains overwhelming amounts of gardening information, requiring critical evaluation and testing
    • Working in landscapes requires a jack-of-all-trades approach – from plant care to construction skills
    • Well-designed gardens must consider long-term maintenance and how plants will grow over time
    • Master Gardeners organizations provide hyper-local gardening advice from trained volunteers
    • Approaching gardening with humility allows for continued learning and growth
    • Anecdotal evidence has value in horticulture when properly contextualized
    • Making mistakes is an essential part of gardening – it's how we learn and improve

    Follow Sean at @GardenGuyMuskoka on social media platforms and check out his podcast "Plants Always Win" wherever you listen to podcasts.


    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • 116. National Parks, Leaving No Trace, and Touching Grass w/ Cassie Yahnian and Danielle LaRock
    Apr 10 2025

    Send us a text

    Cassie Yahnian and Danielle LaRock share the captivating journey of their podcast National Park After Dark, celebrating four years of exploring the mysteries, histories, and conservation stories of America's public lands.

    • Former veterinary technicians who bonded over their shared love of outdoor spaces and morbid curiosity
    • Transformed casual conversations about national park mysteries into a wildly successful podcast
    • Use compelling storytelling to convey conservation messages and outdoor ethics more effectively than direct instruction
    • Emphasize the importance of responsible recreation with current national park staffing shortages
    • Highlight the humbling power of nature to provide perspective and grounding in our increasingly digital lives
    • Recommend supporting national parks through donations and volunteering for trail maintenance
    • Share personal favorite parks including Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, with deeply personal connections to these spaces
    • Advise listeners to trust their intuition and prioritize time for activities that bring true meaning and joy


    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 115. Native Landscapes, Lo-fi Dad Jazz, and the Rungs of the Ladder w/ Rooey
    Mar 28 2025

    Send us a text

    Roey, a music industry marketing professional and lo-fi producer, uses his "dad jazz" instrumental music to fund native plant installations across Nashville and beyond.

    • Growing up in a family of avid gardeners and nature enthusiasts instilled a deep appreciation for native plants and natural spaces
    • Names his songs after native plants and uses all proceeds to purchase seeds from Roundstone, a native plant seed farm in Kentucky
    • Transformed his yard into a 4,000 square foot wildflower haven that serves as both beautiful habitat and practical barrier from busy streets
    • Works with schools, city planners, and neighborhoods to create native plant installations that help reduce flooding and filter pollutants
    • Explains how native plants require less maintenance than conventional landscaping while supporting local wildlife and ecosystems
    • Demonstrates how urban wildflower installations can help reconnect people with nature and create community around conservation
    • Emphasizes that "done is better than perfect" when it comes to conservation efforts and environmental projects

    Check out Rooey's lo-fi music on Spotify, Apple Music, or at rooey.co and see how music and native plants can transform urban environments into thriving ecosystems.


    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • 114. Food Communities, Growing Together, and No-bots w/ Dr. Jessica Tullar Caroom
    Mar 13 2025

    Send us a text

    Dr. Jessica Tullar Caroom returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of her community food systems work and the importance of building meaningful connections through growing and sharing food.

    • Growing Together Texas supports gardeners, growers, and cooks as three interconnected parts of a healthy food ecosystem
    • Creating an online farmers market (LBK Grown) that helps local producers collaborate rather than compete
    • Offering subscription produce boxes with seasonal vegetables and recipe guides that consistently sell out
    • Starting small is key to garden success whether at home or in community settings
    • Approaching plant growing by difficulty level - begin with herbs (easiest), then leafy greens, roots, and finally tomatoes/peppers
    • Community gatherings like "Garden Guardians" provide vital support and knowledge sharing among garden leaders
    • Finding meaning in the process of gardening and community building, not just in the harvest
    • Building resilient local food systems by diversifying beyond the conventional market

    Join Jessica's Garden Guardians events and learn more about subscribing to local produce boxes at growingtogetherTX.com or follow @GrowingTogetherTX on Facebook and Instagram.


    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • 113. Houseplants, Diabolical Weeds, and Fickle Figs- Winter 2025 Q&A
    Feb 28 2025

    Send us a text

    This episode is a delightful exploration of listener-submitted plant questions, offering insights into plant care, specific plant challenges, and the relationship between environmental conditions and plant health.

    - Overview of the seasonal Q&A format
    - Discussion on controlling bindweed and morning glory
    - Humidity’s nuanced effect on plant health
    - Benefits of indoor plants on air quality
    - Recommended houseplants for low-light conditions
    - Host reflections on wisdom and community in plant care

    If you enjoyed this episode and want to dive deeper into plant knowledge, be sure to share with your friends or leave us a review!


    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • 112. Gardening, Building Community, and BLT Sandwiches
    Feb 13 2025

    Send us a text

    This episode emphasizes the importance of community, realistic expectations, and small beginnings in gardening. We explore how to nurture connections with neighbors, set achievable goals, and adapt to various living conditions to create a rewarding gardening experience.
    • Understanding why content creators should be careful with gardening recommendations
    • Setting realistic expectations about food production at home
    • The vital role of community in successful gardening practices
    • The benefits of starting small to prevent burnout and build confidence
    • How climate zones affect plant selection and gardening success
    • Encouragement to grow what you love for a more sustainable gardening journey
    • Practical advice on basic tools and soil preparation techniques
    • An overview of seed starting and maintenance strategies
    • The significance of planning for pest management and post-harvest practices

    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • 111. Dragon Fruits, Lichen, and the Most Important Plant Thing- Summer 2024 Q&A
    Aug 5 2024

    Send us a text

    What's up Plant People?? It's been a minute since our last Q&A episode, and I have some good ones for you today! Thanks to @marahw1999, @honukaimi, and Shannon Perry (oz9podcast) for the outstanding questions!

    Be sure to check out the Lubbock Arts Alliance on Instagram and their other socials to learn more about Delightful Fantasy Flowers and enter for a chance to win some cool swag!

    Oh, and if you'd like to watch a cool time lapse of a dragon fruit blooming, you can find that on my Instagram!





    Support the show

    As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

    Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

    Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.

    • Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com
    • Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology
    • Facebook: Planthropology
    • Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People
    • Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod
    • ...
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins