In this episode of Rocks to Roots, Hilary and Duane sit down with Spokane native, educator, biologist, and Primal Survivor host Hazen Audel for a wide-ranging conversation about nature, storytelling, conservation, and the power of community.  

From growing up across the street from Manito Park to living alongside Indigenous communities, Hazen shares the experiences that shaped his lifelong connection to the natural world. The conversation explores everything from biodiversity and plant knowledge to Spokane’s overlooked landscapes and why developing a deeper relationship with nature matters now more than ever.  

Hazen also opens up about his unconventional path through education, living in the rainforest as a teenager, studying botany and biology, teaching at Ferris High School, and eventually becoming the host of a globally recognized television series. Along the way, he reflects on sustainability, Indigenous knowledge, conservation, and how modern life has disconnected many people from the environments around them.  

This episode is equal parts inspiring, thoughtful, and adventurous — and serves as a reminder that some of the most extraordinary stories can start right here in Spokane.

Learn more about Hazen’s at:

https://www.hazenaudel.com/

https://www.hazenaudelartworks.com/