Nature Unplugged Podcast

In this episode we have the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Abbey, a certified forest therapy guide and nutritionist whose work is deeply inspired by nature. We explore the practice of forest therapy (also called forest bathing) and many of the positive physical, emotional, and psychological health benefits that come from deep connection with nature.

In this episode we have the opportunity to speak with award winning journalist and author Richard Louv about his newest book Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives — and Save Theirs. Louv is the author of ten books, including Last Child in the Woods; The Nature Principle; and Vitamin N. Translated into 22 languages, his books have helped launch an international movement to connect children, their families and communities to nature.

We often talk about tips, tricks, and different ways to create a healthy relationship with technology and reconnect to nature, like turning off notifications, getting your phone out of your bedroom, and scheduling unplugged time. While these practices are critical for wellness in the digital age, there is also a lot we can do in terms of our inner work. We’ve created this three part series to take a closer look at what’s going on beneath the surface. The three main categories of inner work are mindfulness, mindset, and inner alignment. In this episode, we’ll explore how mindfulness and intentionality can protect us from the pull of the attention economy.

The Social Dilemma is a recently released documentary on Netflix which explores the dangerous human impact of social networking. Have you seen it? If not, it’s a must-see. If you have seen it, has it changed your relationship with social media? This movie is so up our alley that we felt compelled to share our take on the film.

What boundaries do you have with the technology in your life? With summer coming to an end and school back in session (some in person, some virtual), it’s a great time to reexamine our tech boundaries. In this episode we’re going to dive into what boundaries are and how to help put them in place as we transition into a new season

At Nature Unplugged we’re all about wellness in the digital age. And, a big part of wellness is movement. We know that with the rise of screen time and tech use often comes more sitting and a more sedentary lifestyle. Movement is key and running is one of the most simple and accessible ways to get wonderful movement. But here’s the thing about running, on the upside it’s a great way to get exercise with minimal gear and hassle required. On the down side, it totally sucks. At least that’s how I used to feel about it. So, how do you feel about running? Do you love it, hate it, or somewhere in between?

In this episode we have the opportunity to speak with Lisa Jhung, author of her latest book ‘Running That Doesn’t Suck’. We explore Lisa’s favorite tips and practices for changing your relationship with running (even if you think you hate it).

SHOW NOTES:

Bio:

Writer, editor and author Lisa Jhung has written two books on running: Trailhead, the Dirt on All Things Trail Running (VeloPress, 2015), and her most recent, Running That Doesn’t Suck: How to Love Running (Even if You Think You Hate It) (Running Press, 2019). She’s been writing about running and other outdoor, adventure, and endurance sports for almost 20 years. She’s been an editor at Trail Runner Magazine, a contributing editor to Runner’s World, a special projects editor to Backpacker and now manages the trail running content for PodiumRunner and Women’s Running. She also regularly contributes to Outside Magazine and others. She’s based in Boulder, Colorado, where she runs mountain trails, but fell in love with running (for real) on the beaches of Del Mar, CA, where she grew up, and Santa Barbara, where she went to college.

- Lisa's Website: http://www.lisajhung.com

- https://www.velopress.com/books/trailhead/

- https://www.runningpress.com/titles/lisa-jhung/running-that-doesnt-suck/9780762466726/

- https://www.podiumrunner.com/collection/trail-running/

- https://www.womensrunning.com/collection/trail-running/

CREDITS:

Intro and Outro Song: The Soft Pack - Mexico

Summer is here! It's an amazing time to get out and mix it up in nature. It’s also key to be safe while having fun in the sun. The question is, what’s your go to sunscreen and what’s in it? In this episode we have the opportunity to speak with Maxine Chapman, Co-Founder of SurfDurt reef safe sunscreen. We explore how to stay safe and protected while enjoying the great outdoors. We also examine what a big difference mineral based sunscreen can make on the environment and on our own health.

SHOW NOTES:

- SurfDurt Website: https://www.surfdurt.com/

CREDITS:

Intro and Outro Song: The Soft Pack - Mexico

How has nature inspired your path in life? In this episode we have the opportunity to speak with author James Thompson. He is the author of Create Your Own Path, and he currently lives and works around Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada. Thompson’s path has been deeply inspired by his time exploring the great outdoors. He believes in the transformative power of nature for clarifying your purpose and bringing you peace about the future.

BIO:

James Thompson is the author of Create Your Own Path, and he currently lives and works around Algonquin Park in Ontario. He believes in the transformative power of nature for clarifying your purpose and bringing you peace about the future. You can check out his book here: https://amzn.to/2Ndf8sL

CREDITS:

Intro and Outro Song: The Soft Pack - Mexico

Do you find yourself spending more time on news and social media among the pandemic and all the uncertainty? If so, you may be doomscrolling. And, you're not alone. It turns out that many of us are spending much more time on social media and news platforms. In this episode we explore doomscrolling, what it is, why it’s so hard to look away, and what we can do about it.

SHOW NOTES:

- ENU Scavenger Hunt: https://etsy.me/3fyLsTo

- ENU Adventures (Summer Program): https://www.natureunplugged.com/enu-adventures

- Doomscrolling: Why We Just Can’t Look Away by Nicole Nguyen: https://www.wsj.com/articles/doomscrolling-why-we-just-cant-look-away-11591522200?mod=hp_lista_pos3

CREDITS:

Intro and Outro Song: The Soft Pack - Mexico

As humans we crave security and a sense of control. And, we’re living in a time full of uncertainty and fear. There is uncertainty about the state of our country and the world, the economy, political situation, race relations, and of course our health and wellbeing in the midst of this pandemic. How do we live well while we’re in times of uncertainty, stress, and fear? In this episode we have the opportunity to speak with Integrative health and wellness expert Mark Kalina, M.D. to get his take on the subject.

BIO:

Dr. Mark Kalina did his training in Internal Medicine at UCSD during the AIDS era (before real treatment was available) while also ravenously studying and actively incorporating psychology, spirituality and integrative medicine in all its forms and fashions over the past 30 years, he has a burning passion to help bring a new consciousness to medicine, primary care, health and healing.

He currently work at Pacific Pearl in La Jolla where they are revolutionizing primary and secondary health care by means of an integrative team approach. His other projects of passion include group-based interventions for chronic illness care and reversal and improving the end-of-life experience.

Dr. Kalina’s vision is and has been for 3 decades to change the paradigm of medicine to one based in love, oneness and internal power.

CREDITS:

Intro and Outro Song: The Soft Pack - Mexico