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In this episode we’re offering something a bit different from our typical podcasts. And this may change when or how you might listen to this episode.

Holly Merker offers an 11 minute forest guided imagery experience, and Holly Thomas offers a 22 minute Yoga Nidra experience with  birds. 

Natural soundscapes and bird soundtracks in this episode recorded by Holly & Holly. Holly Merker shares soundtracks from Acadia National Park in Maine and eastern Pennsylvania, and Holly Thomas shares soundscapes from northern California. 

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

In this episode, we recap the Nature and Health Conference held in Houston, Texas by the Nature and Health Alliance, and share our takeaways of inspiration, learning, and activation propeling the initiatives of nature -based health initiatives within the frame of Mindful Birding.

We discuss the work of Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, and an international award-winning and inspirational documentary featuring experiences of her life called Between Earth and Sky  

We learned from some inspiring leaders in the field of nature prescriptions and therapeutic outdoor experiences, including (and there are many more!):

Campus Nature Rx Network 

Nature Can Heal

Parks Rx

Dr. Jennifer Roberts

Boyznthewood 

Cj Goulding

Jaime Gonzalez

REI Cooperative Action Fund

Blue Sky Funders Forum

 We refer to these previous podcast episodes: 

Episode 20: Mindful Birding for Mental Health & Self-Compassion: Good Birds, Good Birders, and FOMO : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148646/episodes/15961485

Episode 9: Prescriptive Nature  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148646/episodes/13874210

In our "Mindful Birding Nerding" Science Segment, Holly Thomas shares a study examining the power of outdoor MBSR practice, and explores the power of story woven in, posing prompts for you to consider in your own practice.

 For the Joy of Birdsong, Holly Merker shares an audio clip of chorus of the American Robin recorded in Pennsylvania. 

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

In this episode, we explore the question: if we combine both music created by people with the music of birds, can this amplify the wellness benefits of both of them? 

We interview Diane Arkenstone, an internationally acclaimed musician and bird lover, who shares her music with the world to inspire a soothing meditation and healing, especially in her latest release elevating the songs of birds as her vocalists within. Diane shares how nature and nature's music, healed the heart complications she suffered since childhood, and how birds have been a beacon of healing light throughout her life.

Listen to Diane's latest release during our Joy of Birdsong segment and fill yourself with the meditative power of birdsong. 

 You can learn more about Diane’s work on her website 

And follow her work here:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianearkenstone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diane.arkenstone/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dianearkenstone 

 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tACdDgcOW9HHM1Z4T3L29

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DianearkenstoneMusi

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

Can Mindful Birding pair with bird photography? In this episode of the Mindful Birding Podcast, we interview photographer, designer, award-winning author, and mindfulness meditation practitioner, Susan Preston, addressing what might be a controversial topic: Is it possible to practice mindfulness through the camera lens? 

We learn more about Susan's inspiration by the birds as they translate through her lens, as she shares about some of the language surrounding bird photography and frustrations encountered. She also reads from her award-winning book Bosque Winter Wings

The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio offers the backdrop to much of our conversation as well Susan's book and the soundscape to the Joy of Birdsong segment. 

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the idea that by leaning into joy through wild birds, we can help offset a negativity bias that researchers suggest we are innately wired towards.  We consider how shifting our attention onto birds may empower change to our mental states and might even alter our brain structures in a positive way. 

 In the Mindful Birding Nerding Science segment, Dr. Holly Thomas shares how generating positive emotions through birding can help offset negative feelings, perhaps recalibrating our negativity bias, and she explores how the work of Dr. Rick Hanson can transcend into Mindful Birding – by noticing positive experiences we have with birds and leaning into them.

 In our Joy of birdsong segment, Holly Thomas shares the sounds of one of her backyard vocalists, a Greater Roadrunner.  

 Looking to find community through Mindful Birding? Check out the Mindful Birding Network's global Events page and join the network

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

In this episode we talk with Freya McGregor, owner of Access Birding LLC , about what it means to create accessible and inclusive experiences for everyone, and why Mindful Birding offers an inclusive and therapeutic experience for all people. We'll hear  about the Access Birding certification course, and other opportunities on innovative approaches to accessibility and inclusivity in birding overall. 

In our joy of birdsong segment, Seth Benz of the Schoodic Institute , a nonprofit org supporting Acadia National Park in Maine, shares a segment of a soundscape recording by Laura Sebastianelli . You can listen to the full recording of the soundscape here: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/456772271

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

In this episode, we have a conversation with Lillian Stokes and Matthew Young, authors of the interactive and engaging new book The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada, a book that embodies hope and joy, and can serve as a bridge between our personal wellbeing and understanding finches. 

The authors share how their backgrounds in social work and mental health pairs together with their work with birds, and what finches can teach us. 

 For the Joy of Birdsong segment, Chris Benesh offers us an array of finch songs to enjoy, including Lawrence's Goldfinch,  Lesser Goldfinch, Black-headed Siskin, Red Crossbill,

Learn more about finches and research surrounding them by checking out the Finch Research Network

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

In this episode, we honor gratitude for wild birds, by playing voices of gratitude from around the world, which some of our listeners and network members have offered.  We thank all that have contributed and those of you who listen! 
You will hear the voices of:

Arax, United Kingdom

Don Boyd, New Mexico

Pamela Lowell, Massachusetts

Pam Kolber-Zicca, New York

Mary, Colorado

Holly Thomas, New Mexico

Dave Edson, Massachusetts

Jo, California

Laurel, Michigan 

Holly Merker, Pennsylvania

Julie, Maryland

Susan Preston, New Mexico 

Jack Bruce, Georgia 

Amanda Booher, South Dakota

Lindsay McNamara, New Jersey 

Anne, Pennsylvania 

Poem by Mary Oliver:  “With Thanks to the Field Sparrow”

In the Mindful Birding Nerding segment: Holly Thomas explores the science of gratitude and joy

Spending Money on Others Promotes Happiness https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1150952

A neural link between generosity and happiness

https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15964

 In the Joy of Birdsong segment, Chris Benesh is back with the song of a Horned Lark recorded in Oaxaca, Mexico 

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

Do you often hear the question: “See anything good?”  while birding? 

 In this episode we discuss this question and tease apart the idea of “what is a good bird”, what is a “good birder”, and how sometimes these questions might allow self-judgement to surface, and how these questions relate to both our mental health and self-compassion. 

 We also bring up the fear of missing out, and how this may also influence our mental wellbeing in the context of birding. Link to Bird Diva blog on Fomo

In the Mindful Birding Nerding science segment, Holly Thomas shares how self-compassion can enhance our experiences with birds.
Links: Dr. Kristin Neff 

Balanced Minds : Comparison vs Compassion

Thich Nhat Hahn’s writing provides prompts on how to replace negative energy and mindful birding could be a good way to address that negative energy if it surfaces for us. 

Reading suggestions: 

Dawn Songs edited by Jamie K. Reaser and J. Drew Lanham

Mary Oliver’s Owl’s And Other Fantasies

J.Drew Lanham’s Sparrow Envy

The Joy of Birdsong segment features birds recorded from Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

[email protected]

Have you ever wondered how you can become even more attuned to the birds around you? 

 In this episode of the Mindful Birding Podcast, Holly and Holly have a conversation with Dan Gardoqui, a well known specialist in bird language, and nature-based consultant & coach, award winning educator and naturalist. 

You’ll get to hear some tips and input on deepening our connections to the natural world, "talking to birds", thinking about our attention and energy, curiosity as a superpower, and practicing gratitude.  

We also share a segment from the book What the Robin Knows, by Jon Young, for which Dan served as science and audio editor.

In the Joy of Birdsong segment, you’ll be treated to Dan’s incredible mimicry of some common North American birds. 

Learn more about Dan and Lead with Nature at Lead with Nature

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas