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In this episode, Mindful Birding Network members Aaric Eisenstein, Roniq Bartanen and Matthew Young, along with co-hosts Holly Thomas and Holly Merker,  all provide tips, insights, and perspectives, that demonstrate how individualized the practice of Mindful Birding can be.

Let your mind escape while listening to Wendell Berry’s “The Peace of Wild Things” and reflect on how nature and birds bring you to a calmer headspace. 

 In our Mindful Birding Nerding  science segment, Dr. Holly Thomas summarizes a recent study that suggests that Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can have the same effect as a well-known pharmaceutical in the SSRI class, posing the question of whether or not Mindful Birding might have those same beneficial effects.

Recordist Chris Benesh transports us to Australia for our Joy of Birdsong spotlight, as he shares the echoing and ethereal sounds of a Pied Butcherbird singing at dawn. 

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

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Familiar voices from within the Mindful Birding Network share what Mindful Birding means to them. We hear these questions answered by Alex Harper, Dr. Barbara Patterson, Dr. Joe Blanda, Bridget Butler/Bird Diva, and Faraaz Abdool.

In our Mindful Birding Nerding science segment, Dr. Holly Thomas explores the science of why birdsong holds benefits to our wellbeing and provides an overview of a study published in Scientific Reports on birdsong and anxiety. We follow up with our Joy of Birdsong segment hearing from birdsong recordist and birding guide Chris Benesh, who offers us some peaceful moments with a Townsend’s Solitaire.

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

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In this intro episode, co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas introduce the Mindful Birding Podcast, provide insight into the practice of Mindful Birding, and what that might mean, share the background of the Mindful Birding Network , and provide a peek into what's to come in future episodes. 

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