Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

Today, we’re diving into one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time: how to truly and equitably mitigate climate change, starting in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This conversation spans a web of critical themes: climate finance, cutting-edge technologies, and most importantly, putting Indigenous communities at the forefront of protecting and restoring the planet’s most vital ecosystems.

Joining us is the brilli...

Time and again, we've examined how the challenges we face – poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and more – are deeply intertwined. Understandably, it can start to feel pretty overwhelming. But here’s the encouraging part: the solutions are just as interconnected. 

In this episode of Biophilic Solutions, we speak with Helena Norberg-Hodge, founder and director of Local Futures, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring ecol...

Let’s face it. Our waste habits are, well, pretty wasteful. Every single day, more than 27,000 trees are cut down just to make toilet paper. Meanwhile, the average disposable diaper takes over 500 years to decompose in a landfill, all while leaching harmful plastics and chemicals into the environment. And that’s not even counting other single-use sanitary products like tampons, pads, and wipes. Put simply, our throwaway culture is ...

On today’s episode, we’re delving into the growing epidemic of loneliness, examining its root causes, far-reaching impacts, and what it will take to rebuild our social fabric. For this important and timely conversation, we were thrilled to be joined by Radha Agrawal, author of the bestselling book Belong: Find Your People, Create Community & Live a More Connected Life. Radha is also the Co-founder, CEO, and Chief Community Arch...

For many people, work simply isn’t working anymore. Wages have stagnated while the cost of living continues to rise. Endless hours in front of a screen leave us burnt out. More often than not, the labor we do feels disconnected from any real purpose. But what if there was another way? Imagine a future where small communities live in harmony with the land, and the work we do is rooted in care for each other, for the earth, and for o...

Today, we’re exploring the landscapes of the future with Stacy Passmore and Diane Lipovsky, co-founders of the award-winning landscape architecture studio, Superbloom. Stacy and Diane are redefining the role of landscape architecture by designing spaces that foster meaningful connections between people and the land. From transforming schoolyards and government buildings to rewilding a 50-acre golf course and planning solar parks, t...

We’re living in an era largely defined by consumerism, social media addiction, climate change, and political unrest. Given all of that, it’s really no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed, burned out, and disconnected.

That’s why, today, we’re thrilled to welcome Douglas Rushkoff, an award-winning author and documentarian, who was named one of the world’s ten most influential intellectuals by MIT. Douglas’s work tackles some of...

This week, we’re sitting down with Rebecca Magee to discuss the importance of seasonal living, the need to honor periods of rest, and how reconnecting with nature can lead to a more thoughtful and invigorating way of life. 

Rebecca is the founder of Sister Seasons,  an impact company that helps changemakers work with nature’s cycles to develop the skills they need to be thriving, regenerative leaders on a rapidly changing planet. Wi...

As we launch Season 5, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the vital role of nature in uncertain times. Our connection to the natural world isn’t just about aesthetics – it profoundly shapes our mental health, strengthens community bonds, and influences our cultural identities. In this episode, we explore how technology can either distract us or serve as a tool for deeper engagement and examine how our consumption habits affect our...

Season 5 of Biophilic Solutions premieres on Tuesday, March 4th! This season, we're taking a broader approach to biophilia—going beyond architecture and design to examine nature’s role in culture, politics, and spirituality. We’ll tackle pressing issues like the rise of AI, the influence of social media, and the current political climate, all through the lens of nature and balance. With a focus on hope and possibility, we’ll p...

This year, we’re embracing the slower pace of winter and our mantra is less rush, more cheer. More time with family and friends, more warm cups of tea, more long walks in the woods, and of course more time spent curled up with a good book. So, as the holiday season approaches, we’re back with more nature-inspired and uplifting reads. So whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone special in your life or are in need of s...

Does the natural world bear witness to history? What lessons can nature teach us about survival, adaptation, and connection? This week, we’re exploring those questions and so much more alongside Erin Sharkey. Erin Sharkey is the editor of A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing From Soil To Stars, an acclaimed anthology that weaves together history, personal narrative, and imaginative storytelling in order to explore the profound...

This week, we’re diving deep into the interconnectedness of human health and planetary health. We know that nature provides us with a myriad of health benefits, both as individuals and socially. However, challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss also pose a dire threat to our species, from disease proliferation, unstable food systems, and even increasing crime rates. 

Our guest today is Dr. Howard Frumkin. Dr. Frumki...

Is the idea of pristine, untouched nature a misguided fantasy? Are any animals truly wild on a planet so dominated by human impact? And while we’re on the topic - what do we mean by wildness in the first place? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that redefines our relationship with nature and encourages us to rethink our place within it.

This week, our guest is celebrated science writer Emma Marris, author of Wild Souls: F...

We know that many animals possess “human-like” qualities: the ability to play, sustain friendships, mate for life, and even reflect on the past. But what should we actually do with that information? That’s the crucial question that Brandon Keim poses in his latest book Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-Than Human World. Brandon is a journalist who specializes in science, nature, and animals. His work has appeared ...

With the rise of suburban sprawl and city planning that has prioritized car travel above all else, modern American cities seriously lack comfortable walking and biking infrastructure. It’s a massive issue - but solutions do exist and importantly, those solutions are decidedly doable. 

Today we are so thrilled to be speaking with Jeff Speck, a city planner, who is widely known for his work advocating for and creating more walkable ci...

Mushrooms are fascinating. They’re not quite plants and they’re not quite animals. Unique and charming mushroom caps are just the fruit of a massive, interconnected mycelium network. And there are millions of mushroom species yet to be discovered. 

In this episode, Gregory & Emily Han share the mysterious world of mushrooms. They’re the co-authors of Mushroom Hunting: Forage for Fungi and Connect with the Earth, a wonderfully ac...

What would you think if your doctor wrote you a prescription to take a walk outside? To visit an art museum? To take a yoga class? It may sound unconventional, but the practice of prescribing nonmedical interventions to improve health, known as social prescribing, is becoming more and more commonplace. This week, we’re chatting with Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service,...

Wellness is a buzzword that gets thrown a lot these days - but at its core, what does wellness really mean? And how do we design homes, towns, and entire cities where the wellness of residents is a top priority? In this special episode of Biophilic Solutions, we’re sharing Dr. Phill Tabb’s author talk from the Biophilic Leadership Summit, focusing on his latest book, Wellness Architecture and Urban Design, co-authored with Lahra Ta...