Located in Mid Town Memphis, Overton park is a 342 acre gem. Established in 1902, this park is one of the rare local parks which predates the establishment of the State Park System and even predates the general enabling authority for Tennessee cities to have parks. Designed by George Kessler, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places…

It is long past time that we reexamine the traditional notion of the American Yard. The highly manicured weed free turf grass lawn with associated ornamental shrubs can be highly wasteful in terms of the use of energy and water consumption. The widespread use of herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides by homeowners can be detrimental to the environm…

Fort Negley is a historical park in Nashville, Tennessee. Operated under the auspices of the Metro Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation, the park contains the remnants of a Civil War era Union Army fortress. The fort was mainly constructed by black laborers, many were escaped slaves, who had settled in an encampment surrounding the fort area. Ou…

One subject which continues to inspire grassroots community organization in Tennessee in water quality. Tennessee wants fishable and swimmable waterways. People in Tennessee recognize that clean water is imperative to our health, the environment and to our way of life. The CWEET organization in Cocke County has been working to protect the Pigeon Ri…

The Cumberland River Basin is an area which extends from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky down through Middle Tennessee and finally into Western Kentucky. This is an area of about 1800 square miles. The river provides life supporting water for the citizens who make this place home and supports some of the most ecologically diverse places in North …

The City of Louisville, Kentucky, is one of only four cities in the world which can claim a system of parks designed by the Frederick Law Olmsted and his family firm of landscape architects. Now over 100 years old, these 17 parks are a treasure to the citizens of Louisville and to the nation. These historic parks continue to serve their function an…

Now retired after decades of distinguished service to the Tennessee State Parks, Murray Crow sits down with Mark and shares memories of his remarkable parks experience. Beginning with his schooling at UT Martin, continuing through postings at parks throughout the state, both smaller parks and resort parks and ending with many years at central offic…

Our guest today is Aaron Browning, recently installed President of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association. A native of eastern Kentucky and former college tennis player, Aaron serves as Deputy Director of the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department. TRPA is the leading professional organization for persons working in the field of …

There is a growing movement of concerned citizens which is encouraging people and communities to be more thoughtful about how they manage their home landscapes. Encouraging the reduction of turf grass and exotic ornamentals and encouraging the use of native plants. The Middle Tennessee Chapter of Wild Ones is a group which has this as their mission…

Each year the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) recognizes one or more persons with the Fellow Award. This is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the Parks and Recreation Profession. Our guest today is Michael Gorham, the 2023 TPRA Fellow. Mike served as President of TRPA in 2001-2002, at which time …

On this episode of Culture Counter, meet award-winning author and speaker Alfie Kohn. We discuss the dangers of transactional relationships, blind obedience, punishments, and, believe it or not, rewards. Alfie Kohn's website: https://www.alfiekohn.org/ Links to the books we discuss in this episode: Punished by Rewards https://www.alfiekohn.org/puni…

Trigger Warning: Parts of our conversation include subject matters regarding mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide. If these topics could be potentially triggering for you, please listen at your own discretion. In this final season of NPLH, we’re exploring the concept of loss and what it means to embrace the mystery of the future. For our th…

Trigger Warning: Parts of our conversation include subject matters regarding mental illness and suicide. If these topics could be potentially triggering, please listen at your own discretion. In this final season of NPLH, we’re exploring the concept of loss and what it means to embrace the mystery of the future. For this first episode of the final …

Trigger Warning: Parts of our conversation include subject matters regarding mental health issues. If this topic could be potentially triggering for you, please listen at your own discretion. In this final season of NPLH, we’re exploring the concept of loss and what it means to embrace the mystery of the future. For our second episode of NPLH, we’r…

In our season finale, we take you on a journey to Puerto Rico to meet evangelical pastor turned relief worker and climate advocate, Carlos Rodriguez. He has a powerful personal story about how the climate impacts of Hurricane Maria and Irma transformed the trajectory of his life and ministry. And he shares profound wisdom on how we can all turn “ch…

In this profound and beautiful conversation, we talk with Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder and CEO of Dayenu - a movement of American Jews confronting the climate crisis with spiritual audacity and bold political action. She shares powerful stories from the Jewish faith - which provide insight, light and courage in facing dark times. She also shares ri…

In this episode, we chat with mental health guru meets climate rockstar, Sarah Wilson. She’s the author of “First We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety” which explores anxiety as a spiritual quest. Sarah shares how she’s found spiritual insights and courage in both her mental health journey, as well as her efforts to combat the…

This conversation features a renowned leader at the intersection of racial justice, climate change, and culture. It was recorded before the murder of George Floyd and the recent uprisings - but is relevant to this moment. We hope you’ll listen. We’re honored to have this friend and powerful leader on our show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…

Sherri Mitchell's name in her language is Weh'na Ha'mu Kwasset. She is an indigenous rights attorney from the Penobscot Nation and the author of a wonderful book, Sacred Instructions, that we highly recommend checking out. It brings together indigenous lessons, teachings and guidance she has been moved to share with the wider world, on behalf of th…

Dr. Katharine Wilkinson is a climate author, strategist, and teacher, working to heal the planet we call home. Katharine talks with us about faith, finding courage with a broken heart, the strength in vulnerability, and why we need female leadership to face climate change. Known for her work at the intersection of climate, religion, gender equality…

Climate scientist and Zen Buddhist Dr. Kritee Kanko shares her journey through depression into interbeing with the No Place Like Home family. We look at ecodharma and how meditation and Buddhist teachings can help us navigate the climate crisis - and any crisis. In this new “Bring the Light” season, we’re exploring how spirituality helps us face th…

A former evangelical turned witch, Jamie Lee Finch shares wisdom from this ancient goddess religion on navigating the climate crisis. We explore her surprising spiritual journey, the history of witches as healers, how climate justice connects with desire and sex magic, and why honoring our bodies is critical in the fight to heal our earth home. A s…

In this new “Bring the Light” season, we explore how spirituality helps us face the climate crisis. This isn’t something we can beat with technology, policy and science alone. It takes heart and strength and courage - the kinds of things many people draw from their spiritual or faith traditions. This episode we speak with Mike McHargue, a Southern …

What does Islam teach us about facing climate change? We ask Ibrahim Abdul-Matin: an urban strategist, author and thought leader who has advised political leaders and corporations on climate policy. He also wrote a beautiful book called: “Green Deen : What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet.” In this new “Bring the Light” season, we’re explo…

In Season 3, Bring the Light, we'll explore how faith and spirituality, in all its forms, can help us wrap our arms around the climate crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Critical Frequency

Host Amy Hitt takes a look at the basic definition of democracy and wonders whether or not America still fits within that definition. In part three, we discover that we may hold the blame in the palm of our hands.

Host Amy Hitt takes a look at the basic definition of democracy and wonders whether or not America still fits within that definition.

This bonus episode of No Place Like Home was produced in partnership with Drilled. Host Amy Westervelt speaks with Anna Jane about the importance of good storytelling around the climate crisis, and how culture and entertainment can motivate action. Also featured are Mary Annaïse Heglar, Adam McKay, and David Wallace Wells. This is the second of two…

Host Amy Hitt takes a look at the basic definition of democracy and wonders whether or not America still fits within that definition.

This season on No Place Like Home we’ve been diving into *All The Climate Feels* - the emotional, psychological and spiritual elements of climate change. For our season finale, we chat all the climate feels - and our vision for a new world - with one of our fave pod friends and listeners, Mary Annaïse Heglar. Mary Annaïse is a treasured climate jus…

This episode is devoted to faith, spirituality, religion - and how it contributes to (and complicates) our lives and the climate fight. We’re excited to bring y’all a beautiful, thought-provoking conversation with Karenna Gore - Al Gore’s daughter - who has emerged as a leading spiritual thinker on climate change and spirituality. “Do not abandon y…

This season we’ve been taking a deep dive into how climate change makes us feel - how it impacts us emotionally and spiritually - on a heart level. But what if your whole culture and identity were imperiled right now? This episode, we're honored to share the powerful, aching story of Bernadette Demientieff - a leader of the Gwich’in in Alaska. She'…