Welcome to the first of two episodes dedicated to the boundless beauty of the natural world. In this episode, Roberta invites you on a personal and deeply spiritual journey into the beauty of Nature -a place she calls her "cathedral"

Join her on a meditative forest walk as she explores why nature is the quintessential expression of beauty and spirit. From the rustling leaves and the intricate communication between trees to the healing power of birdsong, this episode is a tribute to the profound and reciprocal relationship we share with the earth. Roberta discusses how nature untangles the mind, reminds us of our place in the universe, and offers a path back home to ourselves.

This is a conversation about seeing the world through a lens of wonder, gratitude, and reverence, and discovering the sacred in the spaces all around us.

In this episode, we explore:

• Roberta's personal connection with nature as a self-proclaimed "dendrophile" (a lover of trees and forests).
• The practice of mindful walking and being fully present in our natural surroundings.
• The spiritual language of nature and why it is an essential part of the discussion on beauty.
• The incredible science of trees: their subterranean fungal networks, their methods of communication, and their role as the "lungs of the earth."
• The concept of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and its scientifically-proven benefits for reducing stress and boosting the immune system.
• The simple beauty of flowers, birdsong, and infinite other opportunities to notice and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
• How nature can re-inspire us, fill the void of belonging, and remind us that we are one with it.
• A recording of Mary Oliver's reading of her unforgettable poem "When I Am Among the Trees."

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• App: Merlin Bird ID by Cornell University
• Concept: Shinrin-yoku (Japanese Forest Bathing)
• Concept: Komorebi (Japanese term for sunlight filtering through trees)
• Concept: Pando, the single-organism Aspen forest in Utah
• Event: International Dawn Chorus Day
• Poem: "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry
• Poem: "Lost" by David Wagoner
• Poem: "When I Am Among the Trees" by Mary Oliver
• Author: Thich Nhat Hanh on mindful walking
• Quote: Dr. SunWolf on flowers
• Quote: Ralph Waldo Emerson on flowers
• Quote: Hermann Hesse, from his book Trees
• Quote: Rachel Carson on seeing the world with fresh eyes

Thank you for listening. Part Two of our conversation on nature will be released in August. Until then, find some time to go outside, breathe deeply, and let the forest find you.

Follow the journey on Instagram: @beautyremastered

Production:

• Audio Engineering: Alan Sahatjan at Burclan Productions
• Operations: Stephen Safak at Triple S Operations