Curiosity has gotten a bad rap - consider the phrase, ‘curiosity killed the cat’. However, curiosity is is how all scientific breakthroughs begin. As Albert Einstein said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” When we are curious, we open to creative solutions and what we need in a quickly evolving world are out-of-the-box solutions. This episode will introduce you to the exciting branch of science known as ‘biomimicry’. Biomimicry is a form of science that studies the strategies natural organisms use to solve challenges. Nature has already solved so many of the problems humans have. This episode is sure to stoke and prompt your curiosity…
For full show notes, head to:
emmahawthorne.com/podcast/curiosity
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Join adventurer, sustainability advocate, ultramarathon runner, digital nomad, yogi and overall inspiring being, Karin Traeger Hermosilla. Karin is a multi-passionate being who was brought up in Chile, spent many years in Australia and is now running her own business whilst travelling the world and following her curiosity and passions. She has a wealth of knowledge and advice to offer beginner and professional conservationists, especially for those in the not for profit conservation and sustainability sector, as well as how to live a purposeful and aligned life. Karin also acknowledges that living an aligned life means also balancing self care with action.
Get ready to be nature-inspired!
To connect with Karin, find her on LinkedIn and visit her website laloyka.com
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Experts say that Eco Anxiety is a rational response to the massive ecological threats our planet is facing right now. That means, if you are feeling anxious, angered, or overwhelmed, this is completely normal. This episode looks at what Eco or Climate Anxiety is, the antidote to Eco-Anxiety, tools and tips for anyone experiencing eco-anxiety and a short meditation to help you feel that what you do matters. That even if you are only a drop in the ocean, you are still important. Let’s face this together, normalise anxiety and find ways we can balance self care with empowered action.
Please note, although Emma is a trained meditation teacher, this episode is guidance only. If you are in need of support, please reach out to health professionals or support lines such as Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14.
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Do you know what the world’s largest organism is? This episode looks at the world’s largest organism which can teach us about connection and collaboration. We will take a look at some of the complex relationships between fungi, trees, ants, and butterflies. We will also look at ways we can ensure the complex systems of forests remain protected.
“Nature teaches us that true resilience comes from collaboration, not competition."
~ REGENERATION INTERNATIONAL ~
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Learn more about the World's Largest Organism here.
Learn more about mycelial, mycorrhizal connections, and the "Wood Wide Web" in Suzanne Simard's book
'Finding the Mother Tree' and Paul Stamet's book, ‘Mycelium Running: How mushrooms can help save the world’.
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Instagram @natureinspiredpodcast
Join Emma as she interviews Kirsten Parris, professor of urban ecology at Melbourne University who specialises in amphibian ecology and conservation. Kirsten is also an author of both fiction and creative non-fiction who has studied Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT University. Kirsten is a magician at weaving science with creativity, finding innovative ways to share stories of nature and how we may help support nature. This episode ventures into urban ecology, frog biology, and how to start a creative nature writing practice.
To learn more about Kirsten and her array of publications in the academic, fiction, and non-fiction realms, visit her at kirstenparris.com. You can also follow her on Instagram as @urbanfrogger or on LinkedIn.
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To celebrate World Wildlife Day, join Emmas as she interviews Paul Revie, an ecologist and zoologist specialising in Quoll Conservation. These cute yet ferocious carnivores are an example of the complex diversity of life. Paul talks about how he started the not-for-profit Quoll Society in south east Queensland to fills gaps in Quoll research and conservation. He also talks about some of their threats, what the Quoll Society are doing to help protect these species, and how you can get involved. Emma then talks a little bit about World Wildlife Day and how you can support wildlife today and every day.
To learn more or get involved with Quoll Conservation then head to The Quoll Society webpage or their LinkedIn page here.
For show notes:
emmahawthorne.com/podcast/quoll-conservation/
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In this episode, hear about some good news for nature. Let these stories give you hope and inspire you to take empowered action.
☀️ Learn about the billionaire couple regenerating land in Tasmaniahere.
🍃 For news on the Brazilian couple who have planted 2 million trees over 20 years to restore a destroyed forest, click here.
🏔️ A mountain in New Zealand has been granted legal personhood. Learn more about it here.
🦫 Beavers are back from extinction and helping to re-wild Britain. Check them out here.
🐅 Tigers in India have doubled in numbers over the last decade. Learn more here.
☢️ Learn about how Portugal has decommissioned all coal-fired plants and run domestic power on only 10% of fossil fuels here.
🌳 The Democratic Republic of Congo has declared the world's largest protected area the size of France. Learn about it here.
🐢 The largest numbers of endangered loggerhead turtles since the 1970s have nested in Queensland. See the action here.
🌊 The Australian government has declared 11 new marine sanctuaries. Learn more here.
American bison are back from the brink of extinction. Learn about it here.
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Join Emma as she interviews bird specialist, Melissa Whitby on bird ecology, bird protection, and how bird watching might even be called ‘bird therapy’. Melissa has spent much of her life travelling through Australia and overseas learning about birds, contributing to scientific data, and volunteering for various bird organisations. She says that any interactions with wildlife are a privilege and it is important that we learn about them so we know how best to protect them. Mel gives some great tips on how you can support birds and that “we all have something to contribute.” Birdwatching can also improve our listening, patience, communication skills, and wellbeing. If you are keen to become a bird watcher, bird enthusiast, or a bird specialist then this episode is for you!
“Use the talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
~ HENRY VAN DYKE ~
For show notes and links, head to: https://emmahawthorne.com/podcast/birdwatching
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In this episode we celebrate five different women in conservation science to celebrateInternational Day of Women and Girls in Science. Today in the world, onlyone in three scientists are women and Currently in Australia,women hold only 15% of STEM-qualified jobs. In this episode we look not only at these women's scientific achievements but how their visions are helping make this planet a better place for all.
Learn about Jane Goodall, Monica Gagliano, Zena Cumpston, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Lesley Hughes.
“When you lift up women, you lift up humanity.”
~ MELINDA GATES ~
For show notes:
emmahawthorne.com/podcast/women-in-science
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This episode dives into the science of seeds: how they grow, how they disperse, seed based restoration solutions, and how seed banks are ensuring our threatened plant species don’t become extinct. As well as learning about the science of seeds, learn how seeds and the act of planting seeds might inspire healthier, peaceful lives.
“Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.”
~ DR STEVE MARABOLI ~
For show notes and links, head to: https://emmahawthorne.com/podcast/seeds/
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As we welcome in 2025, dive into 10 bite-sized nature inspired habits and actions you can take today. If you want to connect more with nature, support the natural world, and improve you health and wellbeing, then this is the episode for you. This podcast is a blend of science, health and well being with a sprinkle of spirituality to keep you inspired. We are all nature and all interconnected so what we do matters. You matter!
As anthropologist and author Margaret Mead said on April 22nd, 1970 on the First Earth Day “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
For show notes and links, head to: https://emmahawthorne.com/podcast/newbeginnings/
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This episode asks us to be brave, to step out of our comfort zone as we look at some of the environmental inequities and injustices across the world. We tackle some pretty heavy issues including child labour, child slavery, climate change, and intergenerational equity but as always, this podcast aims to find solutions. With inspiration by renowned peace maker and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, we explore what we can do to help create a more equitable world where everyone gets a fair go.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”
~ NELSON MANDELA ~
For show notes, head to www.emmahawthorne.com/podcast/injustice
To connect, find your host at
Instagram @emmakhaw
This week we are looking at the magic of rainforests to celebrate World Rainforest Day. One of the most important ecosystem services rainforests provide are storing huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Rainforests are also home to millions of people across the globe and play hosts to over 50% of the world’s biodiversity. They also provide sources of food, medicine and hygiene products for people across the globe. Rainforests are our lungs and as we destroy them, we destroy our ability to breathe. Learn more about the magical world of rainforests, threats to rainforests and how you can help support rainforests.
“The trees are our lungs, the rivers our circulation, the air our breath and the earth our body.” ~ DEEPAK CHOPRA ~
For show notes, head to www.emmahawthorne.com/podcast/rainforest
To connect, find your host at
Instagram @emmakhaw
In this episode I combine two of my loves, Yoga and Nature as this week on June 21st it is International Day of Yoga. I teach nature inspired yoga and use nature as my inspiration because I believe that when we listen and tune into nature we can learn so much. Adopting a First Nations approach to nature, throughout the episode I refer to nature as "more than human" to give nature the respect it deserves and to move away from a human-centric way of thinking. Being more like the 'more than human' elements we see all around us can help us to develop strength, flexibility, resilience and peace of both mind and body.
Many yoga postures are inspired by animals or plants - and today I’m going to talk about a few of my favourite nature inspired yoga postures. I also tie in some environmental and conservation issues around our 'more than human' friends so we can learn how to respect and support nature.
We are all interconnected and what we do influences everyone and everything.
“When we honour the earth, we honour ourselves.”
L. M. Wilde
In this episode I am offering a free LIVE yoga class on June 22nd, 2023 on my YouTube Channel 'Nature Inspired Yoga and Dance by Emma Hawthorne'. Join me live for this event, or watch the replay later on for free.
To connect, find your host at
Instagram @emmakhaw
To celebrate World Oceans Day, we take a look at the wonder of the ocean, the weird and wonderful life it supports, the threats it faces, and how we can support the oceans. From Hope Spots to Sustainable Fishing to simply sitting next to the ocean, there are many ways we can support oceans.
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.”
~ JOHN F. KENNEDY ~
For show notes, head to www.emmahawthorne.com/podcast/ocean
To connect, find your host at
Instagram @emmakhaw
This episode encourages listeners to let go of environmental perfectionism. There is a misconception that in order to be an environmentalist, live an eco-friendly life, or live in harmony with nature, we need to be perfect and make no impact on the planet whatsoever. However, this is impossible to do, as we all rely on and need to use resources for food, water, clothing and shelter. Believing that we must be perfect in order to support nature often overwhelms us and stops us from taking action. There is also a myth that there are still areas of pristine "wilderness" that have never been touched by humans. Yet this is not the case. No matter how remote, or far away from urban centres or agricultural centres we get, human beings have impacted the entire planet. Through our behaviours we have accelerated the warming of the planet and shifted our entire climate. With every action we take, there are impacts, so we can only do our best and make choices that have the most positive impacts for our planet and ourselves.
For Shownotes, head to www.emmahawthorne.com/podcast/environmentalism
To connect with me, head to:
Instagram @emmakhaw
To celebrate International Day of Biological Diversity, we are diving into the diverse range of lifeforms on our planet to strengthen our connection to nature, become aware of some of the threats nature faces, and learn how we can support biodiversity on this planet. From sea otters, turtles and Giant Kelp Forests to minute bacteria in soil and guts, we will go on a journey to discover life on this planet and why we must save it, learning that saving biodiversity starts with awareness, respect, and gratitude.
“You will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have. History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”
~ MICHELLE OBAMA ~
For show notes, head to www.emmahawthorne.com/podcast/biodiversity
CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram @emmakhaw
In this episode, meet your host Emma Hawthorne as she tells you what the Nature Inspired Podcast is, how it came about and why you want to listen to it!
