Episode 22: Nature Conversations

11/27/20 • 20 min

Nature Therapy Online (Ecotherapy Podcast)

In episode 22 of Nature Therapy Online, I take a sunny Autumn walk here in Midlothian, Scotland. I ponder on the topic of simple nature-based conversation. I ask: does simply talking about nature have therapeutic effects?

Something has been occurring to me more and more this year about ecotherapy. I’ve noticed that when people talk about nature they feel good, and their mood seems to improve. I’ve learned this from working both online and with people in-person. Isn’t that interesting?

Previous Episode

Episode 21: A Japanese Cat Story

In Episode 21 of Nature Therapy Online, I tell a classic nature story from Japan. This story is part myth, part meditation, and it explores themes around pet-friendship and nature-connection.

I have deliberately not given a clear title to this story, as I would like to keep an element of surprise as to where the story goes. I hope you find it inspiring, relaxing and enchanting.

Next Episode

Episode 23: Who lives with you?

In episode 23 of Nature Therapy Online, I take a walk around my house looking for signs of other life forms. What might I find here—and who, I ask, is living with you without you knowing about it?!

In this week’s ecotherapy exercise, I decided to try an exercise that I am often inviting others to do, yet haven’t done in a focused way myself before. As I encounter signs and sounds of other life forms here within my home, it strikes me how much of my personal history is tied in with my responses to these life forms.

How do you feel about the idea of small creatures living in or around your home? Does it frighten you, creep you out, or do you welcome it? What kind of reaction might you have if you knew that a beautiful songbird liked to visit your windowsill, or if you saw a rat in your rubbish bin? Tune in to explore with me.