We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Nature has always had a way of showing unconditional love and support.

The natural world has never withheld its abundance, welcoming us to share its many benefits.

Research has shown that time spent in nature has positive effects on our overall health and wellness throughout the many phases of our development.

In college students, time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, positively impact the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve memory recall, concentration, sleep patterns, and overall mood.

Nature is the ultimate "study buddy."

Welcome to Episode Sixty of the Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with Sam Kocurek, a graduate student at the University of Michigan studying Environment and Sustainability. In addition to his master's coursework and work with campus sustainability, Sam has been a passionate and involved member of the Nature Rx project team, a group of staff, faculty, and students advancing nature-based health interventions and habits at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus.

Join us as we discuss Sam's lifelong journey of healing through nature, how nature-based programs positively impact student life, and the importance of filling a "deficit of joy" through time in nature.

Sam shares how humans are naturally predisposed to learn from the natural world, what it is like to host a university nature symposium, how to get students engaged in nature, and the importance of creating a culture of sustainability.

We left this conversation feeling as though the student had become the master.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well
-NOW ™️

University of Michigan NatureRx Program: https://nature-rx.umich.edu

Univ of Michigan Nature Rx Symposium Resources: https://nature-rx.umich.edu/nature-for-wellness-symposium/symposium-resources

Campus Rx Network: https://campusnature.com

* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.

*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Although we find ourselves in a time of division and struggle; there are universal human experiences that we all share.

Grief impacts everyone, regardless of geography, socio-economic status, race, gender, identity, or level of education.

Grief is a natural human response to any type of loss or significant life change.

Grief can be complicated regardless of age, but it is especially difficult for children and adolescents.

For anyone experiencing grief, time in nature can be beneficial, offering holistic health advantages such as reduced stress, lowered symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhanced overall well-being.

Welcome to Episode Fifty-Nine of the Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with Jason Stout, youth programs advisor for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and winner of the 2024 Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection. Through his company, Stoutreach, Jason leads mindfulness and nature-based well-being programs for grieving youth, adults, military survivors, educators, and professionals.

Join us as we discuss his personal journey of healing from childhood loss and grief, how nature-based programs taught him the power of healing, and how he turned a lifelong connection to the natural world into a profession centered on helping others navigate the grief process.

Jason shares the difference between “helping” and “spotting” young people as they manage emotions, the power of honoring those we have lost through ceremony, and how building rapport and trust is paramount in any helping role.

This conversation offered us solace, peace, and an opportunity to grow in our own grief.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well
-NOW ™️

Jason's Website: www.missionstoutreach.org

TAPS Website: https://www.taps.org

Outward Bound: https://www.outwardbound.org/

Children & Nature Network: https://www.childrenandnature.org/

National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG): https://nacg.org/?srsltid=AfmBOorW68jSpnKtUfd1-zS7dAoXnpwfv-yYzGHN4MlnGPtXVWGCgxet

Judi's House: https://judishouse.org/

* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.

*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Few things are more critical to human existence than water. We need water to survive and can only live for a few days without it.

Clean water is vital to a healthy environment, economic development, and, most importantly…human health and wellness.

Essential for basic needs such as drinking, playing a crucial role in bodily functions, and maintaining hydration. Having a critical role in hygiene and agriculture, clean water sources serve as the foundation for all life on the planet.

Any challenge to the sustainability and access of our waterways is a direct threat to our existence. More than 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, a global problem.

Welcome to Episode Fifty-Eight of the Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with Trout Unlimited President and CEO Chris Wood. An avid angler, hunter, author, and conservationist, he previously served at the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Now he helps to champion the Trout Unlimited vision, “For communities across America to engage in the work of repairing and renewing the rivers, streams and other waters on which we all depend.”

Join us as we discuss his lifelong connection to the natural world, the importance of access to sustainable sources of clean water, and the greatest challenges our water sources face.

Chris shares Trout Unlimited’s amazing mission of waterway restoration, the many health and wellness benefits of time spent near water, and how we can all do our part to conserve the streams and rivers we depend on for survival.

We certainly found our flow with this conversation (pun intended).

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW ™️

Trout Unlimited Website: www.tu.orghttps://www.tu.org/

Trout Unlimited Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TroutUnlimitedNatl

* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.

*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.