The Nature Between Us

No doubt many of us know how good it feels to spend time in nature, but did you know that the act of gardening has huge psychological benefits for our brains, our relationships, and many other aspects of our physical and mental health?

In this episode Tessa sits down with Sue Stuart-Smith to discuss the positives of digging around in the soil. Sue is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist who’s latest book The Well Gardened Mind explores the psychological significance of gardening. A Sunday Times bestseller, Sue combines observation, horticulture, brain science, literature and history. 

The pair speak about Sues introduction to gardening, her study of horticulture programs within prison systems, why the colour green is so relaxing for our visual cortex and brains, and many other interesting insights into the human/garden relationship.

Keep up to date with Sue on Instagram @suestuartsmith 

This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, Camp Cove Swim and For Purpose Recycling. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prizepacks head to our website for more details https://www.thenaturebetweenus.com/

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The Great Southern Reef spans the entire bottom half of Australia, and 70% of our national population lives within 50kms of it. Yet, it's largely unknown. In this episode Tessa sits down with Dr Sahira Bell to chat about this vital cool water ecosystem, and a marine plant they both adore: seaweed! With its many benefits and uses, seaweed is becoming a hot topic in the climate conversation and on The Great Southern Reef it's the 'kelp forests' that have Sahira's heart. 

Sahira is marine ecologist at the University of Western Australia's Ocean Institute and a self confessed kelp enthusiast, currently working on the Great Southern Reef Project alongside filmmakers and scientists. In 2019 she led the original designation of the Great Southern Reef as a Mission Blue Hope Spot, she sits on the management committee for the not-for-profit, the Balu Blue Foundation, and her mantra 'people protect what they love, and love what they understand' is the driving force behind all her projects. 

You can keep up to date with Sahira Bell on instagram at @sahirabell and The Great Southern Reef at @greatsouthernreef or https://greatsouthernreef.com/

This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, Camp Cove Swim and For Purpose Recycling. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prizepacks head to our website for more details https://www.thenaturebetweenus.com/

@thenaturebetweenuspodcast

@tessadejosselin

In this episode we're diving into the ocean waters to learn about our incredible coral reef systems. As beautiful as they are important, coral reefs are often called the ‘rainforests of the sea’ and are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. But, they are struggling against the effects of climate change so Tessa sits down with tropical fish and coral reef expert David Booth to get the 411 on how reef systems function, their current state and what we can do to help them thrive.

David is a Professor of Marine Ecology at UTS, and the past-President of the Australian Coral Reef Society. He is a prominent researcher on reef-fish ecology, the effects of climate change on marine life and other anthropogenic impacts on reef systems. While his research spans areas such as the Caribbean and Hawaii todays conversation focuses on the amazing Great Barrier Reef.

To find out more about David’s research, and the Opera House reef project, head to uts.edu.au

This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prize-packs head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com

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@tessadejosselin

Fashion, clothing, shoes, accessories .... we all buy them, use them, and dispose of them. But what are the environmental and human impacts of this? And as much as marketing loves to sell it - can the fashion industry ever be truely sustainable? In this ep, Tessa sits down with sustainable supply chain expert Kelly Elkin. Having previously co-founded online store Well Made Clothes, as well the Australian Ethical Fashion Association - Clean Cut, Kelly has been on the forefront of sustainable fashion in Australia for decades, helping both emerging and established brands build strategies driven by social and environmental impact. Currently, she's focusing her efforts on implementing emerging technology and sustainability measures at the long-running surf label Piping Hot. The pair get chatting about the environmental and human costs of the fashion industry. The pros and cons of natural materials, the synthetic takeover, transparent supply chains & the possibility of a circular economy, and the most sustainable way to stay cute whilst not being naked ;) This season is proudly supported by Spooked Kooks Surfboards, For Purpose Recycling and Camp Cove Swim. To go in the running to win one of TWO epic prize-packs head to our website for more details www.thenaturebetweenus.com @thenaturebetweenuspodcast @tessadejosselin

Listening and learning from First Nations Peoples is crucial to a healthy environment. In this episode Tessa speaks with Christian Hampson, a proud Woiwurrung and Maneroo Aboriginal man who is interweaving Indigenous knowledge and collaborative design thinking to walk a new path - away from conventional approaches. In 2019 Christian co-founded Yerrabingin, a commercial design organisation that creates environmentally conscious native landscapes enriched with Indigenous narratives. One such project was the world's first Indigenous rooftop farm, that hosts over 2,500 Australian native edible plants, and is located on top of Yerrabingin House in South Eveleigh, Sydney. Prior to Yerrabingin, Christian had 20 Years experience as a Senior Cultural Heritage Manager with NSW National Parks where he conserved, shared and celebrated Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. This episodes centers around Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, what it means to care for and acknowledge Country, and Indigenous land management both in rural and urban settings. Christian also touches on the importance of oral knowledge and community kinship, the new Yerrabingin farm currently underway in Bargo, native edible plants, and what we can keep an eye out for when foraging in Sydney! Follow Christian at @yerrabingin & @heathen_black and stay up to date with TNBU by subscribing and following @thenaturebetweenuspodcast