Planthropology Vikram Baliga, PhD

Ever find yourself marveling at the uncanny connection you share with your furry best friend? Our latest podcast episode takes us on an expedition into the heart of human-canine relationships, with Melissa McCue-McGrath, a true trailblazer in dog training and conservation, leading the way. Celebrating Melissa's birthday, we tap into her wealth of knowledge, from the psychological bonds we forge with our dogs to their astonishing roles in ecological conservation.

Navigate the bustling world of urban canines with us as we examine the sensory challenges these city dwellers face and the importance of fulfilling their intrinsic needs. Discover how the power of scent enriches a dog's life and strengthens our bond with them. Then, we shift to the open fields, where working dogs like border collies find joy and purpose in tasks that tap into their natural instincts. These stories are not just about companionship; they're about acknowledging and harnessing the innate drives that make our dogs feel most alive.

Turning the focus beyond companionship, this episode also shines a light on the critical environmental work dogs are carrying out. From tracking down invasive species like the spotted lanternfly to assisting in marine biology research, our four-legged friends are on the front lines, aiding in the protection of our ecosystems. As we wrap up, we touch on the cozy debate about dogs sharing our beds and the warmth of the bonds we share. Join me, Vikram Baliga, for an enlightening journey through the remarkable world where humans and dogs meet, work, and thrive together.

Find all things Melissa, book her for dog training, and pick up her book on her website, and follow her on Instagram!
Support the show
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.
Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod ...

What's up, Plant People?? I hope you're well! My guest today is a long-time mentor and friend, Dr. Robert Cox.  Dr. Cox is a restoration ecologist whose wisdom in prairie ecosystems and passion for academia are as deep-rooted as the native species he studies. This episode is full of stories from Dr. Cox's academic adventures, which began in herpetology and evolved into the long-time study of plant ecology. We discussed a little bit of everything, from some of the roles fire and smoke play in plant germination to how Dr. Cox's career has ranged from researcher, to professor, to an Associate Dean's at Texas Tech University. 

We also had an encouraging conversation about the future of our students and education as a whole. Dr. Cox paints an optimistic and inspiring picture of the young minds that walk the halls of higher education today, shaped by the rapid changes of our times. Together, we reflect on the paradigm shift in teaching, moving from information dispensers to mentors in critical thinking. 

Finally, we spent some time chatting about native plants and the roles they play in our world. Ecological restoration has been one of Dr. Cox's major areas of focus throughout his career, and he has some really interesting and meaningful thoughts on what it means to restore a landscape and an ecosystem in light of climate change and our needs for agricultural production. I learned a lot from this conversation and left it feeling encouraged, and I hope that you'll feel the same!
Support the show
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.
Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod ...

What's up, Plant People?? Living through all the *unprecedented times* we have been over the past few years has really gotten old. I think a lot fewer things should be getting precedented, but that's just me. We could all use a little more hope in our lives because, as Dr. Katharine Hayhoe discussed in Episode 102, it's the thing that drives us to change and positive action. Here at the beginning of Spring this year, I wanted to talk about a couple of stories I found recently which brought me a little bit of hope. Be good, be safe, and be kind, my friends, and never give up hope!

Reclaimed Coal Mine Story
Plants Are Better Than We Thought at Sequestering Carbon
Support the show
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.
Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod ...

What's up Plant People?! I have a great one for you today with one of my former professors and current colleagues, Dr. Peter Dotray. We had a great conversation about life as a professor and academic, what's changed over the years, how do we define a "weed," what role do they play in agriculture, and how we can go about controlling them. Dr. Dotray is a kind, empathetic educator who has a wealth of experience and knowledge about agriculture and how we can approach some of our future challenges with growing good plants so we can feed and clothe the world!
Support the show
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.
Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod ...

What's up, Plant People? Have you ever felt the weight of the world's climate crisis on your shoulders, yet struggled with the notion that one person's actions might be too insignificant to make a difference? Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, joins us to shatter that misconception with her infectious optimism and practical strategies for individual impact. Through tales from her life's journey and her book "Saving Us," Katharine tells a story about life and hope that empowers each of us to take up our own torch in this fight against climate change.

This is an episode that was a long time in the making and one that I'm so incredibly proud of. I first approached Katharine about being on the show a couple of years ago, and everything finally lined up for it to happen. I'm a huge fan of her work, and I was so honored to not only get to interview her, but to be a guest editor for her newsletter, Talking Climate! Join us for an uplifting conversation that I hope will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to make a tangible difference in the world.

You can find Katharine all over the internet, but the best place to start for all of her amazing work is on her website, www.katharinehayhoe.com!
Support the show
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.
Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod ...

What's up, Plant People? Today's episode blooms with the extraordinary tale of Kay Luther, a Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist turned game developer whose story is as rich and vibrant as the gardens she designs. In an industry where creativity and adaptation are as crucial as soil to seed, Kay shares her journey from the flower-bedecked lanes of Chelsea to the pixel-perfect landscapes of her serene game, "Garden Life." As she weaves tales of her floristry days, the artistry behind each bouquet, and the social media-driven resurgence of houseplants, we're reminded of the unique beauty in every career transition.

Venturing into the heart of the floral design world, we uncover the parallels between arranging flowers and fashion, reflecting on how both fields dance to the rhythm of societal trends. Kay's anecdotes about the meticulous crafting of award-winning floral pieces for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show draw a vivid picture of success and the humility that walks alongside it. We also turn the soil on "Garden Life," exploring how Kay's floristry skills have blossomed into game development, nurturing a project that marries the unpredictability of nature with the tranquility of gaming.

As we wrap up our time with Kay, the conversation turns towards the emotional investment in launching a new venture and the importance of embracing diverse career paths. With a nod to the cozy gaming community and the floral industry's future, we're invited to consider how our own experiences can cross-pollinate and flourish in unexpected ways. We also get a glimpse into the excitement building up to the release of "Garden Life," where players can cultivate their digital green thumb, and find out where to connect with this budding gaming experience online. Join us in this episode for a tapestry of life lessons, career insights, and the celebration of new growth, both in our gardens and ourselves.



Support the show
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!

Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout.

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, or wherever else you like to get your podcasts.
Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod ...