Nature Junkie Radio

Jeff Johnson
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

An Exploration of the Wisdom, Wonder, and Ways of Nature Connection to Help Replenish Your Stoke.

  1. SEP 25

    Discovering Your Soul Contract with Jon Rose

    To slap a single label on Jon Rose would be inaccurate. But several might help, so here goes. Jon was a pro surfer during an era when being a Freesurfer was a good way to make a living. He’s been a model in partnership with brands like Dockers, Tumi, Kenneth Cole, and others. In 2009, he was called into action by the massive earthquake in Sumatra, which led to founding a non-profit called Waves for Water. To date, his organization has positively impacted nearly 4 million people with access to clean water, activated programs in over 40 countries, and responded to over 30 disasters globally. He’s also a photographer, storyteller, and in recent years has been doing high altitude mountaineering in the Himalayas. Yep, he’s a first rate Nature Junkie. Jon joined me from his home in Lake Tahoe and we talked about him completing a ten year project in Nepal to build a house for a widow, his Mount Shasta upbringing that led to an early father and son dirtbag surf mission deep into Baja and mainland Mexico, his globetrotting pro surfing career, the founding of Waves for Water, the wisdom he’s learned from indigenous communities around the world, prioritizing nature over tech, and nature’s role in psychedelic integration work. If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Episode Links Jon Rose on Instagram Jon Rose’s Website Waves for Water Waves for Water on on Instagram IG Reel from Jon/W4W of Anjali’s House Unveiling (have some tissues handy, it’s emotional) Connect with Nature Junkie Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/ Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Hosted by Jeff Johnson Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    1h 4m

  2. AUG 20

    This is Your Brain on Nature with Dr. David Strayer

    When I first delved into nature research, it wasn’t long before I came across the name, Dr. David Strayer, our guest today on the latest episode of Nature Junkie Radio. What stood out to me was that his curiosity to understand the neuroscience of nature connection was informed by his direct experiences while river rafting, deeply immersed in nature. He felt what Edward Abbey felt in Desert Solitaire, but then he took it to the next level to help us understand the science of our brains on nature. Dr. Strayer is a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Utah and part of a group of scientists in the emerging field of environmental neuroscience. He’s published numerous papers on how nature affects our attention, cognition, and creativity, but he doesn’t take the typical approach. Many of Dr. Strayer’s studies are actually conducted in the wild, which is much harder than you think.  Dr. Strayer joined me from a place near the water in Port Townsend Washington while I was at home in San Diego. We talked about the white water rafting experiences that drove his scientific curiosity about nature, overcoming the challenges of the early days of doing research in the wild, Attention Restoration Theory, Stress Recovery Theory, The 3-day effect, virtual reality nature vs. real life nature, fractals, forest bathing, and more. This one’s for those of you who like to dive below the surface level understanding of nature connection. If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Episode Links Dr. David Strayer at The University of Utah The Nature Fix by Florence Williams The 3-Day Effect audiobook by Florence Williams Dr. Adam Gazzaley Dr. Ruthann Atchley  Dr. Paul Atchley Dr. Marc Berman Connect with Nature Junkie Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/ Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Hosted by Jeff Johnson Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    1h 2m

  3. JUL 11

    Finding Solace in the Forgotten Lands with Josh Jackson

    Finding a campsite can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. But that was just the catalyst Josh Jackson needed to explore our western public lands for the last several years. And now he’s ready to tell their stories, along with his own. Josh is a writer, photographer, husband, father, and speaker whose work champions the wild beauty and overlooked value of America’s public lands. In his new book, The Enduring Wild Josh takes us along his journey of exploring California’s BLM lands through thought-provoking essays and immersive photography. Josh and I spoke at Crystal Cove State Park on a late spring morning, after enjoying a hike together through the hills overlooking the ocean. In our conversation Josh shares the catalyst for his book, the unexpected beauty of public lands, and the lost art of slowing down. We delve into place attachment theory, environmental challenges, current threats to BLM lands, reciprocity, and how to carry out the most ridiculously simple act of noticing nature. If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Episode Links The Enduring Wild by Josh Jackson Josh on Instagram @forgottenlandsproject Josh’s Substack Forgotten Lands Project Josh’s Website Bureau of Land Management The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich  Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams  Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv Place and Placelessness by Edward Relph Baba Dioum Place Attachment Theory This America of Ours by Nate Schweber  The Trouble with Wilderness by William Cronon  The State of Change by Laura Cunningham The California Field Atlas by Obi Kaufmann Connect with Nature Junkie Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/ Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Hosted by Jeff Johnson Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    56 min

  4. JUN 28

    Sailing Into the Wild Unknown with Captain Liz Clark

    Our guest today, Captain Liz Clark is one of those courageous souls who turned her massive dream into a reality. Liz sailed into the wild unknown on her 40-foot sailboat, named Swell, and voyaged around the world for 10 years. As you might imagine, she’s got a few stories to tell.  After her trip she wrote a moving memoir about her experiences, and aptly titled the book Swell: A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Awakening. Her story is as much an exploration of her inner landscape as it is about the beautiful, and oftentimes terrifying, experiences in the vast wilds of the open ocean.  Our conversation found Liz at her home in Tahiti, where she’s now married, adjusting to life on land, running a local environmental non-profit, and continuing to live a life deeply intertwined with nature. We talked about the benefits of tuning into the subtleties of nature, taking care of our planet, dodging deadly lightning storms, and the importance of turning our most audacious dreams into reality. If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Episode Links Liz Clark’s Website Liz Clark’s Instagram Liz Clark’s Book Liz Clark’s Non-Profit A Ti’a Matairea Connect with Nature Junkie Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/ Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Email: hello@naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    56 min
  5. Spreading the Positive Conspiracy of Stoke with Timmy O'Neill

    MAY 9

    Spreading the Positive Conspiracy of Stoke with Timmy O'Neill

    Hey everyone, we’re back in action! Today’s guest is Timmy O’Neill. Timmy is best known as one of the top climbers in the world. He holds records for speed ascents in Yosemite, he’s put up first ascents in Patagonia, he lived in a cave in Joshua Tree for 60 days, he’s been in numerous adventure films and documentaries, my favorite being 180 South, he’s made films like Soundscape, he co-founded Paradox Sports, an organization dedicated to defying the idea that people with so called “disabilities” can’t live a life of adventure. Besides all of Timmy’s achievements, I’ve always found him to be a fascinating, high-stoke human who makes a lot of meaning out of his connections with nature so it’s an honor to share our conversation.   In this convo we cover Timmy’s childhood nature haunts, his Joshua tree cave epiphanies, how wild nature enables time travel that transcends epochs, the radness of rocks and how they slow us down. We attempt to unravel the mystery of stoke, Timmy shares his love of wordplay and writing the lyrics of life, founding Paradox Sports, letting moonrises melt frustration, making the film Soundscape with Eric Weihnmayer, and his favorite nature book recommendations.  If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature.Thanks! Episode Links Timmy O’Neill on Instagram Timmy O’Niell’s Website  Paradox Sports Non-Profit Soundscape Film Timmy’s Band - Par Avion The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf A World on the Wing by Scott Weidensaul An Immense World Ed Young The Overstory by Richard Powers Wild Life Documentary on Kris Tompkins Connect with Nature Junkie If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Newsletter: Sign Up Here Email: hello@naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    59 min
  6. Capturing Chaos: Shooting The Eddie Aikau Contest from the Water in 40-Foot Surf with John Hook

    FEB 1

    Capturing Chaos: Shooting The Eddie Aikau Contest from the Water in 40-Foot Surf with John Hook

    John Hook is a Funtographer, supermodel, and next-level biohacker (you won’t believe what he used to fuel his body and mind to swim maxing Waimea Bay for 9 hours of energy. It’s a secret that Huberman, Rogan, and Ferriss couldn’t find if they searched in dark, Himalayan caves for decades. Spoiler Alert: No, it’s not ashwagandha infused yak milk).  All kidding aside, John is an ace photographer known for his moody Pipeline shots on film, his reality-bending double exposures, and his unique eye for capturing the magic of Hawaii through the lens of a local tourist. He’s a badass with his craft and seems to be having the most fun.    I wanted to talk with John because he was one of a handful of photographers that got to shoot the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational from the water - twice! It’s such a rare phenomenon that it’s akin to being an astronaut. Also, John is a fun storyteller and I knew if we talked story he would bring his experience to life in a way that helps you feel like you’re right there in the water with him (jet skis revving and all!). We also get into what stokes him out on nature, his spirit animal, his creative inspirations (there might be aliens involved), and how we’re just tiny little visitors on this weirdly beautiful planet! Episode Links Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational John Hook on Instagram  John Hook Prints at The Surfer’s Journal Polynesian Voyaging Society Wayne Levin Photography Connect with Nature Junkie If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Newsletter: Sign Up Here Email: hello@naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    49 min
  7. Think Big, Act Now with 1% for the Planet CEO Kate Williams

    12/20/2024

    Think Big, Act Now with 1% for the Planet CEO Kate Williams

    Kate Williams is the CEO of the non-profit 1% for the Planet. She’s dedicated the last decade to a wide range of environmental conservation efforts by building and leading an awesome team, and expanding the 1% for the Planet model and impact globally. On top of that, she’s just a gem of a human and I always enjoy chatting with her about all things brand impact.  In our conversation we get into Kate’s early nature experiences and how they show up for her as leader today. She shares the origin story of 1% for the Planet by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia along with Craig Matthews, the founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. Kate lays out the powerful simplicity of the 1% model, the impact they’re making, and the characteristics of the people and brands that comprise the 1% for the Planet community. Since I recently attended the 1% for the Planet Global Summit in San Diego, I also shared some brief interviews from brands and non-profits to help you get a sense of what it means to collaborate under this model. For  individuals, I highly encourage you to reach for brands bearing the 1% for the Planet badge because they’re walking the talk. For brands looking for ways to ramp up your impact and avoid greenwashing, please check out 1% for the Planet and reach out to Kate and her team to learn more. Episode Links 1% for the Planet @1percentftp Zafrán Germinar Thin Green Line More about Constance “Connie” Mwandaa Connect with Nature Junkie If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Newsletter: Sign Up Here Email: hello@naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    36 min
  8. A Masterclass on Blue Mind with Dr. Wallace J. Nichols

    11/01/2024

    A Masterclass on Blue Mind with Dr. Wallace J. Nichols

    Wallace J. Nichols, or J as he’s better known to friends and family, is the author of the book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. His book, and his continual work on spreading its message, sparked a global Blue Mind movement that I hope will keep rippling out for decades to come.  Sadly, J passed away only a handful of months after we recorded this interview. While his loss will be deeply felt by many around the world forever, he wanted his powerful message to be shared and the work is far from done.   In this interview, J delivers a masterclass on Blue Mind. Over the last decade, J honed the fundamentals of Blue Mind so tightly, which means that this conversation is layered with his wisdom that I know I’ll be studying for years to come. I hope you find something meaningful in this conversation, and if you do, please share it with a friend so we can keep J’s wave flowing out into the world. Thank you J for the mentorship you’ve given me, even when you didn’t know it. I’ll be forever grateful. Deepest condolences to J’s family and may he rest in peace. As J always said - “I wish you water.” Episode Links Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do  Exploring Our Blue Mind: Dr. Wallace J. Nichols at TEDxSanDiego 2012 Neuroconservation -- your brain on nature: Wallace J. Nichols at TEDxSantaCruz Blue Mind in the Desert | Dr. Wallace J. Nichols | TEDxFountainHills Wildcoast / Serge Dedina Bobby Lane  Justin Feinstein’s research on float tanks Run It by My Morning Jacket M**********r Awards by Kyle Thiermann  Wallace J. Nichols Memorial Fund Go Fund Me Connect with Nature Junkie If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks! Instagram: @naturejunkieradio Website: www.naturejunkielife.com Newsletter: Sign Up Here Email: hello@naturejunkielife.com Production Credits Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry Outro music by Tyler Johnson Editing by Aashish M.

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

An Exploration of the Wisdom, Wonder, and Ways of Nature Connection to Help Replenish Your Stoke.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Johnson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Nature Junkie
  • Show Website
    Nature Junkie Radio

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