131 episodes

If you're on this planet, plants have a HUGE impact on your life. Whether you're a vegan, a carnivore, or somewhere in between, plants are the basis of the food you eat, the clothes your wear, and the air you breathe. We don't intend just to teach you plant facts (though we'll do plenty of that), but to give you some insight into the cool people who work with them. From the soil to the plate to the climate, dive into the anthropology of plants (get it?) and learn a little more about why you should care about the world around you from the people who care about it the most.

Planthropology Vikram Baliga, PhD

    • Science
    • 4.8 • 70 Ratings

If you're on this planet, plants have a HUGE impact on your life. Whether you're a vegan, a carnivore, or somewhere in between, plants are the basis of the food you eat, the clothes your wear, and the air you breathe. We don't intend just to teach you plant facts (though we'll do plenty of that), but to give you some insight into the cool people who work with them. From the soil to the plate to the climate, dive into the anthropology of plants (get it?) and learn a little more about why you should care about the world around you from the people who care about it the most.

    103. Plants Out of Place, Chalkboards, and Controlling Weeds w/ Dr. Peter Dotray

    103. Plants Out of Place, Chalkboards, and Controlling Weeds w/ Dr. Peter Dotray

    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 showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! Also, check out Planthropology on our website and various social media pages, all listed below. As an added 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!

    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 Twitter: @Planthropology_ e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

    • 1 hr 6 min
    102. Climate Change, Saving Us, and Relentless Hope w/ Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

    102. Climate Change, Saving Us, and Relentless Hope w/ Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

    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 showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! Also, check out Planthropology on our website and various social media pages, all listed below. As an added 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!

    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 Twitter: @Planthropology_ e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

    • 1 hr 7 min
    101. Garden Life, Cozy Gaming, and the Chelsea Flower Show w/ Kay Luthor

    101. Garden Life, Cozy Gaming, and the Chelsea Flower Show w/ Kay Luthor

    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 showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! Also, check out Planthropology on our website and various social media pages, all listed below. As an added 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!

    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 Twitter: @Planthropology_ e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

    • 57 min
    100. Plants to the Rescue!

    100. Plants to the Rescue!

    What's up, Plant People! After a much longer-than-expected hiatus, I'm finally back with Episode 100! It's been a wonderful 4(ish) years, and I thought the perfect way to celebrate the past and look forward to the future was to talk about a project that's so close to my heart and that I haven't really had a chance to discuss much on the show. My first book, Plants to the Rescue, came out in July of 2023 and is something that means so much to me. Join me as I walk through the process of writing a book like this, from the basic ideas to publishing, and read a few excerpts of text with me! I also talk a bit about what's coming down the line for Planthropology in 2024, from interviews with a climatologist to a video game producer, and so much more! It's going to be an exciting year, as the show gets going again, and I can't tell y'all how much it means to me that you hung in with me through such a long break. I love all of you Plant People out there, and can't wait to spend more time with you this year! 
    Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! Also, check out Planthropology on our website and various social media pages, all listed below. As an added 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!

    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 Twitter: @Planthropology_ e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

    • 45 min
    99. Go Outside Kids, Staring at Plants, and Hugging Mountain Lions w/ Sarah Southerland

    99. Go Outside Kids, Staring at Plants, and Hugging Mountain Lions w/ Sarah Southerland

    What's up Plant People! Today's guest is someone who I've unabashedly called, on multiple occasions, "The Funniest Person on the Internet." She was reluctant to wear the title, but I'm sticking with it! Sarah Southerland is the communication and social media specialist with the Oklahoma Dpeartment of Wildlife Conservation. Her social media presence is *wildly* popular across several platforms and consistently makes me laugh out loud. Whether talking about why we shouldn't snuggle mountain lions or discussing the finer points of live jackets, Sarah's communication style is brilliant, effective, and hilarious. We talked about life, nature, good communication, moon fish, prairies, and so much more! This episode was so much fun and I know you won't be able to stop smiling the whole time! 


    Sarah's Links
    Twitter
    Instagram

    Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Links
    Twitter
    Instagram
    Tiktok
    Website 
    Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! Also, check out Planthropology on our website and various social media pages, all listed below. As an added 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!

    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 Twitter: @Planthropology_ e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

    • 1 hr 1 min
    98. Your Brain on Plants, the Stress Buddy System, and Selective Green Thumbs w/ Morgan Johnston

    98. Your Brain on Plants, the Stress Buddy System, and Selective Green Thumbs w/ Morgan Johnston

    What if you could explore the complexities of the human brain while also discovering the fascinating world of plants? Join me as I sit down with behavioral neuroscientist Morgan Johnston, aka Ask a Neuroscientist, for an engaging conversation about these two seemingly unrelated worlds. You'll learn how Morgan's journey from a small farming community to the world of neuroscience research has helped her uncover unique connections between plants and humans.

    We dive into the effects of various chemicals and drugs on the brain, and how both plants and humans cope with stress. Morgan shares her insights on the evolutionary development of similar molecules in plant and animal systems, as well as how studying these interactions informs our understanding of mental and physical health. You'll also hear about our experiences in using animal models to study human behavior, and the critical role stress and anxiety play in our lives.

    As we wrap up our discussion, we emphasize the importance of science communication and the need for reaching diverse audiences in today's world of misinformation. We share anecdotes from our own research, and explore the challenges of navigating academia and pursuing a career in science. Don't miss this enlightening episode with Morgan Johnson, where neuroscience and plant science collide to create a world of wonder and discovery.


    Morgan's Links
    TikTok
    Instagram
    YouTube
    Twitter
    Website


    Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! Also, check out Planthropology on our website and various social media pages, all listed below. As an added 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!

    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 Twitter: @Planthropology_ e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

    • 1 hr 1 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
70 Ratings

70 Ratings

ThisIsBenSilver ,

Gentle and warm and fun

I absolutely love listening to any expert talk about their thing… but the Plant Professor is a step above that. He’s got a very gentle way of talking about things… even the things that make him and. And I’ve learned so any cool things. One day I’m going to keep a plant alive… and that will be 100% because of Vikram.

laylajmaki ,

love it!

this is one of my favorite podcasts to play while i’m watering in the greenhouse! our entire staff listens in and it gives us plenty to discuss!

photopot ,

Very informative!

I love this podcast! It’s very informative and a great plant resource.

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