Tree Speech

What does it mean to return to the earth? In this episode, Jonathan speaks with willow weaver Mary Lauren Fraser about her work crafting biodegradable caskets designed to decompose naturally. Their conversation explores the growing green burial movement, the environmental impact of traditional practices, and how reconnecting with natural cycles can reshape the way we think about death. This episod...

In this season of Valentine's Day, we often focus on romantic love — but what if intimacy could extend beyond human-to-human relationships? In this episode of Tree Speech , we explore a radical and tender idea of connection through Arborlogues : A Botanical Recital Performed for One Tree. Created by lead artist Dan Daly and writer Lee LeBreton , Arborlogues invites participants into a red-curt...

The winter solstice is a threshold — the longest night of the year, holding both stillness and promise. In this special 50th episode of Tree Speech , we linger in that in-between space where darkness is not something to fear, but a place of listening, wonder, and quiet presence. We begin in the solstice hush, where forests shimmer with unseen life and ancient stories gather close. From there, we t...

In this episode, our guest Elspeth Hay , author of Feed Us with Trees , creator of The Local Food Report , and passionate proponent of place-based living, takes us on a fascinating exploration of acorns as a superfood with profound historical roots. Our conversation also delves into the wisdom of wooded ecosystems and the vital concept of viewing these landscapes as food-producing allies. These in...

What if trees could whisper secrets of the past? Join us as we venture into the eerie realm of haunted trees and ghostly tales in our special episode of spooky trees. As the season of Samhain approaches and the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, we share chilling stories from Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn to the Mabira Forest of Uganda to Salem, Massachusetts. Join our guest storyte...

Join us as we embrace the magic of the autumnal equinox, celebrating September's unique duality through the power of poetry and rituals. Drawing inspiration from the evocative work of Alix Klingenberg , we explore how this transitional time invites us to balance urgency with ease and preparation with presence. Through traditions and the wonders of the season, we honor change and navigate our p...

What if transforming into a tree was not a punishment but a conscious, enriching choice? Join us as we explore this intriguing concept with our guest, Sumana Roy , author of " How I Became a Tree ." Sumana shares her personal journey towards identifying with trees, driven by a longing to escape the emotional turbulence of human existence. Through our conversation, we uncover the profound...

Join us on a captivating journey into the world of trees and the profound connection we share with them, as we welcome Marguerite Holloway , author of "Take to the Trees," to our podcast. Marguerite's journey from a tree-climbing novice to a passionate canopy explorer is an inspiring tale of adventure, resilience, and personal transformation. Listen in as we explore her motivations b...

In this episode, we trace the deep roots of New York City’s natural and cultural history—from the legendary 1626 exchange between the Lenape people and Dutch settlers to the enduring presence of iconic trees today. Along the way, we uncover how nature has shaped the city’s identity, from the elegant American elms of Central Park to symbolic landmarks like Harlem’s Tree of Hope and the Survivor Tre...

Actor, naturalist, and tree enthusiast Tobin Mitnick ( @jewslovetrees ) joins us this week for a delightfully rooted conversation about what it means to really see a tree. Best known for his hilarious and heartfelt social media content blending botany and comedy, Tobin has become an unexpected ambassador for curiosity, joy, and ecological attention. In this episode, we explore how he invites peopl...

Join us on  Tree Speech  as we uncover the remarkable legacy of Lizzie McDuffie — a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in American history. In this episode, we're joined by author ⁠ Shara Moon ⁠ to discuss her powerful novel  Let Us March On , inspired by the life and activism of McDuffie. As a maid in FDR’s White House, Lizzie McDuffie was more than a witness to history — she was a catalyst for...

Join us on a captivating journey to Broadway as we explore the enchanting world of " ⁠Redwood⁠ ", a new musical that intertwines theater with the timeless majesty of redwood trees. This episode takes you behind the scenes of this extraordinary production, starring the remarkable Idina Menzel and a redwood tree named Stella. Joining us is Emmy Award-winning scenic designer Jason Ardizzone...

What if you could rediscover your roots and connect with the wisdom of your ancestors to find peace amidst the chaos of modern life? Emmy-nominated TV host, author, and storyteller Robyn Moreno joins us to explore this intriguing question. Robyn shares insights from her transformative book, " Get Rooted ," which chronicles her personal journey of healing and self-discovery. Her story rev...

In honor of Valentine's Day, this episode is full of love! We are excited to celebrate the holiday by examining the 5 Love Languages and how they apply to trees. Dori Robinson also leads a meditation around love and the Jewish New Year of Trees, Tu B'Shevat, which also occurs this week. Click here for more information on the Melbourne Urban Forest Visual with information. Click here for examples o...

Happy New Year! We are starting the year fresh with a wintry labyrinth walk to commemorate this season of light. Along the way, we will examine the history and traditions of this Yuletide, shedding 2024 behind us and looking ahead to 2025. With every turn within the labyrinth, we discuss various winter traditions – including the 12 days of Christmas and Yule. We end with a meditation focused on li...

It’s Giving Tree Week! Listen to our highly-anticipated episode focused on the nostalgic and controversial Shel Silverstein book, THE GIVING TREE, which has been questioned by many since its premiere 60 years ago. In this episode, we share a brand new audio narrative written by playwright, actor, and advocate Jamie Roach , who felt compelled to examine, explore, and celebrate the classic book by c...

Today’s guest, John Philip Newell , is an internationally acclaimed teacher, speaker, and author of several books, including Sacred Earth Sacred Soul , and his latest book entitled The Great Search , which examines the lives of several prophetic figures whose work and lives showed that to live in relation to what is deepest in us is to live in relation to the ground from which we and all things ha...

Gather round the campfire for a very special, supernatural episode. We have spooky, mysterious tree tales from around the world to get you into the halloween spirit! Listen now, if you dare! Special thanks to Cheryl Mullings, Charles Linshaw, Corey Roberts, and Emerald Forcier for joining our episode today. Learn more about Cheryl at https://cherylmullings.workbooklive.com/ , Charles at: https://w...

This June, to celebrate Pride, we are excited to discuss the queerness of trees and nature, and how queer ecology contains the solutions to reversing climate change and living in harmony with our natural environments. We have an inspiring interview with walking artist and pedestrian dignity advocate, artist and author Jonathon Stalls, and we’ll examine the history of the first gay liberationist en...

Welcome back, Tree Speechers! We’re thrilled to begin Season 5 with a new conversation in a clearing, as we continue to find new understandings to the tangled relationships we have with the natural world in which we inhabit.  Could a row of trees really symbolize racial segregation and environmental racism? Join us as we unravel the contentious story of the Tamarisk trees in Palm Springs, Californ...

In honor of the recent Winter Solstice and this holiday season, we are re-releasing our episode Let the Light In . Celebrate this moment of transition with a walk in the woods as we share stories of solstice celebration’s from around the world. From old legends to new traditions, join us as we explore how, even during these darker months, we can find ways to let light into our lives. New episodes...

Happy Halloween! We are busy working on future episodes to be released soon, but couldn't let this magical time of year pass without a frightful celebration! As the full moon rises, we gather around the campfire for a replay of our special Spooky Trees episode! Join us for supernatural, mysterious, and unexpected tree tales from around the world to get you into the Samhain spirit. Special than...

To commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11, we share this replay of our episode that featured the 9/11 Survivor Tree, a Callery Pear tree found during the excavation of Ground Zero in NYC. Our guest, Ron Vega , shares his insightful and touching story of how he championed and helped nurture the tree from a wounded, burned stump to the powerful sign of hope and survival that it represents today. Le...

We at Tree Speech are incredibly grateful to Stephanie Kaza and our mothers, Miriam Robinson , Anne-Marie Roach and Jackie Vandenberg for joining us today. Dr. Stephanie Kaza is Professor Emerita of Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont and former Director of the UVM Environmental Program. She co-founded the Environmental Council at UVM and served as faculty director for the Sustainab...

In the final episode of our fourth season, producer and co-writer Jonathan Zautner interviews podcast host Dori Robinson about the Jewish “New Year of the Trees” - Tu B’Shevat. We continue to commemorate the close of the season by discussing our thoughts on the guests and topics we have covered. Did you have a favorite episode, a thought about family trees, or a suggestion about what we should dis...