Vikram Baliga, PhD

Planthropology

Science EN ↓ 155 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.

Author

Vikram Baliga, PhD

Episodes

102. Climate Change, Saving Us, and Relentless Hope w/ Dr. Katharine Hayhoe 22.02.2024 1:06:47

Send us Fan Mail 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 imp...

101. Garden Life, Cozy Gaming, and the Chelsea Flower Show w/ Kay Luthor 08.02.2024 56:31

Send us Fan Mail 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-perf...

100. Plants to the Rescue! 25.01.2024 45:09

Send us Fan Mail 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...

99. Go Outside Kids, Staring at Plants, and Hugging Mountain Lions w/ Sarah Southerland 22.06.2023 1:00:54

Send us Fan Mail 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...

98. Your Brain on Plants, the Stress Buddy System, and Selective Green Thumbs w/ Morgan Johnston 09.06.2023 1:01:06

Send us Fan Mail 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 neuro...

97. Grandma's Plant Magic, Succulent Struggles, and a Creative Life w/ Amanda McLoughlin 05.05.2023 1:02:28

Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?? I don't want to spoil too much of this fantastic conversation, but today's episode with Amanda McLoughlin was super special to me. When I first starting to get into podcasts, Amanda's show, Spirits, was a huge inspiration. I was so thrilled when she reached out wanting to chat about her passion for houseplants! What started off as a di...

96. Efficient Agriculture, Measuring Impact, and Scientific Storytelling w/ Dr. Clint Krehbiel 28.04.2023 54:01

Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?? I'm honored today to have Dr. Clint Krehbiel, Dean of the Texas Tech University Davis College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, as a guest! Dr. Krehbiel has a background in Animal Science and ruminant nutrition and was on faculty at New Mexico State University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before...

95. Earth Day Special- Recycling w/ Nick Nowicki and In the Grow 21.04.2023 1:02:05

Send us Fan Mail 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...

94. Climate Journalism, Objectivity, and Noodle Dome Road w/ Brandi Addison 14.04.2023 1:02:45

Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? In today's episode, my friend Brandi Addison and I talked about her life as a journalist, climate solutions advocate, and environmentalist. Brandi is the regional agriculture and natural resources reporter for the USA TODAY Network's West Texas region, regularly contributing to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Amarillo Globe News, Abilene Rep...

93. Spring Garden Tips 31.03.2023 31:17

Send us Fan Mail Happy spring, Plant People! I thought to celebrate, I'd do a quick episode with some of my top tips for prepping and planting your garden in the spring! Like I mentioned in the episode, I wrote a non-fiction kids book about plants and how they're helping us fight climate change and make a healthier world! Plants to the Rescue! comes out on July 11, but you can pre-order...

92. Parasitic Plants, Arabidopsis Slander, and the Roller Derby Cactus w/ Elizabeth Kelly 16.03.2023 1:05:16

Send us Fan Mail What’s up Plant People?! I hope you’re ready for our first guest interview in quite some time, because its a GOOD ONE. Today’s guest, Elizabeth Kelly is a PhD student at Penn State University studying parasitic plants, a brilliant science communicator, an assistant greenhouse manager, an avid roller derby player, and one of my very favorite plant people. Elizabeth (known by her de...

Plants in World Traditions- Staying Awake (Replay) 10.03.2023 35:42

91. Black Apples, Rage Farming, and Weaponized Nonsense 27.02.2023 29:43

Send us Fan Mail Black Apple TikTok 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,...

90. January 2023 Q&A- Everything is Mustard 27.01.2023 34:36

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, Plant People, it's time for another listener Q&A episode! Thanks so much to Tyler, Finvaara, Rebecca, JBomb, and ForeverNPC for submitting such fun and thought-provoking questions! As always, if you'd like to submit questions for the next Q&A, hit me up on social media or shoot me an e-mail! Link to all that are below. Additionally, here are links to t...

89. Learning how to be a human 13.01.2023 31:02

Send us Fan Mail Happy 2023, my friends! My new years resolution is to be more consistent with this podcast and to seodn more time connecting with yall! Today's episode is part of what I talk with my students about on their first day of class. From time management to mental health, I think starting a new semester and a new year discussion to better care for ourselves is the perfect way to get...

Storytelling, Explaining the Universe, and Hanging Out with Oysters w/ Abby Morrison- Replay 18.11.2022 38:55

Send us Fan Mail I've been thinking a lot about storytelling lately and decided I'd repost one of my favorite episodes with one of my favorite storytellers! Enjoy this replay of my first episode with Abby Morrison from way back in 2020! In other news, there's a brand new Discord server if you want to plug in with me and other plant people! Join it for free at the link below! https:/...

88. Plants, Pangolins, and PhDs w/ Jack Baker 10.11.2022 1:08:37

Send us Fan Mail Jack's Links Twitter: @OnlyJackBaker , @PangolinPodcast Instagram: @PangolinPodcast 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&...

87. Anniversaries and Continuing Not to Eat Your Friends w/ Kyle Tengler 05.11.2022 38:20

Send us Fan Mail Plant People, can you believe it's been 3 years?? I want to thank you SO MUCH for being a part of this journey and for being patient with me the past few months. There's so much great Planthropology coming soon. Today, I wanted to replay our very first episode ever with my dear friend Kyle Tengler! It's fun revisiting where it all started and I hope you enjoy listen...

86. Deep Dive- Plant Hunters Across the Ages w/ Natalie Sabin 30.09.2022 1:31:09

Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? I have a good one for you today! Crowd favorite from the way back when, Natalie Sabin, returns for a deep dive into plant hunter from the past. Come learn about all their travels and research and all the things they've added to our scientific knowledge of plants! Natalie: Twitter Instagram Across the Ages Twitter Facebook Podchaser As always, th...

85. Efficient Agriculture, Frankenmelons, and The Future- September 2022 Q&A 09.09.2022 39:55

Send us Fan Mail What's up plant people??? It's been SO LONG since we've gotten to hang out and I'm so excited to be back at it again after a long summer break. Let's jump back in today with a listener Q&A and an update about where the show is headed! **************************************************** As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and revi...

84. Pando, Plant Hacks, and the Best and Worst Fruit- June 2022 Q&A 29.06.2022 36:53

Send us Fan Mail You have questions, I have answers! Let's jump into the June 2022 Q&A! **************************************************** As 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 p...

83. A Lifetime of Botany, Mimulus Drama, and the Power of Names w/ Dr. Naomi Fraga 17.06.2022 1:01:07

Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People! Sticking with our Parade of Botanists (TM), today's guest is Dr. Naomi Fraga. Naomi is a Research Assistant Professor at Claremont Graduate University and the Director of Conservation at the California Botanic Garden. She's a plant lover, a brilliant educator and scientist, a rare plant afficionado, and a tremendously good human. Tune in to h...

In the Grow- Randomness and Squirrels 11.06.2022 36:46

Send us Fan Mail Greetings Plant People! In this episode, Vikram and I answer a listener's question and talk about the current state of our gardens and what else we're planning to grow. It's randomness and there's talk of soggy squirrels, catalytic converters, and Top Gun. We still have some kernels of gardening wisdom in there, so don't worry. Next time, we'll be bac...

82. Water Quality, Crying About Math, and the Tea on Plant Groups w/ Emily Stamm 04.06.2022 1:01:25

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, Plant People! It's been a while! Thanks for your patience as I've been traveling and dealing with some family stuff. I'm excited to get back with you today with a super fun episode! Emily Stamm is one of our Master's students in the Simpson Urban Horticulture Lab in the Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University. She already holds...

Influencing Conservation, Finding Balance, and the Connectedness of Everything w/ Dr. Becky Bowling- Replay 13.05.2022 45:58

Send us Fan Mail Hey Plant People! I'll be doing some traveling and will be in and out a bit this summer, so this is the first of what will be a few sporadic throwbacks to some of my very favorite episodes from the back catalog! Stay cool and stay well this summer, my friends! ******************************************************************************** Y'all, today's episode is...