The Landscape Nerd

In this episode, we explore the cultural significance and landscape architecture of tea. Discover how tea cultivation and trade have shaped landscapes and societies worldwide, from ancient legends to contemporary tea gardens! Thelandscapenerd.com @thelandscapenerd

We're back! Maci and Divine share their personal connections to tea, discussing its cultural significance, the rituals surrounding it, and how it intersects with landscape architecture. Drawing on their experiences with tea —from childhood memories to current practices —they delve into the idea of designing tea gardens that reflect cultural meanings and foster community connections. #landscapearch...

In this episode of The Landscape Nerd Podcast , Maci chats with Malena Grigoli and Jennifer Lumpkin about Project Sophia —a creative, community-driven effort rethinking what it means to take buildings apart. They dig into the difference between deconstruction and demolition , the power of art and cultural legacy , and how sustainability and reuse can shape a more connected, mindful city. Keywords:...

Maci and Kristen discuss the subtlety of bias and the barriers to belonging in landscape architecture. The conversation shares many personal insights revealed in addressing the challenges of navigating assumptions in public design and advocating for more inclusive thoughts and conversations throughout the design process. Maci @thelandscapenerd thelandscapenerd.com Kristen @pop_of_good #landscapear...

In this episode, we celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month and Autism Acceptance Month with a conversation about connection! Maci and guest Caressa Joyce explore the deep connections humans have with the land and how practices help connect us to our understanding of nature and community.  This interdisciplinary conversation is guided by the following questions: What is the overarching theme...

In this episode, we explore the enchanting world of cherry blossoms- their beauty, cultural significance, and the folklore surrounding them. Words for the algorithm: #Landscapearchitecture #design #Cherryblossoms #spring #folklore #culturalsignificance #symbolism #nature #beauty #ephemeral #cherrytree

Vulnerability in Entrepreneurship Maci and Divine explore the complexities of entrepreneurship, focusing on the intertwining of personal identity and professional life. They discuss the challenges of vulnerability, community support, and the emotional facets of being an entrepreneur. The conversation continued beyond the intended end time, so please enjoy 2 extra bonus clips!  ⁠Remesha Design Lab⁠...

In this episode, we are celebrating 5 years together!!! We’ve been through a lot and I wonder what the next 5 years have in store for us. As the podcast has grown, so has the number of nerds tuning in! We are making an impact and I want to keep learning together. We will talk about the purpose of the podcast and how it got started and how it has evolved. Lessons learned/ advice for others wanting...

In this episode, we are celebrating 5 years together!!! We’ve been through a lot and I wonder what the next 5 years have in store for us. As the podcast has grown, so has the number of nerds tuning in! We are making an impact and I want to keep learning together. We will talk about the purpose of the podcast and how it got started and how it has evolved. Lessons learned/ advice for others wanting...

In this episode of Landscapes Unmuted, Divine and Maci explore the concept of success, and redefining it. They discuss the traditional stereotypes of success and the challenges they present to keeping people in the field. The conversation emphasizes the need to redefine success to include personal well-being, work-life balance, and community impact. Then they close out the episode by sharing their...

Audio Only Don't worry, The Landscape Nerd is not going anywhere, it's just growing a bit! In this inaugural episode of Landscapes Unmuted, hosts Maci Nelson and Divine Ndemeye introduce their new podcast, discussing their backgrounds, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges of navigating mental health and burnout in the design field. The conversation highlights their commitmen...

Don't worry, The Landscape Nerd is not going anywhere, it's just growing a bit! In this inaugural episode of Landscapes Unmuted, hosts Maci Nelson and Divine Ndemeye introduce their new podcast, discussing their backgrounds, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges of navigating mental health and burnout in the design field. The conversation highlights their commitment to creati...

Hello Everyone! Maci here, happy to share a new episode! We discuss emotions informing the design of our environment. Please rate and/or leave a review, it helps the show a lot!  If you wish to learn more about Kelsey and Mental Landscapes? https://mentallandscapes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mentallandscapedesign/ Eventide: Nov 14 2024 https://www.thelandscapenerd.com/ Also, Thank you to Koffe...

Just in time for the supermoon! We are learning about dark skies, nocturnal conservation, and light pollution. To learn more check out: https://darksky.org/ @darksky_intl and listen to: https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-12-16/red-lighting-could-rewild-night-skies-plagued-by-light-pollution Stay connected on IG @thelandscapenerd + thelandscapenerd.com Theme music by KoffeeSwap Theme v...

Let's find the inspiration to keep going! Hello Everyone, On this episode of TLN we are thinking about inspiration and artistic expression. We are joined by artist, designer, and awesome person, Kacey Parrales. Kacey and I recorded this about a year and half ago when we were both teaching and we talked about her process for communicating creativity to her students and how she stays inspired to...

Let's all talk about advocacy! This episode is a recording from the 2024 New Jersey Chapter ASLA Annual Meeting! The session you will hear today was a panel titled Future Forum: The Journey From Advocacy to Leadership. I've gotten a lot of questions and have had amazing conversations about this topic and I am really glad there was an opportunity to share one of them with you! The panel: Gina Ford,...

It feels good to be back! Hello everyone and hello 2024! This year we are focusing on how to bring out your uniqueness in the profession. I know we do that already, but it is nice to say it again! Today we are speaking with someone who knows you all fairly well,but maybe you did not know about them. Jenny Frenkel (she/her) is the founder of Intuitive PR, public relations firm (I am luck to have he...

Hello Nerds! Today, we are discussing what it means to be a person of color in outdoor spaces. We can’t cover everything but we sure give it a try! Please join me in speaking with Kimberly Young and Bronlynn Thurman, the creators of Black Women Explore a community in Akron, Ohio promoting women and femme-identifying people of color to enjoy outdoor spaces together.  Please rate and/or leave a revi...

We are enjoying the retelling of a Chinese folklore story called The Blue Rose. I hope this story inspires you to find the people who make your dreams a reality. www.thelandscapenerd.com

Oh the ominous LARE. The Landscape Architecture Registration Exam is something that everyone in the profession knows about. Yet, despite its popularity, the exam remains a mystery in many ways. Today we are going to talk to Claire Kern, founder of Pass the LARE, a new study resource. We are discussing the challenges of the exam and new ways to approach studying to make the exam more accessible. pa...

We are going to investigate how designers and DnD players participate in world-building! This episode is full of nerdy joy and curiosity! Dungeons and Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game that requires collaboration to solve problems and tell a compelling story. If you've never thought about DnD as a design tool before.... please allow me to change your mind! In this episode, we will hear f...

Encouraging a conversation about designing for the autistic experience. Get ready to get real nerdy with the upcoming dungeons and dragons episode!!

It is often overlooked how isolating the landscape experience can be for autistic minds. Many people in the autistic community desire outdoor spaces where they feel safe and able to connect with others. In this episode, we speak to the organizers and a founder of the Autism Nature Trail located in Letchworth State Park. This unique trail is geared toward autism families and building confidence in...

Wrapping up the Best Book Ever conversation with a reflection on how important stories are to the way we see landscape.

In this episode, we are learning about how the stories we love can impact the way we build our outdoor spaces! This is a collaboration with the Best Book Ever Podcast hosted by Julie Strauss. She interviews me, Maci Nelson, on my favorite book, Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. The book was adapted into a Studio Ghibli animated film- which inspired the way Maci approaches landscape ar...