The Landscape Nerd

Nerd Notes are short episodes between longer episode releases to wrap up the previous topic! This Note is a quick checklist and guided meditation to help in moments of imposter syndrome. Enjoy!

In this episode, we are speaking with Myron Nelson, a therapist based in Chicago, Illinois. His work focuses on depression, race, and identity. He is here to discuss imposter syndrome, toxic work culture, and handling big issues in landscape architecture.  This episode is geared toward designers and students, however, anyone struggling with depression could gain insight from this episode, no...

For the last episode of 2022, we are speaking with Melissa Pompili about her research in creating a public art walking tour for University Circle in Cleveland Ohio. We discuss the motivations to create something that the public can use and how to have fun doing it. Also, we discuss how quickly public art information can disappear and where to look for it! Contact our guest at melissa.pompili@gmail...

In today's episode, we are hearing from Monique Allen, the founder of the Garden Continuum and design-build and care company. She would typically be described as a landscaper/ a contractor/ or an installer. I chose to release this episode after the 2022 ASLA conference and the COP27 conference have wrapped because, our dedication to creating a greener world, heavily relies on the people who build...

In this episode, we are speaking with Chris Landau, the principal of LANDAU Design + Technology. He is an artist who has found himself immersed in the world of landscape architecture. In addition to computational design and visualization, the firm developed an innovative design tool called Land Kit. It is an algorithmic design tool that helps improve landscape designers’ workflows and assist in co...

Today we explore the interdisciplinary work of Ana Maria Torres of AT Architects! Landscape architects and architects work together very often and can share similar project goals. However, the difference in practice can leave a lot of miscommunication or missed opportunities. In this episode, we explore Ana Maria's approach to architecture and how she embraces other disciplines to inform her work....

Hello everyone! Are you ready to visit the farm? Today we are joined by Janelle Soja - a multigenerational regenerative farmer based in Northeast Ohio. She was my first stop in trying to understand where agriculture starts and landscape architecture ends- especially in identifying ways to mitigate climate change impacts on the land. Both professions/sciences are curating the ways that people inter...

This episode explores the origins and purposes of botanical illustration. Besides being a well-recognized craft, it is a scientific document that helps us understand the world around us. Please join me in learning about Botanical Illustrations

Hello Everyone! This episode continues to explore the topic of landscape music, but this time from the performers' perspective. I was lucky to interview the co-directors of The American Wild Ensemble, Emlyn and Dan. Music in today's episode was provided as a courtesy from AWE, the piece is called Everything Flowing by Aristea Mellos. 

This episode is part one of landscape music! This episode features an interview with Nell Shaw Cohen the founder and director of Landscape Music a network of musical artists and an online publication whose mission is to deepen public appreciation of the natural world by providing a platform for contemporary composers and performers whose music engages with landscape, nature, and place. Featured Mu...

Today we will learn about David A Williston, the first professionally trained Black landscape architect. His story deserved to be told as a historic leader in the profession and as a  trailblazer for people of color in the field of landscape.

An introduction to the show! 

In this episode, we will discuss evergreens and their ecological, design, and cultural impact. What are some of your favorite evergreen plants and why? 

Hello Everyone! In today's episode, we will look at the debate around the removal of the Horseshoe Lake Dam in Shaker Heights, OH. The dam was built over 170 years ago and the regional sewer district has recommended its removal for safety and stormwater management. The communities of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights share this feature - and there are community members who oppose the dam remova...

This is the final episode of the Hard Work Series Episode 4: From Michael. This episode is when we get to hear Michaels's own thoughts, about his past, his concerns, his interests, and his plans for the future. This episode is for those who want to see more methods to the madness. You will also hear from me! My own insights into how I put this project together and what lessons I learned along the...

Hello Everyone! This mini-series that I am sharing is about a very familiar person. Michael Todoran of the Landscape Architecture Podcast. His story, like many of ours, is complex and filled with ups and downs. However, I would argue that the most important aspect of a story is the moral or the takeaways. You can view this project as a deep dive into the takeaways people have gotten from Michael T...

Episode 1: The transition from Artist to Designer. This is about a transition from being a fine artist to a designer, we hear from a former classmate and long-time friend, and a former professor! I highly recommend this episode for current students.  *This episode does include some playful cursing*

Episode 2: The power of divergent conversations: If you are like me, you may struggle to think in a linear fashion. However, this nonlinear thinking is able to embrace a variety of subjects and perspectives that may have never come up before. These divergent conversations really open up your mind to open ideas, I recommend this episode for anyone feeling stuck or in a design rut.

Episode 3 Networking: This episode is about how authenticity and curiosity can forge very strong connections. I would argue that Michael Todoran is an expert in this regard. I recommend a listen for those who struggle with networking or worry about how others see them in professional settings.

Hello to the Landscape Nerds! This episode is about Thai gardens. This episode is very personal to me and I was fortunate enough to pull from my own experiences to discuss this garden style. I hope that you enjoy what I have to say here- and maybe you will fall in love with Thai Gardens too Intro and outro music by Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | scottbuckley.com.au Music promoted by https://www.cho...

Today’s episode is the second installment of the Interdisciplinary segment of The Landscape Nerd Podcast. Today we are talking to poet Amanda Stovicek and learning about how landscape influences her work and gain some insight into how we can incorporate poetry into our design work and narratives. Nature by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com Creative Commo...

Today we will explore Maximalist design/ maximalism in the landscape! 

Today’s episode explored the interdisciplinary aspect of Landscape Architecture. I am speaking with Zach Nemec, an aquatic ecologist to discuss how our fields interact with one another. We explore thoughts on collaboration and pushing the boundaries of the research and design of ecologically safe practices. This episode seeks to showcase how intuitively interdisciplinary the field of landscape arc...

The topic of today is the Memorial Garden of Lake View School Fire of Collinwood Ohio. It is also known as the Collinwood  Fire. This school fire occurred on March 4th, 1908, which means that the anniversary has just passed. * Trigger warning, this episode will discuss the deaths of children and adults and the impacts of fire. While I will not go into great detail about these topics, they wil...

Today's episode will focus on the mythology, stories, and legends of landscape. There are many lessons to learn in these tales that have survived generations. They tell us about real events through the eyes of others, but also they share a conversation that we had with the land/earth itself.