Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Rob and Skunk (Moderators of the subreddit Native Plant Gardening) to discuss the consequences that led to this episode of the podcast. Topics include the Native Plant Gardening Community, adding cues to care in gardens, advice for the native plant beginner, and favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Fol...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is plenty of follow up this episode. “That’s Hot” feels like fall in the air and the scent of salt. “This or That” pits conservation vs conservation.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? There is a brand new segment this episode just in time for Halloween. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro mu...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with artist Philip Juras to discuss painting the natural world. Topics include allowing yourself to be moved by our natural environments, inviting the audience into your perspective, historical significance of the landscapes that Philip paints, and favorite places to get inspired. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Philip...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is plenty of follow up this episode.  “That’s Hot” visits the south and appeals to the foragers. “This or That” pits butterflies against moths.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? There is a brand new segment this episode so get your list ready. Are you listening to the end for Fran's Listener Shoutout? Intr...

Pull up a chair and grab a Pawpaw Ale as Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Robert Aluck (Stewardship Director) of Sourland Conservancy . Topics include engaging the community and partners to maximize your efforts, finding purpose in native plants, achieving organizational goals, and and the importance of ecological outreach. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennet...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is plenty of follow up this episode.  “That’s Hot” is something old and something new. “This or That” goes into the weeds with messaging and survival.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? There is a brand new segment this episode so get your list ready. Are you listening to the end for a secret? Intro music b...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with ecological landscape architect Preston Montague. Topics include adding human elements to ecological landscapes, finding your niche in the ecological world, doing justice with current projects, giving props to gardening heroes, and favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Preston Montague Here . Have...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” is both black and white and gray. “This or That” researches ticks and introduces bison.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? "Take it or Leaf it" is a little stream of consciousness. Hey Mom, how about a some Meatloaf? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fran’s...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick reconnect with Rebecca McMackin. Topics include what has happened in Rebecca's world since her last visit to the podcast such as Ted Talks and discussing environmentalism with Neko Case. We also discuss favorite native plants, horticultural media, and upcoming projects. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Rebecca McMackin Here . H...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about the Land Ethic Symposium. “That’s Hot” is both near and far. “This or That” talks about hope for both birds and trees.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? What advice to Tom and Fran have about starting a Native Plant Nursery.  Stay tuned in for the secret as it becomes this episode's outro music....

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with environmentalist, activist, and author Summer Rayne Oakes. Topics include Summer's path into ecological landscaping, the importance of education and storytelling, combining the love of ecology and nature with homesteading, and favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Summer Rayne Oakes Here . Follow...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. How many magazine covers has Tom been on? “That’s Hot” is nothing to sneeze about. “This or That” talks about shapes and connections.  A listeners phones in about AI.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fran’s Plant  /  Tom’s Plant Read  Fran’s Ar...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Amy Martin (Executive Producer, Threshold Podcast) to talk about Listening to Nature. Topics include Amy's path from a fam in Iowa to creating Threshold Podcast, adding perspective and humility to the human experience, the journey to becoming one with nature, and meaningful experiences along the way.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by D...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about Ireland and Iowa - and how much cheese is too much? Tom goes to PPA. “That’s Hot” is home and away. “This or That” deals with making a difference and needing more.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fran’s Plant  /  Tom’s Plant R...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Todd Bittner (Director of Natural Areas, Cornell Botanic Gardens) to talk about Native Lawns. Topics include the history of Native Lawn 1.0 and its advantages, New York Times coverage, surprise performers and workhorses in native lawn settings, what comes next, and of course, favorite native plants.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Da...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. The burning question is are there more voices???  Listen to find out. Tom and Fran go to Cultivate “That’s Hot” brings The Chop! “This or That” gives Muskrat Love in a tiny forest, while “Take it of Leaf it” has unlimited growth potential. Can we talk ferns? Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intro music by RJ Com...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Ben Goldfarb (Author of Crossings, Eager ) to talk about road ecology. Topics include the history of road ecology, how our highway systems impact wildlife, how have wildlife crossings improves, what type of wildlife is impacted most, and of course, favorite native plants.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Ben Goldf...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Find out what it is like to record the same episode twice.  Tom wins a prestigious award!!! “That’s Hot” discusses dye and drugs. “This or That” discusses evolution and ethnobotany, while “Take it of Leaf it” talks about the housing situation. Let me stand next to your fire! Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intr...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Paula Whyman (Author of Bad Naturalist ) to talk about creating change and finding ecological peace. Topics include collecting professional advice, figuring out the best place to start a project, understanding the historical context of your ecological restoration, and of course, favorite native plants.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have a little Reddit Follow Up this week. “That’s Hot” discusses spines and spikes, “This or That” debates lists and sizes, and “Take it of Leaf it” is a rare treat.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fran’s Plant  /  Tom’s Plant Read  Fran’s...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Edwina von Gal (Founder at Edwina von Gal + Co. and Founder at Perfect Earth Projec t) to talk about making real ecological change in our gardens. Topics include global ground rules, changes in the landscape design world, embracing being an expert, the creation of the Perfect Earth Project, and of course, favorite native plants.  Music by Egocentric...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Our Facebook Group has the BEST content!  “That’s Hot” discusses yellow and blue.  “This or That” takes a look under the ground as well as the health of our forests.  Don't you dare call “Take it of Leaf it” lazy.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Claire Chambers of Meadow Lab and Sam Monaghan of Wildflower Turf UK to talk about an exciting new product that is making its way to the United States. Topics include the concept of wildflower sod, the benefits of wildflower sod compared to traditional restorations that are done by seeding, the journey of perfecting wildflower sod as well as the jour...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about our Facebook Group!  “That’s Hot” highlights two plants we have never seen in the wild...that we know of.  “This or That” is good over here but not over there.  "Take it of Leaf it" gets called some bad names.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of the episode for a sec...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with award winning director and cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg ( Fantastic Fungi , Wings of Life , Moving Art ) to talk about finding a connection with nature. Topics include being thankful for the little things, the art of storytelling, rooting for the underdog, and the healing properties of nature.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Da...