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Podcasts
Human/Nature
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Human/Nature
Step Outside

About the Show

We are facing a crisis. With the continuing pandemic, stress over climate change and natural disasters, and socio-economic uncertainty it’s not hard to understand why millions of Americans say they don’t feel OK. But there is a growing amount of proof in a simple treatment available to everyone: just stepping outside.

On Human/Nature, host Marcos Trinidad, a nature expert with roots in North East L.A., will inspire you to go out and explore and connect with nature in your city.

This podcast will empower you to reclaim your attention. Spending time in nature isn’t just good for our minds — in this tech obsessed culture — it’s the ultimate form of resistance.

Released April 22, 2022

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Funding provided by:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
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Episodes
  • Listen • 2:32
    Listen • 2:32
    Introducing Human/Nature, by LAist Studios
    Introducing Human/Nature, a podcast with a wild yet inspiring thesis: if you step outside and reconnect with nature in your own city, you’ll feel better, reconnect with yourself, and find your place in the world. Join us. This podcast will empower you to reclaim your attention. Spending time in nature isn’t just good for our minds — in this tech obsessed culture — it’s the ultimate  form of resistance. 

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • Listen • 22:52
    Transcript
    Episode 1
    Listen • 22:52
    How To Do Everything with Jenny Odell
    This week, Marcos talks with Jenny Odell, an artist and author of the book, “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy.” O’Dell talks about birdwatching, the repose of Oakland’s bustling Morcom Rose Garden and why seeing a Wilson’s Warbler always puts her in a good mood.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
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  • Listen • 18:22
    Transcript
    Episode 2
    Listen • 18:22
    Holy Flying Bloodsuckers, Batman!
    When it comes to keeping the nature in Los Angeles balanced and thriving, bats are ecosystem superheroes. Marcos talks to Natural History Museum of L.A. County’s Miguel Ordeñana about these elusive flying creatives.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
  • Listen • 20:48
    Transcript
    Episode 3
    Listen • 20:48
    Beetlemania!
    There are 400,000 species of beetles in the world, and you’ll find more than a few of them buzzing around Los Angeles this time of the year. Scientist Lila Higgins talks about their unique powers, mythologies, and which why some of them are known as the Thor of beetles.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
  • Listen • 20:44
    Transcript
    Episode 4
    Listen • 20:44
    Resurrecting the World’s Rarest Butterfly
    A tiny blue butterfly you could only find in a coastal area of Los Angeles was thought to be extinct. A story of its unexpected rediscovery.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
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  • Listen • 19:20
    Episode 5
    Listen • 19:20
    Why Indigenous Science Can Save the World
    Indigenous knowledge has often been dismissed or appropriated in environmental science and academia. Scientist and author Jessica Hernandez tells our friends at Latino USA on why we need to re-center these voices and practices.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • Listen • 20:32
    Transcript
    Episode 6
    Listen • 20:32
    Keep Palm and Carry on?
    This week, we look at the supermodel of plants in L.A: the iconic palm. They may be everywhere, but they’re not native to the city. How they got here, took over and complicate the great native v. non-native plant debate.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
  • Listen • 20:19
    Transcript
    Episode 7
    Listen • 20:19
    The Nature Of Your Own Backyard
    Nature is everywhere. And for LouAnne Brickhouse, it’s literally just steps away from her living room. Brickhouse is the founder of the popular Instagram account, “The Daily James.” She gives us a tour of the natural world that’s thriving in her Los Angeles backyard.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
  • Listen • 20:45
    Transcript
    Episode 8
    Listen • 20:45
    The Tree That Won’t Die
    When it comes to invasive plants, tree of heaven is public enemy number one. This week on the show, we get to the bottom of its bad reputation. We’ll discover which parts are science, and which parts are straight up racism. 

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
  • Listen • 24:07
    Transcript
    Episode 9
    Listen • 24:07
    Toad Town
    Back in the day, Los Angeles was a frog paradise. But that all changed when the local rivers were sealed in concrete. This week, we visit a remaining slice of native habitat where you can still catch a chorus of frogs and share tips on how you can, too.

    Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    Transcript
Show More Episodes
Credits
Marcos Trinidad
Host
Caroline Champlin
Producer
Kelly Prime
Editor
Carla Javier
Former producer and report
Antonia Cereijido
Executive Producer