About this episode

Dr. Marla Spivak shares her transformative journey with bees and how they guided her through life's challenges.

Before becoming a MacArthur award–winning entomologist, Dr. Marla Spivak is adrift – first as a young woman in search of direction, then deep in the Amazon, severely ill and fearing death. Time and again, it’s the hum of bees that shows her a path forward. Apiculture doesn’t just become her life’s passion, it reveals a deeper truth about the connections that bind us. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Marla Spivak

Topics covered

• entomology
• bees
• personal journey
• health
• connection
• apiculture

Keywords

• bees
• entomologist
• MacArthur award
• apiculture
• health
• connection
• personal growth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MacArthur

Places: Amazon

More episodes of Meditative Story

• Changing the game, by Tim Shriver · April 21, 2026 · 36 min
• Forging my own path, by Isha Sesay · April 7, 2026 · 33 min
• Dancing on my own, by Alex Morris · March 31, 2026 · 35 min
• The last laugh, by Sara Benincasa · March 24, 2026 · 34 min
• Martha Beck: Letting our hearts take the lead · March 17, 2026 · 39 min
• Writing the main character, by Franklin Leonard · March 11, 2026 · 30 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Meditative Story podcast page.