The Mindful Birding Podcast

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode, we’ve invited our listeners and network members to share works of poetry or prose that holds meaning for them within their own practice of Mindful Birding. For many practitioners of Mindful Birding, the art of poetry or putting words to our connections to birds can be a powerful element of the practice. In this episode, you will hear the voices of Kai Siedenburg, Arax Seghman, Pam Zicca, Susan Preston, Dave Edson, along with your two cohosts, ...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode, we explore the question: if we combine both music created by people with the music of birds, can this amplify the wellness benefits of both of them? We interview Diane Arkenstone, an internationally acclaimed musician and bird lover, who shares her music with the world to inspire a soothing meditation and healing, especially in her latest release elevating the songs of birds as her vocalists within. Diane shares how nature and nature's m...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode, we dive into the idea that by leaning into joy through wild birds, we can help offset a negativity bias that researchers suggest we are innately wired towards. We consider how shifting our attention onto birds may empower change to our mental states and might even alter our brain structures in a positive way. In the Mindful Birding Nerding Science segment, Dr. Holly Thomas shares how generating positive emotions through birdi...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode, we have a conversation with Lillian Stokes and Matthew Young, authors of the interactive and engaging new book The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada, a book that embodies hope and joy, and can serve as a bridge between our personal wellbeing and understanding finches. The authors share how their backgrounds in social work and mental health pairs together with their work with birds, and what finches can teach us.&nbs...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com Do you often hear the question: “See anything good?” while birding? In this episode we discuss this question and tease apart the idea of “what is a good bird”, what is a “good birder”, and how sometimes these questions might allow self-judgement to surface, and how these questions relate to both our mental health and self-compassion. We also bring up the fear of missing out, and how this may also influence our mental wellbeing in ...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode we welcome Dr. Barbara Patterson from Fort Collins Colorado. Barb’s work of creating and contributing to the Mindful Birding programs in her community is tremendous. Her latest endeavor is called The Mindful Birding Project, and she shares the details with us here. Barb authored the booklet A Mindful Birding Journey which was first distributed to cancer patients in her local community, and can be found as a free download on the mindful birding ...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode Holly & Holly continue to answer questions we’ve received about Mindful Birding in part II of Mindful Birding – Your Questions Answered. We also continue our chat with therapist Pamela Lowell, who turns the tables on us, and asks us some questions about how we met and started this podcast. In our Mindful Birding Nerding segment, Holly Thomas explores why birds might be the perfect gateway to mindfulness practice, and explores op...

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com In this episode of the Mindful Birding Podcast, Holly & Holly answer some of the questions received surrounding Mindful Birding. This episode is part one of our discussion, and we hope you enjoy. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com or through the Mindful Birding Network Holly Merker shares a segment from Dr. Alexander Skutch's writing on companionship and connections of the birds we encounter from ...