On reciprocity, photosynthesis, and berries 🍓 with Robin Wall Kimmerer

On reciprocity, photosynthesis, and berries 🍓 with Robin Wall Kimmerer

From WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

August 25, 2026 · 52 min · Season 4 · Episode 6

About this episode

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson speaks with Robin Wall Kimmerer about the importance of reciprocity, collaboration in ecosystems, and the magic of photosynthesis.

Earlier this month at College of the Atlantic, I was over the moon to speak alongside the one and only Robin Wall Kimmerer , botanist, teacher, Earth lover and legendary author of Braiding Sweetgrass . Our conversation went deeper than I expected — but that’s on me for not having higher expectations! We discussed everything from the value of books in this age of shrinking attention spans, to how to shift our thinking from competition to collaboration (inspired by the mutualism of ecosystems), to the urgency of reciprocity and gift giving. I shared my spicy take on strawberries and we discussed the magic of photosynthesis. Plants. It’s all about plants. It was such a beautiful, spirited morning with Robin. And it was kicked off with the most thoughtful and lovely introduction, by COA student, Madi DuVarney. Want more from Robin? Of course you do. Find her books at your local library, on your friend’s shelf, or order from an indie bookshop . ✨ ANNOUNCEMENT ✨ For Season 5 of this podcast, I'm bringing in a co-host: the magnificent and wise journalist, activist, and climate legend, Bill McKibben . The midterm elections are right around the corner, in 70 days, and if we’re going to…

People in this episode

Host: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Guest: Robin Wall Kimmerer

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Braiding Sweetgrass

More episodes of WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT?

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? podcast page.