Episode 45 - Mental Health Healing in the Woods

Modernity lets us be comfortable in isolation, and can make it difficult for us to turn towards nature and community. Many of us struggle with mental health challenges like anxiety and depression—and nature can help us heal. It can be helpful to see how our brains and internal worlds are a worthy part of the natural world. 

Guest Jarod K. Anderson is the Ohio-based author of Something in the Woods Loves Me, which explores his lifelong struggle with depression through a lens of love and gratitude for the natural world. He is also the host of the The CryptoNaturalist podcast, a scripted show about real adoration for fictional wildlife, and the author of three best-selling collections of nature poetry, collectively known as The Haunted Forest Trilogy.

Jarod and Alice Irene have a beautiful conversation about lifelong wavering and restored mental health. They talk about everything from the perils of social media, to the big tent of “nerd” that holds space for many people, to the success of Pokemon in inspiring young naturalists. This conversation explores letting go of shame, finding worth, balancing courage with care—and going to wild places with no agenda.