Plant People podcast

Plant People

New episodes coming March 10, 2025! Plant People explores the ways our relationships with plants are tied to current environmental issues, and how art and culture reflect our connection to the ecosystems we rely on to thrive.  Through lively stories and conversations with scientists, gardeners, artists, and experts, join the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) for deep dives into everything from food systems and horticulture to botanical breakthroughs in the lab and the field, and the many ways our daily lives are sustained by plants. Then stay for discussions on how we can return the favor, protecting what we have—and cultivating what we need—to ensure plants and people continue to support each other for future generations.  Host Jennifer Bernstein, NYBG’s President & CEO, guides you through the role of humans in caring for our shared planet, whether you’re in your backyard garden, tending a window sill full of houseplants, or finding your love of nature in a concrete jungle. Let NYBG—rooted in NYC’s cultural fabric for over 130 years and a beloved respite in the heart of the Bronx, the city’s greenest borough—be your anchor for understanding how plants make a difference in your life, and our world, every single day—in ways both big and small. 

New episodes coming March 10, 2025! Plant People explores the ways our relationships with plants are tied to current environmental issues, and how art and culture reflect our connection to the ecosystems we rely on to thrive.  Through lively stories and conversations with scientists, gardeners, artists, and experts, join the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) for deep dives into everything from food systems and horticulture to botanical breakthroughs in the lab and the field, and the many ways our daily lives are sustained by plants. Then stay for discussions on how we can return the favor, protecting what we have—and cultivating what we need—to ensure plants and people continue to support each other for future generations.  Host Jennifer Bernstein, NYBG’s President & CEO, guides you through the role of humans in caring for our shared planet, whether you’re in your backyard garden, tending a window sill full of houseplants, or finding your love of nature in a concrete jungle. Let NYBG—rooted in NYC’s cultural fabric for over 130 years and a beloved respite in the heart of the Bronx, the city’s greenest borough—be your anchor for understanding how plants make a difference in your life, and our world, every single day—in ways both big and small. 

 

#23

Special feature from the Smithsonian's Sidedoor podcast: "King of the Herbs"

While Plant People is between seasons, we have a special episode, "King of the Herbs", fro... more

05 Aug 2025

30 MINS

30:09

05 Aug 2025


#22

Ecotourism: Inspiring a Plant-Powered Economy

We’re wrapping up Season 2 with NYBG’s Chief Science Officer, Mauricio Díazgranados, Ph.D.... more

14 Jul 2025

28 MINS

28:37

14 Jul 2025


#21

Let's Botanize

In today’s episode, we’re proving that botany is for everyone—yes, even you! We’re joined ... more

30 Jun 2025

31 MINS

31:19

30 Jun 2025


#20

Mangroves: Earth's Coastal Caretakers

This week we’re getting right to the root of our coastlines—particularly the roots of mang... more

16 Jun 2025

33 MINS

33:34

16 Jun 2025


#19

The Tree Collectors

 Listen in as we talk about a niche and noble hobby: tree collecting. Author Amy Stewart j... more

02 Jun 2025

34 MINS

34:01

02 Jun 2025


#18

Extreme Botany

 In this week’s episode, we’re joined by NYBG Assistant Curator Ana María Bedoya, Ph.D., w... more

19 May 2025

33 MINS

33:31

19 May 2025


#17

Moving Past Peat

 In this week’s episode, we discuss the future of horticulture—and the simple, sustainable... more

05 May 2025

29 MINS

29:56

05 May 2025


#16

A River Runs Through The Bronx

 In this episode we’re joined by Todd Forrest, NYBG’s Vice President for Horticulture and ... more

21 Apr 2025

33 MINS

33:49

21 Apr 2025


#15

Sowing Change

Acclaimed author and poet Camille Dungy joins us this week to explore the intersection of ... more

07 Apr 2025

36 MINS

36:58

07 Apr 2025


#14

The Periodic Table of Food

Join Dr. Alex McAlvay, Assistant Curator at NYBG’s Center for Plants, People, and Culture,... more

24 Mar 2025

37 MINS

37:39

24 Mar 2025


#13

Paradise Bronx

In the first episode of Season 2, we explore the resilience and creativity of the Bronx th... more

10 Mar 2025

34 MINS

34:12

10 Mar 2025


#12

Plant People Season 2 Trailer

Are you a plant person? If you’re not quite sure, we can help get you there—with Season 2 ... more

03 Mar 2025

02 MINS

02:14

03 Mar 2025


#11

Decay is an Ally

In our final episode of the season, we sit down with Merlin Sheldrake, biologist and autho... more

23 Sep 2024

28 MINS

28:04

23 Sep 2024


#10

The African American Garden

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by renowned culinary historian, author, and NYBG Trus... more

09 Sep 2024

31 MINS

31:35

09 Sep 2024


#9

Eating To Extinction

We’re joined by renowned food journalist, author, and broadcaster Dan Saladino, who's been... more

26 Aug 2024

32 MINS

32:37

26 Aug 2024


#8

Native Plants

 In this week’s episode, we catch up with Doug Tallamy, Professor of Agriculture & Natural... more

12 Aug 2024

36 MINS

36:27

12 Aug 2024


#7

What Do Plants Have To Do With Flooding?

In episode 6, NYBG’s VP of Urban Conservation, Dr. Eric Sanderson, takes us on a quick tri... more

29 Jul 2024

33 MINS

33:08

29 Jul 2024


#6

Houseplants

In episode 5,  we cover the surge in home horticulture spurred by the pandemic, with apart... more

15 Jul 2024

32 MINS

32:13

15 Jul 2024


#5

Invasive Plants

Dr. Evelyn Beaury joins us for a look at the state of invasive plant species in the United... more

01 Jul 2024

35 MINS

35:24

01 Jul 2024


#4

Fighting Fire With Fire

Michael Dockry, Assistant Professor of Forestry Studies at the University of Minnesota and... more

17 Jun 2024

32 MINS

32:46

17 Jun 2024


#3

Better Lawns

We're joined by landscape designer Edwina von Gal, founder of Perfect Earth Project, for a... more

03 Jun 2024

29 MINS

29:14

03 Jun 2024


#2

The Importance of Collections

Take an in-depth look at how NYBG has championed the natural world for over 130 years by c... more

20 May 2024

38 MINS

38:22

20 May 2024


#1

Plant People Season One Trailer

At the crossroads of plants, people, and the planet, Plant People, from the New York Botan... more

13 May 2024

02 MINS

02:14

13 May 2024