Plant People
Science & Ideas
About
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.
Episodes
- Giant Water Lilies with Brie Langley & Vanessa Callahan
This Plant People episode discusses giant water lilies. Jennifer Bernstein, Vanessa Callahan, and Brie Langley explore their unique leaf structure and enormous size, with some Amazonian specimens reaching 10 feet in diameter.
- Cacao with Professor Pathmanathan Umaharan
Host Jennifer Bernstein and Professor Pathmanathan Umaharan discuss the ancient history of cacao cultivation, the variety of chocolates produced, and the threats posed by climate change and plant diseases to cacao crops.
- Pawpaws with Anya Stansell
Anya Stansell joins host Jennifer Bernstein to discuss the Pawpaw, the largest fruit native to the United States. They explore its history as an Indigenous food staple and its current obscurity.
- Pitcher Plants with Dr. Rob Naczi
Dr. Rob Naczi joins host Jennifer Bernstein to discuss pitcher plants, carnivorous plants with unique trapping leaves. They explore a New York native species, its habitat, and the environmental threats it faces.
- Ghost Orchid with Dr. Melissa Abdo
Dr. Melissa Abdo joins the podcast to discuss the ghost orchid, a captivating and threatened plant found in the swamps of the southeast. The episode touches on the flower's vulnerability to poachers and the conservation efforts advocating…
- The American Chestnut with Michael Goergen
Michael Goergen from The American Chestnut Foundation joins Plant People to talk about the American chestnut tree. The discussion covers the tree
- Turkey Tail Fungi with Eugenia Bone
This episode features Eugenia Bone discussing the importance of fungi, like turkey tail mushrooms, in planetary biology and human health. The conversation touches on scientific research into mushrooms' disease-fighting capabilities and psy…
- Moss with Robin Wall Kimmerer
Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses moss and other small plant life as a gateway to understanding our world on the Plant People podcast. She shares insights with host Jennifer Bernstein on what ancient plants teach us about survival and…
- Plant People Season 3 Trailer
The Plant People podcast, from NYBG, is launching its third season. Host Jennifer Bernstein will interview authors and scientists to explore unique plants in each episode. The podcast airs every other week starting February 2.
- Special feature from the Smithsonian's Sidedoor podcast: "King of the Herbs"
This Sidedoor podcast episode, "King of the Herbs," investigates the wild American ginseng, an herb historically used as a wonder drug. The plant is now rare due to overharvesting and is being searched for by scientists, conservationists,…
- Ecotourism: Inspiring a Plant-Powered Economy
NYBG's Chief Science Officer Mauricio Díazgranados explains how ecotourism can create a sustainable, plant-powered economy. He shares his vision for using biodiversity hotspots for ecotourism to benefit local communities and fund conservat…
- Let's Botanize
This episode features botanists Jacob Suissa and Ben Goulet-Scott, founders of Let’s Botanize, a nonprofit focused on making plant science accessible. They discuss their book and how to get started in botany, emphasizing its importance for…
- Mangroves: Earth's Coastal Caretakers
This episode features Dr. Brad Oberle discussing the importance of mangrove forests. They play a vital role in carbon sequestration, preventing coastal erosion, and serving as habitats for marine animals.
- The Tree Collectors
Author Amy Stewart joins the Plant People podcast to discuss her book "The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession." The episode explores the hobby of tree collecting, highlighting individuals dedicated to cataloging, preserving, and…
- Extreme Botany
Ana María Bedoya, Ph.D., discusses her work in "extreme botany," researching aquatic plants in harsh South American ecosystems and their susceptibility to climate change.
- Moving Past Peat
Chad Massura of Rosy Soil and Kurt Morrell of NYBG discuss the importance of peat-free soil for a carbon-neutral future. They share insights on sustainable horticultural practices and the story behind peat alternatives.
- A River Runs Through The Bronx
This episode features Todd Forrest discussing the Bronx River's environmental redemption, highlighting its ecological significance to the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx, and New York City at large.
- Sowing Change
Acclaimed author Camille Dungy joins Plant People to discuss how gardening serves as a form of storytelling, connecting nature, identity, and systemic change. The episode explores environmental advocacy and the intertwining of nature and n…
- The Periodic Table of Food
Dr. Alex McAlvay and Dr. John de la Parra discuss how historical farming methods could address modern agricultural issues like monocrops, thereby enhancing global food security and resilience to climate change.
- Paradise Bronx
This episode features author Ian Frazier discussing his book "Paradise Bronx," an ode to the borough
- Plant People Season 2 Trailer
The Plant People podcast releases its Season 2 trailer, announcing the March 10 return. The new season will explore topics like global food security, gardening as resistance, and extreme botany with various experts.
- Decay is an Ally
This episode features biologist Merlin Sheldrake discussing fungi, their crucial role in death and decay processes essential for life, and the significance of mycology.
- The African American Garden
Culinary historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris discusses the African American Garden at NYBG, highlighting how plants represent the migration, dispossession, and reclamation central to the African American experience and American cuisine.
- Eating To Extinction
Food journalist Dan Saladino joins Plant People to discuss his book "Eating to Extinction," exploring endangered plant cuisines and their importance for future food security and the planet.
- Native Plants
This episode features Doug Tallamy, an expert in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He discusses the advantages of planting native species, emphasizing their importance for birds, bees, and overall ecosystem hea…
- What Do Plants Have To Do With Flooding?
This episode features Dr. Eric Sanderson discussing urban conservation in NYC, examining the historical relationship between plants and flooding, and exploring future solutions centered on ecosystem restoration and plant well-being.
- Houseplants
This episode discusses the pandemic-driven surge in houseplant popularity, the impact of botanical gardens on cultivation, and the associated problems of wild plant poaching and conservation efforts. Guest Marc Hachadourian shares insights.
- Invasive Plants
Dr. Evelyn Beaury joins Plant People to discuss invasive plant species in the U.S., identifying the greatest threats to native ecosystems and how climate and land-use changes accelerate their spread. The episode covers specific examples li…
- Fighting Fire With Fire
Michael Dockry, an expert in forestry and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, discusses the growing threat of wildfires due to climate change. He explores how traditional forestry techniques, such as controlled burns and selective l…
- Better Lawns
Landscape designer Edwina von Gal joins Plant People to explore America's relationship with grass, advocating for toxin-free landscaping and discussing lawn alternatives that can benefit the environment.
- The Importance of Collections
NYBG champions the natural world through its historic collections. Library Director Rhonda Evans discusses the Mertz Library's botanical literature and conservation efforts, while Dr. Emily Sessa explores the Steere Herbarium and its role…
- Plant People Season One Trailer
The trailer for Plant People, from the New York Botanical Garden, introduces the podcast's exploration of the relationship between plants, people, and the planet. Hosted by Jennifer Bernstein, the show features conversations with experts o…