Planthropology

Send us a textJourney through millions of years of plant evolution with paleobotanist Dr. Aaron Pan, who unearths fascinating stories locked within fossilized leaves, fruits, and seeds from Earth's distant past. As Executive Director of the Museum of Texas Tech University, Dr. Pan bridges the worlds of scientific research and public education, sharing how ancient plant remains challenge our understanding of modern ecosystems.Prepare to have your assumptions about plant origins completely upended. Did you know eucalyptus trees – quintessentially Australian icons – likely originated in South America? Or that Africa once had thriving palm forests despite hosting fewer palm species today than tiny Singapore? Dr. Pan's research in Ethiopia reveals evidence of lush, palm-filled landscapes that existed 21-27 million years ago, before continental collisions dramatically reshaped Earth's biodiversity.The conversation explores how paleobotany differs from other paleontological disciplines, with plants presenting unique challenges since their various parts – leaves, flowers, fruits – can be scattered and fossilized separately. We delve into the collision of Africa with Eurasia that introduced zebras, giraffes, and lions to the continent, fundamentally altering both plant and animal communities in ways that continue to influence modern ecosystems.Beyond the science, Dr. Pan offers insights into museum work and the importance of preserving both specimens and knowledge. With 9.5 million items in its collection, the Museum of Texas Tech stands as the 19th largest natural history collection in America. Whether you're fascinated by ancient plants, curious about how continents shape evolution, or simply love museums, this episode invites you to appreciate the incredible depth of time and the long, winding journey of plant life on our planet.Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat happens when scientific curiosity meets ancestral connection? Phil DeAngelis, founder of Phil's Figs and coastal geologist, takes us on a journey that weaves together seemingly unrelated passions into a life of purpose and discovery.Phil's story begins in Pennsylvania, where gardening was simply part of life in his Italian-American and German-American household. Following the expected corporate path after college, he worked in marketing for Zipcar while an undercurrent of scientific curiosity continued to pull at him. A transformative trip to Italy not only connected him with his heritage but introduced him to fresh figs for the first time—awakening memories of his great-grandfather's cherished fig tree that had been ceremoniously wrapped each winter to survive Philadelphia's cold.The podcast explores how Phil's mounting fascination with figs coincided with his decision to leave corporate life and pursue graduate studies in geoscience. With remarkable candor, he describes the humbling experience of returning to school, the challenges of scientific writing, and the painstaking research of collecting foraminifera from deep ocean sediments to study climate change events.We delve into the fascinating geology of East Coast barrier islands—remnants of ancient Appalachian Mountains—and how Phil's work with coastal plant species helps determine environmental boundaries within inches of elevation. The conversation shifts to the extraordinary world of figs, their ancient relationship with humanity dating back to Mesopotamia, and their unique reproductive cycle involving specialized wasps.Whether you're a science enthusiast, plant lover, or simply someone wondering about different career paths, Phil's story reminds us that curiosity is the greatest guide. As he says, "Play the long game and just keep going on something that truly interests you. If you don't know, go out and start trying stuff."Ready to experience the incomparable taste of a fresh fig or learn why coastal plants matter? This episode will inspire you to let your passions—however diverse—lead the way.Phil's LinksFacebookYouTubeSupport the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textEver wondered how working with plants could transform your life? Destin Noak, known online as the Texas Garden Guy, discovered gardening's therapeutic power during a period of uncertainty after leaving the Air Force in 2011. What began with his father's simple suggestion to till the backyard evolved into a passionate pursuit that would eventually open doors to a fulfilling career."It kind of gave me that relaxation, that therapy that I didn't know I needed," Destin explains, describing how working in the garden creates a meditative "white noise" that allows everything else to fade away. This accidental discovery became the foundation for a journey that would lead him from container gardening on an apartment balcony to managing a greenhouse filled with rare plants in his suburban yard.Destin's pragmatic approach to gardening challenges makes him relatable to gardeners of all experience levels. Living with poor clay soil that "cracks when it hasn't rained for about two weeks," he turned to raised beds and container gardening as solutions rather than fighting an uphill battle. His collection now includes 50 fig trees, numerous desert roses, and rare succulents – all thriving in a modest subdivision lot. For gardeners struggling with less-than-ideal conditions, Destin's success offers both inspiration and practical strategies.The conversation explores the evolution of Texas Garden Guy from pandemic hobby to multimedia platform, including his co-hosting role on The Garden Party podcast and recent position with Nelson Plant Food. Throughout the episode, Destin emphasizes starting small, growing what you genuinely enjoy, and creating garden spaces that reflect your personal preferences rather than conventional standards. "Your garden can be whatever you want it to be," he insists – advice that liberates new gardeners from unnecessary pressure.Want to meet Destin and Vikram in person? Join them at Plantapalooza 2025 at Smith's Garden Town in Wichita Falls, Texas on May 31st for a day of plant talk, community building, and garden inspiration. Check out Destin's content across social platforms as @TexasGardenGuy and catch The Garden Party podcast live every Wednesday at 7pm CT.Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textDr. Cheryl Hosler, creator of Nature Check and The Roving Naturalist, shares her journey from feeling inadequate in science to becoming a postdoctoral researcher and innovative science communicator who uses storytelling and gaming to connect people with ecological concepts.• Cheryl's educational path from English major to scientist, overcoming early discouragement in high school science classes• The limitations of the "deficit model" in science communication and why simply providing information rarely changes behavior• How cover crops function in agricultural systems and their ecological benefits• The importance of applied science that directly addresses stakeholders' needs• Why scientists should study humanities to develop critical thinking and empathy• Using Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games to humanize scientists and make science accessible• The Roving Naturalist YouTube channel and its approach to science communication• How community and "groups of belonging" influence our attitudes and behaviorsFind your community and surround yourself with people who help you see the best version of yourself that could be. The right community will motivate you to become that person.Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textSean Patchett, known online as Garden Guy Muskoka, shares his multifaceted experience in horticulture, from landscape work to science communication, emphasizing the critical importance of context in gardening advice.• Context is everything when sharing gardening information – advice must be tailored to location, climate, and specific situations• The internet contains overwhelming amounts of gardening information, requiring critical evaluation and testing• Working in landscapes requires a jack-of-all-trades approach – from plant care to construction skills• Well-designed gardens must consider long-term maintenance and how plants will grow over time• Master Gardeners organizations provide hyper-local gardening advice from trained volunteers• Approaching gardening with humility allows for continued learning and growth• Anecdotal evidence has value in horticulture when properly contextualized• Making mistakes is an essential part of gardening – it's how we learn and improveFollow Sean at @GardenGuyMuskoka on social media platforms and check out his podcast "Plants Always Win" wherever you listen to podcasts.Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textCassie Yahnian and Danielle LaRock share the captivating journey of their podcast National Park After Dark, celebrating four years of exploring the mysteries, histories, and conservation stories of America's public lands.• Former veterinary technicians who bonded over their shared love of outdoor spaces and morbid curiosity• Transformed casual conversations about national park mysteries into a wildly successful podcast• Use compelling storytelling to convey conservation messages and outdoor ethics more effectively than direct instruction• Emphasize the importance of responsible recreation with current national park staffing shortages• Highlight the humbling power of nature to provide perspective and grounding in our increasingly digital lives• Recommend supporting national parks through donations and volunteering for trail maintenance• Share personal favorite parks including Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, with deeply personal connections to these spaces• Advise listeners to trust their intuition and prioritize time for activities that bring true meaning and joySupport the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textRoey, a music industry marketing professional and lo-fi producer, uses his "dad jazz" instrumental music to fund native plant installations across Nashville and beyond.• Growing up in a family of avid gardeners and nature enthusiasts instilled a deep appreciation for native plants and natural spaces• Names his songs after native plants and uses all proceeds to purchase seeds from Roundstone, a native plant seed farm in Kentucky• Transformed his yard into a 4,000 square foot wildflower haven that serves as both beautiful habitat and practical barrier from busy streets• Works with schools, city planners, and neighborhoods to create native plant installations that help reduce flooding and filter pollutants• Explains how native plants require less maintenance than conventional landscaping while supporting local wildlife and ecosystems• Demonstrates how urban wildflower installations can help reconnect people with nature and create community around conservation• Emphasizes that "done is better than perfect" when it comes to conservation efforts and environmental projectsCheck out Rooey's lo-fi music on Spotify, Apple Music, or at rooey.co and see how music and native plants can transform urban environments into thriving ecosystems.Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textDr. Jessica Tullar Caroom returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of her community food systems work and the importance of building meaningful connections through growing and sharing food.• Growing Together Texas supports gardeners, growers, and cooks as three interconnected parts of a healthy food ecosystem• Creating an online farmers market (LBK Grown) that helps local producers collaborate rather than compete• Offering subscription produce boxes with seasonal vegetables and recipe guides that consistently sell out• Starting small is key to garden success whether at home or in community settings• Approaching plant growing by difficulty level - begin with herbs (easiest), then leafy greens, roots, and finally tomatoes/peppers• Community gatherings like "Garden Guardians" provide vital support and knowledge sharing among garden leaders• Finding meaning in the process of gardening and community building, not just in the harvest• Building resilient local food systems by diversifying beyond the conventional marketJoin Jessica's Garden Guardians events and learn more about subscribing to local produce boxes at growingtogetherTX.com or follow @GrowingTogetherTX on Facebook and Instagram.Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textThis episode is a delightful exploration of listener-submitted plant questions, offering insights into plant care, specific plant challenges, and the relationship between environmental conditions and plant health. - Overview of the seasonal Q&A format - Discussion on controlling bindweed and morning glory - Humidity’s nuanced effect on plant health - Benefits of indoor plants on air quality - Recommended houseplants for low-light conditions - Host reflections on wisdom and community in plant care If you enjoyed this episode and want to dive deeper into plant knowledge, be sure to share with your friends or leave us a review!Support the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com

Send us a textThis episode emphasizes the importance of community, realistic expectations, and small beginnings in gardening. We explore how to nurture connections with neighbors, set achievable goals, and adapt to various living conditions to create a rewarding gardening experience. • Understanding why content creators should be careful with gardening recommendations • Setting realistic expectations about food production at home • The vital role of community in successful gardening practices • The benefits of starting small to prevent burnout and build confidence • How climate zones affect plant selection and gardening success • Encouragement to grow what you love for a more sustainable gardening journey • Practical advice on basic tools and soil preparation techniques • An overview of seed starting and maintenance strategies • The significance of planning for pest management and post-harvest practicesSupport the showAs always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey. Substack: Office Hours Website: www.planthropologypodcast.com Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/Planthropology Facebook: Planthropology Facebook group: Planthropology's Cool Plant People Instagram: @PlanthropologyPod e-mail: planthropologypod@gmail.com