Episode 5: Rejoice

Rejoice:To rejoice is to celebrate, to feel joyful, delighted, happy, or glad. Where do we find joy today? In an age of eco-anxiety, with a mental health pandemic piled on top of a viral one, how can we bring joy into our lives?Many are deeply concerned about the future - ecological collapse, and future pandemics, to name just a couple. Meanwhile, short-term dopamine hits like online shopping and scrolling through TikTok might placate our urges, but can they truly make us feel longer-term joy? How can we build joyful foundations that form the building blocks of a happier life?As many of us found during lockdowns, often joy can come from noticing and being mindful of the rhythms and details of the living world around us. Being overwhelmed by a meadow in bloom, by the flash of a Kingfisher, or the smell of trees and grass. Does the rest of nature rejoice also? Who hasn’t stepped out on a spring morning and felt like the earth itself was happy? Science speaks of the benefits of 'natural prescribing’, but might it benefit more than our own well-being? And if so, how can we ensure more of this rejoicing, for ourselves and others, human or otherwise?--Host: Emily Langstone Emily loves exploring London’s nature and is passionate about wildlife and bird photography. Emily has volunteered for lots of local organisations and loves to discover, learn from, and share knowledge from wildlife organisations. Chantal WoodunChantal is a Londoner who loves hiking and has recently discovered the joys of walking in her own city. Always having had an interest in animals and the natural world, she graduated in Zoology & Psychology. She strongly believes that a connection with nature is critical for mutual health and wellbeing and will result in a natural respect of the environment. She understands how important it is to draw people’s attention to green spaces particularly in cities and has a Shinrin Yoku (Forest bathing) guiding certificate. She is currently working on the Wanderful London project which aims to uncover the amazing wildlife, green spaces and events and knowledge across London by creating a green platform accessible to Londoners. In her spare time, she enjoys creating habitats for wildlife in her garden.Dipa PatelDipa is involved in Transition Town Tooting and volunteers at her local community garden. Dipa has worked with refugees and asylum seekers and set up Taste of Tooting, which offered visitors a taste of Tooting’s rich cultural heritage through tours of local food-growing spaces and independent food businesses. Dipa will be working with Ranger Ingrina Shieh to connect with underrepresented individuals and groups in the boroughs of Lambeth, Wandsworth, and Southwark who are actively growing their cultural food from seed.Ingrina ShiehIngrina has a passion for urban social design and is keen to address how she can involve ethnic minority communities in London’s urban agriculture scene. She also has a personal interest in active travel, sustainability, and making the city a people-friendly environment. She loves being active outdoors, whether it's running from park to park, walking, or hiking. Explore more London National Park City Podcasts