PODCAST · science
Planthropology
by Vikram Baliga, PhD
If you're on this planet, plants have a HUGE impact on your life. Whether you're a vegan, a carnivore, or somewhere in between, plants are the basis of the food you eat, the clothes your wear, and the air you breathe. We don't intend just to teach you plant facts (though we'll do plenty of that), but to give you some insight into the cool people who work with them. From the soil to the plate to the climate, dive into the anthropology of plants (get it?) and learn a little more about why you should care about the world around you from the people who care about it the most.
Episodes
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132. Chocolate Botany, Debunking Plant Hacks, and Cousin Hamilton w/ Derek Haynes
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People? Today I had the privilege of chatting with Derek Haynes, known on the interwebs as The Chocolate Botanist, to talk about what it takes to teach real botany and horticulture online while the algorithm rewards hacks and weaponized nonsense. We talked a lot...
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131. New Starts, Tips for Being Human, and Advice from the Internet
Send us Fan Mail Todays' good news: Scientists left this farm field alone. Thousands of orchids appeared Support the show As 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...
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130. Garden Magic, Animal Friends, and Back to School w/ Deserae Lindsley
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? Ya'll, I'm so excited about today's episode, because I got to chat with me good friend Deserae Lindsley, of GardeningWithDez fame. She's such a bright hopeful spot in a dark world and you're going to love thi. Whether we were chatting about the need for...
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Deep Roots Podcast- The Future of Ag Education w/ Lance Nicholas
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People? Today's a bonus episode, and I'm coming at you with a special crossover from our new Davis College podcast, Deep Roots, featuring recent Texas Tech graduate Lance Nicholas. Lance and I talked about his undergraduate research on ag teacher turnover, the...
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129. Terracotta Pots, Plant Poop, and Immortal Trees- Summer 2026 Q&A
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? It' time again to answer your burnign plant questions that jump from backyard pruning to big-picture ecology, keeping the science clear and usable. We sort out plant naming, native planting nuance, and a few garden myths, then close with research that...
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128. Botanizing, Complex Answers, and Being Part of Nature w/ Dr. Ben Goulet-Scott and Dr. Jacob Suissa
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People! I'm back today with an episode that's been a LONG time coming! I chatted with Dr. Ben Goulet-Scott and Dr. Jacob Suissa back at the beginning of the year to talk about their social media outlet/non-profit/incredible new book, all called Let's Botanize!…
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127. 40 by 40, the Future, and Some Good News
Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?? Planthropology is finally back! It may look a little different over the next year, but ride along with me today and let's chat about the plans I have and the cool stuff that's coming up. Thanks for sticking with me, and if you know of some good news you'd...
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126. Science Illustration, AI Cardinals, and Frozen Asters w/ J. Spahr
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? On today's episode, I chatted with scientific illustrator, J Spahr of @Science_Visuals to unpack how art turns complex research into clear, accurate stories that spark curiosity. From watercolor botanicals to layered digital paintings and ecosystems in…
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125. Spooky Mushrooms, Modern Folklore, and Mycelial Mind Control w/ Amanda McLoughlin and Julia Schifni
Send us Fan Mail A perfect circle of mushrooms in the grass can feel like a message. We follow that feeling into the heart of fungi and folklore with Amanda McLoughlin and Julia Schifini of Spirits, exploring why mushrooms unsettle us, how they anchor myth, and what they can teach us about living...
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124. Thunderstorms, Hidden Nature, and the Cryptonaturalist w/ Jarod K. Anderson
Send us Fan Mail We talk with writer and poet Jarod K. Anderson, aka the Cryptonaturalist, about mental health, ADHD, and rediscovering wonder through woods, poems, and honest work. From “brain weather” to dandelion myths, we explore how stories shape healing and how nature keeps us present. •...
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123. Gathered: On Foraging, Feasting, and the Seasonal Life w/ Gabrielle Cerberville
Send us Fan Mail Gabrielle Cerberville, known as the Chaotic Forager, returns to discuss her new book "Gathered on Foraging, Feasting, and the Seasonal Life" and shares insights on building relationships with wild spaces beyond mere resource collection. • Moved to Virginia at the base of…
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122. Green Communities, Urban Conservation, and Just Showing Up w/ Gary Cocke and Carole Fergusson
Send us Fan Mail Gary Cocke and Carole Fergusson share their journeys in sustainability and community conservation, revealing how partnerships between universities, cities, and local organizations create meaningful environmental impact in Waco and beyond. • Gary's background in biology and…
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121. Paleobotany, Museums, and Lessons from Deep Time w/ Dr. Aaron Pan
Send us Fan Mail Journey 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...
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120. Godfather Figs, Coastal Ecology, and Really Old Rocks w/ Phil D'Angelis
Send us Fan Mail What 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…
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119. Plant Hoarding, the Garden Party, and Being an Influencer w/ Destin Noak
Send us Fan Mail Ever 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...
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118. The Poetry of Science, Nature Check, and Groups of Belonging w/ Dr. Sheryl Hosler
Send us Fan Mail Dr. 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. •...
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117. Chaos Garden Gremlins, Necessary Context, and Practical Landscapes w/ Sean Patchett
Send us Fan Mail Sean 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 –...
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116. National Parks, Leaving No Trace, and Touching Grass w/ Cassie Yahnian and Danielle LaRock
Send us Fan Mail Cassie 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…
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115. Native Landscapes, Lo-fi Dad Jazz, and the Rungs of the Ladder w/ Rooey
Send us Fan Mail Roey, 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…
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114. Food Communities, Growing Together, and No-bots w/ Dr. Jessica Tullar Caroom
Send us Fan Mail Dr. 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...
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113. Houseplants, Diabolical Weeds, and Fickle Figs- Winter 2025 Q&A
Send us Fan Mail This 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...
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112. Gardening, Building Community, and BLT Sandwiches
Send us Fan Mail This 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. •...
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111. Dragon Fruits, Lichen, and the Most Important Plant Thing- Summer 2024 Q&A
Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?? It's been a minute since our last Q&A episode, and I have some good ones for you today! Thanks to @marahw1999, @honukaimi, and Shannon Perry (oz9podcast) for the outstanding questions! Be sure to check out the Lubbock Arts Alliance on Instagram and their...
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110. Habitats, Invasive Species, and Possibly Antagonistic Bear Interactions w/ Ashley Bray
Send us Fan Mail Get ready to unravel the fascinating world of wildlife biology and plant science as we sit down with Ashley Bray, the insightful host of the Get Out Alive podcast. Have you ever wondered how the dynamics between plants and animals shape our ecosystems? Ashley shares her inspiring...
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109. Food as Knowledge, Eating Equitably, and Digital Literacy w/ Dr. Sarah Duignan
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People? Join us as we welcome Dr. Sarah Duignan, the host of the AnthroDish podcast and a medical anthropologist, on a remarkable journey navigating food anthropology and community health. From her roots in Ontario, where a deep connection with nature began…
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108. Redeeming Lettuce, Starving Trolls, and Life as a Nutrivore w/ Dr. Sarah Ballantyne
Send us Fan Mail If you've ever wondered how to enrich your diet without falling prey to restrictive eating, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, the brain behind the Nutrivore philosophy, joins us to illuminate the path towards optimal nutrition. Through our engaging dialogue, Sarah shares her transformative...
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107. Deep Dive- Crisis Communication in Agriculture with Dr. Erica Irlbeck
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? It's our first Deep Dive episode in quite a while. I was super excited to get to talk to my friend, Dr. Erica Irlbeck, again on the show. Erica is a Professor of Ag Communications, the Associate Dean of Outreach and Engagement for the Davis College of...
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106. Conservation Dogs, Spotted Lanternflies, and Horrifying Elevators w/ Melissa McCue-McGrath
Send us Fan Mail Ever find yourself marveling at the uncanny connection you share with your furry best friend? Our latest podcast episode takes us on an expedition into the heart of human-canine relationships, with Melissa McCue-McGrath, a true trailblazer in dog training and conservation…
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105. Native Plants, Academic Optimism, and Liquid Smoke w/ Dr. Robert Cox
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? I hope you're well! My guest today is a long-time mentor and friend, Dr. Robert Cox. Dr. Cox is a restoration ecologist whose wisdom in prairie ecosystems and passion for academia are as deep-rooted as the native species he studies. This episode is full…
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104. Hope Springs Eternal
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? Living through all the *unprecedented times* we have been over the past few years has really gotten old. I think a lot fewer things should be getting precedented, but that's just me. We could all use a little more hope in our lives because, as Dr....
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103. Plants Out of Place, Chalkboards, and Controlling Weeds w/ Dr. Peter Dotray
Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?! I have a great one for you today with one of my former professors and current colleagues, Dr. Peter Dotray. We had a great conversation about life as a professor and academic, what's changed over the years, how do we define a "weed," what role do they…
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102. Climate Change, Saving Us, and Relentless Hope w/ Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People? Have you ever felt the weight of the world's climate crisis on your shoulders, yet struggled with the notion that one person's actions might be too insignificant to make a difference? Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, joins us to shatter…
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101. Garden Life, Cozy Gaming, and the Chelsea Flower Show w/ Kay Luthor
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People? Today's episode blooms with the extraordinary tale of Kay Luther, a Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist turned game developer whose story is as rich and vibrant as the gardens she designs. In an industry where creativity and adaptation are as crucial as…
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100. Plants to the Rescue!
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People! After a much longer-than-expected hiatus, I'm finally back with Episode 100! It's been a wonderful 4(ish) years, and I thought the perfect way to celebrate the past and look forward to the future was to talk about a project that's so close to my heart and...
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99. Go Outside Kids, Staring at Plants, and Hugging Mountain Lions w/ Sarah Southerland
Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People! Today's guest is someone who I've unabashedly called, on multiple occasions, "The Funniest Person on the Internet." She was reluctant to wear the title, but I'm sticking with it! Sarah Southerland is the communication and social media specialist with the...
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98. Your Brain on Plants, the Stress Buddy System, and Selective Green Thumbs w/ Morgan Johnston
Send us Fan Mail What if you could explore the complexities of the human brain while also discovering the fascinating world of plants? Join me as I sit down with behavioral neuroscientist Morgan Johnston, aka Ask a Neuroscientist, for an engaging conversation about these two seemingly unrelated...
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97. Grandma's Plant Magic, Succulent Struggles, and a Creative Life w/ Amanda McLoughlin
Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?? I don't want to spoil too much of this fantastic conversation, but today's episode with Amanda McLoughlin was super special to me. When I first starting to get into podcasts, Amanda's show, Spirits, was a huge inspiration. I was so thrilled when she…
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96. Efficient Agriculture, Measuring Impact, and Scientific Storytelling w/ Dr. Clint Krehbiel
Send us Fan Mail What's up Plant People?? I'm honored today to have Dr. Clint Krehbiel, Dean of the Texas Tech University Davis College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, as a guest! Dr. Krehbiel has a background in Animal Science and ruminant nutrition and was on faculty at New…
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95. Earth Day Special- Recycling w/ Nick Nowicki and In the Grow
Send us Fan Mail Support the show As 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...
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94. Climate Journalism, Objectivity, and Noodle Dome Road w/ Brandi Addison
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? In today's episode, my friend Brandi Addison and I talked about her life as a journalist, climate solutions advocate, and environmentalist. Brandi is the regional agriculture and natural resources reporter for the USA TODAY Network's West Texas region,...
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93. Spring Garden Tips
Send us Fan Mail Happy spring, Plant People! I thought to celebrate, I'd do a quick episode with some of my top tips for prepping and planting your garden in the spring! Like I mentioned in the episode, I wrote a non-fiction kids book about plants and how they're helping us fight climate change…
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92. Parasitic Plants, Arabidopsis Slander, and the Roller Derby Cactus w/ Elizabeth Kelly
Send us Fan Mail What’s up Plant People?! I hope you’re ready for our first guest interview in quite some time, because its a GOOD ONE. Today’s guest, Elizabeth Kelly is a PhD student at Penn State University studying parasitic plants, a brilliant science communicator, an assistant greenhouse...
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Plants in World Traditions- Staying Awake (Replay)
Send us Fan Mail Support the show As 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...
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91. Black Apples, Rage Farming, and Weaponized Nonsense
Send us Fan Mail Black Apple TikTok Support the show As 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…
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90. January 2023 Q&A- Everything is Mustard
Send us Fan Mail Hey there, Plant People, it's time for another listener Q&A episode! Thanks so much to Tyler, Finvaara, Rebecca, JBomb, and ForeverNPC for submitting such fun and thought-provoking questions! As always, if you'd like to submit questions for the next Q&A, hit me up on social media...
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89. Learning how to be a human
Send us Fan Mail Happy 2023, my friends! My new years resolution is to be more consistent with this podcast and to seodn more time connecting with yall! Today's episode is part of what I talk with my students about on their first day of class. From time management to mental health, I think…
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Storytelling, Explaining the Universe, and Hanging Out with Oysters w/ Abby Morrison- Replay
Send us Fan Mail I've been thinking a lot about storytelling lately and decided I'd repost one of my favorite episodes with one of my favorite storytellers! Enjoy this replay of my first episode with Abby Morrison from way back in 2020! In other news, there's a brand new Discord server if you…
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88. Plants, Pangolins, and PhDs w/ Jack Baker
Send us Fan Mail Jack's Links Twitter: @OnlyJackBaker, @PangolinPodcast Instagram: @PangolinPodcast Support the show As 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…
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87. Anniversaries and Continuing Not to Eat Your Friends w/ Kyle Tengler
Send us Fan Mail Plant People, can you believe it's been 3 years?? I want to thank you SO MUCH for being a part of this journey and for being patient with me the past few months. There's so much great Planthropology coming soon. Today, I wanted to replay our very first episode ever with my dear...
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86. Deep Dive- Plant Hunters Across the Ages w/ Natalie Sabin
Send us Fan Mail What's up, Plant People?? I have a good one for you today! Crowd favorite from the way back when, Natalie Sabin, returns for a deep dive into plant hunter from the past. Come learn about all their travels and research and all the things they've added to our scientific knowledge…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
If you're on this planet, plants have a HUGE impact on your life. Whether you're a vegan, a carnivore, or somewhere in between, plants are the basis of the food you eat, the clothes your wear, and the air you breathe. We don't intend just to teach you plant facts (though we'll do plenty of that), but to give you some insight into the cool people who work with them. From the soil to the plate to the climate, dive into the anthropology of plants (get it?) and learn a little more about why you should care about the world around you from the people who care about it the most.
HOSTED BY
Vikram Baliga, PhD
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Planthropology have?
Planthropology currently has 161 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Planthropology about?
If you're on this planet, plants have a HUGE impact on your life. Whether you're a vegan, a carnivore, or somewhere in between, plants are the basis of the food you eat, the clothes your wear, and the air you breathe. We don't intend just to teach you plant facts (though we'll do plenty of that),...
How often does Planthropology release new episodes?
Planthropology publishes regularly with 161 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Planthropology?
You can listen to Planthropology on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Planthropology?
Planthropology is created and hosted by Vikram Baliga, PhD.
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