The Mindful Birding Podcast Podcast By The Mindful Birding Podcast with Holly Merker & Holly Thomas cover art

The Mindful Birding Podcast

The Mindful Birding Podcast

By: The Mindful Birding Podcast with Holly Merker & Holly Thomas
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The Mindful Birding Podcast – Cultivating the health benefits and joy of Mindful Birding

Join co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas, along with other voices of the Mindful Birding Network and beyond, as we explore topics surrounding the practice of Mindful Birding.

Episodes will delve into this style of observation, which pairs together elements of mindfulness and birding, amplifying the personal wellness benefits of both. Here, you’ll find episodes featuring insights into Mindful Birding from people around the globe, science segments, author interviews, tips for enhancing your Mindful Birding practice, plus a spotlight on the joy of birdsong.

© 2025 The Mindful Birding Podcast
Alternative & Complementary Medicine Biological Sciences Hygiene & Healthy Living Science
Episodes
  • Episode 28 : Mindful Birding with Guided Imagery & Yoga Nidra
    Jun 24 2025

    mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

    In this episode we’re offering something a bit different from our typical podcasts. And this may change when or how you might listen to this episode.

    Holly Merker offers an 11 minute forest guided imagery experience, and Holly Thomas offers a 22 minute Yoga Nidra experience with birds.

    Natural soundscapes and bird soundtracks in this episode recorded by Holly & Holly. Holly Merker shares soundtracks from Acadia National Park in Maine and eastern Pennsylvania, and Holly Thomas shares soundscapes from northern California.


    Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
    Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
    Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
    Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
    Mindful Birding Network Website
    Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
    Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

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    37 mins
  • Episode 27: Inspire, Learn, & Activate: Takeaways from a Nature & Health Conference
    May 19 2025

    mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

    In this episode, we recap the Nature and Health Conference held in Houston, Texas by the Nature and Health Alliance, and share our takeaways of inspiration, learning, and activation propeling the initiatives of nature -based health initiatives within the frame of Mindful Birding.

    We discuss the work of Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, and an international award-winning and inspirational documentary featuring experiences of her life called Between Earth and Sky

    We learned from some inspiring leaders in the field of nature prescriptions and therapeutic outdoor experiences, including (and there are many more!):

    Campus Nature Rx Network

    Nature Can Heal

    Parks Rx

    Dr. Jennifer Roberts

    Boyznthewood

    Cj Goulding

    Jaime Gonzalez

    REI Cooperative Action Fund

    Blue Sky Funders Forum

    We refer to these previous podcast episodes:

    Episode 20: Mindful Birding for Mental Health & Self-Compassion: Good Birds, Good Birders, and FOMO : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148646/episodes/15961485

    Episode 9: Prescriptive Nature https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148646/episodes/13874210

    In our "Mindful Birding Nerding" Science Segment, Holly Thomas shares a study examining the power of outdoor MBSR practice, and explores the power of story woven in, posing prompts for you to consider in your own practice.

    For the Joy of Birdsong, Holly Merker shares an audio clip of chorus of the American Robin recorded in Pennsylvania.

    Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
    Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
    Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
    Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
    Mindful Birding Network Website
    Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
    Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

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    52 mins
  • Episode 26 : The Healing Power of Birdsong with Diane Arkenstone
    Apr 22 2025

    mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

    In this episode, we explore the question: if we combine both music created by people with the music of birds, can this amplify the wellness benefits of both of them?

    We interview Diane Arkenstone, an internationally acclaimed musician and bird lover, who shares her music with the world to inspire a soothing meditation and healing, especially in her latest release elevating the songs of birds as her vocalists within. Diane shares how nature and nature's music, healed the heart complications she suffered since childhood, and how birds have been a beacon of healing light throughout her life.

    Listen to Diane's latest release during our Joy of Birdsong segment and fill yourself with the meditative power of birdsong.

    You can learn more about Diane’s work on her website

    And follow her work here:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianeArkenstoneMusic

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianearkenstone

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diane.arkenstone/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dianearkenstone

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tACdDgcOW9HHM1Z4T3L29

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DianearkenstoneMusi

    Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
    Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
    Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
    Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
    Mindful Birding Network Website
    Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
    Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

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    30 mins
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