Random Nature

In this Bonus Episode Christy shares about yet another New Year that begins Season 5 on the podcast. She discusses the part August plays in her grief journey as well as her time in fellowship and community with the Great Dismal Swamp Enslaved Ancestors Ceremony where she provided remarks in Williamsburg, VA. Christy announces the latest recipient of her son's memorial arts scholarship as well.

Lastly she mentions the next invited guest scheduled to appear.

Great Dismal Swamp Enslaved Ancestors Ceremony

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/enslaved-ancestors-remembrance-program-tickets-1991307857406

https://mubita.net/<...

On this episode of Random Nature, Dr. Kathryn Benjamin Golden talks to us about growing up in the Bay Area of California, her new book, This Insurgent Ground: Black Women, Marronage, and Rebellion in the Great Dismal Swamp. She also shares a random nature moment that involves MEGAFAUNA!

BY THE WAY-- In the middle there is a brief moment of quiet due to a tech hiccup but we pick right back up.

Get Kathryn's book here:

https://uncpress.org/9781469697970/this-insurgent-ground/

Discusses:

Air quality advisories in western New York and the Finger Lakes.Wildfire smoke originating in Canada.The particular risks for children, older adults, and people with asthma.The idea that environmental events in one region can affect people far away

Links

Dr. Golden:

https://spatialhumanorg.wpcomstaging.com/2026/07/09/kathryn-benjamin-golden-phd-next-guest-on-random-nature-podcast/

Great Dismal Swamp PBS Featuring Eric Sheppard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-J5QNauVIc

My trade book:

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/cultural-heritage-resilience-of-the-great-dismal-swamp-9780761892021/

Today’s bonus episode dives into a surprising HOA vs. sunflowers showdown. We hear how one homeowner’s pollinator‐friendly blooms were slashed by the HOA president—despite no laws banning them— and how kids’ bikes in driveways even earned a stern warning. From hummingbirds drawn to those very sunflowers to the broader fight for pollinator gardens amid climate change, we unpack why neighborhood rules can so easily stifle nature (and family fun). Then, we contrast that with a community where every resident gets a raised bed to grow veggies or wildflowers at will. Tune in to rethink control, gardens, and...

In this episode of Random Nature, host Christy Hyman welcomes writer and scholar Maia Butler to trace the landscapes that shaped her life and her work. Maia opens by locating her roots on Coast Salish land in Olympia, Washington, before moving through her childhood in south- central Alaska on Denaʼina Athabascan lands. She describes early memories of Homer on the Aleutian Chain; making mud pies, digging and cooking clams on the beach, and falling asleep under the midnight sun.

As Maia grew, so did her “landscape literacy”: learning subsistence fishing and hunting, foraging for medicinal plants with...

In this bonus episode, Christy is on her usual 45-minute walk to her favorite village coffee house when a car goes airborne right in front of her and disappears into a ravine— the motorist, his dog and all. She reflects on the cascade of fears that hit her in those few seconds, the divine and ancestral protection she feels carried her through, and what the whole terrifying experience revealed about the very real safety gaps facing birders and pedestrians on roads like Valley Road. Plus: shout-outs to the Joe Farm down in Alabama, Ithaca's planned greenway, and a handful of...

What does it mean to grow up saved—and then spend your career studying how race, religion, and power have always been tangled together in the west? Christy sits down with Ed J. Blum, historian of Ideas, to find out. From his evangelical upbringing in suburban New Jersey to his landmark scholarship on W.E.B. Du Bois, Ed traces the through-line between personal faith and intellectual obsession. He and Christy swap stories of religious intensity— her family's fervor (at least on Easter), his Mission work, and the complicated questions both raised about belonging and poverty. Ed also pulls back...

In this episode, Christy checks in with a spring update from the Finger Lakes region of New York, where she'll be based full-time after permanently wrapping up a professional affiliation in North Carolina. She covers the famously unforgiving Tompkins County frost calendar—last freeze as late as May 30—and what that means for her raised garden bed at the Cottages, where she's planning a split experiment: half given over to creeping Charlie, half to two varieties of sunflower. She also introduces her two cats, Gimley and Silhouette. The episode closes on the sounds of the Finger Lakes in spring—bullfr...

In this episode, Christy checks in with a spring update from the Finger Lakes region of New York, where she'll be based full-time after permanently wrapping up a professional affiliation in North Carolina. She covers the famously unforgiving Tompkins County frost calendar—last freeze as late as May 30—and what that means for her raised garden bed at the Cottages, where she's planning a split experiment: half given over to creeping Charlie, half to two varieties of sunflower. She also introduces her two cats, Gimley and Silhouette. The episode closes on the sounds of the Finger Lakes in spring—bullfr...

March 11, 2026. My son's  20th Birthday. A turning that took place in Heaven.

Common Grackle Operated a Soda Dispenser in Howard University Cafeteria.

You read that right.

In this episode of Random Nature, Christy challenges conventional wisdom about avian behavior. What happens when birds don't follow the rulebook? From American Robins defying dietary expectations to the surprising intelligence of the much-maligned Common Grackle, I explore how birds adapt to changing environments and food sources. Christy also shares a BHM fact about the importance of Howard University archives. 

links:

https://dh.howard.edu/msrc/

On this special MLK Day episode, I explore how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for justice connects directly to today’s climate crisis. From his support of sanitation workers to the roots of the environmental justice movement, I trace how King’s vision of equality and dignity for all inspires climate scientists, activists, and communities on the front lines. Join me as I examine the links between civil rights, environmental protection, and the urgent work of building a just, livable future for everyone.

https://wildtomorrow.org/blog/2022/1/17/martin-luther-king-jr-and-the-environment

 In this bonus episode of Random Nature,  Christy shares heartfelt reflections on the significance of the day, not only as a time for gratitude but also as a momentous occasion marking the release of their trade book, set for November 27, 2025, by Bloomsbury. With a focus on the current economic challenges facing many listeners, Christy emphasizes that there’s no pressure to purchase the book; instead, she is simply excited to share this milestone. 

Hey everyone! It’s been a minute, and I just wanted to check in with you all. I’m still hanging in there, staying prayed up and meditated up amidst the tough times in my home country. A big shoutout to all the ADVOCATES holding the line—let’s keep that hope alive!

I wanted to give you some updates. First off, I’m working on a new episode that should be out this summer. I know it’s been a while, but I appreciate your patience. The exciting news is that my book, "Cultural Heritage Resilience o...

Welcome back to Random Nature, the podcast where Christy the birder/academic explores the enchanting and often surprising connections between humanity and the natural world. Today  she engages in a lively discussions with a fascinating guests,  This week she talks to Eric K., a journalist based in the D.C. area.

We mention:

Canada Geese

Urban foxes

campus food delivery robots.

In this poignant episode, Christy reflects on the heavy emotions surrounding her new year, a time that marks not just a fresh start but also deep sorrow for those who mourn the loss of a child. With an emphasis on Sufi philosophy, Christy navigates the concept of death as a reunion with the divine, offering solace amidst the heartache of losing her younger child Ricky, a vibrant spirit whose brief life brought immense joy to his family and friends. As Christy shares cherished memories, including the laughter shared over late-night televangelist antics, the journey of grief unfolds against the...

Welcome back to another episode of the Random Nature Podcast! In this bonus episode titled "Things Keep Breaking, Part Two," host Christy Hyman shares a humorous and relatable tale from her adventures in bird photography. After enjoying some successful shots of various birds at Myers Point in Lansing, New York, Christy faces a frustrating technical challenge when her camera malfunctions while capturing backyard visitors. 

Determined to troubleshoot, she tries multiple SD cards, updates the firmware, and examines the camera for debris, but to no avail. As summer fades and the new school year approaches, Christy reflects on t...

In this whimsical episode, we follow Christy on a light-hearted adventure at her local birdwatching hotspot. Amidst the serene sounds of nature, Christy encounters an unexpected twist when she suspects a clever crow has stolen her car keys. With her binoculars on hand and her phone ready for backup, she grapples with the hilarious idea of a feathered thief making off with her belongings. As she navigates the parking lot, filled with both frustration and amusement, listeners are treated to a charming tale about the unpredictability of nature and the never-ending surprises that come with being a bird enthusiast...

In this bonus episode, Christy shares her recent experiences with a malfunctioning car battery and the impact it had on her birding adventures. She discusses how her battery seemed to drain quickly, prompting a visit from AAA. After initially being told the battery was fine, it soon became clear that it wasn't, leading to a replacement right at her location.

With her car issues resolved, Christy excitedly heads to Stewart Park with her camera, hoping to capture some stunning wildlife photos. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when her camera lens malfunctions, leaving her frustrated as...

In this episode of Random Nature we explore the captivating worlds of destination birding and backyard birding.  I shout out several other cool podcasts:

Lifelist

Hannah and Erik go Birding

Bird Banter

Science of Birds

BirdJoy Podcast

We highlight incredible locations such as the Pantanal in Brazil, home to over 650 bird species, and Hokkaido in Japan, known for its diverse ecosystems that attract various birds throughout the year. 

Transitioning to ba...