Maci and Kristen discuss the subtlety of bias and the barriers to belonging in landscape architecture. The conversation shares many personal insights revealed in addressing the challenges of navigating assumptions in public design and advocating for more inclusive thoughts and conversations throughout the design process. Maci @thelandscapenerd thelandscapenerd.com Kristen @pop_of_good #landscapearchitecture #biasindesign #belonging #designforbelonigng #publicdesign #mentalhealth...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In this episode, we celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month and Autism Acceptance Month with a conversation about connection! Maci and guest Caressa Joyce explore the deep connections humans have with the land and how practices help connect us to our understanding of nature and community. This interdisciplinary conversation is guided by the following questions: What is the overarching theme of your work and philosophy? What is your origin story? Who/what is part of your lineage? What are so...
Apr 19, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 49
In this episode, we explore the enchanting world of cherry blossoms- their beauty, cultural significance, and the folklore surrounding them. Words for the algorithm: #Landscapearchitecture #design #Cherryblossoms #spring #folklore #culturalsignificance #symbolism #nature #beauty #ephemeral #cherrytree
Apr 02, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Vulnerability in Entrepreneurship Maci and Divine explore the complexities of entrepreneurship, focusing on the intertwining of personal identity and professional life. They discuss the challenges of vulnerability, community support, and the emotional facets of being an entrepreneur. The conversation continued beyond the intended end time, so please enjoy 2 extra bonus clips! Remesha Design Lab @design_unmuted The Landscape Nerd @thelandscapenerd Transcript for Episode Key Themes Entrepreneu...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode, we are celebrating 5 years together!!! We’ve been through a lot and I wonder what the next 5 years have in store for us. As the podcast has grown, so has the number of nerds tuning in! We are making an impact and I want to keep learning together. We will talk about the purpose of the podcast and how it got started and how it has evolved. Lessons learned/ advice for others wanting to speak out or take a non-traditional landscape architecture journey. Favorite Episodes I’ll answer...
Mar 15, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this episode, we are celebrating 5 years together!!! We’ve been through a lot and I wonder what the next 5 years have in store for us. As the podcast has grown, so has the number of nerds tuning in! We are making an impact and I want to keep learning together. We will talk about the purpose of the podcast and how it got started and how it has evolved. Lessons learned/ advice for others wanting to speak out or take a non-traditional landscape architecture journey. Favorite Episodes I’ll answer...
Mar 15, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this episode of Landscapes Unmuted, Divine and Maci explore the concept of success, and redefining it. They discuss the traditional stereotypes of success and the challenges they present to keeping people in the field. The conversation emphasizes the need to redefine success to include personal well-being, work-life balance, and community impact. Then they close out the episode by sharing their definitions of success, celebrating achievements, and sharing their dreams for the future. Remesha...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Audio Only Don't worry, The Landscape Nerd is not going anywhere, it's just growing a bit! In this inaugural episode of Landscapes Unmuted, hosts Maci Nelson and Divine Ndemeye introduce their new podcast, discussing their backgrounds, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges of navigating mental health and burnout in the design field. The conversation highlights their commitment to creating a healthier, more inclusive environment in landscape architecture and design. Maci and Divine ...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Don't worry, The Landscape Nerd is not going anywhere, it's just growing a bit! In this inaugural episode of Landscapes Unmuted, hosts Maci Nelson and Divine Ndemeye introduce their new podcast, discussing their backgrounds, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges of navigating mental health and burnout in the design field. The conversation highlights their commitment to creating a healthier, more inclusive environment in landscape architecture and design. Maci and Divine both host t...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Hello Everyone! Maci here, happy to share a new episode! We discuss emotions informing the design of our environment. Please rate and/or leave a review, it helps the show a lot! If you wish to learn more about Kelsey and Mental Landscapes? https://mentallandscapes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mentallandscapedesign/ Eventide: Nov 14 2024 https://www.thelandscapenerd.com/ Also, Thank you to KoffeeSwap for the music in today’s episode! KoffeeSwap Theme v1 - 100bpm by tukyo.eth -- https://freesoun...
Nov 12, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Just in time for the supermoon! We are learning about dark skies, nocturnal conservation, and light pollution. To learn more check out: https://darksky.org/ @darksky_intl and listen to: https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-12-16/red-lighting-could-rewild-night-skies-plagued-by-light-pollution Stay connected on IG @thelandscapenerd + thelandscapenerd.com Theme music by KoffeeSwap Theme v1 - 100bpm by tukyo.eth -- https://freesound.org/s/625533/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 #landscape...
Aug 19, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Let's find the inspiration to keep going! Hello Everyone, On this episode of TLN we are thinking about inspiration and artistic expression. We are joined by artist, designer, and awesome person, Kacey Parrales. Kacey and I recorded this about a year and half ago when we were both teaching and we talked about her process for communicating creativity to her students and how she stays inspired to be creative outside of work. Stay in touch with Kacey @kasaparaba and kaceysstore.bigcartel.com Stay in...
Jul 22, 2024•37 min
Let's all talk about advocacy! This episode is a recording from the 2024 New Jersey Chapter ASLA Annual Meeting! The session you will hear today was a panel titled Future Forum: The Journey From Advocacy to Leadership. I've gotten a lot of questions and have had amazing conversations about this topic and I am really glad there was an opportunity to share one of them with you! The panel: Gina Ford, co founder Agency and WxLA. Marc Miller, former president of BlackLAN, and pofessor at Penn State U...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 58
It feels good to be back! Hello everyone and hello 2024! This year we are focusing on how to bring out your uniqueness in the profession. I know we do that already, but it is nice to say it again! Today we are speaking with someone who knows you all fairly well,but maybe you did not know about them. Jenny Frenkel (she/her) is the founder of Intuitive PR, public relations firm (I am luck to have her as a publicist), and she is the Brand Manager of Anova Furnishings We are discussing how this unco...
Jan 03, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Hello Nerds! Today, we are discussing what it means to be a person of color in outdoor spaces. We can’t cover everything but we sure give it a try! Please join me in speaking with Kimberly Young and Bronlynn Thurman, the creators of Black Women Explore a community in Akron, Ohio promoting women and femme-identifying people of color to enjoy outdoor spaces together. Please rate and/or leave a review, it helps the show a lot! Also, Thank you to Prigidia for the awesome song “Picture Frames”. You’l...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 40
We are enjoying the retelling of a Chinese folklore story called The Blue Rose. I hope this story inspires you to find the people who make your dreams a reality. www.thelandscapenerd.com
Aug 15, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Oh the ominous LARE. The Landscape Architecture Registration Exam is something that everyone in the profession knows about. Yet, despite its popularity, the exam remains a mystery in many ways. Today we are going to talk to Claire Kern, founder of Pass the LARE, a new study resource. We are discussing the challenges of the exam and new ways to approach studying to make the exam more accessible. passthelare.com thelandscapenerd.com...
Jul 16, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 39
We are going to investigate how designers and DnD players participate in world-building! This episode is full of nerdy joy and curiosity! Dungeons and Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game that requires collaboration to solve problems and tell a compelling story. If you've never thought about DnD as a design tool before.... please allow me to change your mind! In this episode, we will hear from: Designer, Regan Flavelle (@regularflavelle) Lead Storyteller, Marcy Brown (gaming@myceliumyouth.org...
Jun 11, 2023•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Encouraging a conversation about designing for the autistic experience. Get ready to get real nerdy with the upcoming dungeons and dragons episode!!
May 30, 2023•5 min
It is often overlooked how isolating the landscape experience can be for autistic minds. Many people in the autistic community desire outdoor spaces where they feel safe and able to connect with others. In this episode, we speak to the organizers and a founder of the Autism Nature Trail located in Letchworth State Park. This unique trail is geared toward autism families and building confidence in outdoor spaces. autismnaturetrail.com thelandscapenerd.com @thelandscapenerd...
May 05, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Wrapping up the Best Book Ever conversation with a reflection on how important stories are to the way we see landscape.
Apr 17, 2023•7 min
In this episode, we are learning about how the stories we love can impact the way we build our outdoor spaces! This is a collaboration with the Best Book Ever Podcast hosted by Julie Strauss. She interviews me, Maci Nelson, on my favorite book, Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. The book was adapted into a Studio Ghibli animated film- which inspired the way Maci approaches landscape architecture. Enjoy! Best Book Ever: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-book-ever-podcast/id151446...
Mar 18, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Nerd Notes are short episodes between longer episode releases to wrap up the previous topic! This Note is a quick checklist and guided meditation to help in moments of imposter syndrome. Enjoy!
Mar 12, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode, we are speaking with Myron Nelson, a therapist based in Chicago, Illinois. His work focuses on depression, race, and identity. He is here to discuss imposter syndrome, toxic work culture, and handling big issues in landscape architecture. This episode is geared toward designers and students, however, anyone struggling with depression could gain insight from this episode, no matter the discipline. Contact our guest at https://www.blacktietherapy.com/ Read his blog for Psychology ...
Feb 09, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 35
For the last episode of 2022, we are speaking with Melissa Pompili about her research in creating a public art walking tour for University Circle in Cleveland Ohio. We discuss the motivations to create something that the public can use and how to have fun doing it. Also, we discuss how quickly public art information can disappear and where to look for it! Contact our guest at melissa.pompili@gmail.com
Dec 29, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In today's episode, we are hearing from Monique Allen, the founder of the Garden Continuum and design-build and care company. She would typically be described as a landscaper/ a contractor/ or an installer. I chose to release this episode after the 2022 ASLA conference and the COP27 conference have wrapped because, our dedication to creating a greener world, heavily relies on the people who build the projects we envision. In our conversation, we discuss the experience of working in an industry t...
Nov 23, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode, we are speaking with Chris Landau, the principal of LANDAU Design + Technology. He is an artist who has found himself immersed in the world of landscape architecture. In addition to computational design and visualization, the firm developed an innovative design tool called Land Kit. It is an algorithmic design tool that helps improve landscape designers’ workflows and assist in complex design situations. We discuss integrating technology into the design process, the importance o...
Oct 23, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Today we explore the interdisciplinary work of Ana Maria Torres of AT Architects! Landscape architects and architects work together very often and can share similar project goals. However, the difference in practice can leave a lot of miscommunication or missed opportunities. In this episode, we explore Ana Maria's approach to architecture and how she embraces other disciplines to inform her work. Please join us as we discuss the culture of design, the importance of travel, and the beauty of wor...
Sep 30, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Hello everyone! Are you ready to visit the farm? Today we are joined by Janelle Soja - a multigenerational regenerative farmer based in Northeast Ohio. She was my first stop in trying to understand where agriculture starts and landscape architecture ends- especially in identifying ways to mitigate climate change impacts on the land. Both professions/sciences are curating the ways that people interact with landscapes and I believe that we have a lot that we can learn from one another. I hope that...
Sep 03, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 30
This episode explores the origins and purposes of botanical illustration. Besides being a well-recognized craft, it is a scientific document that helps us understand the world around us. Please join me in learning about Botanical Illustrations
Jun 20, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 29
