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In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Botany
Ecology
Native Plants
Paleobotany
Invasive Species
Plant Conservation
Conservation
Orchids
Pollination
Bryophytes
Plant Ecology
Plant Evolution
Gardening
Fireflies
Evolution
Devonian Period
Plant Stress
Evolutionary Biology

Plants are everything. They are also incredibly interesting. From the smallest duckweed to the tallest redwood, the botanical world is full of wonder. Tune in for a podcast celebrating everything botany.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes598Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesNatureScience

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Artwork for In Defense of Plants Podcast

Latest Episodes

What do the white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia) and the red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis) have in common? Habitat preferences! This is becoming increasingly apparent on the Cumberland Plateau of southern Tennessee. Natu... more

Orchids are the botanical poster children for plant-fungi interactions. Every orchid has a close relationship with at least one species of orchid. Understanding how these relationships play out from orchid roots and across ecosystems is key to orchid... more

The genus Prunus gives us apricots, plums, cherries, and almonds, but also a ton of under appreciated plant diversity. Prunus around the world have managed to adapt to a surprising variety of environmental conditions and have a lot to teach us about ... more

Habitats face pressures from all sorts of threats. Illegal logging, mining, and poaching are driving extinctions, accelerating climate change, and hurting communities everywhere. How can we use laws to change this? That is what Senior Lecturer at Lan... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sam King
Natural Areas Program Manager for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
TDEC
Episode: Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers
Dr. Melissa McCormick
Senior Scientist at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center; Director of the North American Orchid Conservation Center
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Episode: Ep. 593 - Orchids & their Fungal Partners
Richie Hodel
Dr. Richie Hodel, expert on Prunus and plant evolution
Northern Arizona University, Dever Herbarium
Episode: Ep. 592 - What Cherries & Company Can Teach Us About Evolution
Jacob Phelps
Senior lecturer at Lancaster Environment Center; executive director of Conservation Litigation
Lancaster University; Conservation Litigation
Episode: Ep. 591 - Justice for Habitats
Dr. Ariel Lugo
Ecologist and longtime Puerto Rico forest researcher
US Forest Service; International Institute of Tropical Forestry, University of Florida (retired)
Episode: Ep. 590 - The Complex Ecology of Puerto Rico's Forests
John Van Stan
Professor at Cleveland State University, Wet Plant Lab
Cleveland State University
Episode: Ep. 589 - Epiphytes & the Water Cycle
Dr. Varina Crisfield
Plant ecologist researching rarity and conservation, based in Boreal Canada
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
Episode: Ep. 588 - Investigating Boreal Rarities
Ashley Morris
Professor of biology and lab lead focused on clonal plants
Furman University
Episode: Ep. 587 - Cloning & Conservation in Plants
Juan Chávez
Conservationist working with Jocotoco Conservation Foundation on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos
Jocotoco Conservation Foundation
Episode: Ep. 586 - Restoring a Galápagos Forest

Host

Matt
Host of In Defense of Plants Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Excellent and Interesting Podcast

    I listen to ‘In Defense of Plants Podcast’ on and off. As with any long-running podcast, some are better than others. Yesterday, I listened to one of the best of any genre that I have listened to in a while. That was the interview with Dr. Ana Bedoya, researcher active in the Colombian Andes. The subject was fascinating, Ms. Bedoya presents very will - not too technical, but technical enough. My only complaint at all, and it is minor - Matt and others, please attempt proper (Latin) pronunciation... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EdLewis2
    United States3 months ago
  • Matt should introduce his guests

    The main reason I wrote this review is to address how Matt, the host, handles his introductions. He starts every interview by asking the guest “Tell us who you are and what you do”. Ok fine, that’s a proper way to start an interview, by explaining to the audience who the guest is. What bothers me is that the host isn’t doing the introduction himself. These are scientists and professionals in their field he’s interviewing, people who deserve respect. I’m not saying he is being disrespectful, but ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RoseJ647
    United States4 months ago
  • Love Matt’s presentation

    Please don’t change your style as in tone of voice, or calm way you question and allow the stream of consciousness. Love the discussions. The guest is always able to present lots of information and then Matt summarizes and guides the discussion with questions to pull out more specifics or to begin to discuss another part of study or research. I didn’t find merch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mpkfeedback
    United States5 months ago
  • Time Machine

    From Devonian forests to the High Sierras to Florida Everglades this show takes me back through time and forward to new scientific understandings of the green and beautiful world and how cleverly it has developed and survived as a basis of life on earth and as a huge planetary ecosystem full of coolness and colour and hearts delight and calmness. This is where science becomes magical

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chamsqiz
    Australia6 months ago
  • Lack of substance

    I appreciate the host’s deep knowledge but wish he could approach interviews with more of a « beginner’s mind. » Most of the conversation is commiserating, marveling, humble bragging but not on the substance of the research. Rarely do I come away with a better understanding of the subject, sadly.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Valjean2000
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive feedback on accessibility and depth of topics; guests are highly credible.
A few listeners note variable audio quality and pacing in some episodes.
Episodes blend fieldwork stories with rigorous science, resonating with plant enthusiasts.
Listeners appreciate the host's calm questioning and clear guidance during discussions.
Some reviews call for tighter guest intros and less host self-praise, but overall quality remains high.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers
Q: What are the next steps to reintroduce the red-cockaded woodpecker and expand orchid recovery?
The plan involves collaboration with both state and federal agencies, implementing detailed habitat targets, and leveraging existing public lands across the Cumberland Plateau to spread successful practices from Savage Gulf to other sites.
Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers
Q: How did a timber harvest accidentally affect orchid populations?
Logging through orchid sites initially caused concern, but the following year's canopy changes and increased sunlight led to a surprising surge in flowering stems, demonstrating the complex edge effects of disturbance.
Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers
Q: What sparked your interest in land management and habitat restoration?
Sam describes a journey from aspiring biology teacher to park ranger, discovering a passion for outdoor work and connecting people with nature, which laid the foundation for his focus on land management and rare species conservation.
Ep. 593 - Orchids & their Fungal Partners
Q: What avenues can listeners use to reach out or contribute to orchid research and conservation?
People can contact the North American Orchid Conservation Center through their NAOC website or Go Orchids platform to participate, learn, and access field guides and resources for identifying and conserving native orchids.
Ep. 593 - Orchids & their Fungal Partners
Q: Do you find that genera share some commonalities in the mutualisms, or is it region by region, each species doing its own thing?
Patterns exist at some levels, but there are many exceptions; some orchids are highly specific to one fungus, while others can utilize a wider range, and this varies by habitat and life stage.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About In Defense of Plants Podcast

What is In Defense of Plants Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently explores plant science, ecology, and conservation through expert interviews and field-based perspectives. Episodes span topics from habitat protection and restoration to plant–fungal interactions, genetic diversity in trees, and watershed ecology, often blending research with practical conservation and policy implications. A standout pattern is the cross-disciplinary approach, drawing on ecology, forestry, botany, and environmental law to illuminate how plants shape ecosystems and human well-being, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications and community involvement. Listeners can expect rigorous yet accessible discussions led by a knowledgeable host who foregrounds the science while showcasing diverse research... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In Defense of Plants Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In Defense of Plants Podcast:

1. Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't
2. Completely Arbortrary
3. Native Plants, Healthy Planet
4. The Science of Birds
5. Ologies with Alie Ward

How many episodes of In Defense of Plants Podcast are there?

In Defense of Plants Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 598 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on In Defense of Plants Podcast?

Recent guests on In Defense of Plants Podcast include:

1. Sam King
2. Dr. Melissa McCormick
3. Richie Hodel
4. Jacob Phelps
5. Dr. Ariel Lugo
6. John Van Stan
7. Dr. Varina Crisfield
8. Ashley Morris

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