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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes580Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesNatureScience

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Artwork for In Defense of Plants Podcast

Latest Episodes

Micro moths are a wonderfully diverse group of underappreciated insects living all around us. How they interact with their environment, particularly with the native plants the need to survive, is both fascinating and mysterious. Join me and Dr. Jason... more

The Gulf Coast of southeastern North America is a biodiversity hotspot brimming with cool plants. Everywhere you look, there are plants that grow nowhere else in the world. Why is this region so diverse? How do we try and understand the origins of en... more

Whether you call them alumroots or coral bells, there is no denying the genus Heuchera is both beloved by gardeners and those who know where to find them in the wild. The closer you look at this genus, the more interesting things you will uncover. Ju... more

Climate refugia can provide unique opportunities for plants (and more) to persist for long periods of time in otherwise inhospitable areas. They have and will continue to shape biodiversity across the globe but understanding them isn't easy. Join me ... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth White
Dr. Elizabeth White, researcher focusing on endemism and phylogeography in the Eastern Gulf Coastal Plain
University of Florida
Episode: Ep. 575 - Endemic Plants of the Gulf Coast
Ryan Folk
Associate professor researching Heuchera evolution and hybridization
Mississippi State University
Episode: Ep. 574 - Of Alumroots & Coral Bells: Hybridization in Heuchera
Ashley Hillman
Climate refugia researcher focusing on lakes and plant responses
Canadian Forest Service, Alberta, Canada
Episode: Ep. 573 - Great Lakes Climate Refugia
Robert Colautti
Associate Professor, biology department, Queen's University; lab focuses on biological invasions, especially plants, and integrates ecology, genetics, and fieldwork
Queen's University
Episode: Ep. 572 - Novel Weapons & Plant Invasions
Sharon Selvaggio
Pesticide program specialist for the Xerces Society
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Episode: Ep. 571 - Pesticides In Your Garden
Jonathan Kim
Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Climate Impact at Terraformation
Terraformation
Episode: Ep. 570 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 2
Michael Sthreshley
Agroforestry manager for Hawaii at Terraformation
Terraformation
Episode: Ep. 569 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 1
Dr. Sara Germain
Professor at the University of Wyoming, field ecologist
University of Wyoming
Episode: Ep. 568 - The Importance of Old Trees
Mandy Slate
Assistant Professor at Ohio State University; bryophyte ecologist
Ohio State University
Episode: Ep. 567 - Moss Traits and More

Host

Matt
Host of the show, a botanist who leads conversations with researchers and practitioners about plant science and conservation.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • 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
    Australiaa month 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 States5 months ago
  • Too much fluff

    I was excited by the topics listed in the titles of this podcast but after listening to 7 or 8 episodes, it’s feeling painfully repetitive and lacking in substance. When the guests actually get to talk about the science in their work, it’s really interesting. Unfortunately, the majority of the podcast is often the host buttering up the guests and trying to show how passionate he is about the subject. Way too much time is spent talking about the guests’ career paths, how fascinating everything is... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Imanj24
    United States7 months ago
  • Hey bug lovers

    I suggest you go to bugs need heroes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cleo1717🩷Podlover
    United States8 months ago
  • Outstanding & accessible

    I love native plants and learning about ecosystems and how animals and plants interact. This is such an excellent podcast. Only once or twice have I found it to be a bit heavy on jargon - usually Matt teases out ecological and botanical concepts in an accessible way that is great for gardeners or plant lovers who want something beyond the beginner / intro level of discourse. Highly recommended 10/10

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wtoddm
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience-friendly deep dives into ecological topics without losing rigor.
Thoughtful, accessible science with credible guest experts.
Strong coverage of plant conservation and restoration.
Some listeners want shorter intros and more focus on the science.

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. 574 - Of Alumroots & Coral Bells: Hybridization in Heuchera
Q: What are Heuchera, broadly speaking, and why are they interesting?
Heuchera are a genus of small to medium-sized garden plants with diverse habitats and complex pollination biology; they're especially interesting because they exhibit extensive hybridization, plasmid-like organelle dynamics, and varied ecological adaptations that illuminate broader questions in evolution and systematics.
Ep. 570 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 2
Q: What is the core mission of Terraformation and how is it different from traditional reforestation approaches?
The core mission is to scale native forest restoration by combining technology with a people-centric approach, prioritizing local communities and indigenous partnerships, and focusing on long-term outcomes like biodiversity, water preservation, and carbon sequestration rather than just planting trees.
Ep. 569 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 1
Q: What sparked your focus on agroforestry and native restoration?
My background in Congo and Hawaii showed me that blending agriculture with forest restoration can address livelihood needs while rebuilding ecosystem function; it's about choosing species and practices that create a self-sustaining forest rather than quick, non-native gains.
Ep. 567 - Moss Traits and More
Q: But was that what it was always about for you? How did you get into this line of work?
Dr. Slate explains that she has always loved plants, explored many areas before settling into bryophyte ecology, and why bryophytes drew her in as a field where questions could be asked and answered through ecological context.
Ep. 566 - The Wonderful World of Bryophytes
Q: What distinctive features can be used to identify mosses, liverworts, and hornworts?
Each type has unique morphological traits; mosses are more plant-like with stalks and capsules, liverworts have thalloid forms or leafy structures, and hornworts produce long green stalks.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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 program explores the plant world through conversations with researchers, conservationists, and educators who study everything from bryophytes to desert ecosystems. Recent episodes emphasize bryophyte ecology, plant conservation pipelines, paleobotany, and practical applications for restoration and habitat management, often featuring hands-on examples with restoration projects, seed banks, and native-plant gardening. The show regularly highlights how plants influence ecosystems, climate resilience, and biodiversity, with approachable discussions that appeal to gardeners, students, and professionals alike. A notable strength is the ability to translate complex plant science into actionable insights for conservation, education, and citize... 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. Plant People
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 580 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. Elizabeth White
2. Ryan Folk
3. Ashley Hillman
4. Robert Colautti
5. Sharon Selvaggio
6. Jonathan Kim
7. Michael Sthreshley
8. Dr. Sara Germain

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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