Paving Paradise: The Heat Island Effect & High Cost of Underutilized Asphalt

Paving Paradise: The Heat Island Effect & High Cost of Underutilized Asphalt

Author: Serenbe Media Network September 22, 2026 Duration: 47:06
Asphalt and concrete. Not exactly the sexiest topics in the world, but think about it: pavement is everywhere we look. From roads and highways to schoolyards and massive parking lots, it’s such a ubiquitous part of our environment that we hardly even notice it anymore. And there’s a reason for that. Pavement makes roads safer and provides ADA accessible sidewalks. But it also comes with a significant environmental cost. Dark asphalt can absorb as much as 80 to 95 percent of sunlight, contribu...

There’s a quiet but profound intelligence in the way a forest manages resources or how a mycelial network communicates-an intelligence we’ve often overlooked in our rush to build and innovate. Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers explores this very premise, asking what happens when we stop seeing nature as merely a resource and start recognizing it as the ultimate mentor. Hosted by Monica Olsen and her co-host, this podcast from the Serenbe Media Network delves into conversations that feel both urgent and restorative. You’ll hear from scientists, artists, urban planners, and philosophers who are applying nature’s blueprints to solve complex human problems in design, healthcare, community building, and leadership. Each episode is a deep dive into the patterns and processes that have sustained life for millennia, offering tangible, often surprising, ways to reintegrate them into our daily lives and systems. It’s not just about sustainability; it’s about reciprocity and learning to listen again. The dialogue in this podcast moves beyond theory, focusing on real-world applications that remind us our well-being is inextricably linked to the natural world. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration that bridges science, culture, and education, revealing how a rekindled connection can reshape our society from the ground up.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers
Podcast Episodes
Redefining Wildness with 'Wild Souls' Author Emma Marris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:07
Is the idea of pristine, untouched nature a misguided fantasy? Are any animals truly wild on a planet so dominated by human impact? And while we’re on the topic - what do we mean by wildness in the first place? Join us f…
A Thriving City is a Walkable City with Jeff Speck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:01
With the rise of suburban sprawl and city planning that has prioritized car travel above all else, modern American cities seriously lack comfortable walking and biking infrastructure. It’s a massive issue - but solutions…
Mushroom Hunting and the Joy of Discovery with Emily & Gregory Han [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
Mushrooms are fascinating. They’re not quite plants and they’re not quite animals. Unique and charming mushroom caps are just the fruit of a massive, interconnected mycelium network. And there are millions of mushroom sp…
Social Prescribing and Nature as Medicine with Author Julia Hotz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:38
What would you think if your doctor wrote you a prescription to take a walk outside? To visit an art museum? To take a yoga class? It may sound unconventional, but the practice of prescribing nonmedical interventions to…
The Mini-Forest Revolution with Hannah Lewis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:27
Today’s guest, Hannah Lewis, is on a mission to restore biodiversity in our towns and cities by planting native trees, pollinators, and shrubs on abandoned lots, degraded land, and in backyards. In her acclaimed new book…
Biophilic Summer Reading: Our 2024 Picks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:42
Hello! Monica and Jennifer here, back yet again with some of our favorite books from the past year. We think that there is no better way to enjoy the summer months than by unwinding with a good book and we've got just th…