My Book Comes out in October 2025

My Book Comes out in October 2025

Author: Christy Hyman, PhD April 6, 2025 Duration: 12:24

 In this episode I discuss updates about birds and travel as well as provide details on my upcoming book, The Cultural Heritage Resilience of the Great Dismal Swamp:

Exploring the Cultural Heritage Resilience of the Great Dismal Swamp** In this episode, we delve into the cultural resilience of the Great Dismal Swamp, highlighting the powerful stories of local residents who have preserved their traditions despite historical silences. We discuss the intersection of cultural values, heritage tourism, and the enduring legacy of freedom, all while emphasizing the importance of landscape stewardship informed by Indigenous practices. Join us as we uncover how marginalized communities establish empowering spaces to honor their heritage, even in the absence of external support. We’ll explore the rich history of the Great Dismal Swamp Region, focusing on settlements such as Mattoanoak, Bowers Hill, and Skeetertown, where ancestral lifeways continue to thrive. Through the resilient cultural narratives shared by community members, we spotlight their deep connections to the land and tradition, and the call to return to their roots. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, community, and heritage!


Christy Hyman is a geographer with a deep affection for birds and the wild spaces just outside our doors. In Random Nature, she sits down with fellow academics, not for stiff lectures, but for genuine conversations that explore the surprising and personal relationships we have with the natural world. You’ll hear how a sociologist might find order in a tangled forest, or how a historian sees the landscape as a living archive. These discussions get at the heart of how people who think for a living actually *experience* nature-whether they seek it out daily on long walks or observe it more quietly from a kitchen window garden. This podcast lives in the intersection of science, culture, and everyday life, revealing that our connection to the environment is rarely straightforward. It’s often messy, overlooked, and wonderfully random. Each episode is an invitation to reconsider your own surroundings, to notice the details in your own home, garden, or local park through a slightly different lens. Tune in for thoughtful, meandering talks that bridge the gap between scholarly insight and simple, personal appreciation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 40

Random Nature
Podcast Episodes
MLK and Climate Resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:51
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…
BONUS-  My Trade Book is Out Today (sample reading) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:42
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…
Quick Update in the midst of PURE CHAOS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:40
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…
Midwest to East Coast- Random Nature Special Guest, Eric K! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:33
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…
The Griever's New Year- and some Gospel music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:14
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 p…
Things Keep Breaking!!! Part 2! plus COSTA RICA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:25
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…
Did a Crow Fly Off with my Car Keys???????? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:36
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…
THINGS KEEP BREAKING!!! plus birdturf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:14
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 fro…