Forum on Religion and Ecology: Spotlights

This episode features Ryan Shea, a researcher and educator working with the Nature Institute, which develops ways of thinking and perceiving that integrate self-reflective and critical thought, imagination, and careful, detailed observation of nature's phenomena. He brings to his work at The Nature Institute a broad knowledge of ancient philosophical biology (especially Aristotle), the scientific revolution, phenomenology, German idealism, and Goethean qualitative science.

In this episode, our host reflects on the new encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas. While this letter focuses on artificial intelligence and integral human development, there are also several points that connect with the intersection of religion and ecology, including the idea of integral ecology as 6well as an ecology of communication.

Recorded on Earth Day 2026, this episode features Devin O'Dea, who has been a long-time collaborator with people and projects affiliated with the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, including the Journey of the Universe project and the Human Energy project. We discuss his background, his passion for material and meaningful participation in our evolutionary unfolding, and his latest venture: Days & Seasons. 
Days & Seasons is a social enterprise rooted in awareness, movement, embodied cosmology, philosophy, ecopsychology, neurophysiology, ecological education, environmental restoration, social impact, and conscious capitalism. Days & Seasons was founded to create opportunities for people to reconnect with nature, build stronger communities, and live more intentional lives. Inspired by the interconnectedness of all living things, they combine science, philosophy, and experiential learning to help individuals thrive in alignment with the cycles of the Earth.

This episode features Osprey Orielle Lake, with an inspiring conversation of great breadth and depth, as she exemplifies the brilliance and bravery required to remake a world in crisis. We talk about a wonderful variety of topics, including her work as the founder and executive direction of Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN). We also discuss the idea of the rights of nature. Osprey is on the executive committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. The conversation would not be complete without also talking about her amazing book, The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World.

In this episode of the Forum podcast, Paul Koberstein discusses his book (co-authored by Jessica Apple), Canopy of Titans: The Life and Times of the Great North American Temperate Rainforest. We talk about the importance of protecting forests, including the important concept of proforestation. Many issues are covered, including governance, the logging industry, science, environmental justice, Indigenous communities, climate change, and more. You can find more information about the book on the publisher's website here: https://orbooks.com/catalog/canopy-of-titans/