mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

In this episode, we explore the question: if we combine both music created by people with the music of birds, can this amplify the wellness benefits of both of them?

We interview Diane Arkenstone, an internationally acclaimed musician and bird lover, who shares her music with the world to inspire a soothing meditation and healing, especially in her latest release elevating the songs of birds as her vocalists within. Diane shares how nature and nature's music, healed the heart complications she suffered since childhood, and how birds have been a beacon of healing light throughout her life.

Listen to Diane's latest release during our Joy of Birdsong segment and fill yourself with the meditative power of birdsong.

You can learn more about Diane’s work on her website

And follow her work here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianeArkenstoneMusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianearkenstone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diane.arkenstone/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dianearkenstone

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tACdDgcOW9HHM1Z4T3L29

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DianearkenstoneMusi

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

Can Mindful Birding pair with bird photography? In this episode of the Mindful Birding Podcast, we interview photographer, designer, award-winning author, and mindfulness meditation practitioner, Susan Preston, addressing what might be a controversial topic: Is it possible to practice mindfulness through the camera lens?

We learn more about Susan's inspiration by the birds as they translate through her lens, as she shares about some of the language surrounding bird photography and frustrations encountered. She also reads from her award-winning book Bosque Winter Wings

The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio offers the backdrop to much of our conversation as well Susan's book and the soundscape to the Joy of Birdsong segment.

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

In this episode, we dive into the idea that by leaning into joy through wild birds, we can help offset a negativity bias that researchers suggest we are innately wired towards. We consider how shifting our attention onto birds may empower change to our mental states and might even alter our brain structures in a positive way.

In the Mindful Birding Nerding Science segment, Dr. Holly Thomas shares how generating positive emotions through birding can help offset negative feelings, perhaps recalibrating our negativity bias, and she explores how the work of Dr. Rick Hanson can transcend into Mindful Birding – by noticing positive experiences we have with birds and leaning into them.

In our Joy of birdsong segment, Holly Thomas shares the sounds of one of her backyard vocalists, a Greater Roadrunner.

Looking to find community through Mindful Birding? Check out the Mindful Birding Network's global Events page and join the network

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas