We’ve been taught to think of cities as places where nature goes to die, but the reality is much wilder. In this fascinating conversation on One Planet Podcast, award-winning epidemiologist and author Dan Werb challenges our assumptions about urban life by introducing us to "synanthropes"—the wild animals that have adapted to thrive in human-modified environments. From raccoons picking complex locks in Toronto to giant Pacific octopuses building homes in discarded refrigerators off the coast of Seattle, Dan Werb reveals the hidden biodiversity surrounding us every day. Drawing from his latest book, Our Wild Familiars, Dan Werb explains how urban sprawl, climate change, and even our garbage are pulling species into cities, transforming our concrete jungles into unexpected sites of conservation. He also delves into the deep spiritual connections humans have shared with animals like ravens for millennia, the epidemiological risks of habitat destruction explored in The Invisible Siege, and why engaging with the mystery of an animal’s mind is more profoundly mind-expanding than seeking comfort in digital echo chambers.

We’ve been taught to think of cities as places where nature goes to die, but the reality is much wilder. In this fascinating conversation on One Planet Podcast, award-winning epidemiologist and author Dan Werb challenges our assumptions about urban life by introducing us to "synanthropes"—the wild animals that have adapted to thrive in human-modified environments. From raccoons picking complex locks in Toronto to giant Pacific octopuses building homes in discarded refrigerators off the coast of Seattle, Dan Werb reveals the hidden biodiversity surrounding us every day. Drawing from his latest book, Our Wild Familiars, Dan Werb explains how urban sprawl, climate change, and even our garbage are pulling species into cities, transforming our concrete jungles into unexpected sites of conservation. He also delves into the deep spiritual connections humans have shared with animals like ravens for millennia, the epidemiological risks of habitat destruction explored in The Invisible Siege, and why engaging with the mystery of an animal’s mind is more profoundly mind-expanding than seeking comfort in digital echo chambers.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS, SCIENTISTS & VISIONARIES · Anthology Guests Author of Various Works · From Extraction to Regeneration"We are living with an extractive mindset... And we need to change from that extractive mindset to a regenerative mindset."

Why do we write? In this episode, we explore writing as an awakening and a bridge between memory and discovery. We hear from poets, novelists, musicians and thinkers who reflect on how narrative helps us make sense of displacement, failure and our connection to the natural world. Join us for a deep dive into the stories that make us human.

How do we reconnect with a world we have stopped listening to?. In this episode, we explore the kinship we share with nature and the urgent need for a shift in perspective—from seeing the environment as a collection of objects to a community of subjects. We hear from novelists, photographers, scientists and indigenous leaders on the rights of nature, the volatility of a warming planet and the hope found in restoration.

Founders of Mikou Architecture, Salwa & Selma Mikou bring a deeply human-centric approach to modern design. Drawing from their childhood in the vibrant, labyrinthine medinas of Fez, Morocco, they view architecture as a powerful social infrastructure that shapes relationships and evokes memory. In this episode of The Creative Process, they discuss how they transform sites into living ecosystems, weaving local narratives and historical traces into their projects. The sisters reflect on their formative years working alongside architectural legends Jean Nouvel and Renzo Piano, and how their complementary visions fuel their collaborative practice. From designing serene mosques in England and holistic "water temples" in France to crafting intricate spaces for Hermès and Yves Saint Laurent, they reveal how buildings can truly sing. Join us to explore how art, intuition, and structural necessity converge to create spaces of profound wellbeing.

Biologist and author David George Haskell challenges everything we think we know about our place in nature. We aren't separate individuals; we are walking, breathing ecosystems deeply intertwined with the botanical world. From our evolutionary origins as "grass apes" to the staggering intelligence of forest root networks , Haskell unpacks the hidden revolutions led by flowers and trees. In this profound conversation on The Creative Process and One Planet Podcast, he also warns against the ecological costs of AI data centers and invites us to practice the radical, grounding art of simply listening to the earth.

Biologist and author David George Haskell challenges everything we think we know about our place in nature. We aren't separate individuals; we are walking, breathing ecosystems deeply intertwined with the botanical world. From our evolutionary origins as "grass apes" to the staggering intelligence of forest root networks , Haskell unpacks the hidden revolutions led by flowers and trees. In this profound conversation on The Creative Process and One Planet Podcast, he also warns against the ecological costs of AI data centers and invites us to practice the radical, grounding art of simply listening to the earth.

My guest today is filmmaker and actress Cherien Dabis, the first Palestinian to receive an Emmy nomination. She has worked on hit series like The L Word, Mo, and Only Murders in the Building. We discuss her ambitious new film All That's Left of You, Jordan's official submission for the Academy Awards. Cherien Dabis shares the profound challenges of filming after October 7th, her collaboration with the legendary Bakri Family, and why choosing humanity is the ultimate act of resistance.

On this episode of The Creative Process, philosopher C. Thi Nguyen joins us to discuss his new book, The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else's Game. He unpacks the profound concept of "value capture"—the moment we stop caring about the rich, subtle experiences of life and start obsessing over simplified, external metrics like grades, likes, and screen time . Beyond the trap of quantification, C. Thi Nguyen explores the liberating power of games and art. We discuss how true play requires us to step lightly between different rule sets, the difference between art and craft, and how reclaiming our creative process might just be the ultimate meaning of life .