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🔗 Connect with Clara:
Find her work, book, and resources here:
👉 https://www.claraschroeder.com/book

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What if the reason we feel overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected… is because we’ve lost our relationship with nature?

In this episode of Wildly Unplugged, I sit down with ecotherapist and author Clara Schroeder to explore the powerful connection between mental health, nature, and sustainability. We dive into how disconnection from the natural world impacts our well-being—and how simple, intentional practices can help you reconnect, reduce anxiety, and find balance in a chaotic world.

Whether you’re feeling burnt out, hit rock bottom, stuck in hustle culture, or overwhelmed by constant digital noise, this conversation will help you slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what truly matters.

In This Episode, We Talk About:
What ecotherapy is and how it helps with stress, anxiety, and burnout
The link between mental health and nature connection
How disconnection from nature contributes to eco anxiety & overwhelm
Simple ways to reconnect with nature (even in a city!)
How to create a healthier work-life balance
The impact of technology, AI, and “doom scrolling” on your nervous system
Why slowing down and being present can transform your life
Real stories of healing through nature, wildlife, and mindfulness

Why This Matters:
We live in a world of constant stimulation—emails, notifications, and endless scrolling. This episode is a reminder that nature is always available as a tool for healing, creativity, and clarity.
You don’t need a big adventure. You just need to start noticing.

Who This Episode Is For:
Anyone experiencing burnout or stress
Creatives looking to reconnect with inspiration
Nature lovers & conservation-minded individuals
People curious about mindfulness, ecotherapy, or mental wellness
Anyone feeling overwhelmed by modern life and seeking balance

Key Takeaway:
Reconnecting with nature doesn’t have to mean hiking mountains or traveling far. It can be as simple as noticing the sky, listening to birds, or stepping outside with intention.

🎧 About Wildly Unplug
Wildly Unplug shares stories of nature, conservation, creativity, and human connection—helping you rediscover what develops when you unplug and step outdoors.
If you enjoyed this episode, check out more conversations on:
✨ Nature journaling
✨ Wildlife art & conservation
✨ Creative ways to unplug and reconnect

Don’t Forget:
✔️ Subscribe for more nature + creativity content
✔️ Share this with someone who needs to unplug
✔️ Leave a review—it helps more people find the podcast

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Week 4 of the 1000 Rejections Challenge brought an unexpected shift—not in results, but in mindset.

This week, Lauren reflects on entering the Montgomery Photography Contest, an event she’s participated in for years. While this year didn’t result in a win, it marked a powerful personal breakthrough. Instead of stress, comparison, and frustration, she found herself relaxed, present, and genuinely cheering on other artists.

In this episode, Lauren shares what it feels like to move from needing validation to embracing the process, how redefining rejection is changing her experience, and why some outcomes still feel like a mystery. She also discusses her decision to count each paid submission as its own rejection—and what that reveals about opportunity, risk, and growth.

With several major grant applications, Ranger Rick article idea, and children's book submitted this week, the challenge continues to push boundaries and expand what feels possible.

If you’ve ever struggled with rejection, comparison, or trying to “figure out what judges want,” this episode is for you.

🎙️ Wildly Unplug is a podcast about reconnecting with nature, creativity, and yourself through storytelling, conservation, and exploration.

👉 Follow along with the full “1000 Rejections” journey and weekly updates on Substack.

And until next time… unplug, get outside, and see what develops. 🌿

Get Ashley's Tracker here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682

Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration
Like & comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today?
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🔭 Where to Find Mark
Website: https://authormarkbenson.com
Instagram: @waysidewriter

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What happens when grief meets the cosmos?
In this episode of Wildly Unplug, I sit down with author and NASA Solar System Ambassador Mark Benson to explore space, storytelling, healing, and human connection.
We dive into his novel, Isaac and the Sky—a story that blends astronomy, loss, and identity—and unpack how looking at something as vast as the universe can help us process something as intimate as grief.
But this conversation goes far beyond the book…

We talk about:
How stargazing and nature can help us reconnect with ourselves
The surprising ways creative tools (like telescopes, sketchbooks, and writing) help us heal
What it’s really like to be a NASA ambassador
The truth about light pollution—and how it affects wildlife, humans, and our ability to see the stars
Why space is actually an extension of nature itself
Behind-the-scenes insights into Project Hail Mary and what science fiction gets right (and wrong)

We also explore a powerful idea:
That we often live as side characters in other people’s stories…
…and how we can step into being the main character of our own life.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to slow down, look up, and reconnect with something bigger, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways
Healing doesn’t always come from looking inward—it can come from looking outward
You don’t need a grand adventure to reconnect with nature—just step outside and look up
Creativity and curiosity are powerful tools for processing life’s hardest moments

🎧 About Wildly Unplug
Wildly Unplug shares stories of nature, conservation, creativity, and human connection—helping you rediscover what develops when you unplug and step outdoors.

Support the show