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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

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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.

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What happens when the excitement wears off… and the waiting begins?

In this Week 3 update of the “Wildly Rejected a.k.a. Becoming the Bison” Lauren steps fully into the storm—where the “no’s” start to outweigh the “yeses,” and most opportunities sit in the uncomfortable space of maybe.

This episode dives into the part of the journey no one talks about:

• The emotional shift from excitement to endurance
• Why rejection starts to feel… normal
• How “no” doesn’t kill an idea—it redirects it
• The hidden weight of waiting (and why it’s actually the hardest part)

Lauren shares the story behind this week’s cover image—a baby raccoon photographed in Hocking Hills State Park—and how sometimes the most meaningful moments don’t win awards, but still shape everything.

Plus, a powerful mindset shift that reframes the entire rejection process:
👉 You don’t gain rejections by asking—you reduce the infinite “no’s” that already exist.

Week 3 Stats:
44 asks | 5 yeses | 7 rejections | and a growing list of “in review”

If you’re in a season where nothing feels certain, where responses are slow, and where momentum feels quiet—this episode is your reminder:
This is the part where most people stop… and where things actually begin.

🎧 And a surprise highlight—Lauren interviews Gabby Carr, the creator of the 1000 Rejection Challenge (episode coming soon!).

🎙️ 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

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In this week’s episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren shares the real challenge behind her “1000 Rejections” journey—and it’s not what you might think.

Week one was about taking the leap. Week two? Learning how to start again.

After gaining momentum, a pause crept in—and with it came doubt, overthinking, and the fear of slipping back into old patterns. From a meaningful rejection by the Sea Turtle Conservancy to a fun (but surprisingly emotional) loss at the Key West dog show, this episode dives into the emotional reality of putting yourself out there again after things don’t go your way.

Lauren unpacks:

• Why rejection isn’t the hardest part—restarting is
• How taking action (not overthinking) restores energy and confidence
• Turning rejection into redirection (and creative opportunity)
• The mindset shift from chasing wins to building consistency
• What “Becoming the Bison” really means in practice

Plus, she shares her Week 2 stats, lessons learned, and a powerful reminder inspired by Muhammad Ali: you don’t lose when you get knocked down—you lose when you stay down.

If you’ve ever felt stuck after a setback, this episode is your nudge to try again.

🎙️ 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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What happens when you stop avoiding rejection… and start chasing it?

In this Week 1 recap of the Wildly Rejected challenge, Lauren shares how committing to 1,000 rejections is already shifting her mindset, confidence, and creativity in unexpected ways.

After diving in headfirst—sending bold pitches, applying for collaborations, and reaching out to major art brands—Lauren is surprised by what’s happening: responses are coming in, opportunities are opening, and a deeper realization is unfolding.

This episode explores:

• How taking action builds confidence for artists and creatives
• The surprising fear of success (not just rejection)
• What happens when you consistently put yourself out there
• Artist mindset shifts around visibility, rejection, and growth
• How reaching out can lead to unexpected opportunities and community
• The ripple effect of confidence in both business and personal life
• Overcoming people-pleasing and learning to set boundaries

If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, or anyone struggling with fear of rejection, self-doubt, or putting yourself out there—this episode will challenge you to take action and rethink what’s possible.

Because sometimes… the moment you start asking, everything starts to change.

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

Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration
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If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it… does it make a sound?

What about your art?

In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren explores a question many modern creatives quietly struggle with: If it’s not recorded, shared, or posted… does it even count?

After catching herself mid-painting—ready to stop and film content—Lauren chose instead to stay in the moment. What followed was a powerful reminder about creativity, presence, and why we started making art in the first place.

In a world where artists are expected to be creators, marketers, videographers, and business owners all at once, it’s easy to lose the joy of the actual craft.

This episode dives into:

• Creative burnout and content creation pressure
• The difference between being an artist vs. a content producer
• Why constantly recording your process can pull you out of flow
• Reconnecting with creativity and making art for yourself
• The importance of unplugging from social media and expectations
• A simple challenge to help you rediscover your creative joy

If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, or anyone feeling overwhelmed by the need to constantly share—this episode is your permission slip to slow down, unplug, and create just because you love it.

Because your art still matters… even if no one saw you make it.

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What if rejection wasn’t something to avoid—but something to chase?

In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren shares a raw and honest story about getting targeted by a phishing scam, navigating creative burnout, and making a bold decision: to collect 1,000 rejections.

As artists and creatives, we’re often told to put ourselves out there—but fear of rejection, online scams, and constant pressure to create can leave us stuck, overwhelmed, and playing small.

This episode explores:

• How artist scams and phishing emails are becoming more common
• Simple ways to protect yourself online (especially as a creative)
• The hidden burnout behind contests, submissions, and “exposure”
• Why rejection feels so personal—and how to reframe it
• How chasing rejection can actually unlock new opportunities
• A mindset shift to help you take creative risks again

If you’ve ever felt afraid to share your work, hesitant to reach out, or stuck in a cycle of overthinking—this episode is your reminder that growth lives on the other side of “no.”

Because the more you ask… the more chances you give the world to say yes.

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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