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Nature Breaking

Nature Breaking

World Wildlife Fund 107 Episodes Aug 11, 2026

Nature Breaking is a podcast produced by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), hosted by Seth Larson. Each episode features interviews with experts on pressing environmental issues, including climate change, habitat loss, and endangered species. The show aims to educate listeners about the natural world and the challenges it faces. Listeners can expect to learn something new about nature and our planet in every episode.

Episodes

Unwrapped: The Plastic Crisis (Part 1) | The Origins of Plastic Pollution
Unwrapped: The Plastic Crisis (Part 1) | The Origins of Plastic Pollution Aug 11, 2026 40:29 Plastic pollution didn't happen overnight. In the first episode of Unwrapped: The Plastic Crisis, a special three-part miniseries from Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson and WWF plastics expert Erin Simon take a step back to examine how we got here—and why solving this crisis requires understanding the decisions that shaped it. Joining the conversation is Dr. Jenna Jambeck, the University of Georgi
What Animal Names Reveal About Humanity
What Animal Names Reveal About Humanity Jul 14, 2026 41:58 Why do we call an elephant an elephant? Why did the narwhal become known as the "unicorn of the sea"? How did the praying mantis help to inspire kung fu in ancient China? And what can the names we give to animals tell us about ourselves as people? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with bestselling author, conservationist, and WWF board member T.A. Barron to discuss his
America Is Losing Its Grasslands – Why It Matters
America Is Losing Its Grasslands – Why It Matters Jun 30, 2026 31:08 As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, there's no shortage of reflection about the landscapes, history, and ideals that have shaped this country. For many people, iconic American landscapes might include mountains, forests, or coastlines. But there's another ecosystem—vast, vital, and often overlooked—that's quietly disappearing: grasslands. You
Reframing Rural: From Sand to Soil
Reframing Rural: From Sand to Soil Jun 23, 2026 01:08:38 *Bonus Episode Today's episode is a feed swap courtesy of Reframing Rural, an award-winning documentary show that explores the people, history, and culture of rural America. The episode, "From Sand to Soil," was included in Season 4 of Reframing Rural, which focused on the challenges that farm and ranch families face as they pass their operations from one generation to the next. Today you'll hear
The Rio Grande Is Running Dry—Here's Why
The Rio Grande Is Running Dry—Here's Why Jun 16, 2026 32:16 Last winter you probably heard about the lack of snow in the western US, and how that might impact everything from ski resorts to farmlands and freshwater supplies. News coverage of this drought most-often invokes impacts on the Colorado River. But there's another system—the Rio Grande—that's facing just as much pressure. Stretching from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande – or the Rio
Rethinking Seafood and the Future of our Oceans
Rethinking Seafood and the Future of our Oceans Jun 2, 2026 36:32 Seafood is one of the most important food systems on the planet—supporting livelihoods, feeding communities, and fueling a global industry. But it's also under growing pressure. Overfishing, climate change, and illegal fishing are putting many marine ecosystems at risk. So how can we meet global demand for seafood without pushing our oceans past their limits? And what role should companies play in
Bringing Buffalo Back (2025)
Bringing Buffalo Back (2025) May 19, 2026 31:35 NOTE: This episode was originally released in July 2025. Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux T
The Mental Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
The Mental Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature May 5, 2026 23:50 Are you feeling stressed, scattered, or mentally drained? Science suggests a surprisingly simple way to feel better: spending time in nature. In this episode of Nature Breaking, we explore the growing body of psychological research showing how time spent outdoors improves focus, mood, and overall mental health. Host Seth Larson is joined by Dr. Dennis Stolle, Executive Lead Psychologist for Applie
Why Giant Pandas Are a Conservation Success Story
Why Giant Pandas Are a Conservation Success Story Apr 21, 2026 16:19 When you think of endangered species, chances are the giant panda comes to mind. With their black‑and‑white coats, bamboo obsession, and internet‑famous antics, pandas are among the most beloved animals on Earth—and they're also one of conservation's most hopeful success stories. In this episode of Nature Breaking, we're diving into the surprisingly weird and wonderful world of giant pandas with C
What happens when you invest money in nature?
What happens when you invest money in nature? Apr 14, 2026 38:54 *Bonus Episode* What does it really mean to invest in nature—and why does it matter? In this special crossover episode of Nature Breaking and The Pew Charitable Trusts' After The Fact podcast, WWF's Seth Larson and Pew's Giuliana Pence explore the growing field of nature finance. Joined by experts from both organizations, they tackle a big question: how much does it cost to protect nature, and whe
How Maya Higa Is Inspiring Millions to Take Action for Earth
How Maya Higa Is Inspiring Millions to Take Action for Earth Apr 7, 2026 23:07 This week on Nature Breaking, we're teaming up with conservationist and content creator Maya Higa to kick off WWF's annual Give an Hour for Earth campaign. Maya is a Twitch streamer and YouTuber whose online community contributed tens of thousands of hours to our campaign last year.  Host Seth Larson interviews Maya about her journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a zookeeper, falconer, l
Good News for Monarch Butterflies
Good News for Monarch Butterflies Mar 24, 2026 12:40 Good news is hard to come by in the conservation world—but this week, we have some to share. A new report from WWF‑Mexico shows that the endangered migratory eastern monarch butterfly is showing promising signs of recovery, with monarchs occupying 7.24 acres of forest in their wintering grounds in Mexico—up from 4.42 acres last year. That's a 64% increase. In this episode of Nature Breaking, we re

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