Blue Mind: Loving Our Blue Planet
Guests: John Marsland, founder and President of the Blackstone River Watershed Council, and Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist and author of Blue Mind
The term “blue mind” describes the mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, on or under water. It's the antidote to what we refer to as “red mind,” which is the anxious, over-connected and over-stimulated state that defines modern life. We are drawn to water, whether it's a bathtub, a p...
Blue Mind: Loving Our Blue Planet
Guests: John Marsland, founder and President of the Blackstone River Watershed Council, and Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist and author of Blue Mind
The term “blue mind” describes the mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, on or under water. It's the antidote to what we refer to as “red mind,” which is the anxious, over-connected and over-stimulated state that defines modern life. We are drawn to water, whether it's a bathtub, a pool, a stream, a pond or an ocean. Water makes us calmer, happier and healthier. Once we form a personal connection with a river, a lake, a beach or an island, we take better care of that special place. We protect what we love. The 50-year "Zap the Blackstone Project" is one great example of how thousands of volunteers are working together to monitor and clean up the waters they love.
Guest John Marsland introduced me to the concept of "blue mind," while we were walking along the Blackstone River. John is the founder and President of the Blackstone River Watershed Council, which started out as the all-volunteer non-profit Friends of the Blackstone in 1990. John can often be found canoeing on the river, leading guided Blue Mind walks, or giving Corridor Chats at the Sycamore Landing property in Manville, RI. A passionate conservationist, John is the longest serving volunteer with the National Park Service – having served 31 years.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is the author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. In J's own words, he is a marine biologist, water-lover, turtle nerd, embarrassing Dad & creator of useful words. Formerly a Senior Scientist at Ocean Conservancy, J. Nichols holds a B.A. degree from DePauw University in Biology and Spanish, a Master of Engineering Management degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University, and a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona.
INFORMATION RESOURCES
Blackstone River Watershed Council: A 'Blue Mind' frame of mind - https://blackstoneriver.org/
Zap the Blackstone - https://zaptheblackstone.com/
SWRH Podcast: Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful - https://dreamvisions7radio.com/keep-earth-beautiful-recycle-ecotourism/
SWRH Podcast: Following the Flow to Clean Up our Waters - https://dreamvisions7radio.com/following-in-the-flow-to-clean-up-our-waters-with-guest-bonnie-combs-marketing-director-blackstone-heritage-corridor/
Wallace J Nichols - https://www.wallacejnichols.org/
South Carolina Green Steps and Adopt-a-Stream program information – https://eeasc.org/Green-Step-Schools/ https://www.clemson.edu/public/water/watershed/scaas/
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