Spark Something New
What would it look like to be in love with your life? What would it take to live as you to show up as your full and authentic self? What would you need in order to find rest? It would take a spark of something new! Something to help you think differently, act differently, build relationships differently, and lead differently. You'll find that spark here, on the Spark Something New Podcast!
Spark Something New
Episode 47: Belonging Starts Beneath Our Feet with Sheryl Barbosa
What if nature wasn’t just something on your “to-do” list—but a vital part of your sense of belonging? And y'all that means more than buying a few plants for your office, cutting some flowers for your dinner table, or keeping a manicured lawn.
On this episode, Dr. Katie chats with environmental scientist, keynote speaker, and space sustainability strategist (yes, you read that correctly) Sheryl Barbosa, we explore a powerful shift in perspective: the role of nature in building not just healthier lives, but a stronger sense of self and connection to each other.
Sheryl shares her own personal story of burnout and healing, where reconnecting with the natural world became a doorway back to belonging. Together, we challenge the idea that nature is just a backdrop for our busy lives or something reserved for “tree huggers.” Instead, we imagine that nature becomes a living partner in our everyday rhythm, a connector of people, and the place where our sense of community begins.
From high-five trees and park bench conversations with strangers, to the science of lowered cortisol and collective healing in shared outdoor spaces, this episode invites you to reimagine community itself—where people, place, and planet are intertwined.
It’s not about adding “go outside” to your checklist. It’s about remembering that we are nature, and when we make it a part of our community at home, at work, and in all the spaces where we seek belonging, we unlock connection, joy, and resilience in ways technology alone can’t provide.
This conversation might just spark how you view your morning walk, your neighborhood trees, or even the act of picking up litter as more than small moments. They’re acts of community building, memory making, and healing—together.
EPISODE RESOURCES
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