In this episode, Kevin chats with Evan and Dani Benton who have renovated two Akiya (empty homes) on the island of Omishima in Ehime Prefecture in Japan. They have a wonderful website and YouTube channel called “Benton Homestead” that documents their journey. They have renovated these two buildings, turning one into a guesthouse and the other, their home. They are also diving into the world of natural agriculture and bee keeping. They are living in an extremely sustainable way, often using DIY methods to improve their houses, farming, and helping to reinvigorate their local community. They discuss the process of buying and renovating these old homes as well as how they were able to get visas to stay in Japan to complete this project.

Benton Homestead:

https://bentonhomestead.com/

Follow their YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@bentonhomestead

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bentonhomestead

Follow Kevin O’Shea (host) on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/MadForMaple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlifedocumentingbeekeeping

In this episode, Kevin chats with Tokyo-based marketing specialist and consultant, Rochelle Kopp. Rochelle has spent more than 30 years living in Japan and working in business. She is also a passionate environmental activist focusing on saving trees and parks in the Tokyo area. In a time when we are feeling the burn of climate change more than ever, we need trees, but many in Japan don’t think that way! Listen to Rochelle’s story and how you can help protect trees across Japan.

Follow Rochelle Kopp on Twitter (X):

https://x.com/JapanIntercult

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochellekopp/

See some of the change.org petitions Rochelle was discussing in the episode:

Jingu Stadium (Tokyo)

Hibiya Park (Tokyo)

Osaka City

Kobe Oji Park

Follow Kevin O’Shea (host) on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/MadForMaple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife

In this episode, Kevin O’Shea chats with Alexa Rose Pettinari, an American working in Malaysia as the Sustainable Engagement Specialist for the International Schools Partnership. We learn about how she went from being a classroom educator to working as an SES and her role. We also discuss the education for sustainable development, the Global Schools Program, and the benefits of educators joining this program. Alexa also gives advice to educators who are hoping to make a positive and sustainable impact in their own schools.

Follow Alexa on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-rose-pettinari-7270049a/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alexarosepettinari

Follow Kevin O’Shea (host) on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/MadForMaple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife

In this episode, host Kevin O’Shea chats with Martin Foakes, the Chairman of OFFSEAS, and Rob Carmichael, the Director of Outdoor and Experiential Education at UWC Thailand. They discuss the recent OFFSEAS Outdoor Education conference which was held at United World College in Phuket, Thailand. Why was OFFSEAS formed and what was the need? How successful was this year's conference? They also talk about the takeaways as well as where outdoor education is going in the future!

Follow our guests:

Martin Foakes

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-foakes-223a9429/

Rob Carmichael

https://www.linkedin.com/in/r87carmichael/

OFFSEAS - Outdoor Forum For South East Asian Schools

https://offseas.community/about-us/

21st Century Learning:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/21st-century-learning/

Follow Kevin on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/MadForMaple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife

In this episode, we chat with Darrick Mosser in Kobe, Japan. Darrick is the Headmaster at Ascot International School Japan. He advocates for sustainable practices in schools and gives students opportunities to develop independence and critical thinking. Darrick shares many of the sustainable practices at Ascot International School and the opportunities students have to connect with their local community and environment. You’ll enjoy this inspiring conversation.

Follow Darrick on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrickmkobe94/

Follow Ascot International School Japan:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascot-international-school-japan/

Follow the Nature Talks Podcast and Kevin:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073/

X:

https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife

https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev

Nature Talks Podcast - 21: Planning a Successful Earth Week

How can we make Earth Day or Earth Week at our school matter? How can we make it more meaningful than in the past? In this episode, Kevin O’Shea chats with Helen Lloyd. Helen is a primary educator as well as the Sustainability Coordinator at The International School of Penang (Uplands) in Malaysia. They recently wrapped up a very successful Earth Week with various and engaging and inspiring activities throughout the week and across the school. Learn more about the planning behind it and the lessons learned to make it even better next year!

Follow Helen Lloyd on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-lloyd-0124a439/

To learn more about Earth Week at Uplands (as talked about in the podcast) check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uplands.school

Follow me (Kevin O’Shea) on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife

X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

After a long hiatus, we are back! Host Kevin O’Shea talks about what’s been happening with his kitchen garden at The International School of Penang (Uplands). That’s right! Kevin moved from China to Malaysia. Kevin gives a brief overview of his big kitchen garden project and how he not only has students from multiple grade levels involved, but the food they have grown has been used in Food Tech and STEM classes as well as by the cafeteria cooks in meals for staff and students! Kevin also talks about the upcoming OFFSEAS Conference at UWC Thailand in April and future guests someone on the show!

Find Kevin and the show on social media:

LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-o-shea-48419073

Nature Talks Podcast (Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

Nature Talks Podcast (Kevin O’Shea) Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Nature Talks Podcast (Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife/

In episode 19, host Kevin O’Shea chats with returning guest, Kenny Peavy. Kenny is an outdoor educator at Green School Bali and an outspoken advocate for connecting students with nature, the outdoors, and SDGs. They discuss how Kenny has been leveraging social media to increase his advocacy footprint. Kenny also shares ideas about how educators and students worldwide can easily take action to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Nature Talks Podcast (Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/NatureTalksPodcast/

Nature Talks Podcast (Kevin O’Shea) Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Nature Talks Podcast (Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/shizenwildlife/