The Final Episode: A Heartfelt Farewell from Our Mindful Nature
Our Mindful Nature: Meditation Inspired by Nature to Soothe the Overwhelmed Mind and Ease AnxietySummary
After 11 years, Meryl Arnett announces the conclusion of her podcast, Our Mindful Nature, reflecting on the journey that began as a simple gift to a few meditation students. Initially named The Mindful Minute, the podcast evolved significantly, transitioning from brief meditations to a platform that intertwined mindfulness with nature, featuring recordings from dedicated volunteers. Arnett emphasizes that the podcast has been a space for personal growth and community connection, particularly during challenging times marked by global events and personal milestones.
As she prepares to close this chapter, Arnett expresses a desire to shift her focus toward more practical applications of mindfulness in everyday life. She believes that true mindfulness is not just about meditation but about actively engaging with the world around us. While the podcast will remain accessible until the end of 2026, she encourages listeners to continue their mindfulness practices in daily activities, underscoring the importance of presence and attention in a fast-paced world. Arnett expresses deep gratitude to her audience for their support and invites them to stay connected through her newsletter for future endeavors.
Show Notes
11 years ago, this podcast began as a simple gift for a handful of meditation students. Today, it comes to a close with a full heart and deep gratitude.
In this final episode of Our Mindful Nature, host and meditation teacher Meryl Arnett shares a personal reflection on the journey that brought this podcast to life, what it has meant to carry a practice through 11 years of real life, and where mindfulness is calling her next.
What began as a simple idea, uploading one- and two-minute meditations to SoundCloud under the name The Mindful Minute, grew into something far beyond what Meryl ever imagined: a community of practitioners finding stillness together through nature-inspired meditations, breathtaking field recordings, and honest conversations about what it means to pay attention in a complicated world.
What To Expect
- The origin story of Our Mindful Nature — from SoundCloud to 11 seasons - How a simple suggestion from a dear friend changed the entire direction of the podcast - What Meryl has learned about the difference between meditating peacefully and living mindfully - Why she feels called to a more embodied, rooted, and community-centered practice now - Where the podcast will continue to live after this final episode - How to stay connected with Meryl going forward - A final invitation to every listener who has shown up, week after week, for this practice
A Note on the Archive
Our Mindful Nature will remain available everywhere you listen to podcasts through the end of 2026. After that, all episodes will continue to live on YouTube indefinitely, so these meditations will always be there when you need them.
Stay Connected with Meryl
The best way to stay connected is through Meryl's newsletter. Sign up at https://www.merylarnett.com to be the first to know what comes next. Learn more about Meryl's work at https://www.merylarnett.com.
Thank you to Nick McMahan and Gordon Hempton for the nature field recordings that gave this podcast its soul, and to Brianna Nielsen for production and editing support throughout this final season.
The final soundscape you hear is Meryl's personal favorite from Gordon Hempton - Primeval Forest recorded in North Carolina's old growth forests.
Nick McMahan: https://www.nickcmcmahan.com/ Gordon Hempton: https://soundtracker.com/ Brianna Nielsen: https://www.instagram.com/itsbriannanielsen
More from Our Mindful Nature: Meditation Inspired by Nature to Soothe the Overwhelmed Mind and Ease Anxiety
What does tender self-care look like when the world feels overwhelming? In this final episode of the "Chasing the Ephemeral" spring series, meditation teacher Meryl Arnett turns to the salamander, quiet guardian of vernal pools, for wisdom about gentle transformation and emotional balance. Through a deeply personal dream about tending to what's been neglected, this meditation explores how to practice radical self-care during times of moral injury and societal upheaval.
How do we meet beauty at the precise moment it appears and practice releasing it just as gently? In this second episode of the three-part "Chasing the Ephemeral" series, meditation teacher Meryl Arnett guides us beneath April's Pink Moon for a practice in experiencing awe without attachment. Just like the creeping phlox that suddenly carpets the ground in pink before fading away, this meditation teaches us to honor what blooms in our lives right now.
Before the world wakes, the frozen forest comes alive. This unique 30-minute listening experience invites you into the pristine winter dawn of Washington State's Sinlahekin Valley, where winter birds greet the morning with bold, communal song that cuts through the cold and offers deep reassurance.
What lives beneath the surface of your winter mind? In this gentle guided meditation, host and meditation teacher Meryl Arnett invites you into the quiet wisdom of winter's stillness. Inspired by the children's book "Over and Under the Snow," this practice explores what rests beneath the metaphorical snow of our busy lives - the feelings, needs, and truths that are warming, waiting to be revealed in their own time.
Just the Meditation: This 10-minute guided meditation invites you deep underground to listen for the "message of the heart." Using progressive body softening and breath awareness, you'll descend into your inner underland to discover what wisdom awaits in the shadows.