Re-Nature with Clara Schroeder: Ecotherapy, Climate Grief, and Healing Our Bond with Nature
The Inner Compass Podcast with Vanessa BennettShow Notes
In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Clara Schroeder, ecotherapist and author of Re-Nature: How Nature Helps Us Feel Better and Do Better, for a conversation about ecopsychology, climate grief, ritual, and the healing intelligence of the natural world. Together they explore why “we are nature” is not just a poetic idea, but a psychological and spiritual reality - and how separation from the earth mirrors separation from self, body, belonging, and ritual. They also discuss nature as a co-regulating presence, the specific grief that can follow climate or human-caused ecological disasters, and what it means to repair our attachment with the original mother. This is a conversation about remembering that nature is not outside of us; it is one of the oldest relationships we have.
For educational purposes only. This isn’t therapy.
Resources mentioned: Re-Nature by Clara Schroeder Use for: Guest’s book, Re-Nature: How Nature Helps Us Feel Better and Do Better. Link: https://www.claraschroeder.com/book Note: Clara’s site describes the book as exploring nature connection, mental health, resilience, climate disruption, and sustainable action.
Ecopsychology / Theodore Roszak Use for: Defining ecopsychology as the bridge between psychology and ecology / the human psyche and the natural world. Link: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/ecopsychology Note: Useful general background on ecopsychology and its association with Theodore Roszak’s The Voice of the Earth.
Nature exposure and health Use for: Research support that exposure to natural environments is associated with decreased anxiety, rumination, and other mental health benefits. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125471/ Note: Review article on associations between nature exposure and health.
Nature relatedness and mental health Use for: Research support that stronger nature relatedness is associated with fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6069224/ Note: Helpful support for the episode’s claim that relationship with nature matters for mental health.
Connectedness to Nature Scale Use for: Research on emotional / experiential connection to the natural world. Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222621038_The_Connectedness_to_Nature_Scale_A_Measure_of_Individuals%27_Feeling_in_Community_with_Nature Note: Mayer and Frantz’s Connectedness to Nature Scale is a common measure in environmental psychology.
Andy Goldsworthy quote Use for: “We often forget that we are nature. Nature is not something separate from us…” Link: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/goldsworthy-andy/ Note: This is a cleaner source than Goodreads for the quote used in the episode.
Lisa Miller / Spirituality Mind Body Institute Use for: Lisa Miller’s work on spirituality, psychology, and the science of spiritual awareness. Link: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/faculty/lfm14/ Note: This confirms Lisa Miller as Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute.
Lisa Miller — The Awakened Brain Use for: Background on spirituality, resilience, and mental health. Link: https://www.lisamillerphd.com/ Note: Important: I would not use wording that says Lisa Miller “proved synchronicities are real” unless you have a specific source from her work that says that directly. Safer wording: “Lisa Miller’s work explores the science of spirituality and awakened awareness.”
Fractal patterns and stress reduction Use for: Nature’s fractal patterns and stress/mental fatigue reduction. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8416160/ Note: Supports the episode’s discussion of repeated natural patterns and nervous system regulation.
Disaster / climate-related mental health Use for: Mental health consequences of disasters, including trauma, anxiety, and depression. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11430943/ Note: Broad support for the c
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