Are you feeling stressed, scattered, or mentally drained? Science suggests a surprisingly simple way to feel better: spending time in nature.

In this episode of Nature Breaking, we explore the growing body of psychological research showing how time spent outdoors improves focus, mood, and overall mental health. Host Seth Larson is joined by Dr. Dennis Stolle, Executive Lead Psychologist for Applied Psychology at the American Psychological Association (APA), to break down what's actually happening in our brains when we step into outside—and why even small doses of nature can make a real difference. It's an important reminder that when we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.

This episode was produced as part of a collaboration between WWF and APA in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Links for More Info:

Dr. Dennis Stolle bio

American Psychological Association

WWF – Mental Health & Nature page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:33 Intro

2:07 History of research into nature and mental health

5:09 What happens in our brains when we're outside?

9:21 How time in nature improves happiness

13:19 How too much time indoors or on screens hurts our mental health

16:43 Tips for boosting mental health through nature

20:41 We need nature, and nature needs us

23:08 Outro

When you think of endangered species, chances are the giant panda comes to mind. With their black‑and‑white coats, bamboo obsession, and internet‑famous antics, pandas are among the most beloved animals on Earth—and they're also one of conservation's most hopeful success stories.

In this episode of Nature Breaking, we're diving into the surprisingly weird and wonderful world of giant pandas with Colby Loucks, Vice President and Deputy Lead of WWF's Wildlife Program. Together, we unpack what makes pandas so unique—from their "fake thumb" and bamboo‑only diet to their solitary lifestyles and playful personalities.

But this isn't just about adorable panda videos. We also talk about how decades of conservation work helped giant pandas rebound from the brink of extinction, why they were reclassified from endangered to vulnerable, and what their recovery teaches us about protecting other species. Along the way, Colby shares firsthand stories from the field—including what it's really like trying (and failing) to spot a panda in the wild.

Links for More Info:

Colby Loucks bio

WWF Giant Panda page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:24 Intro

2:00 Giant Pandas 101

4:56 Why do pandas play?

7:56 How giant pandas became a conservation success story

12:28 Colby's story about tracking a panda in the wild

15:37 Outro

*Bonus Episode*

What does it really mean to invest in nature—and why does it matter?

In this special crossover episode of Nature Breaking and The Pew Charitable Trusts' After The Fact podcast, WWF's Seth Larson and Pew's Giuliana Pence explore the growing field of nature finance. Joined by experts from both organizations, they tackle a big question: how much does it cost to protect nature, and where does that money come from? You'll hear from Matthew Cranford of WWF and Shubash Lohani of Pew as they explain why the world needs roughly $1.2 trillion per year by 2030 to halt biodiversity loss—and why current funding falls short. They also break down innovative financing tools like Project Finance for Permanence, debt‑for‑nature swaps, and market-based models that are helping fund and secure long‑term protection for forests, oceans, and wildlife.

From supporting Indigenous‑led conservation to restoring degraded landscapes, this episode shows why conservation isn't just a cost—it's an investment in healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and a stable global economy that can also yield financial returns, in addition to nature benefits. If you've ever wondered how conservation actually gets funded, this episode offers a clear, accessible look at what happens when nature gets the investment it deserves.

Links for More Info:

Matthew Cranford bio

Shubash Lohani bio

Pew's After The Fact podcast

WWF's Nature Finance & Investment strategy

Enduring Earth

Chapters:

0:00 Intro – Welcome to a special crossover episode with Pew & WWF

1:29 Today's topic: nature finance

3:46 How much does it cost to save nature?

6:28 What does that money pay for?

12:17 What is "nature finance" and how does it work?

16:33 WWF's Nature Finance & Investment strategy

22:07 Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) & the Enduring Earth coalition

26:07 PFP results for nature and people

29:34 Connecting funders with high-quality projects

32:18 Quick Pitch: Why should funders invest in nature?

35:10 Matthew and Shubash reflect on each other's work

37:09 Seth and Giuliana's final thoughts