Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Life Examined

    Life Examined

    What trees teach us about community and collaboration

    Trees and forests have long been a source of inspiration for art and poetry.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    • Share
    By Jonathan Bastian • May 29, 2021 • 51m Listen

    Trees and forests have long been a source of inspiration for art and poetry. The modern environmental movement says forests and trees are on the front lines of fighting climate change by absorbing CO2 and cooling the planet with their leafy canopies. But trees may be far more evolved than their passive exteriors would lead us to believe.

    We explore the healing power of trees and why a good forest bath might be the best way to de-stress your life.

    German forester and author Peter Wohlleben explains how trees have a sophisticated method of communication and collaboration, and even have memories. We also hear from naturalist and forest therapy guide Ana Ka’ahanui, who describes how slowing down and being still among the trees might be far more beneficial than taking a rigorous hike.

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:00

      Do trees have a social network?

      Peter Wohlleben is a renowned German forester and author of “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate.” He says that because trees cannot move, they use their roots to communicate, make decisions, and even store memories.

      Read the story
      37 min
    2. 36:58

      How trees can help lower blood pressure and ease depression

      A brisk walk in nature is known to be beneficial for our health.

      Read the story
      15 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Jonathan Bastian

      Host, Life Examined

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andrea Brody

      Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

      CultureEnvironmentMental HealthHealth & WellnessPhilosophy

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:0037 min

      Do trees have a social network?

    2. 36:5815 min

      How trees can help lower blood pressure and ease depression

    Back to Life Examined