This show was created to talk about my observations about the world as I navigate it for the first time, with emphasis on topics that a silly, thoughtful, open-minded and overwhelmed twenty-something (such as myself) might be thinking about today, and what to make of it all. I'm talking about the environment, philosophy, music, things on my mind, the purpose of life, the impacts of social media, the human experience... It gets deep, weird, & goofy!
I read through a list of things that have made me smile recently in order to share the joy and remind you that humans can be sweet and adorable sometimes, too. Also, happiness is more of a choice than I think we realize.
29 Aug 2026
#16 - Climate Change & Public Health (with Dr. Brittany Keyes)
If you care about your health, you need to care about climate change. Not sure how or why? Listen to this episode to find out.
This episode features a conversation with a public health and climate action activist, a physical therapist, a mom , and a clean air policy manager. Her name is Dr. Brittany Keyes, DPT. I ask questions about how climate change and human health are related concerns and how specifically human health has been impacted from recent climate events. We also talk about one way we can inspire change... by talking to elected officials! Dr. Keyes gives some tips to make that seem a little less scary.
Brittany's song recommendations:
"Caroline" by Carsie Blanton (https://youtu.be/wf9yGaI-Qxk?si=2pH3UswPBC-jGgZU)
"Be Good" by Carsie Blanton (https://youtu.be/DAFmxnJA_OQ?si=I9xBlLsJBiLrWCHV)
"Little Flame" by Carsie Blanton (https://youtu.be/BH38VSfZbnU?si=1y0yKq33fZvgdXAh)
Jamie's song recommendations:
"Alfie" by Burt Bacharach (https://youtu.be/_907Odc57-A?si=CCBRz92YNeE988N6)
"Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" sung by BJ Thomas, written by Burt Bacharach (https://youtu.be/sySlY1XKlhM?si=D05lUEjaQIY4SvvQ)
More resources:
FIND A JOYFUL WAY OF HELPING THE PLANET BY CLICKING HERE (https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/climatevenn)
12 Jul 2026
#15 - Pictures or it didn't happen
Have you ever felt like you needed to prove that you did something cool by posting about it online? Have you ever wanted to just appreciate a moment for yourself and not feel the need to validate that you are a cool person doing cool things? THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU!
How has social media influenced photography, videography, and film? or how we experience life and how we travel?
These are all questions I discuss in this episode.
Pre-save Mattea Joy's new song here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/matteajoy/when-you-move-to-chicago-2 (https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/matteajoy/when-you-move-to-chicago-2)
Listen to Braden Andersen's amazing 2026 album Dendritica: https://open.spotify.com/album/1w6OXZcnijYaJH2LGiCmkL?si=9gaia5EnS6muvOmkaeqvew (https://open.spotify.com/album/1w6OXZcnijYaJH2LGiCmkL?si=9gaia5EnS6muvOmkaeqvew)
12 Jun 2026
#14 - Recent Reflections & Inspirations
I read through a jumbled, all-over-the-place list of the life lessons I've learned recently and topics I've been pondering, as well as the simpler things I've been really enjoying, like dried fruit and Parks & Rec.
Also covered: intuition vs anxiety, needing a night time routine, socializing, going for a run, social energy, Parks & Rec vs The Office, environmental activist Julia "Butterfly" Hill and tree-sits, speaking Spanish in Costa Rica, the joys of my trip there, working with kids, travel photo & video concerns, and my desire to make positive change!
18 Feb 2026
#13 - My mom talks to me about winter wildlife
How does migration work? Which animals stay active in the winter and which ones hibernate? How can we help contribute to wildlife conservation? Listen in for a chat with my mom, Erin, who works as an environmental educator as she fascinates us with facts and information about wildlife native to the wonderful midwest.
4 Feb 2026
#12 - Change is scary! AAAHH!!
I had an episode recently. Decided to make it into an actual episode. Have you ever had a bought of indecision? Had to choose between job offers? Had to face change? Thought that if only you could learn to manage stress better, maybe stress would go away entirely? Me too. In this episode, I tell you about what I've been learning recently from a moment of indecision regarding a job change.
21 Jan 2026
#11 - My mom talks to me about environmental education
Today I introduce you to my mom, who works as a Park Naturalist. She tells us about what the position is like, its challenges and rewards, what she has learned from it, and what she'd like you to know about the position and her journey. And because I love to ask about the deeper questions, we talk about the larger implications of this kind of work and the importance of positive experiences with nature.
8 Jan 2026
#10 - Digital Minimalism
So... I guess now being offline and unplugged is trendy. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT! Let's talk about where this is coming from and why it's more than a trend... it's a lifestyle! It's a philosophy! How can we practice it?
This episode is loosely inspired by ideas covered in the book I'm currently reading... Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport, (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40672036-digital-minimalism) which provides details on this philosophy and approach to technology. I highly recommend reading this book! You can listen to the audiobook in less than one full work day!
10 Dec 2025
#9 - My 2025 Spotify Wrapped
Spotify Wrapped 2025 came out on Dec 3! Listen in to hear my stats and stories behind my top songs & artists.
4 Dec 2025
#8 - "I don't know what to do with my life"
We're talking about indecision today! Maybe you're like me and recently graduated college and still don't know what you want to do with your life. Maybe you're 53 and are wanting to change careers. It is very normal to not know what to do. The good and terrifying news is... it is completely up to you! This episode aims to bring you comfort in knowing you're not alone, as well as to provide you some advice and things to think about that might easy some of the pressure. Spoiler alert: let your moral compass guide you. What are your values? What are you curious about pursuing right now?
We are all just explorers in the woods of life 🌲🌊
THE VALUES ASSESSMENT I HAVE USED:
Values Clarification Exercise (Google Doc) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MZdirdGBdE9V5VaXLohOkoidcS39r40eYk9R62--5fY/edit?usp=sharing)
20 Nov 2025
#7 - The Impact of Music (with my high school choir teacher)
In this episode, you'll hear a healthy conversation between me and one of my high school choir teachers, Matt. We talk about what his job is like, his musical influences, and the way he encourages curiosity in students/choir members. He lets us in on a secret... choir is really about community!
My favorite part of high school was easily my time in band & choir. To this day, music has an incredibly emotional impact on me, and I feel part of that is due to how I was taught to think about music... thanks to Matt. So I thought it would be interesting to hear about his experiences and how he has come to approach teaching music.
Pieces & Artists We Mentioned:
John Williams!
Poem by Robert Frost: Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Sleep - Eric Whitacre (https://youtu.be/Yw5gupbe9E0?si=kBweZKZ3dsg3y3Ft)
Four Spirits concerto - Abel Selaocoe (https://youtu.be/-k0p_9nYkdc?si=jUWkWssASHupY8UU)
Tshole Tshole - Abel Selaocoe (https://youtu.be/bsA5-ZHoMgs?si=aAWXdsLbGRnemLcW)
Jacob Collier
Jump - Van Halen (https://youtu.be/ggJI9dKBk48?si=16Q7gzH1qu22zF9x)
1812 Overture - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (https://youtu.be/QUpuAvQQrC0?si=QIo7yHZav-CBf1O5)
George Gershwin!
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
Toto
John Mayer
The Carpenters
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
Chanticleer
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Candlelight Concert
A Jubilant Song - Norman Dello-Joio (https://youtu.be/46n7uYimc4A?si=_d9WVxZyCAZrUJ4F)
The Road Home - Stephen Paulus, Craig Hella Johnson (https://youtu.be/7_qf41-e5JA?si=eTsasVMDoehcH8uM)
4 Nov 2025
#6 - Sustainability & Climate Change (with Nina)
I chat with my coworker Nina about all things sustainability, including attempting to define it, how it relates to climate change, and the critique it offers of our current framework for society, the environment, and the economy. The purpose of this episode is mainly to help a general audience understand these terms (sustainability & climate change) on a deeper level, to generate some perspective on and exposure to these complex concepts!
1 Oct 2025
#5 - Ways to Be Whimsical
In this shorter episode, I list some very serious ideas for things you could do to bring some forgotten, child-like joy and silliness into your life. Life can be tough. It's best to learn to embrace the complexities and to not take it so seriously that you forget how to have some old-fashioned, wholesome fun. Might do another episode like this later!
17 Sept 2025
#4 - Social Media & Phone Use
Does anyone else feel like they've been on their phone too much? In this episode, I discuss my journey with phone usage and social media, and the things I've been doing lately to encourage me to use my phone less.
3 Sept 2025
#3 - Glacier National Park (with Isaac)
I am joined by my boyfriend Isaac to talk about our trip to Glacier National Park that we went on together in August 2025. A bit of a longer episode, but we also include some tips for going to & exploring the park. Listen for the hikes we did, our wildlife sightings, the people we met, and the lessons we learned!
20 Aug 2025
#2 - Stuff & Things (Overconsumption & How to Beat It)
In this episode, I discuss the impact of our shopping habits, the power we have as consumers, sustainability, and provide some questions for you to think about that encourage more mindful shopping. Conscious consumerism is good for your wallet and your planet!
Sorry if I got a little preachy in this one! This is a topic I am extremely passionate about, so this is probably not the last time you'll hear about it!
RESOURCES I MENTIONED:
"The Commodification of Fall" episode from Tiffany Ferguson
Depop, Poshmark & ThredUp (resale apps for online thrift shopping)
Commons (the best app for sustainability)
Ethique (for sustainable personal care)
Bite (for sustainable toothpaste)
Wild (refillable deodorant)
Mintly (compostable toothbrush)
17 Jul 2025
#1 - 11 Life Lessons from College
Welcome to Field Notes by Jamie! Today I go through 11 life lessons I learned from my time in college that I wrote in my journal after I graduated. I talk about values, societal pressure, family, staying true to your inner child, being curious, and more!
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