This is your invitation for a pause with nature. Across the country, in contemplative green spaces known as Sacred Places, little waterproof yellow journals sit tucked under benches. For thirty years, people have been writing in them. Not because anyone asked them to, but because something happens when you sit quietly in nature, even for a minute.
BenchStories is a podlet that brings those journal entries to life, hosted by Salma Hasan Ali. Her voice is at the same time soothing and utterly immersive. Each episode is about three minutes: the entries, and some space to breathe. Learn more: www.naturesacred.org
A person leaving for the Peace Corps trusts these woods to hold the people they love. Another, six years clean, says this journal has been a friend when they had none. Every story left behind is an invitation to listen, and to share.
18 Sept 2026
What Children Already Know
Celia is nine, waiting for a CAT scan. Emily is five, and knows we should love each other even when we are different. Children find these journals and write exactly what they feel. And exactly what we need to hear.
18 Sept 2026
Tethered
A person sat down to pray for themselves. After reading what strangers had written in a little yellow journal, they left carrying someone else's needs instead. These entries remind us that we are never as alone as we think.
16 Jun 2026
What Emerges In Nature
One person described two worlds. At home: yelling, slamming doors. On a bench in nature: a breeze rustling, a fountain gurgling. Everything changes.
16 Jun 2026
What Surfaces
"I came to talk to the willows. They speak very slowly. No rush." This is what people write when they finally sit still.
16 Jun 2026
The Place That Saved My Life
Someone found this place accidentally the day they almost didn't survive it. Walking dogs through a cemetery, a headstone caught their attention—a gay veteran, proud. That moment, that place, saved their life.
This episode contains references to suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support, call or text 988 anytime to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
24 Mar 2026
Spring and Renewal
"Those trees, these turtles, they don't care about politics." What do people write when they finally sit still and look around — and leave behind for strangers? A few minutes with the natural world, through the eyes of fellow humans.
24 Mar 2026
Love
Someone proposed on a bench. Then they picked up a yellow journal and wrote it all down — for the next person to find. That's not the only love story in here. Three minutes. Press play and breathe.
24 Mar 2026
Encouragement
A stranger sat on a bench, picked up a journal, and wrote a message to someone they'd never meet. So did dozens of others. Three minutes of the quiet encouragement you didn't know you needed.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Host of Nature Sacred’s BenchStories?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
