Guest: Andrew Hipp, senior scientist at The Morton Arboretum

In this episode of “Planted,” we talk about how sometimes our first career aspirations are wildly different from the paths we ultimately choose to pursue. Andrew Hipp’s surprising and twisting path into the scientific field of plant systematics is just that, interesting at every turn. Listen to Andrew discuss his early aspirations, from astronaut to creative writer, ultimately leading to his current work as a scientist. Andrew describes how he harnesses his skills as a writer to paint a picture that weaves the genetic data of oak species from around the world to create a tree of life for oak trees that spans thousands of years. Listen now!

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Guest: Frank Balestri, plant health care technician and research assistant at The Morton Arboretum (at time of recording) and horticulture instructor at College of Dupage (current)

Join us on this episode of “Planted” to learn how early experiences in the natural world can ignite a passion for working with plants later in life. Inspired by his experiences with collecting and raising butterflies as a youth, Frank Balesteri shares how some of his early experiences, inspired him to consider a path into horticulture. Listen now!

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Guest: Ashley Tuffin, research assistant at The Morton Arboretum

Internships can take you all over the world and provide valuable insight into the career of your dreams. In this episode, Ashley Tuffin describes how internships guided by your interest can shape decisions and directions within your STEM/plant career trajectory. Listen now!

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Guest: Aurélie Jacquet, postdoctoral researcher/scientist at the Janelia Research Center at Howard Hughes Medical Center.

Interests guide your path, but what if you have more than one passion? In this episode of “Planted,” Aurélie Jacquet, an ethnopharmacologist who studies the uses of medicinal plant extracts to treat Parkinson’s disease, talks about how she incorporates her passion for photography within her research. She will share how she uses microscopy to capture images of healthy or sick nerve cells. Listen now!

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Guests: Dr. Murphy Westwood, director of global tree conservation (at time of recording) at The Morton Arboretum, and Trinity Pierce, natural areas restoration program coordinator at The Morton Arboretum

Sometimes, does it really come down to trusting your gut? Setting a course within your STEM/plant career can be difficult when you are presented with multiple opportunities, internships, or programs to choose between. In this episode of “Planted,” Dr. Murphy Westwood and Trinity Pierce share their insight on how they chose the opportunities in their path into STEM, and the skills they built along the way. Listen now!

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Guest: Dr. Chelsie Romulo, assistant professor at the University of Northern Colorado

Mentors, colleagues, and advisors do more than give insight on the journey, they can help shape the path. Follow us on this episode of “Planted” as Dr. Chelsea Romulo winds us through her current research into the far corners of the Amazon and discusses mentors and advisors that helped her carve her journey to these remote pockets of the world. Listen now!

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Guests: Tricia Bethke, forest pest outreach coordinator for Illinois at The Morton Arboretum, and Dr. Jennifer Chandler, assistant professor at The University of Pennsylvania

So, you’ve done all the work and gained all the necessary skills, but how do you know you’ve arrived at your dream job in STEM and plant science? In this episode of “Planted,” Tricia Bethke and Dr. Jenn Chandler share tips and advice for reaching the sweet spot in their careers and taking risks to end up exactly with the career they wanted. Listen now!

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Guest: Audrey Denvir, former tree conservation project coordinator at The Morton Arboretum

What opportunity is next on the horizon? Listen to this episode of “Planted” as Audrey Denvir describes her decision-making process to take the next step in her career. Although her career has taken many forms, from wanting to be a pop star to working in Mexico and Latin America with an emphasis on sustainable forestry, Audrey shares her unique perspective on what’s next. Listen now!

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Guests: Jessica Turner-Skoff, tree-ologist (science communication specialist), and Meghan Wiesbrock, manager of curriculum and instruction.

Before you start the winding path into plant-related careers, get to know the hosts in this bonus episode. Unravel their early interest and passion for STEM, and learn how a plant profession could be a perfect job for you.  Listen now!

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Guest: Dr. Silvia Alvarez-Clare, tree conservation ecologist at The Morton Arboretum

In this episode of “Planted,” Dr. Silvia Alvarez-Clare discusses how she collaborates with individuals and institutions all over the world to work to save the brandegee oak (Quercus brandegeei) from extinction. Listen now!

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Guest: Dr. Chris Martine, David Burpee professor of plant genetics and research at Bucknell University

Dr. Chris Martine discusses how he incorporates innovation into his career. From discovering and naming plants, to communicating about plants in creative ways, Chris finds ways to push the boundaries of what we know and how we think about plants. Listen now!

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Guest: Marvin Lo, research assistant at The Morton Arboretum

Marvin Lo discusses how the early stages of his career have required versatility. As a research assistant, Marvin demonstrates versatility as he works with lots of different people, and spends time in the field, lab, and office. Listen now!

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Guests: Nicole Cavender, former vice president of science and conservation at The Morton Arboretum, and Sue Wagner, former vice president of education and information at The Morton Arboretum

Nicole Cavender and Sue Wagner describe how their careers in STEM require long-term planning and vision. Learn how each of these leaders assesses opportunities and situations and uses vision to develop this tree-focused museum. Listen now!

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Guest: Matt Candeias, PhD candidate at the University of Illinois

Matt Candeias describes his career and the importance of communication. Through his own research, studies, and the creation of the extremely successful podcast “In Defense of Plants,” Matt uses communication to address complex topics in an accessible way. Listen now!

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Guest: Kevin McIntyre, climber arborist at The Morton Arboretum

Kevin McIntyre dives into the importance of risk assessment in a STEM career. From evaluating the safety of the trees he is about to climb to thoughtfully selecting the next step in his career, Kevin assesses situations every day. Listen now!

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Guest: Anna Ball, president and CEO of Ball Horticultural Company

Anna Ball discusses how leadership, business, and STEM can combine to make an exciting and vibrant career. Anna leads diverse teams to ensure that Ball Horticultural Company makes the world a more beautiful place by developing and selling disease and fungal-resistant plants. Listen now!

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Guest: Julie Travaglini, education program director at the Allegheny Land Trust

Julie Travaglini talks about how she found a career that balances her passion for education and the outdoors. From inspiring kids to certifying her backyard as a wildlife habitat, Julie connects nature and plants with people on a daily basis. She highlights how technologies, such as iNaturalist, can help connect students to the natural world. Listen now!

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Guest: Matt Lobdell, curator of living collections at The Morton Arboretum

Matt Lobdell highlights his interesting career path from anthropology to curating one of the largest collections of trees in North America. His sense of adventure serves him well as he travels to remote locations around the world to find rare or endangered trees for this outdoor living tree museum. Listen now!

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Guest: Jazmin Albarran, executive director of Seed Your Future

In this first episode of season three, Jazmin Albarran discusses diverse and unique industries with career opportunities in horticulture and plant science. Jazmin is the executive director of Seed Your Future, a nationwide movement to promote horticulture and inspire people to consider a career with plants.

Listen here.

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Guest: Colette Copic, former outreach assistant and current community coordinator with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative at The Morton Arboretum

Colette Copic discusses how communities can get more in touch with the trees in their area by using the Curio.xzy app. It is important for community members to feel connected to the trees around us so that we can appreciate all the benefits they provide.

Listen here.

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This episode was made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Guest: Tanisha M. Williams, PhD, postdoc at Bucknell University

Dr. Tanisha Williams discusses the ins and outs of a career in academia, the importance of representation, and how plants can connect us to people and places.

In addition to her research, Tanisha is one of the recognized founders of Black Botanist Week, and a contributing author to a “Plant Love Story” about her grandmother and the African Violet.

Listen here.

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Guest: Susan L.B. Jacobson, head of planning and site design at The Morton Arboretum

Susan Jacobson talks about all things landscape architecture including the installation of The Arboretum’s newest project the Centennial Grand Garden. In this podcast, listeners can learn more about landscape architecture.

Listen here.

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Guest: Jeremy Poirier, fiber supply certification and sustainability manager, International Paper

Jeremy Poirier does a deep dive into the importance of sustainable forestry for wildlife and livelihoods.

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Guest: Ronda Hamm, global academic relations at Corteva Agriscience

Ronda Hamm, If/Then Women in STEM ambassador, discusses the real-world science that she has used throughout her career and how she makes decisions about her profession.

Listen here.

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Guest: Kathleen Kennedy, senior policy analyst, Maryland General Assembly

Kathleen Kennedy describes the difference between policy and law, the importance of math, and how she pursued her Law and Policy degrees. She also highlights the value that local government provides in protecting the environment. During Kathleen’s episode, she talks about how she enjoys propagating begonia plants in her spare time.

Listen here.

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Guest: Bennett Young, PhD, managing editor at Plants People Planet

From draft to print, Bennett Young discusses the scientific and intricate world of publication.

Listen here.

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Guest: Kim Shearer, tree and shrub breeder at The Morton Arboretum

As a plant breeder, Kim Shearer bridges the worlds of nurseries, nonprofits, and academia as she works to bring Chicago-hardy, beautiful woody plants to market. Listeners will explore the importance of genetics and selective breeding in the horticulture industry.

Listen here.

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