S2 E7: Let’s Take an Awe Walk

Location: Yosemite National Forest, California, USA

Record date: 3/25/26

Release date: 4/1/26

 

Hosts: Amber Martin and Natasha Morisawa

Edited: https://www.studiosymbiotic.com/

 

THANK YOU TO PINE TREE MARKET:

 

Ponder While We Wander is so grateful for our first community sponsorship! A big shout out to Pine Tree Market run by Michael and Katie Henderson, and their lodging support for us during our stay in Yosemite National Park. We are so grateful not only for their support but their excitement in helping us share all things EcoPsychology to a wider audience. If you ever find yourself in Wawona, CA make sure to swing by Pine Tree Market, your corner market while you’re in Wawona, and say hi for us! Sam the cat would love some pets as well, he’s always at the ready to greet his human friends. 

 

Inspired by the book “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life”, by Dacher Keltner, Amber and Natasha discuss “Awe Walks.” Wander with them through Yosemite National Park as they share Dacher’s definition of awe, explore how awe may show up somatically,and revisit memories that conjure up awe. 

 

They also discuss different types of awe and the positive impacts engaging with awe has for our health and wellness as well as implications for connection and encouraging new ideas. 

Dachner’s “5 Point Process” is introduced as an accessible way to begin intentionally inviting more awe into your every day. 

 

The snowy field alongside huge, granite rock formations with many winged friends to hear in the background, provide a beautiful location to dive deeper into this awe-some topic. 

 

Additional areas related to awe covered in this episode include:

• Benefits of inviting awe including immune system support
• Moral Beauty (moved by others actions)
• How time in nature inspires awe
• Music and awe
• Visual Design (Human & Nature)
• Spiritual/Mystical/Numinous aspects of Awe 
• Epiphanies about big life questions
• Awe in the Death and Dying Process
• Shared Awe or Collective Effervescence 
• Awe and Wonder
• Happiness and Well-being 
• Greater Good Science Center

 

Explore more about Ponder While We Wander

A soothing podcast for trying times.

 

https://ponderwhilewewander.com/

https://ponderwhilewewander.substack.com/

https://ponderwhilewewander.com/wander-well/

https://www.instagram.com/ponder_while_we_wander/#

 

Episode Resources Links:

https://californiavalleymiwok.us/

https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/historyculture/yosemite-indians.htm

https://www.npca.org/articles/7475-reclaiming-wahhoga

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/tribal-land-yosemite/

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62352297-awe