Plant systematics and Latin plant names intimidate a lot of people. But they shouldn’t.

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Comley, a herbaceous plants instructor, to break down why scientific plant names actually matter and how they help everyday people understand plants, landscapes, and ecosystems more clearly.

We talk about why Latin names are descriptive tools rather than academic jargon, how genus and species relationships help you learn plants faster, and how dichotomous keys really work without turning plant identification into a memorization exercise.

We also discuss ways to make plant study fun for kids and adults, how learning through games improves retention, and why plants are some of the best indicators of what’s happening on the land around you.

This conversation is about slowing down, observing more closely, and building practical knowledge that carries over into tracking, navigation, and wilderness skills.

The best classroom has no walls.
Join us to build real-world skills with us at Nature Reliance School.
Link in the show notes.

The NRS Online Membership is THE best way to get the most up to date content for our followers: https://bit.ly/NRSONLINE

Water Bottle Blowout. Use code PODCAST to get 25% off.

The NRS Online Membership is THE best way to get the most up to date content for our followers: https://bit.ly/NRSONLINE

Thanks for listening! Follow us at Nature Reliance School.

In this episode, Craig Caudill sits down with Dr. Scott Hardin for a thoughtful conversation on what it really means to live well, not just live longer.

• You can find Dr. Hardin at his website
• You can find some insight into the 20-5-3 concept, here
• Check out the protocol from Prolon Life that Dr. Hardin discussed here. You can use code SCOTTHARDIN50 for a fantastic discount.

Rather than focusing on lifespan alone, this discussion centers on extending health span, the ability to stay strong, capable, and mentally sharp as we age. Dr. Hardin breaks down the core principles of lifestyle medicine and explains how modern convenience, ultra processed foods, and sedentary habits quietly erode long term health.

Craig and Dr. Hardin also share a mutual appreciation for judo and discuss how purposeful movement practices build strength, balance, coordination, and resilience across a lifetime. Judo serves as a powerful example of movement as medicine and highlights why functional, skill based movement often outperforms machines and isolated exercises.

The conversation expands into the importance of embracing healthy discomfort, inspired by ideas similar to those found in The Comfort Crisis. Dr. Hardin explains why discomfort is not something to avoid, but something the human body needs in measured doses to remain adaptable and resilient.

Additional topics include:

• The pillars of lifestyle medicine and where most people fall short
• Movement as medicine and why hiking, rucking, and outdoor activity matter
• Shinrin yoku or forest bathing and the science behind nature based health
• Ultra processed foods and why dietary fiber is the most common nutritional deficiency
• Hydration, minerals, and electrolytes and why water alone is not always enough
• Blue Zones and what long lived cultures consistently get right

This is a practical, grounded conversation focused on real world application. No extreme protocols. No hype. Just sound principles that support long term health and capability.

If you care about aging well, staying physically capable, and building a body that supports an active, meaningful life, this episode is for you.

The NRS Online Membership is THE best way to get the most up to date content for our followers: https://bit.ly/NRSONLINE

Water Bottle Blowout. Use code PODCAST to get 25% off.

The NRS Online Membership is THE best way to get the most up to date content for our followers: https://bit.ly/NRSONLINE

Thanks for listening! Follow us at Nature Reliance School.

How to sharpen your skills, shift your mindset, and thrive in wild places.

Craig Caudill sits down with survival expert Kevin Estela to unpack his new book Beyond the Field, a deep dive into wilderness living, hunter’s mindset, and leadership in the outdoors. If you're ready to do more than survive, and truly thrive in the wild, this one’s for you.

• Kevin Estela's Website, Click HERE
• Kevin's new book, Beyond the Field, Click HERE

The NRS Online Membership is THE best way to get the most up to date content for our followers: https://bit.ly/NRSONLINE

The NRS Online Membership is THE best way to get the most up to date content for our followers: https://bit.ly/NRSONLINE

Thanks for listening! Follow us at Nature Reliance School.