Howdy-hey, and... hello! Here, together again, we’re at a gooood time to have a good time!

And nowadays, it's more important than ever to continue creating... it’s about literally putting the good we have to offer out into the world.

Fortunately, my guest Mary has some great ideas about how to bring that positive vision to life. She finds peace best by literally going back to her roots... in mother nature.

Her high touches on how the communal sharing of literal seeds helped plant ones of community, while her cause, the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA), focuses on conserving, restoring, and raising awareness for Arizona’s great outdoors. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

This episode's HIGH-lights:

• Mary's workplace, the Desert Botanical Garden, is in Phoenix, AZ. The 140-acre garden features over 50,000 desert plants and is considered a premier center for the conservation, study, and display of arid plants from around the world, specializing in Sonoran Desert flora.
• For her thesis, Mary researched how Dioecious species (male and female) trees respond to stress caused by climate change. In this video on Climate Lessons from Plants, Past to Future, Duke University biologists explore the effects of climate change on plants and how to develop ones that can handle drier, hotter habitats.
• For the greater good, Mary helps remove invasive Apple Snails and their eggs along the Salt River. The Arizona Game & Fish Department explains why these snails are problematic, and how you can help clear up the rivers!
• I met Mary during her time as the Chief Science Officers Program Coordinator for SciTech Institute. Learn more about SciTech's mission to make Science, Tech, Engineering, & Math (STEM) accessible throughout AZ and beyond here.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mary's Because It's Your Cause:

Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA) is a collaborative network of conservation groups, scientists, educators, land managers, and community organizations working to protect and restore open desert spaces across Central Arizona.

An ongoing initiative of the Desert Botanical Garden, CAZCA focuses on preserving Sonoran Desert habitats, expanding sustainable recreation access, and coordinating long-term regional conservation strategies for future generations.

*To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit the CAZCA website here.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Want to share a time when you experienced a second-hand high? Then don't be shy! Sharing is caring.

To have your story featured on the podcast, email secondhandhigh.ohmy@gmail.com. To show your support and keep the podcast moving onward and upward, you can leave a glowing review wherever you stream your podcasts. Also, please like, follow, and rate on social media!

Want to share a time when you experienced a second-hand high? Then don't be shy! Sharing is caring.

To have your story featured on the podcast, email secondhandhigh.ohmy@gmail.com. To show your support and keep the podcast moving onward and upward, you can leave a glowing review wherever you stream your podcasts. Also, please like, follow, and rate on social media!

Facebook

Instagram

Hey, howdy, and hello. It's been (checks watch) faaaaar too long since last we gathered together in the spirit of getting buzzed, baked, and blazed off the good will and good deeds of our fellow humans.

And are we ever in luck, because there are still plenty of good guys (and gals) still at large who deserve credit for their everyday heroics and community service. Perhaps no one exemplifies that better than my former colleague and ongoing friend, Kaci.

For her highs, she shares how human kindness can touch animals as well as people, as well as how the tender dedication of both her grandmothers' caregivers led to them becoming chosen family .

So, don't cry for me Argentina (especially if you don't get that reference), because this show is gonna have you saying, “Thank you... may I have another?”

This episode's HIGH-lights:

• YOU can be a biologist of sorts through the power of observation and the iNaturalist app. Every entry can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed.
• Kaci and I met as work colleagues at SciTech Institute. Learn more about SciTech's mission to make Science, Tech, Engineering, & Math (STEM) accessible to everyone is AZ and beyond here.
• Have you ever thought, "I'd love to own a pet tortoise like Kaci's roommate?" Well, mate, temper your curiosity with caution, and visit this forum to learn about some of the Tortoise Basics for Prospective or Beginning Tortoise Owners before diving off the deep end into reptile ownership.

Kaci's Because It's Your Cause:

Prisma Community Care commits to providing affordable, affirming, and inclusive health and wellness services at their clinic and in the community, especially to those who have faced discrimination in healthcare. They administer quality primary care, mental health care, testing, treatment, and education through a compassionate and holistic approach. Their team is comprised of people from all walks of life who are specially trained to care for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people of color, those affected by HIV, and the uninsured and underinsured.

To learn more about their services and how you can get involved, check them out here.

Want to share a time when you experienced a second-hand high? Then don't be shy! Sharing is caring.

To have your story featured on the podcast, email secondhandhigh.ohmy@gmail.com. To show your support and keep the podcast moving onward and upward, you can leave a glowing review wherever you stream your podcasts. Also, please like, follow, and rate on social media!

Facebook

Instagram

Hey, howdy, and hello... y'all know the drill!

Please welcome to the podcast, the founder of Anchored Project Solutions... India Miles! This Texas-based project manager focuses her high on a split second side-of-the-road act of kindness that touched her profoundly and reminded her of the importance of seeing the humanity in everyone. The organization she champions as part of her 'Because It's Your Cause' is one that gives young black girls the tools they need to unleash their confidence, build community, and enhance their tech skills.

So, go grab a glass, because you're about to get good and high-drated!

This episode's HIGH-lights:

• Just Tacos and more... you owe me for this one! Check out the Mexican food joint in Phoenix with the nonsensical name here. Get a free taco! (I swear, I'm not getting a dime from this).
• India and I met working together on the Changemakers in STEM Virtual Youth Congress project at SciTech Institute. Learn more about SciTech's mission to make STEM accessible to everyone is AZ and beyond here.
• Need someone to help you with your next big project? India has you covered! Find her at her new online home - Anchored Project Solutions

India's Because It's Your Cause:

Black Girls Code supports girls of color in tech through coding education and more. They partner with schools and organizations to offer a range of programs, both in-person and virtual, for ages 7-25.

To learn more about their awesome initiatives and to support Black Girls Code, visit their website here.

Share with Us!

Want to share a time when you experienced a second-hand high? Then don't be shy! Sharing is caring.

To have your story featured on the podcast, email secondhandhigh.ohmy@gmail.com. To show your support and keep the podcast moving onward and upward, you can leave a glowing review wherever you stream your podcasts. Also, please like, follow, and rate on social media!

Want to share a time when you experienced a second-hand high? Then don't be shy! Sharing is caring.

To have your story featured on the podcast, email secondhandhigh.ohmy@gmail.com. To show your support and keep the podcast moving onward and upward, you can leave a glowing review wherever you stream your podcasts. Also, please like, follow, and rate on social media!

Facebook

Instagram