I recently had the pleasure of joining Daniel Gale, Jr. on his podcast, Simply Complex. The show is dedicated to teens and young adults who are navigating the complexities of the modern world—and it was such an honor to share a bit of my journey, as well as the mission of OneNature, with an audience eager to make sense of it all.
The conversation was an incredible opportunity to reflect on why OneNature exists and what drives our work. Daniel’s approach to the podcast—one rooted in pragmatic, introspective thinking—resonates deeply with me. I believe that real change, whether in our personal lives or for the world, comes from stepping back and taking a broader perspective—a concept that is central to both my personal journey and our work at OneNature.
The OneNature Vision: Connecting Wellbeing with Conservation
During the episode, we talked about the work we do at OneNature. Our mission is to promote human wellbeing through innovative conservation and development projects, creating an environment where people and nature thrive together. We believe that true conservation is about more than just protecting natural resources—it’s about helping the communities that live alongside nature to flourish too. When we think about conservation, we often forget that it’s not just an environmental goal; it’s a human one.
Our Wild Happiness projects are a great example of this. By integrating wellbeing metrics into conservation practices, we aim to prove that conservation success is not only about species numbers but about the quality of life for the communities that coexist with nature. Daniel and I discussed how this model can be transformative for communities—and how our work helps bridge the gap between personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of our planet.
The Power of Collective Impact
One of the things we dove into was my journey leading up to OneNature. From my early days working with organizations like the Peace Corps, USAID, and WWF, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when we make connections—not only between people but also between cultures, ecosystems, and species. It’s this sense of interconnectedness that shaped my vision for OneNature.
Simply Complex is a podcast that offers perspectives rooted in sanity and practical understanding—something that can often feel hard to come by in today’s world. Daniel’s thoughtful questions helped us dig deeper into how we can make conservation accessible to everyone, particularly younger generations who are grappling with real anxieties about the future of our planet.
A Shared Vision for a Better Future
One of the most rewarding parts of this conversation was hearing how aligned Daniel’s audience is with the values that drive OneNature. Young people today are looking for authentic ways to make a difference—not through grand gestures or impossible ideals, but through practical, mindful actions that help build a world that is just a little better than it was before.
I hope this episode inspires listeners to reflect on the power they have to make an impact. Whether it’s by learning more about the natural world, advocating for community wellbeing, or simply taking time to connect with their environment, every action counts. We all have a role to play in shaping a future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously—and I am endlessly grateful for opportunities like this to share, listen, and learn from those who want to make that vision a reality.
If you’d like to listen to the episode and join our conversation on wellbeing, nature, and how we can make small but meaningful changes, check out the episode here: Simply Complex with Daniel Gale, Jnr.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us at OneNature. Together, we can create a world where wellbeing is at the heart of conservation.