Reviews
Rate ShowSo enlightening!
Just listened to the episode with Jane Kim and my heart is full. It was such a joy hear this conversation with these two intelligent, authentic, and caring women. Childcraft encyclopedias! A huge part of my childhood reading time too.
- LiMM89
- Sept. 8, 2023
- trounds
- Sept. 5, 2023
Attention nature lovers
I have only listened to the first few episodes so far, but I’m hooked! As a nature lover, and a born and raised Californian, this podcast speaks to my soul. There’s so much diversity here in California, from plants to animals to geology to ecosystems- there is enough material to fill decades of episodes!
- DanielNatureLover
- Aug. 30, 2023
Niche in the Best Way
Easiest five stars I could give a podcast! Well produced, interesting, local, and engaging. Just listened to the first salmon episode, and as a Sacramentan, it was so wonderful to learn more about our beautiful river and it’s residents.
- FlyByKite
- Aug. 25, 2023
Excellent for anyone curious about California’s ecology
This is a gem of a podcast. Michelle, the host is incredibly lively and engaging no matter what topic she has chosen to take on she will make you curious, and then provide enticing, answers to pressing questions about ecology after listening to these I feel so much more informed and ready to interpret what I see on the trail.
- Jessicarew
- July 24, 2023
Inspiring!
I happened upon this podcast in search of info on native gardening in California. I have since devoured every episode! Michelle is a wonderful speaker, and her excitement and interest in every topic shines through each episode. Everyone she speaks to is so so passionate and eager to share their knowledge, it’s hard not to be intrigued with every topic. I have since joined the local chapter of California Native Plant Society, foraged stinging nettle, and am in search of a nature-journaling group.
- Charly Blu
- July 13, 2023
Another Winner
Just finished the episode about northern California’s wetlands and the Delta country. Super informative and tremendously interesting. Again—thank you!
- Steven Shepard
- June 20, 2023
Interesting and engaging
Not even a tiny bit boring! My attention span can be short, conditioned by the comedy podcasts I mostly listen to. But this podcast lines up with my interest in California, in native plants & nature in general. Love it!
- tbaumbay
- May 31, 2023
Great work!
Naomi Fraga brought me here and I’m now binging episodes. Learning a TON! Michelle’s work on this podcast is hugely appreciated. Format, editing, production, audio quality, interviewees, relevant educational content — all top flight! A+++
- disco___very
- May 20, 2023
Been recommending this podcast to everyone!
I have been listening to this series as I drive over to volunteer at Elkhorn Slough off of Monterey Bay. Michelle’s research and interviews both inform and inspire, and I often find myself inserting tidbits I learn into my conversations with visitors, staff and other volunteers in the area. I can’t count the number of times I’ve said, “Oh, you’d like this most recent episode!” to someone who shares an interest in the wonders of California’s ecology in all its many forms.
I particularly appreciate how Michelle brings attention to both the micro and the macro, past and present, inner city and distant mountains. She speaks directly to the climate challenges while highlighting the positive steps people and organizations are doing to honor and protect our state’s creatures, lands and waterways. Listeners are bound to come away feeling ready to learn more and get involved.
- ctorg
- May 11, 2023
Consistently Excellent
I also went through UCANR’s California Naturalist certification program which was a life defining and trajectory setting experience for me. Michelle represents the best of that program, and most importantly, the best of what happens when people care enough about their world to learn about it, love it deeply, and share it with others. I have learned so much from this and am blown away by the caliber of these interviews. The science alone is fascinating, but it is always presented in a way that preserves the sense of awe and humility that is present in the very best nature writers. This blend of science and the experiential is in my view, the essence of what it is to be a naturalist. Golden State Naturalist is a love letter to California and is a powerful counter narrative to our state’s extensive legacy of environmental degradation and the horrific treatment of its indigenous peoples (who are still here and still carry traditional knowledge of the land).
- LorenM
- April 14, 2023
- wildflowerwatching
- April 14, 2023
Love it!
I have listened to different podcasts for several years, and I just discovered this one. I love it! She goes in depth and explains everything. I am learning so much! Keep it up!
- kisa1515
- March 26, 2023
One of my favorite podcasts!
Michelle does an excellent job and truly has a passion for the natural world, great interviews with awesome people, I really like her focus on native plants!
- yoshi El Patron
- March 18, 2023
Like a letter from home
I grew up in Sonoma county and have lived all over the world over the past 8 years, stuck in New England for the past 6. I’ve still never found the connection I have to California’s magical ecology despite my efforts to root wherever I find myself. I think that’s something that only comes from being a baby on Sonoma’s coast, in the redwoods and inland black oak forests. Despite my efforts I still havent been able to relocate back to Northern California (somehow I’ve found myself in just the right nook of academia that makes that hard!), and this podcast has been like curling up with the most nurturing blanket from home. It assuages my homesickness and brings me closer to that deep connection to California ecology in a way that nothing else has, and taught me about a million things I didn’t know before. Would give 10 stars if I could- this pod is a treasure.
- desparately seeking cali
- Feb. 16, 2023
Wonderful
Michelle’s podcasts are informative and charming. Anyone living in California should absolutely *not* sleep on this opportunity to learn more about this place we call home. For me though, even more than the details of the specific learning in each pod—which I am here for!—each episode expresses desire for intimacy with the natural word: the stars, the butterflies, the trees, the living earth we stand on. I share this desire and curiosity, and this podcast helps me feel connected to a part of our shared humanity that is often suppressed by the daily grind. I quit my Audible subscription so I could contribute to her Patreon. It’s that good!
- Paulini Kopitar
- Jan. 26, 2023
Virtual Field Trips—Who Knew?
I’m a big fan of Michelle’s program, The Golden State Naturalist, for several reasons. First, it’s well-produced but approachable—meaning, it’s easy to listen to because of Michelle’s delivery style, it’s well-structured, and it offers great opportunities to learn. Second, the variety of expertise she delivers to her listeners through her guests is breathtaking. Third, every time each episode begins, I get that giddy feeling I always had when I got to go on a school field trip to some exotic place where I knew I was going see or learn something very, very cool.
If you need another reason to listen, try this. I live in Vermont—about as far as one can get from California without leaving the continental US—and I look forward to every episode!
Well done, Michelle. I know how much work goes into publishing all those episodes—nice work and thanks!
- Steven Shepard
- Jan. 2, 2023
CA Naturalist is fun!
Super fun and entertaining! But above all, informative in the best way possible. A must listen for anyone interested in native plants, botany, or the environment.
- kellikatty
- Dec. 24, 2022
A wise and generous exploration of California natural history
I love learning new things about the natural world, and Michelle’s interviews deliver this in spades, but even more, I love being invited into another person’s learning process. The best thing about the structure of each podcast is the way Michelle takes you along with her on her investigation. She selects fascinating topics and dives into them with gusto, interviewing engaging guests and then adding the results of her own investigations. She is open-minded and always questioning her assumptions, doubling back to add new insights and new avenues of exploration.
Michelle is also deeply respectful and clearly puts a lot of thought and energy into the topics she chooses and the people whose voices are represented on the show.
I can’t wait for all of the new discussions ahead!
- robinleecarlson
- Dec. 22, 2022
My vote for the podcast of the year 2022!
The Golden State Naturalist wins my vote for podcast of the year, 2022. It is the podcast California needs and deserves. Michelle Fullner's compelling exploration of California's natural world is adventurous, invested, and respectful and her vibe is as unique as it is refreshing. In the 18 well-produced and entertaining episodes of the podcast's first year, the throughline of the story being told is indicative of a California-in-the-making that is hopeful, curious, and compassionate. With style and science, equitable representation, and a kind of joyous ease, the Golden State Naturalist is poised to only get bigger as the word spreads and I, for one, can't wait to tune in for what is next.
- Slim2812
- Dec. 8, 2022
Awesome podcast
Michelle has very well researched, clearly explained, and entertaining interviews with various scientists, educators, and enthusiasts who are experts in the natural sciences and resources of our beautiful state! My only gripe is that she didn’t start it 2 years ago so I could find it last week and binge it for the next 6 months. 🤣🤣it’s basically everything I wanted in a podcast about California. And Michelle does such a great job with it. I’m in the truck like 4 hours a day so I listen to a lot of podcasts, and there’s a lot that are great for information, and a lot that are entertaining, and a lot that are easy to follow, but she hits that sweet spot for all of it! Go check it out, give her a listen, maybe you’ll learn something! I know I am.
- Badger the Hobo
- Nov. 24, 2022
- a den b
- Nov. 18, 2022
A look into how we connect with CA Nature!
Simply wonderful, each episode dives into interesting topics on what makes California unique, what the cool interviewee is doing to promote them, and how we all can learn to connect to our homes by understanding them more!
- DylanWinkler
- Nov. 7, 2022
Glad I Found You
Can’t say enough to encourage others with an interest in the natural history of CA to listen. The interviews, the editorial asides, the show notes, the subjects, Michelle’s optimistic tone all contribute to what make this show both a real pleasure and a source of excellent information. Please keep it going!
- Janet2552
- Nov. 6, 2022