Best Rick & Veronica Podcasts (2026)

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Ep 57: An anthology of hope 1:01:15

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9d ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Creation is groaning with ever increasing distress. Those at the frontlines of the fight to reverse the frightening trends need strategies for staying strong. Each episode of Field Notes concludes with our guest sharing practices they have adopted in pursuit of a life lived hopefully and in a departure from our usual format, Rick and Jo revisit som…

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Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth with B+V 1:00:52

22d ago1:00:52

1:00:52

In this episode B+V chat about Arch-Conspirator by: Veronica Roth. Arch-Conspirator is a dystopian retelling of Antigone by: Sophocles. Spoilers! We loved it! Follow us on instagram for episode announcements and maybe someday other content @heyreadthispod Our theme music was composed by James Allen, for more of their work go to Jamesallencomposer.c…

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Ep 56: Thomas Chhoa – Plastic pollution to possibility 54:50

2M ago54:50

54:50

Plastic has a rather dirty reputation these days. There are few places on land or underwater where you won’t find discarded plastic waste causing harm and havoc. Thomas Chhoa has spent his life in the petro-chemical industry creating plastic, and he still believes this is a wonder-material and overall a force for good in the world. Now a Senior Adv…

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Making History by K.J. Parker with B+V 52:33

2M ago52:33

52:33

In this episode we chat about Making History by K.J. Parker. This book is a quick read about how history gets built (quite literally in this case) and how the truth comes to be the truth. Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think of the book if you read it (you should read it) on instagram @heyreadthispod Our music was composed by James Alle…

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Ep 55: Peter Harris – Why does nature matter? 40:37

3M ago40:37

40:37

Peter Harris founded A Rocha in the early 1980s and has given his life since to the cause of nature conservation. He has long known the vital importance of the question of how and why to value nature. In this conversation with Rick and Jo (his daughter!) he explores the different explanations he has encountered for the worth of the non-human world …

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The Incandescent by Emily Tesh with Augur 57:25

3M ago57:25

57:25

In this episode B+V chat with Augur about The Incandescent by Emily Tesh! This story has it all demons, magic, romance, revenge, and most of all an abundant and adamant admiration for teachers! Visit Hierophany and Hedge in Covington KY www.hierophanyandhedge.com and on Instagram @hierophanyandhedge follow us on Instagram for updates and episode an…

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Ep 54: Verónica Godoy - Battling Bull Creek's invasive species 32:36

4M ago32:36

32:36

Verónica is a transplant to the USA from Argentina. As a plant molecular and cellular biologist and a plant lover, she soon began getting to know the fora of her new home, discovering the extent to which native plants were suffering as invasives flourished. As Texas Conservation Project Director for A Rocha USA, she now spends much of her time kill…

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The Power by Naomi Alderman with Jordan Trovillion 57:10

4M ago57:10

57:10

In this episode B+V welcome back good friend, Jordan Trovillion to talk about The Power by Naomi Alderman. This book is not for the feint of heart but is well worth the read, an interesting look at the nature or power and violence contained in a deeply compelling story. Content warning! This book contains depictions of sexual assault, general viole…

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The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan with Emrel Woody 54:38

5M ago54:38

54:38

In this episode we discuss the first Percy Jackson book, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan with bookseller extraordinaire and all around wonderful human Emrel Woody! Twenty years later and this book is still fun, engaging, and a must read for any middle grade fantasy fan, or fantasy fans of any age really, it's just that good! Follow Em's booksta…

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Ep 53: Jacynthia Murphy and Silvia Purdie – Aotearoa New Zealand’s women in creation care 34:31

6M ago34:31

34:31

Rev Jacynthia Murphy is of Māori descent and serves in a Pākehā parish. In this conversation with Rev Silvia Purdie and the Field Notes hosts she discusses her indigenous perspective on faith and her passionate environmentalism. She is one of the women featured in “Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Women in Creation Care,” edited by Silvia (Philip Garside Publish…

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Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli with E 49:51

6M ago49:51

49:51

This month B+V discuss Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli with dear friend and fierce creator E! This book serves as a good reminder to be kind and embrace your whimsical impulses! Follow us on instagram @heyreadthispod Our theme music was composed by James Allen, for more of their work go to www.Jamesallencomposer.com…

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Ep 52: Jasmine Kwong – Food, faith and a flourishing world 36:49

7M ago36:49

36:49

There is little in life with more direct environmental impact than food - how and what we produce, where we source it and how it gets there, how we prepare it and what we do with the waste. How do we balance sometimes competing factors and make food choices that honour God and the world he loves and has tasked us to look after? Food is a passion fo…

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The Secret History by Donna Tartt with Caroline Stine 1:15:42

7M ago1:15:42

1:15:42

This month bookseller and theatre maker extraordinaire, Caroline Stine, asked us to read The Secret History by: Donna Tartt. This beautiful and brutal novel is one of the reigning pieces of dark academia fiction and appears to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity on the internet as of late. Follow Caroline's theatre company on instagram @inboccap…

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Ep 51: Jayaprakash Bojan – Up close with an Orangutang and his maker 41:18

8M ago41:18

41:18

Jayaprakash Bojan (JP)’s photo of a giant male orangutang peeping at him from behind a tree in a Borneo river won him National Geographic’s Nature Photographer of the Year in 2017. The image was seen by over 3.5 million people, propelling both him and the plight of Red Apes into the spotlight. In this conversation with A Rocha co founder Peter Harr…

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue with Victoria 1:02:26

8M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

Happy Birthday Month to Victoria! To celebrate B+V read a book selected by the birthday girl herself, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by: V.E. Schwab. This book manages to be both melancholy and brilliantly optimistic and the story is spun by a deeply talented author. Follow us on instagram and let us know if you've read this one! What did you th…

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Ep 50: Jeremy Lindsell – Lessons in conservation 39:33

9M ago39:33

39:33

While the outlook for biodiversity is rather bleak, all the evidence says conservation works - we just need to do it well and do it more. It sounds simple, but often well-intended interventions have unintended consequences, or aren’t very effective, or become unmanageable over time. How do we learn the important lessons, what does success mean in t…

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Play swap with B+V 50:20

9M ago50:20

50:20

In this episode Becca and Victoria recommend and discuss two very different plays and ask important questions like "what would a human do?". Becca's pick is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead by: Tom Stoppard and Victoria recommends Primary Trust by: Eboni Booth. Check out Magnolia Theatre Company in Dayton OH where Becca will be performing in J…

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Ep 49: Sylvia Muia – Gen Z, journalism and fighting for the future 38:22

10M ago38:22

38:22

Growing up, Sylvia spent a lot of time on the family farm just outside Nairobi, Kenya. Where she remembers a wide open landscape, there are now blocks of flats and a hospital. Reliable rains have been replaced by four seasons of drought and the land can no longer support the herds of livestock it once did. We talk to her about the role of media in …

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A Novel Love Story By: Ashley Poston with Lauren B. Leigh 1:10:24

10M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

In this episode we are joined by our first repeat guest, Lauren, to discuss A Novel Love Story by: Ashley Poston. We fall head first into a story unfolding within a story in this love letter to romance novels and favorite stories. Spoilers, we loved it! Follow us on Instagram @heyreadthispod Our theme music was composed by James Allen for more of t…

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Ep 48: Jo Herbert-James, Rick Faw & Jo Swinney – The Whole Easter Story 50:17

11M ago50:17

50:17

Jo and Rick are joined by Jo Herbert-James to discuss the themes in Jo Swinney’s Lent book, “The Whole Easter Story: why the cross is good news for all creation.” What does our relationship with God have to do with how we live on this earth? How is the death and resurrection of Christ relevant to the current crises of biodiversity collapse and clim…

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The Seas by Samantha Hunt with Alexx Rouse 1:02:40

11M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

In this episode B+V chat with their good friend Alexx about The Seas by Samantha Hunt. Discussions of fairytales, girlhood, depression, war, and the ever present need for optimism in a world gone mad are the themes of the day. Follow Alexx on instagram @paywhatyoucantarot If you are in the Cincinnati area check out a show at the Know theatre and fo…

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Ep 47: Tim Stojanovic – Whose oceans to gain from and govern? 47:27

1y ago47:27

47:27

This is the United Nations Decade of the Ocean, bringing an increased focus on caring for the ‘blue’ bit of the planet. Governing marine and coastal areas involves convening a multitude of groups - often with competing interests. Agreeing a management approach that works not only for the humans but the many other living things in the ecosystem may …

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November short story swap with B+V 42:56

1y ago42:56

42:56

In this episode B+V each pick a short story to read and discuss. Victoria's pick was Galatea by: Madeline Miller and Becca's was Storm Song by: Rebecca Coffindaffer from the anthology Mermaids never drown, Tales to dive for. Follow us on Instagram @heyreadthispod Our theme music was composed by James Allen.…

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Ep 46: Cindy Verbeek – The costly calling of a conservationist 29:51

1y ago29:51

29:51

Cindy Verbeek left her city life for a rural Eden in northern BC, Canada, where the air was clean, bears nonchalantly wandered along the local high street and preserving nature was hardwired into community life. It might have seemed an ideal situation for a dedicated naturalist giving her life to conservation. In reality, many years of struggle, di…

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Inkheart by Cornelia Funke with B+V 1:05:21

1y ago1:05:21

1:05:21

In this episode B+V delve into one of Becca's childhood favorites, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. This book is a booklovers book through and through and it is as full of twists and turns as the episode is full of spoilers so plan your listening accordingly! Follow us on Instagram @heyreadthispod Our theme music was composed by James Allen Thanks for l…

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Ep 45: Cyrie Sendashonga – The politics of protecting nature 34:01

1+ y ago34:01

34:01

To halt and reverse the terrible trends in nature loss and climate change requires collaboration at international levels. With every country coming to the table with its own interests and agenda, it is no small task to agree joint commitments that stand a chance of changing the global outlook. Thankfully, there are good people in the room equal to …

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The Book of Lost Things by: John Connolly with Rachel Kazee 1:11:26

1y ago1:11:26

1:11:26

In this episode B+V discuss The Book of Lost Things by: John Connolly with the very cool and talented Rachel Kazee! This book delves into the dark depths of classic fairy tales and finds even darker depths beneath while also being a touching tale of a young boy navigating grief in a war torn world. Thank you Rachel! Content warning: This book and b…

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Ep 44: Dorothea Seeger – Marine biology & motherhood 26:10

1+ y ago26:10

26:10

The choice to start a family is always a great act of faith, hope and courage. In these unprecedented days of biodiversity collapse, climate change and societal upheaval, all the more so. Doro is a marine biologist from Germany, whose love of the ocean goes back to her earliest memories. She is all too familiar with the state of the planet and yet …

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Short story swap with B and V 50:32

1+ y ago50:32

50:32

In this episode B+V trade short stories or rather short writings with each other and then, as per usual, discuss! First up is a short story called Where They Hide is a Mystery by Simon Van Booy and second is a selection from The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams. Follow us on Instagram @heyreadthispod Our theme music was composed by James Allen.…

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Bonus Episode: My Husband Wants Kids But I Don't (Is Childfree For Me?) 34:50

1+ y ago34:50

34:50

Brita's story is a raw and honest exploration of one of the most challenging scenarios in relationships: the discovery that one partner wants a child, and the other doesn't. She and her ex-husband started their romance young, with the societal script of "happily ever after plus baby" playing in the background. But as time went on, that traditional …

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens with B+V 1:01:58

1+ y ago1:01:58

1:01:58

B+V celebrate Christmas in July by discussing the most well known Christmas ghost story, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It's both funnier and spookier than anticipated! Listen in and cool off with a little unseasonable Christmas cheer. Early in the episode we mention the book Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body …

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What To Do When You Catch Yourself Overthinking 36:58

1+ y ago36:58

36:58

Ever catch yourself in a spiral of anxiety and worry? If your answer is “no,” we want your secret! Chances are, at some point in the last few weeks, you found yourself overthinking about SOMETHING. As childfree individuals, society likes to warn us about our potentially regretful future. While these thoughts may sneak in from time to time, what abo…

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Ep 43: Caroline Pomeroy – Stewarding the climate in turbulent times 35:52

1+ y ago35:52

35:52

Is carbon offsetting just something to make us feel a bit better about our climate-harming behaviours? How does it actually work and is there good science behind the numbers? Caroline leads Climate Stewards, one of the organizations in the A Rocha family. She talks us through the principle of the downward spiral underlying their measure, reduce, of…

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THIS Is Why You Should Talk About Your Childfree Life! 34:27

1+ y ago34:27

34:27

Should you be shouting “I’m Childfree!” to the world? We think so! In this episode, we share some powerful reasons why it's important to be vocal about your childfree choice. Even if it doesn't come naturally to you, the benefits of sharing this aspect of your life can often outweigh any potential drawbacks. We'll explain exactly why. Rick reveals …

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Bonus Episode: Finding Childfree Joy After Infertility (Is Childfree For Me?) 22:43

1+ y ago22:43

22:43

Ericka didn't initially choose to be childfree. She spent 10 years navigating a challenging infertility journey, leaving her uncertain about her future. She grappled with concerns about not becoming a mother and feared her life might always feel incomplete. Ericka also faced the judgement and expectation from her faith based community. When joining…

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Rude Childfree Comments We Can't Avoid! 36:35

1+ y ago36:35

36:35

We're diving into the all-too-familiar rude comments that childfree people just can't seem to avoid. You know the ones – the hurtful, confusing, and downright insane remarks that make us shake our heads. These comments have become so ingrained in our society that people often don't realize just how insensitive they're being. In this episode, we'll …

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Ep 42: Cristina Jakob – When loving nature becomes a life 32:31

1+ y ago32:31

32:31

Raised in Southern Chile in a family of farmers, teachers and pastors, Cristina never realized how all those areas could be linked with God's purposes to bring redemption to all his creatures. For most of her life, she worked as a staff member in a church in the big city, leaving her love for nature for holidays. In this delightful conversation, sh…

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Hidden Perks Of Not Having Kids! 36:10

1+ y ago36:10

36:10

Do you enjoy using the bathroom without little hands banging on the door? We sure do! In this episode, we dive into the unexpected perks of living childfree. From enjoying your bathroom privacy to turning that spare room into anything you want—yes, even a stripper pole room! We also open up about how imposter syndrome has thrown us into a sea of se…

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Bonus Episode: Mother-In-Law Pressures ME To Have Kids! (Is Childfree For Me?) 37:53

1+ y ago37:53

37:53

Has a family member ever made passive aggressive comments about your decision not to have kids? These subtle jabs can make us feel undermined and stir up doubt and confusion about the childfree choice. Today you’ll meet Amanda, who shares her decade-long struggle with a mother-in-law unwilling to accept her childfree lifestyle. Amanda's story highl…

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Cloud Atlas by: David Mitchell with Zach Moning 1:13:35

1+ y ago1:13:35

1:13:35

In this episode B+V talk with their new friend Zach about Cloud Atlas by: David Mitchell and get extremely hyped to dive into some of Mr. Mitchell's other works in the future. If you'd like to support the arts in Cincinnati and the wonderful work that Zach does with Artswave for our artistic community consider donating at artswave.org/give Our them…

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6 Reasons Why Childfree Friends Are CRUCIAL 32:43

1+ y ago32:43

32:43

Ever felt a bit out of place in your friend circle because everyone else has kids? Or maybe you find yourself holding back in conversations? In this episode, we unleash the top reasons why it feels so good to be surrounded by childfree friends. It's so refreshing to connect with people who understand your frustrations, your wins and also share simi…

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What Are Childfree People Doing ALL Day?! 40:05

1+ y ago40:05

40:05

Ever been asked what you do with your free time as a childfree person? If not, get ready – it’s likely that you’ll eventually be hit with this baffling query. In this episode, we dive into why this question pops up and why our free time is still frowned upon by society. Regardless of these silly assumptions, you know we always turn the spotlight ba…

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Ep 41: Abby Simonin & Carly Richardson – the fellowship of farm & food 34:44

1+ y ago34:44

34:44

Most of us live largely disconnected from the production of our food, but whether or not we give it much thought, each mealtime puts us in relationship with our fellow creatures, the soil, the air and the water. Abby and Carly are farmers at A Rocha Canada’s Brooksdale, BC site. They tell us why a conservation organization grows, eats and gives awa…

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Our Town by: Thornton Wilder with Victoria Aslanides 1:09:45

1+ y ago1:09:45

1:09:45

In this episode B+V discuss polarizing play, Our Town, by: Thornton Wilder in celebration of Victoria's birthday month! Content warning for language and brief mention of suicide related to the content of the play. Our theme music was composed by James Allen, for more of their work go to jamesallencomposer.com Follow us on instagram for updates, ann…

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Bonus Episode: My Friends Are Having Kids, Is It My Turn? (Is Childfree For Me?) 34:47

1+ y ago34:47

34:47

Rick and I will be back next time but stick with me today because I have a very special bonus episode of "Is Childfree For Me?" where my program graduates share their personal story of how they found peace and confidence with the childfree choice. Today you will meet Charlotte, a 32 year old woman from Sweden, who’s anxiety intensified when her bes…

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How Families React To "Not Having Kids" 32:35

1+ y ago32:35

32:35

What happens when you tell your family that you decided NOT to have kids? In this episode, we explore the positive and sometimes uncomfortable reactions that our childfree community has received when they break the no kids news. We uncover a common lie that childfree people resort to when faced with relentless judgment or pressure. (Please comment …

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Is Life Without Kids Easy? 37:43

1+ y ago37:43

37:43

Rick and I are on the struggle bus in this candid episode of The Childfree Connection Podcast! We're laying it all out as we unpack the recent challenges that life has thrown our way. We considered skipping this episode but instead found ourselves inspired to tackle a question we're frequently asked by the childfree community, "Is Childfree Life Ea…

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Ep 40: Rui Lino-Ramalho – Why conservation is best (and most joyfully) done in community 31:26

1+ y ago31:26

31:26

In 2023, Rui, his wife Debora, and their two young children moved their life from a campervan to Cruzinha, A Rocha Portugal’s field study centre in the Algarve. It is hard to imagine a more radical change but it is one their family has embraced wholeheartedly and with delight, notwithstanding the challenges. In this honest and inspiring conversatio…

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Itchy Tasty: An Unofficial History of Resident Evil by: Alex Aniel with Patrick Earl Phillips 57:29

1+ y ago57:29

57:29

In this Episode B+V chat with Patrick Earl Phillips, actor, dad, and of course Resident Evil fan about the creation of the Resident Evil franchise and development, each of their relationships to the game and games generally and about why in the world this book is called "Itchy Tasty"! Thanks for listening, for updates and such follow us on Instagra…

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Bonus Episode: Why I Keep Pushing Back Having Kids (Is Childfree For Me?) 42:34

2y ago42:34

42:34

Rick and I will be back next time but today I have a very special bonus episode of "Is Childfree For Me? " where my program graduates share their personal story of how they found peace and confidence with the childfree choice. Today you will meet Delilah. Do you ever feel like you keep pushing back the goal post when it comes to having kids? For ex…