Hello, girlies. It's Saeed Jones, and you're listening to Vibe Check.

I hope your summer's going well. I hope you are feeling free and bright. I always think of that

Gwendolyn Brooks poem that ends I'm spring, but of course I'm summer, and I hope you're feeling that way too.

Well, in the spirit of getting out there and expanding our lives, I thought this would be a great time to talk about nature.

I recently came across an incredible book called When Trees Testify by biologist Beronda Montgomery.

Her previous book is Lessons from Plants, and she's very interested in helping us understand

our long-term relationship with nature and what we can learn from nature.

And as it turns out, that if you look at the history of trees in the United States, it's not just botanical history you're talking about.

It's black history. We're talking about aspects of Jim Crow, of the history of slavery, of the

Underground Railroad, but also science and development and even ice cream. It's amazing

history and an amazing book. And I'm excited for you to listen to my conversation with her.

We even, we even talk about Black people's frustration with sunscreen. Because yes,

indeed, it is very frustrating to try to find a sunscreen that doesn't leave that weird,

ashy, white cast on your skin. So it's a whole thing. Anyway, before we get into all of that,

we want to thank all of you who continue to listen to the show each and every week.

Don't forget, you can email us anytime at vibe check at stitcher.com.

And, of course, a special shout out to those of you who are subscribed to our Patreon.

If you want to join the group chat, you can find us at patreon.com slash vibe check.

But for now, oh, I am so excited. Let's get into this conversation

with scientist Beranda Montgomery.

All right, Veranda Montgomery. The woman that you are. It's such a joy to have you on vibe check. I am so excited to be here, Sadie. I can't even tell you. I love this. I got to say, I think you are. You might be the first scientist we've had on this show. Okay, I'm going to hold it down then.

I'm ready.

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