logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2021
58m 27s

The Bonsai Tree

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Spanning centuries of human history, the iconic bonsai tree is a widely recognized example of Japanese mastery. Each miniature tree speaks to the beauty of cultivated nature and the immutability of all things. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history of bonsai, its cultural meaning and the underlying science.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
The Monstrefact: The Thanapod from "Bad Traveling"
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the monstrous crab from the “Love Death + Robots” episode “Bad Traveling.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
8m 23s
Yesterday
STBYM Listener Mail: La Muerte
Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
55 m
Feb 9
Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: The Hunger
In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1983 goth LGBTQ vampire horror film “The Hunger,” directed by Tony Scott and starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon. (originally published 2/14/2025)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i ... Show More
1h 38m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Forests on Forests
<p>For much of history, tree canopies were pretty much completely ignored by science. It was as if researchers said collectively, "It's just going to be empty up there, and we've got our hands full studying the trees down here! So why bother?!"</p> <p>But then, around the mid-198 ... Show More
24m 9s
Aug 2021
What Trees Have Been to the Moon and Back?
There are trees all over the U.S. (and the world) grown from seeds that orbited the Moon. Learn about NASA's moon trees in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nasa-moon-trees.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihea ... Show More
4m 29s
Feb 2020
SYSK Selects: How Bonsai Works
<p>For thousands of years people have been taking normal trees and forcing them into miniature. Learn all about the history and art of this strangely engrossing pastime in this classic episode.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetw ... Show More
56m 3s
Jul 2018
What's Killing Ancient Baobab Trees?
Spoiler alert: The answer is probably 'climate change' -- but some of the world's oldest and hardiest baobab trees are dying, and researchers aren't entirely sure why. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c ... Show More
4m 33s
Aug 2019
How Many Trees Would We Need to Plant to Slow Climate Change?
Trees pull and store carbon, but lots of land that could support them is deforested. Learn how researchers think planting trees could help mitigate climate change in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio ... Show More
7m 6s
Dec 2020
Answering Your Tree-Mail (and Nuclear) Questions
We love listener mail! You've sent us some amazing notes. Some made us laugh, some made us cry, and some made us say—hey, that’s a great question! We should answer it. So that’s what we did. This week, we dig into some of your questions about trees. What’s up with that tree-plant ... Show More
58m 11s
Mar 2024
Bonsai | Gentle Bedtime Reading for Sleep
Unwind with this calm bedtime reading on bonsai, created to ease insomnia and bring peace to restless nights. In this soothing episode, Benjamin explores the art of bonsai, from its origins in ancient China and Japan to its role as a living practice of patience, balance, and beau ... Show More
44m 56s
Dec 2021
Palm Trees: Technically, Giant Plants
<p>Palm trees. You see them all over the world and for good reason. There are more than 2,500 varieties. Learn all about these giant plants today. </p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com< ... Show More
52m 19s
Mar 2025
Wie Bäume sich verteidigen - Alles Natur
Bäume haben eine beruhigende Wirkung auf uns - ein Spaziergang durch den Wald reduziert Stress. Doch Bäume können auch wehrhaft und angriffslustig sein: Sie kämpfen um Platz, Licht und Ressourcen. Von Claudia Steiner (BR 2023) 
23m 15s
Jun 2023
How to Read a Tree
<p>When you’re walking in the woods, you’re often surrounded by trees. But you probably don’t notice them much, and when you do spot some irregularity, like a strange bulge in the trunk of a tree, you likely don’t have any idea how it got there. But my guest says that these trees ... Show More
40m 24s