The Oak Spring Podcast

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

The Oak Spring Podcast is the voice of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, Virginia. The monthly podcast discusses how the legacy of Mrs. Bunny Mellon is continued through its courses, workshops, residencies and other public events. Guests include artists, writers, scientists, researchers and alumni whose work has become an integral part of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation community. Each episode will explore a topic related to Oak Spring's mission and calendar of events.

Host: Chris Stafford
Website: osgf.org
Email: max@osfg.org
Instagram: @oakspringgardenfoundation
Twitter: @oak_spring

Play

Open in

20 episodes
monthly
Avg 48 min
English

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

S3 · E9
September 14 · 49 min
Listening to the Land: Aerial Mapping, Avian Success, and Ecological Restoration at Oak Spring
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the dynamic ecological management of Oak Spring’s 700-acre landscape with our Head of Native Plant Conservation Charlotte Lorick and Wildlife Conservation and Management Specialist, Josh Rector. Josh shares...
S3 · E8
August 17 · 41 min
Beyond the Canvas: Halina Dyrschka on Hilma af Klint, Art History, and Maria Sibylla Merian
In this episode, we sit down with director and producer Halina Dyrschka to discuss her documentary https://ambrosiafilm.de/en/film/jenseits-des-sichtbaren-hilma-af-klint/ which offers a fresh perspective on the history of modern abstract art. Halina...
S3 · E7
July 20 · 37 min
When Art Meets Ecology: Reimagining the History of Our Landscapes
What can a centuries-old landscape painting tell us about the health of a historical ecosystem? Quite a lot—if you know how to look. In this episode, we sit down with Dana Warren and Marlyse Duguid to dive behind the scenes of a recent conference at...
S3 · E6
June 15 · 46 min
The Secret Jewels of Bunny Mellon: Jean Schlumberger and the Art of Discretion
Right here at Oak Spring, in the spaces where Rachel Lambert "Bunny" Mellon cultivated her world-renowned garden, an equally intimate creative partnership blossomed. In the 1960s, Mrs. Mellon met legendary Tiffany & Co. designer Jean Schlumberger,...
S3 · E5
May 18 · 37 min
The Soil of a Founding Father: Regenerative Stewardship at Mount Vernon with Anne "Dede" Neal Petri
In this episode, we sit down with Anne "Dede" Neal Petri, the Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, whose lifelong passion for history has led her to the helm of one of America’s most storied landscapes. As Mount Vernon looks toward the...
S3 · E4
April 20 · 37 min
Stewarding a Living Legacy: Gardening, Change, and the Vision of Bunny Mellon
In this episode, we’re joined by Allissa Montgomery, Head Gardener at Oak Spring Garden Foundation, for a conversation about what it means to care for a historic garden that is both deeply rooted in the past and constantly evolving. Allissa reflects...
S3 · E3
March 17 · 30 min
Frances Palmer: Terracotta, Topiaries, and the Art of Working with Your Hands
In this episode of the Oak Spring Podcast, ceramic artist Frances Palmer joins host Chris Stafford for a conversation that weaves together craft, gardens, discipline, and creative evolution. A two-time visitor to Oak Spring—first as a participant and...
S3 · E2
February 18 · 1 hr 4 min
Rooted and Growing: Peter Crane on a Decade of Stewardship at Oak Spring
As the inaugural president of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Peter Crane arrived from Yale University at a pivotal moment, shortly after the passing of Mrs. Mellon. The early years were both challenging and exhilarating: there were practical...
S3 · E2
January 21 · 47 min
Caring for Champions: Veterinarian John Mayo on Rokeby Farm and Paul Mellon
In this episode, we sit down with veterinarian John Mayo, who served as the primary veterinarian for Rokeby Farm, the legendary horse breeding and racing operation owned by Paul Mellon, from 1962 to 1997. Across more than three decades, Dr. Mayo...
S2 · E12
Dec 15, 2025 · 40 min
Planting the Framework: How Oak Spring Became a Public-Facing Institution
In this episode of the Oak Spring Podcast, host Chris Stafford explores the formative years of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation and the people who helped transform it from Bunny Mellon's private residence into a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to serving...
S2 · E11
Nov 17, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Shaping Light: The Past and Present of Oak Spring's Trees
In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, beginning with a conversation with Clif Brown, who has been stewarding the land since 1988. Clif reflects on his early years working for Mrs. Mellon, when the...
S2 · E10
Oct 27, 2025 · 41 min
Step Inside the Library
Mrs. Mellon's library is at the heart of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, driving much of the research conducted by Oak Spring's residents and fellows, and providing resources and materials that help inform the foundation's gardens and programming....
S2 · E9
Sep 9, 2025 · 55 min
Narratives in Nature - Fall Reading List
In this episode, we begin with Aleya Fraser, author of Caribbean Herbalism, who shares the rich traditions of plant medicine rooted in Caribbean communities. Aleya discusses ancestral knowledge, everyday remedies, and the cultural practices that have...
S2 · E8
Aug 11, 2025 · 58 min
From Seed to Sovereignty
In this episode, we explore the deep connections between land, seed, and self-determination through conversations with two inspiring women who have dedicated their lives to sustainable agriculture, community building, and creative expression. We...
S2 · E7
Jul 8, 2025 · 59 min
Belonging and Becoming: Conversations on Place
In this episode, we sit down with https://maximtloskutoff.com/f, a writer whose fiction and essays explore the evolving landscapes and identities of the American West. From an early age, Max was drawn to stories, and he made a conscious effort to...
S2 · E6
Jun 16, 2025 · 37 min
Roots and Rhythms: A Conversation with Michael Donoghue
In this episode, we speak with evolutionary biologist and Oak Spring board member Michael Donoghue. Michael specializes in the plant genus Viburnum and has spent his career researching the history of plant genetics and evolution. He shares stories...
S2 · E5
May 12, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Cultivating Purpose: Farmers Today
In this episode, Chris is joined by Jason Myers-Benner and Christine Harris to explore their unique journeys and insights into sustainable agriculture and farming. Jason has carried a deep passion for growing food throughout his entire life. He and...
S2 · E4
Apr 14, 2025 · 45 min
On Poetry and Movement
In this episode of the Oak Spring podcast, environmental writers Ariana Benson and Ashia Ajani reflect on their creative connection and shared sensibilities. The conversation opens with Ashia describing the early spring in Oakland, California, which...
S2 · E3
Mar 10, 2025 · 47 min
Building Community
In this episode, we feature the voices of two Oak Springers dedicated to educating their local communities about the importance of the natural world. Through exhibitions and educational programs, our two speakers activate art and plants in ways that...
S2 · E2
Feb 10, 2025 · 53 min
Celebrating Black Voices
In this special Black History Month episode of the podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with two incredible women of color, Latifat Apatira and Maria Pinto, to explore their unique journeys and passions. Latifat shares her inspiring story of how she...

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes