A conversation 18 years in the making: Richard Louv on "Last Child In The Woods"

Michael Smerconish revisits a conversation 18 years in the making with Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder" (Check out Episode #340 for their first conversation in 2007). Louv’s thesis—our growing disconnection from the natural world and the resulting “nature-deficit disorder”—lands even harder in the smartphone era. Together, they explore how screens, fear, urban design, and shuttered green spaces have reshaped childhood; why free-range, play-based experiences matter for kids’ health and happiness; and how time outdoors can strengthen social ties, reduce loneliness, and even support the habits of democracy. Louv shares practical fixes—from Family Nature Clubs to teaching kids (and adults) how to truly notice the living world around them—and Michael connects these ideas to today’s broader social unrest and the mission of his Mingle Project. A hopeful, actionable guide to rebuilding connection: to neighbors, to communities, and to nature. Original air date 11 September 2025. The book was published in 2005.