174: "In Our Nature"~ Storytelling, Film, and the Power of Nature with Juliet Grable & James Parker

In this episode of The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, we sit down with filmmaker and storyteller Juliet Grable, co-creator of the powerful documentary In Our Nature. Juliet and her creative partner, James Parker, have captured the extraordinary ways people are reconnecting with the natural world—one story at a time.

Together, we explore the inspiration behind In Our Nature, how the team chose the stories featured in the film, and the lessons learned along the way. Juliet shares her hopes for how the film will inspire action, connection, and deeper appreciation for the environment.

We also dive into their current Seed & Spark fundraising campaign, what it takes to bring independent films like this to life, and how storytelling can be a catalyst for change. 

🎬 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

🌿 How Juliet and James developed the concept for In Our Nature

🌳 The process of selecting and capturing authentic nature stories

💡 Lessons learned through the filmmaking journey

🎯 What the filmmakers hope to achieve with the documentary

🌱 Insights into their Seed & Spark campaign — and how you can support it

🎥 A behind-the-scenes look at their previous collaboration

If you’re passionate about storytelling, nature, and the ways creativity can inspire environmental awareness, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to tell your own story — in your classroom, community, or backyard.

Meet Juliet:

Juliet Grable is an independent writer based in Southern Oregon who combines a background in the natural sciences with innate curiosity and a passion for language. She has written for many national and regional publications and media outlets, she has also authored four books for Ecotone Publishing and co-produced two documentary films with Synchronous Pictures. Juliet’s niches include sustainable design, watershed restoration, wildlife conservation, climate change, and rural communities. She is especially interested in stories that explore the nexus of ecosystem health, community resilience, and human flourishing.

Meet James:

James Parker is a director, producer, and founder of Synchronous Pictures, a boutique production company creating award-winning content that bridges divides and sparks conversation. His work has aired on major networks and screened internationally, earning multiple Emmy nominations, Telly Awards, and a presidential medal for his work capturing Botswana’s HIV/AIDS response.

From documentary to commercial, James has filmed human stories across Singapore, Botswana, India, Sri Lanka, the UK, and throughout the US, working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to major studios including CBS, ABC, BBC, Amazon Studios, and National Geographic.

He is also a seasoned entrepreneur, having led the brand launch for an international smart mobility company - securing press in USA Today, TechCrunch, and Forbes, and earning PR Daily’s Best Product Launch award.

James lives with a spirit of adventure and a belief in storytelling’s power to connect, illuminate, and drive meaningful change.

🔗 Learn more and support the film: www.inournaturemovie.com 

[email protected]

[email protected]

https://www.synchronous.tv/

www.julietgrable.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-grable-ba484344/

www.othersideofthehillmovie.com

Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:

🌿 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program

🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators

🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.com
• EMAIL: [email protected]
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