Program 608: Checking on Friends in New York and Italy; Lessons From Nature

As a summer close-to-home unfolds, Rick checks in with friends in New York and Italy: Cultural maven Fred Plotkin tells us how he's used the downtime to start new projects, and tour guides from Rome, Venice, and Siena describe what their cities' gradual re-openings have meant to them. Plus, nature writer Gary Ferguson shares eight master lessons Mother Nature wants to teach us.

• Cultural maven Fred Plotkin, at home in New York City
• Anna Piperato, tour guide/art historian at home in Siena
• Stacy Gibboni, tour guide/artist at home in Venice
• Francesca Caruso, tour guide at home in Rome
• Nature writer Gary Ferguson, author of "The Eight Master Lessons of Nature" (Dutton)

• Fred Plotkin had a one-hour Zoom video conversation with Rick on his Idagio podcast in June 2020.
• Anna Piperato offers virtual tours of Siena online.
• Venice-based artist and guide Stacy Gibboni includes samples of her artwork on her website.
• Francesca Caruso's website includes her observations from Rome, and tips for visiting the city's major attractions.
• Gary Ferguson has written more than two dozen books about the natural world. His wildwords.net website includes information about his latest title, "Eight Master Lessons of Nature."