The podcast episodes provided highlight the connections between Japanese poetry and the natural world, particularly the recurring imagery and symbolism of cicadas.

In the 'Rise of the Cicadas, Part 4' episode of Stuff To Blow Your Mind, the hosts explore how Japanese poetic works often depict cicadas as symbols of melancholy, the fleeting nature of life, and the appreciation of their haunting songs.

Similarly, the Short Wave episode discusses how the traditional Japanese haiku form has long been used to capture the essence of the natural world, including the intricate behaviors of songbirds like the black-capped chickadee.