Mushrooms are having a moment. Biology professors David Hibbett and Javier Tabima say a desire to connect with nature is fueling a trend among young people who enjoy foraging for mushrooms and studying fungi. On this episode of Challenge. Change., Hibbett and Tabima discuss the mysticism around mushrooms, why it’s unique to have two mycologists on a college campus, and the excitement of discovering a particular fungus, basidiobolus, in Massachusetts for the first time.

“People are really interested in mushrooms and other fungi — maybe even a little too interested,” Hibbett says. “There’s a lot of hype around medicinal mushrooms and the use of fungi for bioremediation. A lot of people are just ready to believe that mushrooms are the solution for all of humanity’s problems, so we need more critical thinking.”

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Challenge. Change. is produced by Melissa Hanson and Andrew Hart for Clark University. Find other episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.