American rapper, musician and Beastie Boys founding member Mike D is the latest guest on the hit nature podcast Outsiding, hosted by Caitlin Moran and Adam Frost.
During the episode, Mike discusses life on tour, growing up in New York, his love of Central Park, surfing, gardening, fatherhood and how spending time outdoors has transformed his outlook.
Talking about the band’s latest tour, Mike said: “We’ve been on tour. We started out here in the UK and then all around Europe… making a joyous ruckus.”
Reflecting on his childhood in Manhattan, he described Central Park as his “garden” and a place of refuge, despite admitting he was “a young punk rocker in the park” who wasn’t always popular.
He also shared memories of the park coming to life each spring after New York’s harsh winters.
Mike also opened up about his relationship with nature through surfing, explaining that moving closer to the California coast changed the way he experienced the outdoors.
He said: “I didn’t really understand how profound it was going to be… that’s when I really started to feel the effects of nature on my nervous system.”
Describing the experience of sitting on a surfboard in the ocean, he added that it makes you realise you’re “just this little visitor speck in this amazing, vast ecosystem.”
The musician also spoke candidly about gardening, saying his family tries to conserve water because of California’s climate, while maintaining a small football pitch at home for himself and his children.
On his role as a father, Mike joked that he tries not to bring his “dad persona” into the band, although he admitted there are occasional crossover moments as a leader, including jokingly threatening band members with push-ups or financial penalties for mistakes.
He also revealed he enjoys carefully chosen wind chimes in his garden – provided they are “very gentle” rather than “clackety” – and said he now loves waking up at sunrise, a complete contrast to the years when he regularly stayed awake until 5am!
The episode also features stories about growing up in New York, his early experiences with cannabis and how spending time in nature has become an important part of his life away from music.
