The Wildlife Experience

In this episode I interview my friend Marka Kiley. Marka is an artist who recently discovered her interest in herpetology especially as it relates to Amazonia. We discuss her journey and experiences we shared together on a recent trip to the Amazon.

In this episode I interview Loughran Cabe (@lockcabe on Instagram). Loughran is an underwater photographer from Virginia with a passion for fish diversity. We discuss his interest in media-based conservation, fish diversity of the Appalachians, fisheries management, freshwater eco-tourism, fish intelligence and behavior, the conservation of freshwater fish, underwater photography, and related topics.

Round 2 with Keith Andringa. We catch up on what he's been up to and explore various topics including his current research and various wildlife and conservation ramblings.

In this episode I interview Joe Richards (@josephrichards on Instagram). Joe is an accomplished wildlife photographer and currently a Masters student at Texas Tech University studying turkeys. We talk about his experiences as a wildlife photographer, how he got into the outdoors, advice for aspiring wildlife professionals, the benefits of wildlife photography for connecting with nature, among other related topics.

In this episode I interview Todd Craighead (@mr.outdoor.oklahoma on Instagram). Todd is an outdoorsman that has had a long and fruitful career in conservation as the host of "Outdoor Oklahoma" for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. We discuss his life growing up with a disability, how he got into the outdoors and hunting, the value of mentorship, the use of TikTok and other social media by his state wildlife agency to connect more people to wildlife, among other topics.

In this episode I interview Kat Hunter (@shesliketexas.kat on Instagram) at the Hunt Fish Podcast Summit. Kat is a late on-set hunter that recently completed the Women Hunt Program, which is a program for women to learn all the knowledge and skills to be a successful hunter and conservationist. We discuss her experiences getting in to hunting later in life, the Women Hunt program and how to get involved, the value of mentorship in hunting, and related topics. To learn more about the Women Hunt program visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt

In this episode I interview Aidan Branney (@captainblackburn on Instagram). Aidan is a carnivore ecologist that is currently working with ocelots in Texas. We discuss how he got into wildlife, his experiences working in various places including Australia, ocelots, bobcats, carnivore research, and various conservation and science topics.

In this episode I interview Turner Rowland (@turnerrrowland1 on Instagram). Turner grew up in the outdoor media world and now works for Waypoint TV, an outdoor streaming network that hosts over 100 hunting and fishing shows. We discuss his experiences growing up in the outdoor industry with his father, his passion for fly fishing and big game hunting, hunting alongside grizzlies, how to find meaning in life through nature, among other topics.

In this episode I interview Paul Fuzinski of the Aptitude Outdoors Podcast (@aptitudeoutdoors on Instagram). Paul is an all around passionate outdoorsman and conservationist that uses his platforms to explore a wide range of topics related to wildlife conservation. We discuss a variety of conservation topics, particularly as they relate to hunting, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Rosie Moore (@rosiekmoore on Instagram). Rosie is a geoscientist with a passion for sharks and freediving. We discuss her interest in sharks, her career as a wildlife researcher, free diving, using social media to educate and connect in the wildlife community, her modeling career, her recent viral video and the subsequent media attention, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Lauren Chappell (@fish.and.chapps) on Instagram. Lauren is a Master's student at Texas State University studying aquatic biology and passionate conservationist. We discuss her interests in wildlife, aquatic biology, conservation, her experience getting into hunting, the importance of good mentorship, general advice for aspiring conservation professionals, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Kelsey Felio (@kelfeliotexas on Instagram). Kelsey is a passionate hunter and conservationist from southeast Texas that rarely misses a weekend of hunting during duck season. We discuss her interest in hunting, what it's like being a woman in the hunting community, her experiences in college studying environmental policy, duck calling, eating ducks, and various other hunting and conservation related topics.

In this episode I interview Amanda and Emily Gale (@galeforcetwins on Instagram). Amanda and Emily are passionate anglers from south Florida that make a living creating educational fishing content on various social media platforms. We talk about their experiences in the fishing industry, how they got started on social media, the nuances of being successful on social media, off-shore fishing, marine fishery management, and related topics.

In this episode I interview Britt Perry (@winged_hunt on Instagram). Britt is a biologist currently working for the National Wild Turkey Federation and passionate falconer. We discuss her career as a biologist, field herping, turkey hunting, the longleaf pine ecosystem, falconry, and related topics.

I suppose it's a good time to post a solo episode to reflect on the podcast and ramble a little on the mission here. I am thoroughly enjoying hosting this podcast and look forward to improving the experience for you guys. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I interview Sophie Morris (@sophiemorris_18 on Instagram). Sophie is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and wildlife biology student at Texas Tech University. We discuss her journey into wildlife biology, ins and outs of studying wildlife biology in college, the importance of research experience, the Wildlife Society, recreation ecology, nature and mental health, and related topics.

In this episode I interview Matt Buckingham (@naturalistjourney on Instagram). Matt is a passionate naturalist and photographer that is currently working as a protected species biologist in Texas. We discuss his career in natural resources, what it means to be a naturalist, how certain species benefit from human disturbance, Pleistocene refugia in Texas, Texas natural history in general, what the "Big Thicket" really is, sky islands of west Texas, his fascination with white-tailed deer, searching for rare plants, his time studying bird communities in Argentina, tips for aspiring biologists and naturalists, and other conservation and natural history topics.

In this episode I interview Lark Heston (@lark_likethebird on Instagram). Lark is a passionate naturalist and ecologist that is currently working for NEON in Tennessee. We discuss various wildlife and conservation topics including her research experiences in undergrad and grad school, working and birding in High Island as a bird nerd. NEON, the importance of knowing ecosystems, birding, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Shan O'Gorman (@aquatic_biologist on Instagram). Shan is a fisheries biologist that manages ponds for a living and a passionate fisherman. We discuss various aspects and misconceptions related to pond management, fish biomass and population dynamics, the importance of forage and plankton in fisheries management, life histories of various game fish, fisheries science and aquatic ecology, bass fishing, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Saunders Drukker (@saundersdrukker on Instagram). Saunders is a PhD student studying rattlesnakes and an all around passionate naturalist. We cover a range of topics related to field herping, herp conservation, his research on rock rattlesnakes, current conservation issues and the future of wildlife, advice for aspiring naturalists and biologists, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Matt McCall (@real_matt_mccall on Instagram). Matt is a passionate outdoorsman that spends much of his time outdoors chasing ducks in southeast Texas and beyond. We discuss all manner of duck hunting including duck hunting strategies, public land vs private land, essential hunting gear, duck behavior, and cooking and eating ducks. We also discuss The Bayou Dragons, an outdoor brand that his crew started through social media which aims to capture the full experience of a group of friends that are passionate about the outdoors.

In this episode I interview Dr. Marisa Tellez (@crocparasites13 on Instagram). Marisa is the founder of the Crocodile Research Coalition in Belize and the Vice Regional Chair of Latin America for the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group. We discuss her career working with crocodilians, Steve Irwin's influence on society and conservation, the work of the Crocodile Research Coalition, crocodilian parasitology, Belizean culture as it relates to crocodiles, the value of good mentorship in science, her experience working with alligators in Louisiana, sustainable use of crocodilians, and other wildlife conservation topics.

In this episode I interview Romey Swanson (@romeyswanson.wildlife on Instagram). Romey is the Director of Conservation at Audubon Texas and a passionate naturalist. We discuss a variety of topics including wildlife tax valuation, climate change mitigation, the decline of North American birds, his professional career in wildlife conservation, and other important wildlife topics. We also discuss our shared experience as biologists that are hindered by stomach diseases and how we've dealt with it (that bit runs for about 10 minutes starting at 1:20 if you want to skip it).

In this episode I interview Chester Moore (@thechestermoore on Instagram). Chester is an award-winning wildlife journalist and currently the Editor-in-Chief at Texas Fish and Game Magazine. We discuss various aspects of his exciting and impactful wildlife journalism career, current Texas conservation issues, the value of experiencing wildlife and the outdoors, wildlife conservation in general, and some of his current projects. Check out his website at www.highercalling.net to learn more about his work.

In this episode I interview AnnMarie Young (@annmyoung.arts on Instagram). AnnMarie is a landscape artist and nature lover that finds inspiration for her work through getting out and experiencing the natural world. We discuss some aspects of her art career, including how she once used her artwork to raise conservation funds, her experiences in wild places such as Alaska, her budding interest in herping and other outdoor pursuits, over-looked endangered species, the lack of public land in Texas, and related topics.

In this episode I interview Ian Breland (@life.of.ian on Instagram). Ian is a herper and filmmaker that is currently working on a unique show about field herping and exploring the world with a strong message of wildlife conservation. We hit on a variety of neat topics including field herping from Colorado to South America, uncontacted tribes, the Amazon, the Pleistocene megafauna extinctions, the idea of rewilding the Great Plains, the potential for undiscovered megafauna, pros and cons of sensationalism in wildlife filmmaking, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Ramsey Russell (@ramseyrussellgetducks on Instagram). Ramsey is a passionate waterfowl hunter that started his wildlife career as a biologist before starting a waterfowl hunting business that offers premier waterfowl hunts around the world from Pakistan to Peru. Some of the stuff we cover includes his experiences hunting around the world, waterfowl ecology and management, chasing experiences instead of numbers, anti-hunting movements, the various roles hunters play in conservation, and other related topics. Check out his website Getducks.com and podcast "Duck Season Somewhere" to learn all about waterfowl.

In this episode I interview Matthijs Hollanders (@matthijs.hollanders on Instagram). Matthijs is a herpetologist from the Netherlands that is currently studying chytrid fungus for his PhD in New South Whales, Australia. We discuss his experiences field herping in various places including Texas, Oman, Ecuador, Europe, and Australia. We also discuss herp photography, the complex nature of locating rare herps, herp behavior and habitat, chytrid fungus affects on frogs and now salamanders, and other related topics.

In this episode Aan and I interview Casey Shanaberger (@cjsfishes on Instagram). Casey is a passionate multi-species angler that knows a lot about over-looked fishes, especially those in the sucker family. We cover some of the basics of fishing in Iowa, his experience getting into multi-species fishing, "rough fish" and why they are awesome, the nuances of harvesting fish and game, the problem with wanton waste of shared fish and wildlife resources, duck hunting in Iowa, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Suzanne Simpson (@wetlandsuzanne on Instagram). Suzanne is an ecologist based out of Houston that works for the Bayouland Conservancy and is currently working on a comprehensive wildlife book titled "Wild Houston". We cover some very important topics including Houston's most noteworthy ecosystems, major conservation wins and losses, the value of land trusts and why you should donate to them, conservation easements and mitigation banks, how waterfowl hunters started the Katy Prairie Conservancy, future conservation challenges for Houston and Texas in general, and other related topics.

In this episode I interview Kenzie Cherniak (@kenziecherniak on Instagram). Kenzie is a passionate conservationist that works for Texan By Nature, a unique organization that unites conservation and business in the name of conserving wildlife and ecosystems in the Lone Star State. We touch on a wide range of topics including her experience working with bats at TCU, cool bat facts, Texas horned lizards, innovative bird conservation, veganism, trophy hunting in Africa, eco-tourism, great apes, and other interesting topics.

In this episode I interview Viviana Ricardez (@first_lady_of_texasturtles on Instagram). Viviana is a serious turtle nerd and the vice president of a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the study and conservation of Texas turtles (texasturtles.org). We talk all about the natural history of turtles, turtle conservation, turtle research, alligator snapping turtles, how to find turtles, and other turtle-y topics.

In this episode I interview my pal Keith Andringa. Keith is a PhD student at Texas A&M University studying ornithology with a deep passion for birds and science. We cover a lot of ground with birds including migration, basic bird biology, threats to birds, bird banding, his experience studying birds, etc.. We also discuss hunting, the value of natural history museums, the origins of birding, among other topics related to wildlife conservation.

In this episode I interview my friend and host of the CrocKast Podcast Nate Truax. We talk about his experience working with crocs, Ohio wildlife, birding, and more.

In this episode I chop it up with Jack Nailor (@roadtripmonster on Instagram) about wildlife, herping, and his perspective as a "regular dude" who is passionate about conservation and wildlife.

For Episode 1 I interview Aanjaneya Chaturvedi (@aan_an_adventure on Instagram). We discuss a variety of topics including his experience living and working in India, fish diversity, alligator gar biology, game fish management, and other wildlife ramblings.

Quick introduction and overview of my goals with this podcast.