Wild Connection: The Podcast

This episode is a special one as I got to interview a personal scientific hero of mine, and fellow great ape researcher, Dr. Richard Wrangham. He shares his findings and heartwarming stories of some of the chimpanzees he's gotten to know over the years. He's also a prolific write and champion of chimps and communities. Check out the links below to find out more about the important work he and his colleagues are doing in Uganda.  Richard Wrangham  Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) https://kasiisiproject.org/

This episode features Dr. Susan B Eirich— author of Whispers from the Wild: An Invitation Stories from the Rescued Wild Animals of Earthfire institute. Susan's work in Reconnection Ecology invites us to see animals not as ‘other,' but as beings with whom we share this planet in a profound and reciprocal way. Check out the incredible work of the Earthfire Institute here and learn more about Susan on her website If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

George Makari is the author of a recent book titled Of Fear and Strangers: A History of Xenophobia. He is also a psychiatrist and historian, who is the Director of the DeWitt Wallace Institute of Psychiatry: History, Policy, and the Arts,Weill Cornell Medical College, where he has a clinical practice.

Today we have science writer and author Emma Marris here, and we're going to be talking about her amazing experience and her book, Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World. You can keep up with Emma by visiting her website If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Spotify,  or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on X: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  X: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen  

Today I am lucky enough to talk to award winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale who's works will move you and compel you to reconsider your relationship to nature. Most recently her not for profit Vital Impacts collaborated with the Jane Goodall Institute to celebrate women photographers, specifically, 90 of them in honor of Jane Goodall turning 90 last year. It was launched on April 1st 2024 and ran for 90 days. Vital Impacts is just one of the incredible concrete actions Ami has taken to create change and I'm thrilled to have her on the show hoping she will also inspire you. Check out her website https://www.amivitale.com/ and keep up with her on Instagram: @amivitale You can also keep up with us  If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  X: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen Song Credit: Kichwamba High School Music Dance and Drama Club  featuring The Krunk Movement (Queen Nairobi, 412SHxM, Chell E, Amina Rasid, and DJ Loveasy). Produced by DJ BKB.

This episode the interviewer becomes the interviewee as I am interviewed by my very talented intern Logan. We cover everything from how I got started to where I am headed. Please join us as we kick off Season!

A throwback to an episode from July 2023 where I talked with orca biologist and author Hanne Strager.  As you may have heard Orca's off the coast of Spain have been "misbehaving" and scientists are struggling to find a good answer to why they are attacking boats. A New York Times article that was published on August 27th, 2024 proposes a new theory.  I don't really agree. Do you? Feel free to leave a comment.   

As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of A Sand County Almanac and the 100th Anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness Area, I talk with Dr. Stan Temple, Senior Fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison about the evolution of Leopold's perspective and his lasting contribution to the modern conservation philosophy of the United States.  You can connect with the foundation in several ways  https://www.aldoleopold.org/ https://twitter.com/AldoLeopoldFdn https://www.linkedin.com/company/aldo-leopold-foundation/ And of course you can connect with me, your host on Twitter or Instagram @RealDrJen and follow the podcast on Twitter @wildconnectpod

Right here in the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Southern portion an invasion is coming. Not of aliens, of cicadas. Brood 19 and 13 have begun emerging and they haven't come out of the ground together in 221 years! Even though I recorded this episode in 2021 during Brood 10's emergence, it's worth rebooting because  periodical cicadas are unique to the U.S. The guest is entomologist Dr. Floyd Shockley, who is the Collections Manager for the Department of Entomology at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Him and I talked all about these true bugs and the importance of museum collections. You can follow him on Twitter @Beetle_Guy And you can connect with the museum @NMNH If you want to hear one of the seven species of cicadas sing their love song check out this link.  One of many cookbooks is the Cicada Cookbook and you can find it on Amazon.  If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes, including one about this year's historic emergence. You can watch that here.

This week rounds out Earth Month and I am talking with writer and conservationist Lydia Millet. Her new book, We Loved it All, takes you on a journey through her childhood and yours at the same time. It's more than a memoir though. It's a gift, a gift full of stories about how other animals are part of the fabric of our lives.  We talk about many things in this episode, from her work at the Center for Biological Diversity and the attention needed on rapid loss of biodiversity to how stories connect us to each other and the personhood movement for other species.  Join this interesting, thought-provoking, and engaging conservation and drop a comment if you have a perspective you'd like to share.  You can pick up a copy of Lydia's book anywhere that books are sold but support local book shops by ordering your copy from Bookshop You can keep up with Lydia by connecting with her on her website or on social media https://lydiamillet.net/ Instagram Facebook You can keep up with me at  www.jenniferverdolin.com  or on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen Follow the podcast on twitter @wildconnecpod and check us out on YouTube at Wild Connection TV. 

As we continue to celebrate Earth month, tune in to my conversation with author Leah Rampy. In this episode, we talk about her new book, Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos. Not only is it a heartfelt discussion, but I hope it will invite you to reconsider how you interact with the natural world and inspire you to make that a bigger part of your life (if it isn't already!) If you want to keep up with Leah and purchase your copy you can visit her website: https://www.leahmoranrampy.com/ If you want to be part of my conservation and education work, you can head over to www.jenniferverdolin.com  and sign up for my newsletter or www.wildconnection.org where you can also donate to support the various projects I'm doing. All donations are tax deductible.  You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen or check out Wild Connection TV on YouTube.   

I'm calling April Earth month because, well, doesn't our planet deserve at least 1 month of appreciation? Last time we re-booted Caren Cooper and this week we are revisiting a powerful conversation I had with Nathaniel Popkin, author of To Reach the Spring.  I would like to ask that you subscribe to the Wild Connection podcast and share it with your friends and family. By spreading the word, you're helping to amplify our message of conservation and appreciation for the natural world. Together, we can make a difference in protecting our planet for future generations. If you want to be part of my conservation and education work, you can head over to www.jenniferverdolin.com  and sign up for my newsletter or www.wildconnection.org where you can also donate to support the various projects I am doing. All donations are tax deductible.  You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen or check out Wild Connection TV on YouTube.   

I enjoyed my chat with Dr Caren Cooper so much we are bringing it back. Dr. Caren Cooper is part of NCSU's Leadership in Public Science Program and the F&W Conservation Biology Program. She is passionate about the social side of science, getting people involved in a variety of ways, and looking at what it means for laypersons to participate in science. She's also an ornithologist and outstanding mentor to the next generation of scientists. Collective science and including non experts in science can lead to major discoveries and even policies. If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

On this episode I talk to Dr. Ben Stanger, a distinguished author and expert in cellular biology. Dr. Stanger's latest book, From One Cell: A Journey Into Life's Origins and the Future of Medicine explains the mysteries of cellular development and its profound implications for understanding life itself. In his book, Dr. Stanger masterfully navigates through the intricate landscape of cellular biology, tracing the historical milestones that have shaped our current understanding. From the groundbreaking discoveries of cell division to the modern insights into cellular differentiation, Dr. Stanger illuminates the awe-inspiring complexity of life at its most fundamental level. If you enjoy this episode with Dr. Ben Stanger, please take a moment to like, share, and rate our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you fascinating content. You can follow Ben on Twitter @BenStanger01 and check out his website  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @wildconnectpod for updates and behind-the-scenes insights. We value your feedback, so let us know what topics you'd like to hear more about in future episodes. You can also follow me, your host Dr. Jen on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen  Here is a link to the paper I mentioned on the episode that talks about fruit fly evolution, specifically white eyes and red eyes. 

Today, we're venturing into the fascinating world of science communication, with a sneak peak into how evolutionary genetics can go mainstream. Who better to join us on this intergalactic adventure than, Dr. Mohamed Noor, a true visionary crossing the boundaries of science and science fiction. He's an evolutionary geneticist based at Duke University and a Darwin Wallace medal recipient. Not only does he unravel the mysteries of life here on Earth, but he also consults for none other than Star Trek, where science meets the final frontier. As if that wasn't cool enough, he is author of a few books including “Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us about Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds,” an entertaining introduction to genetics and evolutionary concepts all through the lens of a popular science-fiction television show.  To catch up with Dr. Noor you can follow him on Twitter @mafnoor and his lab here.  Be sure to follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV  

Picture a world drowning in plastic waste, from the vast oceans to the remotest corners of the Earth. That's our world. It's a challenge that demands our immediate attention and collective action. In this episode, I talk with entrepreneur Peter Okwoko. He's also the co-founder of TakaTaka Plastics a company at the forefront of taking layers of plastic and creating usable construction products.  He's inspiring his community and others to explore the incredible possibilities within the realm of plastic recycling. From innovative technologies to the grassroots initiatives, Takataka Plastics is working tirelessly to turn the tide on plastic waste in Uganda. You can keep up with Peter and Takataka Plastics here: https://www.takatakaplastics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/takataka-plastics/ And for some really exciting ideas on how to get started ups cycling plastic check out Brothers Make YouTube Channel

It's a new year. Maybe you've made some resolutions, come up with your next big idea, or are busy fine-tuning your strategy for the year ahead. Success is on everyone's mind, so what better time than now to talk to someone who has cracked the code. That would be none other than best-selling author, network scientist, and visionary, Albert László Barabási, the brilliant mind behind the groundbreaking book, "The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success"? We learn at a very early age that if you perform well, even the best, you will succeed. And to a certain point that is true. There is a strong link between performance and success, but it's not so straightforward.  How can we balance effort, opportunity, and timing to maximize success? You can't be successful without strong performance but there are other ingredients, a special sauce, if you will, that can make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary success. We talk about all this ad more in this week's episode.  We also want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories, and questions with us on social media using the hashtag #ScienceOfSuccess. Keep up with Barabási on Twitter @barabasi and see what he and colleagues are working on by checking out his lab website.  Be sure to follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

In this episode I have a not so ordinary conversation about climate with best selling author David Gessner and we invite you to think about how to talk through what climate change really means from a new point of view, one that connects us instead of divides us. David Gessner has written many books but we are talking about his latest one:  A Traveller's Guide to the End of the World: Tales of Fire Wind and Water You can follow David on Twitter @DavidGessner and on Instagram @davidmgessner If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV    

Let's talk about hormones. Hormones are so much more than time packages that influence the major events in our lives. We are still learning about some of these major events though in ourselves and other animals. Just a few months again scientists confirmed that chimpanzees go through menopause Here is the NY Times article about the discovery. I was also keen to see the study on chimpanzees since it was research conducted in Kibale National Park in Uganda. Now I want to know if mountain gorillas go through menopause, I have been to Kibale many times and have followed research by John Mitani, David Watts, and Richard Wrangham for quite a long time. Here is a link to the original research article. In this episode I mention a video I made with a friend and colleague called “Rejecting the Biological Binary". You can check that out here on my Youtube channel Wild Connection TV This week's guest is Randi Hutter Epstein, MD. Shes a writer in residence at Yale School of Medicine and teaches both at Yale University and Columbia's School of Journalism. Today, she is filling us in on all the weird and wonderful things that hormones control by talking about her book Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything. They even, well, make you you, mostly, kind of. If you want to get your copy of Aroused and Randi's other book check out her website: http://randihutterepstein.com/ And if you want to keep up with Randi follow her on  Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

This week I talk with natural history writer Danielle Clode about her new book Koalas: A Natural History and an Uncertain Future As famous as koalas are they are still a bit of a mystery. Danielle shares her love, fascination, and a ton of wonderful knowledge about koalas with us.  If you want to get a copy of the book or keep up with Danielle visit her website https://danielleclode.com.au/ and follow her on  Instagram or Twitter If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

I know I am not alone in my fascination of octopuses. They seem a little out of this world and they have so many unusual traits.  My guest today is scientist and author David Scheel. And We are going to talk about his new book Many Things Under a Rock: The Mystery of Octopuses One of the things that came up in the podcast was the octopus nurseries. They have always been a mystery to scientists and just this past week we finally have an answer. In the deep waters off the coast of California is an octopus nursery with over 6000 pearly octopuses. The answer only deepens my respect for the incredible intelligence octopuses possess. What is the answer? It seems they somehow have figured out that in these deep cold waters there is a bit of warmth to be found. The baby octopus garden sits on top of extinct volcanic vents that give off a little extra heat. Without this extra warmth it would take about 4 years for these octopus babies to mature. Instead in a mere 2 years they're ready to rock and roll in the ocean. Enjoy the episode and grab a copy of David's book If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod   You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

This is the first episode of Season 4 and I am excited to talk to marine biologist and author Hanne Strager about her new book The Killer Whale Journals: Our Love and Fear of Orcas. She's from Denmark but has been working with and studying killer whales in Norway for and leading the way in the conservation and education space. She's also the Director of Content for a project called The Whale, a new museum in Norway. And naturally, she passionate about killer whales. If you want to connect with Hanne and get a copy of her book, check out her website and follow her on Instagram If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

Coffee, the thing that so many of us love and crave. That is the topic of today's show. Today coffee is grown all over the world but it originates in Ethiopia and its history is recounted the mythology of a goat herder who noticed goats became energetic after eating the fruits. If you don't know anything about goats, they are pretty energetic already so they must have really changed their behavior. We too can get the jitters from coffee and soon coffee was being cultivated. It is now a billion dollar industry but few people are connected to where their cup comes from. In this episode I talk with Kingsley Griffin, founder of Kingha Coffee Company, an organic coffee farm and coffee producer in Southwestern Uganda. Check out the video of me making coffee the old fashioned way on my YouTube Chanel, Wild Connection TV. Kingha coffee is some of the best I have ever had. If you want to follow the journey of Kingha coffee you can go to their website and follow them on Twitter and Instagram   If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

Uganda has made great strides in conservation of its wildlife, notably mountain gorillas, but also the captive breeding and ultimate goal of reintroduction of rhinos back into the system. Uganda has also developed a model of profit sharing and others, like my guest Alex Ngabirano founder and CEO of Bwindi Development Network, an anti poaching organization, are taking the lead to create economic alternatives and education programs through community led decisions.   To follow Alex and the work of the Bwindi Development Network you can connect with them on their website: https://bwindidevelopmentnetwork.org/ Facebook Twitter And you can read some of Alex's articles on Medium If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV  

Last week climate refugees came up and this week it's time to talk about conservation refugees. Many Indigenous communities are losing their ancestral lands for conservation. This week's guest is one of the Indigenous Batwa clan leaders currently living in Buhoma in a settlement at the edge of his former home, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It was an honor and a privilege to sit with him and his community to talk about who they are as a people, what life used to be like, and what they are hoping for in their future. During our interview, the rains came so you'll hear how heavy the rains were toward the end. If you want to see one of the Batwa traditional dances you can see it here. If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen YouTube: Wild Connection TV

This episode continues my Voices of Uganda series that is part of my Fulbright, since I am well, in Uganda. Back home in the US this week there is a climate change trial unfolding in the unlikeliest of places- Montana. What does this mean, a climate change trial?  In this case it is 16 young people that have sued the State of Montana over their reckless endangerment of their future. The case, Held v. Montana, is grounded in Montana's constitution. You see, Montana guarantees its citizens  the right to a clean and healthful environment You can check out a link to the Yale article  for a more detailed look at the case.  https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/06/inside-the-unexpectedly-wild-landmark-montana-youth-climate-trial/ This case though, ties directly to my guest this week. Born and raised in Kampala John Kasiita Semulema has had an impact well beyond Uganda's borders. Today Kampala is nothing like it was when he grew up. It still had wildlife and was more like a village than the bustling, hectic, crowded city of today. Change is inevitable and nowhere is that more evident than with the climate. He speaks from a point of view as a Ugandan that grew up there and experienced a deep connection to nature and changes in the environment and now as an accomplished climate policy advisor also speaks from a global perspective.  If you want to connect with John, you can find him on LinkedIn If you are digging the show, give it a like, leave a review, and share it with your friends. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

Voices of Uganda continues this week with Paul Muhwezi. Last episode featured Apophia Asiimwe, a local bird guide. Paul is someone that has worked on behalf of the Buhoma community, has seen the community grow and change, and seen how it has benefitted from tourism. He is on the board of the Buhoma Community Development Association and he is the general manager for lodges, the Rest Camp and Haven Lodge.  One of the many goals is economic empowerment of the community. If you want to learn more about the Buhoma Community Development Association and stay at Haven Lodge (highly recommended) visit their website at: www.buhomacommunityug.com If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

Today's guest, Apophia Asiimwe, is a local bird guide sharing the wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and all the birds it has to offer. You can find her on Facebook and book directly with her.  If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. Thanks for listening and you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealdrJen and the show @wildconnectpod 

Welcome back to Wild Connection the Podcast. My Fulbright series  Voices of Uganda continues this week with Mandela Washington Fellow, business owner and entrepreneur Gerard Iga. One thing that folks may not recognize about Uganda is its diversity of natural spaces, wildlife, and culture. Perhaps that is why it's called the Pearl of Africa. Gerard specializes in giving visitors a rich and diverse experience of Uganda, sharing his love of his country with others. He is passionate about tourism and community development and is the owner of Lado Tours specializing in connecting natural resources and cultural resources with conservation, while uplifting communities. Now we had a few sound issues with people talking in the background periodically, so apologies for that. If you want to keep up with Gerard or book him for a tour here are various ways to get in touch: Lado Tours Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Website You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

This week we are continuing our species series Voices of Uganda with none other than the Chief Warden of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Nelson Guma. We will be talking about what's so special about Bwindi, what is threatening this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and what it's like to be in charge of a biodiversity hotspot that is now on CNNs top 20 places to visit. You can follow Nelson on Twitter @NelsonGuma and connect with the Uganda Wildlife Authority @ugwildlife If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @realdrJen and follow the show @wildconnectpod  

Hi everyone and welcome back to Wild Connection the Podcast. As many of you know I am coming to you live from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda where I am currently a Fulbright Scholar. Part of my Fulbright was creating a special series voices of Uganda.  My guest today is Lisa Randolph, author of a marvelous book, The Wildlife Divas Adventure Team: Saving the Endangered Mountain Gorilla. You can keep up with Lisa and the Wildlife Divas on her website and purchase a coy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can also connect with her on Facebook  Instagram Twitter or LinkedIn If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. You can follow me on Twitter @realdrJen and the show @wildconnectpod

This week's guest is Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. She is the founder of Conservation Through Public Health, the author of a new book, Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, and currently a finalist for the Indianapolis Prize. In this episode we talk about her work with the endangered mountain gorillas, her book, which details her journey, and what the future holds for this species.  For more information on book events check out the latest newsletter. If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

My guest this week is Ken Whelan, the Research Director for the Atlantic Salmon Trust. Not only is the work he and others doing revealing just how special salmon are, but his love of fish and commitment to reconnecting communities with the nature all around them is work that we need more of. As you'll hear, we met at COP26 under a sea of salmon. Enjoy!   If you want to keep up with Ken you can follow him @kenwhelan0451 You can check out his website and all the courses he is running here and explore all of the incredible work going on at the Atlantic Salmon Trust.  You can subscribe to the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

Bees are having a heyday at the moment. I think many of us spent part of our time fascinated by bees and the other part terrified of getting stung. We definitely love the products that bees make, from honey and propolis to many of the fruits and vegetables you find in the supermarket. But bees are so much more than that. My guest this week is Lars Chittka, a Professor in Sensory and Behavioral Ecology, Queen Mary University of London. And he's written a marvelous book, The Mind of a Bee, detailing the complex and intricate inner lives of bees. To keep up with lars check out his website here and you can also follow him on Twitter @LChittka To get your copy of the Mind of a Bee head over to Princeton University Press You can subscribe to the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen    

Not too long ago actor Bruce Willis was in the news. He is suffering from aphasia. Generally this is a loss of language due to some kind of injury to the brain. But there are many different types of aphasia. For example, in wernicke's aphasia people can produce language but have an impairment in understanding words spoken to them. The types of injuries that cause aphasias  can be strok, traumatic injury to the brain, infection, tumors, and of course proteins that attack the brain. This week's guest Dr. Sara Manning Peskin, neurologist and author of A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the hijacked brain knows all about how proteins, big and small, can wreak havoc on an otherwise beautiful mind. You can keep up with Sara here:  https://saramanningpeskin.com And check out an article written by Schneider Williams about Lewy Body Disease :The terrorist inside my husband's brain   If you want to know more about LBD or support research head to the Lewy Body Dementia Fund You can subscribe to the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

My guest this week is all about the enchanted. Today I am talking to author and veterinarian Timm Otterson with an interest in wildlife conservation. He's on today to tell us about his new book All Creatures Weird and Dangerous. It's an autobiography of sorts that brings to life some of the animals that have remained in the shadows as legends and myths. Our conversation goes deeper than that though and reminds us that our past was far more enchanted and connected than our present. If you want to keep up with Timm's adventures and order a copy of his book you can visit his website: https://www.timmotterson.com You can also follow him on Instagram @timmotterson You can subscribe to the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

In March of this year The UK government declared that lobsters, crabs, octopuses and related species will be included under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. This means that they can finally get  legal protection that protects them from practices like being boiled alive and having the tendons of their pincers cut. All I can say is if you need a law to stop you from engaging in such horrific practices….shame on you.   Today my guests are two renowned philosophers, Alice Crary and Lori Gruen who have published a new book called Animal Crisis: A New Critical Theory. Among other important issues they tackle, they invite us to rethink and recalibrate our relationship with other species. Incidentally, hey have a chapter on Octopuses and discuss the film My Octopus Teacher. Personally I was not a fan of the film. However, it put octopuses on the mental map of people. At the same time, many of those same people will happily eat octopuses while raving about the film. This is the depth of our cognitive dissonance when it comes to connecting with individual animals while purchasing a meal made of the very same species. OK, I'm not the philosopher, they are.  If you want to connect Lori Gruen you can check out her website: http://www.lorigruen.com  where you will find tons of videos, her other books, and interviews. You can also follow her on Twitter @last1000chimps. To keep up with Alice Crary you can visit her website: https://alicecrary.com and check out her other books and links to other interviews.  You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

Hi Everyone, welcome back to a new episode of Wild Connection. You may have noticed there was a short break and that is because I had some traveling to do. I also have some big news that is going to impact the podcast. I will be going to Uganda, to a place called Bwindi Impenetrable Forest soon and I am hoping to bring you new episodes from there. If people in the communities are willing to share their stories and experiences then you will get to hear them. So please support the podcast and spread the word if you are enjoying it.  This week's guest is pretty special. Brooke Williams has spent the last thirty years advocating for wilderness. He is the author of four books, including Halflives: Reconciling Work and Wildness. And when he's not writing books he's teaching courses and spending time in the desert in Utah, where he lives. You may think the desert has no seasons, but Brooke will be quick to tell you this isn't true and if you slow down enough you can witness the changing tides out in the desert. But those tides are changing. There is more heat, more fire, more floods. I connected with Brooke to talk about his latest book Mary Jane Wild: Two walks and a Rant. As you will hear, he is inviting you into his experience.  You can pick up a copy of his latest book  on Amazon or you may just find it in a local bookstore. Let's support those local bookstores.  Speaking of support... You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

Summer is starting and things are heating up. And in some places temperature is exceeding human capacity for existence. What you may not realize is it is a lot harder to cool down than to warm up. And warming up is something that gets at the heart of human social behavior. Here to explain more about what this means is Dr. Hans Ijzerman. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Universitét Grenoble Alpes and a junior member of the The Institut Universitaire de France. And he wrote a fascinating book, Heartwarming: How Our Inner Thermostat Made Us Human. We also get a sneak peek into how he and his lab are expanding their research into how temperature is influenced by culture, behavior, and biology. To keep up with Hans you can follow him on Twitter @hansijzerman and follow what his lab is doing at corelab.io You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

To celebrate Earth Day 2022 I am replaying my interview with author Nathaniel Popkin. We talk about his book,  To Reach the Spring: From Complicity to Consciousness in the Age of the Eco-Crisis, that was released in 2021. In our conversation we talk about environmental advocacy, the inequality of influence, decolonization, and integration of the messiness of nature back into our lives.  If you want to cnnect with Nathaniel check out his website, reach out on twitter @NathanielPopkin and get a copy of his new book, To Reach the Spring If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

If you've been listening for a while you know I have a fascination with bones. I have a rabbit cooking in a bush as we speak. But the truth is that I know so little about bones. That's about to change because this week's guest is in the know about bones, muscles, how they work and how they shape what we and other animals can do.  Jason Organ is an Associate Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where his research examines how the structure of bone and muscle influences how they work. He is also the host of the Science Night Podcast, an exceptional podcast and not just because he had me on a while back. He is also the co-editor of the Science Communication blog at the Public Library of Science.  You can keep up with Jason on Twitter @OrganJM You can also listen to his podcast Science Night and follow the podcast on Twitter @ScienceNight1 To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

This week we are celebrating National Farm Animal Day and it's going to be a party. We are talking horses, pigs, cows, goats, and even sheep. Joining us for this celebration is the incredible Dr. Marty Edwards. You may recall from last week's episode she promised us some stories from her time learning about farm animals. So hang on, it's going to be a wild ride.  To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

This weeks episode features someone near and dear to me. She was my vet who helped me take care of my beloved Senor Antonio Buttones in his final weeks. In fact I am dedicating this episode to him. As you will hear in the Show veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates by profession so be sure to check out the show notes for links to help support veterinarians. Dr. Marty Edwards is more than just a veterinarian, shes also a humanitarian as far as I'm concerned. She also is a veterinarian that comes to you which means she has had some experiences. I got to sit down with her to learn more about how she got interested in veterinary medicine, get a sneak peak into some of her home visit adventures, and learn about her volunteer work spaying and neutering cats on Hatteras Island in NC.   If you want to support veterinarians please visit Not One More Vet If you want more information on trap, neuter, return projects in NC check out the organizations we talked about on the show Friends of Felines Alleycat Allies To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

March is Women's History Month, at least in the United States so I am continuing to feature women scientists on the podcast all month. I thought I would start off with a little history about women in Stem. We women have a way of persisting and despite continuing to face barriers to professional advancement, we just will not stop. What lengths have we gone to? Like Rosalind, of Shakepeare's As You Like It, who disguised herself  as a young man in an effort to travel through the forest without fear of harm, Women have altered their appearance and behavior throughout history to succeed in STEM fields dominated by men. While some, like  military surgeon James Barry, whose real name was Margaret Ann Bulkley, went to  extraordinary measures that lasted a lifetime, others like Jeanne Baret disguised herself as a  man to get onboard a scientific expedition well before Darwin ever set foot on the Beagle. It  would take until 1959 before women, presented as women, were even permitted on scientific  expeditions. Fast forward to today when my guest Dr. Lela Schlenker spends most of her time asking if she can come aboard a commercial fishing boat.  Dr. Lela Schlenker is a marine scientist with a fascinating background. She is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Williams Mystic Program. This is a really special program run by Williams College in collaboration with Mystic seaport. This is an important program to Dr. Lela Schlenker and you'll find out why in the episode. You can keep up with Dr. Lela Schlenker on her website  lelaschlenker.com and on Twitter @LelaSchlenker To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

This week's guest is Samantha Farquhar. She is a dynamic interdisciplinary researcher with a focus on coastal systems in the Integrated Coastal Science Program at East Carolina University working on her doctorate. I got to talk to her about her past and present work and the importance of community led conservation initiatives.  Here are links to some of Samantha's work that we cover on the podcast https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2021/12/industrial-fishing-distant-waters Nepal Aquaculture Madagascar Octopus Project In this episode we are also celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science which was on February 11th.  To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

In another life I would have been a forensic anthropologist. I devoured books by Iris Johanson and her main character forensic specialist Eve Duncan. The truth is I like to solve puzzles and becoming a police detective or forensic anthropologist was high on my list. I still love crime/mystery novels and as you'll here, who knows maybe there is a career change in my future. It is this love of forensics and solving of mysteries that drove this week's guest to become a Forensic anthropologist. Dr. Ann Ross. She is a Professor at NC State University and works with the NC Medical Examiner to identify human remains and shed light on what happened to someone's bones.  She is a Professor at NC State University and works with the NC Medical Examiner to identify human remains and shed light on what happened to someone's bones.  Dr. Ann Ross' Lab: https://sites.google.com/ncsu.edu/forensicanthropology/ An article featuring Dr. Ross: https://raleighmag.com/2016/10/the-bone-doctor/ To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

Today's episode is part of the special WIS series. You may have heard me talking about this on other episodes and that is because I got a small grant from the AGU's Sharing Science program to highlight some incredible women scientists. This week it's all about what does it mean to get involved with science for the layperson or nonexpert. What does it look like, why is it important, and what are the contributions that people make to science?   My guest is Dr. Caren Cooper. She's part of NCSU's Leadership in Public Science Program and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Biology Program. She is passionate about the social side of science, getting people involved in a variety of ways, and looking at what it means for laypersons to participate in science. She's also an ornithologist and outstanding mentor to the next generation of scientists. You can keep up with Dr. Cooper on Twitter: @CoopSciScoop and visit her website for more links to other parts of her work: https://www.carencooper.com And don't forget to check out her TED TALK: Everybody Counts To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen  and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

This week's episode is all about sweat, smelling it, hiding it, and people whose job it is to decide what the nature of yours is like. Never let them see you sweat right? Not this week. And before I forget, this is the second in our special WIS series sponsored by the American Geophysical Union's Sharing Science grant.   Sarah Everts is the author of The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration and she is also a science journalism professor and chair of digital science journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa. To keep up with Sarah you can follow her @saraheverts on Twitter and check out her website http://saraheverts.com To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen for Instagram and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too. 

 It is post holiday and before New Years and this episode starts the launch of a special Women in Science Series. I want to acknowledge the sponsor of this series, the American Geophysical Union. Wild Connection was the recipient of their Sharing Science grant and I couldn't be more thrilled. The James Webb  infrared  telescope successfully launched this week. You might be wondering why this is a big deal. It's a big deal because this powerful, well the most powerful, telescope ever built will let astronomers and astrophysicists like my guest, Dr. Katie Mack looks deep into the history of galaxies far far away.because of light years and all that, what we see is the past when we look in the present. This telescope will give scientists and us the chance to see far far back into time and cosmic history. It is expected to peer so far back that it will catch a glimpse of galaxies that were formed over 13 billion years ago. It's going to take a while to start receiving images but when I recorded this podcast Dr. Katie Mack was simply hoping the launch would be a success.  Dr. Katie Mack is an astrophysicist at North Carolina State University and she is also the Author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking). To keep up with Katie you can follow her @AstroKatie on Twitter and check out her website https://www.astrokatie.com To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen for Instagram and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too.   

This episode is a fun one for me because, well, I have ummm navigational difficulties. I should be more precise. I can navigate perfectly well in exactly the opposite direction I should be going. That means if I was a snow goose that was supposed to end up on Pea Island from Alaska I would end up somewhere near the Philippines instead. I have what I call directional dyslexia and I found out that I am not the only one. Dr. Andres Vidal-Gadea is an Associate Professor of Molecular Neuroethology at Illinois State University studying the molecular and cellular basis of behavior. His research is making waves, electromagnetic waves that is. To keep up with Dr. Andres Vidal-Gadea you can visit his lab and follow his lab on Facebook To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen for Instagram and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too.   

My guest this week is composer, instrumentalist, producer, arranger, editor, and author Ruth Mendelson. She has written award-winning scores for film and television. She teaches at the Berklee College of music and she has written a fantastical, multi-dimensional, treasure hunt fairy tale for children of all ages called The Water Tree Way that will positively alter your trajectory through the world, pointing you towards joy, success and love. We talk about her book, relationships, and how to find joy. To follow Ruth and get your copy of The Water Tree Way you can visit her website.  You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram To follow us on social media visit @wildconnectpod  and @realDrJen for Twitter & @RealDrJen for Instagram and www.jenniferverdolin.com for more. Love the show or simply enjoyed this episode? Give us a like and share so others can find us too.  Wild Connection is devoted to helping you live a better life by reconnecting with nature through conversations with scientists, filmmakers, authors, and conservationists around the world. We talk about all things wildlife, nature, science, and conservation.