Personal stories from an ethnobotanist who travels the world to find healing plants, a writer who conducted "frog church" as a child, and a biogeochemist who connects soil microbes to constellations of stars. Gems from past episodes of Constant Wonder that will speak to newcomers and longtime listeners alike!

Guests:

Sasha Reed, biogeochemist and USGS research ecologist https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/sasha-c-reed

Cassandra Quave, ethnobotanist and professor of Dermatology and Human Health at Emory University https://naturespharmacy.substack.com/

Lyanda Lynn Haupt, naturalist and eco-philosopher https://www.lyandalynnhaupt.com/

Artifacts hundreds of years old are exposed on the shore of London's River Thames when the river's tide goes out. Mudlarks walk the banks, searching for fragments and relics that reveal stories long forgotten. Come walk along the river with us as we connect past and present, from the Roman era to the modern day.

Guests:

Flora Spiegel, editor and mudlark https://www.instagram.com/thankyou_riverthames/?__d=11

Lara Maiklem, mudlark and author laramaiklem.com

Kate Sumnall, Curator of Archaeology at London Museum https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/secrets-thames/

Note: you must have a permit from the PLA to mudlark on the Thames.

Forests planted around churches in the Ethiopian desert nurture soul and body.

Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.

Guest: Philippe Lazaro, Communications Manager and Storyteller at Plant With Purpose

Learn more about Plant With Purpose here: https://plantwithpurpose.org/

When Gayle Boss stumbled on a passel of river otters on her 66th birthday, she learned from them that you're never too old to be playful. She agrees with Job that it's important "to ask the animals" for insight.

Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.

Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of ?New Beginnings"

Amateur astronomers tracking Jupiter dance and laugh about a discovery, leading to a reflection on what makes a miracle.

Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.

Guest: Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation

When the winter world is dark and still, look to the Christmas story for the promise of light.

Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.

Guest: Hannah Anderson, author of "Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World"

Historically, believers in Christianity were encouraged to focus on only the essentials. Gayle Boss brings this ancient practice into the 21st century, simplifying the holidays.

Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.

Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings"

Enjoy an audio advent calendar with a short episode for every day from December 1 through Christmas. Each episode invites thoughtful reflection on the season, inspired by nature’s miraculous phenomena (from a turtle hibernating through the cold of winter to an astronomer puzzling over the star of Bethlehem) as well as music and art traditionally connected with the biblical story of the Nativity. Advent is a series from the Constant Wonder podcast, produced by BYUradio.

When Shep the ranch dog discovered a mysterious rodent raiding his food dish, the canine forever changed the trajectory of the black-footed ferret species. Join us as we explore the precarious but wonderful lives of North America's only native ferret. We'll even take you along on a release of captive-born ferrets into the wild.

Guests:

Travis Livieri, founder and Executive Director of Prairie Wildlife Research https://prairiewildlife.org/

Justin Chuven, Deputy Recovery Program Coordinator at the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center https://www.fws.gov/office/national-black-footed-ferret-conservation-center

Brian Maxfield, wildlife conservation biologist with Utah Department of Natural Resources

Jimmy Breitenstein, wildlife photographer https://www.jimmybreitenstein.com/

Other voices from the ferret release: Clint Sampson, Crew, Marek

When options for recess became limited during the pandemic, a group of children in Oak Park, Illinois created Leaf Town, a thriving metropolis made of fallen leaves and lost trinkets. Beth and Kathleen Rooney recount the rise, fall, and rebuilding of the little community and remind us of the value of imagination and attention to little things.

Guests: Beth and Kathleen Rooney, authors of "Leaf Town Forever"

https://www.leaftownforever.com