Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka

In this podcast, I really wanted to talk about self-care for scientists because we are so bad at it! I wanted to talk about because we are still experiencing the pandemic, which limits what we can do and certainly takes an emotional toll.

So what is self care? Some people don’t even know how to do self-care. You may have heard that it’s getting a massage or taking a bubble bath, but it’s so much more than that! I didn’t know how to do really do self-care until I was older and it’s also important to do self-care guilt free!

Self-care is all about taking care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally so that you can be a better scientist and person. We can’t just keep giving and giving without taking time and doing things for ourselves.

Specifically I go over:

• What is self care?
• Why is self care important
• Examples of self-care and the tips I think are most important:
• Exercise and taking care of your body. Combine this with music to double your impact.
• Eat healthy, nutritious food
• Get out in nature
• Do something joyful
• Meditate
• Plan your day (so important while most of us are working from home)
• Celebrate! And how you can celebrate by yourself without spending any money
• And MORE!

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Get a free chapter of “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ 

Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

For full show notes click here

Today’s episode was inspired by some people that started trolling me on Twitter and provides valuable lessons for conservation (and dealing with trolls). 

Palm oil, an ingredient in tons of food, cosmetic, and personal care products, is bad for biodiversity. There’s no doubt about that. I wrote a post explaining how it is bad and created a YouTube video on it. But the shocking thing about that post and video is that I state that I am no longer boycotting palm oil.

In the article I explain that boycotting palm oil or putting a ban on it would not solve this biodiversity crisis – and will very likely make it worse too. Instead, I argue for sustainable palm oil. 

The people favoring palm oil boycotts argue that there is no such thing as sustainable palm oil. I 100% agree that there are major problems with it. But getting rid of palm oil, again will not solve the biodiversity problem, and again, likely make it worse. We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, but instead push for truly sustainable palm oil. 

In this episode, I talk more thoroughly about why palm oil boycotts won’t work and that we can’t live in a conservation la-la land. I would love to stop deforestation in Southeast Asia, where a lot of the palm oil comes from, but that is not a realistic solution at all. 

Working with and supporting local communities is ESSENTIAL for effective conservation work. In many cases, conservationists have to push for less than ideal scenarios because if they suggest what they really want, the results will backfire. I talk about why local community is so important and give examples of where conservation has failed only because of the local community not supporting such projects. 

Specifically I go over:

• What is palm oil and how it affects wildlife and the environment
• What happens if we boycott palm oil
• Why boycotting palm oil will backfire
• Why it’s critical we include the local community including economic support for conservation to be successful
• Specific examples of conservation projects failed because of lack of support from the local community
• How I handle trolls
• And MORE!

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ 

Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

t’s getting close to the end of the year. In normal years, this is a time when everyone says their accomplishments. In which case, if you didn’t feel like you did that much or didn’t meet your goals, you can feel like a failure. This is how I felt a couple of years ago when I didn’t publish any first author papers.

Maybe it’s different this year because of COVID. It may even be worse because of COVID. But if you’re feeling down, I got the podcast for you.

In this week’s episode, I talk about how to bounce back from feeling bad about not accomplishing as much as you planned to in past year. 

Specifically I go over:

• What is an academic depression or end-of-the year-blues
• Things to do to overcome one including:
• Writing a “Ta Da” list
• Recognizing that you are much more than your career
• The types of people you need to surround yourself with
• Adjusting your goals so they are more realistic and being easier on yourself
• How to reframe your thinking
• The importance of music and changing your physiology
• And MORE!
• Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. 

Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

For full show notes click here

In this episode, I talk all about imposter syndrome. Part of the reason why I am talking about imposter syndrome is because we’re starting off in a new year!

I also just started my second cohort of students in my Confusion to Clarity course and it’s really clear they are struggling. It just makes me so sad how rampant imposter syndrome is in our community, our science community, our conservation community.

But finally – I think it affects conservation – hear me out!

I’ve been there – I know what it feels like, AND I’ve overcome it. I can help you I promise.

What is imposter syndrome?

It is the feeling that you don’t belong and that the accomplishments that you’ve had in life were somehow by accident or by mistake. You doubt yourself and your experiences. 

We are essentially filtering out people that suffer from it more, as they will likely to drop out of this field. Impostor syndrome particularly affects women and our field already struggles with diversity.

In addition to it being worse for us and our psyche, I also think it affects our ability to do conservation work and advocacy.

How can we get the rest of the world excited about conservation if we are down on ourselves?

I’ve been there – I know what it feels like, AND I’ve overcome it. I can help you I promise.

Specifically I go over:

• How impostor syndrome is debilitating you and your conservation efforts
• My experiences with imposter syndrome
• Why changing your thoughts is so important and really the first step
• To not be afraid of therapy
• Embrace and reclaim Stupidity!
• Find evidence that you belong and are deserving
• How visualizing your future self can help
• And MORE!

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. 

Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

For full show notes: https://stephanieschuttler.com/38-impostor-syndrome-confidence-and-conservation/

Why do I care about connecting people to nature? Well, it is incredibly important for me to get people outdoors, connecting to nature because that is so important in raising future conservationists to get adults to change their behaviors, change their attitudes, to be more pro conservation and pro wildlife. And if you ask anyone who is a wildlife biologist, they will say they become a wildlife biologist because they spend time outdoors in nature. 

What’s going on currently is something called the extinction of experience. These experiences in nature and when we have these lots of experiences, we are raising generations of people too. It’s hard to get people to care about them and there’s endangered species that are fresh water mussels. So we need to restore these experiences with nature.

Each generation is raised with this new norm, this shifting baseline of the extinction of experience. Pandemic right now is a great time connecting people to nature. It’s a really good idea to stay home as much as you can. And with that, with people being more restricted in what they can do for entertainment.

I am launching a membership program and it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be aligned with real wildlife biology activities that “us” wildlife biologists do. There’s going to be a challenge each month and you’re going to learn about wildlife by going outside doing the different activities. If you really are restricted outside, I am going to try to provide online activities that will simulate these activities for you. It’s going to be a monthly membership that costs $20. It’s a really great idea for kids and it’s going to be made by real scientists.

Specifically I go over:

• Why getting outside is important for conservation
• The best way to raise future conservationists
• What the extinction of experience is
• Why right now is the best time to go outside (the pandemic!)
• Nature has healing and health benefits
• Gifts to connect people to nature:
• Camera trap
• Field guides
• Binoculars
• Bird feeders
• Gardening supplies and books
• Bat house
• Nets, waders, and boots for exploring ponds
• Magnifying glasses and insect jars
• UV lights, headlamps, and spotlights
• And MORE!

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. 

Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

For full show notes visit

https://stephanieschuttler.com/gifts-to-connect-people-to-nature/

Hey everyone. I am so excited about today’s episode. I really truly mean that today I interviewed a special guest. Her name is Lisa Mills and she is the founder of elephant origins tea. I love this for so many reasons. One, I am obviously an elephant lover. If you don’t know, I studied African forest elephants for my PhD.

I’m all about tea now. So I love this because it’s about elephants. It’s about tea. It’s fantastic tea. The holidays are here. It makes a great gift, a great stocking, and you can feel good about buying from this company.

I think we need to support companies that do good, that still make profits, but that care about things like people and wildlife. So today I talked to Lisa and she is one of those companies. She founded one of those companies, elephant origins. So you’re going to hear all about the company, elephant friendly tea.

Specifically I go over:

• What elephant origin is?
• How Lisa Mills got involved in wildlife and how she found it as a company?
• How does the company started?
• What is elephant friendly tea? Where can you get it? What does it taste like?

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

I interviewed Master's student Hannah Som on her journey to becoming a student and what she learned as a student in the first round of my Confusion to Clarity program. We talk about how she transformed and the value of getting super clear on what you want in your wildlife biology career.

For more info on Confusion to Clarity and my webinar on the 7 Tips to Find Your Wildlife Biology Career Path, click here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/confusion-to-clarity-course/

You can learn more about Hannah on her website: hannahesom.com and follower her on Twitter: @hannahesom

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

The holiday season is here! Here in the US, I’ve seen it shift massively towards consumerism over the past few decades – gifts of course, but also more gifts than ever before, massive yard displays of santa, lights, and snowmen, and of course lots of eating. Some estimate that waste increases by 25% over our normal consumption.

BUT it doesn’t have to be this way! Can you celebrate the holidays and not be a total grinch? 

In this podcast, I offer you sustainable holiday tips to keep your season green! You can still celebrate while reducing your impact.

Specifically I go over:

• More sustainable gift giving:
• Quality over quantity
• Experiences over things – ideas for experiences
• Buying secondhand or upcycling items
• Give experiences instead of things or virtual gifts
• How to gift donations
• Purchase from companies that prioritize sustainability
• Shopping and Wrapping Gifts:
• Most sustainable shipping options
• Placing fewer orders is best
• Do we really need to wrap?
• How to wrap more sustainably if you must
• Meals
• Tips for more sustainable meals and eating (it’s also better for you too!)
• Tips for more sustainable parties (when it is safe to do so)
• And MORE!

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Igp44eg6yzaik4hqbuiwqn7p6b4

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW

#wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs

For full show notes click here

Black Friday is the official kickoff for the holiday buying season. As a conservationist, I know that buying stuff is inherently bad for the planet. But as the daughter of a family business, I know the holiday season is essential for people. In fact, many businesses depend on the holidays for their survival.

I also know that regardless of the environmental message I present, that people will still shop. People (like my sister) will insist on gifts no matter what. And to be honest, as a fancy scientist, I have struggled with shopping myself. In fact, I love things like fashion and makeup.

In this episode, I share with you my secrets in turning your Black Friday green – showing you companies and ways you can buy gifts for loved ones with less of an impact on the earth.  

I noticed after recording this podcast, that it is weighted towards clothes – maybe because that’s what I love to get for Christmas? But whether you are gifting or looking for stuff for yourself, this episode will help!

Specifically I go over:

• Things to think about BEFORE shopping at all on Black Friday
• Why we need to think about where we shop and using our dollars to vote
• B corporations and what they are
• The impact of the fashion industry on the environment
• My favorite companies/places to shop for makeup, skincare, clothing, accessories, handbags, sportswear, tea, and chocolates:
• Beautycounter (affiliate)
• The Real Real (affiliate)
• Thred Up
• Rent the Runway (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
• Reformation (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
• Tonlé
• Amour Vert
• Karen Kane (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
• Eileen Fisher (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
• Patagonia
• Kindred Belle
• Athleta
• World Wildlife Fund
• 4Ocean (Sold at our family business here)
• Bombas
• Conscious Step
• Elephant Origins Tea
• Alter Eco Chocolates
• And MORE!

For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/black-friday-green/

What’s the deal with coyotes? It seems like people are seeing them more and more and some coyotes have unusual behavior. What’s going on? 

People also seem to really hate them, but do they deserve such a bad wrap? This is so interesting to me because so many people love dogs!

In this episode, I talk all about coyotes with a focus on coyotes in the eastern United States. This is a wide-ranging conversation that will likely answer questions you have about this super adaptive species.

Specifically, I go over: 

• A brief history of coyotes
• How they’ve expanded their range in every direction in North America: east, west, south, and north
• Why they are so good at expanding their range and occupying new niches
• What coyotes look like at the most southern area of their range and why
• Are coy wolfs/coydogs a real thing?
• Coyotes in urban areas: LA, NYC, and Chicago
• My study on investigating boldness in coyotes and other animals
• Coyotes and domestic cats
• Coyotes and white-tailed deer: Are coyotes causing deer declines? 
• My study on deer fear of coyotes – can they act as apex predators? 
• Some weird stories of people being followed by coyotes
• Should you be scared of coyotes? 
• If killing coyotes is an effective way to control populations

Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? 

Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYX66GP?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420 

Let’s Connect:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA? 

I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/

For full show notes visit : https://stephanieschuttler.com/32-clearing-up-coyote-misconceptions/