George Bumann—sculptor, wildlife researcher, educator, and author—joins Rupert Isaacson for a profound conversation exploring how animals communicate, what it means to truly listen to the natural world, and how this understanding can transform our inner and outer lives. George, who lives just outside Yellowstone National Park, offers insights drawn from decades of tracking wolves, grizzlies, elk, and bison, as well as from his unique perspective as both an artist and scientist. Remarkably, George can mimic the calls of animals like crows and wolves so precisely that he is able to call them in—and, even more importantly, he understands what those calls mean. This episode invites you to experience nature not just as an observer, but as a participant in its language.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Art of Listening to Animals (Starts at [00:02:20]) – Discover how tuning into wildlife vocalizations deepens your connection with nature.
• Understanding Wolf Language (Starts at [00:27:30]) – Learn what wolf howls, barks, and yips reveal about their family dynamics and emotional states.
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in Wildlife (Starts at [00:36:00]) – Consider the emotional and social intelligence of animals like bears and wolves.
• Learning to Track with the Ears (Starts at [00:44:20]) – Gain insights into acoustic tracking and listening as a primary sensory tool.
• How Artistic Practice Deepens Animal Understanding (Starts at [00:52:00]) – Discover how sculpting animals refines observation and empathy.
• Teaching Children the Language of the Wild (Starts at [01:06:00]) – See how nature-based listening empowers and grounds young learners.
• The Inner Wilderness (Starts at [01:13:00]) – Explore how connecting with wildness helps heal internal disconnection.
• Calling the Animals: A Deeper Dive into Mimicry (Starts at [01:42:00]) – Hear how George uses mimicry to communicate directly with wild animals.
• Field Encounters That Shift Worldviews (Starts at [01:51:00]) – Reflect on how real-time animal experiences can transform human understanding.
• Conservation Through Emotional Connection (Starts at [02:06:00]) – Discover how empathy drives deeper conservation efforts.

🎧 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

• George describes how a single bark from a wolf can carry multiple meanings depending on pitch, pacing, and context ([00:27:50])
• A moving story of a bison mother and her calf that teaches a powerful lesson in patience and presence ([00:38:00])
• George and Rupert reflect on how grief shows up in animal communities, and how recognizing this can shift our own relationship to mourning ([01:11:00])
• A captivating example of acoustic mimicry and the moment George successfully called in a raven during a forest walk ([01:42:15])
• A transformative encounter between a young student and a wolf pup that sparks a conversation on education and presence ([01:53:00])
• George shares how a single elk bugle at dusk can carry emotional nuance, context, and ecological awareness across a valley ([02:06:45])

📚 Books, Films, Causes & Contact:

Websites:

Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations https://amzn.to/4iSJU7D

George Bumann: https://georgebumann.com
A Yellowstone Life: https://ayellowstonelife.com
Yellowstone Summit: https://yellowstonesummit.com

🌎 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

🌐 Website: https://rupertisaacson.com

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure:

Links to books and products may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. This does not affect the price you pay and helps support the podcast.