PodThis Wild World

Grief and the River

The future of the most endangered orca populations is inextricably linked to the health of our rivers and salmon. We look at what it will take to save the remaining families of the Pacific Northwest.

Made with PodThis — create your own podcast at podthis.co

01:49 Chapter 1: The Toxic Inheritance

05:43 Chapter 2: The River's Gauntlet

The Iberian Mystery

In 2020, a new and terrifying behavior emerged off the coast of Spain: orcas systematically disabling sailboats. Is it a trauma response, territorial defense, or simply a dangerous teenage fad?

Made with PodThis — create your own podcast at podthis.co

01:54 Chapter 1: The Insurgency of White Gladis

04:56 Chapter 2: The Viral Ocean

The Breaking Point

Decades of confinement eventually reached a tragic boiling point. We examine the psychological toll of captivity on a highly intelligent species through the life of a single, massive bull orca.

Made with PodThis — create your own podcast at podthis.co

01:47 Chapter 1: The Making of a Tragedy

05:34 Chapter 2: The Boiling Point

The Captive Experiment

In the mid-20th century, humans viewed orcas as pests to be eradicated. That changed overnight when the first live orcas were brought into captivity, launching a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.

Made with PodThis — create your own podcast at podthis.co

01:43 Chapter 1: The Accidental Ambassador

04:12 Chapter 2: The Brutality of Penn Cove

The Grandmother Rule

Far from mindless killers, orcas live in complex, matriarchal societies. We dive into the distinct languages, cultures, and family bonds that define their lives, guided by the elders of the pod.

Made with PodThis — create your own podcast at podthis.co

01:48 Chapter 1: The Century Matriarch

05:39 Chapter 2: The Tour of Grief

The Perfect Predator

To understand the orca, you must first understand their unmatched physical capabilities and global dominance. This episode breaks down the biology and terrifyingly coordinated hunting tactics that allow them to rule every ocean on Earth.

Made with PodThis — create your own podcast at podthis.co

01:49 Chapter 1: The Antarctic Swell

05:21 Chapter 2: The Shockwave