Martha Parker grew up on 20 acres in rural New York, where a chance encounter with a displaced nest of baby bunnies sparked a lifelong obsession with wildlife. Today, she isn’t just saving rabbits; she is the Director of Grants & Partnership Development at the International Rhino Foundation, where she manages the complex "people work" required to save the world’s five remaining rhino species.From the "honeymoon paddocks" of Indonesia to the grasslands of India, Martha pulls back the curtain on the reality of modern conservation. It’s not all rugged jeeps and field binoculars—it’s about grant writing, human-centered design, and navigating the politics of shared spaces. Martha shares the enchanting (and loud) eating habits of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino and explains why, even in a world of habitat loss and poaching, she maintains a sense of "pragmatic hope." This episode is a masterclass in how individual passion can scale into global impact.Tune in to hear:-- The "Pizza Slice" Strategy: How semi-wild sanctuaries are saving species that are too shy to find their own mates.-- The "Singing" Rhino: A description of the unique, endearing vocalizations of the world’s smallest rhino. Hear their songs here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2706939102756892-- The Resilience of the "Native Garden": How a frost in Florida serves as a powerful metaphor for the future of conservation.

We’ve all been there: reading a headline about the few remaining rhinos or the melting ice caps and feeling a heavy, familiar sense of defeat. For decades, the "doom and gloom" approach was the primary tool in the conservation toolkit, but Dr. Kathayoon Khalil argues it might be doing more harm than good. When we lead with fear, we don't always spark action; often, we just spark a desire to look away.

In this episode, Kevin Matteson sits down with Kathayoon, a conservation psychologist at the Columbus Zoo, to discuss why "saving the world" needs a rebranding centered on hope and empathy. From the power of naming a spider in your bathroom to why she wears a giant snake tattoo as a badge of honor for the misunderstood, Dr. Khalil breaks down the science of how we connect with nature. We explore the "social norm" of the zoo visit and how a simple shift in language—calling an animal "she" instead of "it"—can bridge the gap between human and specimen.

Tune in to hear:

-- Why "Debbie Downer" conservation messaging causes people to shut down and how to use hope as a motivator instead.

-- The six best practices for building empathy, even for the "non-charismatic" creatures like snakes and wasps.

-- How to handle the "science policeman" in your head when you hear someone misidentify an animal at the zoo.

By the time he was an adult, he had visited 150 different zoos and aquariums. He wasn’t a rugged outdoorsy kid camping in the woods; he was a child fascinated by the glass walls that allowed him to see into other worlds. For Grayson Ponti, nature wasn’t just a place to visit—it was a puzzle to understand, both biologically and socially.Today, Grayson is using that lifelong passion to challenge how conservation organizations welcome the public. As the founder of ZANE (Zoos and Aquariums for a Neurodiverse Ecosystem), he argues that true inclusivity goes beyond putting a "sensory friendly" sticker on the door. He joins Kevin to discuss how his background in English—not biology—helped him build a movement that celebrates neurodivergent strengths in the workplace and the wild.Tune in to hear:-- Why the "Golden Rule" is actually a bad framework for inclusivity.-- The concept of "Safe but Uncomfortable" and why it matters in field work.-- Why we should stop saying "Human-Wildlife Conflict" and start saying "Interaction."https://www.zanezoo.org/

To Michael Haughwout, field science isn't just research—it's "real-life Dungeons & Dragons." Whether he is swimming with whale sharks in Baja or tracking diamondback terrapins in New Jersey, he approaches science with the spirit of an adventurer.A 2023 Global Field Program graduate, Michael is the first in his family to earn a Master’s degree. He brings that same sense of possibility to his AP Environmental Science classroom, where 20-sided dice are standard equipment and "I wonder..." is the most important phrase in the syllabus.In this episode, we discuss how to maintain passion as an educator even when the hard days come. Michael shares why he ditched traditional rubrics to help students find pride in their work, how he uses AI to support neurodivergent learners, and why he treats the pine barrens of NJ like the landscape of Legend of Zelda.Tune in to hear:- Why he brings D20 dice into the biology lab.- The science of the "baseball catcher stance" (and other student-led inquiries).- How to turn a lack of funding into innovation (building hovercrafts!).- Stories behind the elaborate tattoos mapping his travels from Namibia to the Galápagos.

Imagine standing in chest-deep water, pulling a seine net full of marine life, while the traffic of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway roars just behind you.

For Dave Johnston, nature isn't something you have to leave the city to find. As the Director of Professional Development for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at the Bronx Zoo, Dave is rewriting the narrative on where conservation happens. Whether he is leading students through the gritty, biodiversity-rich wetlands of Jamaica Bay in New York City or driving across the vast Mongolian steppe with no GPS, Dave’s focus remains the same: people.

In this episode, we explore why "social science" is the missing link in saving species and why an educator might be the most powerful conservationist in the room.

Tune in to hear:

• The Urban Lab: Why New York City is actually a "city of islands" and a biodiversity hotspot.

• The Multiplier Effect: The math behind why Dave prioritizes training teachers over teaching children directly.

• Nomadic Hospitality: The cultural beauty of rolling up to a Mongolian ger (yurt) unannounced and being welcomed inside.

Sitting in a cubicle at a high-tech semiconductor firm in Silicon Valley, Jill Korach realized something terrifying: there were 17,000 jobs at her company, and she didn't want a single one of them.

That realization launched a global journey—from the strict discipline of Army ROTC to riding horses across the Mongolian steppes. Today, Dr. Jill Korach is a cornerstone of Project Dragonfly, where she uses her unique blend of logistics and empathy to lead Earth Expeditions. In this conversation, Jill dismantles the idea that a leader must be the expert in the room. Instead, she argues for the power of "shared vulnerability"—whether that’s struggling to meditate in a Thai hut or holding hands with a student who is terrified to swim.

We also dive into her research on the "Triadic Framework," a new way to look at conservation that goes beyond biology to include our spiritual and emotional connections to the land.

Tune in to hear:

• Why her training in Army ROTC was the perfect preparation for conservation leadership.

• How to balance "birthing a villager" (having a baby) while completing a PhD and traveling the world.

• The "Triadic Framework": Why saving a species requires understanding the deities and communities around it.

Molly Maloy is the Graduate and Adult Programs Manager at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. She has overseen the AIP since it began at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in 2012. Molly has worked at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for 20 years in the fields of Conservation Education and Community Engagement. She also works with the Field Conservation department on Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Botswana program and AZA’s African Vulture SAFE program. Molly recently was invited to be a member of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group to assist in global conservation efforts for vultures. She has a great affinity for Africa and has lived in Zambia and worked with communities impacted by tourism and human wildlife conflict. Her favorite part of being a part of the AIP is being able to help adults harness their passion and help them create a path for conservation action.

Dr. Archana Godbole is the Founder Director of the Pune-based NGO- Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF).

https://www.aerfindia.org/

She is also the in-country partner for Project Dragonfly's India Earth Expeditions course.

https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-studies/project-dragonfly/earth-expeditions/courses-landing-pages/india.html

A plant taxonomist and ethnobiologist by training, Archana has developed various programmes of AERF through the work on the ground for the last 28 years. She has been responsible for developing various programmes and initiatives of AERF, from protecting sacred groves and forests to conservation of hornbills and giant trees in the Western Ghats of India and beyond.

Imagine feeling safer floating in pitch-black water than standing on dry land.For Meghann McDonald, the ocean isn't just a field site; it is a portal. While she technically holds the title of Executive Director at the Vermilion Sea Institute in Baja, she prefers to view herself as a bridge. Whether she is navigating the dusty roads of a fishing village or the complex emotions of a student panic-stricken by a snorkeling mask, Meghann's work is about dissolving the lines between "local" and "tourist," and between "fear" and "awe."In this conversation, Meghann takes us beyond the typical field study experience. She opens up about the "invisible barriers" that keep local children from the water in their own backyards and how she’s working to dismantle them. We also discuss the messy reality of caregiving, the power of "Blue Mind," and why true growth only happens when we are willing to get a little wet and a little uncomfortable.Tune in to hear:The "Scared vs. Awesome" Scale: A brilliant mental tool Meghann uses to help kids (and adults) navigate fear in real-time. The Legend of Puma: How a street dog became the most important emotional support staff member on Baja expeditions.The Mermaid Theory: Why some of us feel more human underwater, and the neuroscience that backs it up.A Special Note: Since the recording of this interview, Meghann's father, Lane McDonald, who we talk about in the episode, has passed away. Lane was a huge inspiration for the work done at VSI. Here is a link to the Institute’s tribute to his legacy (scroll down on page):https://vermilionseainstitute.org/mission-history/https://vermilionseainstitute.org/https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-studies/project-dragonfly/earth-expeditions/courses-landing-pages/baja.html

Born and raised in The Bahamas, T'Noya cultivated a profound affinity for the ocean, which inspired her career trajectory from an early age. She has had the opportunity to volunteer and work with many diverse organizations and communities throughout her 25-year career. Currently, T'Noya is a Ph.D. candidate studying organizational leadership at Southeastern University. Additionally, she owns Wild Spark Consulting, a consulting business dedicated to igniting and cultivating leadership in conservation organizations. Furthermore, she is a Coexistence Fellow with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and a Vermilion Sea Institute and Ecology Project International board member. She serves on the advisory council for A Rocha USA and Ecochallenge.org. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and a Master of Arts in Biology from the Global Field Program at Miami University. A few of her favorite things are growing in her faith, spending time with her beautiful family, traveling the world, dancing to good music, and making new friends!