The Curiosity Club

For over four decades, Peter Gros, host of NBC’s Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, has traveled the globe advocating for endangered species, working hands-on with wildlife rescue efforts, and helping millions fall in love with the natural world. Join Gabrielle Valkner and Peter Gros In this captivating conversation where he shares the incredible stories behind his life’s work. Learn how Peter’s passion took root, the surprising places his career has led him, and what he’s learned from spending a lifetime alongside some of the planet’s most extraordinary animals. His stories are adventurous, emotional, and deeply human, offering a rare glimpse into the world of conservation through the eyes of someone who has devoted his life to it.

Whether you grew up watching Wild Kingdom or you’re simply curious about the planet we share, this episode will leave you inspired, moved, and reminded of the magic in the wild around us.

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In this episode, criminologist and wrongful conviction expert Professor Kenya Brumfield-Young joins Liz Phillips, on The Curiosity Club to break down the hidden complexities of crime and justice. From the psychology behind criminal behavior to the systemic flaws that lead to wrongful convictions, she reveals why real cases are far messier than headlines suggest. We also explore her student-led innocence review program and the red flags that often go unnoticed in criminal investigations. This conversation will challenge what you think you know about the justice system. 

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What happens when a kid in footie pajamas watching the Moon landing grows up to help design the future of space travel? In this episode of The Curiosity Club, Gabrielle sits down with Les Johnson, recently retired Chief Technologist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, to find out. Les shares how a childhood filled with starry skies and Star Trek reruns turned into a decades-long career at NASA working on advanced propulsion, solar sails, and missions that push the edge of what’s possible. He walks us through some of his most fascinating work, and along the way, opens up about imposter syndrome, what it’s like to work alongside astronauts and Apollo-era legends, and how he became a science author and science-fiction writer, even finishing the final novel of famed writer Ben Bova.

Gabrielle and Les also dive into big questions: How much of space have we really explored? Is alien life out there? What should we think about UAPs? And how do faith, science, and curiosity all fit together when you look up at the night sky? Stay tuned to the end for Les’s advice to future NASA dreamers, and why he hopes his life’s work becomes a tiny footnote in a history book one day, written on another world.

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In this episode of The Curiosity Club, Amy sits down with Daxton Bush, a Division I lacrosse player who, on the outside, seemed to have everything: a full-ride scholarship, a fraternity, athletic success, and the picture-perfect college life. But behind the highlight reel was a different reality. Daxton opens up about the quiet feeling he couldn’t shake, the sense that none of it truly fulfilled him. He shares how he navigated injuries, pressure, and expectations, and how he ultimately found the courage to walk away from the identity he’d spent his whole life building. We talk about the uncomfortable process of letting go, the discipline required to rebuild yourself from scratch, and the surprising pull that music had on him long before he admitted it.

Now preparing to record in Nashville and step fully into a new creative chapter, Daxton reflects on authenticity, accountability, and what it really takes to trade a “perfect on paper” life for one that actually feels right.

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In this episode of The Curiosity Club, Gabrielle and Fiona sit down with cancer biologist Dr. Ben Greulich, a professor at Mercer University, to zoom all the way down to the molecular level of cancer. Ben shares how a childhood love of Spider-Man and a third-grade science teacher sparked his journey into biology, research, and eventually the classroom. He breaks down what cancer actually is, why every cancer is unique and hard to cure, and how his work on transcription factor biology and ectodomain shedding might help flip certain cancer signals on and off. The conversation also dives into common cancer misconceptions, the dichotomy of synthetic versus natural treatments, and how precision medicine is reshaping cancer treatment.

Ben closes by reflecting on how he stays hopeful in such a heavy field, and expresses his commitment to ongoing research aimed at improving patient outcomes. His future projects will continue to explore the killer disease that has affected us all in some shape or form. Listen Now! 

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In this heartfelt episode of The Curiosity Club, host Amy Downing sits down with Radio Host turned endurance athlete Scott Tavlin, whose journey from heartbreak to healing will leave you deeply moved. After losing his mother, Scott faced the lowest moment of his life, but instead of letting grief define him, he chose to channel it into purpose. Through competing in grueling Ironman races, Scott now raises funds to feed families and clear teachers’ school supply lists, transforming personal pain into community impact. This conversation dives into resilience, faith, and the power of finding meaning in life’s hardest moments. Scott’s story reminds us that even through loss, we can create something lasting: a legacy of love and service.

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In this episode of The Curiosity Club, host Amy Downing sits down with David Franco, a mental performance coach who has worked with elite athletes across Major League Baseball. Together, they explore the intersection of mental health and high performance: how athletes build resilience, manage pressure, and transform setbacks into growth. David shares powerful insights from his work with players and winning a world series, emphasizing the importance of emotional awareness, mindset, and purpose both on and off the field.

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In this episode of the Curiosity Club, Host, Gabrielle Valkner chats with Dr. Anthony Daniel Greene, an entomologist and Professor of Biology at High Point University, about the crucial role of insects in ecosystems amid urbanization. We discuss the balance between pests and beneficial insects, the impact of fertilizers and pesticides, and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Greene highlights his research on urban pollinator habitats and underscores community involvement in fostering biodiversity. Listeners are encouraged to rethink their perceptions of insects and appreciate their vital contributions to our ecological systems.

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The Curiosity Club takes you where curiosity leads. Four friends. Endless questions. No topic off limits. 

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