Wild Connection

A throwback to an episode from July 2023 where I talked with orca biologist and author Hanne Strager. 

As you may have heard Orca's off the coast of Spain have been "misbehaving" and scientists are struggling to find a good answer to why they are attacking boats. A New York Times article that was published on August 27th, 2024 proposes a new theory. 

I don't really agree. Do you? Feel free to leave a comment. 

As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of A Sand County Almanac and the 100th Anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness Area, I talk with Dr. Stan Temple, Senior Fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison about the evolution of Leopold's perspective and his lasting contribution to the modern conservation philosophy of the United States. 

You can connect with the foundation in several ways

 https://www.aldoleopold.org/

https://twitter.com/AldoLeopoldFdn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aldo-leopold-foundation/

Right here in the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Southern portion an invasion is coming. Not of aliens, of cicadas. Brood 19 and 13 have begun emerging and they haven't come out of the ground together in 221 years! Even though I recorded this episode in 2021 during Brood 10's emergence, it's worth rebooting because  periodical cicadas are unique to the U.S.

The guest is entomologist Dr. Floyd Shockley, who is the Collections Manager for the Department of Entomology at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Him and I talked all about these true bugs and the importance of museum collections. You can follow him on Twitter @Beetle_Guy

And you can connect with the museum @NMNH

If you want to hear one of the seven species of cicadas sing their love song check out this link. 

One of many cookbooks is the Cicada Cookbook and you can find it on Amazon. 

If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on 

Twitter: @realdrjen

Instagram: @readrjen

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

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes, including one about this year's historic emergence. You can watch that here.

This week rounds out Earth Month and I am talking with writer and conservationist Lydia Millet. Her new book, We Loved it All, takes you on a journey through her childhood and yours at the same time. It's more than a memoir though. It's a gift, a gift full of stories about how other animals are part of the fabric of our lives. 

We talk about many things in this episode, from her work at the Center for Biological Diversity and the attention needed on rapid loss of biodiversity to how stories connect us to each other and the personhood movement for other species. 

Join this interesting, thought-provoking, and engaging conservation and drop a comment if you have a perspective you'd like to share. 

You can pick up a copy of Lydia's book anywhere that books are sold but support local book shops by ordering your copy from Bookshop

You can keep up with Lydia by connecting with her on her website or on social media

https://lydiamillet.net/

Instagram

Facebook

www.jenniferverdolin.com 

or on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen

Follow the podcast on twitter @wildconnecpod and check us out on YouTube at Wild Connection TV. 

As we continue to celebrate Earth month, tune in to my conversation with author Leah Rampy. In this episode, we talk about her new book, Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos. Not only is it a heartfelt discussion, but I hope it will invite you to reconsider how you interact with the natural world and inspire you to make that a bigger part of your life (if it isn't already!)

If you want to keep up with Leah and purchase your copy you can visit her website: https://www.leahmoranrampy.com/

If you want to be part of my conservation and education work, you can head over to www.jenniferverdolin.com  and sign up for my newsletter or www.wildconnection.org where you can also donate to support the various projects I'm doing. All donations are tax deductible. 

You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen or check out Wild Connection TV on YouTube. 

I'm calling April Earth month because, well, doesn't our planet deserve at least 1 month of appreciation? Last time we re-booted Caren Cooper and this week we are revisiting a powerful conversation I had with Nathaniel Popkin, author of To Reach the Spring. 

I would like to ask that you subscribe to the Wild Connection podcast and share it with your friends and family. By spreading the word, you're helping to amplify our message of conservation and appreciation for the natural world. Together, we can make a difference in protecting our planet for future generations.

If you want to be part of my conservation and education work, you can head over to www.jenniferverdolin.com  and sign up for my newsletter or www.wildconnection.org where you can also donate to support the various projects I am doing. All donations are tax deductible. 

You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen or check out Wild Connection TV on YouTube. 

I enjoyed my chat with Dr Caren Cooper so much we are bringing it back. Dr. Caren Cooper is part of NCSU’s Leadership in Public Science Program and the F&W Conservation Biology Program. She is passionate about the social side of science, getting people involved in a variety of ways, and looking at what it means for laypersons to participate in science. She’s also an ornithologist and outstanding mentor to the next generation of scientists. Collective science and including non experts in science can lead to major discoveries and even policies.

If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on 

Twitter: @realdrjen

Instagram: @readrjen

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

YouTube: Wild Connection TV

On this episode I talk to Dr. Ben Stanger, a distinguished author and expert in cellular biology. Dr. Stanger's latest book, From One Cell: A Journey Into Life’s Origins and the Future of Medicine explains the mysteries of cellular development and its profound implications for understanding life itself.

In his book, Dr. Stanger masterfully navigates through the intricate landscape of cellular biology, tracing the historical milestones that have shaped our current understanding. From the groundbreaking discoveries of cell division to the modern insights into cellular differentiation, Dr. Stanger illuminates the awe-inspiring complexity of life at its most fundamental level.

If you enjoy this episode with Dr. Ben Stanger, please take a moment to like, share, and rate our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you fascinating content.

You can follow Ben on Twitter @BenStanger01 and check out his website 

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @wildconnectpod for updates and behind-the-scenes insights. We value your feedback, so let us know what topics you'd like to hear more about in future episodes.

You can also follow me, your host Dr. Jen on Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen 

Here is a link to the paper I mentioned on the episode that talks about fruit fly evolution, specifically white eyes and red eyes. 

Today, we're venturing into the fascinating world of science communication, with a sneak peak into how evolutionary genetics can go mainstream. Who better to join us on this intergalactic adventure than, Dr. Mohamed Noor, a true visionary crossing the boundaries of science and science fiction.

He's an evolutionary geneticist based at Duke University and a Darwin Wallace medal recipient. Not only does he unravel the mysteries of life here on Earth, but he also consults for none other than Star Trek, where science meets the final frontier. As if that wasn’t cool enough, he is author of a few books including “Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us about Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds,” an entertaining introduction to genetics and evolutionary concepts all through the lens of a popular science-fiction television show. 

To catch up with Dr. Noor you can follow him on Twitter @mafnoor and his lab here. 

Be sure to follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod

You can also follow me on Twitter: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen

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

YouTube: Wild Connection TV

Picture a world drowning in plastic waste, from the vast oceans to the remotest corners of the Earth. That's our world. It's a challenge that demands our immediate attention and collective action. In this episode, I talk with entrepreneur Peter Okwoko. He's also the co-founder of TakaTaka Plastics a company at the forefront of taking layers of plastic and creating usable construction products. 

He’s inspiring his community and others to explore the incredible possibilities within the realm of plastic recycling. From innovative technologies to the grassroots initiatives, Takataka Plastics is working tirelessly to turn the tide on plastic waste in Uganda.

You can keep up with Peter and Takataka Plastics here:

https://www.takatakaplastics.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/takataka-plastics/

And for some really exciting ideas on how to get started ups cycling plastic check out Brothers Make YouTube Channel