Wild Connection

Fungi are everywhere , in the soil, in the air, in our food. Quietly they sustain life but also may unleash devastation. In this episode of Wild Connection, I chat with environmental toxicologist and author Emily Monosson about her latest book Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic. From the Irish potato famine and the rise of Candida auris in hospitals, to bats felled by white-nose syndrome and amphibians lost to the chytrid fungus, fungi are reshaping ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. Guest Bio: Emily Monosson, Ph.D., is an environmental toxicologist and writer. Her books include Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic, Natural Defense: Enlisting Bugs and Germs to Protect Our Food and Health, and Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory. She is known for her ability to synthesize science into compelling, accessible narratives. Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic (W.W. Norton) – available at your local independent bookstore, directly from the Publisher or on Amazon. Connect with Emily Monosson on LinkedIn. You can keep up with Dr. Jen on Instagram (@RealDrJen) and check out Wild Connection TV on YouTube where she brings science to life.  

What if a river is alive? What would it say about our world today? About the way we treat water, land, and each other? This question is at the heart of Robert Macfarlane’s latest book, Is a River Alive? On this episode Robert invites us to reimagine rivers not as background scenery or mere water channels, but as living entities, storytellers, and deserving of rights. To keep up with Robert check out his website: https://www.robertmacfarlane.com or connect with him on X: @RobGMacfarlane or Instagram: @RobGMacfarlane If you want to purchase a copy of Is a River Alive you can do so by getting it direct from the publisher Norton or on Amazon If you enjoyed this conversation and want to cultivate your own wild connection, check out my new Audible course Reconnect with Nature packed with simple, science-backed ways to bring nature back into your daily life, plus a companion workbook, Rooted in Nature, to guide your journey And of course connect with me  Website: http://www.jenniferverdolin.com Instagram:@realdrjen X: @realdrjen and @wildconnectpod Wild Connection TV: @wildconnectiontv4022

What can animals teach us about empathy, intelligence, and connection? In this episode of Wild Connection, bestselling author Sy Montgomery shares her journey and explores what chickens (and other animals) really know. With over 30 books to her name, from The Soul of an Octopus to How to Be a Good Creature, Sy invites us to see the world through the eyes of others You can keep up with Sy and check out all of her books by heading to her website: https://symontgomery.com/ or on Instagram @Sytheauthor If you want to host a book club using one of Sy's books and have this podcast episode as a companion or connect deeper with the content, I've created a downloadable Listener's Guide to accompany the dispose. You can find it on my website at www.jenniferverdolin.com/blog If you want to watch the video on prairie dogs that came up in this episode you can see that here on my YouTube channel.  If you enjoyed this conversation and want to cultivate your own wild connection, check out my new Audible course Reconnect with Nature packed with simple, science-backed ways to bring nature back into your daily life, plus a companion workbook, Rooted in Nature, to guide your journey And of course connect with me  Website: http://www.jenniferverdolin.com Instagram:@realdrjen     

Join me in conversation with conservation legend Ian Redmond, whose groundbreaking work with Dian Fossey and lifelong advocacy for great apes and elephants has shaped global conservation. We talk about his early days in the forest, his current work with Ecoflix, and the power of storytelling in saving species. Recorded in September 2024, this episode offers a rare window into the past, present, and future of wildlife protection. Learn more about Ecoflix: www.ecoflix.com Follow Ian on X @4Apes  Don't miss the next episode featuring Sy Montgomery! #IanRedmond #WildConnectionPodcast #ConservationHeroes #Ecoflix #GreatApes #Gorillas #WildlifeStorytelling 

This episode is a special one as I got to interview a personal scientific hero of mine, and fellow great ape researcher, Dr. Richard Wrangham. He shares his findings and heartwarming stories of some of the chimpanzees he's gotten to know over the years. He's also a prolific write and champion of chimps and communities. Check out the links below to find out more about the important work he and his colleagues are doing in Uganda.  Richard Wrangham  Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) https://kasiisiproject.org/

This episode features Dr. Susan B Eirich— author of Whispers from the Wild: An Invitation Stories from the Rescued Wild Animals of Earthfire institute. Susan’s work in Reconnection Ecology invites us to see animals not as ‘other,’ but as beings with whom we share this planet in a profound and reciprocal way. Check out the incredible work of the Earthfire Institute here and learn more about Susan on her website If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Spotify, 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

George Makari is the author of a recent book titled Of Fear and Strangers: A History of Xenophobia. He is also a psychiatrist and historian, who is the Director of the DeWitt Wallace Institute of Psychiatry: History, Policy, and the Arts,Weill Cornell Medical College, where he has a clinical practice.

Today we have science writer and author Emma Marris here, and we’re going to be talking about her amazing experience and her book, Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World. You can keep up with Emma by visiting her website If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Spotify,  or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on X: @WildConnectPod You can also follow me on  X: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen  

Today I am lucky enough to talk to award winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale who’s works will move you and compel you to reconsider your relationship to nature. Most recently her not for profit Vital Impacts collaborated with the Jane Goodall Institute to celebrate women photographers, specifically, 90 of them in honor of Jane Goodall turning 90 last year. It was launched on April 1st 2024 and ran for 90 days. Vital Impacts is just one of the incredible concrete actions Ami has taken to create change and I’m thrilled to have her on the show hoping she will also inspire you. Check out her website https://www.amivitale.com/ and keep up with her on Instagram: @amivitale You can also keep up with us  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  X: @realdrjen Instagram: @readrjen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen Song Credit: Kichwamba High School Music Dance and Drama Club  featuring The Krunk Movement (Queen Nairobi, 412SHxM, Chell E, Amina Rasid, and DJ Loveasy). Produced by DJ BKB.

This episode the interviewer becomes the interviewee as I am interviewed by my very talented intern Logan. We cover everything from how I got started to where I am headed. Please join us as we kick off Season!

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/ And of course you can connect with me, your host on Twitter or Instagram @RealDrJen and follow the podcast on Twitter @wildconnectpod

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 You can keep up with me at  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