Wild Connection

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

It’s a new year. Maybe you’ve made some resolutions, come up with your next big idea, or are busy fine-tuning your strategy for the year ahead. Success is on everyone's mind, so what better time than now to talk to someone who has cracked the code. That would be none other than best-selling author, network scientist, and visionary, Albert László Barabási, the brilliant mind behind the groundbreaking book, "The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success"? We learn at a very early age that if you perform well, even the best, you will succeed. And to a certain point that is true. There is a strong link between performance and success, but it’s not so straightforward.  How can we balance effort, opportunity, and timing to maximize success? You can’t be successful without strong performance but there are other ingredients, a special sauce, if you will, that can make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary success. We talk about all this ad more in this week's episode.  We also want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories, and questions with us on social media using the hashtag #ScienceOfSuccess. Keep up with Barabási on Twitter @barabasi and see what he and colleagues are working on by checking out his lab website.  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

In this episode I have a not so ordinary conversation about climate with best selling author David Gessner and we invite you to think about how to talk through what climate change really means from a new point of view, one that connects us instead of divides us. David Gessner has written many books but we are talking about his latest one:  A Traveller's Guide to the End of the World: Tales of Fire Wind and Water You can follow David on Twitter @DavidGessner and on Instagram @davidmgessner 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    

Let’s talk about hormones. Hormones are so much more than time packages that influence the major events in our lives. We are still learning about some of these major events though in ourselves and other animals. Just a few months again scientists confirmed that chimpanzees go through menopause Here is the NY Times article about the discovery. I was also keen to see the study on chimpanzees since it was research conducted in Kibale National Park in Uganda. Now I want to know if mountain gorillas go through menopause, I have been to Kibale many times and have followed research by John Mitani, David Watts, and Richard Wrangham for quite a long time. Here is a link to the original research article. In this episode I mention a video I made with a friend and colleague called “Rejecting the Biological Binary". You can check that out here on my Youtube channel Wild Connection TV This week’s guest is Randi Hutter Epstein, MD. Shes a writer in residence at Yale School of Medicine and teaches both at Yale University and Columbia’s School of Journalism. Today, she is filling us in on all the weird and wonderful things that hormones control by talking about her book Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything. They even, well, make you you, mostly, kind of. If you want to get your copy of Aroused and Randi's other book check out her website: http://randihutterepstein.com/ And if you want to keep up with Randi follow her on  Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn 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

This week I talk with natural history writer Danielle Clode about her new book Koalas: A Natural History and an Uncertain Future As famous as koalas are they are still a bit of a mystery. Danielle shares her love, fascination, and a ton of wonderful knowledge about koalas with us.  If you want to get a copy of the book or keep up with Danielle visit her website https://danielleclode.com.au/ and follow her on  Instagram or Twitter 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

I know I am not alone in my fascination of octopuses. They seem a little out of this world and they have so many unusual traits.  My guest today is scientist and author David Scheel. And We are going to talk about his new book Many Things Under a Rock: The Mystery of Octopuses One of the things that came up in the podcast was the octopus nurseries. They have always been a mystery to scientists and just this past week we finally have an answer. In the deep waters off the coast of California is an octopus nursery with over 6000 pearly octopuses. The answer only deepens my respect for the incredible intelligence octopuses possess. What is the answer? It seems they somehow have figured out that in these deep cold waters there is a bit of warmth to be found. The baby octopus garden sits on top of extinct volcanic vents that give off a little extra heat. Without this extra warmth it would take about 4 years for these octopus babies to mature. Instead in a mere 2 years they're ready to rock and roll in the ocean. Enjoy the episode and grab a copy of David's book 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

This is the first episode of Season 4 and I am excited to talk to marine biologist and author Hanne Strager about her new book The Killer Whale Journals: Our Love and Fear of Orcas. She’s from Denmark but has been working with and studying killer whales in Norway for and leading the way in the conservation and education space. She’s also the Director of Content for a project called The Whale, a new museum in Norway. And naturally, she passionate about killer whales. If you want to connect with Hanne and get a copy of her book, check out her website and follow her on Instagram 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

Uganda has made great strides in conservation of its wildlife, notably mountain gorillas, but also the captive breeding and ultimate goal of reintroduction of rhinos back into the system. Uganda has also developed a model of profit sharing and others, like my guest Alex Ngabirano founder and CEO of Bwindi Development Network, an anti poaching organization, are taking the lead to create economic alternatives and education programs through community led decisions.   To follow Alex and the work of the Bwindi Development Network you can connect with them on their website: https://bwindidevelopmentnetwork.org/ Facebook Twitter And you can read some of Alex's articles on Medium 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  

Last week climate refugees came up and this week it’s time to talk about conservation refugees. Many Indigenous communities are losing their ancestral lands for conservation. This week's guest is one of the Indigenous Batwa clan leaders currently living in Buhoma in a settlement at the edge of his former home, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It was an honor and a privilege to sit with him and his community to talk about who they are as a people, what life used to be like, and what they are hoping for in their future. During our interview, the rains came so you’ll hear how heavy the rains were toward the end. If you want to see one of the Batwa traditional dances you can see it here. 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

This episode continues my Voices of Uganda series that is part of my Fulbright, since I am well, in Uganda. Back home in the US this week there is a climate change trial unfolding in the unlikeliest of places- Montana. What does this mean, a climate change trial?  In this case it is 16 young people that have sued the State of Montana over their reckless endangerment of their future. The case, Held v. Montana, is grounded in Montana’s constitution. You see, Montana guarantees its citizens  the right to a clean and healthful environment You can check out a link to the Yale article  for a more detailed look at the case.  https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/06/inside-the-unexpectedly-wild-landmark-montana-youth-climate-trial/ This case though, ties directly to my guest this week. Born and raised in Kampala John Kasiita Semulema has had an impact well beyond Uganda’s borders. Today Kampala is nothing like it was when he grew up. It still had wildlife and was more like a village than the bustling, hectic, crowded city of today. Change is inevitable and nowhere is that more evident than with the climate. He speaks from a point of view as a Ugandan that grew up there and experienced a deep connection to nature and changes in the environment and now as an accomplished climate policy advisor also speaks from a global perspective.  If you want to connect with John, you can find him on LinkedIn If you are digging the show, give it a like, leave a review, and share it with your friends. 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

Voices of Uganda continues this week with Paul Muhwezi. Last episode featured Apophia Asiimwe, a local bird guide. Paul is someone that has worked on behalf of the Buhoma community, has seen the community grow and change, and seen how it has benefitted from tourism. He is on the board of the Buhoma Community Development Association and he is the general manager for lodges, the Rest Camp and Haven Lodge.  One of the many goals is economic empowerment of the community. If you want to learn more about the Buhoma Community Development Association and stay at Haven Lodge (highly recommended) visit their website at: www.buhomacommunityug.com 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

Today's guest, Apophia Asiimwe, is a local bird guide sharing the wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and all the birds it has to offer. You can find her on Facebook and book directly with her.  If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. Thanks for listening and you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @RealdrJen and the show @wildconnectpod 

Welcome back to Wild Connection the Podcast. My Fulbright series  Voices of Uganda continues this week with Mandela Washington Fellow, business owner and entrepreneur Gerard Iga. One thing that folks may not recognize about Uganda is its diversity of natural spaces, wildlife, and culture. Perhaps that is why it’s called the Pearl of Africa. Gerard specializes in giving visitors a rich and diverse experience of Uganda, sharing his love of his country with others. He is passionate about tourism and community development and is the owner of Lado Tours specializing in connecting natural resources and cultural resources with conservation, while uplifting communities. Now we had a few sound issues with people talking in the background periodically, so apologies for that. If you want to keep up with Gerard or book him for a tour here are various ways to get in touch: Lado Tours Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Website 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