Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

This week, we're sharing an episode from our friends at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Take a listen and let us know what you think! Their second season launches in conversation with Mariana Varese, the Peru-based director of WCS’s Amazon Landscapes Program. Mariana describes a new initiative, “Together for Conservation,” that seeks to conserve biodiversity while preventing environmental crime in the Amazon. The project brings Indigenous Peoples and local communities together with journalists, private companies, and civil society groups to develop conservation solutions that can be expanded or replicated across the Amazon.

This week we're sharing a riveting episode from NHPR's show, Outside/In. Take a listen and let us know what you think! A debate about evolutionary “success.” Who should wear the crown of GSOAT (greatest species of all time), and are humans even in the running? Humans have had an impressive run thus far; we’ve explored most of the planet (the parts that aren’t underwater anyway), landed on the moon, created art and music, and made some pretty entertaining Tik-Toks. But we’ve survived on the planet for just a fraction of the time horseshoe crabs and alligators have. And we’re vastly outnumbered by many species of bacteria and insects. So who is the most successful species on Earth? And how do you measure that, anyway? From longevity to happiness, to sheer numbers, we put a handful of different organisms under the microscope in hopes of better understanding what exactly it means to succeed at life on a collective and individual scale. Featuring: Stephen Giovannoni, Rashidah Farid, and Steward Pickett

It's been a challenging couple of years during the pandemic but we are starting to travel again. Host Lale Arikoglu determines that she needs to challenge herself and goes hiking in Chilean Patagonia in a misty, rainy, and isolated landscape. Closer to home she’s trying to stay upright on a surfboard at New York’s Rockaway beach even though she’s skittish in waves and talks to author Dorthe Nors about moving from Copenhagen to live along the wild North Sea coast of Denmark, a place known as ‘Cold Hawaii’ and home to a longstanding community of international surfers. Plus, we hear from listeners who hike pilgrimage trails in the depths of winter and scale the Alps in the 95-degree summer heat. For more from Condé Nast Traveler's Women Who Travel, visit our website or subscribe to our email newsletter. For a transcript of this episode, please follow this link.

Hi everyone! We’re still a little ways away from the next season of Going Wild, but today we're sharing an episode of a great new podcast called The Class of 1989. In this episode, Len and Vincent talk about the representation of Black women in the films of 1989 — and how Black women directors would help transform the film world throughout the 1990s and into the present.

Journey deep into the heart of the world’s most remote jungles, savannas, tundras, mountains, and deserts with wildlife biologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant as she studies wild animals in their natural habitats. Rae and her teams spend years studying these animals – in order to protect their futures. Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant takes you inside their hidden worlds – and the action-packed, suspense-filled adventures of the wildlife conservationists who track them. Hear what it takes to find and save some of the world’s most intriguing and endangered creatures.  Explore more at www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/going-wild-trailer/

Lions, E. coli, and transformation... Being a large carnivore ecologist is no walk in the park. Especially when you have asthma! I share my first experience in the field and you'll quickly learn why our show's tagline is, "Not Your Average Field Trip." New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org Everything "Going Wild" can be found here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/ Watch and Listen to more NATURE: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbsnature/​ Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbsnature/​ Instagram: http://instagram.com/pbs_nature/​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnature   Follow Rae Wynn-Grant: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeWynnGrant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raewynngrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raewynngrant

Tracking and darting an elusive ringtail lemur might help save a secret rainforest in Madagascar, but it also invites unexpected feelings of homesickness and self-reflection. Immerse yourself in the sounds and story of this magical place while I share one of my favorite tales from the field. New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org Everything "Going Wild" can be found here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/ Watch and Listen to more NATURE: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbsnature/​ Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbsnature/​ Instagram: http://instagram.com/pbs_nature/​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnature   Follow Rae Wynn-Grant: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeWynnGrant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raewynngrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raewynngrant

You already heard about my experience tracking lemurs in this mysterious rainforest in Madagascar in episode 2, but what I left out of that story was just how hard camping there for five weeks was on my body -- especially as the only woman in the entire group. And yes, there was some blood involved. This is a special short episode of "Going Wild." Go back and listen to episode 2: Tracking Lemurs in a Lost Rainforest: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/lemurs-rainforest-madagascar/ For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org Watch and Listen to more NATURE: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbsnature/​ Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbsnature/​ Instagram: http://instagram.com/pbs_nature/​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnature   Follow Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeWynnGrant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raewynngrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raewynngrant

Poachers kill a giraffe in Tanzania. What happens to the poachers isn’t surprising. But what happens to the giraffe....is.

In the last episode, I told you the story about a giraffe - a dead giraffe, actually - in Tarangire National Park, but I didn't get to share any stories about lions. So, let me take you back to my first day in Tanzania, in the middle of the bush, and introduce you to two very unique lions I still think about to this day. This is a special short episode of "Going Wild."

Happy Halloween week! There are major risks that come with being a wildlife ecologist– from sleeping with poisonous snakes to provoking hungry bears. Here are a few of my scariest encounters in the field. Please like and follow us (and give us a review!) if you like the show! For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org

A dead bear shows up in an unlikely place, and the discovery of how it died and how it got there makes me question my life’s work. A warning: This episode contains details of performing a necropsy of the bear in the woods. It contains language that may not be acceptable for young listeners or those with queasy stomachs. Please like and follow us (and give us a review!) if you like the show! For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org

In part one of two, I share some embarrassing cross-cultural misunderstandings from my time living in East Africa. Hear about two of the biggest ones– and what they taught me about the country, the people, and myself.

When I was living in Kenya, I learned a lot about animals and conservation, and I also learned about people and culture, sometimes through my own horribly embarrassing mistakes. I told you about one of those moments last week. This week I'm bringing you another story. If you want to go back and listen to part one, it's here:  https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcast/misunderstandings-with-masaai-one/ For more episodes: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/ New episodes of "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" are released on Tuesdays. Want a season 2 or a story about a specific animal or location? Contact us at naturepod@wnet.org

If you’re new to “Going Wild”, welcome. You’ve found us at the perfect time. Right now, we’re rebroadcasting the very first episode of the season. It’s all about how I went from an asthmatic teenager, who had never even been on a hike, to the person I am today: a scientist who studies wild animals and practically lives outdoors. I want to give you a chance to get to know me before we hit you with the season finale, which is intense. So if you’ve already heard this story, be sure to come back next week – on November 30th – to listen to that final episode.

Breaking glass ceilings, breaking down barriers, breaking molds: it’s exhilarating. And exhausting. This episode is about what it’s really, truly like to be a Black, female scientist in America. Since this is the last episode of the season. I want to say, thanks to you. Hosting the show and sharing my stories has been an incredible experience and quite a wild ride. And I'm so glad that you're here on this journey with me. Go back and listen to all of the episodes again here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/

This season, you'll hear from wildlife scientists who are doing all kinds of amazing work like studying hyenas in Kenya or working with coyotes in California, and even tracking sharks in Florida. And just like me, they run into all kinds of drama in their work. The animals they study are great, but who they are as people and how that affects their work is just as interesting. We have brand new episodes starting September 27th. Subscribe now to Going Wild, wherever you get your podcasts, and follow along on www.pbs.org/nature. Explore more at https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/podcasts/going-wild/

What do you do when you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study Jaguars in the Panama rainforest but you can’t find childcare? Bring your kid along! In the first episode of season 2 of Going Wild, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant tells of an expedition searching for an elusive creature in the rainforest with her toddler in tow, but not everything goes as planned. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Hyenas might be the most misunderstood animal – Are they dogs? Big cats? Evil, trouble-making sidekicks? (Thanks, Lion King!) Dr. Christine Wilkinson relates to this ambiguous perception as a bi-racial woman, especially one working in the fields of science and conservation. She couldn’t wait to go to Kenya to study hyenas, but once there, she was labeled a “Mzungu,” a term often used to describe white foreigners. Hear about how she fought to save hyenas from being misunderstood (and even started a conservation effort for the animals considered a nuisance), and in doing so, found a community where she was accepted. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Dr. Christine Wilkinson, The Scrappy Naturalist, on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Why are coyotes showing up all over the place? Spoiler alert: evolution can work fast. If you live in the United States, chances are you’ve seen a coyote in the wilderness, or in more unexpected places like on a train, in your backyard, or even in a sandwich shop. But coyotes haven’t always been so bold. Back in the 1900s, coyotes were more like wolves – you mostly found them in forests and other areas far away from humans. Now, coyotes are everywhere, and Dr. Christopher Schell decided to find out why. Through his research, Chris learned a lot about coyotes, and some things really surprised him. But what makes this story even more unique is that by studying coyotes, Chris ended up learning even more about himself. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.  You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app. Follow Dr. Christopher Schell on Twitter. This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.  Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.  Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.  Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.  NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS. Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.