In this episode, Steve’s cousin Michael tells the story of a life-threatening challenge that affects four billion people on this planet: that’s half of the human population. But it’s also the story of one very simple thing that, if implemented, will change every one of their lives. And you can be part of it.

An Interview With Michael Shepard

One of the things that makes this Podcast so much fun to produce is the opportunity I have to meet talented people who do interesting things. In this episode we meet Mary Sullivan, whom you have most likely never heard of. She works with Mike Rowe, whom you have most certainly heard of. Mary is the President of mikeroweWORKS, a foundation that donates tens of thousands of scholarship dollars to people who seek a job in the skilled trades. But Mary is much more than a corporate executive: she is a gifted and compassionate leader, an attorney, a biologist, a Hollywood agent, and a force to be reckoned with. She lives one of the ideals of her own foundation: When hard work follows passion, magic happens. In this episode, Mary shares her nonlinear journey from growing up in Maryland to working with Mike Rowe and helping hundreds of people achieve their dreams. There are some serious messages and compelling lessons in this episode—enjoy. And please visit the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to see the remarkable things they do for so many: www.mikeroweWORKS.org.

Episode 131 - Mary Sullivan's Dirty Job

Jim Winninger and I have known each other for a long time. We share interests in teaching, music, photography ... and the power of passion. Jim thinks about it all the time, and has a lot to share about the subject. And folks, if any of you are parents, you might want to listen to this one with your teenage kids. It applies to them as much as it does to you.

Epsode 171 - A Passion For Passion With Jim Winninger

An evening at the local wetland, punctuated by a symphony of spring peepers and an occasional round of applause from the resident beavers.

Interlude - Beavers And Peepers

A few thoughts about broadcast television (especially the commercials), see through the eyes of Alexis de Tocqueville.

Episode 222 - Thoughts On Television Commercials And Alexis De Tocqueville

I first ran across Rick Hannon's work when I purchased his album, "Dusk to Dawn on the Camas Prairie." After listening to this extraordinary collection, I reached out to Rick, and he agreed to join me on the Natural Curiosity Project to to talk about career as a photojournalist, photographer, sound recordist, and sound designer. From natural soundscapes like the Camas Prairie, to the sounds of antique typewriters, Rick does it all.

Episode 223 - Rick Hannon Of Evocative Sound

In this free-flowing conversation, I interview Ryan McCarty, an extraordinary individual with a story to tell that is both inspirational and informative. Actually, that's all I'm going to say. Enjoy!

Episode 224 - Ryan McCarty And The Culture Of Good

Let’s take a trip. We’re going to start in southwestern Europe and drive as far as we can go into the Arctic, following the annual migration of north-bound birds, photographing and recording them along the way. Then, we’ll turn our vehicles around, this time starting in southwestern Europe and following those same birds as far south as we can go, across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco and driving south along the west coast of Africa, all the way to Capetown, a distance of 12,000 kilometers. 

Sounds kind of daunting, doesn’t it? Perhaps; but that’s precisely the trip that Ario and Axel Drioli have undertaken. Axel is a wildlife sound recordist; his brother, Ario, is a photographer and cinematographer. I caught up with them and asked them to introduce themselves and tell us about themselves and their trip.

Episode 225: Wings Across Continents with Axel And Ario Drioli

I read a lot of books—an average of 135 per year. And yes, I remember them—most of them, anyway. And every once in a while, a book grabs ahold of my leg and won’t let go. That was the case with “The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World,” by Joe Keohane. In fact, it affected me so strongly that I closed the back cover, went to my computer, found Joe online, and called him. He agreed to be on the program, and this is my interview with him. You’re going to want to hear this one—and you’re going to want to read the book.

Episode 227 - The Power Of Strangers With Joe Keohane

Want to hear the sound of the largest living organism on the planet? My guest, Seattle-based Jeff Rice, has recorded it. Sound recordist, journalist, documentarian, musician, Jeff wears many hats, and his world is beyond intriguing. Please join us for a great conversation.

Episode 228 - Sounds Of The West With Jeff Rice

Have you ever had this happen: You see a book a shelf that makes you think of a friend you haven’t spoken with in a while. You smile at the memory, and as you smile, your phone rings. You look at the screen, and it’s the person you’re thinking about, calling you.

We’ve all had it happen, and it’s kind of weird. But it turns out that there may be some serious science behind the phenomenon—serious, as in quantum physics. It even has a name: Synchronicity.

Join me and my friend Tom Myers as we chat about the strange world of coincidences. Or are they?

Episode 229 - The Strange World Of Synchronicity

The Natural Curiosity Project, hosted by Steve Shepard, and the Silverback Digest, published by Stephen Morris, have a very special relationship. If you like the Natural Curiosity Project, for example, you’ll like the Silverback Digest as well. Here’s the story of how their partnership came to pass—and why you should absolutely subscribe to both.

Episode 230 - The SIlverBack Digest

When I was a kid I spent a lot of time in New Mexico, where my grandparents lived (Roswell, specifically). As we drove around, I became fascinated with town names--like Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Huh? Well, I did some research, and I came up with a list of what I think are the funniest, or most intriguing, town names for every state. Enjoy!

Episode 231 - Of 400s And Other Names

I love it when I discover a language all its own—typically related to a craft, or activity. Have a listen—and learn all about the jargon of the three-masted sailing ships. After doing this research, I’m astonished at the complexity of these gigantic works of art. I LOVE this stuff, and I’m not a sailor!

Episode 232—The Argot Of Sailing Ships

In response to a query from a young student, I decided to talk about roly polies. Hey, it’s Friday—celebrate with something fun!

Episode 233 - Holy Moly Roly Poly!

Imagine walking into the library because you’re interested in finding a book that will help you better understand a particular topic. You walk up to the circulation desk, tell the librarian what you’re interested in learning more about, and they say, “I’ve got just the book for you. Wait here.”

So, the librarian walks into the back and returns with the book. Only in this library, the books—are people. Because this is the human library.

You’re not going to hear from me a lot in this episode, because I want to leave the story to the people who are best equipped to tell it: the founder of the organization in Copenhagen, the manager of the New York City Human Library, and Brian Belovitch, one of their books.

Episode 234 - The Human Library Project

Another track that’s mostly for the kids, this one thanks to a student request about the lowly dung beetle—a much smarter little critter than we give it credit for. Enjoy!

Episode 235 - Dung Beetles

Dudley Edmondson is a gifted nature photographer with a passion for telling nature's story through his books and images. He's also a Black Man in America, and wrestles with all that that means as someone who often feels more comfortable in the wild than he does standing in his own front yard. Listen to his story--and think about what it means.

Episode 236 - Interview With Dudley Edmondson Nature Photographer

Described as the most resilient creatures on earth, tardigrades are funny little critters that can withstand just about any threat we toss at them--and shake it off as if  nothing happened. They can be frozen, boiled, left in the vacuum of space, exposed to radiation--and nothing seems to affect them. In this episode we talk about these little critters. Enjoy!

Episode 237 - Tardigrades

This is an important audio essay (at least, I think it is). It’s a bit longer than my usual diet, but it will be worth your time to listen and, as Winnie-the-Pooh would say, think a little think about it. Thanks, in advance.

Episode 238 - Things Vs. Our Idea Of Things

A message from an 8th grader asked me to look into antlions. So, I did, and with lots of memories of these little critters from my own childhood, here you go!

Episode 239 - Antlions

What's the largest thing on earth--the blue whale? Nope, not even close. Here's a hint: it weights 233 times what a blue whale weighs.

Episode 240 - Battle For The Biggest

As you know, the tag line of this program is that this is the place for stories that matter. Well, this story matters more than most. Not only is it about experiencing the wonders of the African bush, it's about a young woman, sightless from birth, who taught others how to see.

Episode 241 - Seeing Sounds

Episode 242 - Interview With Musician And Field Recordist Madeline Reilly

Amazing what happens when art and science collide.

Episode 243—When Art And Science Yield Truth

Sometimes there are no words. In this case, I editorialize about  theme I believe deserves attention: the corrosive power of disinformation and lies, and those who wield them.

Episode 244 - It's A Thing

This collection of recordings accompanies the text of "Capturing Wildlife Sound: A Useful Guide."

14 - Fallow Deer Rut

1 - Welcome

I photograph, record, and write about the natural world. I see, I listen, I write. I fundamentally believe that curiosity can save the world—so I publish stories to make people curious. Ultimately, curiosity leads to discovery, discovery leads to knowledge, knowledge leads to insight, and insight leads to understanding. Please enjoy!

The Natural Curiosity Project

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