Constant Wonder

Jonathan the Giant Tortoise was born in the 1800s and is still alive today, thanks to vet Joe Hollins. Hear about Joe's adventures with Jonathan and with a herd of skittish reindeer. Also find out what happens when a vet jumps to conclusions in the search for the mysterious killer plaguing a fold of lambs. Fascinating stories from islands at the end of the Earth. Guest: Jonathan Hollins, author of "Vet at the End of the Earth: Adventures with Animals in the South Atlantic" Find a copy of Jonathan Hollins' book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Vet-at-the-End-of-the-Earth/Jonathan-Hollins/9781639367429

Thor Hanson reminds us that wonder isn’t reserved for far-off rainforests or remote islands—it can thrive right outside our door. From looking up to spot bald eagles to crawling on your hands and knees to find new insects, Hanson shares how attentiveness and curiosity can open up astonishing worlds. Join us as we explore how slowing down and observing carefully can awaken the same thrill of discovery felt by the greatest naturalists. Guest: Thor Hanson, author of "Close to Home: The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door" Visit Thor Hansen's website to learn more about his amazing work: https://thorhanson.net/

On a tiny, remote island, an English farmer and writer captures the story of Anna Måsøy, a Norwegian "duck woman." In a practice that dates back to the Vikings, islanders coax wild eider ducks to nest on their islands, where the birds leave behind eiderdown—a material so precious that even kings and queens of Europe used it in their bedding. In learning Anna's story, this Englishman reconnects with his own heritage—passed down through six centuries of farming on his family's land in England. Guest: James Rebanks, farmer and author of "The Place of Tides" Find James Rebank online here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdyshepherd1/?hl=en X/Twitter: https://x.com/herdyshepherd1?lang=en

Karen Lloyd is no stranger to life in the extremes: she has encountered super-resilient microbial life near volcanoes, on the ocean floor, and deep in the crust of the Earth. Some of these microbes can survive extreme temperatures, "breathe" minerals like gold, and some can even live for thousands of years. In this episode of Constant Wonder, learn about how extraordinary life on Earth can be. Guest: Karen G. Lloyd is the Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies, Professor of Earth Sciences, and Professor of Marine and Environmental Biology at the University of Southern California. She is the author of "Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth" Check out Karen Llyod's book! https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691236117/intraterrestrials

When she was growing up, Dr. Kate Kennedy dreamed of becoming a professional cellist. After a devastating injury at music school, this dream was cut short. However, in recent years, Kennedy has reclaimed her identity as a cellist. She set out across Europe to investigate how cellists connect to their instruments. On her journey, she learned about the story of Pál Hermann—a composer and cello virtuoso who was killed in the Holocaust. After learning about his story, Kate was determined to find his long-lost cello to restore this precious instrument—the soul of Pál Hermann—to his daughter, Corrie, now in her mid-90s. Guest: Dr. Kate Kennedy, writer, cellist and broadcaster, and author of Cello: A Journey Through Silence to Sound Audio of Sam Lucas playing Pál Hermann's Cello Concerto at Wigmore Hall used with permission from Kate Kennedy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3I18yVuCEY&t=2s Audio of Kate Kennedy performing Bach's Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor used with permission from the Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum and Kate Kennedy Audio of Deirdre Bencsik playing the "bee cello" used with permission from Professor Martin Bencsik and the Bee Cello Project

Everyday people overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles to produce fine art. Due to decades of historical isolation, the quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama developed a radical, abstract approach to quilting. We meet two quilters from the small town who have quilts on display in some of the finest museums in the country. We also meet a contemporary furniture maker whose work is a living history of Black craft. Guests: Robell Awake, chairmaker, teacher, and author of "A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects" https://www.robellawake.com Essie Bendolph Pettway, quilter from Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Alabama, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/artist/essie-bendolph-pettway Louisiana P. Bendolph, quilter from Gee's Bend, Alabama. Her quilts are in the permanent collections of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, The High Museum of Art, The Dallas Museum of Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/artist/louisiana-p-bendolph Gee's Bend Quiltmakers: https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/gees-bend-quiltmakers Illustration of Harriet Powers courtesy of Johnalynn Holland, illustrator of "A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects" https://johnalynnholland.com/ Photo of "Conjure Memory - Things Fall Apart" courtesy of Robell Awake

Facing the loss of her Elkmont cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains—a family treasure for five generations—Lynn Faust began to pay more attention to the fireflies there, the "light show," as the family called it, where thousands of fireflies would light up in unison. When she read that synchronous fireflies did not exist in North America, she knew that scientists were wrong. The creatures were right in her own yard! Realizing just how little was known about these enchanting insects, she set out to observe them, becoming a self-taught firefly expert and unveiling the mysteries of nature's tiny lanterns. Guest: Lynn Faust, author of "Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs: Identification and Natural History of the Fireflies of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada" Learn more about Lynn Faust's book: https://www.ugapress.org/9780820348728/fireflies-glow-worms-and-lightning-bugs/ Photo credit: SmokyMountains.com Originally aired April 3, 2024

The Hanbury-Tenisons have turned to a rare temperate rainforest on their family farm for solace and renewal after emotional and physical trauma. Now they want to share this healing resource with others. But they also want to restore and expand the ancient forest. Healing the land and healing ourselves in this episode of Constant Wonder. Guests: Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, author of "Our Oaken Bones: Reviving a Family, a Farm and Britain’s Ancient Rainforests" and founder of Cabilla retreat center Lizzie Hanbury-Tenison, founder of Cabilla retreat center Rob Stoneman, Director of Landscape Recovery Landscape Recovery for the British Wildlife Trusts Read the Hanbury-Tensions' book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462415/our-oaken-bones-by-hanbury-tenison-merlin/9781529144222 Learn more about the Cabilla Retreat: https://www.cabillacornwall.com/vision/ Find them online: Merlin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHya0T1KkP4/ Rob Stoneman's X/Twitter: https://x.com/RobStoneman

Ever since "Dracula," bats have been seen as terrifying threats that carry disease. They're actually essential to our agriculture and industry. In this episode of Constant Wonder, you'll meet an expert who can set the record straight. No wonder he's known as "The Batman of Mexico"; he's been obsessed with the flying mammals since he was young! Guest: Rodrigo Medellin, Professor of Ecology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico Learn more about Rodrigo Medellín's research: Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rodrigo-Medellin-3 Find him online! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batmanmedellin/?hl=en Originally aired July 19, 2023

Hummingbirds are often admired for their dazzling speed and iridescent beauty, but their nesting habits remain one of nature's best-kept secrets. Citizen scientist Eric Pittman takes us into this hidden world, sharing his firsthand observations of hummingbird mothers as they build intricate nests and nurture their young—right in his very own backyard. Join us as we explore the hidden wonders of nature that await when we take the time to look. Visit Eric Pittman's website to see more hummingbirds up close: https://www.hummingbirdsupclose.com/ Guest: Eric Pittman, Hummingbirds Up Close; subject of "The Bird in My Backyard" documentary Photo credit: Eric Pittman Select hummingbird audio courtesy of Paul Marvin and Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library

Educator and activist Septima Clark used her passion for teaching to increase literacy rates in the Deep South, preparing Black citizens to pass the voter registration tests that were designed to disenfranchise them. Guest: Elaine Weiss, author of "Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement" Septima Clark reader: Janice L. Jones Find Elaine Weiss online: Author page: https://elaineweiss.com/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/efweiss5?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWeissAuthor/ Photo Caption: Septima Poinsette Clark, 1973; Photo Credit: Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC. News footage courtesy of EasyStreet, Pond5, www.pond5.com

The best way to see the world is on foot, it might be argued. Mary Colwell has had amazing encounters with wildlife on her walking treks around the globe. She's even used her walks to raise awareness and increase protection of the fascinating but imperiled curlew. Mary Colwell, Director of Curlew Action; TV and radio producer, conservationist; author, "Curlew Moon" Learn more about Curlew Action: https://www.curlewaction.org/ Find Mary Colwell online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marycolwell1/?hl=en

When Paula Whyman started trying to rehabilitate 200 acres she'd just bought, she knew very little about conservation. Among many other challenges, she faced off with mile-a-minute vine and rattlesnakes, but, with self-effacing humor and passion for this corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she persisted (and still persists!) in restoring the land to a healthy equilibrium. Guest: Paula Whyman, author of "Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop" Find Paula Whyman online: https://paulawhyman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulawhymanauthor/?hl=en

Use the power of retreat and meditation to ease the stress of our frenetic lifestyle. From decades of friendship with the Dalai Lama, Pico Iyer has learned the value of sacred silence. Guest: Pico Iyer, author of "Aflame: Learning from Silence" Explore Pico Iyer's work: https://picoiyerjourneys.com/#about

After waking from a coma with devastating brain damage, Samina Ali relearns to walk and speak alongside her newborn son. Guest: Samina Ali, author of "Pieces You'll Never Get Back: A Memoir of Unlikely Survival" Find Samina Ali online: https://saminaali.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samina.ali.writer/?hl=en

When Chloe Dalton starts caring for a newborn hare, the line between "indoors" and "outdoors" blurs—inviting her to explore the natural world that she previously took for granted. Guest: Chloe Dalton, author of "Raising Hare: A Memoir" Visit Cloe Dalton online: https://www.chloedalton.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloedaltonuk/?hl=en © The British Library; Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en; BYU Broadcasting does not claim ownership in the wildlife sounds provided by The British Library obtained at https://bit.ly/4ipDIU8; no changes made

From rural oddity to New York Times writer, Wilson Bentley's singular devotion to snow and desire to share it with others changed snow science forever. Guests: Wayne Howe, former president of the Jericho Historical Society; Kenneth Libbrecht, professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology; Anna and Juniper of Jericho, VT; Seth of Provo, UT. Special thanks to Rod Gustafson for voicing Wilson Bentley. Want to learn more? Check out the Jericho Historical Society! https://www.jerichohistoricalsociety.org/ Photo courtesy of snowflakebentley.com

Clint Edwards' hilarious honesty gives encouragement to those struggling with mental health challenges. Facing off his anxiety with humor and hope, he learns to raise his a family of his own after growing up at odds with his parents. Guest: Clint Edwards, blogger and author of "Anxiously Ever After: An Honest Memoir on Mental Illness, Strained Relationships, and Embracing the Struggle" Visit Clint Edwards online to see more of his work: Substack blog: https://clintedwards.substack.com/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noideadaddyblog/?hl=en X/Twitter: https://x.com/byclintedwards?lang=en Originally Aired on February 8, 2023

When Korean adoptee Sara Jones went looking for her birth family, she wondered if a strange tattoo given to her in childhood could unlock any secrets. Adopted into an American family at age three, Jones found much success here in America, becoming an attorney and CEO. It wasn't until her own kids started asking questions that she decided to search for her birth family. And she started her search with that mysterious tattoo. Guest: Sara Jones, CEO of InclusionPro, Board Member of The (Utah) State Workforce Development Board, Board of Trustees for Intermountain Salt Lake Valley Hospitals, Co-Founder of Women Tech Council. Visit Sara Jones on Instagram to learn more: https://www.instagram.com/saradansiejones/?hl=en Originally aired on October 26, 2022

A norm-shattering young White female doctor joins Black paramedics in 1970s Pittsburgh. And, meet the graceful but determined Black paramedic who provided unheralded leadership in spite of racism from patients and superiors. Guests: Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics" John Moon, former paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS Visit Kevin Hazzard online to learn more about his writing and research: Main website: https://www.kevinhazzard.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goes_by_hazzard/?hl=en X/Twitter: https://x.com/goes_by_hazzard Photo Credit: Harvard University, Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America Originally aired on September 28, 2022.

Before 1966, if you needed transport to the hospital, authorities might send a police car, or even a hearse. That year, Pittsburgh's non-profit Freedom House set out to change that for the city's predominately Black Hill District. Staffed by trained Black men, their ambulance service served as a model for newly emerging paramedic services around the country. Guests: Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics" John Moon, paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS Visit Kevin Hazzard online to learn more about his writing and research: Main website: https://www.kevinhazzard.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goes_by_hazzard/?hl=en X/Twitter: https://x.com/goes_by_hazzard Photo Credit: Heinz History Center Originally aired on September 21, 2022.

The Earth's crust reveals a dynamic, lively epic unfolding. Dramatic changes in the Earth's geology offer inspiration for its human residents. Guest: Marcia Bjornerud, author of "Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks" and Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies, Lawrence University. Find copies of her books here: https://press.princeton.edu/our-authors/bjornerud-marcia

Jarod Anderson found unique purpose in the woods of his childhood during a life-threatening battle with depression. As the host of the popular podcast "The Cryptonaturalist," he shares real love for nature with thousands through whimsical, magical, and outright outrageous stories. Visit Jarod Anderson's onling to explore his marvelous work: Author page: https://www.jarodkanderson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarodkanderson/?hl=en

What can animals written off as "mindless" or "scary" teach us about developing compassion for the natural world and for other people? Guest: Sy Montgomery, author of "What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird" Find Sy Montgomery online: Author page: https://symontgomery.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sytheauthor/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SyTheAuthor/

Darkness makes even the most familiar places unfamiliar. But Leigh Ann Henion finds this exciting, not scary—night reveals a magical, wondrous world. Guest: Leigh Ann Henion, author of "Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark" Visit Leigh Henion's online to learn more about her writing, research, and life: Author page: https://leighannhenion.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighannhenion/?hl=en

A new season of fresh content is on its way! In the meantime, nature writer Gayle Boss takes a minute to enumerate the many joys that Constant Wonder brings her as a listener. Find out why an "abandon to wonder" can make all of us feel more alive!

Poet and essayist Ross Gay talks about finding moments of wonder in everyday life. Wandering, finger painting, laundromats, bike riding, gardening, listening to beautiful music, recognizing the care that is offered to us. In this episode of Constant Wonder, we discover Ross Gay's philosophy of delight. Guest: Ross Gay, author of "The Book of Delights," "Inciting Joy," and "The Book of (More) Delights" Find Ross Gay online to explore his other work: https://www.rossgay.net/about Originally aired October 25, 2023

Get to know BBC personality and naturalist Mike Dilger, from his passion for birds and wildlife, to his adventures in the cloud forests of Ecuador. In this episode, we explore Mike's early experiences with birdwatching, his quest to find 1,000 different plant species in a single year, and his heartwarming proposal story, involving a ladder, a ring, and some chickens. Mike Dilger celebrates the natural world with contagious enthusiasm. Guest: Mike Dilger, BBC presenter and author of "One Thousand Shades of Green" Explore Mike's writing and photography here: https://mikedilger.co.uk/ Episode originally aired April 19, 2023

In 1938, two botanists from Michigan challenge the raging Colorado River in pursuit of cactus, the first known women to run the river through the Grand Canyon. An entertaining but little-known tale of resilience and beauty at the edge of the impossible. Guest: Melissa Sevigny, author of "Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon." Explore Melissa's other writing here: https://melissasevigny.com/ Thanks to Lew Steiger for allowing us to use his recordings of Lois Jotter's recollections. Kyle Remand, Ryan Clark, Brian Tanner, Eric Glissmeyer, Audrey Hughes, Kristi Lindstrom, Becca Hurley, and Barry Squires voiced the various roles. Episode originally aired September 9, 2023.

A story of human triumph: A young child is rescued from life on the streets, fostered, and mentored. He chases a dream to play classical music, and now as a mentor himself, he encourages others to dream big. With humility and humor, Richard Antoine White shares his unique journey. A favorite episode reprise, originally posted October 12, 2022. Guest: Richard Antoine White, author of "I'm Possible: A Story of Survival, a Tuba, and the Small Miracle of a Big Dream"; principal tubist for the Santa Fe Symphony and the New Mexico Philharmonic; Associate Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at the University of New Mexico Visit Richard's website to learn more about him and his music: https://rawtuba.com/

Can one local map offer a lifetime of adventure? Alastair Humphreys embarks on a quest to discover the hidden marvels of his London neighborhood. As a National Geographic explorer, he has rowed across the Atlantic, biked around the world, and run a marathon in the Sahara—but he still loves to find the ordinary, wondrous things right under our noses. Guest: Alastair Humphreys, National Geographic Explorer and author, "Local: A Search for Nearby Nature and Wildness" Find Alastair Humphreys online: https://alastairhumphreys.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/al_humphreys/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsTMxQP7HUCRTuNEEQWLww X/Twitter: https://x.com/Al_Humphreys

Unexpected wonder from Arctic encounters with beluga whales, wolves, grizzlies, and polar bears. Adventurer Jonathan Waterman shares four decades of experience on the ice, and he explores the emerging beauty of a warming ecosphere. Guest: Jonathan Waterman, author of "Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis" Check out Jonathan's other survival books and say hi online: https://authorsunbound.com/jonathan-waterman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterman_jonathan/?hl=en

A story of passion, persistence, and a barely plausible sea creature. Experts insisted that seahorses couldn't live in cold water off the coasts of Devonshire, England or Long Beach, California. Then two scuba divers proved them wrong. Guests: Neil Garrick-Maidment, Founder of The Seahorse Trust Roger Hansen, scuba instructor and retired high school teacher Want to learn more? Check out The Seahorse Trust and see the waves they are making! https://www.theseahorsetrust.org/

This astronaut never took the stunning view from the Space Station for granted, even after 100 days in space. Life lessons for earthlings: behave like a crewmate, not a passenger, on this planet. That's the message Nicole Stott has been sharing ever since her return. And she gives particular insight into the healing effects of art and space on sick and traumatized children. Guest: Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut; author of "Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet―And Our Mission to Protect It"; Founding Director of the Space for Art Foundation Find Nicole Stott online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astro_nicole/?hl=en Want to get involved? Visit the Space for Art Foundation and find out how you can help! https://www.spaceforartfoundation.org/

When Scottish peregrine falcon chicks were stolen, George Smith used DNA to reveal the smugglers' crimes and return the birds to grateful peregrine parents. Also in this episode, we meet a California peregrine matriarch named Annie, whose engaged parenting approach has met with unusual success. Guests: Lynne Schofield and Sean Peterson, visiting biology professors at St. Olaf's College and ornithologists with Cal Falcons George Smith, Peregrine Coordinator for the Scottish Raptor Study Group Want to learn more about raptor conservation? Visit the Scottish Raptor Study Group and get involved! https://www.scottishraptorstudygroup.org/scottish-raptor-monitoring-scheme/

Bright hope for cystic fibrosis and progeria patients. Francis Collins gives a wide-ranging interview: the sequencing of the human genome; life-changing treatments for genetic diseases; how he astonished himself when he began to question his atheism; wrestling with the way his team at the NIH handled the Covid pandemic. All part of his journey on the "Road to Wisdom." Guest: Francis Collins, former Director of the National Institutes of Health; founder of BioLogos; author of "The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust" Find a copy of Francis Collins' book: https://www.francisscollins.com/

Plants are sentient. It's not just animals that think. Able to choose, they detect problems, find nutrients, and defend themselves. Guest: Zoë Schlanger, science writer for The Atlantic and author of "The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth" Find Zoë Schlanger online: https://www.zoeschlanger.com/the-light-eaters X/Twitter: https://x.com/zoeschlanger

Bringing the wonders of the natural world to the curious kids in your life, Constant Wonder KIDS is the podcast that turns everyday moments into extraordinary adventures! This new show from Constant Wonder shares fascinating facts and true stories about amazing people doing incredible things in nature. Join us as we explore the playful side of octopuses who enjoy toys like Lego bricks. Dive into the ocean with whale sharks and meet one who has an unexpectedly friendly personality. Or cheer for tiny athletes at the International Hedgehog Olympic Games. Each episode of Constant Wonder KIDS is a bite-sized story taken from its parent podcast, Constant Wonder. Perfect for road trips, bedtime listening, or when your brain’s got an itch that needs to be scratched.

When she realized that her father had become a voice for the scattered Hmong people, Kao Kalia Yang—who'd refused to speak English for 20 years—found the courage to do the same. Guest: Kao Kalia Yang, author of "Where Rivers Part," "The Song Poet," and "The Latehomecomer" Find Kao Kalia Yang online: https://www.kaokaliayang.com/kao-kalia-yang/

Lyme disease keeps her from driving, but the beloved author of The Joy Luck Club relishes the wonder of nature right at home. Amy Tan's insights will help you see your back yard, whatever its size, in a whole new light. Tune in as she describes the animal life in her yard—hummingbirds, owls, finches, squirrels, and even rats—as if they were players on the stage of a great opera. Guest: Amy Tan, author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles Find Amy Tan online: https://amytan.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amytanwriter/?hl=en

Yasmeen Lari was a famous Pakistani architect celebrated for her work in steel, cement, and glass. In her 60s, she turned her back on all that, and, after a massive earthquake hit her country, she began to work with locals building humble homes of adobe, mud, and bamboo. Painter Henri Matisse, when debilitated by stomach cancer in his 70s, hung up his brushes and took up scissors to continue making art. And, the Disney illustrator Tyrus Wong waited until he was 90 years old to receive full credit for the revolutionary work he'd done on "Bambi." Never say it's too late to succeed! Guest: Mo Rocca, correspondent for "CBS News Sunday Morning," author of "Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs," and host of the "Mobituaries" podcast

Northern bald ibises vanished from the wild in Europe 400 years ago. Austrian scientists attempted to re-introduce the birds to the wild, but the birds got spectacularly lost when they were released for migration, flying east in their search for south. In this episode of Constant Wonder, learn how Johannes Fritz was inspired by a Hollywood movie, leading him to teach the bald ibises to migrate safely—by guiding them for hundreds of miles in a microlight plane. Guest: Johannes Fritz, biologist, conservationist, and founder of the Waldrappteam Want to learn more? Check out Waldarappteam's website to find out more! https://www.waldrappteam.at/en/ Photo copyright of Waldrappteam Conservation and Research

Born to a Taiwanese mother and Welsh father, Jessica J. Lee grew up in suburban Ontario feeling "not quite Canadian." She attempted to set down roots in England as a young adult, but her sense of belonging was challenged by the xenophobia that followed Brexit. In this episode of Constant Wonder, we'll examine how nature helps an immigrant or transplant feel at home. Guests: Jessica J. Lee, author of "Dispersals: On Plants, Borders, and Belonging" and "A Garden Called Home" Stephanie Krzywonos, author of "Glacial Erratic," published in the Willowherb Review Find Jessica online: https://www.jessicajleewrites.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajlee/?hl=en Find Stephanie online: https://stephaniekrzywonos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephkrzywonos/?hl=en

A bee’s brain is tiny, but its one million neurons make shockingly complex connections. Individual bee and bumblebee intelligence is phenomenal, from spatial memory to communication. And would you believe that bees are likely also capable of play? Two leading researchers paint a compelling picture of just how much we’ve underestimated the individual sentience of bees. The stereotype of the bee as a robot fully dependent on the hive is far from accurate. We explore fascinating bee research involving harmonic radar, machine learning, and AI—in an effort to see the world through the eyes of a bee. Guests: Lars Chittka, professor of Sensory and Behavioral Ecology at Queen Mary University of London and author of "The Mind of a Bee" Tim Landgraf, professor of Machine Learning and Robotics at the Free University Berlin

Alan Townsend describes his early professional and personal life as marked by a naïve faith in the power of science to provide answers and solve problems. Townsend was already softening his early scientific dogmatism when his wife and his daughter were diagnosed with unrelated brain cancers. One survived, while the other did not, and this father and husband then had to choose how to how to put back the pieces, both of his life and of his view of a universe that once seemed to him so clear and logical. Guest: Alan Townsend, author of "This Ordinary Stardust: A Scientist's Path from Grief to Wonder" Find Alan Townsend online: https://www.alantownsend.info/

After farmer Mas Masumoto was contacted as next-of-kin for a woman he knew almost nothing about, he set about to uncover why his disabled aunt was hidden away after WWII, and his efforts began to heal wounds that were seven decades old. His story tracks the triumphs and heartaches of four generations of Japanese Americans. Guest: David Mas Masumoto, author of "Secret Harvest: A Hidden Story of Separation and the Resilience of a Family Farm" Want to know more? Visit the Masumoto family's blog for new books, family recipes, and their story: https://www.masumoto.com/ Original artwork by Patricia Wakida

Amidst the annus horribilis that was 2020, New York-based writer John Oakes sought to exorcise some of his own inner noise and "automaticity" by doing a week-long liquid-only fast. He liked it so well that he and his wife, Carin Kuoni, began fasting twice a year. And he liked that so well that he wrote a book about it. In this episode of Constant Wonder he and Carin explain the how and why of these biannual fasts. Guests: John Oakes, author of "The Fast: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Promise of Doing Without" Carin Kuoni, Senior Director/Chief Curator, Vera List Center for Art and Politics Find John Oakes online: https://john-oakes.com/ Instagram: Find Carin Kouni online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carinkuoni/?hl=en

When Christian Wiman and Danielle Chapman met and married, life seemed charmed and the horizon calm. But within a year, Christian was diagnosed with a rare, incurable blood cancer, and their life veered in directions unforeseen. Now, over twenty years later, Christian and Danielle and their two teenage daughters are thriving; Christian is cancer free after the latest round of therapy. He has been the beneficiary of multiple timely medical breakthroughs. Along the way, they have experienced intense joy amidst great pain and developed a quiet, shared Christian faith. Guests: Christian Wiman, professor at Yale Divinity School and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music; editor; poet; author of "Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair" Danielle Chapman, poet, essayist, and lecturer in English at Yale University. her work can be found here: https://daniellechapmanauthor.com/

He's known as the "Bear Man of India" for his work rescuing sloth bears from inhumane conditions "dancing" on the streets. His obsession with helping animals began early in his life, when he'd spend full-moon nights high in a jungle tree watching a procession of wild animals visit a nearby watering hole. In the intervening 30 years, he's braved the "timber mafia" and even gunshots in a tireless crusade to protect wildlife. Guest: Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS

This week we bring you a very special feed drop. Our host, Marcus Smith, appears as a guest on the podcast "The[ART]ology: Finding God in the Movies." In this episode, Marcus describes how the Constant Wonder podcast came to be. And he shares his favorite movies, from "Babette's Feast" to "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On." "The[ART]ology" podcast puts the art back into theology by finding God in the movies. Host Vincent Nel delves into the mysteries that movies reveal about ourselves and God. Featuring guests, deep dives, and thoughtful discussions, each episode centers around a theme and explores movies from an artistic and theological perspective. Find more of the [ART]ology podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-ology/id1557323788