Best Charles Cassidy Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 14: Shavez Cheema, Borneo 52:24

7h ago52:24

52:24

Charles and Jon talk to Shavez Cheema, founder of Borneo1Stop Wildlife, from his home in Sabah. Shavez talks about a childhood in Brunei surrounded by wildlife and how, at the age of nine, he was inspired to work in conservation after seeing a neighbour's senseless killing of a monitor lizard. We discuss the massive potential for growth in conserva…

1
65: Religion as Make-Believe (with Neil Van Leeuwen) 58:14

14h ago58:14

58:14

Is religious belief a form of make-believe — and if so, what deeper truths might we be acting out? Neil Van Leeuwen joins Igor and Charles to explore the psychological roots of religion, the nature of belief, and how sacred values shape group identity. Igor reflects on the blurring line between religious and political convictions, Neil argues that …

1
Episode 13: Venkat Sankar & Nicole Haseley's Big California Year 50:28

1M ago50:28

50:28

Charles and Jon talk with mammalwatching power couple Venkat Sankar & Nicole Haseley from their base at Stanford University in California. Nicole and Venkat 'accidentally' turned 2024 into a Big California (Mammal) Year and ended up seeing a record breaking 150 species in the state by December 31. They talk about some of their big year's highs and …

1
64: The Potency and Potential of Social Networks (with Nicholas Christakis) 59:14

2M ago59:14

59:14

Are your choices really your own — or are they quietly shaped by the people around you? Nicholas Christakis joins Igor and Charles to reveal the hidden power of social networks, from the surprising spread of kindness and cooperation to the ripple effects that shape our health, decisions, and even our wisdom. Igor uncovers the invisible social force…

1
Episode 12: Sid Francis, China 58:14

2M ago58:14

58:14

Charles and Jon talk to legendary mammal guide Sid Francis from his home in Sichuan. Sid runs through a career as geographically diverse as it is professionally. After studying agriculture in the UK he worked as - among other things - a shepherd in the Falkland Islands shepherd and a school teacher in Denmark before moving to China and becoming a w…

1
63: The AI Mirror: Why Machines Reflect Us More Than They Think (with Shannon Vallor) 44:30

3M ago44:30

44:30

Can AI ever be truly wise, or are we just seeing reflections of ourselves? Philosophy Professor Shannon Vallor joins Igor and Charles to explore how technology shapes human wisdom, why we’ve been thinking about AI all wrong, and what it really means to align machines with our values. Shannon unpacks the AI Mirror metaphor, suggesting that today’s A…

1
Episode 11: The Horn of Africa 57:04

3M ago57:04

57:04

In the first episode of 2025 Charles and Jon talk about their December 2024 trip to Ethiopia's Somali Region and Djibouti. From Dik-diks to Dibatags we discuss some of the rare mammals we encountered along with spectacular species like the poison-covered Crested Rat. We describe the agony of arriving in a camp that looked like the set from a slashe…

1
Episode 10: Marcelo Gavensky and Argentina 49:53

4M ago49:53

49:53

In the last podcast episode of 2024, Charles and Jon talk to Marcelo Gavensky from his home in Buenos Aires. Marcelo is director of Birds Argentina, a tour company that recently expanded into running mammalwatching safaris. Marcelo talks about the varied career that led him to establish his tour company. He describes some of his favourite encounter…

1
62: Experimental Philosophy: Testing the Limits of Wisdom and Knowledge (with Edouard Machery) 57:10

5M ago57:10

57:10

What happens when philosophers start running experiments? Edouard Machery joins Igor and Charles to explain the principles of experimental philosophy, the surprising geography of wisdom, and why we should be skeptical about trusting science too much. Igor digs into what's universal vs what's local about how we think, Edouard explains why bad habits…

1
Episode 9: Rodney Jackson and Snow Leopards 1:00:51

5M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

Charles and Jon talk with Rodney Jackson the director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, who is widely considered the leading world expert on the snow leopard, having devoted over forty years to researching and conserving this elusive cat in South and Central Asia. In a wide-ranging chat Rodney describes his journey from a young boy looking for wildl…

1
Episode 8: Coke Smith and Jirayu 'Tour' Ekkul (Thailand) 1:06:56

6M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Charles and Jon chat with two Bangkok-based mammalwatchers, Alexander Coke Smith and Jirayu 'Tour' Ekkul. Coke, an American, moved to Thailand a decade ago. He has travelled extensively and many mammalwatchers will be familiar with his superb photos and trip reports. Tour, a Thai citizen, began running trips in the Gulf of Thailand in 2012 to watch…

1
61: Beyond Bias: Group Identity, Wisdom, and the Climate Crisis (with Leaf Van Boven and David Sherman) 1:08:36

6M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Can our political identities get in the way of wise action, even on existential issues like climate change? Leaf Van Boven and David Sherman join Igor and Charles to unpack how we perceive environmental policy through the lenses of group identity and social norms, revealing how misperceptions fuel inaction. Igor considers how group beliefs can over…

1
60: Wisdom, Love, and the Lexical Fallacy (with Alan Fiske) 1:13:00

7M ago1:13:00

1:13:00

Why do we have such a hard time figuring out what we’re feeling? Alan Fiske joins Igor and Charles to unravel the mystery of emotions, revealing why your gut feeling might not be as clear-cut as you think. Drawing from his research into Kama Muta—a heartwarming rush of connection—and his critiques of how we label emotions, Alan sheds light on why m…

1
Episode 7: Fernando Tortato & Jaguar tourism 59:49

7M ago59:49

59:49

Charles and Jon talk to Fernando Tortato from his home in Cuiaba in Brazil's Pantanal. Fernando is Brazil Conservation Program Coordinator for Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization. Dr Tortato talks about his work researching and championing the rapidly growing Jaguar tourism industry in Brazil. Twenty five years ago it was very d…

1
59: Shaping Reality and Relationships: The Science of Connection and Expectation (with David Robson) 49:40

8M ago49:40

49:40

Can our expectations about ourselves and others reshape our lives? Science writer David Robson returns to explore how our expectations don’t just change personal outcomes—they influence how we connect with others. Drawing from his books The Laws of Connection and The Expectation Effect, David reveals the hidden psychology behind social interactions…

1
Episode 6: Rod Cassidy, Sangha Lodge 44:00

8M ago44:00

44:00

Charles and Jon are joined from South Africa by Rod Cassidy who runs world famous Sangha Lodge in the Central African Republic. A true mammalwatching nirvana. Rod talks about his early career as a bird guide and conservation researcher including his entry for the Darwin Awards during an ill-fated attempt bat collection expedition. He talks about th…

1
Episode 5: Claudia Diaz, Wild About Colombia 59:03

9M ago59:03

59:03

Charles and Jon are joined by Claudia Diaz, from Wild About Colombia, at her home in Bogota. Claudia and Robin Smith founded Wild About Colombia in 2017 and the company quickly developed a reputation for high quality and adventurous mammalwatching trips. Claudia talks about a career which has taken her from marine biology in Mexico's Gulf of Califo…

1
Episode 4: The Vaquita (with Barbara Taylor & Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho) 1:15:17

10M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Charles and Jon talk to Dr Barbara Taylor (USA) and Dr Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho (Mexico), who together lead the global efforts to save the Vaquita from extinction. The Vaquita, a tiny and beautiful porpoise, is found only at the top of the Gulf of California and holds the unfortunate distinction of being the world's rarest marine mammal (possibly the r…

1
Episode 3: Bradley Trevor Greive 1:16:59

11M ago1:16:59

1:16:59

Charles and Jon talk to Australian author, broadcaster and wildlife nut Bradley Trevor Greive (BTG) from his home in California. BTG has an extraordinary CV: he was a paratrooper and cartoonist before becoming a successful author and broadcaster. In between he found time to win the French Polynesian Rock Lifting Championship, graduate from the Russ…

1
Episode 2: Bill Robichaud and the Saola 55:34

1y ago55:34

55:34

Charles and Jon talk to conservationist Bill Robichaud, best known for his work to protect what many would argue is the world's most enigmatic mammal: the Saola. Saolas - a beautifully marked 100kg bovid - are often referred to as the 'Asian Unicorn' because of their scimitar-like horns and rarity. The species, first discovered by scientists in 199…

1
Episode 1: Peter Kaestner 1:16:32

1y ago1:16:32

1:16:32

Charles and Jon open Season 3 of the podcast from the jungles of the Ivory Coast, before talking to Peter Kaestner, the world's most accomplished birder. In February 2024 Peter became the first person ever to see 10,000 bird species, though, as we hear at the very end of the episode, the climax of his record came with more plot twists than a Hitchc…

1
Mikael Lindnord (Endurance Athlete, "Arthur The King") On Finding Friendship On The Trail 31:19

1y ago31:19

31:19

Mikael Lindnord was trying to claim the top ranking in adventure racing during the 2014 Adventure Racing World Series in Equador when he discovered an unlucky friendship with a stray dog that became the inspiration for his book, and now the Lionsgate movie "Arthur The King" starring Mark Wahlberg. Look for the nearest showtime for Arthur The King (…

1
Protecting and Promoting Our Hunting Heritage W/ Congressman Bruce Westerman 28:51

1y ago28:51

28:51

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy visits Congressman Bruce Westerman, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, to discuss what he and his colleagues are doing to promote and protect our hunting heritage on Capitol Hill. Thanks for tuning in. Please drop us a like or subscribe! Watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/W3zID0-iiGg What…

1
Nick Hoffman and SCI Convention! 39:45

1y ago39:45

39:45

On this episode of the First For Hunters Podcast, host Ben Cassidy sits down with SCI Ambassador Nick Hoffman! Nick is host of Nick's Wild Ride on the Outdoor Channel and an award winning musician. On this episode they discuss SCI Convention in Nashville and Nick's passion for hunting and conservation. Don't miss out! SCI Website: https://safariclu…

1
Jimmy Chin (Filmmaker, Nat Geo photographer) On Climbing The Shark's Fin 37:18

1y ago37:18

37:18

Jimmy Chin (Oscar-Winning Filmmaker, Nat Geo Photographer) on his landmark climb of Meru's Shark Fin route ten years ago with Conrad Anker and Renan Ozturk, the documentary that followed, and how it prepared him for making "Free Solo". Check out "Meru" if you haven't yet, and be sure to see Jimmy's latest documentary "The Rescue" on Disney Plus. Pl…

1
Rabbit Hunting With A Legend - Charles Rodney 26:28

1y ago26:28

26:28

On this episode of the First For Hunters Podcast, host Ben Cassidy travels to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to hunt with a rabbit hunting legend, Charles Rodney! Tune in as the crew gets close to shooting their limit and Charles Rodney fills us in with what he believes to be the future of the sport! https://safariclub.org/ Support the show…

1
Chris Cassidy (Navy SEAL, NASA Astronaut) On Life On The International Space Station 30:05

1y ago30:05

30:05

Chris Cassidy (Navy SEAL, NASA astronaut) what it was like to travel to space and live on the International Space Station. His last mission, Expedition 63, is the subject of National Geographic's "Among The Stars" on Disney+. Please support more conversations like this by hitting the subscribe button, checking out our sponsors, and leaving a quick …

1
U.S. Senator, Veteran, Doctor, and Sportsman - Roger Marshall 19:15

1y ago19:15

19:15

In this episode, live from SCI Convention in Nashville, host Ben Cassidy sits down with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas. Senator Marshall is a Doctor, Veteran, and lifelong sportsman and conservationist. He is truly one of our own, fighting the good the fight every single day in Washington D.C. https://safariclub.org/ Support the show…

1
Episode 23: Sebastian Kennerknecht 54:33

1y ago54:33

54:33

In the season finale to Season 2 of the podcast, Charles and Jon talk to the founder of Cat Expeditions - camera trap virtuoso and feline aficionado - Sebastian Kennerknecht from his home in California. Sebastian explains how his passions for wildlife and photography were formed and talks about the powerful role photography can play in conservation…

1
Alaska "The Last Frontier" w/ U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan 23:13

1+ y ago23:13

23:13

In this episode, live from SCI Convention in Nashville, host Ben Cassidy sits down with U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska to discuss the loss of "access" to public lands in Alaska by the Biden Administration. Get to know U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan in this episode and his love for hunting! Topics include: "No Net Loss" approach to hunting access, T…

1
Rick Stanton MBE (Cave Diver) On The Historic 'Thai Cave Rescue' 29:32

1+ y ago29:32

29:32

Rick Stanton MBE (cave diver) on his part in the historic "Thai Cave Rescue" where he helped rescue a young soccer team from the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand. His book "Aquanaut" is now available. The documentary "The Rescue' is now streaming. Please support more conversations like this by hitting the subscri…

1
Battleground Australia w/ Ramsey Russell 59:44

1+ y ago59:44

59:44

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with Get Ducks founder, Ramsey Russell, to discuss his recent trip to Australia in pursuit of waterfowl and the film he put together in support of the sport in the region: Battleground Australia, presented by Get Ducks, SCI, and Field & Game Australia, airs January 24th on the Get Ducks YouTube channel. T…

1
Brian Skerry (Nat Geo Underwater Photographer) On Swimming With Orcas In New Zealand 39:25

1+ y ago39:25

39:25

Brian Skerry (Nat Geo underwater photographer) shares his experience diving with orcas ("killer whales") in New Zealand while filming his epic James Cameron-produced series National Geographic's "Secrets of the Whales". Please support more conversations like this by hitting the subscribe button, checking out our sponsors, and leaving a quick review…

1
The anti-hunting playbook comes to Colorado. 55:58

1+ y ago55:58

55:58

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with Dan Gates the Founder and Executive Director of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (C.R.W.M). Ben and Dan discuss the recent challenges sportsmen and women face in Colorado around the management of mountain lions and the imminent threat of recent ballot initiatives and what hunters are do…

1
Episode 22: Patricia Wright 52:33

1+ y ago52:33

52:33

Charles and Jon meet conservation legend and primatologist Patricia Wright. Dr Wright is most famous for her work in Madagascar, including her discovery of the Golden Bamboo Lemur. She is Founder and Executive Director of Stony Brook University Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, and Founder and Executive Director of the Centre…

1
Louisiana Black Bear Management 33:50

1+ y ago33:50

33:50

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with SCI Foundation Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson, SCI Litigation Counsel Regina Lennox, and SCI Western States Liaison Chris Tymeson to discuss black bear management, specifically the future of the black bear in Louisiana. The First For Hunters Podcast is the ONLY podcast in the hunting …

1
Andy McNab (SAS Soldier) On Going Through SAS Selection Process In Jungles Of Borneo 42:18

1+ y ago42:18

42:18

Andy McNab is a former SAS soldier and best-selling author of “Bravo Two Zero” (1993), the account of his capture and torture in Iraq in the first Gulf War. By the time he left the SAS in 1993, he was the British Army’s most highly decorated serving soldier. He shares his experience in the selection process for the Special Art Service, regarded as …

1
Cody Townsend (Backcountry Skier) On The Mountains Of Svalbard & Skiing Waves In Hawaii 51:48

1+ y ago51:48

51:48

Cody Townsend is one of the most awarded and respected free skiers in the world. Over the course of his career he has won multiple invitationals, chased new routes, and stunt skied for Hollywood productions like "xXx: Return of Xander Cage". He is currently in the midst of a project to ski all the lines in the 2010 book "Fifty Classic Ski Descents …

1
Merry Christmas, End of Year SCI Hunter Advocacy Report! 47:19

1+ y ago47:19

47:19

Merry Christmas from Safari Club International! Join us on today's episode with host Ben Cassidy and guests Bee Frederick (SCI Eastern States Liaison), Jeremy Clare (SCI Litigation Counsel), and Regina Lennox (SCI Litigation Counsel) to discuss some of the big hunter advocacy wins from 2023! We couldn't have had all of these amazing wins without th…

1
Episode 21: Patricia Medici 59:20

1+ y ago59:20

59:20

Charles and Jon talk to conservationist and tapir champion Dr Patricia Medici from her home in Brazil's Pantanal. Patricia is a founding member of the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (Institute for Ecological Research), a Brazilian non-governmental organization which she helped set up in 1992. She also chairs the IUCN's Special Survival Commissio…

1
Michelle Parker (Pro Skier) On Skiing In South America and Finding 'Outer Peace' 40:43

1+ y ago40:43

40:43

Michelle Parker is a widely respected freestyle skier having competed in the U.S. Freeskiing Open and the X-Games. These days she focuses mostly on backcountry skiing, traveling the world spreading the stoke and partnered with Arc'teryx on their 'Outer Peace' campaign. Find out more about the Outer Peace campaign and the Arc'teryx mission to protec…

1
Episode 20: Connor Burgin 54:20

1+ y ago54:20

54:20

Charles and Jon meet Connor Burgin a PhD student working on mammalian systematics at the University of New Mexico. As a young boy Connor was fascinated by Wikipedia's list of dinosaurs. His fascination shifted to lists of present day fauna and at the age of twelve he began to create and update his own list of the world's mammals which quickly becam…

1
58: The Social Robots are Coming! (with Kerstin Dautenhahn) 49:02

1+ y ago49:02

49:02

Can we create wise robots? Kerstin Dautenhahn joins Igor and Charles to dive into the intriguing world of social robots, the finer points of “Robotiquette,” and the potential role such robots can play in supporting therapeutic treatments. Igor reflects on the limits of robot-based wisdom, Kerstin reveals the potential of Generative AI like ChatGPT …

1
Episode 19: John Newby & Chad 1:08:22

1+ y ago1:08:22

1:08:22

Charles and Jon talk to the legendary John Newby about his 50 years in Chad and Niger working to save some of the rarest antelopes in the world. This is a fascinating story, which begins in the 1970s when John recalls seeing vast herds of Oryx, Addax and Dama Gazelle in the Sahara. Yet 15 years later these species had reached the edge of extinction…

1
57: The Epic Challenge of Knowing Thyself (with David Dunning) 1:03:02

1+ y ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Can we ever really know ourselves, or are we destined to always make overly optimistic self-assessments? David Dunning joins Igor and Charles to discuss the Dunning-Kruger effect, the importance of asking the right questions, why arriving at an accurate view of ourselves is so challenging, and the implications for teaching, medicine, and even scien…

1
SCI Sues The Department of Education 35:24

1+ y ago35:24

35:24

Last week, SCI, the West Michigan Bowhunters Chapter of SCI, and Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education over its misinterpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). The lawsuit challenges the Department’s misguided decision to prohibit the use of federal funds for shooting sports, hunter ed…

1
Episode 18: Joel Berger 47:40

1+ y ago47:40

47:40

Charles and Jon talk to Professor Joel Berger from his home in Colorado. Joel has spent a lifetime studying 'extreme species in extreme places' as a senior scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and at Colorado State University and the University of Montana. He has worked on many mammals including Huemul in Chile, Musk Ox in Russia and Pr…

1
Jim Shepherd and The Outdoor Wire 28:49

1+ y ago28:49

28:49

In this episode of the First For Hunters Podcast, host Ben Cassidy gives a quick International and Government Affairs recap and then sits down with Jim Shepherd, the founder of Outdoor Wire. The Outdoor Wire is a daily news outlet of record for the outdoor industry. https://www.theoutdoorwire.com/ Support the show…

1
56: Awe Reloaded (with Dacher Keltner) 50:08

1+ y ago50:08

50:08

Have we overlooked a major source of awe, right under our collective noses? Dacher Keltner returns to the On Wisdom studio to discuss his new book "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life", the power of moral beauty, the desire for connection, and the importance of wandering. Igor suggest that awe can also entail …

1
Episode 17: Expedition to West Papua 52:10

2y ago52:10

52:10

Charles and Jon are reunited with Carlos Bocos who inspired, designed and guided their hugely successful trip to West Papua in June 2023. From Long-beaked Echidnas to Long-fingered Trioks, we talk about the incredible mammalwatching on New Guinea, the extraordinary local communities who helped us along the way, and a death-defying BASE jumping Grou…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Charles Cassidy Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen