Best Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Verdolin Podcasts (2025)

1
The Chimpanzees of Kibale with Dr. Richard Wrangham 1:01:53

3M ago1:01:53

1:01:53

This episode is a special one as I got to interview a personal scientific hero of mine, and fellow great ape researcher, Dr. Richard Wrangham. He shares his findings and heartwarming stories of some of the chimpanzees he's gotten to know over the years. He's also a prolific write and champion of chimps and communities. Check out the links below to …

1
Whispers of the Wild with Dr. Susan B Eirich 1:03:58

3M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

This episode features Dr. Susan B Eirich— author of Whispers from the Wild: An Invitation Stories from the Rescued Wild Animals of Earthfire institute. Susan’s work in Reconnection Ecology invites us to see animals not as ‘other,’ but as beings with whom we share this planet in a profound and reciprocal way. Check out the incredible work of the Ear…

1
Xenophobia with George Makari 55:07

3M ago55:07

55:07

George Makari is the author of a recent book titled Of Fear and Strangers: A History of Xenophobia. He is also a psychiatrist and historian, who is the Director of the DeWitt Wallace Institute of Psychiatry: History, Policy, and the Arts,Weill Cornell Medical College, where he has a clinical practice.…

1
Wild Souls with Emma Marris 54:28

4M ago54:28

54:28

Today we have science writer and author Emma Marris here, and we’re going to be talking about her amazing experience and her book, Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World. You can keep up with Emma by visiting her website If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itu…

1
Having Hope with Ami Vitale 54:08

4M ago54:08

54:08

Today I am lucky enough to talk to award winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale who’s works will move you and compel you to reconsider your relationship to nature. Most recently her not for profit Vital Impacts collaborated with the Jane Goodall Institute to celebrate women photographers, specifically, 90 of them in honor of Jane Goodall …

1
Who is Dr. Jen with Guest Host Logan 41:45

5M ago41:45

41:45

This episode the interviewer becomes the interviewee as I am interviewed by my very talented intern Logan. We cover everything from how I got started to where I am headed. Please join us as we kick off Season!By Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Verdolin

1
Killer Whales_Throwback with Hanne Strager 1:01:00

9M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

A throwback to an episode from July 2023 where I talked with orca biologist and author Hanne Strager. As you may have heard Orca's off the coast of Spain have been "misbehaving" and scientists are struggling to find a good answer to why they are attacking boats. A New York Times article that was published on August 27th, 2024 proposes a new theory.…

1
A Land Ethic with Stan Temple 1:01:12

12M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of A Sand County Almanac and the 100th Anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness Area, I talk with Dr. Stan Temple, Senior Fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison about the evolution of Leopold's perspective and his lasting contribution to t…

1
Cicada Invasions with Dr. Floyd Shockley 1:11:19

1y ago1:11:19

1:11:19

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 a…

1
We Loved it All with Lydia Millet 59:48

1y ago59:48

59:48

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 th…

1
Earth and Soul with Leah Rampy 56:37

1y ago56:37

56:37

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 par…

1
Earth Month with Nathaniel Popkin 1:16:28

1y ago1:16:28

1:16:28

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…

1
Participatory Science Reboot withCaren Cooper 49:17

1y ago49:17

49:17

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 scie…

1
From One Cell with Ben Stanger 1:07:53

1y ago1:07:53

1:07:53

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 navigate…

1
Exploring the Final Frontier with Mohamed Noor 48:51

1+ y ago48:51

48:51

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 Universit…

1
Talking Plastics with Peter Okwoko 43:48

1+ y ago43:48

43:48

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 plas…

1
The Formula with László Barabási 56:55

1+ y ago56:55

56:55

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 Ba…

1
The End of the World with David Gessner 53:00

1+ y ago53:00

53:00

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 Travell…

1
Hormones with Randi Hutter Epstein 1:10:00

1+ y ago1:10:00

1:10:00

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…

1
Keeping up with Koalas with Danielle Close 49:48

1+ y ago49:48

49:48

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…

1
Under A Rock with David Scheel 52:25

1+ y ago52:25

52:25

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. …

1
Killer Whales with Hanne Strager 1:00:49

2y ago1:00:49

1:00:49

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 Direct…

1
Kingha Coffee with Kingsely Griffin 41:00

2y ago41:00

41:00

Coffee, the thing that so many of us love and crave. That is the topic of today’s show. Today coffee is grown all over the world but it originates in Ethiopia and its history is recounted the mythology of a goat herder who noticed goats became energetic after eating the fruits. If you don’t know anything about goats, they are pretty energetic alrea…

1
Tackling Poaching with Alex Ngabiano 41:46

2y ago41:46

41:46

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 organ…

1
Sitting with the Batwa 52:21

2y ago52:21

52:21

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 …

1
Climate Policy with John Kasiita Ssemulema 1:03:40

2y ago1:03:40

1:03:40

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 reck…

1
Community Led Development with Paul Muhwezi 39:20

2y ago39:20

39:20

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 ge…

1
Birding in Bwindi with Apophia 37:40

2y ago37:40

37:40

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…

1
Tourism with Gerard Iga 48:55

2y ago48:55

48:55

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 s…

1
Protecting Bwindi with Nelson Guma 51:50

2y ago51:50

51:50

This week we are continuing our species series Voices of Uganda with none other than the Chief Warden of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Nelson Guma. We will be talking about what’s so special about Bwindi, what is threatening this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and what it’s like to be in charge of a biodiversity hotspot that is now on CNNs…

1
Wildlife Divas with Lisa Randolph 37:26

2y ago37:26

37:26

Hi everyone and welcome back to Wild Connection the Podcast. As many of you know I am coming to you live from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda where I am currently a Fulbright Scholar. Part of my Fulbright was creating a special series voices of Uganda. My guest today is Lisa Randolph, author of a marvelous book, The Wildlife Divas Adventure Te…

1
Walking with Gorillas with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka 44:31

2y ago44:31

44:31

This week’s guest is Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. She is the founder of Conservation Through Public Health, the author of a new book, Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, and currently a finalist for the Indianapolis Prize. In this episode we talk about her work with the endangered mountain gorillas, her book, which details…

1
Listening to Salmon with Ken Whelan 1:00:58

3y ago1:00:58

1:00:58

My guest this week is Ken Whelan, the Research Director for the Atlantic Salmon Trust. Not only is the work he and others doing revealing just how special salmon are, but his love of fish and commitment to reconnecting communities with the nature all around them is work that we need more of. As you’ll hear, we met at COP26 under a sea of salmon. En…

1
The Mind of a Bee with Lars Chittka 1:04:32

3y ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Bees are having a heyday at the moment. I think many of us spent part of our time fascinated by bees and the other part terrified of getting stung. We definitely love the products that bees make, from honey and propolis to many of the fruits and vegetables you find in the supermarket. But bees are so much more than that. My guest this week is Lars …

1
Molecules and Madness with Sara Manning Peskin 51:24

3y ago51:24

51:24

Not too long ago actor Bruce Willis was in the news. He is suffering from aphasia. Generally this is a loss of language due to some kind of injury to the brain. But there are many different types of aphasia. For example, in wernicke’s aphasia people can produce language but have an impairment in understanding words spoken to them. The types of inju…

1
All Creatures Weird and Dangerous with Timm Otterson 49:28

3y ago49:28

49:28

My guest this week is all about the enchanted. Today I am talking to author and veterinarian Timm Otterson with an interest in wildlife conservation. He’s on today to tell us about his new book All Creatures Weird and Dangerous. It’s an autobiography of sorts that brings to life some of the animals that have remained in the shadows as legends and m…

1
The Animal Crisis with Alice Crary and Lori Gruen 55:50

3y ago55:50

55:50

In March of this year The UK government declared that lobsters, crabs, octopuses and related species will be included under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. This means that they can finally get legal protection that protects them from practices like being boiled alive and having the tendons of their pincers cut. All I can say is if you need a l…

1
Into the Wild with Brooke Williams 1:05:02

3y ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Hi Everyone, welcome back to a new episode of Wild Connection. You may have noticed there was a short break and that is because I had some traveling to do. I also have some big news that is going to impact the podcast. I will be going to Uganda, to a place called Bwindi Impenetrable Forest soon and I am hoping to bring you new episodes from there. …

1
Warming Up with Dr. Hans Rocha IJzerman 51:28

3y ago51:28

51:28

Summer is starting and things are heating up. And in some places temperature is exceeding human capacity for existence. What you may not realize is it is a lot harder to cool down than to warm up. And warming up is something that gets at the heart of human social behavior. Here to explain more about what this means is Dr. Hans Ijzerman. He is an As…

1
Earth Day 2022 1:17:23

3y ago1:17:23

1:17:23

To celebrate Earth Day 2022 I am replaying my interview with author Nathaniel Popkin. We talk about his book, To Reach the Spring: From Complicity to Consciousness in the Age of the Eco-Crisis, that was released in 2021. In our conversation we talk about environmental advocacy, the inequality of influence, decolonization, and integration of the mes…

1
Of Mice, Humans, and Tails with Dr. Jason Organ 1:00:18

3y ago1:00:18

1:00:18

If you’ve been listening for a while you know I have a fascination with bones. I have a rabbit cooking in a bush as we speak. But the truth is that I know so little about bones. That’s about to change because this week’s guest is in the know about bones, muscles, how they work and how they shape what we and other animals can do. Jason Organ is an A…

1
In the Barn with Dr. Marty Edwards 52:11

3y ago52:11

52:11

This week we are celebrating National Farm Animal Day and it's going to be a party. We are talking horses, pigs, cows, goats, and even sheep. Joining us for this celebration is the incredible Dr. Marty Edwards. You may recall from last week’s episode she promised us some stories from her time learning about farm animals. So hang on, it's going to b…

1
On the Road with Dr. Marty Edwards 1:20:30

3y ago1:20:30

1:20:30

This weeks episode features someone near and dear to me. She was my vet who helped me take care of my beloved Senor Antonio Buttones in his final weeks. In fact I am dedicating this episode to him. As you will hear in the Show veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates by profession so be sure to check out the show notes for links to help …

1
Shifting Seas with Lela Schlenker 1:00:33

3y ago1:00:33

1:00:33

March is Women’s History Month, at least in the United States so I am continuing to feature women scientists on the podcast all month. I thought I would start off with a little history about women in Stem. We women have a way of persisting and despite continuing to face barriers to professional advancement, we just will not stop. What lengths have …

1
Community Led Conservation with Samantha Farquhar 51:26

3+ y ago51:26

51:26

This week’s guest is Samantha Farquhar. She is a dynamic interdisciplinary researcher with a focus on coastal systems in the Integrated Coastal Science Program at East Carolina University working on her doctorate. I got to talk to her about her past and present work and the importance of community led conservation initiatives. Here are links to som…

1
In the Bone Room With Dr. Ann Ross 55:23

3+ y ago55:23

55:23

In another life I would have been a forensic anthropologist. I devoured books by Iris Johanson and her main character forensic specialist Eve Duncan. The truth is I like to solve puzzles and becoming a police detective or forensic anthropologist was high on my list. I still love crime/mystery novels and as you’ll here, who knows maybe there is a ca…

1
Participating in Science with Dr. Caren Cooper 50:41

3+ y ago50:41

50:41

Today’s episode is part of the special WIS series. You may have heard me talking about this on other episodes and that is because I got a small grant from the AGU’s Sharing Science program to highlight some incredible women scientists. This week it's all about what does it mean to get involved with science for the layperson or nonexpert. What does …

1
The Joy of Sweat with Sarah Everts 1:07:49

3+ y ago1:07:49

1:07:49

This week’s episode is all about sweat, smelling it, hiding it, and people whose job it is to decide what the nature of yours is like. Never let them see you sweat right? Not this week. And before I forget, this is the second in our special WIS series sponsored by the American Geophysical Union’s Sharing Science grant. Sarah Everts is the author of…

1
Into Space with Dr.Katie Mack 46:47

3+ y ago46:47

46:47

It is post holiday and before New Years and this episode starts the launch of a special Women in Science Series. I want to acknowledge the sponsor of this series, the American Geophysical Union. Wild Connection was the recipient of their Sharing Science grant and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The James Webb infrared telescope successfully launched t…

1
Animal Magnetism with Dr. Andres Vidal-Gadea 1:14:48

3+ y ago1:14:48

1:14:48

This episode is a fun one for me because, well, I have ummm navigational difficulties. I should be more precise. I can navigate perfectly well in exactly the opposite direction I should be going. That means if I was a snow goose that was supposed to end up on Pea Island from Alaska I would end up somewhere near the Philippines instead. I have what …

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