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I study animal behavior and I’ve had a bird’s eye view on how reconnecting with nature helps us live better lives. #WildConnection is a fun, engaging, and informative podcast hosted by me, Dr. Jennifer Verdolin, aka Dr Jen. No subject is off limits. You can expect a splash of humor and passionate conversations about humans, other animals, and how we are all connected. Episodes are released on Sundays. #WildConnectionPodcast is hosted by Podbean and available wherever you get your podcasts. Host: Jennifer Verdolin Twitter and Instagram @RealDrJen Get in touch and tell me what you want to hear more about info@jenniferverdolin.com
Episodes
Sunday Sep 03, 2023
Sunday Sep 03, 2023
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. They have always been a mystery to scientists and just this past week we finally have an answer. In the deep waters off the coast of California is an octopus nursery with over 6000 pearly octopuses. The answer only deepens my respect for the incredible intelligence octopuses possess. What is the answer? It seems they somehow have figured out that in these deep cold waters there is a bit of warmth to be found. The baby octopus garden sits on top of extinct volcanic vents that give off a little extra heat.
Without this extra warmth it would take about 4 years for these octopus babies to mature. Instead in a mere 2 years they're ready to rock and roll in the ocean. Enjoy the episode and grab a copy of David's book
If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
YouTube: Wild Connection TV
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
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 Director of Content for a project called The Whale, a new museum in Norway. And naturally, she passionate about killer whales.
If you want to connect with Hanne and get a copy of her book, check out her website and follow her on Instagram
If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
YouTube: Wild Connection TV
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
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 already so they must have really changed their behavior. We too can get the jitters from coffee and soon coffee was being cultivated. It is now a billion dollar industry but few people are connected to where their cup comes from. In this episode I talk with Kingsley Griffin, founder of Kingha Coffee Company, an organic coffee farm and coffee producer in Southwestern Uganda. Check out the video of me making coffee the old fashioned way on my YouTube Chanel, Wild Connection TV.
Kingha coffee is some of the best I have ever had. If you want to follow the journey of Kingha coffee you can go to their website and follow them on Twitter and Instagram
If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
YouTube: Wild Connection TV
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
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 organization, are taking the lead to create economic alternatives and education programs through community led decisions.
To follow Alex and the work of the Bwindi Development Network you can connect with them on their website:
https://bwindidevelopmentnetwork.org/
And you can read some of Alex's articles on Medium
If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
YouTube: Wild Connection TV
Sunday Jun 25, 2023
Sunday Jun 25, 2023
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 honor and a privilege to sit with him and his community to talk about who they are as a people, what life used to be like, and what they are hoping for in their future. During our interview, the rains came so you’ll hear how heavy the rains were toward the end. If you want to see one of the Batwa traditional dances you can see it here.
If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
YouTube: Wild Connection TV
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
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 reckless endangerment of their future. The case, Held v. Montana, is grounded in Montana’s constitution. You see, Montana guarantees its citizens the right to a clean and healthful environment You can check out a link to the Yale article for a more detailed look at the case.
This case though, ties directly to my guest this week. Born and raised in Kampala John Kasiita Semulema has had an impact well beyond Uganda’s borders. Today Kampala is nothing like it was when he grew up. It still had wildlife and was more like a village than the bustling, hectic, crowded city of today. Change is inevitable and nowhere is that more evident than with the climate. He speaks from a point of view as a Ugandan that grew up there and experienced a deep connection to nature and changes in the environment and now as an accomplished climate policy advisor also speaks from a global perspective.
If you want to connect with John, you can find him on LinkedIn
If you are digging the show, give it a like, leave a review, and share it with your friends.
You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
Sunday Jun 04, 2023
Sunday Jun 04, 2023
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 general manager for lodges, the Rest Camp and Haven Lodge.
One of the many goals is economic empowerment of the community. If you want to learn more about the Buhoma Community Development Association and stay at Haven Lodge (highly recommended) visit their website at: www.buhomacommunityug.com
If you are digging the show subscribe and share it so others can enjoy it too. You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
Sunday May 21, 2023
Sunday May 21, 2023
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 and the show @wildconnectpod
Sunday Apr 23, 2023
Sunday Apr 23, 2023
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 specializes in giving visitors a rich and diverse experience of Uganda, sharing his love of his country with others. He is passionate about tourism and community development and is the owner of Lado Tours specializing in connecting natural resources and cultural resources with conservation, while uplifting communities. Now we had a few sound issues with people talking in the background periodically, so apologies for that.
If you want to keep up with Gerard or book him for a tour here are various ways to get in touch:
You can follow the show on Itunes, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also follow the show on Twitter: @WildConnectPod
You can also follow me on
Twitter: @realdrjen
Instagram: @readrjen
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
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 top 20 places to visit.
You can follow Nelson on Twitter @NelsonGuma and connect with the Uganda Wildlife Authority @ugwildlife
If you are digging the show, give it a like and share it with your friends. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @realdrJen and follow the show @wildconnectpod