Wild Connection

What‘s All the Phallus About?

Hi Everyone! Welcome back. We’ve been on a bit of a break here at Wild Connection: The Podcast but we are back and this is the start of Season 2. And to kick things off we are talking penises, personality, and well maybe even penises with personality. This week's guest guiding us through these fascinating topics is Associate Professor J Matt Hoch of Nova Southeastern University.  

I was recently in Iceland, a place I love for the nature, the people, and the cultural history. When in Iceland something you might notice is that there are a lot of museums. Tiny one dedicated to roses and large ones like the Reykjavík Art Museum. And then there is the Phallological Museum in Reykjavik that JMatt and I were discussing. Foro two evolutionary biologists you can imagine the thrill and fascination but I would encourage everyone, if you visit Iceland to explore this gem of a museum. I’ve got the website up in the show notes. They are committed, even serving waffles in the shape of penises. For a mere 20$ you will get a lesson in evolution and have fun shopping the gift store. Then as you head out around the country you will notice that the phallus appears naturally in rock formation and artificially in human constructed monuments. Like the Amazon symbol once you start seeing it, you can’t unsee it and it is everywhere. Here are a few examples:

The Phallological Museum is definitely worth a visit and you can check them out here:

 https://phallus.is/en/

If you want to keep up with Dr. Hoch you can See the exciting work his lab is doing at https://honors.nova.edu/faculty/jeffrey-hoch.html and follow him on Instagram @Jmatthoch 

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Thanks for supporting the show!

Subterranean: Fracking and its consequences with Colin Jerolmack

Hi everyone and welcome to another great episode of Wild Connection: The Podcast. We were off for two weeks working on a few projects so more on that in the coming weeks. This week I talk with Colin Jerolmack, Associate Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at NYU about his book Up To Heaven And Down To Hell: Fracking Freedom And Community In An American Town

I recorded this before the monster heat wave that hit the pacific NW and British Columbia. Why is this relevant? Methane is probably the most consequential greenhouse gas and that is what is involved in most cases with extraction using hydraulic fracking. Whether we like it or not, believe it or not, climate change is here and methane is a big part of that consequence since it is a much more potent global warming gas. 

To keep up with Colin and his work you can follow him @Jerolmack
You can find out more about his book Up To Heaven And Down To Hell: Fracking Freedom And Community In An American Town here

and on Amazon

If you want more information on Fracking this is an interesting article:

https://epic.uchicago.edu/events/event/the-fracking-debate-the-pros-cons-and-lessons-learned-from-the-u-s-energy-boom/

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

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There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

Optimistic Conservation with Craig Bruce

Welcome back everyone for another great episode of Wild Connection the Podcast. One of the many reasons I love doing this podcast is getting to highlight some of the people I have known or worked with in the area of conservation. I have been so fortunate to connect with some incredible people over the years and my guest this week, international wildlife conservation expert Craig Bruce, is one of them. As you will hear Craig has dedicated his life to conservation, sustainable utilization, and community engagement. Although the latter two are rather trendy right now, he has been practicing both for a long time. In many ways Craig has lived the life I dreamt of years ago when I read Cry of the Kalahari by Mark and Delia Owens, two biologists that struck out on their own path to study hyenas and lions in the Kalahari desert. I never imagined I would end up in academia, or the Academy. Instead I was sure that I was going to be more like Craig, doing realon the ground conservation in communities for species around the world. His impact, like his personality, has been large and I am grateful that he is my friend and that I was able to have him on the show.

In this episode we invite you to think about how we can and should come together, work together, have respect for one another, understand each other, help each other while being committed to protecting all the species that we share the planet with so that they and we can continue to be, well, alive. 

If you want to keep up with Craig and the critical work Jamma International is doing, here are a few links:

www.jammainternational.com

https://www.facebook.com/jammainternational

https://www.linkedin.com/company/21610505/admin/

https://www.instagram.com/jammainternational/

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

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

Next Sunday is Independence Day in the US and I am going to talk about wildlife independence. What are the rights of other species for autonomy and freedom in a world dominated by humans? What are some of the most recent legal decisions that are beginning to redefine our relationship and how much further should be go? All that and more next week. 

Thanks for supporting the show and keep an eye out for how you can sponsor an episode.  

If you like the show theme music that's thanks to George Nardo of Luna Recording Studios in Tucson AZ. https://lunarecording.com

The Way of the Booby

Happy Father’s Day Everyone and this week’s episode features one of the great dads that co-parents with mom. The Nazca Booby. I am talk to Dr. Dave Anderson, a biologist and professor at Wake forest University about these incredible birds, what they teach us about parenting, stress, and how we change the ways we cope after trauma. We also learn how important dads are to the success of a Nazca booby family. And not just in boobies, but also in albatrosses. 

His work, along with that of several colleagues is revealing how the lifestyle and needs of these pelagic seabirds is putting them squarely in the crosshairs of commercial fishing fleets that roam unregulated and unmonitored on the high seas leaving destruction in their wake. 

This ties to a recent documentary released by Netflix called Seaspiracy which follows the trail of plastic straws and lands squarely at the foot of commercial and industrialized fishing. Reducing the amount of fish one consumes can help. 

For more information on Dr. Dave Anderson's work you can keep up with his lab here: http://wfu.me/biolab/anderson/index.html

and on Twitter @wfuandersonlab 

If you're enjoying 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

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

 

A JEDI's Heart with Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley (a.k.a. RaShad Eas)

Welcome back everyone and this episode is really special. A few years ago I had the honor and privilege of meeting Dr. Thomas Rashad Easley aka RaShad Eas. He is a certified diversity consultant and the Assistant Dean of Community and Inclusion at the Yale School of the Environment but he is so much more. He’s also a passionate human being, a former campus pastor, a scientist, a forester, an author, a musician,and a fierce not holding back, I am here kind of man. And luckily for me, my friend. And wouldn’t you know it he agreed to come on my podcast to talk about some truths surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, leadership, his music, and his upcoming book, Mind/Heart for Diversity. As always our conversations are real and heart-centered and he is a true JEDI.

You can keep up with Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley a few ways. 

Website: https://rashadeasley.com/home

Twitter: @RashadEas

Instagram: @RaShadEas

And of course the Yale Heartwood Podcast

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

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

 

Song of the Cicada

Welcome back everyone. This is episode 17 and this week I’ve got a special guest who is going to talk about something happening right now. You say cicada I say cicada and Dr Floyd Shockley says cover your ears because it's going to be LOUD.  

Right here in the United States, primarily along the eastern seaboard it was a magical time beginning around mid-May. Brood 10 was emerging and this only happens for this group every 17 years. That means this generation was laid in 2004! The next generation of brood 10 won’t happen until 2038! Even though I recorded this episode a few weeks ago they are still around making their final gasp of air before all of them die hopeful the next generation will survive and carry the torch. These periodical cicadas are unique to the eastern U.S. This week's guest is entomologist Dr. Floyd Shockley, who is the Collections Manager for the Department of Entomology at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Him and I talk all about these true bugs and the importance of museum collections. You can follow him on Twitter @Beetle_Guy

And you can connect with the museum @NMNH

If you want to hear one of the three species of Brood X sing their love song check out this link. 

One of many cookbooks is the Cicada Cookbook and you can find it on Amazon. 

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

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

The Lost Locust

Welcome back to Wild Connection: The Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Jen and this week I am back with Dr. Jeffrey Lockwood, Prof of Natural Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wyoming. He’s also a librettist and This week we are talking all about locusts. From the Pharaohs of Egypt to the cattle farmers of the present, locusts have a pretty bad reputation. We’re talking a plague of biblical proportion and its happening right now. 

If you want to eat some locusts here is a good recipe:

https://www.greenprophet.com/2013/03/feasting-on-locusts-a-recipe-from-moshe-bassons-kitchen/

You can keep up with Dr. Lockwood via his website

https://www.jeffreylockwoodauthor.com

On Twitter: @J_A_Lockwood

If you want to watch the Opera Locust you can find it here:

Scene I             https://youtu.be/L_4xzj7gAjA  

Scene II            https://youtu.be/KyK4jQwcfcw 

Scene III           https://youtu.be/tuq1U815e6Q 

 

And to buy a copy of Locust (the story of the Rocky Mountain locust): https://www.amazon.com/Locust-Devastating-Mysterious-Disappearance-American/dp/0465041671. 

 

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

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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RealDrJen

 

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

Conscripted: Our unholy alliance with insects featuring author Dr. Jeffrey Lockwood

Today's episode is all about insects and is a theme for the next 3 weeks. I discovered Dr. Jeff Lockwood, a Professor of Natural Science and the Humanities at the university of Wyoming, when I was doing research for episode 9, Love is a Battlefield, I came across his work sharing how insects have been used as weapons in human warfare. That stopped me in my tracks and I knew I had to dig deeper. After much digging and reading it was clear that I needed two episodes to cover this special topic. This is Part I. From direct attacks and using insects to cause disease to indirect attacks by destroying agricultural crops and starving your opponent to death, humans have an uneasy and well ugly history with some insects. Join us as we talk about his book Six-legged Soldiers .

You can keep up with scientist, author, and librettist Dr. Jeffrey Lockwood by visiting his website at 

https://www.jeffreylockwoodauthor.com

Twitter: @J_A_Lockwood

I was inspired by his book to design a cover for this episode. As always the talented Krys Hookah brought my vision to life with this amazing piece. You can find more of her work at her store You can also folder her on Instagram @KrysHookuh

 

 

What's On Your Mind? Exploring cognition and consciousness in other animals with Dr. Kristy Biolsi

Today's episode tackles a BIG question: What is cognition and consciousness and do other species have it?

That's not all though, my guest Dr. Kristy Biolsi, Associate Professor of Psychology at St. Francis College (@SFCNY) in Brooklyn Heights NY and co-founder and Director of the Center for the Study of Pinniped Ecology and Cognition (C-SPEC) talks to us about what she's discovering about the cognitive abilities of seals as well as why seals are back in New York City waterways. 

During this podcast we also chat about safe ways to enjoy seals and what you can do to help. 

You can find out more information about the Riverhead Foundation here: https://www.longislandaquarium.com/riverhead-foundation-rescue-center/

and go on a seal walk if you are in the NY area with CRESLI. Check their website https://www.cresli.org/seals/

 for details. 

If you're enjoying 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

 

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

 

 

 

Eruptions: Volcanoes and Society

This week its all about volcanoes. And not just about eruptions, of which there have been two significant ones recently. There is so much interesting history surrounding how people cope and live around such a potentially dangerous natural phenomenon and the societal factors that shape who is impacted, who recovers and who doesn’t when there is an eruption. To tell us about all of that is a brilliant scientist, Dr. Jazmin Scarlett. 

You can keep up with all the amazing work Dr. Jazmin Scarlett is doing by following her on Twitter : @scarlett_jazmin

Or by subscribing to her blog: https://phdvolcanology.wordpress.com

If you want to donate this link provides you with details on how you can help:

(https://twitter.com/djimeshaprince/status/1381016213728460805?s=21)

If you are enjoying 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

There is also a YouTube Channel where you can find a range of videos, some of them tied to podcast episodes. More are on the way so subscribe to Wild Connection TV

 

according to NASA there are currently 45 active volcanoes on Earth at the moment and you can see La Soufrieres activity and others here: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148190/tracking-la-soufrieres-plume

Tune in next week for my conversation with Dr. Kristy Biolsi where we try to determine what is consciousness and do other species have it?