Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

Latest Episodes:

What Is the Most Successful Species on Earth? From NHPR: Outside/In Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

This week we're sharing a riveting episode from NHPR's show, Outside/In. Take a listen and let us know what you think!

A debate about evolutionary “success.” Who should wear the crown of GSOAT (greatest species of all time), and are humans even in the running?

Humans have had an impressive run thus far; we’ve explored most of the planet (the parts that aren’t underwater anyway), landed on the moon, created art and music, and made some pretty entertaining Tik-Toks.

But we’ve survived on the planet for just a fraction of the time horseshoe crabs and alligators have. And we’re vastly outnumbered by many species of bacteria and insects.

So who is the most successful species on Earth? And how do you measure that, anyway? From longevity to happiness, to sheer numbers, we put a handful of different organisms under the microscope in hopes of better understanding what exactly it means to succeed at life on a collective and individual scale.

Featuring: Stephen Giovannoni, Rashidah Farid, and Steward Pickett

Together For Conservation: WCS Wild Audio Season 2 Premiere Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

This week, we're sharing an episode from our friends at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Take a listen and let us know what you think!

Their second season launches in conversation with Mariana Varese, the Peru-based director of WCS’s Amazon Landscapes Program. Mariana describes a new initiative, “Together for Conservation,” that seeks to conserve biodiversity while preventing environmental crime in the Amazon. The project brings Indigenous Peoples and local communities together with journalists, private companies, and civil society groups to develop conservation solutions that can be expanded or replicated across the Amazon.

Highs, Lows and Lowland Gorillas Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

*Content warning: this episode briefly mentions the topic of suicide.*

From the kitchen floor to the remote jungles of the Congo, Rae grapples with divorce and single-motherhood on an international trip to study lowland gorillas.

For the last episode of season 2, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant talks about a career-changing opportunity to track down one of the most elusive creatures in Central Africa — lowland gorillas. But when things don’t go as planned, Rae ends up uncovering something else that changes the trajectory of her life.

Since this is the last episode for this season, we want to thank all of our guests for sharing their amazing wild stories. And you, our dedicated listeners, for coming back for season 2. We’re so glad to have you on this journey with us! What would you like to see in the third season? Let us know at naturepod@wnet.org.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast-listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

You can also get updates and bonus content by following me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and PBS Nature on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. And you can catch new episodes of Nature Wednesdays at 8/7c on PBS, pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app.

This episode of “Going Wild” was hosted by me, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Production by Caroline Hadilaksono, Danielle Broza, Nathan Tobey, and Great Feeling Studios. Editing by Rachel Aronoff and Jakob Lewis. Sound design by Cariad Harmon.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

NATURE is an award-winning series created by The WNET Group and made possible by all of you. Funding for this podcast was provided by grants from the Anderson Family Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

A Chicken Saved My Life Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Ornithologist (bird scientist), poet, and author Drew Lanham was recently awarded the Macarthur Genius Grant—$800,000 with no strings attached. But despite his deep love for birds he almost never studied the creatures at all. As a young man, he won a full-ride scholarship to any school he wanted, only this award did have strings attached. Drew would have to give up his dreams of ecology and instead be an engineer. Hear how Drew was saved first from a career he loathed by the lilting song of a prairie warbler and then how a chicken saved Drew from going into the military to be a pilot. Instead, it set him on the true path of his heart, to study the magical flying creatures we call birds.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Follow J. Drew Lanham on Twitter and Instagram and listen to more "Going Wild" HERE.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

The Lizard Lassoer Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

*Content warning: this episode containsdescriptions of violence that might be disturbing to some listeners.*

Herpetologists do a lot of unique things while studying lizards—cut their toes, pump their stomachs, and capture them by lassoing their necks. That one small word, “lasso,'' wasn't always the word used in the discipline. Herpetologist Earyn McGee, one of the few Black, female scientists in the field, proposed researchers stop using the word “noose” to describe capturing lizards, and start using a more accurate, less oppressive word, like “lasso.”

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Follow Earyn McGee on Twitter and Instagram and listen to more "Going Wild" HERE.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

It's a Shark-Eat-Shark World Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Jasmin Graham loves sharks. I mean, really loves sharks. And she always dreamed of becoming a university professor to encourage other people of color interested in shark science. But then, something happened to Jasmin in grad school that caused her to give up her dream. So what does she do when she realizes she has nothing left to lose?

Listen to more "Going Wild" HERE.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Follow Jasmin Graham on Twitter and learn more about MISS here.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Death in the Animal (Caretaker) Kingdom Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

*Content warning: this conversation contains mentions of animal injuries, death, and the topic of suicide.*

Veterinarians deal with death so frequently that they have some of the highest suicide rates of any occupation. Dr. Hollis Stewart has worked with many animals – from domesticated pets in New York City and Fez, Morocco, to wild animals in the Middle East and Africa. Because of that, she’s also worked with humans (other vets, clients, and civilians) from all over the world. In this episode, Hollis shares stories of how treating animals in different countries taught her about the concept of “Inshallah” or “God’s Will” and “Whatever will be will be,” which in turn, taught her valuable lessons about living and accepting death.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Follow Dr. Hollis Stewart on Instagram and Facebook.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

A Coyote Walks Into a Quiznos... Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

Why are coyotes showing up all over the place? Spoiler alert: evolution can work fast. If you live in the United States, chances are you’ve seen a coyote in the wilderness, or in more unexpected places like on a train, in your backyard, or even in a sandwich shop. But coyotes haven’t always been so bold. Back in the 1900s, coyotes were more like wolves – you mostly found them in forests and other areas far away from humans. Now, coyotes are everywhere, and Dr. Christopher Schell decided to find out why. Through his research, Chris learned a lot about coyotes, and some things really surprised him. But what makes this story even more unique is that by studying coyotes, Chris ended up learning even more about himself.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Follow Dr. Christopher Schell on Twitter.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Hyena Is A Swear Word... in Kenya Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Hyenas might be the most misunderstood animal – Are they dogs? Big cats? Evil, trouble-making sidekicks? (Thanks, Lion King!) Dr. Christine Wilkinson relates to this ambiguous perception as a bi-racial woman, especially one working in the fields of science and conservation. She couldn’t wait to go to Kenya to study hyenas, but once there, she was labeled a “Mzungu,” a term often used to describe white foreigners. Hear about how she fought to save hyenas from being misunderstood (and even started a conservation effort for the animals considered a nuisance), and in doing so, found a community where she was accepted.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Follow Dr. Christine Wilkinson, The Scrappy Naturalist, on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.

Tracking Jaguars With A Toddler Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

What do you do when you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study Jaguars in the Panama rainforest but you can’t find childcare? Bring your kid along! In the first episode of season 2 of Going Wild, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant tells of an expedition searching for an elusive creature in the rainforest with her toddler in tow, but not everything goes as planned.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow “Going Wild” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please leave us a review - it really helps.

Danielle Broza is the Digital Lead and Fred Kaufman is the Executive Producer for Nature.

Art for this podcast was created by Arianna Bollers and Karen Brazell.

Special thanks to Amanda Schmidt, Blanche Robertson, Jayne Lisi, Chelsey Saatkamp, and Karen Ho.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.