HumaNature

Brian Buckbee had no idea his life would change forever after he brought an injured pigeon home. He was battling a mysterious illness and feeling lonely and isolated. Together, Brian and Two-Step the pigeon would form an unexpected friendship that is full of heartwarming surprises. Be sure to grab a copy of Brian's book We Should All Be Birds and check out his website http://www.weshouldallbebirds.com/

Author Jonny Hanson joins HumaNature to discuss the pros and cons of reintroducing large predators (lynx, wolves, and bears) back to the wilds of Britain and Ireland. It's a controversial and politically charged  subject to say the least and sparks a lot of emotions on both sides. Don't miss this fascinating conversation and make sure to check out Jonny Hanson's latest book Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears to learn more. 

Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby are not your typical travel influencers, they're both grandmothers in their 80's widely known as the TikTok Traveling Grannies. This week you'll hear about how they've been breaking barriers for decades, their journey around the world to celebrate turning 80, and why Easter Island has the best food. 

Just before her 30th birthday, Julia Sheehan realized she wasn't happy. She had a house and a great career, but wanted something more. So she sold her home, left her job, and set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and a trail that will test her in ways she never imagined. 

Fitz Cahall, founder of The Dirtbag Diaries podcast, joins host Megan Feighery to talk about life, finding adventure in your own backyard, and his new book States of Adventure: 30 Outdoor Adventure Stories About Finding Yourself By Getting Lost. 

Bridget Crocker is a world-class whitewater rafting guide and author of the book "The River's Daughter." Bridget also grew up in an abusive household and suffered from severe trauma and PTSD. Through it all, she always had her special relationship with the river- something that would bring her the courage and resilience to persevere no matter what. 

Show notes: This episode discusses violence, sexual assault, trauma, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. 

Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

Call 1-800-799-SAFE or text "Start" to 88788 for the Na...

Anissa Beal is the founder of Edgar and Ivy's Cat Sanctuary in Corpus Christi, Texas. She loves what she does but in late 2023 she wasn't sure she could afford to keep going. Then she got a phone call that changed everything. 

Leigh Ann Henion is the author of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark, a beautiful celebration of all the things that come alive in the dark. In a time where artificial light is ever-present, Leigh Ann invites you to think of darkness as a habitat and explore the biodiversity that exists at night in your own backyard. You never know what you might discover.

Alexandra de Steiguer is an artist, author, poet, musician, and photographer who has spent the last twenty-eight years working as the winter caretaker of Star Island off the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. She spends about six months completely alone, taking care of the vacant hotel and cottages that will fill with tourists in the summer months.

Original music by Alexandra de Steiguer used in this episode: 

0:38 - One Day_Instrumental Version

9:21 - Oceanic_Instrumental Version

16:44 - Whistling Wind_Instrumental Version

22:50 - The Novelist_Instrumental Version

Twenty years ago, Catherine Raven befriended a wild fox who frequented her property in Montana. The two became friends and over time she watched him transform from a scrawny little runt into a confident and curious father. Hear her remarkable story on this episode of HumaNature and check out Catherine's book "Fox and I" for more. 

Author Leila Philip discusses her book "Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America" on this week's episode. Learn how this under-appreciated creature played a pivotal role in the creation of the United States and could be the key to its future.

On this episode of HumaNature you’ll have a chance to meet some of the incredible animals that have called Earthfire home over the years. Fairytale the coyote, who formed an unexpected bond with a big burly football player, Huckleberry and Major Bear, two brothers who fought over strawberry ice cream, and Buttercup, a beautiful deer who wanted to be a chicken.

“I Get Knocked Down, But I Go Surf Again” is an episode about pain, resilience, and hope.

This week I’m chatting with Tim Blackburn, author of The Jewel Box: How Moths Illuminate Nature's Hidden Rules. Tim’s book not only highlights his love and passion for moths, but touches on larger themes of ecology, climate change and what these small winged insects can teach us about our world. 

This time on HN a woman turns to the world of fungi to help heal her pain.

On this episode of HumaNature, author Florence Williams heads out on a solo paddling trip to try and heal her broken heart.

We're back with another season of HumaNature! People share their stories of heartbreak, recovery and a brand new series called, "Author Talks" where we chat with people that've written really cool books. Coming out on Wednesday September 18th.

#WyomingPublicMedia #HumaNature

Tim Madsen is an experienced outdoorsman. So when he got a chance to compete on the wilderness survival show Alone, he was ready. But things didn’t go as planned and Tim tapped out in the first episode. Follow Tim’s journey and what happened after the show aired on this week’s episode of HumaNature.

Stephen Reid is a self taught gardener whose home garden has unexpectedly created community in his neighborhood. It also led him to his dream job.

Eric Keeler had a good life, but he was bored. So he decided to shake things up and run across America by himself. Follow his journey from Maine to California on this week’s episode. 

Join us for Season 10 of HumaNature, premiering on June 6th, 2024.

Erin Parisi is on a mission to become the first trans woman to summit the highest mountain peaks on all seven continents. She’s conquered five of them and wants to save Mount Everest for last, but one mountain keeps standing in her way.

Gayle Woodsum loves llamas. And her work with them would lead her to help evacuate hundreds of them from a Montana animal sanctuary in 2011. It is still one of the largest rescue operations ever documented in U.S. history.

Carolyn Hochlowski never liked the outdoors. But when she turned 36 she realized life was passing her by. So she bought a cheap tent and sleeping bag and set off on a solo road trip across the country with a dog named Thor.

In the frigid month of February, three companions embark on an ice fishing expedition on Lake Huron. Initially, the camaraderie is palpable, but as the story unfolds, a collision of friendship, peer pressure, and the stark reality of facing mortality takes center stage.

Doreen Cunningham always loved whales. So when she got the chance to live with an Iñupiaq tribe, whose survival depends on whales, she jumped at it. Years later, back in her home in the UK, Doreen would once again turn to whales, this time to help her heal.

It’s back! This week we are doing another installment of our fan favorite series “Close Encounters of the Wild Kind.” This week we will bring you two stories from listeners who have gotten a little too close for comfort with some of nature’s critters while spending time outdoors.

Josh King grew up in small town Wyoming. So he never imagined that one day he would end up being a night shepherd in the Swiss Alps.

In September, 2014 writer Ben McGrath had a chance encounter with Dick Conant; a 63 year old man on a solo paddling trip from Canada to Florida. Months later, Ben received a phone call from an unknown number which set him off on a journey of his own.

When Jeff Bonhert's dog didn't come home one day he feared the worst. Two months later he got a phone call that changed everything, and Jeff realized his dog may have been closer to home than he realized.

Mike Sarvey was an experienced hunter who felt confident in his outdoors skills. But one day he ventured in the Wyoming wilderness and lost his bearings. As the sun began to set, he realized he had made a huge mistake and that you can never be too prepared.

When Brady Brandwood decided to see what would happen when he bought a lobster to keep as a pet, he never expected it to change his life. This is the story of Leon the Lobster and his unlikely journey from grocery store tank to social media sensation.

In 2022, Bob Salem broke a very unusual record. He now holds the fastest time for pushing a peanut up Pikes Peak Mountain with his nose. Hear Bob's story and the history of this unusual feat on this week's episode.

David Lindo always loved nature, but he grew up in the middle of the city and didn't feel like he had access to it. Until one day he realized that nature is everywhere. He started looking up, looking around, and inadvertently found a career in the process. 

Join us as we gear up for season 8 of HumaNature.

As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.

As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.

As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.

As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.

As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.

Emma Harper lives in Cornwall, England. She's a wife, a mother, and...a real-life mermaid! Emma spends hours each week in the Cornish seas frolicking in the waves. But she also uses her platform to speak up for our oceans and why they need protecting. 

For the 100th episode of HumaNature, we’re bringing you two stories! In the first, a man plays the ultimate prank on his brother. In the second, a man out doing trail maintenance finds something odd at his campsite.

This time, almost 4000 Beagles are rescued and given a second chance at life.

After months of isolation during the pandemic one Vermont family, and their dog Moshi, decides to thru-hike a 272-mile trail for the very first time.

Kirk Speckhals spent most of his summers in Wyoming mountain biking. He lives in Jackson Hole and always felt comfortable venturing into bear country. But that all changed on a beautiful August day when Kirk found himself face-to-face with a grizzly bear. 

In the early 2000’s Los Angeles became obsessed with a new celebrity – a six foot alligator named Reggie. And when city officials set out to capture him, Reggie went on the lam. 

A HumaNature update.

It's late spring and animals are on the move. Sometimes their paths cross with people. For our last episode of the season, here are two stories…this time from the deep.

Justin Murray and his brother Jason spent their childhoods in Florida. They did everything together: fishing, surfing, making their own surfboards. But when they grew up, they forgot about their old dreams and got corporate jobs--until something happened that reminded Justin what life was all about.

Greg Mills and his best friend Rob adventured together in the Alaska wilderness. Their dream was to run the Iditarod Trail Invitational Trail together. A wild river seemed to present an insurmountable obstacle. Despite everything, Greg kept going.

Introducing Montana Public Radio's new podcast, Fireline. When Lily Clarke arrived at the August Complex Fire, it was a fire of sensational size. The blaze eventually burned more than 1 million acres, becoming the largest recorded wildfire in California history. Across the country in 2020, flames charred an area nearly 5 times the size of Yellowstone National Park — the largest swath of land burned since reliable records began. Wildfires across the country are getting bigger, hotter and more devastating. But what's all this fire really mean — for the west, for firefighters and for everyday folks? And what's it really like to fight fire...

Shermin de Silva was an elephant researcher looking for a sign. Then she met a king.

Wyn Wiley thought they had to pass for straight, even in their beloved outdoors. But then a special pair of boots came into their life.

Damen Bell-Holter faced a lot of trauma growing up in his small village in Alaska. He formed a goal to play professional basketball. But reaching for his dreams revealed an even larger purpose.

How has your relationship with nature changed during the pandemic? The HumaNature community weighs in.

We're on a holiday break until January 20. In the meantime, here's a dramatic story from the archives. In December 2016, Karen Klein got trapped in a snowstorm near the Grand Canyon. But she pushed through it to save her family.

HumaNature's taking a holiday break. We'll be back with a fresh new episode on January 20. In the meantime, we'd like to introduce you to Life Raft, an upbeat podcast about living with climate change. In this episode, they take us on a journey from a famous oyster bar in New Orleans to a lab that’s trying to prepare oysters for a more turbulent future.

Muyambi loved biking, so when his friends asked him to plan a cycling trip across his home country of Uganda he was thrilled. But challenges arose one late night when they had to get creative for dinner.

Mo Beck was a professional climber who regularly won gold in competitions. But when she joined a team on a long expedition in the remote Cirque of the Unclimbables, she was amused to witness the tension between two of her fellow teammates...and the stinky solution.

Mikah Meyer grew up the son of a pastor and secretly struggled with his sexuality. But on a record-setting road trip to all of America's national parks, he realized its success hinged on being open about who he was.

The leaves are scattering down the sidewalk and fog touches the tips of the trees. It’s that time of year again when the shadows lengthen and we bring you stories that aren’t quite human or all the way natural. Welcome to a most haunted theatre.  

The leaves are scattering down the sidewalk and fog touches the tips of the trees. It's that time of year again when the shadows lengthen and we bring you stories that aren't quite human or all the way natural. Welcome to a most haunted theatre.

Sharon Ross wanted to be prepared for anything. But when she joined others getting ready for the end of the world, she found herself the odd one out. (more…)

A glimpse of some of the stories coming your way this season, starting October 14. (more…)

Climate change is all over the news, from burning forests to melting ice sheets. But it can seem like a big, abstract problem. Writer Manasseh Franklin wanted to make the melting of glaciers more real to people. So on an Alaskan rafting trip, she followed water to its source. It’s a story from our archives that’s just as poignant—and humorous—today. (more…)

As summer wanes, we’re reaching into the archives for a story about a classic summer activity: a leisurely river float. At least, that’s what it was supposed to be. But when they lost their guide, a group of tourists got more than they bargained for. (more…)

While we work on new stories for this fall, here’s a summer favorite from 2019. Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho paddled thousands of miles in a canoe from Minneapolis to the shores of the Hudson Bay. The journey tested their physical strength – and the strength of their friendship. (more…)

South Africans Chris Diedericks and Anna Calitz wanted to go on a romantic getaway, but their adventure broke down before it even began. (more…)

Juan Martinez grew up in South Central L.A. in the early nineties. He was struggling to find his way until he traded detention for a pack of jalapeño seeds. Those led him all the way to the stars. (more…)

Boyd Varty lives on a game reserve in South Africa near Kruger National Park. After his family began returning the land to its wild state, it awakened something wild in him, too. (more…)

After cycling across America, Taylor Thibodeau had a lifetime of adventures ahead of him…until a mysterious illness cut that short. Then he decided to adventure anyway. (more…)

Morley Nelson delighted in watching raptors in aerial combat as they fought over nesting sites. And he made it his life’s mission to protect the part of Idaho’s Snake River with the highest nesting density of birds of prey in North America. This time, we’re bringing you a story from the new podcast Common Land to tell the story of how the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area was created. (more…)

It’s springtime and Earth Day! Animals are on the move, and sometimes their paths cross with people. Here are five stories to help you get outside while you’re stuck at home. (more…)

Michael Benanav studies nomadic people as a writer and photographer. So when he was invited to accompany the Van Gujjar of northern India on their annual migration with their water buffalo, he jumped at the chance. Turned out, they wanted a journalist along that year for reasons he hadn’t expected. (more…)

When Tarik Moore became an Outdoor Afro leader, the first hike he planned wasn’t a traditional one. He took his group down city streets to commemorate Philadelphia’s Osage Avenue bombing. (more…)

Cindy Ross wanted to keep pursuing her long-distance hiking passion after she had kids. But she didn’t know how to make that happen. Then a chance encounter with a llama breeder opened the path to the Continental Divide Trail. (more…)

Brandon Kuehn survived the Iraq War. But after he got home, he struggled with nightmares and addiction. Then he found trail running…and the Pacific Crest Trail.

If you like HumaNature, help us tell more stories! Support us at https://donate.nprstations.org/wpr/humanature.

You can also follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/HumaNaturePod, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/humanaturepodcast, and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HumaNaturePodcast. (more…)

Christopher McDougall is famous for starting the barefoot running craze with his book ‘Born to Run.’ And now he has an unusual new running partner⁠—a donkey named Sherman.

If you like HumaNature, help us tell more stories! Support us at https://donate.nprstations.org/wpr/humanature.

You can also follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/HumaNaturePod, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/humanaturepodcast, and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HumaNaturePodcast. (more…)

We have a snazzy new t-shirt design for you. But it isn’t without a little controversy.

Support This Podcast

If you like HumaNature, help us tell more stories! Support us at https://donate.nprstations.org/wpr/humanature.

You can also follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/HumaNaturePod, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/humanaturepodcast, and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HumaNaturePodcast.

(more…)

Tarik Moore always enjoyed nature. So when he found an outdoorsy community, it led to new adventures—like becoming a member of the first all-Black American team to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. (more…)

When Wendy Hellowell’s son Oliver was born, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She realized the two of them would face enormous challenges. But they got help from a little faith and a camera. (more…)

We’re taking a little break for the holidays, so we have a special treat for you from down under. The Australian podcast Brain on Nature tells the story of how going into nature helped a woman recover from a traumatic brain injury. We hope you love the show as much as we do! (more…)

As you feast on podcasts during the holidays, here’s a second helping of an old favorite. Aubrey Bertram traveled to East Asia to help animals that had been abused by humans. But a harrowing experience taught her that good intentions might not be enough. (more…)

Fisher Neal was a struggling actor in New York City. So he turned to his old hunting skills for a side job extremely off-Broadway. (more…)

A burned-bare house. A pervy spirit. The ghost of Schafer Meadows. A haunted woman. It’s our annual Halloween episode—keep your friends close and your lights on as we find the place that’s not quite human or all the way natural. (more…)

Jeff Osgood and his friend Anthony just wanted to go on a winter hiking trip in the Adirondack Wilderness in upstate New York. But after a series of mishaps, their adventure took a strange turn with the discovery of a mysterious VHS cassette tape. (more…)

Josh Patterson loved taking photographs of rare finds in the Mojave Desert. But on one trip, things didn’t go as planned. (more…)

Caroline Van Hemert and her husband Pat were nearly finished with the most ambitious trip of their lives, a 4000-mile trek across the Yukon and Alaska following animal migrations. But bad weather and a missed food drop put their lives in jeopardy. (more…)

HumaNature returns on September 11 with a new season of stories where humans and our habitat meet. (more…)

All across the Arctic, frozen soil is thawing out. A lot of stuff is buried there – plants and animals that lived more than 10,000 years ago. This episode from Threshold asks what happens when a Paleolithic bison bone starts to decompose for the first time? And what does that have to do with climate change? (more…)

For her final episode as the host of HumaNature, Caroline has chosen an old favorite. Brian Corliss just wanted to quench his thirst. But on a snowmobile outing, he grabbed the wrong bottle. *Disclaimer: The actions taken in this story do not constitute medical advice. In the case of poisoning, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222. (more…)

Curt Meyer was looking for adventure, so he took a job aboard a Japanese fishing trawler on the Bering Sea. But when a storm hit, the lack of a shared language kept him in the dark as things turned deadly. (more…)

Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho paddled thousands of miles in a canoe from Minneapolis to the shores of the Hudson Bay. The journey tested their physical strength – and the strength of their friendship. (more…)

An encore presentation of our 2019 PMJA Best Station Podcast award-winner. Felicia Friesema and Steve Julian had a “miracle relationship.” They carved out an oasis in the middle of Los Angeles. But then they found themselves facing one of the most fundamental aspects of nature: death. (more…)

Manasseh Franklin wanted to make the melting of glaciers more real to people through her writing. So on an Alaskan rafting trip, she followed water to its source. (more…)

Travis Kauffman went for a trail run near his home in Colorado. But an unexpected run-in almost turned him into trail mix. Then the internet got involved. (more…)

It’s spring! Animals are on the move, and sometimes their paths cross with people. Here are four stories. (more…)

When she became a mom, Andrea Sarubbi Fereshteh went from full speed ahead to a full stop. But then she found a place that showed her stillness is okay. (more…)

In 2016, a team of undercover investigators infiltrated an international ivory-smuggling ring. It all began with a sea cucumber trader in Zanzibar. (more…)

For this special two-part story, the Australian podcast Off Track takes us across the globe to the coast of Tasmania and back in time to 1973 for a story of survival and loss. (more…)