An AmphibiCast first! Live episode at American Frog Day 2024. Join me as I check out the event and interview some new people as well as some podcast favorites! We discuss everything from wild Colombian frogs, hobby trends, the value of community, chaos in Sleepy Hollow, what’s new at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, what happens when feeder insects g…

Punch Mountain is gearing up for some mall madness with Zack Snyder's DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004). Mac and David discuss fast zombies, mall food court eateries, and Ty Burrell's surprising sleaziness before revealing DAWN OF THE DEAD's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Punch Mountain is frying up a whole room of eggs with ALIENS. Mac and David discuss horror action, semi-deleted scenes, and roomy ventilation shafts before revealing ALIENS's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Bonus Minisode! Punch Mountain takes a brief action break to bring you some horror movie picks for the month of October. David and Mac drop their spooky movie recs and take a bold stance against clowns. We’ll be back with a full length episode next week.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I’m joined by Troy Goldberg and we discuss what we’ve learned about the hobby, content creation, vivarium builds, and frog care over the past four years. Is the hobby stagnant? Is there too much content out there? Be sure to listen to this one! And thanks to everyone who supported the show for the past 4 years! This episode is sponsored b…

Punch Mountain is putting tongues to jumper cables with CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE. Mac and David discuss floating heads, cockney slang, and horses swinging lumber before revealing CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Conservation Biologist, Blake Klocke and we discuss his work with Atelopus reintroduction, (including radio tracking!), understanding the value of amphibian natural history, amphibian plasticity, sampling salamanders in the hobby for Bsal, and much more! Be sure to follow Blake @amphibianblake This episode is sponsored by G…

Punch Mountain is keepin' it PG-13 with FREE GUY. Mac and David discuss insufferable bosses, Ryan Reynolds's likability, and wigs that do all the acting work before revealing FREE GUY's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Punch Mountain is putting Episodes 61 - 72 on the shelves one last time in our latest Inventory episode. Mac and David share their final thoughts about the past 12 episodes, try to revive an all-star action franchise, answer some listener questions, and talk to a fan of Speed Racer.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Jack McDermott @jibbys.jungle . In this episode, we compare and contrast frog and fisheries management strategies. We approach both amphibians and fish from a natural resources perspective, and we consider the human element, economic impact, sustainability goals, and whether or not the two strategies can overlap. We also di…

Punch Mountain is doin' it for the band with SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD. Mac, David, and special guest Lisa Friedrich discuss hall-of-fame casting directors, killer soundtracks, and vegan powers before revealing SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week it is my pleasure to be joined by Logan Hope AKA That Bearded Bug Guy. Logan has a talent for elaborate custom vivarium builds and content creation, and he is involved in some very interesting amphibian, reptile, and invert projects. In this episode we discuss his journey through the animal hobby, designing and constructing custom vivariu…

Newly described as it's own species, Cruziohyla sylviae is a prime candidate for research. Captive populations are an important factor in ensuring the species' survival for a number of reasons. And as such, a proper science based understanding of their care and breeding is vital. This week I am joined by Sam Sucre of Natural Tanks. We discuss his r…

Punch Mountain is riding shotgun in the Mach 5 with SPEED RACER. Mac and David discuss PG villainy, unimpressive ninjas, and what to do with a purple suit before revealing SPEED RACER's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Vivarium enthusiast, and professional puppeteer and filmmaker, Benjamin Fieschi-Rose. In this episode, Ben and I discuss the many crossovers between Vivarium building and Film set design as art forms. We also talk about his frog and plant collections, some of the raw materials used both in vivarium background and set produc…

Punch Mountain is loading up on rocket launchers from the Army surplus store and going COMMANDO. Mac and David discuss Arnold Schwarzenegger's unfortunate sense of humor, unrelenting jazz music, and using sawblades as frisbees before revealing COMMANDO's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.…

Punch Mountain is ready to close the book on man's best friend's best friend with JOHN WICK CHAPTER 4. Geez, short book. Mac and David discuss fire guns, fighting in fat suits, and unconvincing French accents before revealing JOHN WICK CHAPTER 4’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Punch Mountain is busting the in-laws out of prison with EXTRACTION 2. Mac and David discuss kids in action movies, Chris Hemsworth's recovery montage, and prison slap fights before revealing EXTRACTION 2's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Native North American amphibian species don't often get their proper share of media attention. Thankfully though, Aaron Capouellez has created a media brand dedicated to the preservation of native Pennsylvania species. In this episode, Aaron and I catch up and discuss how the brand has grown, the value of community and media outreach, overcoming ob…

This week I am joined by longtime dart frog hobbyist Chris Miller of edgewooddarts.com and www.ranitomeya.com In this episode Chris and I discuss the advent of the US dart frog hobby in the early 1990s, Keeping Golden Mantella vs Breeding Golden Mantella, and much more. Chris is also an accomplished orchid enthusiast and we take a deep dive into or…

The Amphibian Hobby is a worldwide community, and each corner of the world has its own special niche. This week I am joined by Michaela (AKA Macs frog army on social media) and we discuss her journey into the Australian amphibian hobby, the challenges (and joys) of keeping only native species, navigating the permit system, how she cares for several…

Punch Mountain is made for lovin' you with THE FALL GUY. Mac and David are joined by special guest Joe Parsons to discuss French speaking attack dogs, omega level chemistry, and great posters for fake movies before revealing THE FALL GUY's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Automated misting systems are useful way to mist vivariums on a schedule. In this episode I discuss the components, installation tips, maintenance, and benefits of using a misting system in your amphibian's vivarium This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreations Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For…

Punch Mountain is making the world save for bruvs everywhere with KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE. Mac and David exploding heads, the excess of secret bases, and when not to shoot your dog, before revealing KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Punch Mountain is fighting for the tepid approval of our dying father figure with BLOODSPORT. Mac and David discuss pec-focused bad guys, lengthy flashbacks, and Jean Claude Van Damme's undies, before revealing BLOODSPORT's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Punch Mountain is saving the universe from a deadly bagel with EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. Mac and David discuss multiverses, ADHD, and raccoon gourmets before revealing EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE's place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

The world is a stressful place. For many of us, the amphibian hobby is a means of escape and a place where we can find peace of mind. But, the hobby does also require a great deal of commitment ,and it can also become a stressor in and of itself when we are struggling with personal issues. Managing animals when we are struggling can be a significan…

There are many stakeholders in the amphibian universe. From breeders and hobbyists, to researchers, land managers, and policymakers. -all of these groups need to be engaged as a community if trade is to be continued in a clean and responsible way. But how is this accomplished and what challenges are faced along the way? This week I am joined by res…

This week I am joined by Ivan of Tesoros de Colombia and we discuss some new projects that are underway at Tesoros and the ACA. We talk about some of the new species soon to be available through legal import, including Amereega and Andinobates, as well as how local coffee farmers are helping conservation efforts. To learn more, visit: https://tesor…

Punch Mountain is throwing on a mask and starting the revolution with MONKEY MAN. Mac and David discuss excessive flashbacks, incriminating phone calls, and gun-running dogs before revealing MONKEY MAN’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week’s epdisode is designed with the beginner in mind. When we start out as hobbyists, it’s very common to make mistakes. Husbandry and care can be researched, but our knowledge base always grows through experience. In this episode, I discuss some common beginner mistakes and how to fix them. I cover what to do if you start out with an impulse…

Punch Mountain is placing our bets on action with CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD. David and Mac discuss flammable cars, combustible casinos, and the wisdom of cutting your drug money in half before revealing the position of CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD on the definitive ranking of action movies.…

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd is one of the most infamous agents of amphibian disease world wide. But did you know that there are multiple lineages other than the Global Panzootic Lineage and that the fungus can be affected by a virus? New research involving the fungus and mycoviruses has shed a fresh light on the virulence of chyrid. In thi…

Punch Mountain enters the confusing world of international vengeance with TRIPLE THREAT. David and Mac discuss non-threatening haircuts, the transformative power of grenade launchers, and when to take murder personally before revealing TRIPLE THREAT’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.…

The Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) is one of the world's most iconic amphibian species. In this episode I am joined by Director of Buishido Adventure Travel limited and CEO of Sustainable Daisen - Richard Pearce, directly from Japan. Sustainable Daisen is a not for profit organization that focuses on Japanese Giant Salamander conserv…

Punch Mountain is putting Episodes 49 - 60 on the shelves one last time in our latest Inventory episode! Mac and David discuss their final thoughts about the past 12 episodes, share some ideas for "interactive" popcorn buckets, and answer some listener questions.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by professional vivarium specialist and long time frog hobbyist, Rob Mohr. Rob has made a career out his passion for the natural world, and in this episode we discuss his role at one of the largest private vivariums in the United States - the Seattle Spheres. We discuss plants, the logistics of maintaining massive living walls…

Punch Mountain is canceling the family vacation in Gas Town and setting a new course with MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. Mac and David discuss water addiction, dictator-approved guitar rock, and the concept of McFeasting before revealing MAD MAX: FURY ROAD’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Armen of HerpTime. In this episode we discuss what it takes to be a breeder, Armen’s new frog breeding projects, social media and more! We also take a deep dive into anoles and compare and contrast anole vs frog husbandry. This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreations Exo Ter…

Punch Mountain is headed to the ends of the earth in search of someone to remove this damn Excommunicado with JOHN WICK CHAPTER 3: PARABELLUM (2019). Mac and David discuss battle dogs, belt whippings, and low-level employees of The Continental before revealing JOHN WICK CHAPTER 3: PARABELLUM’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.…

This week I am joined by Dayyan Saylany. Dayyan is known across Youtube and social media as Reptiliatus, and in this episode we discuss his passion for reptiles and amphibians; and his journey into content creation. We also talk about Dayyan's frog experiences including why he developed a care video for juvenile-subadult pacman frogs, and how he su…

Punch Mountain is hopping off the bus and walking into trouble at the ROAD HOUSE (2024). Mac and David discuss CGI punches, boat dreams, and breaking bad news to bad guys before revealing ROAD HOUSE’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Drew Martinez. Drew is the owner of Carnivero. - a nursery that specializes in carnivorous plants. In this episode, we discuss Drew's tenure in the dart frog and plant hobbies, his fascination with carnivorous plants and how to successfully care for everything from Nepenthes pitcher plants, to Venus Fly traps and Platyceriu…

Punch Mountain is gassing up the Bentley in preparation for DOOMSDAY. Mac and David discuss unwieldy Scottish accents, eyeball cameras, and post-apocalyptic entertainment before revealing DOOMSDAY’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

Streams are unique habitats that are home to many different species of amphibian. But, do changes in stream dynamics effect amphibian lifecycles? And if so, how? This week I am joined by researcher, Madaline Cochrane and we discuss her paper, "Individual growth rates and size at metamorphosis increase with watershed area in a stream salamander." We…

This week I am joined again by Ben Baker of Fantastic Frogs. In Episode 160, Ben and I discussed a host of topics including his tenure as a zoo keeper and frog breeder. In this week's episode we continue our conversation with a deep dive into more of Ben's career and insights. We discuss Ben's experiences tracking and studying wild Golden Mantella,…

Punch Mountain is throwing the Audi A8 into gear just in time for TRANSPORTER 2. Mac and David discuss little coffee cups, sound effects in fight scenes, and unfortunate CGI before revealing TRANSPORTER 2’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Zach Porritt. Zach has built one of the largest and most impressive dart frog enclosures in the hobby - A full sized greenhouse! Join us for our discussion into how the greenhouse was constructed, planted and stocked, and how his Phyllobates terribilis behave, feed and breed in such a large environment. This week's episode …

Punch Mountain is crashing in like a man on fire with ACTION JACKSON. Mac and David discuss high school accolades, kill lines, and homes big enough to drive a car through before revealing ACTION JACKSON’s place on the definitive ranking of action movies.By David Jara and Mac Blake

This week I am joined by Chris Buttermore. Chris is the Curator of Amphibians at Dallas World Aquarium and in this episode we discuss his work with large Oophaga. Our discussion covers a host of topics including what we know about the genus from the published literature, metabolism as a means of understanding egg production, extending female fecund…