Best NC Museum of Natural Sciences Podcasts (2024)

1
Nature’s Wild Ideas 36:58

1+ y ago36:58

36:58

Kristy Hamilton is a science journalist and author of "Nature’s Wild Ideas: How the Natural World is Inspiring Scientific Innovation," recently published this October. Hamilton’s passionate pursuits and insatiable curiosity have led her all over the globe to investigate natural settings to uncover how living things are interconnected and how even t…

1
The Music of Climate Change, Part 2 30:03

1+ y ago30:03

30:03

We’re back with Dr. Kirsten Paige, Assistant Professor of Musicology at NC State University for a deep dive into opera. High notes, dramatic costuming and illustrious sets may come to mind when thinking of opera, but what can it teach us about the history of our planet and climate change? Tune in to find out. Plus, discover which natural space is D…

1
The Music of Climate Change 31:17

1+ y ago31:17

31:17

Welcome back to the fourth season of the "Love Nature" podcast. Join us for part one of our conversation with Dr. Kirsten Paige, an Assistant Professor of Musicology at NC State University. Dr. Paige’s work explores how scientific and environmental knowledge reshaped musical practices and cultures of the 19th and 20th centuries. She also has a stro…

1
Sounds of the Natural World, Pt. 2 32:16

2y ago32:16

32:16

Musician, author, and naturalist, Dr. Bernie Krause, returns for the season three finale of the Love Nature podcast. Krause discusses how relaying natural themes through art can increase impact and raise human awareness about the environmental issues of our time. Krause also plays illuminating soundscapes of social communication among a herd of for…

1
Sounds of the Natural World, Pt. 1 25:48

2y ago25:48

25:48

Join us for the first part of our dynamic conversation with musician, author and naturalist, Dr. Bernie Krause, one the world’s leading experts in natural sound and soundscapes — the sounds that reach human ears. Krause discusses his origins as a violinist-turned-guitarist, which led to him helping introduce the synthesizer in pop music and film, i…

1
Art Works for Change 40:24

2y ago40:24

40:24

Chris Jordan’s goal is to create art that contrasts the beauty and the horror of our world. From old cell phones to single-use plastics, Jordan uses everyday objects to create bold exhibitions that confront the environmental issues of our time in a personal and persuasive way. Join us for this enlightening and emotional conservation to find out why…

1
Hand in Hand: Science and the Arts 42:59

2y ago42:59

42:59

Todd Siler is an artist, author, and inventor with a passion to understand how human systems work. Throughout his expansive and illustrious career, Siler has explored the interconnection of art and science and advocated for integration between the two fields in academia. A recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts, Siler’s visually str…

1
Around the World With 50,000 Bees 32:42

2y ago32:42

32:42

In 2008, a honeybee flew through the window of artist Matt Willey’s New York City apartment and a lasting connection was made. “The Good of the Hive” is a global art project based on Willey’s personal commitment to hand paint 50,000 individual honeybees (the average number for a healthy, thriving honeybee hive). In North Carolina, Willey’s murals c…

1
Making the Ordinary Extraordinary 29:55

2y ago29:55

29:55

Artist Benjamin Von Wong’s work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography, combining everyday objects with shocking statistics. His YouTube videos have generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste and fashion pollution. Von Wong’s art focuses on amplifying a positive impact by visualizing how humans in…

1
Bringing Dinosaurs to Life 32:04

2y ago32:04

32:04

Julius Csotonyi, Ph.D., is an award-winning natural history artist with a background in ecology and microbiology. Csotonyi illustrates the results of scientific research, providing compelling and accurate visual depictions of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life as well as a variety of living creatures. Csotonyi has collaborated with NC Museum of N…

1
Poetic Connections to the Natural World 36:33

2y ago36:33

36:33

As an author, poet and activist, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, PhD, makes lyrical connections to the environmental observations of our time. Hear about Gumbs’ enthusiasm for marine mammals and how they not only inspire her creative writing, but her relationship with history and connection to the natural world. Gumbs also reads a poem from her recent public…

1
The Art of Science Communication 37:14

2y ago37:14

37:14

Welcome to the third season of the Love Nature Podcast. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is a proud participant of the North Carolina Science Festival, a month-long celebration of science every April. We are kicking off our season with award-winning science communicator, host and producer, Emily Graslie. Emily is a regular host for PBS programs, i…

1
The Classroom Around Us 27:55

2+ y ago27:55

27:55

Tom Earnhardt grew up surrounded by nature in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. This experience forever shaped his perspective and passions, leading him into a career in environmental law, teaching and advocacy for the natural world. As Tom says, “The more you know, the more responsibility you have to those resources.” Listeners may also know …

1
Starstruck 29:03

2+ y ago29:03

29:03

Rachel Smith is an astrophysicist and the Head of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab and Curator for Meteorites. Rachel is in interested in the origins of life, how it began on Earth and investigating perhaps the greatest mystery of all: are humans alone in the Universe? Discover why astronomers and astrophysic…

1
Changing Climate; Adaptive Architecture 25:56

2+ y ago25:56

25:56

Find out how growing up near 600 acres of woods in the DC area and a pivotal trip to Jacques-Cartier National Park inspired George Elvin, a professor of architecture at NC State University, to join his love of architecture with his respect for nature. George believes there is an urgent need to mitigate the negative effects of human design on the en…

1
Breaking Down Barriers with Citizen Science 26:07

2+ y ago26:07

26:07

Chris Goforth is an entomologist and science educator who leads citizen science efforts at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Citizen science is the partnership between the public and professional researchers, an important, collaborative relationship where people from all walks of life can contribute to scientific research regardless of experience …

1
The Comedy of Science 25:37

2+ y ago25:37

25:37

Brian Malow is a comedian who loves science. Yes, you read that correctly. He is enthusiastic about creating connections between science and humor to deepen his audience’s appreciation for nature. Longtime fans of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences will also recall Brian was the first curator of the SECU Daily Planet Theater. Don’t miss this lively …

1
Building a More Science-Minded Society 29:02

2+ y ago29:02

29:02

A Miami native with Jamaican heritage, Danni Washington is deeply passionate about science communication and protecting and preserving our oceans. Using social and traditional media platforms, Danni takes her audiences on adventures to connect them with nature, aiming to inspire a more science-minded society along the way. Danni also illuminates ho…

1
Exquisite Creatures 39:22

2+ y ago39:22

39:22

For over 22 years artist and naturalist Christopher Marley has traveled the world to reclaim collected rare (and real) organisms to create unique and beautiful works of art. Marley's love of nature and its beauty are evident as he discusses his career and his creations. Through March 20, 2022, Marley’s work is on special exhibit at the NC Museum of…

1
Facing the New Horsemen of the Apocalypse 18:05

3y ago18:05

18:05

New York Times best-selling author, Richard Louv, returns to provide further insight in this week’s episode, discussing how humans can commit to re-wilding natural areas and how cities can play a role by becoming engines for biodiversity and environmental revitalization. Louv also addresses the four horsemen of the apocalypse: climate change, the c…

1
Our Wild Calling 27:03

3y ago27:03

27:03

Join New York Times best-selling author, journalist and environmental advocate, Richard Louv, for the second season premiere of the Love Nature podcast. Richard discusses his latest book, Our Wild Calling, and a childhood dog named Banner who taught him a set of ethics for engaging with both humans and animals. Plus, find out why Louv thinks humans…

1
Rue Mapp and Outdoor Afro: Building a Bridge to Nature 1:01:11

3+ y ago1:01:11

1:01:11

In less than a decade, Rue Mapp grew her passion for nature from a blog to a national network of over 45,000 trained volunteers that comprise the organization Outdoor Afro. Rue and her organization seek to connect historically underserved communities with nature while advocating for inclusivity and accessibility within these spaces. Whether through…

1
Dueling Dinosaurs: A 67 Million-Year-Old Whodunit 1:14:27

3+ y ago1:14:27

1:14:27

Dinosaurs! Is it the mystery, the problem solving, or the discovery that interests us most? For Lindsay Zanno, Head of the Museum’s Paleontology Unit and Associate Research Professor at North Carolina State University, it is all three and more. Join us as Lindsay shares her journey into Paleontology and how the past (dinosaurs) and present (birds) …

1
Meet The Hosts 56:02

3+ y ago56:02

56:02

Have you been wondering about the gentlemen behind this podcast? Well, wonder no more. Today you get to meet the hosts in a special interview hosted by the Museum's Science Correspondent, Chris Smith. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovenature/message

1
Urban Nature 1:04:03

3+ y ago1:04:03

1:04:03

Deja Perkins is an urban ecologist, an advocate for nature exploration and one of the co-organizers of Black Birders Week. As a Chicago native, Deja understands it is important for city residents to have access to nature and green spaces, but far too often communities of color encounter unique challenges when trying to interact with the natural wor…

1
Cold Nose, Warm Heart 1:00:23

3+ y ago1:00:23

1:00:23

What do you do with a sick pet goldfish or iguana? What about a turtle or snake who has encountered trouble on the road? Dr. Greg Lewbart has seen it all caring for a range of creatures as a professor of aquatic animal medicine and veterinarian at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. Join us for this delightful, insightful conversation that ill…

1
Lights, Camera…Ants! 49:50

3+ y ago49:50

49:50

Did you know the Museum has our own “Ant-Man”? Meet Dr. Adrian Smith, Head of the Museum’s Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Research Lab. On social media, his exciting videos inspire curiosity and fascination as he provides unique, observable views of insects and their behavior. Join us for this illuminating conversation. --- Send in a voice message…

1
The World’s Largest Natural Habitat Zoo 57:03

4y ago57:03

57:03

Meet Pat Simmons, Director & CEO of the North Carolina Zoological Park. “One of the things zoos do best,” she notes, “is reach out to large masses of people and give them that up-close personal experience with nature. A safe place where you can rely on experts to dispel fears and bring in joy. It’s incredibly important to the human soul.” Patricia …

1
Studying the Species in Peoples’ Lives 51:31

4y ago51:31

51:31

Join us as we chat with Dr. Rob Dunn, Professor of Applied Ecology at NC State University and author of five popular science books, including “Every Living Thing” and “The Wild Life of our Bodies.” From bellybutton microbes to fabulous face mites, listen and learn all about the species that are on us, in us and around us. Rob Dunn’s bio Rob Dunn is…

1
Part II: E.O. Wilson and the Half-Earth Project 39:32

4y ago39:32

39:32

Part II of our conversation with Dr. E.O. Wilson explores his concept of Half-Earth, a call to protect half the Earth’s land and sea in order to manage sufficient habitat to reverse the species extinction crisis and ensure species have the space they need to thrive. Hear how the Half-Earth Project is bringing this vision to life. --- Send in a voic…

1
Meet Legendary Biologist E.O. Wilson 58:16

4y ago58:16

58:16

The inaugural episode of the Love Nature podcast explores humans’ innate desire to connect with nature, a desire legendary biologist and author Dr. E.O. Wilson termed “biophilia.” Join us to meet the hosts and to hear from E.O. Wilson as they all share their personal attraction to, and journeys through, nature --- Send in a voice message: https://p…

1
Love Nature: The Biophilia Podcast Promo 2:21

4y ago2:21

2:21

Promo for Love Nature: The Biophilia Podcast, the new podcast from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovenature/message

1
Social Insects 1:27

11+ y ago1:27

1:27

Our resident entomology expert Heather Campbell brings us another Insect Minute. This week’s topic: social insects.By WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio

1
Bioluminescence 1:20

11+ y ago1:20

1:20

Our resident entomology expert Heather Campbell brings us another Insect Minute. This week’s topic: bioluminescence.By WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio

1
Medical Insects 1:04

12y ago1:04

1:04

Our resident entomology expert Heather Campbell brings us another Insect Minute. This week’s topic: medical insects.By WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio

1
Termites 1:24

12y ago1:24

1:24

Our resident entomology expert Heather Campbell brings us another Insect Minute. This week’s topic: termites.By WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio

1
Cockroaches 1:16

12y ago1:16

1:16

Our resident entomology expert Heather Campbell brings us another Insect Minute. This week’s topic: cockroaches.By WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio

1
Bed Bugs 1:14

12y ago1:14

1:14

If you would like to find out more about bed bugs visit the museum’s website at insectmuseum.org where you also find information about our museum and read our blog where we talk about interesting stuff going on in the world of entomology.By WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio

1
Ticks 1:15

12y ago1:15

1:15

Tick Life Cycle from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ticks find their hosts through detecting the breath, body odor or body heat of an animal or through questing. When a tick is questing for a host it will climb to the end of a leaf or tip of a blade of grass and hold on tightly with the last two sets of legs and stretch the fore legs ou…

1
Cicadas 1:11

12y ago1:11

1:11

Cicadas are found on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. In fact, there are 2,600 described species in the world ranging from very large (110 mm) to relatively small (14 mm), most of which are members of the family Cicadidae. The other family of cicadas, Tettigarctidae, is a very small and relictual group that is represented by two s…

1
The Biggest Insect 1:05

12y ago1:05

1:05

Aggggghhhh!! That is one big insect!! To answer this question we need clarification, how do you quantify “biggest”? Insects are very diverse and they come in many shapes which means that the longest is not the heaviest. So to answer the question of what is the “biggest” completely there are two answers. The longest insect is the Chan’s Mega Stick f…

1
The Arctic Woolly Bear Moth 1:01

12y ago1:01

1:01

Banded woolly bear - Photo by graftendno1 Never the less, there is a woolly bear caterpillar that does have a very interesting relationship with winter. It is called the Arctic woolly bear caterpillar. Although their names are similar and they superficially look alike, these two are very different. The banded woolly bear caterpillar is in the famil…

1
The Wonderful World of Bees! 1:02

12y ago1:02

1:02

Bees are in the order Hymenoptera which also includes wasps, ants and sawflies. Bees and wasps are commonly confused with one another or perceived as names that are interchangeable. Bees and wasps share some attributes; like a similar body plan and they are both holometabolous insects. (A much cuter explanation of metamorphosis) There is one very b…

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