We’ve all heard of climate change, but what does that really mean? Katy and Laura explain what climate change is and human-induced climate change is the largest threat our world faces right now. Don’t worry though, it isn’t all bad news! Learn about how we can all take actions toward making a better future. Support the Show.…

For over 100,000 years, humans have developed a wide variety of rituals and practices after the death of their loved ones. But are humans the only animals that have these practices or exhibit grief? Katy and Laura dig into how elephants and lemurs are just two species that show that non-human animals mourn their dead in ways very similar to us. War…

Not all top predators have to be as large as tigers and bears. As "fun size" humans, Katy and Laura have an appreciation for animals that are small but fierce. In this episode, they discuss some of nature's most incredible and deadly tiny predators. Support the Show.By Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole

Join Laura and Katy for....we don't know what week it is.....but this week on Beastly Ballers we're going to face off University of Georgia vs. University of Kentucky for college football. For the NFL this week, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the LA Rams......or is it the other way around? Find out who Laura and Katy pick and why they suddenly hav…

Week 3 of the football mascot battle is here! This week in college football it’s Colorado State vs Colorado, and in the NFL, Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts. Mascot Chaos vs Actual Reason, is tied in the series, so let’s see who will come out victorious in today’s episode! Support the Show.By Laura Fawks Lapole & Katy Reiss

How much do you really know about sharks? Can you tell fact from fiction? In this week's episode, Laura and Katy go snout to snout to see who can spot the lies when it comes to these amazing aquatic predators! Support the Show.By Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole

Join Laura and Katy, hosts of For the Love of Nature, for a fun miniseries: Beastly Ballers. They will be joined by a special guest Donnie "Hail Mary Hootenanny" Martin, a football analyst, as they dive into the quirky world of college football and NFL predictions based on mascots. In this episode, they dissect the showdown between Alabama Crimson …

Join Laura and Katy, hosts of For the Love of Nature, for a fun miniseries: Beastly Ballers. They will be joined by a special guest Donnie "Baton Rouge Bruiser" Martin, a football analyst, as they dive into the quirky world of college football predictions based on mascots. In this episode, they dissect the showdown between North Carolina's Tar Heel…

In this episode of For the Love of Nature, hosts Laura and Katy dive into the world of renewable energy, spotlighting geothermal and solar power. Discover the process of harnessing Earth's heat for clean energy and explore how much Laura and Katy really don't know about electricity. Join us in understanding these eco-friendly energy sources and the…

Discover the truth behind common animal myths in this engaging episode of 'For the Love of Nature.' Hosted by Laura and Katy, this nature comedy podcast takes a dive into the world of animal misconceptions. From bear hibernation to chameleon color-changing abilities, lone wolf behaviors, and even Ted Lasso's slip-up about goldfish memory, Laura and…

Step into the world of Disney as we explore the accuracy of nature in films like The Emperor's New Groove, Robin Hood, A Bug's Life, and The Jungle Book. From waterfalls to prehistoric animals being brought back to life, join Laure & Katy as they separate fact from fiction and discover the true wonders of the natural world behind these beloved clas…

Let's do a throwback episode to one of our more aggressive episodes... Another "Could You...?" episode. This time Laura and Katy ask each other "Could You Fight That?" They're not looking to pick a fight, but could they survive one if the fight comes to them? Listen to find out! *No animals were harmed in the research done for this episode.* Suppor…

While many of us have seen a chiropractor for our aches and pains, did you know that animals can see a chiropractor too? In this episode, Laura interviews Dr Lauren Alexander, co-founder of Champion Chiropractic Clinic. Lauren explains how similar chiropractic care is for both humans and animals, how it can improve overall quality of life and how t…

Fireworks have entranced humans for over 2000 years and continue to be a part of many celebrations. Join Katy and Laura as they go over the origin of fireworks and the science behind what creates those beautiful, loud explosions. Happy Independence Day to all our American listeners! Because nothing says "America" like blowing stuff up... Support th…

Today we're talking about Katy's brain child and company, The Curiosity Network!🧠 Discover a world of curiosity and creativity with The Curiosity Network, a platform empowering individuals to unleash their creative potential. Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we sit down with The Curiosity Network's founder (our very own Katy!), to expl…

Minerals have always been essential to life on Earth, but they have taken on greater meaning and value to humans throughout the ages. From creating the first sparks of a manmade fire and cave painting, to making a call on a cell phone or telling the time on your watch, minerals have shaped our culture. In this episode, Laura and Katy discuss what m…

As incredible, complicated and sometimes even brutal as nature is, we don't have to always take it seriously. Join Katy and Laura for a "try not to laugh" challenge and hear some of the corniest nature jokes out there. Suns out puns out! Support the Show.By Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole

We humans have social ties to family, friends, communities, and other human beings. These bonds can be complicated and convoluted, but we are by no means the only animal to have complex social lives. Katy and Laura explore the social intelligence of of several different species who have more in common with us than many would think. Support the Show…

We are jumping in the deep end to start of Season 8 with another Living Things taxonomy episode! Jellyfish, coral, and anemones all have one thing in common....they're all cnidarians. Katy and Laura explain that although cnidarians may seem alien and unknown, they are some of the most fascinating creatures in our oceans. From nematocysts to immorta…

In this mini episode of For the Love of Nature, Allison Black and her guest, Amanda Jacobson, talk about what it's like to work as a biological science technician and plankton lab technician on one of NOAA's ship. Amanda explains how she collects plankton samples and shares some of the surprising creatures they've found. She also talks about the ch…

In part 3 of this mini episode series of "For the Love of Nature", Alison Black joins us from aboard a NOAA ship at sea once again. Allison and her guest, Mary Applegate, a marine mammal observer, discuss the two teams of observers on the survey, their typical day on the ship, and how they record sightings in the ocean. Mary also talks about the ac…

In this episode, we continue our mini-series aboard NOAA's ship and join Allison Black and her guest Heidi Malicia, a marine mammal scientific observer, as they discuss their work in counting protected species like whales, and dolphins. Heidi talks about how they use the "big eyes" to contribute to an ongoing research project. This project, the Atl…

It's a season break here on For the Love of Nature, so that means it's minisode time! In this episode of the mini series, guest Allison Black, a seabird Observer and contractor for NOAA, discusses what it's like to work offshore on NOAA's research vessels, recording seabirds and other birds. Allison shares her experiences of identifying and observi…

In the Season 7 finale episode of "For the Love of Nature," host Katy speaks with Jeff Seevers about the harmful impact of zebra mussels on Texas waters. Zebra mussels are an invasive species that have spread rapidly across North America and can cause significant damage to aquatic ecosystems. Jeff shares his expertise on the topic, explaining why z…

Humans have always been nervous about nocturnal creatures, and bats are no exception. Fear not dear listeners! Laura and Katy will help you to appreciate, and potentially even love, bats as much as they do. Find out all about flying foxes and flittermice in today’s episode! Support the Show.By Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole

In today’s episode Laura and Katy talk to horticulturalist and Texas Tech lecturer Dr. Vikram Baliga! Vikram, Laura and Katy talk about everything from hydroponic systems and urban community gardens, to Vikram’s best plant voice and his new book coming out this July: Plants to the Rescue. Listen in and then jump over to Vikram’s podcast Planthropol…

To kick off National Amphibian Month, Laura and Katy are joined by Dr Kerry Kriger from SAVE THE FROGS! This incredible non-profit is the most effective amphibian conservation organization in the world. Hear about the many projects they are involved in and learn ways that you too can help save the frogs. To learn more about SAVE THE FROGS! https://…

All over the world there are tales of creatures that science hasn’t yet acknowledged. Many of us have heard about Bigfoot, but this week Katy and Laura want to introduce you to some of the lesser-known cryptids. Could they be real? Support the Show.By Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole

Spruces, ginkgos, cycads, and all the other gymnosperms have no problem with vulnerability even though their seeds are naked. These hearty plants have been around for over 300 million years with some individuals more than 2000 years old! Laura and Katy explain what makes these plants unique and how they can be considered “fine lookin trees.” Suppor…

Who doesn’t like a good survivor story? Today, Laura and Katy talk about some species who have survived mass extinctions and remain relatively unchanged. These living fossils help us to imagine what our planet looked like millions of years ago and how evolution has changed things. They are the embodiment of the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t …

Many of us are familiar with measurements such as feet, kilometers per hour, and pounds, but what about donkeypower? Laura and Katy each explain some unusual units of measurement that include natural objects. Can you figure out what the measurement means? Support the Show.By Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole

This Valentine’s Day, Katy and Laura are throwing away the romance in exchange for the cold, unfeeling science behind “love.” Romantic love impacts both our brains and our bodies, sometimes in permanent ways. Is love just a chemical cocktail, or something more? Support the Show.By Laura Fawks Lapole & Katy Reiss

Laura and Katy are starting off Season 7 with a bite! Both of these nature nerds will do a lot for food, but it is nothing compared to the animals they discuss in today’s episode. Discover some incredible adaptations animals have developed to fit their “foodie” lifestyles. Support the Show.By Laura Fawks Lapole & Katy Reiss

In the final minisode of the Season 6 break, Katy & Laura play a ridiculously noisy game. Each mimics several animals while the other guesses what it might be. Can you guess the animal before they do? And remember, next week starts Season 7! This will be one for all our fellow foodies... Support the Show.…

Did you know that salamanders were once thought to be mythical creatures? Born from fire, these little amphibians could strike terror into the hearts of grown men. Find out the truth behind the myth in this week's minisode. Support the Show.

Horse girls unite! This week, Kim turns her attention to, arguably, the most well-known mythical creature: the unicorn. Unsurprisingly, this majestic horse with a horn has way more to its story than what meets the eye. Support the Show.

This week, Kim releases the kraken. The kraken is a behemoth creature that looms in the oceans, waiting for unsuspecting sailors to fall victim to its grasp. Let’s just put it this way: The kraken gives the “ten tickles” joke a whole new meaning. Support the Show.

With the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, the griffin is a formidable creature. But where on earth did the idea of the griffin come from, and how did this great animal mashup become a staple of human history? Support the Show.

While Laura and Katy take some time off to prepare for season 7, Kim is back with another round of mini episodes! For the next four weeks, she’ll cover the real origins of mythical creatures. This week, Kim overcomes her deep-seeded fears to discuss the many-headed hydra. Support the Show.

Why do you love nature? Is it the cool animals? The beautiful sunsets? Peaceful birdsong? In the Season 6 finale, we hear from not only Laura, but many younger listeners as to why they love nature. Let their passion inspire you! Thank you to everyone who submitted audio clips and emails! Support the Show.…

Sometimes the nature around us can feel totally random, but is there more organization than what meets the eye? This week, Laura and Katy explore their least favorite subject (mathematics), but in the context of their most favorite subject (nature)! Though the beauty and complexity of nature can be explained through math, is this a human construct …

Since Katy has been out of town with family and Laura has been drowning in school work, adult responsibilities and baby snot, they decided to give themselves a break and do a minisode this week. Have you wondered how these two nerds got to be such good friends? Join Laura as she recounts how she and Katy met, formed a lasting friendship and a few o…

If you’re a fan of yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, wine or beer, this episode is for you! This week, Katy and Laura enter the stinky, yet satisfying, world of fermentation. Originally used as a way to preserve foods, people throughout history have harnessed that power for culinary good—and created some delectable food and drink with the outcome. One …

What do cephalopods and science communication have in common? None other than this week’s special guest, Dr. Sarah McAnulty! Not only is she a squid biologist, science communicator, and street artist, she’s the founder of Skype a Scientist—a nonprofit organization that connects scientists and students (and lifelong learners) around the world throug…

Have you ever wondered how the big bad wolf managed to wear grandma’s clothing and trick Little Red Riding Hood? Or which species of bean plant could actually grow tall enough to reach giants in the sky? (And while we’re at it, why are there giants in the sky anyway?) This week, Katy and Laura take a look at the scientific accuracy of fairy tales—w…

We’ve become pretty well-acquainted with viruses in the past few years. (Thanks, worldwide pandemic.) This week, Katy and Laura take a deep dive into what a virus is, really. It feels alive, but is it? And how do they affect different species and their evolution. Support the Show.

Beyond figuring out what to wear and whether we need to grab an umbrella before we head out the door, weather has a huge impact on our lives. And for centuries, humans have created all sorts of folklore to attempt to predict it. In this week’s episode, Laura and Katy explore different weather folklore expressions to see if any of them hold true—or …

This week, Laura is joined by Caitlin and John Michael to discuss the benefits of farming sustainably. From crop rotation to heritage breeds, learn why sustainable farming is critical to the health of not only humans, but the entire planet. Discover some organizations that are already taking steps in the right direction and how you can too! Support…

Reds, oranges, yellows, and even purples, the forest is ablaze with color during autumn. The true beauty of leaves are revealed as they begin to die. What causes this incredible change? Are there factors that affect the color? Where can you experience the best fall foliage? All these questions and more are answered by Laura and Katy in this week’s …

Have you ever been enchanted by a lush, green patch of moss? What about a magical fern-filled forest? In today’s episode, Laura and Katy discover what makes these “primitive plants” anything but boring. Support the Show.