Best Jon Fonseca Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 1: Peter Kaestner 1:16:32

1M ago1:16:32

1:16:32

Charles and Jon open Season 3 of the podcast from the jungles of the Ivory Coast, before talking to Peter Kaestner, the world's most accomplished birder. In February 2024 Peter became the first person ever to see 10,000 bird species, though, as we hear at the very end of the episode, the climax of his record came with more plot twists than a Hitchc…

1
Episode 23: Sebastian Kennerknecht 54:33

3M ago54:33

54:33

In the season finale to Season 2 of the podcast, Charles and Jon talk to the founder of Cat Expeditions - camera trap virtuoso and feline aficionado - Sebastian Kennerknecht from his home in California. Sebastian explains how his passions for wildlife and photography were formed and talks about the powerful role photography can play in conservation…

1
Episode 22: Patricia Wright 52:33

4M ago52:33

52:33

Charles and Jon meet conservation legend and primatologist Patricia Wright. Dr Wright is most famous for her work in Madagascar, including her discovery of the Golden Bamboo Lemur. She is Founder and Executive Director of Stony Brook University Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, and Founder and Executive Director of the Centre…

1
Episode 21: Patricia Medici 59:20

5M ago59:20

59:20

Charles and Jon talk to conservationist and tapir champion Dr Patricia Medici from her home in Brazil's Pantanal. Patricia is a founding member of the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (Institute for Ecological Research), a Brazilian non-governmental organization which she helped set up in 1992. She also chairs the IUCN's Special Survival Commissio…

1
Episode 20: Connor Burgin 54:20

5M ago54:20

54:20

Charles and Jon meet Connor Burgin a PhD student working on mammalian systematics at the University of New Mexico. As a young boy Connor was fascinated by Wikipedia's list of dinosaurs. His fascination shifted to lists of present day fauna and at the age of twelve he began to create and update his own list of the world's mammals which quickly becam…

1
Episode 19: John Newby & Chad 1:08:22

6M ago1:08:22

1:08:22

Charles and Jon talk to the legendary John Newby about his 50 years in Chad and Niger working to save some of the rarest antelopes in the world. This is a fascinating story, which begins in the 1970s when John recalls seeing vast herds of Oryx, Addax and Dama Gazelle in the Sahara. Yet 15 years later these species had reached the edge of extinction…

1
Episode 18: Joel Berger 47:40

8M ago47:40

47:40

Charles and Jon talk to Professor Joel Berger from his home in Colorado. Joel has spent a lifetime studying 'extreme species in extreme places' as a senior scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and at Colorado State University and the University of Montana. He has worked on many mammals including Huemul in Chile, Musk Ox in Russia and Pr…

1
Episode 17: Expedition to West Papua 52:10

9M ago52:10

52:10

Charles and Jon are reunited with Carlos Bocos who inspired, designed and guided their hugely successful trip to West Papua in June 2023. From Long-beaked Echidnas to Long-fingered Trioks, we talk about the incredible mammalwatching on New Guinea, the extraordinary local communities who helped us along the way, and a death-defying BASE jumping Grou…

1
Episode 16: Luke Hunter 54:26

10M ago54:26

54:26

Charles and Jon talk to Luke Hunter, the director of the Big Cat Program at the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the world's leading experts on wild carnivore conservation. Luke discusses his work to protect Lions in west and central Africa, the reintroduction of Cheetahs in India, and a tragic story of Cheetah conservation in Iran. We also…

1
Episode 15: Harriet Kemigisha 55:40

11M ago55:40

55:40

Charles and Jon chat with Harriet Kemigisha - founder of Harrier Tours - from her home in western Uganda. Harriet talks about a life that has taken her from a young village girl exploring the forest with her grandfather on hunting trips, to the founder of a successful wildlife tour company. She recounts her rediscovery of the Green-breasted Pitta i…

1
Episode 14: Expedition to Chad 49:20

12M ago49:20

49:20

Charles and Jon talk with Brendan and Dan Nugent - Australian mammalwatching newcomers - about their recent expedition to Chad with Jon. They talk about the other-worldly scenery of the Ended Massif; the Dama Gazelles of Ouadi-Rimé - "the most beautiful things they have ever never heard of"; and a safari on steroids in Zakouma National Park, includ…

1
Episode 13: Arnaud Desbiez 58:52

1y ago58:52

58:52

Charles and Jon talk to Whitley Award-winning conservationist Arnaud Desbiez, from his home in the Brazilian Pantanal. Since 2010, Arnaud and his team have been studying one of the planet's most iconic and secretive animals: the Giant Armadillo. Very little was known about this magnificent mammal before their work began and the more the project unc…

1
Episode 12: Roland Kays 57:47

1y ago57:47

57:47

Charles and Jon talk to distinguished mammalogist Dr Roland Kays, head of the Biodiversity lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a Professor at North Carolina State University. Roland has published on sloth sleep and incognito Olinguitos and written a North American mammal field guide - also an app - that many of you will have. R…

1
Episode 11: John & Terese Hart 1:08:41

1y ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Charles and Jon talk to legendary mammalogists and conservationists John and Terese Hart about 50 years' of work in the Congo rainforest. John and Terese have made an enormous contribution to studying and protecting African biodiversity and have had way more than their fair share of adventures en route. From discovering new monkey species to studyi…

1
Episode 10: Trip Planning & Equatorial Guinea 48:15

1y ago48:15

48:15

We chat with Venkat Sankar about how we plan and prepare for the perfect trip. From designing an itinerary and choosing target species to taking the "right" pictures. We also swap tips on how we identify some of the world's most obscure mammals either in the field or after we get home. And Jon talks about his recent trip to Bioko Island, a place wh…

1
Episode 9: Jo Setchell 50:01

1+ y ago50:01

50:01

Charles and Jon talk to Professor Jo Setchell from her home in the UK. Dr Setchell, a distinguished primatologist and anthropologist, has studied primates in Cameroon, Gabon, the DRC and Borneo and has particular research interests in sexual selection among Mandrills and primate conservation. Destined for a career in primatology from the age of two…

1
Episode 8: Tales of the Unexpected 53:40

1+ y ago53:40

53:40

Charles and Jon talk to recently converted mammalwatchers about their early mammalwatching experiences. Admittedly, some of our guests might deny they have been converted but we know different. We talk to Steven Arthur, Cheryl Antonucci's partner, about being stalked by Swamp Rabbits in Missouri. We hear about a trip to Guyana that could have gone …

1
Episode 7: Mammalwatching Guides 46:33

1+ y ago46:33

46:33

Charles and Jon are joined by Season 1 podcast veterans Mac Hunter and Cheryl Antonucci who starred in the first two podcast episodes, along with professional birding - and now mammalwatching - guide Carlos Bocos who dialed in from his home in Spain. We talk about guides: the benefits they bring to conservation, trips and to mammalwatching more gen…

1
Danny Breslauer & Jon Newman - The Final Countdown (EP.116) 36:55

1+ y ago36:55

36:55

The Scarlet Spotlight is signing off. Thanks to our loyal listeners for an incredible five-year run. Danny and Jon recap things with one final episode. No guests, just us. Rutgers fans, you're a special group. We'll still be around, just doing different things! Learn more and stay up to date at thescarletspotlight.com Email - thescarletspotlight@gm…

1
Episode 6: Charles Foley 54:07

1+ y ago54:07

54:07

Jon finally gets the chance to interview his co-host Charles Foley. Charles shares adventures from a life spent working with African Elephants in Tanzania's Tarangire National Park with his wife Lara. His thirty years of research has generated many advances in our understanding of Elephants, including the long-term impact that poaching can have whe…

1
Jerry Carino - NJ Hoops Haven on the Pikiell Era (EP.115) 44:49

1+ y ago44:49

44:49

The Scarlet Spotlight is happy to be joined by the NJ Hoops Haven, Jerry Carino, for Episode 115 of the podcast. Carino, who is the dean of the local college basketball beat, covers the opening week of the Rutgers men's basketball season -- from style to personnel. In the wide-ranging conversation, Carino provides your Scarlet Knights hoops fix. Af…

1
Episode 5: Karina Karenina & Andrey Giljov 50:57

1+ y ago50:57

50:57

Charles and Jon talk to Russian biologists and mammalwatchers Karina Karenina and Andrey Giljov (aka The Travelling Zoologists) from their new home in Paraguay. In a journey that runs from the Russian steppes to the Paraguayan chaco, they talk about their work to save Russia's Saiga Antelopes and the role mammalwatching has played. They discuss how…

1
Episode 4: Christopher Scharf 44:15

1+ y ago44:15

44:15

Charles and Jon talk to Christopher Scharf about his 30 year quest to photograph the planet's most iconic wildlife - a project that is destined to be a time capsule of 21st century wildlife observation. Chris talks about some of the near mythical mammals he has seen and the near mythical adventures along the way. We hear how a quest to photograph a…

1
Steve Pikiell - Speed Limit Club (EP.114) 51:20

1+ y ago51:20

51:20

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited for our yearly chat with Rutgers men's basketball head coach Steve Pikiell on Episode 114 of the podcast. The seventh-year head coach of the Scarlet Knights discusses his 2022-2023 squad, and the expectations of being an NCAA team the last few seasons (including the COVID pandemic shortened year). Pikiell goes playe…

1
Episode 3: The First Mammalwatching Meeting 40:38

1+ y ago40:38

40:38

Charles and Jon report back from the inaugural mammalwatching meeting in Asturias, Spain. Join us as we watch Brown Bears, Common Genets and Broom Hares and chat with the participants. In a podcast first you can share the ecstasy of people seeing lifer mammals, followed by the agony when one - a water vole - is devoured by a bear before being fully…

1
Episode 2: Robert Shumaker 57:17

1+ y ago57:17

57:17

We interview Dr Robert Shumaker, the President and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo. Rob is a renowned expert on primate cognition (i.e. primate behaviour and intelligence), a widely published scientist, and a leader in the zoo world. He talks to us about his fascinating research on Great Ape cognition and the very fine line between the abilities of hum…

1
T.J. Hitchings - Building a Rutgers Brand (EP.113) 46:32

1+ y ago46:32

46:32

The Scarlet Spotlight is happy to be joined on Episode 113 of the podcast by Barstool Sports senior producer T.J. Hitchings. The 2019 Rutgers alumnus discusses his upbringing and path to RU, student experience and way into Barstool Sports through internships in New Brunswick and at the flagship office in NYC. Hitchings discusses Rutgers football an…

1
Episode 1: Arjan Dwarshuis 59:42

1+ y ago59:42

59:42

December 25 1914: as World War I is raging, British and German troops along the frontline lay down their rifles, and cross the trenches to play a friendly football match. September 2022: the mammalwatching podcast brings a second, arguably greater, testament to the human ability to heal wounds, cross divides and search for peace despite many years …

1
Steve Politi & Brian Fonseca - The Boys are Back in Town (EP.112) 43:06

1+ y ago43:06

43:06

The Scarlet Spotlight returns for its fifth athletic year with the 2022-2023 Rutgers fall season underway. Joining the show for Episode 112 are NJ Advance Media's Steve Politi and Brian Fonseca to preview the upcoming year for the Scarlet Knights' programs. With the focus primarily on football just days from the season opener at Boston College, the…

1
Jim McElderry - From Rose Hill to the Banks (EP.111) 44:39

2y ago44:39

44:39

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited to be joined by Rutgers men's soccer head coach Jim McElderry, who took over the Scarlet Knights program prior to the 2019 season. McElderry discusses his New Jersey upbringing in soccer, college career at Fairfield and path in coaching. He comments on coaching future pros at Fordham and bringing that mindset to Pis…

1
Sean DeDeyn - Anything But Typical (EP.110) 41:37

2y ago41:37

41:37

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited to be joined by Sean DeDeyn, former Rutgers wrestler and current managing partner of The Axel Group. DeDeyn discusses his life in wrestling at the Jersey Shore, a roundabout path through multiple colleges and sports on his way to RU and his transition into broadcasting and business. DeDeyn comments on the ascension …

1
Episode 27: Merlin Tuttle 53:21

2y ago53:21

53:21

Charles and Jon interview the original Batman, Dr Merlin Tuttle, from his home in Austin, Texas. Merlin has spent 60 years studying - and working to help - bats around the world and his photos and research have been featured in multiple National Geographic articles, the journal Science, and many other places. He founded and led Bat Conservation Int…

1
Rick Mercurio - A Life in Lacrosse (EP.109 35:31

2y ago35:31

35:31

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited to be joined by former Rutgers men's lacrosse player and current announcer Rick Mercurio for Episode 109 of the show. Mercurio was a part of three NCAA Tournament teams at RU in the 1970s, before embarking on a very successful coaching career on Long Island. He discusses his time in Piscataway, path to coaching and …

1
Episode 26b: Gear - Charles Hood & Fiona Reid (Part 2) 29:18

2y ago29:18

29:18

From binoculars to bat detectors, and from thermal scopes to thermarest pillows, we all have our own preferences for mammalwatching gear. We are joined by Charles Hood and Fiona Reid to discuss our kit and share some packing hacks that can make life a little more comfortable on a trip ..... because any fool can be uncomfortable in the bush! We had …

1
Episode 26a: Gear - Charles Hood & Fiona Reid (Part 1) 42:10

2y ago42:10

42:10

From binoculars to bat detectors, and from thermal scopes to thermarest pillows, we all have our own preferences for mammalwatching gear. We are joined by Charles Hood and Fiona Reid to discuss our kit and share some packing hacks that can make life a little more comfortable on a trip ..... because any fool can be uncomfortable in the bush! We had …

1
Bobby Brownlie - The Often Stolen Street Sign (EP.108) 52:30

2y ago52:30

52:30

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited to be joined by former Rutgers baseball ace Bobby Brownlie for Episode 108 of the podcast. Brownlie set a plethora of pitching records in Piscataway from 2000-2002, before being selected in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs in the first round. Brownlie shared stories about Edison boys baseball, Fred Hill, his S…

1
Episode 25: Tony Friend 57:27

2y ago57:27

57:27

We interview Tony Friend, legendary West Australian mammalogist, from his home in Albany, Australia. Tony talks about almost 40 years of work to save some of West Australia's iconic and wonderfully-named mammals including species like the Chudditch, Woylie and Dibbler. (And if you want to know what they look like you'll need to listen!) Tony talks …

1
Knights of The Raritan: Jason Belzer (EP.107) 55:11

2y ago55:11

55:11

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited to be joined by Student Athlete NIL founder Jason Belzer, who will be running the day-to-day of Knights of The Raritan, the new Rutgers NIL collective. Jason brings his expertise to the podcast on Episode 107, breaking down the NIL space and the opportunities that Rutgers fans can create for current student-athletes…

1
Episode 24: Rob Foster 52:02

2y ago52:02

52:02

We interview Rob Foster from his home in Ontario, Canada about his work in the Canadian boreal forests and his frequent run-ins with Black and Grizzly bears. He describes an astonishing encounter with a predatory Black bear that he fought off for over 45 minutes in the back-woods with only a single can of bear spray and a pocket knife. He also disp…

1
Steve Owens - Sweeps in the Big Ten (EP.106) 40:01

2y ago40:01

40:01

The Scarlet Spotlight is happy to return from a short, warranted hiatus and to be joined by Rutgers Baseball head coach Steve Owens. The third-year Scarlet Knights head coach has architected a 36-9 start on the diamond in 2022, with 15 Big Ten wins in RU's first 18 conference games. Owens covers his baseball upbringing in upstate New York, and coac…

1
Episode 23: Terry Townshend 50:32

2y ago50:32

50:32

We interview British economist turned conservationist Terry Townshend from his home in Beijing. about the work he has done over the past 12 years in China and some of the mammals he has encountered along the way. Terry describes stumbling on the Valley of the Cats, and its Snow Leopards, thanks to two students who overslept their alarm. He explains…

1
Episode 22: Mogens Trolle 39:58

2y ago39:58

39:58

We interview world famous Danish mammalogist turned wildlife photographer Mogens Trolle from his home in Copenhagen. Mogens talks about the philosophy that underpins his photography and choice of subjects, as well as his earlier work as a wildlife guide then researcher in Brazil. He describes greeting a herd of 3000 migrating Saiga on the Russian s…

1
Geo Baker - Geo with the Trio (EP.105) 31:41

2y ago31:41

31:41

The Scarlet Spotlight is happy to be joined by former Rutgers men's basketball guard Geo Baker for the final interview of his NIL deal with the show. On Episode 105, Baker walks through some of his career highlights, including a scintillating 2021-2022 campaign with many ups and downs. Baker also touches on the locker rooms throughout his time at R…

1
037 - Countless Rise Against Shows, THE Colorado Hat and Jon Bingham! 44:54

2y ago44:54

44:54

This week the Lore duo sits down with avid concert goer Jon Bingham, and they discuss the connections he's made while following Rise Against on tour, the local scene in Denver, and how they've even crossed over into his work and personal life! Jon's Lore! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OutofStep427 (OutofStep427) Instagram: @jonbing27 Fueled by…

1
036 - Hug in a Mug, Suburbia, and Hayes! 1:25:36

2y ago1:25:36

1:25:36

In this episode, Patty and Bee sit down to chat with fellow coffee slinger Hayes to talk about remembering that we're all human, gift wars, connection through art, and the issue of hyper individualism in American society as well as the strange trap that is the suburbs! Fueled by Lore lore: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fueledbylorecast/?hl=e…

1
Episode 21: Chris and Mathilde Stuart 45:16

2y ago45:16

45:16

Charles and Jon interview Chris & Mathilde Stuart - renowned wildlife researchers and authors - from their farm in South Africa. The Stuarts have had the sort of life many mammalwatchers can only dream of, searching and surveying for wildlife in much of Africa and beyond, including areas which had barely been studied before they arrived. They have …

1
Phil Sellers - Phil the Thrill (EP.104) 36:31

2y ago36:31

36:31

The Scarlet Spotlight is honored to be joined by Rutgers men's basketball's all-time leading scorer, Phil Sellers, on Episode 104 of the podcast. Phil The Thrill discusses his upbringing in the NYC hoops scene, recruitment by Dick Vitale to Rutgers and playing time during the 1970s glory days of RU hoops. Sellers tells stories about his time On the…

1
035 - THE DESERT ROAD (Deep Dive take 4) 42:03

2y ago42:03

42:03

This week Patty chimes in from the desert, and Beth is ON THAT ART GRIND. The duo does a deep dive on identity in art and the segue into connection, as well as discussing playlists, road trips, authenticity, and how you 'sell' / present yourself, and what that tells others about you. No career bitches found here (oops) Fueled by Lore lore: instagra…

1
034 - March Forth, The Band Formerly Known as Tercell, and Dona Laurita! 1:02:25

2y ago1:02:25

1:02:25

This week the lore duo sits down with Dona Laurita and the band soon to be formerly known as Tercell (Brody Coronelli, Michael Sparkman, Ethan Knight, Holden Coronelli) to discuss art and identity, ideal merch, the Waves exhibit, and Dona's non-profit March Forth which launched 3/4/2022! https://www.marchforthjules.com/ (March Forth): www.marchfort…

1
June Olkowski - A Forgotten Champion's Story (EP.103) 42:52

2y ago42:52

42:52

The Scarlet Spotlight is excited to be joined by Rutgers women's basketball great June Olkowski on Episode 103 of the podcast. One of only a handful of jerseys retired in the rafters in Piscataway, Olkowski's No. 45 was iconic in the early 1980s, when she helped lead Rutgers to the 1982 AIAW title. Olkowski joined the show to discuss her hoops infl…

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Jon Fonseca Podcasts

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