Send us a text On this episode of Runners of the Corn, Jen, and Lyn kick things off by chatting about past and upcoming races, sharing their experiences with recent injuries and how those setbacks impacted their mental health and recovery. They then dive into a fun and lively conversation with guest Alan Tiongson, who recently tackled the Marquette…

Masa Shintani is a pioneer in the field of community-based ecotourism field. He established “NGO ECOLOGIC” with the mission “to protect the natural environment, regional cultures, and dignity of the local community through community-based ecotourism and interpretation.” He has supported CBET development activities in 18 countries around the world. …

Jessica Doleh and Lauren Hennessey, members of the leadership team for NAI's Young Professionals Section, share insights into this new community and its significance as a resource for young professionals. They discuss the unique challenges young professionals face and the exciting future plans for the section. NAI's Emily McCowan and Madison Hyatt …

This week, we are excited to welcome Theodore 'Ted' Johnson, the Community Engagement Specialist at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Fort Caroline National Memorial. Ted shares insights into the challenges of interpreting a site rich in both history and nature, highlighting the diverse voices that contribute their stories and the cruci…

Send us a text In this episode of Runners of the Corn, Jen sits down with Jen Even of Even Better Coaching. Jen shares her inspiring journey from casual runner to ultrarunner, now gearing up for her 7th year at the challenging Mines of Spain 100 in Dubuque, Iowa. She dives into her passion for coaching, offering insights into the unique demands of …

This week's podcast features Toby Bloom, the National Program Manager for Travel, Tourism, and Interpretation at the USDA Forest Service. Toby shares her journey into this role, the significance of interpretation within a federal agency, and her collaborative efforts with international sites. NAI’s Paul Caputo and Song Stott join the conversation.…

Send us a text In this episode of Runners of the Corn, we bring you a mixed bag of engaging content! Tune in for exciting soundbites from the Cry Me a River (CMAR) race, where you can feel the energy and hear firsthand experiences from the event. I also dive into a personal story about my first DNF (Did Not Finish), sharing the lessons learned and …

Katie Shea, Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation & NAI Board, is steadfast in her commitment to educating about the cultural and political sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. Katie’s passion for elevating voices through connection and community quickly revealed to her that promoting cultural understanding can be impactful through the art of inter…

Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Erin Montgomery about her incredible journey conquering 150 miles at Potawatomi. Get the inside scoop as host Jen shares her experiences crewing for Erin, with plenty of funny moments along the way. Plus, hear about Matthias stepping in as a pacer. Dive into the world of running 150 miles and explore oth…

Registration is open for the NAI Conference, December 3–6, St. Augustine, Florida! Join the NAI Conference Committee for this preview of NAI 2024. Amanda Thompson, Conference Chair Marthalynne Allen, Program Chair Jennifer Chapman, Community Outreach Chair Alaina Allen, Volunteer Chair Caroline Lochner, Local Arrangements/Field Trip Chair Learn mor…

Marc Stern and Bob Powell have served as the editors of NAI's Journal of Interpretation Research for more than half a decade. In this episode, they discuss the value of research within the profession, and their own work as researchers. Marc J. Stern, PhD, is aprofessor in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservationat Virginia …

Send us a text Welcome to the latest episode! Today, Jen shares some sound bites recorded at Schuetzen Nein and gives a brief race report from the event. Despite capturing a lot of great content, she missed getting a recording of the runner she was there to support. That runner was understandably preoccupied with earning her spanker! In this podcas…

In this episode, we welcome Nadina Galle, Ecological Engineer, National Geographic Explorer & Author of "The Nature of Our Cities." Nadina shares her insights on urban ecology, discussing how environmental data and natural behaviors can bridge the gap between technology and nature, emphasizing the role interpretation can play in this process. She j…

Send us a text In this episode, Jen sits down with a special co-host, Stephanie Kemmeren, to delve into a conversation with her husband and co-host, Matthias. Before diving into the main discussion, Jen and Stephanie chat about recent races and preview some exciting upcoming events. The heart of the episode features Matthias, who shares his persona…

Liz Morrell is the Strategic Planning & Historic, Cultural, and Community Resources Manager for the Parks and Recreation Department in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. She discusses the process of restoring Latta Place and highlights the involvement of community partners. Latta Place is reimagining its operations and interpretive experiences to …

Send us a text 🎙️ **The Lily Podcast - Episode Release on May 24th!** 🎙️ In this exciting episode of The Lily Podcast, recorded last week, we dive into the incredible journey of Lily, an ultrarunner who embodies humility, speed, kindness, and positivity. 🌟 Lily shares her recent ultrarunning adventure at the Rocky Raccoon race in Texas. We also get…

Colby Brokvist is an adventure guide, author, and trainer of interpretive guides around the world. Colby published a book on adventure guiding, The Professional Guide's Handbook, which includes a chapter summarizing thematic interpretation principles for guides. Colby joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss adventure guiding and interpretation.…

The "Interpreting Environmental Justice" online conference is back for a second year! This episode of "What's Up Interpreters?" features leaders from the two NAI sections that are putting on this event: Caroline Lochner of the NAI Sustainability Section and Richard Munoz of the NAI Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Section. C…

James is a Conservation Interpreter at the Dallas Zoo and a Senior Guest Experience Associate at the Children's Aquarium Dallas. He has been working as an interpreter for over 7 years, yet his connection with interpretation extends far beyond that, spurred by his deep appreciation for communication and human bonds. His travels commenced in late 202…

Heather Pressman and Danielle Schulz discuss their book Art of Access with NAI's Paul Caputo and Heather Manier this week. Heather Pressman has worked in museum education, development, and communications. She is a founding member of the organizing committee for the Art of Access Alliance in Denver, a consortium working to make Denver’s arts and cul…

This week on the podcast, we're celebrating baseball season! Guest Jef Lambdin created the mascot Wool E. Bull for the iconic minor league baseball team the Durham Bulls, made famous in the movie Bull Durham. On this episode, Jef joins hosts Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss the challenges and opportunities he faced communicating with audiences…

Send us a text In this special episode of "Runners of the Corn," hosts Jen and Grace sat down with Dr. Lauren Wills on February 9th. Dr. Lauren shared her remarkable journey into running and how it intersected with her career as a chiropractor. She discussed her experiences with Eco Trail Races and her enduring passion for the Hennepin 100. The epi…

Lawana Holland-Moore is the Director of Fellowships and Interpretive Strategies at the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, National Trust for Historic Preservation. In this week's episode, she discusses the importance of the sites AACHF funds, big or small, and how they preserve stories throughout history. She is joined by NAI's Heather…

Send us a text Welcome to Runners of the Corn, the podcast where we explore the inspiring stories of everyday runners. In this episode, Matthias and Jen sit down with Aaron Dewey, a passionate runner who shares his incredible journey. Aaron talks about how he first got into running, his weight loss journey, and the transformative power of running i…

Liz Moore is the founder of Planning School, which provides education and training in contemporary strategic planning and change leadership, including courses designed for interpretive programs. She joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.By National Association for Interpretation

Send us a text For the start of Season 3 of the Runners of the Corn Podcast, hosts Jen and Lyn embark on a captivating exploration of ultrarunning alongside special guest Morgan Mader. Morgan shares her unique journey from weightlifting to running, revealing the pivotal moments that sparked her passion for endurance sports. Listeners are treated to…

Mynesha Spencer worked in the National Park Service for 13 years and was a panelist on the "From Barriers to Bridges" keynote panel at the NAI National Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mynesha is the Founder, CEO and Principal Inclusion Strategist at All of Us Together Co., a human relations firm that specializes in diversity, equity and inclus…

Carla Gull is the coordinator of the Master of Arts of Environmental Education program and associate professor at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College in northern Indiana. Dr. Gull helps educators incorporate more nature in the everyday early childhood setting and nature preschools. During this episode, she talks about the rela…

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) strives to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. On this episode, ASALH’s Aaisha N. Haykal and Ariel Roy join NAI’s Parker McMullen Bushman and Paul Caputo to talk about the work they…

Send us a text Welcome to a special episode of the Runners of the Corn Podcast! I'm shaking things up by sitting down with my 7 and 12-year-old nieces. Ever wondered what kids think about ultrarunners and the wild things we do, like tackling 100 milers? Join us as they spill the beans and share their hilarious take on their Auntie's running adventu…

As we close out 2023, "What's Up, Interpreters?" hosts Paul, Song, and Heather recap the year, share their New Years plans, and look forward to 2024. Also, there are NAI podcast T-shirts available on NAI's store!By National Association for Interpretation

Christina is a longtime member of NAI"s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, is an associate editor for NAI's Legacy magazine, and will serve as the guest editor for an upcoming special issue of Legacy on "Women in Interpretation."By National Association for Interpretation

Send us a text Welcome to another exciting episode of Runners of the Corn! In this episode, hosts Jen and Lyn are joined by the incredible Libby Jones from Active Joe Racing to delve into the thrilling world of the Dinosaur Valley Endurance Event. Jen, a seasoned runner who has conquered the 100-mile race not once but twice, shares her firsthand ex…

Join seasoned experts in interpretive planning, Halley Fehner and Scott Vierick, as they unravel the intricacies and importance of this process. Halley and Scott highlight the essence of interpretive planning, discussing its role in reevaluating program goals, themes, and future strategies, often spanning several years. They also delve into the cha…

The 2023 NAI National Conference, "Building Bridges," took place in Little Rock, Arkansas, took place last week, November 7-11. This episode features a series of visits with conference participants who share their conference experience!By National Association for Interpretation

Ian Beard brings history to life at the Historic Arkansas Museum, where his passion for trades like smithing, printing, cooking, and brewing merge with his skills as an interpreter. If you're heading to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the NAI National Conference this month, you can meet Ian and hear his stories in person at the opening reception—or you …

Send us a text Welcome to another exciting episode of "Runners of the Corn," where we dive deep into the world of ultrarunning and bring you inspiring stories from the trail. In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the seasoned ultrarunner, Randy Knight, as he takes us on a journey through his years of incredible experiences. Rand…

Budd Wentz is a former creative consultant for the Mr. Wizard television show and a world traveler. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law, and his childhood passion for building things led him to create the microscope company Wentzcope, a longtime NAI commercial member responsible for optical devices that have appeared in thousands of mu…

Send us a text In this episode of "The Long Run Chronicles," we dive into the exhilarating world of distance running, sharing stories that span the spectrum from marathons to ultra races. Our hosts, Jen, Lyn, and Lauren, kick things off by recounting the electrifying atmosphere of the Chicago Marathon, where dedicated athletes from around the world…

It's Oktoberfest on "What's Up, Interpreters"! NAI Board Member Ira Bletz, recently retired from East Bay Regional Park District, has made a name for himself as "Beer Guy" at NAI conferences for more than a decade. His special event, which tells the story of human civilization through the context of beer, is always a hit at the annual event. Ira jo…

Spirit Tawfiq is the closing keynote speaker at NAI 2023 in Little Rock. Spirit has an interpretive background and uses her skillset in now hosting anti-racism workshops in k-12 classrooms, colleges and organizations who are invested in learning, unlearning, and enacting antiracism policies and practices within their respective communities. She joi…

Send us a text The runner's side of things: Join us as we sit down with Matthias Kemmeren and dive deep into his Leadville 100 experience on the latest Runners of the Corn podcast episode. Get ready to hear firsthand about the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments from the runner's perspective. Take advantage of this captivating journey through th…

There will be two solar eclipses visible from the contiguous United States and beyond in the next few years. Cris White’s job is to help interpreters prepare to interpret these unique astonomical events. She joins NAI’s Heather Manier and Amanda Berlinski to discuss her work.By National Association for Interpretation

Send us a text Join us in this Runners of the Corn podcast episode as we journey to Leadville for an unforgettable experience. We dive into the excitement of pacing, crewing, and running alongside the incredible Yeti trail and ultra runners. We recount our firsthand encounters during the race event, from shuttle rides to soaking in the Twin Lakes a…

Sam H. Ham is a professor emeritus of communication psychology and conservation social sciences at the University of Idaho. He became a household name for interpreters with his book Environmental Interpretation: A Practical Guide for People with Big Ideas and Small Budgets, which was published in four languages, and more recently, Interpretation: M…

Ronny Alexander Muñoz Blanco is a professional tour guide in Costa Rica, and served in that role for one particularly daunting audience: NAI's recent International Un-Conference. Ronny joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott to discuss that event, the challenges of interpreting in multiple settings for international visitors, and the Pura Vida lifes…

Ahmad Toure has worked for the National Park Service for more than a decade, striving to share important, and most importantly complete stories. On this episode, he discusses that work and his Tilden Award-nominated project with hosts Paul Caputo and Song Stott.By National Association for Interpretation

Larry Beck's scholarship has had an immense effect on the field of interpretation. He is the author or co-author of such notable titles as Interpretation of Cultural and Natural Resources, Interpretive Perspectives, and Gifts of Interpretation: Fifteen Guiding Principles for Interpreting Nature and Culture, as well as a now 26-part series in Legacy…

Send us a text First, race sign up: https://runsignup.com/race/il/byron/tiger10milertrailrace?fbclid=IwAR2POo8c1iCM8QqcrBRdxnTk2jq9BQ8FbMWuMH9vsLTJlvKLBiGTSVYJFBM In this podcast episode, our guest Chris Remhof takes us on an exhilarating journey through his running experiences and involvement in the Tiger 10 Miler race in Byron, Illinois. Chris sh…

NAI's Young Professionals Council (YPC) was established to help represent the perspective of new interpreters. Katie Hemann and Grace Teofilo talk about the challenges and opportunities facing interpreters just getting started. This episode is hosted by NAI’s Heather Manier and Emily McCowan.By National Association for Interpretation