Birds & Nerds | Americans feel isolated, invisible, and insignificant and it's hurting our health
Release Date: 11/25/2025
Birds & Nerds | Birds Are Dinosaurs!
Birds & Nerds Podcast
Did you know that birds are living dinosaurs? 66 million years ago, a huge asteroid struck Earth, triggering earthquakes, tsunamis, and global wildfires, plunging the planet into darkness, and wiping out most species, including non-bird dinosaurs. In this episode of Birds & Nerds, we're asking why did birds survive the KPG impact and what else can we learn from this catastrophic event. Paleontologist Roger Benson of the American Museum of Natural History is the lead curator of the museum's new exhibit IMPACT: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs. He joins me to talk asteroids, dinosaurs, and,...
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Birds & Nerds | Birds! Birds! Birds! This one is ALL about birds!
Birds & Nerds Podcast
If you love birds, you're going to love this episode of the Birds & Nerds podcast. National Audubon Society CEO Elizabeth Gray joins host Ramona Schindelheim in a discussion about what's behind the boom in popularity of birdwatching in the United States — 96 million people self-identify as bird lovers! They also look at the alarming decline of bird populations in North America and what Audubon is doing to reverse it. Elizabeth shares how everyone be a part of the effort to protect birds and their natural habitats, including through community science projects like the upcoming Christmas...
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Birds & Nerds | Americans feel isolated, invisible, and insignificant and it's hurting our health
Birds & Nerds Podcast
America is in the midst of a loneliness crisis. People of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are feeling isolated, invisible, and insignificant. Social disconnection and digital isolation are rampant. In addition to taking a toll on us mentally and emotionally, it is hurting us physically and economically. Studies show stress can decrease our longevity and can manifest in physical symptoms, which can lead to more trips to the doctor. In this conversation, I am joined by Jean Accius, president & CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, to explore the emotional, mental, and physical...
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Birds & Nerds | A pencil is just a pencil... unless it is a Blackwing
Birds & Nerds Podcast
A pencil is just a pencil… unless it’s a Blackwing. Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast. In each episode, we explore a random topic — today, we’re all in on the best pencil EVER made — and, as always, we find the connection to birds. The legendary Blackwing 602 pencil was first manufactured in the 1930s and was favored by the likes of John Steinbeck, Chuck Jones, Steven Sondheim, Quincy Jones and so many more writers, musicians, and artists. A broken piece of machinery brought a half-century of production to a halt until 15 years ago when California Cedar Products revived the...
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Birds & Nerds | There's strength in numbers: Lifting up the most vulnerable is good for everyone
Birds & Nerds Podcast
Did you know that 55% of Americans don't have enough savings to simultaneously weather a loss of income and a rise in expenses? In this episode of Birds & Nerds, we're talking about ways to financially strengthen vulnerable Americans, providing them with the financial security they need to reach their full potential. And, as always, we find examples in nature where protecting and lifting up the most vulnerable in the flock makes a stronger community. "In our country, we tend to think we can make everyone better off just by income. But it's actually the combination of income, benefits, and...
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Birds & Nerds | Families are complicated: Uncovering family secrets through genetic testing | Bill Griffeth
Birds & Nerds Podcast
"Genealogy is the pursuit of truth, and if you choose to begin researching your family’s history, you had better be prepared to accept whatever truths you uncover.” That's the advice from Bill Griffeth, retired CNBC anchor and author of two books on his own family history. Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast, hosted by me, Ramona Schindelheim! In each episode, I'm exploring a random topic I want to know more about with an expert in that field. Somehow, we always find the connection — sometimes unexpected — to my favorite animals, BIRDS! Bill is my nerd in this episode of the...
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Birds & Nerds | Getting AI governance right is critical, especially as we push its creative limits | Vilas Dhar
Birds & Nerds Podcast
Who is in charge of making sure AI is being used for us and not against us? And can we use artificial intelligence to understand what birds are saying to each other, and then learn how to talk with birds directly? That would be pretty cool, dontcha think!? Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast, hosted by Ramona Schindelheim! In each episode, I'm exploring a random topic I want to know more about with an expert in that field. Somehow, we always find the connection — sometimes unexpected — to my favorite animals, BIRDS! My nerd for this episode is Vilas Dhar, president of The...
info_outlineAmerica is in the midst of a loneliness crisis. People of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are feeling isolated, invisible, and insignificant. Social disconnection and digital isolation are rampant. In addition to taking a toll on us mentally and emotionally, it is hurting us physically and economically. Studies show stress can decrease our longevity and can manifest in physical symptoms, which can lead to more trips to the doctor.
In this conversation, I am joined by Jean Accius, president & CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, to explore the emotional, mental, and physical state of health in the United States. It is all connected and we're looking at ways to significantly improve the feeling of community and connections to address this crisis.
Nature can aid the healing. Building connections can alleviate loneliness. Jean and I discuss the therapeutic benefits of nature and community engagement, particularly through shared interests such as birdwatching. Jean shares that he just recently started pausing to observe birds on his walks and runs and how that has changed his perspective about several things. I share how watching an eagle nest cam connected me to a new community during COVID, one that continues to thrive today.
You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here: Birds & Nerds Podcast
Watch now for these and more stories. Learn more about CHC: Creating Healthier Communities: https://chcimpact.org/
Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/
Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/
BONUS: Here is the link to the eagle nest camera: https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/eagles/